Why Dr. Hotez Decided Not To Debate with Joe Rogan

So, let’s talk about the recent scandal concerning the Nepal USMLE cheating ring…

For those of you who might not know, USMLE is a three-step licensing exam for physicians, residents, and aspirants alike who want to practice medicine in the United States. Here, applicants aspire to have the highest score possible, especially residents who want to attract the attention of residency program directors and get themselves onboard.

And just recently, the National Board of Medical Examiners announced that they’re invalidating the USMLE scores of a group of residency applicants and current residents due to validity concerns.

When I first saw it, I hate to say this but I wasn’t really shocked. I have always felt that the opportunity for an organized effort has always been there; however, I always assumed it would be difficult to bring it out.

But then this recent USMLE scandal happened, and not only were there people who had an advantage; now, there’s a systemic advantage with such a coordinated effort to make it happen.

This is such a big scandal that could and has already affected lots of people out there, and it’s something that we cannot afford not to discuss. That’s why in today’s episode, we’ll be learning from Dr. Bryan Carmody himself, a pediatric nephrologist and a medical school educator. He is known as the Sheriff of Sodium on social media, where he does commentaries on residency selection and medical education.

Sit back and relax as we discuss the USMLE cheating scandal on this week’s podcast!

Why you need to check this episode:

• Learn what the USMLE is, and what happened that led to this scandal;
• Discover how the cheating happened, the numbers that support the occurrence, and what USMLE did to interpret the scores after receiving multiple reports of cheating; and
• Understand why this is such a big deal, and why there’s a need for USMLE to change the format of the exam

“Cheating begets cheating. The more cheating there is, the more cheating there is going to be because people feel ‘I got to cheat because how am I going to get looked at if all these people who are cheating are so much higher than me?’ So, the more of it you tolerate, the more you’re going to have to tolerate it.” – Dr. Bryan Carmody

Notable Quotes:

“It’s got so many zeroes before the number that any reasonable person would say that this is not a valid score.” – Dr. Bryan Carmody

“If you don’t understand this, you need to take your fingers out of your ears. You need to listen and think about this, because it’s beyond what anybody could reasonably expect and there’s just not a good explanation for it other than cheating.” – Dr. Bryan Carmody

“I don’t think anybody who has the acumen to become a physician would really think that a licensing authority would judge someone’s ability to practice medicine by their ability to recall questions from a 1000-paged document hidden inside a Telegram group.” – Dr. Bryan Carmody

“There are people sitting on the sidelines who want to be a resident or work as a physician and they don’t get the opportunity. For every one of these people [who cheats] who gets in, someone else is being kept out.” – Dr. Bryan Carmody

“Some of these residents are done, but I think some of them will probably land on their feet if they play their cards right.” – Dr. Bryan Carmody

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Listen on Apple Podcast, Google Play, Stitcher, Soundcloud, iHeartRadio, and Spotify

Connect with Dr. Bryan Carmody:

• Twitter
• Threads
• YouTube

Links:

• Sheriff of Sodium website
• Sheriff of Sodium YouTube

So, let’s talk about the intersection of professions and other passions professionals have in life…

In today's digital age, it is becoming more common for professionals to have an online presence. Whether it be through social media, podcasts, YouTube channels, or other platforms, professionals are finding ways to share knowledge, expertise, and passions with a wider audience. This online presence allows us to connect with people beyond our immediate circle and make a positive impact on a larger scale.

However, there are still those individuals who question whether professionals should be engaging in activities outside of our primary roles.

Others fail to realize it is not about compromising our career but rather expanding our reach and impact, leveraging on that power to make a positive difference in the lives of countless individuals. It also allows us to live a better and happier life, for we get to do and enjoy things that we love.

So, if you want to step out of your comfort zone and explore avenues beyond your primary professions, join me in this week’s episode as we explore the exciting possibilities that come with embracing new opportunities and sharing our expertise with the world.

