Byron Cryer, M.D.’s Post

By the time anyone reaches graduate school -- certainly medical school -- there should be no compelling reason to keep up the academic competition that might have been necessary to get into grad school in the first place. However, I was one of many students who found it difficult to "let go." I ruined a friendship with a childhood friend. You can read about my experience and recommendations on how to academically disengage in my most recent Op-Med posted on Doximity. #medicalschool #competition #friendships

🌟 Navigating the Path to Medical School: Prerequisites for High School Students 🏥 Are you a high school student with dreams of becoming a doctor? Embarking on the journey to medical school is both exhilarating and demanding, but with the right guidance and preparation, you can set yourself up for success. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know: 📚 Academic Excellence: Focus on excelling in your high school courses, particularly in science and math. Take challenging courses such as Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) if available, as they can better prepare you for the rigor of medical school coursework. 🔬 Science Foundation: Develop a solid understanding of biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. These subjects provide the necessary groundwork for more advanced coursework in college and medical school. 💼 Internship & Clinical Experience: Gain firsthand experience in the healthcare field by volunteering or working in clinical settings. Shadow physicians, volunteer at hospitals or nursing homes, or work as a medical assistant or EMT. Clinical experience not only provides valuable insight into the medical profession but also demonstrates your commitment to a career in healthcare. 🔍 Research Experience: Engage in scientific research projects to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Research experience can enhance your application and demonstrate your interest in scientific inquiry. 💌 Strong Letters of Recommendation: Build meaningful relationships with teachers, mentors, and healthcare professionals who can provide strong letters of recommendation. Choose individuals who can attest to your academic abilities, character, and suitability for a career in medicine. 📝 Standardized Testing: Most medical schools require applicants to take the MCAT. Start preparing early and consider enrolling in MCAT preparation courses to maximize your score. Remember, the path to medical school requires dedication, perseverance, and a genuine passion for helping others. Feel free to reach out to us, our team of experts are open to help individuals in their journey. With hard work and determination, you can turn your aspirations of becoming a doctor into reality. Good luck on your journey to medical school! #MedicalSchoolPrep #FutureDoctors #HighSchoolStudents #CareerInMedicine 🎓👩⚕️👨⚕️

When our healthcare providers don't reflect our society, it leads to disparities in care Suggestion: 1. Community Engagement Initiatives: Establish partnerships with local communities, holding town halls and information sessions to encourage dialogue about medical careers as well as engaging with community leaders 2. Youth Outreach Programs: Create targeted programs for youths, offering mentorship opportunities, internships, and educational workshops. These initiatives should focus on demystifying the medical profession and providing hands-on experiences. 3. Scholarship and Financial Support: Develop scholarships and financial aid programs aimed at supporting underrepresented individuals pursuing medical careers. This helps alleviate financial barriers that often deter diverse candidates. 4. Cultural Competency Training: Integrate cultural competency training into medical education, ensuring future healthcare professionals understand the diverse backgrounds and needs of their patients. 5. Pipeline Programs:** Establish pipeline programs that guide students from underrepresented backgrounds through each stage of their medical education. This includes assistance with college preparation, medical school applications, and beyond. #community #diversity #publichealth #medical #diversityinhealthcare

First-semester college junior on a pre-med pathway? You may be wondering if you'll be ready to apply to med school. This article helps you think through whether there's a post-bacc in your future--and how to choose one: #premed #meded #postbacc #college #graduateschool #gradschool #medicalcareers

Match Day is immensely important for medical students, as it reveals the destinations where they will commence their residency training post-graduation. This pivotal moment defines their career trajectories, shaping their future endeavors. Gain insight into where fourth-year UT Southwestern medical students will embark on their residency training journey after completing their studies in May. https://bit.ly/4ag8Xg1

Derek Dennard (AZCOM ’27) is pursuing medicine to increase representation, noting less than 3% of U.S. physicians are Black males. His driving goal? "To be a living testament that individuals from diverse backgrounds can excel in medicine and inspire underrepresented minority children to pursue medical careers.” Q. What inspired you to pursue a healthcare career? My career choice of becoming a doctor is driven by the severe underrepresentation of Black and Hispanic individuals in the field of medicine. Less than three percent of physicians in the U.S. are Black males. Growing up, I always recognized the lack of diverse healthcare role models, which fueled my determination to become a doctor and a role model for underrepresented minority children. I aim to inspire Black and Hispanic minority children to pursue medical careers, addressing disparities in underserved communities. My goal is to be a living testament that individuals from diverse backgrounds can excel in medicine. Q. Why did you decide to attend Midwestern University? I believe that being comfortable and feeling welcomed on campus during such a rigorous program can play a vital role in a student’s success. A truly supportive atmosphere can boost confidence while reducing stress, which can work in tandem to enhance a student’s learning capacity. Midwestern University’s Glendale Campus harvests an environment that provided me with a sense of belonging and made me feel comfortable from the second I stepped on campus, which I did not feel from other university campuses, leading me to believe I would have the best opportunity for success here at Midwestern University. Q. Anything else you'd like to add? For those still in the process of selecting a graduate school, graduate programs can be challenging regardless of the field or institution. Choose a school that prioritizes community well-being and values students as individuals, placing importance on their mental and physical well-being rather than just a financial benefit for the school.

Ensuring a positive learning experience during students clinical placements is crucial… Our article here explores the insights from students and qualified staff…valuable lessons to be learned. Privileged to have collaborated with the dynamic duo Gill Harrison and Dr David Flinton. Please check it out: https://lnkd.in/ennnYRaj

How to Get into Med School When You’re Not Pre-Med Let’s take a look at what this process might look like for undergraduate students who don’t start out with a pre-med focus. https://lnkd.in/eQgCWN4m

Lessons I Learned from My First Year in Medical College. Woah, what a year! Entering medical school has been a transformative experience, full of growth, challenges, and a ton of learning. Here are some of the important lessons I picked up along the way: Time management is much of a big deal, balancing lectures, practicals, and study time can be sometimes so overwhelming, that I felt stuck at times. Developing a solid schedule early on helped me manage my studies effectively. Participate in extracurricular activities, I know being in medical college, there’s a lot of syllabus to cover, but do participate in extracurriculars, and committees like cultural, sports etc. It will only help you gain experience and much more. Don't be obsessed with grades, embrace the journey instead. Even I had this feeling at the early stage of my journey but then I realised, some will score well sometimes even more than me that doesn't mean I'm falling behind, at the end of the day how much knowledge I have gained that matters. Move your body daily, after all, you are a medical student if you are not fit then how will you treat your patients?  Sometimes due to a hectic syllabus, I felt so anxious and at times in panic situations. Keeping myself physically and mentally fit, exercising and meditating daily helped me a lot to overcome these situations. Don't dwell too much on studies, build supporting networks. Form connections with your seniors, juniors, peers, and mentors. Ya, so that's all I learnt in my first year as a med student. It's been an incredible journey, and still ongoing. #healthcare #physiotherapy #medical #medicalstudent #healthylifestyle

will be helpful to many.