Episode 7: Air Force Roots, Admissions Wisdom: Aimee Larson on Building a PA Career
Release Date: 05/13/2025
Episode 8: A Peak Behind the Curtain at GW's MD Program Admissions
Boots2Meds Podcast
In this episode, Bart sits down with Mr. Kevin Nies, Assistant Dean of Admissions, and Dr. Ioannis Koutroulis, Associate Dean of Admissions at the George Washington University School of Medicine. They break down the MD admissions process at GW, share advice on how veteran applicants can best showcase their military experience, and highlight the unique resources and support systems available to veterans who matriculate. If you're a service member or veteran considering med school, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
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Episode 7: Air Force Roots, Admissions Wisdom: Aimee Larson on Building a PA Career
Boots2Meds Podcast
In this episode of Boots2Meds, we sit down with Aimee Larson, Program Director of the Canisius University PA Program and proud U.S. Air Force veteran. Aimee shares her inspiring path from serving as an Air Force medic to becoming a PA student- while raising three children and navigating life as a non-traditional applicant. Now a leader in PA education, she offers invaluable insights into holistic admissions and what truly makes a candidate stand out. Wherever you are in your journey to PA school, Aimee's story and advice are sure to motivate and guide you.
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Episode 6: From X-Ray Tech to Radiologist: Dr. Dominique Newallo’s Journey of Resilience
Boots2Meds Podcast
In this powerful episode of Boots2Meds, Dr. Dominique Newallo shares her extraordinary journey from working as an X-ray technician in the Army to becoming a board-certified radiologist and nuclear medicine physician. Her road to medicine was long and often uncertain, filled with personal and professional hurdles that would have stopped many in their tracks. Through sheer determination, grit, and an unwavering commitment to her dream, Dr. Newallo not only broke barriers but also redefined what’s possible for veterans in medicine. Whether you're just starting out or deep in the trenches of...
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Episode 5- Global Ops to Local Impact: JT Graham's Path from the Navy to PA School
Boots2Meds Podcast
JT Graham spent a decade circling the globe as a Navy systems officer after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy. Now, he’s navigating a new kind of mission—his first year as a PA student at George Washington University. In this episode, JT shares what led him to pivot from aviation to medicine, how he prepared for PA school, and the lessons he’s carried over from military service to the classroom. Whether you’re on active duty or already in transition, JT’s story offers practical advice and inspiration for anyone considering a career as a physician assistant.
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Episode 4: From Navy Seal to Medical Student: Brentyn Jones & SOF to SOM
Boots2Meds Podcast
In this episode of boots2meds, I interview with Brentyn Jones, a former Navy SEAL turned medical student and the Director of Partnerships for SOF to SOM. Brentyn shares his journey from the demanding world of special operations to his first year at West Virginia School of Medicine. We discuss the unique challenges and strengths that SOF veterans bring to medicine, the mission of SOF to SOM in guiding prior special forces members through the transition to medical school, and what it takes to succeed in this path. Whether you're a veteran considering a career in medicine or simply inspired by...
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Episode 3: Serving Those Who Served: MEDEX Northwest’s Commitment to Veterans
Boots2Meds Podcast
In this episode of Boots2Meds, I sit down with Terry Scott, Program Director of the MEDEX Physician Assistant Program at the University of Washington, to discuss MEDEX Northwest’s long-standing commitment to training veterans for careers as PAs. With nearly three decades of leadership at MEDEX, Terry shares insights on why veterans excel in PA education, how the program supports their transition to civilian healthcare roles, and the broader impact of military-trained PAs on underserved communities. Join us as we explore MEDEX’s mission, its legacy of recruiting and educating veterans,...
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Episode 2: From Army Reserve PA to Anesthesiology Resident: Dr. Courtney Harcourt's Journey
Boots2Meds Podcast
In this episode of boots2meds, Bart Gillum sits down with Dr. Courtney Harcourt, a Captain in the U.S. Army and a 3rd-year anesthesiology resident at San Antonio Military Medical Center. Dr. Harcourt shares her remarkable journey, starting as a PA in the Army Reserves and later earning her DO degree through LECOM's accelerated physician assistant pathway. Tune in to hear how she navigated this unique career path, the challenges she faced, and the lessons she learned along the way. This inspiring story highlights the resilience and dedication required to succeed in military medicine.
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Episode 1: The Heart of a Corpsman: Ensign Celso Chipana's Path to Medicine
Boots2Meds Podcast
In this episode of boots2meds, Bart Gillum sits down with Ensign Celso Chipana, a first-year osteopathic medical student at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine. Celso's story is one of extraordinary resilience and determination. After immigrating to the United States from Peru at the age of 18 with no English proficiency, he completed high school, enlisted in the Navy, and spent a decade serving as a corpsman. His journey continued through GW's Postbac Premed program, where he earned acceptance to medical school. Join us as Celso shares his powerful immigrant story, the lessons he learned...
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Episode 16: From Battlefield to OR-Dr. Vincent Mase on Resilience, Surgery, and Service
Boots2Meds Podcast
In this episode of boots2meds, Dr. Vincent Mase, a reserve thoracic surgeon and Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, shares his inspiring journey from military service to medical school and beyond. A fellowship-trained surgeon from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dr. Mase discusses the challenges and triumphs of his career, including using cutting-edge techniques to treat thoracic conditions and his unique perspective as a military surgeon. Tune in to hear about his dedication to patient care, his reflections on nearly 20 years of military service, and how resilience and persistence...
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Episode 15: From Defusing Bombs to Healing Hands-Robert Andrew's Journey to Med School
Boots2Meds Podcast
In this episode of boots2meds, Bart Gillum sits down with Robert Andrews, a first-year medical student at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine. With a 10-year career as an EOD tech in the Navy, Robert’s journey to medicine is anything but conventional. He candidly shares his early struggles in college, how he turned things around by finishing his degree online while serving in the military, and his transformative experience in GW's postbac program. Tune in to hear Robert’s insights on perseverance, navigating the med school application process, and how he’s leveraging his military...
info_outlineIn this episode of Boots2Meds, we sit down with Aimee Larson, Program Director of the Canisius University PA Program and proud U.S. Air Force veteran. Aimee shares her inspiring path from serving as an Air Force medic to becoming a PA student- while raising three children and navigating life as a non-traditional applicant. Now a leader in PA education, she offers invaluable insights into holistic admissions and what truly makes a candidate stand out. Wherever you are in your journey to PA school, Aimee's story and advice are sure to motivate and guide you.