Welcome to the fourth episode of our Early Clinical Learners Series, a series dedicated to fostering clinical reasoning skills and strategies in early clinical trainees. This episode focuses on the musculoskeletal (MSK) block and uses a clinical case to guide listeners through approaching joint pain, identifying key red flags, and narrowing a differential diagnosis.

Hosts: Caroline Wang, Samantha Shih, Dr. Richard Abrams

Guests: Christopher Song, Grant Primer

Produced By: Caroline Wang, Samantha Shih

Alert & Oriented is a medical student-run clinical reasoning podcast dedicated to providing a unique platform for early learners to practice their skills as a team in real time. Through our podcast, we strive to foster a learning environment where medical students can engage with one another, share knowledge, and gain valuable experience in clinical reasoning. We aim to provide a comprehensive and supportive platform for early learners to develop their clinical reasoning skills, build confidence in their craft, and become the best clinicians they can be.

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A fantastic resource, by learners, for learners in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Primary Care, Emergency Medicine, and Hospital Medicine.

In this episode of The Doctor’s Playbook, we sit down with Dr. Bruce Henschen, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine and Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency at Northwestern University McGaw Medical Center. Dr. Henschen shares how leading by influence has shaped his approach to medical education, clinical reasoning, and patient care.

We explore what it means to build a positive learning environment, the role of vulnerability in training, and how any physician can cultivate cultures of trust, curiosity, and growth. From his early days as a learner to his current leadership role, Dr. Henschen reflects on mentorship, teaching, and the values that guide him.

Lead Host: Andrew Mohama

Supporting Host: Kevin Grudzinski, MD

Guest: Benjamin Singer, MD

Produced By: Andrew Mohama

Show Notes:

Continuity With Patients, Preceptors, and Peers Improves Primary Care Training: A Randomized Medical Education Trial

Dr. Henschen's favorite app for organization and tasks: https://www.todoist.com/

Alert & Oriented is a medical student-run clinical reasoning podcast dedicated to providing a unique platform for early learners to practice their skills as a team in real time. Through our podcast, we strive to foster a learning environment where medical students can engage with one another, share knowledge, and gain valuable experience in clinical reasoning. We aim to provide a comprehensive and supportive platform for early learners to develop their clinical reasoning skills, build confidence in their craft, and become the best clinicians they can be.

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A&O

Andrew Mohama

Rich Abrams

NU Internal Med

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Andrew Mohama

A fantastic resource, by learners, for learners in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Primary Care, Emergency Medicine, and Hospital Medicine.

This special episode of The Doctor’s Playbook steps outside the usual clinical lens to explore the ethical, spiritual, and human dimensions of medicine. My guest is The Reverend Clayton L. Thomason, J.D., M.Div., who holds the Bishop Anderson Endowed Chair of Religion and Ethics in Medicine at Rush University Medical Center, where he serves as Chair of the Department of Religion, Health & Human Values and Director of the Healthcare Ethics Program.

Rev. Thomason’s career bridges law, theology, and medicine. He has chaired state commissions on end-of-life care, served on national ethics boards, and spent decades guiding clinicians, patients, and families through some of healthcare’s most profound dilemmas. His work focuses on community-based research addressing health disparities, the role of virtue in professional development, and public policy in palliative and end-of-life care.

In our conversation, we talk about what it means to be human in medicine, how ethics and spirituality influence the care we provide, and the stories that have shaped his career. This episode is not just about medicine — it’s about meaning, values, and the questions that stay with us long after a case is closed.

Lead Host: Andrew Mohama

Guest: Reverend Clayton L. Thomason, J.D., M.Div.

Produced By: Andrew Mohama

Alert & Oriented is a medical student-run clinical reasoning podcast dedicated to providing a unique platform for early learners to practice their skills as a team in real time. Through our podcast, we strive to foster a learning environment where medical students can engage with one another, share knowledge, and gain valuable experience in clinical reasoning. We aim to provide a comprehensive and supportive platform for early learners to develop their clinical reasoning skills, build confidence in their craft, and become the best clinicians they can be.

Follow the team on X:

A&O

Andrew Mohama

Rich Abrams

Connect on LinkedIn

Andrew Mohama

A fantastic resource, by learners, for learners in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Primary Care, Emergency Medicine, and Hospital Medicine.