In this mini-series, we explore different health professions to get a better understanding of the variety of team members involved in patient care. In this episode, we spoke with pathologists’ assistant Alyssha Glass about her journey into this unique specialty and the role of pathologists’ assistants in healthcare.
Alyssha Glass is a Chicago-based pathologists’ assistant who focuses on hospital autopsy. She is a graduate of Rosalind Franklin University and has been in the field of pathology for 8 years. With a passion for patient care and teaching, she spends her days teaching residents, medical students, and pathologists’ assistant students the art of autopsy and the unique specialty of pathology.
To find out more about a career as a Pathologists’ Assistant, please visit www.pathassist.org.
If you would like to contact Alyssha, please reach out to us at medicuspodcast@gmail.com so that we may connect you.
Episode produced by: Rasa Valiauga
Episode recording date: 10/9/25
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Cultural humility is a lifelong practice of self-reflection, openness, and respect for the diverse backgrounds of the families we serve. Unlike cultural competence, which can imply mastering knowledge about “other cultures,” cultural humility emphasizes curiosity, listening, and shared decision-making. In pediatrics, this is especially important because care involves both the child and the family, whose cultural values strongly shape health beliefs and practices.
Today’s discussion is an opportunity to reflect together: how do we approach cultural humility in pediatrics, and what steps can we take to deepen it in our daily practice?
Dr. Ana Aguilar, DO is originally from Loveland, OH. She went to Transylvania University where she did not major in Blood-Sucking and Shadow-Walking, but instead earned a dual degree in Molecular Biology and Anthropology. She attended Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and is a very recent Loyola graduate, now completing a chief year with her best friend and co-chief, Dr. Sana Moqeet, MD. In her spare time, Ana enjoys reading, solving puzzles, writing and denying vampire allegations.
Episode produced by: Deborah Chen
Episode recording date: 09/11/2025
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In this mini-series, we explore different health professions to get a better understanding of the variety of team members involved in patient care. In this episode, we spoke with paramedic Joseph Castello about his journey into the world of emergency medical services and the role of paramedics in healthcare.
Joseph Castello has been a paramedic for over 22 years and served with the Chicago Fire Department for 20 years. He has also taught and served as a simulation technician for nursing and medical students at Loyola University Chicago for the last 10 years.
To explore careers in emergency medical services, visit https://www.naemt.org/about-ems/careers
Episode produced by: Rasa Valiauga
Episode recording date: 7/17/25
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In this mini-series, we explore different health professions to get a better understanding of the variety of team members involved in patient care. For this episode, we chatted with Andre Moore about his journey in healthcare law.
Andre Moore is a Chicago native and a final-semester law student at Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where he is a fellow at the Beazley Institute for Health Law and Policy. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago's (UIC) School of Public Health. Over the past two summers, he gained in-house legal experience, most recently at the American Dental Association, where he worked on healthcare compliance and data privacy and security matters.
Episode produced by: Deborah Chen
Episode recording date: 4/29/2025
www.medicuspodcast.com | medicuspodcast@gmail.com | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonateContact info for Andre Moore: lmoore22@luc.edu
The goal of this mini series is to spark conversations of these new tools and practices within the community of current and future medical practitioners and staff. It is important for medical professionals to have a say in how these Al tools impact practice to ensure practical and ethical use. Join us in discussions of the history of Al, machine and deep learning. computer visions, natural language processing, responsible Al, and so much more. Let's take a step into the future together.
Joining us is Jonathan Theros, Co-Founder and CEO of Dendritic Health AI. A recent MD/MBA graduate from Northwestern University and incoming internal medicine resident at Massachusetts General Hospital, Jon founded his company to address gaps in medical education by developing AI tools that help medical students learn more effectively and prepare for clinical practice. In our conversation, we discussed the future of AI in medical education, the specific tools his startup is building, and how physician entrepreneurs can amplify their impact by supporting the next generation of medical professionals.
Dendritic Health AI and Neural Consult:
https://www.dendritichealth.com
Episode produced by: Caleb Keng & Rohan Sethi
Episode recording date: May 15, 2025
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In this episode, we chat with Dr. Paul Tran, a pediatric gastroenterologist who may be better known as the “med student on rotations” with his social media platform, Alimentary School. Through his skits on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, Paul uses humor to connect with the medical community about current issues in medical education. He shares his journey into medicine, advice on mentor-mentee relationships, shortcomings with medical education, and the inspiration for his relatable content.
Paul is a pediatric gastroenterologist, medical educator, and content creator who wants to promote kindness and encouragement within medical education. As a clerkship co-director, clinical skills instructor, preceptor, and mentor, he strives to equip and empower learners to take charge of their own education. He is passionate about promoting effective feedback conversations, cultivating a growth mindset, and pursuing mastery.
Paul can be found on TikTok, Instagram, and Youtube as @alimentaryschool.
