Chai with The Pre-Med Guys

03/08/2023

When Dr Erum Ilyas saw a lack of sun protective clothing getting in the way of her patients reaching their health goals… she decided to create a solution with her own brand of stylish yet sunaware clothing

Being in private practice means Dr Ilyas deals with patients “completely”, handling every aspect from logistics, to billing, to care. She credits this experience with a career she’s spent identifying and tackling hiccups in health systems, be it legislation surrounding children’s sunscreen application or the need for patient friendly clothing.

This week’s episode we truly dive deep into the experience of running a clinical practice. Not only has Dr Ilyas built her own practice over 10 years, she’s also seen her clothing line evolve from an online brand, to a flagship store in Wayne Pennsylvania, to eventual features at Macy’s outlets. Join this week’s episode to hear how the workings of private practice translate over to non-clinical business…

Whether you’re interested in dermatology or have really no stake in the medical field, I’d wager you’d still find this episode quite interesting. So tune in tomorrow at 6am for our latest chai time ☕️☕️☕️

For more from Dr Ilyas, give her a follow at

For more from us, visit our website or click the link in our bio

20/07/2023

NEW EPISODE RELEASING FRIDAY MORNING!!

Mark your calendars for our new episode releasing this Friday with !!! Join us for this week’s episode as Dr. McGough shares with us the lessons he learned on his journey to medicine. These lessons built the foundation through which he navigated his time as an undergrad and a 3-Year MD student at Stony Brook University!

Whether it’s pursuing an activity you’re passionate about or emphasizing your well being, tune into this week’s episode to learn more about how to avoid burnout and find happiness in your pursuit to medicine!!! We are so excited to release this week!

Come join us in our episode as shares his lessons and advice to premedical and medical students on how to navigate their own journey to medicine and through life! EPISODE WILL BE RELEASED ON JULY 21st at 6AM EST!!!!

To learn more about Dr. Mcgough, visit his Twitter and TikTok ()! Please visit our website to tune into our other episodes!!!

19/07/2023

We’re back again with another episode for you guys!!! For this weeks episode of Chai With The Premed Guys, we are pleased to welcome !!!!

As a current Emergency Medicine resident at Stony Brook University, our episode takes a deep dive into Dr. McGough’s journey to medicine! With a BS and BA in biochemistry and chemistry from University of Rochester, he went onto complete an MS in biomedical science at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai! Afterwards he started his medical school journey at Stony Brook University, as part of their inaugural 3-Year MD program, allowing him to graduate early and continue his training in Emergency Medicine!!

Beyond medicine, he aims to offer the lessons he had learned from his journey through TikTok and share medical mnemonics on Twitter to help medical students ace their exams!

Come join us in our episode as shares his lessons and advice to premedical and medical students on how to navigate their own journey to medicine and through life! EPISODE WILL BE RELEASED ON JULY 21st at 6AM EST!!!!

To learn more about Dr. Mcgough, visit his Twitter and TikTok ()! Please visit our website to tune into our other episodes!!!

13/07/2023

NEW EPISODE THIS FRIDAY MORNING

In this episode, Dr Gianakos shares with us the thought processes that helped her power through her journey to becoming an Orthopedic Surgeon. Her mindset through her education and training has shaped her career now as a Foot & Ankle Surgeon who pushes the needle forward as an academic and runs a peer advocacy platform by the name of SpeakUpOrtho

Whether it’s the step by step of recreating Dr. G’s productive research years at LECOM, hearing about her amazing in-office nanoscope procedures, or the story of how she co-founded SpeakUpOrtho…… if you’re looking to be left informed, in awe, and inspired this episode’s a MUST listen for you. We’re so excited for this one!

For more from Dr Gianakos, visit to get a look at her new educational series!!!

