Stories from the Medicine Wheel | One mbeethone ãachmowãakanan
This is a show hosted by Tyria Heath (Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican, Menominee) and Farouk Al-Ajam (Choctaw), two medical students training in Oregon.* Our goal is to share the journeys of Indigenous healers and healthcare professionals. We aim to create a space that is both vulnerable and safe, where guests can share their struggles, triumphs, and resilience, in hopes of inspiring the next generation of Indigenous youth to pursue careers in healthcare.
We also create episodes focused on practical guidance, including but not limited to tips for applying to schools, writing personal statements, and preparing for exams.
Thank you for listening—onewee!
*Our school sits on the ancestral lands of the Multnomah, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Tumwater, Watlala bands of the Chinook, the Tualatin Kalapuya, Molalla, Wasco, and the many Indigenous nations of the Willamette Valley and the Columbia River Plateau.
Stories from the Medicine Wheel | One mbeethone ãachmowãakanan
Ep 1 - Farouk Al-Ajam (Choctaw)
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SO excited to release my first episode and so glad Farouk was able to just tell his story. He has quite an inspiring journey as a non-traditional medical student from working in the pharmaceutical industry to moving across the country in hopes of getting that MD. He is well on his way and I am so honored to have him as my first guest.
Time stamps for topics:
1:17 - Career path and experiences in pharmacy
9:11 - Transition to Medical School
12:47 - Family Dynamics and Support
21:05 - Cultural Identity and Influence on Identity & Medicine
29:35 - The Importance of Therapy
34:33 - Family & Community Dynamics (part 2)
39:41 - Belonging, Finding Your Place in Medicine
44:34 - Future Aspirations & Advice