The Preclerkship Podcast

Episode 4: Mental Health, Mindfulness, and Mace Windu

thepreclerkshippodcast@gmail.com (Elise Yoon) — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 08:10:00 +0000

Dylan, Elise, and Dr. Taylor

The first thing you’ll notice when you enter the new Office for Personal Counseling and Health Promotion are not cinderblock walls or harsh fluorescent lights. The walls have art; the lights have been replaced with lamps - there are even yoga mats and reading materials on mindfulness for medical students. Although these old Fee Hall study rooms were not renovated, the space has been transformed. It feels like someone’s zen living space has been transplanted into the basement of Fee Hall.

The second thing you’ll notice is the Star Wars themed décor sprinkled throughout this peaceful space. This special touch belongs to Dr. John Taylor. Dr. Taylor is the new Director of Personal Counseling and Health Promotion at the College of Osteopathic Medicine, and while he has only started recently, he has found ways to welcome students, whether it’s an open house with cookies, or leading mindfulness meditation sessions before exams. Take a listen to find out his perspective on the importance of mental health, how he ended up at MSU COM, and his favorite Star Wars character.

Thank you to Chris Bathgate for permission to use his song "Levee"

Thank you to Brian Peters at Quite Scientific

If you have questions or comments email us at thepreclerkshippodcast@gmail.com

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Episode 3: Plants, Pelicans, and Prosection

thepreclerkshippodcast@gmail.com (Elise Yoon) — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 16:28:00 +0000

Dylan, Elise, and Dr. Pratt

I will never forget the first day of medical school. I was excited and terrified, and then pleasantly surprised at our unconventional first day. My expectations were high, and I half expected to be thrown into the gross anatomy lab and quizzed against my peers; fortunately this was not the case at all.

Our morning session included a talk from Dr. Rebecca Pratt reminding us to be good citizens because we were now entering into a life of service and privilege. Our afternoon session included an orientation to the lab, but what I remember most is Dr. Pratt speaking with reverence about our "loved ones", the community members who donated their bodies for our education. Over the course of our first semester, we got to know Dr. Pratt for her and love of teaching and detailed knowledge of human anatomy.

In this episode we learn about her path to the gross anatomy lab at MSU COM, some of her favorite anatomical terms, and hear advice for incoming medical students. You might even learn about Dr. Pratt's spirit animal!

Thank you to Frontier Ruckus for permission to use their song "Silverfishes"

Thank you to Brian Peters at Quite Scientific

If you have questions or comments email us at thepreclerkshippodcast@gmail.com

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Episode 2: Parasites and PhDs

thepreclerkshippodcast@gmail.com (Elise Yoon) — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 17:45:00 +0000

Elise and Sarah

This summer I was fortunate enough to sit down with Sarah and talk about her med school experience, which involves a little extra work, and the occasional trip to Malawi. Sarah is one of those rare sweet people who is always smiling, and she also happens to be one of our dual degree students. This means she's dedicating eight years of her life to medical school and research to ultimately end up with both DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) and PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) degrees.

In this episode we discuss her journey into medicine, including how she became interested in her topic of research, malaria. We also talk about the DO/PhD program, and the elective rotation in Malawi.

Thank you to Chris Bathgate for permission to use his song "Big Ghost"

Thank you to Brian Peters at Quite Scientific

If you have ideas for future episodes, comments, or questions, send us an email at thepreclerkshippodcast@gmail.com

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Episode 1: Pod Party

thepreclerkshippodcast@gmail.com (Elise Yoon) — Sun, 06 Mar 2016 12:29:00 +0000

David, Elise, Leah, and Dylan in the Basement of Fee Hall

First of all, what does "preclerkship" mean? I remember attending orientation and hearing lots of words and acronyms and not knowing what any of them meant. Medical school involves a whole lot of that, so I will try my best to explain terms (if not, please email me and let me know). Clerkship refers to the two years of medical school spent learning in the hospital and clinic setting. As first year students we're still in the two years of classroom learning, the "pre-clerkship" part of school.

Each June, as a new class of students begins school at MSU COM (Michigan State University - College of Osteopathic Medicine), we are assigned into pods, groups of four, to work together in the Gross Anatomy Lab. I'm fortunate to have a really great pod consisting of some smart, motivated, and fun people.

On this first episode, we discuss the good and bad parts of medical school, our favorite classes, specialty interests, and advice for pre-med students.

Thank you to Love X Stereo for permission to use their song "Soul City (Seoul City)"

Love X Stereo will be doing some US tour dates including K-Pop Night Out at SXSW

David and a group of our classmates are headed to Peru this year for a medical mission trip, learn more about that and help contribute here: Peru Global Outreach

If you have ideas for future episodes, comments, or questions, send us an email at thepreclerkshippodcast@gmail.com

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