For more from us, visit our website or click the link in our bio ☕️☕️☕️

11/07/2023

Back with another episode for all you future doctors!! Joining in for this week’s episode of Chai With The Premed Guys is the amazingly inspirational

After her residency in Orthopedics, Dr Gianakos pursued a fellowship in Foot & Ankle surgery at Harvard- Mass General Hospital where she was the first D.O. to match into the fellowship! Afterwards, she trained as an In Office Needle Arthroscopy (IONA) Fellow, where at NYU she was the first 👏🏼 ever 👏🏼 fellow to be trained in this novel technique. As if that wasn’t enough trailblazing, did we mention Dr Gianakos co-founded ? Two years since its inception now, SpeakUpOrtho is a platform aimed at promoting equity, inclusion, and reformed workplace conditions within the field of orthopedics.

In our chai time this week, Dr Gianakos shares how her unique trajectory from basketballer in New Jersey, to premed in Canada, to aspiring Orthopedist at LECOM Florida, all shaped her vision for what she wanted to accomplish as a physician……. And boy is she on track to accomplishing it all 🙌🏼 Episode releasing July 14th at 6am EST

For more from Dr Gianakos, visit for a look into her work as a physician-scientist

For more from us, visit our website or click the link in our bio ☕️☕️☕️

14/06/2023

So what has Dr Storch learned after talking with 100 DOs on his podcast? Tune in this Friday morning to find out! In our chai time this week we discuss what he’s taken away from countless conversations with medical school deans, how the joint match system could shape the landscape of training possibilities for DOs, and most importantly the osteopathic tenets of mind, body, & spirit: a core value of osteopathic medicine.

We also discuss in great length the story of his transition from medical residency to Gastroenterology fellowship: a story of reflection, resilience, and trial and error. No matter what field of medicine you’re interested in, these lessons help get a complete picture of what medical training looks like.

For more of Dr. Storch’s work, visit .o.ordonotpodcast

For more from us, visit our website or click the link in our bio ☕️☕️☕️

13/06/2023

Featuring the D.O. Or Do Not Podcast’s very own Dr Ian Storch, we present this season’s fourth episode- “There is No Try” releasing this Friday morning!

From a first gen college student studying English at Binghamton, to an ambassador of osteopathic medicine seeing two gastroenterologists worth of patients while managing his podcast. The story of Dr Storch’s in between belongs in a story book. The highlights of his early days include deciding to be a doctor after watching an EMT friend in action, basing his med school list off of a book he found on a shelf, and writing a poem as his personal statement, just to name a few. If that’s not a must listen story…. I don’t know what is

We were really just trying to match the name of this episode to Dr Storch’s podcast title. Ironically though, “There is No Try” fits the theme of the anecdotal lessons Dr Storch shares with us. Going far beyond board scores and research, he shares with us behind the scenes details and tribulations of his journey from residency to his gastroenterology fellowship. Tune in this Friday morning to hear Dr Storch highlight some of the less talked about challenges of completing one’s medical training.

01/06/2023

NEW EPISODE TOMORROW MORNING

In this episode we ask Michael Minh Le about EVERYTHING from choosing your major to submitting your application…. and he’s not afraid to share any of the knowledge he’s accrued while building his advising company- Premed Catalyst

Michael stopped investing energy in the same typical premed experiences everyone’s knee deep in and started following his passions instead. The result? Michael’s “Perfect Premed Years”- years he spent absorbed by passions like basketball and Vietnamese immigrant health. Rather than just racking up thousands of scribing hours, Michael ACTUALLY impacted people’s lives through his two passions.

Michael’s new passion is empowering premed students with quality advising. His FREE Application database with multiple successful applications available online and his $1 Application dissection program prove that he’s serious about making med school app know-how more accessible.

For more about Michael’s work, visit .minh.le on Instagram and TikTok

For more from us, visit our website or click the link in our bio ☕️☕️☕️

31/05/2023

This episode’s been a long time coming….