Why you need to check this episode:

• Learn how you can navigate the world of social media while maintaining your professional identity;
• Understand why we have to be accepting of seeing professionals have and act on other passions aside from their professional duties; and
• Discover why we got to be excited for the new norms, especially this 2024

“If not for anything else, make that leap because someone out there is waiting for the message you’re trying to deliver, and they can’t get the message you’re trying to deliver if you won’t press ‘record’. They would not get the message that you’re trying to deliver if you would keep it all to yourself. You cannot be your best-kept secret. Stop trying to be your best-kept secret; go out and do what you need to do.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

Notable Quotes:

“I actually like doing it. I actually enjoy getting online here, talking to you guys, educating you guys, [and] making it so that this complex system of medicine and healthcare and patient-doctor relationship – making sure that you understand it, like, this can be simplified, so you don’t have to be like a deer in headlights when you go to see your doctor. Because again, I’m not your doctor, but I want to make sure that when you go to see your doctor, you are as comfortable as possible.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

“Remember the model: Empower Yourself for Better Health. If I make it to a point that you are comfortable when you go to see your doctor, guess what? There’s just going to be no pride in the way; there’s just going to be no delay of care in the way; and in tune, I’m going to save a life.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

“I don’t need to have a fixed number of how many people it is. I just know the fact that because I press ‘record’ and upload it, that someone’s going to listen to it on the way to work, at home, [and] send it to a friend of theirs. They’re going to hear that and give it to who needs to hear it, because the message always finds who it needs to be delivered to; I just have to give the message.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

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Listen on Apple Podcast, Google Play, Stitcher, Soundcloud, iHeartRadio, and Spotify

So, let’s talk about the leading cause of death globally – heart disease…

Heart disease is a pervasive health issue with significant economic and personal impacts. Over the years, it has been highlighted as the number one killer globally, leading to a death every 33 seconds.

Through my extensive experience as a physician, I’ve witnessed lots of patients across different age groups affected by this disease.

And not only does it affect individuals; the economic burden of heart disease is also staggering, costing approximately $25 billion annually.

This is a pressing issue that demands our attention. It is imperative to educate people about the critical importance of proactive health management.

That’s why in this episode, we shed light on the prevalence, impact, and risk factors associated with heart disease, and emphasize the importance of early intervention and lifestyle modifications to combat this pervasive health issue. From patients' stories to prevention tips, we highlight the urgent need to focus on our cardiovascular health and make proactive choices to live vibrantly.

We all want to grow old. The question is do we want to grow old dealing with all of the medical comorbidities, or do we want to grow old and be able to live life?

Join us in this week’s episode and prevent future health problems by acting as early as today. Remember, your heart matters. Let's make every heartbeat count.

Why you need to check this episode:

• Find out what and how heart disease happens, and discover its staggering impact, both on our health and our economy;
• Get heartfelt anecdotes of patients across different age groups, highlighting the importance of prevention and healthy aging;
• Recognize the influence of genetics, age, gender, and lifestyle choices on heart health; and
• Understand the significance of education and prevention in managing heart disease effectively.

“In January, we did our 2024 resolutions to get healthier; a lot of y'all did. It's just the next month. So, if we know we need to get healthier, guess what? Heart Health Month says, let's do what we need to do. Let's get the nutrition that we need to get. Let's get the physical activity that we need to get. Let's decrease our risk factors, make sure our diabetes is controlled, make sure our blood pressure is controlled, make sure our cholesterol is controlled. Because again, we can't change the age, we can't change the gender, and we can't change our genetics; we can't change those things. But the things we could change, we need to attack in 2024.” – Maria Davis-Pierre

Notable Quotes:

The medical system loves healthy people, despite what people will tell you. We understand that there's going to be bumps, there's going to be bruises; but if there are things that we can do, education that we can perform to kind of prevent you from dealing with the ill effects of what heart disease is, we're going do so.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

