In this episode, Dr Rui Ariyapala welcomes back Dr. Michael Baca-Atlas for another conversation. Dr. Baca-Atlas is originally from Baltimore, MD. He completed his undergraduate work at the University of Maryland, College Park and medical school at University of Maryland in Baltimore. He completed his Family Medicine residency at UNC and an Addiction Medicine fellowship at UNC in the Department of Psychiatry. He serves as the Medical Director for UNC REACH Enhanced Primary Care and Associate Medical Director for the Tobacco Treatment Program. Dr. Baca-Atlas has a special interest in the intersection of physical and mental health and addiction. He also serves as a contributor for Primary Care RAP (Reviews and Perspectives), a medical education podcast.
For this third part, we discuss the subtle transitions from senior resident to fellowship and general career advice at this stage. Dr. Baca-Atlas then talks about the intricacies of being a newly minted attending, the news levels of responsibility tied to this level of care, and how to sustain a meaningful professional career once you have ‘made it’.
Be sure to check out part 1 (episode 65) which introduces Dr. Baca-Atlas' broader background and part 2 (episode 78) which focuses more on residency advice with respect to wellness.

In this episode, Dr Rui Ariyapala welcomes back Dr. Michael Baca-Atlas for another conversation. Dr. Baca-Atlas is originally from Baltimore, MD. He completed his undergraduate work at the University of Maryland, College Park and medical school at University of Maryland in Baltimore. He completed his Family Medicine residency at UNC and an Addiction Medicine fellowship at UNC in the Department of Psychiatry. He serves as the Medical Director for UNC REACH Enhanced Primary Care and Associate Medical Director for the Tobacco Treatment Program. Dr. Baca-Atlas has a special interest in the intersection of physical and mental health and addiction. He also serves as a contributor for Primary Care RAP (Reviews and Perspectives), a medical education podcast.
For this second part, we explore deeper into the nuances of residency. Dr. Baca-Atlas articulates how to manage the expectations and clinical responsibilities as one transitions from medical student, to intern, to senior resident.
Be sure to check out part 1 - episode 65 - which introduces Dr. Baca-Atlas' background.

In this episode, Dr. Rui Ariyapala sits down with Dr. Kofi Opoku, a passionate physician and advocate for global health. Dr. Opoku earned his Bachelor of Science in Human Biology in 2013 and his medical degree in 2016 from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology School of Medicine and Dentistry. After nearly six years of practicing medicine in Ghana, primarily as a general practitioner, Dr. Opoku also served in Ghana's Ministry of Health, where he led initiatives to monitor and evaluate healthcare facilities, ensuring compliance with national standards.

Driven by his mission to improve healthcare access and quality in resource-limited settings, Dr. Opoku pursued an MPH in Global Health from UNC to deepen his impact through research and systemic improvements. As he prepares to begin his internal medicine residency in the United States in July 2024, Dr. Opoku shares his incredible journey, from navigating the challenges of being an International Medical Graduate (IMG) to working on the front lines during COVID-19 in Ghana.

In this insightful conversation, we explore:

• Public health perspectives gained from his work in Ghana.
• His strategies for matching into a U.S. residency program as an IMG.
• Practical tips for thriving during residency, including wellness strategies to maintain balance amidst rigorous demands.

Whether you're a medical student, an IMG, or simply interested in global health and wellness, Dr. Opoku’s story is both inspiring and informative. Tune in for a rich discussion on resilience, cross-cultural healthcare, and the pursuit of better standards in medicine worldwide.