Health policy refers to the decisions, plans, and actions taken to achieve specific health care goals within a society. Globally, health policy plays a pivotal role in addressing issues such as infectious diseases, access to care, and preventive health services. However, disparities persist, particularly in low- and middle-income communities, where funding constraints and misaligned priorities can significantly impact health outcomes. In S7E17, internal medicine resident Siale Teaupa...

Medical professionals are often so focused on caring for others that they overlook their own well-being. Yet, prioritizing just 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and anxiety. Despite these benefits, many medical students struggle to find time for self-care amidst their demanding studies. In S7E16, medical student Cassidy Nguyen joins Lilly and Hạ to discuss the importance of balancing life outside of medicine,...

Societal pressures often skew our understanding of success toward performance metrics, making it seem almost synonymous with external achievements. However, finding a personal definition of success that goes beyond external validation is essential for personal growth and overall well-being. True success involves aligning your values and passions with your goals. In S7E15, Alizah and Austen engage in a thought-provoking conversation with fellow medical student Jacob Taylor about the...

An estimated 1.14% of the U.S. population—around 3 million people—identify as transgender, yet many face significant barriers when accessing health care. The medical field has traditionally been structured without considering the unique needs of trans individuals, resulting in substantial gaps in care and understanding. In S7E14, Laurel and Hạ talk with Jane Hiatt about the challenges trans people encounter while navigating the health care system and emphasize the urgent need for...

Diversity of thought should be the foundation for respectful discussions and the broadening of perspectives. In the complex world of medicine, effective collaboration is crucial, yet conflicting opinions and division can often impede progress. In S7E13, Austen is joined by fellow medical students Anna Tidwell and Jade Kho to discuss how opposing viewpoints can lead to conflict, stifle growth, and obstruct the achievement of both personal and patient-focused goals. The conversation...

Approximately 5% of medical students and 3% of practicing physicians report having a chronic illness or disability. For these individuals, balancing being a patient and a health care provider can present unique challenges. In S7E12, Hạ and guest Eunice Bajomo discuss navigating the medical field with a chronic medical condition. Eunice, who is both a patient and a medical student, shares her insights on creating positive health care experiences and highlights the need for improved...

This season's fourth and final IDENTITY SERIES episode spotlights Laurel and their journey of self-exploration. Close friends Hạ and Abby Jones join the conversation to describe Laurel's character, highlighting the qualities that make them a cherished friend and individual. The group explores the nuances of identity, friendship, and personal growth, offering a candid look into Laurel's ongoing journey of self-discovery.

In the third episode of this season's IDENTITY SERIES, Lilly and Mariam share a thoughtful and honest conversation about the power and privilege of wearing the white coat that signifies a duty to serve and advocate for patients. The two talk about their lived experiences growing up brown and how it instilled a responsibility to promote change and advocate for their communities and future patients.

The second episode of this season's IDENTITY SERIES spotlights "compassionate ambition," a commitment to excellence that vehemently denies individualism and originates in community betterment. Alizah is joined by her cousin, Kesaia Akau, for a conversation about their families' migrant legacy, and how the values and principles instilled by their ancestors guide them toward success.

We're excited to bring back and highlight our IDENTITY SERIES—this season, featuring four episodes exploring who we are as human beings. In this special episode, Austen is joined by her sister, Cailin Ivey, to talk about the significance of understanding and embracing our multifaceted identities, and how this journey can shape the communities we build and the connections we make.

Every patient brings a unique narrative when they come into the doctor's office. Patients who feel heard, seen, and valued by their health care providers have better health outcomes and higher levels of satisfaction with their care. Storytelling plays a crucial role in achieving this by preserving cultures, sharing family histories, and connecting us to our roots and identities. Recognizing and valuing each patient’s story can lead to more empathetic and effective treatment. In S7E7, Hạ and...

1 in 5 U.S. physicians was born and educated abroad, according to the AAMC. Non-U.S. international medical graduates—different from Americans who attend medical school abroad—face various obstacles in getting to and practicing medicine in America. In S7E6, Nina Mercado Garcia, an international medical graduate from Colombia, joins Hạ to talk about her unique journey into medicine. From her initial decision to pursue medicine in Colombia to navigating the complexities of practicing in the...

