Travel Tips and Hacks for Doctors and Healthcare Providers with Prescription to Travel MD

In this episode, Dr. Courtney Downs shares the story behind her very first passport stamp—a trip to Trinidad Carnival nearly 20 years ago that sparked a lifelong love of travel, cultural exploration, and curiosity about the world. As Caribbean American Heritage Month is celebrated, she reflects on why the Caribbean continues to hold such a special place in her heart. From the rich history of Trini...

What if physician burnout isn't caused by working too much, but by having too little control over how you work? In this episode, Dr. Courtney Downes sits down with pediatrician, coach, and entrepreneur Dr. Sheneka Horne to discuss how she transformed her career after experiencing burnout at the end of her medical training. Instead of accepting the traditional path, Dr. Horne built a lifestyle-cent...

What if the biggest mistake we make isn’t spending too much money… but waiting too long to actually live? In this episode, Dr. Courtney Downes shares the powerful idea behind “The 12 Good Years” — the realization that while we may live long lives, the years where we truly have the health, energy, mobility, and freedom to fully experience the world are far more limited than we think. As physicians...

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by student loans, confused about investing, or just wish someone had explained money to you earlier… this episode is for you. In this episode, Dr. Courtney Downes sits down with Dr. Brittne Halford, who went from graduating with over $135,000 in student debt to paying it all off in less than three years while still building wealth along the way.  Dr. Halford shares...

“Free travel” sounds amazing… but what if it’s not the full story? In this episode, Dr. Courtney Downes shares an honest, behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to travel using points and miles and why the word free can be misleading. After spending 23 nights in hotels for $0 out of pocket, Dr. Downes reflects on what made that possible and what it really cost her in return. Dr. Downes s...

In this episode of  Prescription to Travel MD , Dr. Courtney Downes is joined by Tiffani, an ER nurse, and Kori, a physical therapist, who share how they transitioned from a busy life in Las Vegas to living in Mexico City with their two young kids.  They start by talking about what life looked like before the move. Between long shifts, opposite schedules, and raising two small children, their days...

If packing for a trip stresses you out, you’re definitely not alone! In this fun and relatable episode of the  Prescription to Travel MD Podcast , Dr. Courtney Downes is joined by Dr. Heather Bacala and Andi Singer to talk about the reality of packing for travel. From last-minute packing habits and girls’ trip outfit coordination to capsule wardrobes and travel hacks, this episode is full of pract...

What happens when a girls’ trip finally leaves the group chat and becomes a real adventure? In this episode of the  Prescription to Travel MD Podcast , Dr. Courtney Downes is joined by Dr. Heather Bacala and nurse practitioner Andi Singer to recap their unforgettable weekend exploring Mexico City. What started as a birthday trip that almost didn’t happen quickly turned into a spontaneous getaway f...

What happens when you’ve done everything “right” — built the career, bought the house, checked all the boxes and then decide to walk away from it? In this episode of Prescription to Travel MD , Dr. Courtney Downes sits down with longtime friend John Taveras to talk about the bold, unexpected decision he and his physician wife made: leaving their comfortable New Jersey life and moving their family...

In this episode, Dr. Courtney Downes sits down with  Dr. Weili Gray , a sleep physician, mom of three, and founder of  Dare to Dream Compass , to explore identity, burnout, and what it means to design a life that feels expansive—inside and outside of medicine. Dr. Gray shares her journey from idealistic medical student to attending physician who nearly walked away from medicine altogether. She ope...

In this episode, Dr. Courtney Downes shares how she’s approaching travel in 2026 with more intention, alignment, and strategies that actually fit real life. She explores why travel isn’t about escaping your life, but about supporting it — especially for busy professionals who want meaningful experiences without sacrificing financial goals, time, or peace of mind. Dr. Downes reflects on what worked...

In this episode of Prescription to Travel MD , Dr. Courtney Downes is joined by Chris Stockwell , founder of Scout , a travel app designed to solve one of the biggest frustrations travelers face: figuring out what to actually do once they arrive. Chris shares how years of global travel from backpacking at 17 to working remotely across continents led him to build Scout.  The app curates real, local...

In this episode, Dr. Courtney Downes talks with Tim Qin , co-founder and CEO of Roame , an award flight and hotel search engine that has become a go to resource for travelers who want to maximize their points. Tim shares how he first began collecting United miles in high school and how that early curiosity eventually led him to build Roame, a tool designed to simplify award travel for everyone.  D...