He also has a new gameshow podcast called “The Four Humors,” which can be found at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYEi1fQGAdlnpNV62W-CycEYwyvHSzWoo, and his associated media company is hippocratic-collective.com.
Episode produced by: Angeli Mittal
Episode recording date: 1/31/25
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In this powerful episode, we explore moral injury in healthcare - the profound distress physicians face when they’re forced to make decisions that go against the very reason they entered healthcare. We sat down with Dr. Carol Paris, a retired psychiatrist and the former President and current Vice President of Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) to discuss their moral injury survey, part of a project funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
To learn more about moral injury in healthcare, follow the link below!
https://pnhp.org/understanding-moral-injury-in-health-care/
And if you are a med student or physician interested in filling out the moral injury survey, it’s available at the link below.
The report mentioned in the episode is also available at the link below.
Episode produced by: Griffin K Johnson
Episode recording date: 4/24/25
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In this 4th year medical student (MS4) series, we chat about the field of Pathology. Our guest, Dr. Anaisa Quintanilla-Arteaga, shares advice on how to set yourself up for success regarding matching into this unique specialty and shares tips to help you stand out both on paper and in person.
Anaisa (Nisa) is an incoming PGY1 pathology resident at Northwestern University. She is originally from El Paso, Texas where she had her first exposure to pathology through forensic pathology. After attending Brown University for her undergraduate studies, she earned a master’s degree at Georgetown University and worked at the National Institutes of Health before matriculating to Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine to pursue her medical degree. Nisa is a proud Hispanic/Latina woman in medicine of Mexican descent who is passionate about improving diversity and equity in medicine, healthcare, and pathology. When she isn’t talking about how cool pathology is, Nisa can be found with her nose in a book or playing Dungeons & Dragons.
To connect with Nisa, reach out to her on X @Anaisa_QA
To further explore pathology, check out @Path_SIG and @MatchToPath
Episode produced by: Rasa Valiauga
Episode recording date: 4/8/25
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In this mini-series, we explore different health professions to get a better understanding of the variety of team members involved in patient care. In this episode, we spoke with registered dietitian and educator Kevin Pietro about his journey into the world of dietetics and the role of dietitians in healthcare.
Dr. Kevin Pietro, PhD, RDN, LDN, CSSD, is an Assistant Professor and Director of Dietetics Education Programs at Loyola University Chicago. As Program Director and SoTL-based scholar, Dr. Pietro’s primary goal is to enhance dietetics education, supporting students in becoming caring, compassionate, and effective dietitians. As an academic and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), Dr. Pietro is committed to being an approachable, inclusive, and understanding educator. His work as an RDN and board-certified Sports Dietitian (CSSD) has centered around nutrition education, helping hundreds of patients/clients/athletes improve their nutrition, health, and wellness.
Connect with Dr. Pietro on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-pietro-phd-rdn-ldn-cssd-b70092b0
To learn more, check out the following resources:
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - www.eatright.org
Dietary Guidelines for Americans - www.odphp.health.gov
American Society for Nutrition - www.nutrition.org
American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition - www.nutritioncare.org
Episode produced by: Rasa Valiauga
Episode recording date: 2/24/25
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The goal of this mini series is to spark conversations of these new tools and practices within the community of current and future medical practitioners and staff. It is important for medical professionals to have a say in how these AI tools impact practice to ensure practical and ethical use. Join us in discussions of the history of AI, machine and deep learning, computer visions, natural language processing, responsible AI, and so much more. Let’s take a step into the future together.
To kick off our first episode of this series we have Dr. Mehul Sheth, the medical director for health informatics for Illinois and Indiana based at Loyola. For his training, Dr. Sheth went to Midwestern University for medical school after which he completed a residency in pediatrics at University of Illinois Chicago. Dr. Sheth has been working in clinical informatics full-time for over 12 years most recently with oracle (formerly Cerner) where he was a member of the AI board and supported the development of machine learning algorithms and generative AI tools like Sax and Actions assist. In this episode we discuss various topics in AI and medicine including its history, capabilities and limitations, current applications, how to prepare for AI’s impact in medicine, and a special announcement of a new AI elective at Stritch!
Episode produced by: Rohan Sethi
Episode recording date: 02/04/2025
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In this mini-series, we explore different health professions to get a better understanding of the variety of team members involved in patient care. For this episode, we chatted with Angela Kwon about her journey in successfully matriculating into a Physician Associate program.