Cultivating a supportive community can enhance your resilience, well-being, and success in medical school and beyond. Explore the power of community in medical school with BUNDLE OF HERS. In a live episode recorded during University of Utah School of Medicine's Second Look Day, Austen and Lilly discuss the essential topic of finding your community amidst the challenges of medical education. The two share firsthand insights and strategies for building meaningful connections, fostering...

Just as patients of color experience unfair treatment in the doctor's office, physicians of color also experience discrimination from patients. As medical trainees, the question of "When can I start implementing meaningful changes and solutions?" is common, yet often met with complex answers. Lilly and Gitanjali Das, chief neurology resident at University of Utah Health, delve into the critical intersection of social determinants of health and anti-racism education. Together, they...

21.2% of medical students identified as legally married, according to a 2023 report from the AAMC. While marriage between two medical students is common, being in a romantic relationship with a partner not in medicine is not rare either. Laurel engages in a conversation with their partner, Peter, alongside fellow medical student Telisha and her partner, Ryland, about the challenges and rewards of balancing a career in medicine while maintaining a long-term relationship with a partner...

In 2023, the Main Residency Match had 42,952 active applicants, yet only offered 40,375 certified positions. Unfortunately, this disparity meant some applicants did not match into a residency program after graduating from medical school. The residency interview season leading up to Match Day can be stressful, to say the least. BUNDLE OF HERS alumni, Margaux Miller, returns for a discussion with Mariam and Lilly on the evolution of medical residency interviews. The three reflect on...

Between 2021 to 2024, there were 165,326 applicants to U.S. medical schools, with only 69,228—41.9%—successfully gaining admission. While medical school itself presents formidable challenges, the journey to gaining admission is an even greater hurdle. Various obstacles, including socio-economic privileges, and racial and gender biases, contribute to the lack of heterogeneity in matriculating classes. Alizah and Austen engage in a conversation with Daryl Morrison, MD/PhD candidate at...

Exploration is actively seeking to understand ourselves better, pushing beyond comfort zones to discover the complexities of our own identities, and fostering personal growth along the way. Finding the balance between personal exploration and professional identity within the medical field can be complicated. In the premiere episode of season seven, Hạ, Lilly, and Austen share their hopes and anticipations of self-exploration as they continue to navigate their journeys in medicine.

Letting go is never an easy decision, but change can be beautiful. In this heartfelt conversation, original cast members Harjit, Margaux, and Leen say their farewells after six seasons of storytelling. The three share their transformative experiences and anecdotes while reflecting on what BUNDLE OF HERS has meant for their personal growth and the unique community built on shared stories, laughter, and empowerment.

BUNDLE OF HERS concludes its sixth season with an exploration into the concept of legacy. Beyond the connection to our parents and ancestors, academic and professional accomplishments, and external validations, what is the legacy you are creating? In the season six finale, we celebrate being you on your terms, and how our authentic selves shape our continual growth and the lasting impact of our legacy.

Health at Every Size® (HAES) is a growing framework of care in many health care settings. However, weight discrimination continues to exist, and fatphobia can adversely impact patients. Communities of color, in particular, experience disproportionate effects of fatphobia, with certain cultural foods unfairly labeled as unhealthy. HAES advocates for a holistic perspective on health and challenges the conventional weight-focused approach. Implementing key principles of HAES can promote health...

For a significant portion of the United States population, the American Dream stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity. Defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as "the belief that America offers the opportunity to everyone of a good and successful life achieved through hard work," this dream, however, can be a complex reality for immigrants. The journey towards achieving the American Dream is often marred by barriers and complications. Immigrants face pressures to conform to the idealized...

According to the American Medical Association, less than 10% of U.S. medical school graduates will encounter the setback of not matching into a residency program each year. Despite being labeled as a 'lottery system,' the Match process can feel intensely personal when you're the only one left unmatched. It's difficult to not experience feelings of shame and inadequacy, and struggle with the fear of not being 'good enough.' What happens to your medical career if you don't match? In S6E21, Lina...

In organization theory, mutual aid involves communities engaging in voluntary and reciprocal exchange of resources and services for mutual benefit. Mutual aid extends beyond charity or advocacy work—it embodies genuine solidarity. Politics have made it easier to dismiss mutual aid efforts, but at its core, mutual aid has been utilized by BIPOC communities for centuries in response to oppression and occupation by colonizers. In S6E20, Margaux, Hạ, and Leen discuss the history and modern...