In this episode:

• Dr. Elisha Peterson opens the season with an honest talk for students who didn’t match into anesthesiology
• Special guest Dr. Nkiruka Lauretta Nwangene shares her journey — from banking and nursing to medical school and matching anesthesia after her second try
• Encouragement: Not matching the first time does not define your future
• Preview of past episodes with Dr. Julissa Patten and Dr. Chuma Azoba

Lauretta's Journey:

• Started career in banking in Nigeria before immigrating to Canada for nursing school
• Worked in bedside and management roles before pursuing medical school during COVID
• Discovered a passion for anesthesiology after her sister’s complicated childbirth experience
• First exposure to anesthesia through a clinical rotation in Chicago

Obstacles Faced:

• Lack of institutional support as an IMG (International Medical Graduate)
• Difficulty securing anesthesiology rotations and clinical experience
• No anesthesia interview invites during her first ERAS cycle
• Cold emailing program directors — faced rejection and even hostility
• Misunderstood the importance of networking over mass applications
• Used a non-optimized resume and personal statement for initial applications

Lessons Learned:

• Genuine enthusiasm during rotations leaves a lasting impression
• Persistence and showing up in person can open doors
• Need a clear strategy when reapplying
• Importance of professional guidance for CV, personal statement, and interviews

Preview for Part 2:

• Why networking — not more applications — is the key to matching
• How to make authentic connections as an introvert
• Practical game plan for the second application cycle

Action Items:

• Check out past Sevo Sistas episodes with physicians who matched on their second try
• Reflect on what gaps need closing before reapplying
• Tune in next week for Lauretta’s full game plan to succeed

Want to hear more from Dr. Lauretta? Connect with her on Socials

X.com : https://x.com/L_Nwangene

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nkiruka-lauretta-nwangene-md-3237b162/

Have a burning question? A concern? A controversy or issue you want to hear covered? We got you, boo!

Leave a voice message at 202 743 1404. We will play your recording on the podcast and address your topic (if you don't want it played just say it in the voicemail, we will still cover your topic!). This podcast is for you and we want to include you on this journey! Hope to hear from you soon

American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) Conference.

Key Takeaways:

• ASA Conference Highlights: Dr. Peterson will be attending and encourages others to come along, highlighting events to check out.
• You Can Be an Anesthesiologist Too: Despite challenges, many have overcome significant hardships to succeed, and you can too.
• Engagement Invitation: Dr. Peterson invites listeners to email, DM, or comment on LinkedIn with their thoughts and ideas on future podcast topics or pressing questions.
• Self-Care Reminder: A gentle reminder to prioritize self-care while navigating your career and life.

Resources Mentioned:

• ASA Conference 2024: Don’t miss out on the latest in anesthesiology—network, learn, and grow at the conference.
• Email: sevosistas@gmail.com
• LinkedIn and X: sevosistas Engage with us by commenting on what you’d like to hear next!

Listener Action Items:

• Rate & Subscribe: Don’t miss out on future episodes. New episodes drop every Monday!
• Share Your Questions: Send in any topics or questions you want addressed in future episodes via email or LinkedIn.

Quote from the Episode:
"It doesn't matter what obstacles are in your path—if you want to be an anesthesiologist, you can. Hardships don't define your future success." – Dr. Peterson

Next Episode Teaser:
Catch us next week for more insider tips on navigating the anesthesiology profession, staying resilient, and finding your path!

Want to keep the convo going? Join our FB group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevosistas

Have a burning question? A concern? A controversy or issue you want to hear covered? We got you, boo!

Leave a voice message at 202 743 1404. We will play your recording on the podcast and address your topic (if you don't want it played just say it in the voicemail, we will still cover your topic!). This podcast is for you and we want to include you on this journey! Hope to hear from you soon

Episode Overview: In this empowering episode of Sevo Sistas, Dr. Elisha Peterson wraps up the series with Dr. Alopi Patel, co-host of the "Hurt by the Female Pain Docs" podcast. Dr. Patel shares her journey in overcoming internal limitations, the importance of building a personal brand as a physician, and actionable steps to create a social media presence.

Key Takeaways:

1. Overcoming Mental Barriers: Dr. Patel discusses the common mental barriers that physicians face when considering a public presence, such as self-doubt, introversion, and the fear of not being good enough. She emphasizes that if you don’t put your knowledge out there, someone else will, possibly not as effectively or accurately.
2. Finding Your "Why": Dr. Patel highlights the importance of discovering your passion or "why." For her, the drive to reach more women with pelvic pain through social media became her motivation to step out of her comfort zone.
3. Starting Simple: No fancy equipment is needed to start. Dr. Patel shares her humble beginnings, from recording podcast episodes in closets with minimal equipment to learning how to edit and produce content on her own.
4. The Power of Consistency: While content creation can be overwhelming, consistency is key. Dr. Patel advises finding a balance that works for you, whether it's posting once a week or once a month.
5. Defining Your Brand: For physicians, branding is about finding your niche and confidently becoming an expert in that area. Dr. Patel encourages graduates to carve out a specialty within their field, aligning it with their passion and mission.
6. Social Media Strategy: Dr. Patel suggests choosing social media platforms based on your target audience. For patient education, platforms like Instagram and TikTok are more effective, whereas LinkedIn or Twitter might be better for reaching fellow physicians.
7. Empowerment and Representation: Dr. Patel speaks on the importance of representation in medicine and how seeing someone who looks like you in the field can inspire others to follow their path.

Actionable Steps:

• Reflect on your "why" and identify what you’re passionate about.
• Start simple with the tools you already have and don’t be afraid of making mistakes.
• Choose the right platform for your audience and be consistent with your content.
• Intentionally cultivate your brand by focusing on a niche you enjoy and excel in.
• Empower yourself and others by sharing your knowledge and experiences.

Connect with Dr. Alopi Patel:

• Podcast: The Hurt by the Female Pain Docs
• Instagram: @FemalePainDocs
• Twitter: @FemalePainDocs
• TikTok: @FemalePainDocs

Listen & Subscribe: Don’t miss out on the latest episodes of Sevo Sistas. New episodes drop every Monday. Subscribe Now and give us a rating if you loved this episode!

Empowered women, empower women. Together, let’s demystify and diversify the field of anesthesiology.

Want to keep the convo going? Join our FB group!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevosistas

Have a burning question? A concern? A controversy or issue you want to hear covered? We got you, boo!

Leave a voice message at 202 743 1404. We will play your recording on the podcast and address your topic (if you don't want it played just say it in the voicemail, we will still cover your topic!). This podcast is for you and we want to include you on this journey! Hope to hear from you soon