Med School Minutes

👑 What do international beauty pageants and medical school have in common? More than you might think. In this episode of Med School Minutes, Monica Aguilar shares her remarkable journey from competing on some of the world's biggest pageant stages to becoming one of the top students in her medical school class. Monica discusses what it really takes to compete internationally, the misconceptio...

What does it take to become a doctor at 73 years old? In this inspiring episode of Med School Minutes, host Kaushik Guha sits down with Dr. Dawn Zuidgeest Craft, a Saint James School of Medicine graduate who recently matched into a Family Medicine residency at the age of 73. After decades of service as a neonatal nurse practitioner, educator, and professor, Dr. Dawn made the extraordinary decision...

What if one of the earliest warning signs of cardiovascular disease had nothing to do with chest pain? 👀❤️ In this episode of Med School Minutes, Elliot Justin discusses the surprising connection between erectile health, nocturnal erections, wearable technology, and cardiovascular wellness. From emergency medicine to health tech innovation, this conversation explores how wearable devices could ch...

She competed on the world stage… and then chose a completely different kind of pressure. Kelley Hurley is a 4x Olympian and Olympic medalist who didn’t just chase one dream, she built another from scratch. 🥇 From intense training and global competition to long nights in medical school, her journey is anything but typical. In this episode of Med School Minutes, she shares how she made the transiti...

Most medical students are trying to survive exams, rotations, and endless study hours. Dr. Jesse Oswald was doing all of that… while building a healthcare company. 🚀 In this episode of Med School Minutes, we talk with a Saint James School of Medicine student who launched and scaled a kinesiology startup serving hundreds of patients while attending medical school full-time. Jesse shares how he sta...

In this episode of Med School Minutes, we sit down with Dr. Arthur Burnett, a Johns Hopkins urologist, researcher, and professor whose work helped unlock the science behind Viagra and reshape how medicine understands male sexual health. In recognition of Black History Month, we reflect on Dr. Burnett’s groundbreaking career, his impact on men’s health research, and the importance of representation...

In this episode of Med School Minutes, we’re joined by Dr. Soenita Nannan Panday-Gopisingh, Course Director of the Tropical Medicine Program and Chief Medical Officer of one of the world’s oldest continuously operating hospitals in Suriname 🌍 Dr. Nannan Panday-Gopisingh shares her journey from medical training in the Netherlands to leading healthcare initiatives in Suriname, offering insight into...

Suriname is officially malaria-free 🇸🇷 but the story behind that achievement is even more inspiring. In this episode, Dr. Stephen Vreden shares how a small country used community trust, local health workers, and innovative public health strategies to eliminate a disease that affects millions worldwide.  We also explore how SJSM’s new Tropical Medicine Program gives future physicians hands-on exper...

🎬 From film school dreams to the operating room reality, Dr. Colin Son’s journey is anything but ordinary. In this episode of Med School Minutes, he shares how he went from aspiring screenwriter to board-certified neurosurgeon, and how his creative background now shapes his work at the intersection of medicine, AI, and entrepreneurship. 💡 Tune in to learn: - How nontraditional paths can strength...

Want to know what makes you stand out in residency applications? Insight Hospital’s Designated Institutional Official, Dr. Asim Saeed, shares insider advice on rotations, sub-internships, and what program directors actually look for. He also talks about his journey from the Caribbean to leading Graduate Medical Education in Chicago—and why passion, not paycheck, should drive your path in medicine....

What happens when universities refuse to change? 🚨 Dr. Moez Limayem, President of the University of North Florida, joins us in St. Vincent to talk about the future of higher education, why banning AI will not work, and how micro-credentials might replace traditional degrees. The jet of innovation is taking off.  Will universities get on board or be left behind? Watch the new episode of Med School...

Drug-resistant bacteria are a growing global threat — an invisible pandemic impacting millions each year. In this episode of Med School Minutes, Dr. Alya Limayem, Associate Professor at the University of North Florida and pioneer in nanotechnology research, shares how nano-based solutions could be the key to fighting superbugs. From her journey in science to her patented nanocompounds, Dr. Limayem...

Join us on the shores of sunny St. Vincent as Dr. Paryus Patel, Corporate Chief Medical Officer of Prime Health, shares his inspiring journey from Africa to the U.S., how he climbed both literal and professional mountains, and what it takes to succeed as an international medical graduate. In this episode, Dr. Patel talks about: ✅ Building one of the largest community-based residency networks in t...

