Meet Our Tutors | Med School Tutors

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Megan Abbott Medical Tutor BIO

Favorite Travel Destination:

Seaside, Florida: My family goes almost every year. (It is also where I got engaged!)

Favorite Power-Up Snack:

Peanut butter, straight out of the jar!

If your life were a movie, book or TV show, what would it be?

Definitely Gilmore Girls!

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Megan Abbott

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 257
Step 2 CK - 266
Step 2 CS - Pass

School

Baylor College of Medicine

Specialty

Child Neurology

There is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. ~ A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh Tutor Bio

Megan graduated summa cum laude from Texas A&M University and is now a 4th year medical student at Baylor College of Medicine. Megan has extensive teaching experience, from tutoring undergraduate chemistry to MCAT organic chemistry/verbal reasoning. Megan also has a long history of academic success, most recently scoring a 257 on USMLE Step 1 and a 266 on Step 2 CK. She has a passion for children with special needs and has decided to pursue a residency in Child Neurology. She believes that the meticulousness required to study the brain is similar to the diligence required for USMLE studying. She can’t wait to help other students get the score they need to follow their dreams in medicine!

Prateek Agarwal Medical Tutor BIO

Where's your favorite travel destination?

Toss-up between Israel and Norway

One fun fact about you:

I have my pilot’s license.

What’s your go-to karaoke song?

“I Want It That Way” – Backstreet Boys

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Prateek Agarwal

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1: 267
Step 2 CK: 275

School

Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Interest

Neurosurgery

Prateek is a compassionate, diligent, and extremely organized individual who understands the challenge of achieving an excellent score on standardized tests. During his own USMLE Step 1 preparation, he realized that dedication, confidence, and a support system were all crucial for success. While he has formal SAT tutoring experience, Prateek has always enjoyed helping his peers academically and loves to see others overcome obstacles and attain their goals. He is also a dual-degree MD/MBA student and committed to sharing his passion for lifelong learning with those around him. Prateek has the ability to explain complicated concepts in simpler, more digestible terms and help students recognize common underlying themes so that memorization is less burdensome. You can trust him to keep you focused during your exam preparation to ensure that you do not fall behind on your study schedule. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Prateek will serve as a constant source of motivation so that you never feel alone while studying for the USMLE exams.

Shoutouts + Accolades

The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, MBA Candidate 2020

Honors and Awards
Neurosurgery 2018 Paper of the Year in Socioeconomics, Health Policy, & Law
Young Neurosurgeons Committee MISSION Fellowship
Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation Medical Student Summer Fellowship
Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa (undergraduate education at Harvard University)

Publications
1. Agarwal, P., Abdullah, K.G., Ramayya, A.G., Nayak, N.R., Lucas, T.H. A retrospective propensity score-matched early thromboembolic event analysis of prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) versus fresh frozen plasma (FFP) for warfarin reversal prior to emergency neurosurgical procedures. Neurosurgery. 2018; 82(6): 877-886.
2. Gullbrand, S.E., Schaer, T.P., Agarwal, P., Bendigo, J.R., Dodge, G.R., Chen, W., Elliott, D.M., Mauck, R.L., Malhotra, N.R., Smith, L.J. Translation of an Injectable Triple-Interpenetrating-Network Hydrogel for Intervertebral Disc Regeneration in a Goat Model. Acta Biomaterialia. 2017; 60: 201-209.
3. Agarwal, N.*, Agarwal, P.*, Querry, A., Mazurkiewicz, A., Whiteside, B., Marroquin, O.C., Koscumb, S.F., Wecht, D.A., Friedlander, R.M. Reducing Surgical Infections and Implant Costs via a Novel Paradigm of Enhanced Physician Awareness. Neurosurgery. 2018; 82(5): 661-669. (*co-first authors)
4. Agarwal, P., Pierce, J., Welch, W.C. Cost analysis of spinal versus general anesthesia for lumbar discectomy and laminectomy spine surgery. World Neurosurgery. 2016; 89: 266-71.
5. Kapoor, V., Provost, A.C., Agarwal, P., Murthy, V.N. Activation of raphe nuclei triggers rapid and distinct effects on parallel olfactory bulb output channels. Nature Neuroscience. 2016; 19(2): 271-82.

Corinne Ainsworth Medical Tutor BIO

In what house would the Sorting Hat place you?

Hufflepuff every time!

What's your favorite game?

Fish Bowl (Taboo, Charades, and Password all in one)

Where's your favorite travel destination?

The enchanted city of Sevilla, Spain

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Corinne Ainsworth

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 253
Step 2 - 252

School

University of Massachusetts Medical School

Specialty

TBA

I think the thing to do is enjoy the ride while you’re on it. ~ Johnny Depp Tutor Bio

Corinne is an alumna of the University of Massachusetts where she graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Nutrition. Between her third and fourth years of medical school at UMass Medical School, Corinne is pursuing a Masters of Public Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Corinne has earned high honors in every clinical rotation of her medical school career, and she is a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society, a group dedicated to promoting humanism in medicine. Corinne has years of experience mentoring students and is looking forward to combining her Step 1 and 2 knowledge as well as her relationship-building skills to help students meet their test-taking goals!

Paris Austell Medical Tutor BIO

What's your superpower?

I would love to be fluent in all languages. It'd be cool to travel and openly speak with everyone (plus I'd be a super student on the floors!)

What's in your white coat?

Paper is the bain of my existence! I should clean out my pockets now...

