The Nest Podcast

A lot of students can picture themselves in a white coat, but they cannot picture how to get there or how their family could ever pay for it. We sit down with Jefferson R-7 Superintendent David Haug and Jefferson County Commissioner Dennis Gannon to lay out a clear, local, affordable route into medicine through the LECOM early entry medical program and Mercy’s connection to clinical training. The...

Skipping the MCAT can sound like cutting corners, so we asked the hard question: does an early acceptance pathway actually keep medical school standards high? Dr. Michael Rowane from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) joins us to explain how LECOM’s Early Acceptance Program creates a direct route from high school through college and into medical school while still protecting rig...

Medical school can feel like a maze when you’re still in high school. The deadlines are unclear, the costs sound intimidating, and it’s hard to know what matters most: grades, tests, interviews, or picking the “right” college. We wanted to strip all of that down to a simple plan, so I’m joined by Dustin Cassell, Director of Pre-Professional Program Admissions at LECOM, to explain a practical early...

Rural healthcare doesn’t fail all at once. It slips when communities can’t recruit physicians, when training happens far away, and when young people who want to serve at home don’t see a clear path into medicine. We sit down with Mercy Jefferson President Dan Eckenfels and Dr. Karthik Iyer to talk through a practical solution: building a local medical education pipeline through a Mercy and LECOM p...

Medical school can look like a locked door when you’re staring at tuition costs and wondering if you’re “the kind of person” who can actually make it through. We sit down with Katie Raymer, a third-year medical student currently rotating in the ICU, to talk honestly about what it’s like to pursue medicine from a low-income background and why the price tag can feel terrifying at first glance. Katie...

You can want medicine and still want a life. We sit down with Adidi Ayur, a third-year medical student currently training at Mercy Jefferson, to talk about how she found LECOM in high school, applied, and suddenly had a clearer path into the medical profession. That one shift changed everything: less time obsessing over the next application cycle, more time building skills, confidence, and a colle...

Medicine can feel like a maze of costs, gatekeeping, and tests that decide your future in a single morning. We sit down with third-year medical student Senna Zofikar to talk about a different route: an early entry medical program that offered stability early, eased her testing anxiety, and changed what she chose to do in college. Senna shares how she first learned about LECOM through family connec...

She didn’t grow up assuming college was possible. She didn’t start out aiming at medicine. And she definitely didn’t feel confident walking into medical school. Katie Raymer, a third-year LECOM medical student training at Mercy Jefferson in Festus, Missouri, joins us to share the real story behind a non-traditional path into osteopathic medicine. We talk about growing up in an underserved, low-inc...

You can be smart, motivated, and genuinely called to medicine and still feel crushed by standardized testing. That tension sits at the center of our conversation with Anuya Akala, a LECOM student who found a path that finally matched how she learns. From South Brunswick, New Jersey to training in Missouri, Anuya walks us through how she discovered LECOM early, why an early acceptance medical progr...

You can chase medical school without shrinking your life down to nothing. We sit down with Adidi Ayer, a competitive college swimmer who found the LECOM pathway in high school, said yes to an affiliated undergrad, and proved that a demanding sport and a serious pre-med track can coexist when your systems are solid. If you’ve been told you must quit everything to become a doctor, her story offers a...

A guaranteed seat to medical school can sound like a shortcut, but the real story is what you do with the breathing room. We talk with Son of Zolfakar about his early acceptance journey to LECOM, from growing up around medicine to confronting the quiet fear a lot of premed students carry: “What if I’m not smart enough?” He breaks down how he found the program, why he trusted it, and what changed o...

Patriotism meets education in this forward-looking address from Superintendent David Haug as Jefferson R-7 School District prepares for a momentous 2025-26 academic year. The excitement is palpable as Haug reflects on recent accolades that have positioned the district as a leader in civic-minded education. The district proudly received dual honors last year—recognition from the Daughters of Americ...

Our Climate and Culture Survey results show strong participation with 339 parent responses, 120 staff responses, and over 500 student responses to guide our continuous improvement plan. We're sharing key strengths and opportunities for growth based on this valuable feedback. • 85% of students agree teachers and adults treat them with respect • Students' sense of belonging remains consist...

Discover how the Jefferson R-7 School District is setting new standards in education with Superintendent Dr. David Haug at the helm. We promise you'll gain valuable insights into their impressive nine-point APR score jump to 92.4% and learn how collaboration and strategic planning are driving this success. David shares the district's unwavering commitment to nurturing crucial traits like...

Ready to experience the most thrilling Homecoming Week ever? Brace yourselves as Baylor Pemberton, Mallory Wilkey, Mitchell Obermeyer, and Nolan Naucke walk you through an entire week packed with excitement, spirit, and memorable moments. We kick off with interactive games at the younger buildings and move on to transforming our hallways into a Broadway spectacle. From the high-energy bonfire to t...

Curious to learn how one person's dedication can preserve a community's rich history? Join us as Superintendent Dr. David Haug introduces the R-7 Advocate Recognition, a new initiative celebrating those who go above and beyond for the Jefferson R-7 School District. Our first honoree, Barb Jackson, has an inspiring story that showcases her relentless passion for our community. From her ea...