"I'm going to go against the grain of what I've taken to be as my norm, which shouldn't be my norm with criticizing myself too much and not believing in myself. And I'm going to fight against that..." Powerful words said by Chris Wachuku, a senior medical student who is moments away from starting his dermatology residency.

On today's episode, we talk about:

• How to overcome being your own worst enemy and self-criticism.
• Depression and medical school.
• The anxiety that can come with being a minority in medicine and how being "othered" can negatively impact you emotionally, how people perceive you and even your performance.
• What he would do to increase his chances of matching into dermatology if he had to go through the application cyclce again.

And more!

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Dr. Chris Wachuku

• IG > @doctor.christopher
• (Soon-to-be) TikTok > Science and Skin

Dr. Trot:

• Dr. Trot > @iamdrtrot
• DOCTORGOALS > @doctorgoals
• Comfy shirts > doctorgoals.com

Contract negotiation tips: click here!

Dr. Ron Ortizo is a gastroenterologist who originally didn’t plan on becoming a doctor. His career started as a high school science teacher. Education fueled his passion and his career path seemed pretty clear. But then things changed and he started to consider the idea of becoming a doctor.

On today's episode:

• How (and why) he changed his path from becoming a high school teacher to a doctor.
• How he felt being years “behind” his medical school classmates.
• We also dive deep into his biggest struggle: residency. The day-to-day grind that pushes you in ways you can’t imagine + the politics...
• The challenges of intern year and how he "climbed" out of a dark tunnel that he didn't realize he was in.

[ From the archives. ] SUBSCRIBE. Rate and review!

Share this episode with one person today. Thank you : )

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Follow the journeys:

Dr. Ron Ortizo

• IG > @ronaldortizomd

Dr. Trot:

• Dr. Trot > @iamdrtrot
• DOCTORGOALS > @doctorgoals
• Comfy shirts > doctorgoals.com

Contract negotiation tips: click here!

This episode is a part of the NEW contract negotiation series on The DOCTORGOALS Podcast. Other episodes to checkout:

• Contract Negotiation: Why You Need This Termination Clause in Your Contract
• How to Negotiate for a Moving Bonus
• Malpractice Insurance: What Every Doctor (and Trainee) Needs to Know
• Life as a Plastic Surgeon Attending, the Before and After with Dr. Wilton Triggs II
• What's More Important: Salary or Autonomy

Become you're own advocate. Stand strong in what you believe in...which includes you!

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