In this episode, Dr. Courtney Downes is joined by Dr. Un a , a pediatrician turned entrepreneur and founder of EntreMD, for a transformative discussion on what it really takes for physicians to create both a dream business and a dream life. Dr. Una breaks down the mindset shifts that help doctors step beyond the “one-track career lane,” the power of exposure to possibility, and why delegation is t...

What if you could turn your credit card points into a passport for better mental health? In this episode of Prescription of Travel MD , host Dr. Courtney chats with Deb Dunman , a licensed clinical social worker who discovered that travel—and the world of points and miles—can be a true form of self-care. Deb shares how she balances the emotional demands of therapy with her love of travel, using po...

The holiday season is here and so is one of the best times of the year to earn serious travel rewards. In this episode, Dr. Courtney Downes breaks down how to maximize every purchase through shopping portals and stacking strategies so you can turn your everyday spending into your next getaway. Whether you’re an experienced points enthusiast or a minimalist traveler who prefers to keep things simpl...

What happens when an OB-GYN, mom of three, and business owner decides she’s done doing it all and starts doing it smarter? In this episode, Dr. Heather Bacala , joins Dr. Courtney Downes to share how she’s built a life that blends work, family, and travel without burning out. Dr. Heather shares what it takes to manage a busy medical practice in Las Vegas while still making time for family adventur...

What does it really mean to be wealthy? For Dr. Manpreet Samra and Dr. Paula, co-founders of  Trifecta MD , wealth goes far beyond numbers in a bank account—it’s about creating freedom, legacy, and a life that feels aligned. In this episode, they join Dr. Courtney Downes to share their journey of moving into telemedicine, founding Trifecta MD, and building a community that empowers women physician...

In this inspiring episode of  Prescription to Travel MD , host Dr. Courtney Downes sits down with Dr. Eva Beaulieu—physician, author, content creator, and passionate advocate for representation in medicine. Born and raised in Haiti before moving to the U.S. as a teenager, Dr. Eva shares her journey of adapting to a new culture, building a career in medicine, and creating a life filled with intenti...

What if your real estate expenses could pay for your next luxury vacation? In this episode of Prescription to Travel MD , Dr. Courtney Downes sits down with Jaina Pallasigui to uncover exactly how she turned everyday property expenses into millions of travel points. Jaina shares how she got started in real estate, the lightbulb moment that changed how she approached renovations, and the creative w...

In this episode of  The Prescription to Travel Podcast , Dr. Courtney Downes speaks with Dr. Elliott and Nickay McKenzie Wade, a couple who have intentionally integrated travel into their lives alongside demanding professional careers. Dr. Elliot, a physician, and Nickay, an advertising executive, share practical strategies for maximizing points and miles, planning trips with purpose, and balancin...

In this week's episode, Dr. Courtney Downes is joined by certified life coach and solo travel expert  Lisa Saper-Bloom , founder of  123 Go Solo . Together, they explore what prevents many women from taking trips on their own and how to overcome those internal and external barriers with support, strategy, and intention. Lisa shares how she helps women move through fear, guilt, and uncertainty to c...

What happens when a high-achieving OB-GYN realizes that checking every box on the “successful woman” checklist still doesn’t make her feel fulfilled? In this powerful episode, Dr. Priyanka Venugopal joins Dr. Courtney Downes to share her journey from accomplished physician to transformational coach and founder of The Unstoppable Mom Brain . As a stress and weight loss coach for professional women...

In this episode of the Prescription to Travel MD Podcast , Dr. Courtney Downes sits down with Dr. Devon Gimbel—a physician, travel expert, and founder of Point Me to First Class . Dr. Devon shares how her path from financially anxious resident to points-and-miles pro completely transformed her life, enabling luxury travel experiences she never thought were possible. From her first Lufthansa First...

In this episode of the Prescription of Travel MD podcast, Dr. Courtney Downes interviews Kristen Keeler, a former ER nurse turned travel blogger. Kristen shares her journey from bedside nursing to exploring the hidden gems of the Midwest with her family. They discuss budget-friendly travel tips, the importance of finding kid-friendly adventures, and the surprising beauty of places like Iowa and Do...