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

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.

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.

Welcome to our third episode of the Early Clinical Learners Series - a series dedicated towards fostering clinical reasoning skills and strategies in early clinical learners. This episode is sponsored by LearningCortex - visit www.learningcortex.com to start learning smarter today!

Hosts: Caroline Wang, Andrew Mohama, Mohan Bhadriraju

Guests: Nicole Glick, John Kim

Produced By: Caroline Wang, 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 Twitter:

A&O

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

Join us for an insightful conversation with Dr. Christine Tsai, a doctor, educator, and mentor whose career exemplifies excellence in medicine. Dr. Tsai is an associate professor of medicine and attending physician of hospital medicine at RUSH medical center. She completed her B.A. in biochemical sciences at Harvard, her M.D. at Columbia, and her residency in internal medicine at Oregon Health and Science University.

Over her 12 years as a practicing physician, Dr. Tsai has demonstrated a devotion to medical education and clinical practice. She has served as the Director of Clinical Skills, Practitioner Role Leader, and the Internal Medicine Sub-Internship Co-Director, shaping both the preclinical and clinical curriculum at Rush Medical College. Dr. Tsai also embodies a passion for mentorship of numerous medical students, residents, and junior faculty members.

Come along as the conversation merges from the technical to the philosophical.

Host: Samantha Shih

Guest: Christine (Steen) Tsai

Produced By: 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.

Follow the team on X:

A&O

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

Welcome to our second episode of the Early Clinical Learners Series - a series dedicated towards fostering clinical reasoning skills and strategies in early clinical learners! In this episode, hosts Caroline Wang, Dr. Kevin Grudzinski, and Samantha Shih guide M1 students Kenny Pham and Naomi Bennett through a classic Alert and Oriented case discussing a farmer's cough. Next, our hosts share clinical pearls and strategies regarding pulmonary diagnostic workups and pulmonary function tests.

Hosts: Caroline Wang, Dr. Kevin Grudzinski, Samantha Shih

Guests: Kenny Pham, Naomi Bennett

Produced By: Caroline Wang

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 Twitter:

A&O

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

Join us for an insightful conversation with Dr. Tim Rowe, a leader in pulmonary and critical care medicine. In this episode, Dr. Rowe shares his journey through medicine, his passion for teaching and mentorship, and his expertise in critical care and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). Whether you're a medical student, resident, or seasoned physician, you'll gain valuable perspectives on navigating the challenges of medicine and fostering growth in the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Hosts: Caroline Wang, Kevin Grudzinski

Guest: Tim Rowe

Produced By: Caroline Wang

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

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. Ben Singer—pulmonary critical care physician, scientist, and two-time Medical Jeopardy national champion. A leader in ICU and pulmonary medicine, he was a trusted voice during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to be the go-to expert for tackling the toughest clinical cases.

We explore the art of clinical reasoning in an era of rapid recall, strategies to sharpen diagnostic skills, and how to balance efficiency with deep thinking. Dr. Singer also shares his insights on vulnerability and humility in medicine—why true confidence comes from knowing your limits, challenging assumptions, and embracing uncertainty.

Plus, we dive into his experience leading Northwestern’s Socrates Project, solving medical mysteries, and the strategy behind his Jeopardy wins. Whether you’re a medical student, resident, or seasoned physician, this episode is packed with wisdom to refine your clinical approach and enhance patient care.

Lead Host: Andrew Mohama

Supporting Host: Kevin Grudzinski, MD

Guest: Benjamin Singer, MD

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

NU Internal Med

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.