“If you have heart disease, you got vascular disease issues. And if you have vascular disease issues in the heart, you likely got them in the brain, you likely got them in your carotids – those are the arteries in the neck here – [and] you likely got them in your legs. You're not going to just have vascular disease in one part of the body and then the rest of the body is flowing well. Because remember, heart disease is the aspect of not flowing well; the blood flow isn't flowing like it needs to. And because it's not flowing like it needs to, some type of tissue dies; and whatever type of tissue dies, that's what we call a problem. Brain tissue dies, it's a stroke. Heart tissue dies, heart attack.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

“It’s what it is. The older we get, the more likely we are to deal with heart disease.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

“In 2024, we are avoiding seeing the doctor, [but] that's not happening, not on my watch. It’s not even cool no more. We need to shame our friends and family who think it's machismo to walk around not taking care of their health. That's no; we're not doing that.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

“I think diabetes is my second most favorite talked about subject on the episodes on the show because it's such a significant player in all of the organ-related issues. It is such a significant player that if I don't talk about it, I think y'all are going to brush it off. I don't want y'all to brush it off. Do not brush off diabetes. Diabetes is a problem. Diabetes is a vascular problem.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

“We're going to make medicine fun, we're going to make health fun, and we're going to simplify it so you guys aren't confused when you have to go see your doctor.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

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Remember to subscribe to the podcast and share the episode with a friend or family member.

Listen on Apple Podcast, Google Play, Stitcher, Soundcloud, iHeartRadio, and Spotify

In today's episode, we delve into a significant controversy that's rocked the medical education community: the USMLE cheating scandal. Recent revelations have exposed a cheating scheme involving the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), raising serious questions about the integrity of the testing process and its implications for US medical graduates and the broader medical field.

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Key Discussion Points:

• Overview of the USMLE Cheating Scandal: We'll provide a summary of the recent news surrounding the cheating scandal, highlighting the key facts and developments.
• Understanding the USMLE: A brief explanation of what the USMLE is and its importance in the medical education and licensing process.
• Impacts of Cheating: We'll discuss the potential effects of the cheating scandal on the credibility of the USMLE, the medical profession, and the trust placed in future medical practitioners.
• Consequences for US Medical Graduates: Exploring how this scandal could affect the prospects and reputation of US medical graduates, both domestically and internationally.

This episode is a critical examination of a controversy that could have far-reaching consequences for medical education and the healthcare industry.

Links:

• MedPage Today: USMLE Cheating Scandal
• USMLE Program Statement on Invalidation of Exam Scores
• YouTube: Detailed Analysis of USMLE Cheating Scandal
• ECFMG Statement on Invalidation of USMLE Examination Scores

So, let’s talk about the Autism in Black Conference for the year 2024…

The Autism in Black Conference is rooted in our own family's journey. It all began when our daughter was diagnosed with autism at 18 months, and not long after that, we discovered that my wife shares the same journey. Seeking proper healthcare for our daughter, we encountered numerous hurdles, made a lot more difficult by the unique challenge of being Black. And that is the gap that my wife, Maria Davis-Pierre, really wanted to bridge.

Maria Davis-Pierre is a licensed mental health counselor and is the founder and CEO of Autism in Black, an organization that aims to provide support to parents who raise autistic children through educational and advocacy services. Every year, they do an Autism in Black Conference, aiming to provide a safe space for those within the spectrum.

The conference, born from our experiences, is more than just an event; it is a beacon of understanding and compassion, connecting those facing similar struggles, and ensuring no one walks their journey alone.

In this episode, Maria sheds light on everything you need to know about this annual advocacy-driven event scheduled to happen on the 19th to 21st of April of this year 2024.

