• #59 - Doctor's Playbook - Lee Jones, MD: Following a Compass of Curiosity
    Feb 26 2026

    Join us for an insightful conversation with Dr. Lee Jones, who is a clinician, medical educator, mentor, and leader. Dr. Jones completed his bachelor of arts in psychology at Dartmouth, his doctorate of medicine at Columbia, and his residency in psychiatry at UCLA. Dr. Jones then served as chief resident at UCLA, before completing a fellowship in clinical and research consultation-liaison at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, and another research fellowship at UCSD. At Rush Medical College, Dr. Jones is the Vice Dean for Education and Student Experience.

    Dr. Jones has worked across the full spectrum of health care. His roles have ranged from clinician and educator to chief of multiple services, medical school dean, and national leadership positions with the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Throughout his career, he has led efforts in regulatory compliance, accreditation, and conflict resolution within large, multi-specialty medical organizations. Nationally, he has served on the LCME, and in numerous roles at the AAMC. His clinical practice has focused on emergency medicine and consultation-liaison psychiatry.

    Come along as the conversation ebbs and flows from the technical to the philosophical.

    Host: Samantha Shih

    Guest: Lee Jones

    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.

    In each episode of ‘The Doctor’s Playbook’ series, one medical student host interviews an expert attending clinician or leader in the medical field. Guests are recruited from diverse specialties and backgrounds. Through structured, yet conversational interviews, the host engages the guest to reflect on their clinical journey – giving listeners insight into the guest’s career trajectory.

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    A&O

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

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    57 mins
  • #58 – Early Clinical Learners Series: Cracking the Joint Pain Differential
    Dec 8 2025

    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&O

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

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    34 mins
  • #57 – Leading by Influence: Dr. Bruce Henschen, MD, MPH on Coaching, Culture, and Care in Medicine
    Sep 26 2025

    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.

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    47 mins
  • #56 - Inside the Hospital Ethics Pager with Rev. Clayton Thomason: A Special Episode on Ethics, Spirituality & Medicine
    Sep 11 2025

    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.

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    41 mins
  • #54 – Early Clinical Learners Series: Esophageal Disorders and GI Pearls
    Aug 29 2025

    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.

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    51 mins
  • #53 - Doctor's Playbook - Christine Tsai, MD: When Past Wounds Become Future Gifts
    Apr 8 2025

    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.

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    1 hr and 30 mins
  • #52 – Early Clinical Learners Series: Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis and Pulmonary Care Pearls
    Apr 3 2025

    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.

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    47 mins
  • #51 - Doctor's Playbook - Navigating Medicine with Tim Rowe, MD: Teaching, Mentorship, and Critical Care Insights
    Mar 12 2025

    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.

    Show More Show Less
    51 mins