Angela is a Clinical Research Coordinator for the Department of Pulmonology at Stanford. While originally from Los Angeles, California, Angela grew up in the small agricultural town of Salinas on the central coast of the Golden State. As a first-generation American born to Korean immigrant parents, Angela was immersed in the world of healthcare from a young age, often stepping into roles as a translator, healthcare navigator, and even caregiver for her family. These experiences sparked her passion for healthcare and shaped her dedication to improving the lives of others. She earned her Honors Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare, with a minor in Global Poverty and Practice, from the University of California, Berkeley. Her honors thesis focused on women’s health, reproductive justice, and its intersection with health and law. Over the years, Angela has gained various experiences in healthcare, having worked in diverse roles, from an oncology Medical Assistant to Research Coordinator in general surgery. Currently, she is contributing to research in pulmonology focused on COPD, the genetic basis of interstitial lung disease, Bronchiectasis and clinical trials for nontuberculosis mycobacteria. This fall, Angela will take the next step in her medical career by starting Physician Assistant school where she will pursue a dual degree in Physician Assistant and Master of Public Health.
Episode produced by: Deborah Chen
Episode edited by Angeli Mittal and Deborah Chen
Episode recording date: 1/4/2025
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In this mini-series, we explore different health professions to get a better understanding of the variety of team members involved in patient care. For this episode, we chatted with social worker Lauren Judd about her journey and the essential services social workers provide to patients.
Lauren Judd is a dedicated and experienced social worker with over 12 years of practice in the healthcare setting. Lauren obtained her Masters of Social Work from the University of IL at Chicago and holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Germanic Language and Literature from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She has worked since 2015 in the Emergency Department at Loyola University Medical Center providing advocacy and support to patients, families, and medical staff. Lauren is a member of the American Association for Emergency Psychiatry and has worked as an expert witness. Passionate about self determination and patient rights, Lauren has found empowering those experiencing mental health crises as part of an interdisciplinary team fulfilling. When not in the ED, Lauren enjoys container gardening and offbeat road trips with family and friends.
For more information, please visit the following resources:
The Center for Case Management | Leading the Industry in Case Management Consulting
CMS Social Drivers of Health and Health-Related Social Needs
Treating the Whole Person: Vince's Story | CMS
Episode produced by: Rasa Valiauga and Angeli Mittal
Episode recording date: 11/4/24
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In this mini-series, we explore different health professions to better understand the variety of team members involved in patient care. For this episode, we spoke with Anh Phu about his journey to becoming a physician-scientist.
Anh Phu is an MD-PhD student at the Yale School of Medicine. He was born in Vietnam and moved to San Francisco, CA at 11. He attended City College of San Francisco and transferred to the University of California, Berkeley, where he received his Bachelor of Arts with/ Honors in Molecular & Cell Biology in 2019. Anh then worked as a research assistant at UCSF and the San Francisco VA Center studying the roles of macrophages in cardiometabolic diseases. He has published three first-author articles in prestigious scientific journals that further contribute to understanding the metabolic reprogramming of macrophages to regulate chronic inflammation and atherosclerosis. Anh also co-authored numerous publications that investigated the functional properties of extracellular vesicles in atherosclerosis, obesity, diabetes, sepsis, and cancer. He is now a 3rd year student and just recently joined the Department of Immunobiology at Yale to begin his PhD work. His scientific interest focuses on understanding the effect of aging on the immune system and cardiovascular diseases. This also translates to his clinical interest, which he aspires to pursue a career in cardiovascular medicine. As an immigrant himself, Anh is also passionate about immigrant health. He volunteers at the HAVEN Free Clinic, where he helps provide primary care services to immigrant patients in New Haven.
Episode produced by: Deborah Chen
Episode recording date: 10/13/2024
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In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Laura Vater, board certified Gastrointestinal Oncologist at Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center and physician advocate. She shares her journey into medicine, how she started writing, and became a physician advocate at all levels of medical education.
Dr. Vater is board certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology, and is currently an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine. She is also the founding director of the Young-Onset Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Cancer Program at IU and co-founder of the narrative medicine program, Writing for Wellness. She was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society in 2018 and is a member of the Pegasus Physician Writers at Stanford University. She has developed a wellness behavior tool for patients and clinicians (called the SMILE Scale) and has published several narrative medicine essays and peer-reviewed publications. Besides being a writer, Dr. Vaah-ter is a TEDx and commencement speaker, mother, and advocate for patients and healthcare workers. She believes that patients should be treated as whole human beings and that clinicians deserve the same.
We explore the topics of humanism in medicine, compassion, the importance of physician wellness and mental health, burnout in healthcare, and the nuances of medical care both in the clinic and at the institutional level.
For further reference follow Dr. Laura Vater on Instagram @doclauravater and at https://www.lauravater.com/.
Episode produced by: Nikita Ganeshan
Episode recording date: 11/15/2024
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In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Mary King, an internal medicine physician and POCUS enthusiast, to discuss how point-of-care ultrasound is transforming patient care and medical education. Dr. King shares her journey into medicine and her passion for making ultrasound more accessible.
