In this episode of POMA DOes…, Sayed Arian, DO, a third-year Family Medicine resident at Lehigh Valley Health Network's Rural Family Medicine Program, sits down with three experienced program directors: John Kalata, DO (Family Medicine and Transitional Year Programs, LECOM Medical Center), Joseph Rosenblatt, DO (Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program, PCOM), and Brenton Song, DO (Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program, LECOM). Together, they offer unfiltered, candid advice for medical students preparing for residency interviews, covering what programs look for, how to communicate authentically, and how to assess program culture. They also share common pitfalls applicants should avoid and the key traits that help candidates stand out. Getting ready for a residency interview? You won't want to miss this episode packed with real-world advice from those who sit on the other side of the table.

Key Takeaways:

• Be authentic and prepared. Know your application thoroughly and be ready to discuss every experience with confidence and honesty. Residency programs value genuine self-awareness over scripted answers.

• Show your interpersonal strengths. Eye contact, composure, and conversational skills reveal as much as your credentials. Program Directors look for applicants who engage naturally and think on their feet.

• Do your homework on culture. Talk with current residents, attend program events, and look beyond the website to find where you truly fit and can thrive.

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In this episode of POMA DOes…, James Zervios, Chief Operating Officer of the Obesity Action Coalition, joins Christopher Still, DO, Director of the Geisinger Obesity Institute, for a discussion on obesity and weight loss. They explore the wide range of treatment options, including lifestyle changes, behavioral strategies, medications, and bariatric surgery, while also addressing common challenges such as cost and insurance coverage. They also highlight the importance of long-term, individualized care, the role of mental health, and the need to recognize obesity as a chronic, relapsing disease.

Key Takeaways:

• Obesity is a chronic, relapsing disease that requires comprehensive, long-term care tailored to each patient. There is no one-size-fits-all solution.
  
  

• Treatment options are expanding, from diet, exercise, and behavioral modification to medications (like GLP-1s) and bariatric surgery. However, access can be limited by cost and insurance coverage.
  
  

• Mental health and expectations matter. Patients often hope medication will solve everything, but sustainable success usually requires a holistic, physician-guided approach.
  
  

• Stopping treatment too soon can lead to relapse. For example, up to 75% of patients regain weight within a year of discontinuing GLP-1 medications.
  
  

• The Obesity Action Coalition offers trusted information and resources for patients and providers at obesityaction.org.
  
  

CME Information:

This episode was developed entirely by POMA. Dr. Christopher Still, faculty for this educational event, is an independent contractor and consultant, serves on the speaker's bureau for Novo Nordisk and Lilly, consults for Boehringer Ingelheim and Currax, and is a contractor for Ethicon Endosurgery. All relevant financial relationships listed have been mitigated.

James Zervios, along with the planners for this episode, has no relevant conflicts of interest to disclose.

The Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association (POMA) is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) to provide osteopathic continuing medical education for physicians. POMA designates this activity for a maximum of 0.5 Category 1-B AOA CME credits. This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the AOA.

Attest online at www.poma.org/pomapodcast

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In this episode of POMA DOes…, Tyler Burke, POMA's Senior Director of Government Affairs, sits down with Jake Brennan and Colin Whitney from the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) to unpack the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." They break down how this sweeping legislation will affect osteopathic medicine—from medical student loans and repayment options to changes in Medicaid coverage and the downstream impact on patients and physicians.

Key Takeaways:

• Major shifts to medical student loans begin in July 2026, including the end of Graduate PLUS loans, stricter limits on Parent PLUS loans, and new repayment options.
  
  

• Medicaid and ACA changes are projected to leave millions more Americans uninsured, hitting rural hospitals and vulnerable populations hardest.
  
  

• The bill's provisions on physician payments and coverage access will directly affect how osteopathic physicians care for their patients.

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