Overcoming Unstable Childhood in Foster Care to Thriving in Top Medical Schools with Festus Ohan - a podcast by Brad Leavitt

from 2022-06-12T20:00

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Born in L.A. to a schizophrenic mother and abandoned by his bipolar father at the age of 13, Festus found himself in the foster care system and lived at eight different foster homes until he discovered his passion for medicine.

He refused to take the advice of his foster parents who encouraged him to pursue a more “realistic” career and, through sheer willpower, Festus was eventually accepted into college at UC Riverside. He was later given a full ride scholarship to attend medical school at UCLA, where he decided to become an anesthesiologist. Finally, he was accepted to the residency program in UT Southwestern in Dallas.

Listen in as Festus reflects on those trials and offers his strategies for career success to those who may be feeling overwhelmed as they enter the job market.

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Topics Discussed:

  • [05:39] Festus’s background as a foster kid
  • [13:15] How Festus’s tough upbringing bolstered his resilience today
  • [17:04] Why Festus pursued pre-med
  • [24:12] About the Guardian Scholars Program
  • [27:54] Festus’s advice to his younger self
  • [28:58] Why Festus chose anesthesiology
  • [36:43] The importance of bedside manner
  • [42:51] The typical day-in-the-life of an anesthesiologist
  • [48:32] Festus’s future career plans
  • [53:23] Deciding which med school to enroll in
  • [57:30] What Festus does for fun
  • [58:52] Festus’s sisters plans for the future
  • [01:01:32] Festus’s advice to those experiencing career burnout

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Key Quotes by Festus:

  • Try to find as many resources as you can, whether it’s for your studies or whatever your aspirations are. Try to find a mentor on the path that you’re exploring to help you find your way.

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