Why you need to check this episode:

• Get to know Maria Davis-Pierre, CEO and Founder of Autism in Black Inc.;
• Understand the driving force behind the Autism in Black advocacy, and how it serves as a safe space for people within the spectrum; and
• Discover the anticipated highlights of this year’s Autism in Black Conference, to happen on the 19th to 21st of April

“Even if you are not on the East Coast, this conference is for you, wherever you are [in the world].” – Maria Davis-Pierre

Notable Quotes:

“No matter the amount of privilege, those biases get in the way all the time.” – Maria Davis-Pierre

“We’re back to a fully virtual conference, and we do that, definitely, in consideration of families. Because we know that it takes a lot to find child care, to set up being able to leave your home for three days and attend a conference, and we want you guys to be able to get the content, lean in, listen, feel that community, and not have to worry about those things.” – Maria Davis-Pierre

“Especially in this community, that feeling of being safe is so important. Being Black is difficult; being Black is tough. So, imagine being Black, being autistic, and then having to navigate the world through those lenses.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

“For me, it’s knowing that we’re providing that safe space for our attendees and our speakers. Our speakers have said the same thing, and our attendees have said this—it’s a safe space, and they haven’t been in a space that is so Black and neuro-affirming at the same time, where they don’t have to have their defenses out, where they can let that guard down and say whatever’s on their mind in a judgment-free zone.” – Maria Davis-Pierre

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Listen on Apple Podcast, Google Play, Stitcher, Soundcloud, iHeartRadio, and Spotify

In today's episode, we're tackling a pervasive and systemic issue that's affecting millions of Americans: medical debt. Despite being one of the wealthiest nations, the U.S. grapples with the crippling effects of medical debt, a problem so widespread it's become normalized. This issue not only underscores the inequality of healthcare access but also contributes to a broader health crisis by forcing individuals and families into financial instability.

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Key Discussion Points:

• The Crippling Effects of Medical Debt: We delve into how accumulating medical bills are more than just numbers; they lead to devastating consequences for individuals' health, livelihoods, and futures.
• Inequality in Healthcare: This segment explores how medical debt exacerbates health disparities, creating a vicious cycle where the economically disadvantaged receive less care, leading to poorer health outcomes.
• Beyond the Bills: We discuss the associated factors of medical debt, including psychological stress and the impact on credit scores, which further marginalizes those in debt.

As we navigate these discussions, our goal is to shed light on the urgent need for systemic healthcare reforms to address and alleviate the burden of medical debt.

Links:

GoFundMe's Guide to Medical Crowdfunding

Urban Institute: The Impact of Medical Debt Erasure

Sycamore Institute: How Medical Debt Affects Health

So, let’s talk about Tony Snell’s fight for an NBA contract and how it could help not only him but also his autistic sons…

The news of the former NBA player desperately looking for teams to be part of has recently gone viral. According to reports, he’s trying to secure his 10th year of service to be eligible in the premium health benefits program of the NBA.

Just last year, not only did he learn that he’s autistic; but he also discovered that both of his sons are autistic as well. And by being eligible for the NBA’s medical program, he would be helping his family receive the needed services.

Unfortunately, especially in this country, the experience of being part of the autism spectrum is not an easy feat. Not to mention how the journey gets a lot more difficult when you’re Black.

But here we have a father whose children have autism, and who is actually autistic himself, and he’s recognizing the burden, and taking action for his loved ones.

As a father of two autistic children and husband to an autistic wife, I recognize that act of love and the need for him to get on that program.

Join me in this week’s episode of Medicine Mondays as we advocate for Tony Snell and discuss the importance of autism awareness at the same time.

Why you need to check this episode:

• Understand the hurdles people in the autism spectrum go through, especially when they’re Black;
• Recognize the importance of spreading autism awareness; and
• Find out how the future could be so much better if you take action for your autistic loved ones now

“I am Dr. Berry Pierre, a concerned father of autistic children and the husband of an autistic wife, who recognizes the importance of getting the services needed and the importance of having network connections, and having all the barriers in front of you knocked down because the outlook and the outcome could be so much greater if you’re aggressive now.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

Notable Quotes:

“There are a lot more people on the outside, who don’t have the resources, who don’t have the connections, who don’t have the things needed but they still want to take care of their loved ones. Why should the fact that you don’t have access, from a financial perspective or just from a networking perspective, preclude your kids from getting the services that they need?” – Dr. Berry Pierre

