Can you give us the reading list for your wilderness class?

MJM: Yes, here's the reading list from the Spring 2022 version of my class:

Can I shadow you?

MJM: Yes, download the forms here.

What is your biggest regret in regards to becoming a doctor? What would you do differently?

MJM: Nothing too dramatic. I only wish I took my time in deciding what to do. I wish I had allowed myself the freedom to investigate a career in music or filmmaking. I don’t regret becoming a doctor. During the hard years (residency), I definitely was feeling regretful, but that passed and life got a lot better after training. Otherwise, I regret spending too much money on my education. I’m still paying back my student loans. I’m not saying it wasn’t worth it. I mean that I wished I saved more and spent less.

Is being a physician worth it in the long run-in terms of personal life and sacrifices made?

MJM: Absolutely. I love the non-stop learning and it feels good to be taking care of people. Every year or so, there is something really hard to deal with: a big exam, a patient death, etc. None of those things are enjoyable, but each challenge pushed me to grow. I don’t think I could have grown as much if I had chosen an easier path. It’s satisfying to do hard things.

What is the number one way to get accepted into medical school?

MJM: Like anything difficult, you really have to decide that you want to go for it. My sister (who got into vet school) calls it: drawing a line in the sand. Often, I set out to do something (ironman, write a book, etc.) and realize I’m doing it half-heartedly—either because I didn’t care that much or I didn’t believe I could do it.

Once I decided that I was going to get into medical school, I was in good shape. I had to apply three times which meant I had three gap years between college and medical school. But that didn’t matter. Yes, it was frustrating but it was really good for me. It forced me to re-take the MCAT and learn how to be a better student. By the time I got into medical school, I was far more prepared than when I was twenty-two. I don’t think I would have had as much fun if I went straight in. Plus I got to recharge myself during those years by skiing and rock climbing.

Some of you might be looking for a more concrete and actionable piece of advice than the above. I understand. Assuming you followed the above advice, the biggest deciding factor is getting your foot in the door. In my case, I could not overcome my poor GPA. I had to take classes at the medical school, meet the professors, and demonstrate I was not the same person as reflected in that GPA.

 How do I know if I want to go into medicine?

MJM: I think if you are asking this question, then you are definitely interested. Maybe take it a step further. In college I shadowed a few different doctors. I also took an EMT class. Then I worked as a phlebotomist. But there was no way to know until medical school—actually second half of medical school—when I finally started taking care of patients. But even then, that’s not really the end of the road. Then there is residency which is practcing under supervision. After that you become an attending and assume the full responsibility of your practice—8-10 years after college.

In college I wasn’t 100% sure I knew what to do with my life. Many years later, I still don’t know. I still practice medicine but now I am investigating other options: writing, filmmaking, teaching, music.

How to get over hardships and feeling down?

MJM: I’ve refined my process over many years and many failures. My in-the-moment coping strategy is box breathing. With a few minutes, I’ll do the triple column technique. Most importantly, I seek help by talking to a psychologist. They usually help me work through the issues, point out my blind spots, and give me tools to cope and process.