Whether it’s his work as President of the Premed Catalyst organization, his amazing email blog “Meditating on Medical School”, or his online materials like “Mike’s Office Hours”, Michael Minh Le is an absolute RESOURCE for the premed community. Incoming Anesthesiology resident, current MS4 at UCLA, Michael is on a mission to democratize quality premed advising.

Why should you listen to this episode? We’ll let Mike do the talking “…. Any premed advising you’ve paid for, I want to make resources so good and make them free, so that our free stuff is better than everyone else’s paid stuff. That’s my bench mark for releasing materials into the world…”

Is Mike good for his word? Use our episode to take a peak and decide for yourself

….the answer is YES a thousand times over

17/05/2023

You don’t need a formal position in some traditional, premed, bench science lab, to get research experience. And valuable research experience at that. Boy do we wish we realized that sooner.

Tune in to our chai time this Friday to hear Shivani Mehta (med student at UCSD) talk not only about her book on demystifying research for premeds, but also about her own anecdotes navigating different settings and using even non-research oriented experiences to build her research portfolio.

Episode releasing THIS FRIDAY, May 19th

This next couple of episodes we have a running theme of being educated by our guests about getting the “quick essentials” (like research) done and dusted, as quick as possible, so you spend as little time as possible doing things you feel you need to.

So stay tuned….. and keep drinking chai ☕️

15/05/2023

How do I approach research as a premed? A question that’s stumped us all at some point. But what if there was a short, cheap, accessible way to know exactly what to do? Turns out there is.

Meet Shivani Mehta. As an undergrad at Johns Hopkins and a Fulbright Researcher working internationally, even Shivani found herself unsure of what was expected of her as a premed researcher. Which is why, after reflecting as a med student at UCSD, she decided to write a book on the short, simple, fundamentals of research. Her goal? To make the process more exciting and less intimidating!

Whether you’re starting college or just graduating, this episode’s for you. Featuring advice from Deans, admissions officers, and founders of application advising companies Shivani’s book "Demystifying Research for Pre-Medical Students" details everything from finding research positions to shining in research positions. Join us for our chai time this week as we discuss with Shivani her own undergrad research experiences and facts about research so many students don’t even realize until they’re halfway through med school.

Episode releasing THIS FRIDAY, May 19th

For more from us, visit our website or click the link in our bio ☕️☕️☕️

04/05/2023

In his time as a resident at Temple, an upper extremity fellow at Harvard, and then early on as a practicing Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr Ilyas witnessed the trends and ramifications of the opioid crisis. Fast forward to the present day, Dr Ilyas heads a non profit foundation dedicated to research on opioid use.

Join in on our chai time this week to hear about how the Rothman Opioid Foundation employs a three pronged approach of Education, Research, and Advocacy to tackle the opioid epidemic at both the prescription and consumption level. Dr Ilyas teaches us about patient education, opioid sparing strategies, multimodal pain management, and more factors that can affect a patient’s trajectory.
EPISODE RELEASING MAY 5th

For more about Dr. Ilyas’s work, visit

For more from us, visit our website or click the link in our bio ☕️☕️☕️

03/05/2023

And we’re back!!! We’re so excited to share with you all a new batch of episodes with some amazing guests on the show. Starting off Season 4 of Chai With The Premed Guys, we have

Orthopedic surgeon at the Rothman Institute, President of the Rothman Opioid Foundation, and recently appointed Associate Dean of Clinical Research at the Drexel School of Medicine- Dr. Ilyas does it all.

If you’re curious about what a career balancing clinical work, research, and education looks like, this episode is for you. Join us for our chai time this week as Dr Ilyas shares with us the story of how he came to take up his current roles, and what he aims to achieve through each one. Episode releasing May 5th!!

For more about Dr. Ilyas’s work, visit

For more from us, visit our website or click the link in our bio ☕️☕️☕️

09/08/2021

Tired of constantly having to chase grades as a premed? Worried that med school might just be more of the same? Well give our episode with Dr. Darsh a listen to hear how his approach to med school let him go through a great deal of personal growth while also staying on top of his studies

Looking back, we can’t think of a better way to have started our second season than with Dr. Darsh’s episode!

