Episode 031 - Welcome 2024! What to look forward to... and look out for.
The ACOPedscast Podcast SeriesShow Notes
For the first official episode of 2024 we go back to the basics with just Scott and Jason at the microphones. Scott, freshly back from a trip to the other side of the World, kicks us off talking about what he is most excited for in the upcoming year – spoiler alert – it's more of the great offerings from the ACOP and the chance to get together with colleagues and friends. They also take a moment to celebrate each other, and all of you having just recognized National Pediatricians’ Day. A discussion about vaccinations leads to a candid discussion about how to protect yourself and stay focused in an environment that has become so highly charged about so many things going on in the world and tips on how to both keep yourself grounded and focused on the patient and the physician family relationship; even if that means recognizing when that that relationship is beyond repair and the best thing to do is to go separate ways. With the CDC recently sending out another warning about the spreading measles epidemic, Scott gives us a quick reminder of what to be on the look-out for in our clinics and rotations since many of us have not seen a measles patient before. And just to end on a light note stick around to the end to hear about some exciting things the ACOP and the Pedscast have in store for 2024. Thanks as always to you our listeners for your continued support. We want to wish you all a very happy belated National Pediatricians’ (and Pediatricians in training) Day, a happy new year, and we look forward to seeing you all in the months to come!
More from The ACOPedscast Podcast Series
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It’s July and that means all over newly christened Osteopathic Physicians are starting the next step of their journey towards becoming Osteopathic Pediatricians. While there has been a continuous positive trend of DO medical students matching into pediatrics, there has been an equally alarming trend of the number of overall pediatric residency positions that go unfilled. In this very honest but thoughtful episode, Scott and Jason sit down with current ACOP President, Tyree Winters, DO, FACOP, to discuss the current state of Pediatric training, challenges we face as a profession, but most importantly wats that the ACOP is working wholeheartedly to overcome these obstacles. If you are invested in the future of the profession this is not episode to miss. Whether you are a pre-clinical osteopathic medical student or a retired practicing physician we all have a role to play in lifting the profession of Osteopathic Pediatrics up to its full potential! We also want to make sure to welcome and congratulate all of you who have started that next step of your journey in Pediatric Residency Training. The ACOP family remains dedicated to supporting you each step of the way and remaining your Osteopathic Medical Home throughout your education and career! Happy listening!!
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and what better time to highlight the importance of pediatric mental health, and the creative ways we can address a child’s needs. This month Scott and Jason are proud to welcome the inaugural recipient of the Nancy Beery Memorial Wellness Scholarship, Student Doctor Bridget Rogers, OMS-2. Student Doctor Rogers takes on a journey from her own mental health trials as a survivor of pediatric cancer to her college years at The Ohio State University (Go Buckeyes! … Sorry Scott) where she discovered A Moment of Magic. This leads her to eventually becoming part of the national executive board of the organization and the Program Director, creating the healing through art program of Express, Create, Heal. This inspiring episode speaks to the resilience of children and the importance of art in the healing process of children, and adults! And there may be a little secret identity discussion snuck into the middle, see if you can catch it.
Fresh off inspiring the audience at last month’s ACOP Spring CME as the 2026 James M. Watson Memorial Lecture, Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee joins Scott and Jason in the ACOPedscast studio. This pioneer of osteopathic medicine shares her own story and her vision for the future of the profession with our listening audience. This entertaining, educational, and inspiring conversation is a must listen for anyone passionate about the profession and the people we serve. If you are interested in learning more about the American Osteopathic Foundation Project Future, you can find more information here: American Osteopathic Foundation | Project Future
It’s March and that can mean only one thing… graduating medical students across the country are waiting for that envelope that is going to tell you where you are about to spend the next 3-5 years as a Resident Physician. After the joy and relief settles you are left wondering just what to do with these last few months of medical school before graduation. Jason and Scott are joined by some experts on just that topic as they sit down with Trainee Board of Trustees members MacKenzie LeMay, Jess Kroner, and Madison Craft. The group talks about the excitement of Match, the nerves of relocating, and how they made the most of the time between. The team also chats about some of the best advice, and maybe some that was best kept to itself in preparing for the start of intern year. This group discussion is a must listen for our 3rd and 4th year students as you start to prepare for the exciting next chapter of your Osteopathic Medical journey. If you are interested in reading a recent piece about this very topic here is a wonderful piece in the most recent DO Magazine: Preparing for residency: 5 things you can do before the first day Also, DO’s everywhere were celebrating an extremely successful Match on March 20th, to see how everyone did click here: Record number of DOs secure residency positions through 2026 Match - The DO