Alert and Oriented

#57 – Leading by Influence: Dr. Bruce Henschen, MD, MPH on Coaching, Culture, and Care in 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 MohamaSupporting Host: Kevin Grudzinski, MDGuest: Benjamin Singer, MDProduced By: Andrew MohamaShow Notes:Continuity With Patients, Preceptors, and Peers Improves Primary Care Training: A Randomized Medical Education TrialDr. 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.Follow the team on X:A&OAndrew MohamaRich AbramsNU Internal MedConnect on LinkedInAndrew MohamaA fantastic resource, by learners, for learners in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Primary Care, Emergency Medicine, and Hospital Medicine.

#56 - Inside the Hospital Ethics Pager with Rev. Clayton Thomason: A Special Episode on Ethics, Spirituality & 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 MohamaGuest: Reverend Clayton L. Thomason, J.D., M.Div.Produced By: Andrew MohamaAlert & 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&OAndrew MohamaRich AbramsConnect on LinkedInAndrew MohamaA fantastic resource, by learners, for learners in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Primary Care, Emergency Medicine, and Hospital Medicine.

#55 - Doctor's Playbook: Sonali Khurana, MD on Teaching, Humanism, & Medicine

In this episode of The Doctor’s Playbook, we sit down with Dr. Sonali Khurana—academic hospitalist, educator, and core faculty at Rush University Medical Center. With a career spanning oncology hospitalist care, medical education leadership, and quality improvement, she brings a wealth of insight into both the bedside and the classroom.We explore her clinical reasoning frameworks, the lessons oncology has taught her about seeing patients as whole people, and why debriefing difficult cases is essential for both patient care and physician well-being. Dr. Khurana also shares her journey as a teacher and reflects on how parenthood and partnership in medicine have shaped her approach.Whether you’re a student navigating uncertainty, a resident honing diagnostic skills, or an attending striving to teach and connect, this episode offers grounded wisdom on practicing medicine with clarity, humility, and humanity.Lead Host: Andrew MohamaGuest: Sonali Khurana, MDProduced By: Andrew MohamaAlert & 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&OAndrew MohamaConnect on LinkedInAndrew MohamaA fantastic resource, by learners, for learners in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Primary Care, Emergency Medicine, and Hospital Medicine.

#54 – Early Clinical Learners Series: Esophageal Disorders and GI Pearls

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 KimProduced By: Caroline Wang, Andrew MohamaAlert & 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&OA fantastic resource, by learners, for learners in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Primary Care, Emergency Medicine, and Hospital Medicine.

#53 - Doctor's Playbook - Christine Tsai, MD: When Past Wounds Become Future Gifts

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 ShihGuest: Christine (Steen) TsaiProduced By: Samantha ShihAlert & 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&OA fantastic resource, by learners, for learners in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Primary Care, Emergency Medicine, and Hospital Medicine.