Check him out .darsh

Follow the link in our bio to listen to the complete second season, starting with our episode with Dr. Darsh on how to optimize your student life!

Website: https://stonychaibhais.wixsite.com/mysite/podcast

26/07/2021

This one’s especially to all the premeds in their early years. If you’re an incoming freshman or sophomore premed, now is the time for you to start laying your foundations. Don’t know how to get clinical experience? Ask. Don’t know if you should be doing research? Ask. Don’t have a clue what the MCAT is? Ask, ask, and ask again. The biggest mistake you can make is waiting until application season to rush your MCAT and fill up your activities section with meaningless things. All you need to do is ask someone who’s already been through what you’re trying to do. If you’re genuine and respectful, more often than not, people will help you.

Go check out Episode 3 of our second season! This episode with Pediatric Cardiologist Dr. Aamisha Gupta was definitely one for the books.

Check her out

Follow the link in our bio to give this episode and more a listen!

Website: https://stonychaibhais.wixsite.com/mysite

28/06/2021

The things you enjoy and the people you love aren’t distractions from your goal. They’re what enrich your life and make you a better, happier, and more relatable future doctor.

What are some things you enjoy outside of medicine?

Huge shoutout to Dr. Advani for being our holiday special guest back in the winter and for holding two talks with us over the year aimed at Stony Brook’s sophomore Premeds!

Check Dr. Advani out

Follow the link in our bio to listen to our holiday special with Dr. Advani- it’s definitely one of our best episodes 👌🏼

Website: https://stonychaibhais.wixsite.com/mysite/podcast/episode/2c8dd1c3/chai-time-with-dr-rashmi-advani

14/06/2021

It can be scary starting something new. But even if you’re likely to fail, through your failure you’ll learn so much more than you would by just sitting around, thinking, planning.... and waiting. And you never know, things might just turn out better than you could have ever imagined. Let us know down below what you’ll be starting this summer!!!

Huge throwback to our FIRST episode of Season 2. It was a pleasure having over Dr. Darshan Shah!

Check him out: .darsh

Follow the LINK IN OUR BIO for our episode with Dr. Darsh on optimizing your life!

Website: https://stonychaibhais.wixsite.com/mysite/podcast




via .app

30/04/2021

FINAL EPISODE OUT NOW!!!! Around this time of the year, a lot of pre-meds are gearing up to the ultimate task of their journey to medicine: applying to medical school. One advice we got from our guest this week, Alexa Dantzler, is to be confident when you’re applying. Medicine is a long and hard journey, but as long you put in the work, the opportunities are endless!

If you'd like to hear Alexa’s episode, click the link in our bio to tune into our episodes on SPOTIFY and APPLE PODCAST!

05/04/2021

Every wondered what it’s like going through medical residency? In last Friday’s episode we talk about just that, as well as Caribbean med schools and what premed students can take away from experience as EMTs.

Visit the link in our bio to hear our conversation with Dr. Jaffer Ahmad- Resident Physician at the Nassau University Medical Center.

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02/04/2021

NEW EPISODE OUT NOW! In this week’s episode we talk about everything from Caribbean Med Schools, being an EMT for 10 years, and finding your optimal balance of beach time vs study time in med school.

Visit the link in our bio to hear our conversation with Dr. Jaffer Ahmad- Resident Physician at the Nassau University Medical Center.

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31/03/2021

Take a deep breath, find an outlet to deal with your stress, and DO NOT RUSH your application. Take the time you need to become your best.

Apply at your own pace, on your own time.