“You may be wondering, like Dr. Berry, why is it so important just to get the diagnosis? Because unfortunately, especially in this country, you don’t even qualify for any of the services until that diagnosis occurs.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

“When you talk to an autistic community, they’ll tell you that early intervention is so important. So, time delay is not an option.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

“Even if you can see the resources, it almost hurts more knowing that those resources may be unattainable to those who can’t jump over the obstacles that are there.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

“When we talk about autism, if you catch it early enough and you have the interventions that are there, guess what? The outcomes at the end are going to be better.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

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In today's episode, we focus on a crucial health concern that affects the African American community: prostate cancer, with a special emphasis on its prevalence and impact following the recent passing of Dexter Scott King. This poignant event brings prostate cancer and its disproportionate effects on Black men into the spotlight, reminding us of the importance of awareness, early detection, and addressing the disparities in healthcare.

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Key Discussion Points:

• Remembering Dexter Scott King: Reflecting on his life and legacy, we discuss the profound impact of his loss and how it highlights the broader health challenges faced by the African American community, especially concerning prostate cancer.
• Prostate Cancer in Black Men: We'll delve into the statistics and facts, shedding light on why prostate cancer disproportionately affects Black men and the critical importance of awareness, early screening, and proactive healthcare.
• Clinical Insights and Responses: Discussing the typical and atypical presentations of prostate cancer, we aim to empower our viewers with knowledge about the disease, emphasizing the significance of regular medical consultations and screenings.

This episode is a tribute to all those affected by prostate cancer and a call to action for heightened awareness and proactive health measures in the African American community.

So, let’s talk about your mental readiness to get healthy…

Since we are in January, that also means that it is New Year’s resolution season again. And in my ten years of experience as an attending physician, I’ve heard countless people say “This year, I want to be healthier.”

But really, most of those people lose track of their New Year’s resolutions around February and March.

That raises the question: Are you really mentally ready to get healthy? Because getting healthy is not going to happen overnight; it is a process that involves many steps and may take a long time.

So join me in this episode as I help you answer that question, and enlighten you about the true essence of setting goals for yourself.

Why you need to check this episode:

• Why do you need to get rid of the New Year’s resolution setup in setting goals for your health?
• What are the steps on how to become mentally fit to get healthy?
• Why you should always consider and celebrate the steps and processes that you need to do to achieve your goal of getting healthy?

“A lot of times, our issue is that we’re so focused on the end goal that we don’t think about the processes leading up to that end goal.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

Notable Quotes:

“Have a good enough reason so that when the obstacle that can get you in trouble, that can knock you off of your destination… comes around, you can trace back and say ‘Remember the why.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

“Yes, the obstacle may come. Yes, it may knock you down. But your ‘why’ needs to be strong enough to get you back up.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

“If you are going for the stars, and not having the steps and processes to get there, you are going to be frustrated that you don’t get the goal.” – Dr. Berry Pierre

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Remember to subscribe to the podcast and share the episode with a friend or family member.

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In today's episode, we turn our attention to a critical and pressing health issue – the recent measles outbreak in Philadelphia. Amidst growing concern and the backdrop of vaccine misinformation, this outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vaccination and the real-world consequences of anti-vaxxer rhetoric.

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Key Discussion Points:

• The Philadelphia Measles Outbreak: We'll dive into the current situation, exploring the scope and severity of the outbreak, and the immediate actions taken by health authorities.
• The MMR Vaccine and Disinformation: Tracing the history and impact of disinformation surrounding the MMR vaccine, we'll discuss how myths and baseless fears have fueled vaccine hesitancy, leading to preventable outbreaks.
• The Anti-Vaxxers' Response to Outbreaks: We aim to critically analyze the silence or narrative shifts among the anti-vax community during actual outbreaks, and the implications of such stances on collective public health measures.

This episode is an essential discourse on the intersection of public health, science, and society, spotlighting the crucial role of informed decision-making in combating health crises.

Links:

ABC News: Measles Outbreaks Occurring in Pockets of the U.S.

NCBI: The Persistence of Misconceptions about the MMR Vaccine