Addiction doesn’t discriminate - even in medicine.  Dr. Jason Giles was a successful physician, trained at top universities, and on track for a thriving career. But behind the scenes, he was battling a growing dependence on fentanyl, one that nearly derailed everything. In this episode of Med School Minutes, he opens up about the moment things changed, how recovery reshaped his purpose, and why be...

🎙️ In this episode we sit down with Dr. Mike Van Thielen—biohacking expert, PhD in holistic nutrition, TEDx speaker, and record-setting athlete. From mastering your mindset to improving test performance and reversing biological age, Dr. Mike shares powerful, practical tools for students and professionals alike. 💡 Learn how breathwork, belief systems, and daily routines can help you stay focused,...

Tutoring isn't just about teaching—it’s a game-changer for mastering medical school! In this episode MD4 student Anazuo Ohieku-Ajanaku shares how tutoring has strengthened her understanding, helped fellow students, and made studying more effective. Learn her top study strategies, time management tips, and insights on thriving in an accelerated MD program. 00:00 - Introduction & Guest Intr...

Dr. Youssef Majed, Chief Academic Officer at South Texas Health System, shares insider insights on Caribbean medical grads, residency selection, and breaking the IMG stigma. Does the appointment of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat as a Surgeon General of United States help alleviate that stigma? 🔹 What do residency directors really look for? 🔹 Has the perception of IMGs changed? 🔹 How can Caribbean grads...

How is AI shaping the future of medicine and education? Join us as we sit down with the father of virtual assistant, Kevin Surace, to explore how generative AI is revolutionizing medical education and practice.  Don’t miss this insightful discussion on how students and professionals can leverage AI for greater efficiency and success! #AIInMedicine #VirtualAssistant #GenerativeAI #MedSchoolMinutes...

From Canada to the Caribbean to the U.S., Dr. Sanket Chaudhari’s journey to becoming an MD is anything but ordinary. In this episode of Med School Minutes, hear how he navigated cultural shifts, career pivots, and the realities of med school life at St. James. From his work as a student counselor to tips on excelling as an international medical student, Dr. Sanket shares real insights and practica...

Curious about what it takes to land a residency spot? In this episode of Med School Minutes, Dr. Raeleigh Payanes and Dr. James Kruer share insider tips on family and internal medicine programs launching in 2025. Whether you're an IMG, considering fellowship, or perfecting your application, this episode is a must-watch. Tune in for exclusive advice straight from the experts! 0:00 - Introducti...

From navigating the red tape in the U.S. to tackling patient shortages in Canada, Dr. Ivan Escudero’s journey is a crash course in healthcare extremes.  Ever wondered what it’s like balancing two systems? Dive into his story, where every decision could mean the difference between life-saving care and waiting lists. Get a unique behind-the-scenes look at the real-life struggles and triumphs that sh...

Welcome to another episode of the Med School Minutes podcast, brought to you by Saint James School of Medicine. In this episode, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of our school with a special guest, Dr. Kallol Guha, the founder of Saint James School of Medicine. Join us as we delve into the history of Caribbean medical schools, the challenges faced, and the vision for the future of medical educati...

Welcome to another episode of the Med School Minutes podcast by Saint James School of Medicine! In this episode, the host Kashik Guha sits down with Ethan Nkana, a specialist in physician contract negotiations, to uncover the secrets to maximizing doctor salaries. Ethan, the founder of Rocky Mountain Physician Agency, shares invaluable insights into the disparities in physician compensation, parti...

#caribbeanmedschool #sjsm #medstudent  Welcome to another episode of the Med School Minutes Podcast.  Get ready for an incredible episode of the Med School Minutes podcast with Dr. Yaya Besong! She's breaking barriers in medicine, sharing her journey from tough times to triumph. Hear how she tackled personal setbacks, weathered storms, and even a pandemic, all while pursuing her dream. Dr. Be...

#caribbeanmedschool #medstudent #usmlepreparation Welcome to another episode of the Med School Minutes podcast. Today, our host, Kaushik Guha, welcomed an SJSM Alumni, and the owner of USMLEtrainings.com, Dr. Stavros Vouyiouklis. Dr. Stavors is an expert on the USMLE prep for medical students and in this episode he offers several great insights on how to successfully prepare for the exams. Additio...