And until that time comes, tune in to our episodes by following the link in our bio. In this week’s episode we talk to Dr. Jaffer Ahmed about Caribbean Medical School, being an EMT for 10 years, and overcoming hardships as a Resident Physician. RELEASING FRIDAY 4/2 at 5pm

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29/03/2021

Happy Monday everyone! We’re proud to present another amazing episode, this time with Dr. Jaffer Ahmad. On this week’s episode, we talk with Dr. Ahmad about his journey to medicine at the American University of Antigua, and how his undergraduate experience at Binghamton University, as well as an EMT, allowed him to propel his career further as a Resident Physician. Come join us in this weeks episode to learn more about the trials Dr. Ahmad faced and how he overcame them to be successful.
If you’d like to hear more episodes like this, please click the link in our bio to listen to our podcast on Spotify!!!

23/03/2021

As proven by her show Heart2Heart, where she and her colleague find answers to important questions in the field of cardiology, Dr Aamisha Gupta is all about being inquisitive. Tune in to our latest episode of Chai With The Premed Guys to hear us talk about the best steps that premeds can take to stay inquisitive, find the right answers, and better themselves! Visit the LINK IN OUR BIO to hear Dr. Gupta’s words of wisdom

Follow to join the cardiovascular wave👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼 Her many motivational posts are an absolute delight, not to mention her commendable efforts to expand the reach of cardiovascular medicine through her show: Heart2Heart. For more from us, visit our website or click the link in our bio ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ So excited for this episode!!!! Dm us with any and all feedback

Website: https://stonychaibhais.wixsite.com/mysite

19/03/2021

NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!!! Follow the LINK IN OUR BIO to get a listen to our latest episode with the one and only Dr. Aamisha Gupta! One might hear about the field Pediatric Cardiology and think that it only deals with children. Our talk with Dr. Gupta taught us that it actually deals with congenital heart disease in patients over a variety of ages! Join us for this cup of chai to hear more about the field of pediatric cardiology, cooperation amongst different specialties of cardiology, and the whole process of becoming a Pediatric Cardiologist from A to Z!! Whether you’re a premed, a med student, or on a gap year, you’re sure to enjoy and maybe learn a thing or two!

Follow to join the cardiovascular wave👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼 Her many motivational posts are an absolute delight, not to mention her commendable efforts to expand the reach of cardiovascular medicine through her show: Heart2Heart. For more from us, visit our website or click the link in our bio ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ So excited for this episode!!!! Dm us with any and all feedback

Website: https://stonychaibhais.wixsite.com/mysite

15/03/2021

AND WE’RE OUT WITH ANOTHER EPISODE IN SEASON 2!!!! Joining us for this week’s cup of chai is the Pediatric Cardiologist Dr. Aamisha Gupta!

These days Dr. Gupta is busy at work over on the west coast as an Associate Professor and a Lead Inpatient Pediatric Cardiologist. In her spare time though, she hosts a series called Heart2Heart where she and her colleague talk about prominent topics in cardiology. Join us this Friday EST to hear Dr. Gupta’s words of advice and to hear more about her efforts to expand the reach of cardiovascular medicine through social media!!!

For more from Dr. Gupta, visit to check out her motivational posts and her talks through Heart2Heart. For more from us, visit our website or click the link in our bio ☕️ ☕️ ☕️

Website: https://stonychaibhais.wixsite.com/mysite

12/03/2021

Learning from failure is a talent that many may not have. While it is important to fail, the culture around medicine seems to offer this mindset that if a student fails, they’re some how lesser. This is a complete lie. Failing builds resilience and often guides you to the right path. So, come join us for this week’s episode with about the importance of failing and how avoiding failure can in turn bite you back!

If you'd like to learn more about Prerak, make sure to follow him on Instagram: and subscribe to his Youtube channel: Prerak Juthani! Tune into our episodes on Spotify (chaiwiththepremedguys) and visit our website (www.https://stonychaibhais.wixsite.com/mysite), link in bio, to hear more from us!!!!!

04/01/2021

04/01/2021

04/01/2021