We explore the latest advancements in portable ultrasound technology, the barriers to wider adoption, and the controversies surrounding POCUS in documentation and billing. Dr. King also offers insights into teaching ultrasound to medical students and residents, highlighting its growing role in shaping diagnostic confidence and clinical decision-making.
Whether you’re a seasoned clinician, a medical trainee, or simply curious about the future of bedside medicine, this episode is packed with valuable perspectives and expert advice.
Episode produced by: Ari Peikes and Griffin Johnson
Episode recording date: 10/29/2024
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In this episode, we speak with Dr. Mary Lynn, an obgyn at Loyola University Medical Center, about the often overlooked topic of female sexual wellness and dysfunction. From low libido and pain during sex to emotional barriers and hormonal shifts, we explore the physical, mental, and emotional aspects that can impact sexual health. Our goal is to foster understanding, break down stigma, and provide practical insights.
Dr. Mary Lynn is an associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Loyola University Medical Center. She is the co-director for the Loyola Sexual Wellness Program and recently published on outcomes of this multidisciplinary program in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. She is active in research and mentored medical students through the Star program as well as research honors. Dr. Lynn created the women’s sexual health education module which is part of the curriculum for 3rd year medical students and she lectures to them regularly on this topic. Currently, she serves on the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health education committee and as well as the Faculty Advisory Board for the Medical Student Forum on Female Sexual Medicine. Additionally, she contributes to the Sexual Medicine Society of North America women's sexual health committee and acts as an advisor for the Medical Student Forum on Female Sexual Health. She is an oral board examiner for the American Osteopathic Board of Obstetrics and Gynecologists and serves on the recertification committee. She is a PCM1 Advisor and active on the Loyola IRB committee. Her current research focuses on Women's Sexual Health Medical Education and Sexual Health in Pregnancy.
For further questions, Dr. Lynn can be reached at mlynn@lumc.edu
Episode produced by: Rasa Valiauga and Jaqueline Tarsitano
Episode recording date: 10/14/24
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In this episode of Medicus, we’re diving into the world of integrative medicine—a healthcare approach that goes beyond symptom management to treat the whole person. We talk with Dr. Jennifer Ron, an emergency medicine and integrative medicine physician about her practice. Join us as we explore how traditional medicine can work hand-in-hand with integrative practices to offer a more holistic path to health and wellness.
Whether you’re curious about what integrative medicine really means, looking for insights on how nutrition impacts health, or interested in how these practices can work within a traditional medical framework, this episode has something for everyone. Tune in and discover how integrative medicine might just be the key to creating a healthcare system that truly heals.
To learn more about Dr. Ron’s DPEP program, you can visit her website at: https://www.healingcancerfromwithin.com
Episode produced by: Griffin K Johnson
Episode recording date: 10/07/2024
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In this mini-series, we explore different health professions to get a better understanding of the variety of team members involved in patient care. For this episode, we spoke with Cathy Quach, MPH about her journey to becoming a health educator.
Cathy Quach, MPH is a health educator with the Aggie Mental Health Ambassadors Program at the University of California, Davis. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior and a minor in theatre and dance. After undergrad, she worked as an emergency medical technician working in the greater Sacramento area, right just before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Inspired by her experiences, she later pursued her masters of public Health at UC Davis and continued her passion for supporting the local community.
Episode produced by: Deborah Chen
Episode recording date: 7/11/2024
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The autopsy has wide-ranging benefits on medicine, public health, and research. However, the rates of autopsies performed in the hospital have declined tremendously over the past several decades. The autopsy, accordingly, is often overlooked in medical education today. Emily Hagen, MD, has taken great interest in this.
In this episode, we speak with Emily (former Medicus producer!) about her firsthand experiences with the autopsy, dating back to her pre-med days and continuing throughout her time at Stritch School of Medicine. She is a fierce advocate for the autopsy’s incorporation into medical education. While a medical student, Emily researched non-pathologist physicians’ experiences with and views toward the autopsy and she launched an autopsy observation program for Loyola medical students. The associated research has been presented at multiple academic conferences. She also helped to curate Autopsy/Forensic Pathology modules for the PathElective, an internationally utilized resource.
As an aspiring internist, Emily discusses the relevance of the autopsy to physicians and the medical community at large.
Tune in now to learn more about this important and interesting topic!
To connect with Emily, email her at esh73@cornell.edu.
Episode produced by: Rasa Valiauga
Episode recording date: 6/4/24
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In this episode, host Julien Stroumza sits down with Medicus member Jackie Tarsitano to discuss the alarming rise of genetic testing fraud, a multibillion-dollar scam that targets Medicare beneficiaries. Tune in as they explore the financial and ethical implications of this deceptive practice, shedding light on its impact on patients, healthcare providers, and the system as a whole. Jackie can be reached at jtarsitano@luc.edu
Episode produced by: Jackie Tarsitano
Episode recording date: 6/15/24
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