One fun fact about you:

I've been writing poetry since I was in high school. One of my life goals is to publish a poetry book.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Paris Austell

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 253

School

Rush Medical College

Specialty

Otolaryngology

You are your only limit. ~ Unknown Tutor Bio

Paris is a third year medical student at Rush Medical College and intends to apply for a residency in otolaryngology. Paris graduated summa cum laude from Southern Illinois University and earned honors in all preclinical courses in medical school. She additionally has earned honors or high pass in all of her core clerkships. Paris has a long record of mentoring and tutoring students dating back to her undergraduate years. She is passionate about teaching and is dedicated to helping students attain academic success.

Dr. Sam Azeze Medical Tutor, MD, MPH BIO

What’s under your bed?

SHOES, way too many shoes

Favorite Power-Up Snack:

Dark chocolate matcha power bars, homemade of course :) and gummy worms are my guilty pleasure

Favorite Travel Destination:

A sleepy little fishing town called Chioggia in Northern Italy. Best seafood dinners and piano concerts ever!

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Sam Azeze

Medical Tutor, MD, MPH

Scores

Steps 1 - 253
Step 2 CK - 258

School

St. George’s University School of Medicine

Specialty

Diagnostic/Interventional Radiology

"Declare the past, diagnose the present, foretell the future.” ― Hippocrates Tutor Bio

Sam is a driven, systematic, and comprehensive tutor who enjoys seeing students meet and exceed their target scores on the USMLE Step 2 CK and the shelf exams. After scoring well on the Step 1, Sam knew that the key to gaining a competitive residency was an even higher Step 2 CK score. He continued to work on his craft, test taking, and now enjoys teaching the same techniques and algorithmic approach to other students. Currently, Sam is finishing his residency in radiology, a specialty that emphasizes a systematic approach to clinical anatomical imaging. Similarly, Sam’s step-by-step tailored approach to test taking teaches students to be fine-tuned test-taking machines by the end of their dedicated study. Sam’s focus on test-taking strategy is illustrated by his intensive question/answer sessions. Additionally, his fail-proof guide to reviewing material ensures you will have a mastery every pathology that can be tested. Through a rigorous practice schedule and mimicking exam conditions, Sam’s students become very comfortable taking exams and have done incredibly well.

Tyler Bauer Medical Tutor BIO

Go-to karaoke song:

Paradise by the Dashboard Lights, Meatloaf

What color is your toothbrush?

Pink

What's your favorite power-up snack?

Black Coffee with Eggs and Toast

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Tyler Bauer

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 260

School

Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University

Specialty

A Cardiothoracic Surgery Hopeful

I’m Ready, I’m Ready, I’m Ready!!! ~ Spongebob Squarepants Tutor Bio

Tyler is a currently a medical student at Thomas Jefferson University. He has been heavily involved in the medical student surgical interest society as well as surgical research since his first year of school, and he hopes to pursue cardiothoracic surgery upon graduation. Tyler has a personal interest in Quality Improvement research, and hopes to continue his research regarding prophylactic compliance in residency. Tyler has performed exceptionally well on his MCATs, USMLE Step 1, Shelf exams, as well as his class exams, and is excited to pass on his knowledge to other students. He studied Biology and Music performance at Muhlenberg College where he was on the track team.

Shoutouts + Accolades

2013 + 2014 Division III All – American in the Javelin Throw
Liaison in the Surgical Interest Group for Three years

Dr. Tedi Begaj Medical Tutor BIO

Favorite travel destination:

Albania! I was born in Albania and lived there for 10 years.

Superpower:

Uncanny ability to grow a beard (I might have an undiagnosed werewolf syndrome)

Favorite snack:

Special K Protein cereal & almond milk — it has every macro you need and tastes delicious.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Tedi Begaj

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 251
Step 2 CK - 250

School

University of Massachusetts

Specialty

Ophthalmology

"The difference between a master and a beginner is that the master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried." ~ Unknown Tutor Bio

Tedi is a current Transitional Year resident at Cambridge Health Alliance and will subsequently pursue Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School-Mass Eye and Ear. Not only is he passionate about science, previously investigating viral gene therapy in retinal degenerative disease under a Howard Hughes Research Fellowship, but he most enjoys education and teaching, especially as he starts his third year with Med School Tutors after having already completed 400+ hours of tutoring. Tedi comes from a long line of educators and greatly appreciates the opportunity to help students accomplish their academic goals.

Dr. Fred Bertino Medical Tutor BIO

Theme Song:

Symphony no. 7 in A major op. 92 by Beethoven

Fun Fact:

I was a full time musician before medical school. I wrote a concerto based on an E.coli protein sequence and published a paper on it too!

If your life were a tv show, what would it be?

Probably a cartoon like "Spongebob Squarepants"... or "The Office".

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Fred Bertino

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 254
Step 2 - 268
Step 3 - 234

School

St. George's University School of Medicine

Specialty

Radiology

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." ~ Leonardo da Vinci Tutor Bio

Fred Bertino is a graduate of St. George’s University School of Medicine and is PGY-2 in diagnostic radiology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Fred’s experience in tutoring the sciences is widespread and longstanding, having tutored basic science course material, USMLE Step 1, and Step 2 CK/CS, as well as shelf exam content. Fred’s teaching style stems not only from an understanding of subject knowledge, but maintaining clarity and confidence into “question approach.”

David Billing Medical Tutor BIO

What's under your bed?

Probably my siamese cat, Hal, and all of the little plastic toys he drags under there.

Fun Fact:

I have run the Boston, New York, and San Francisco Marathons (not all at once, though)

Go-To Karaoke Song:

Caroline by Neil Diamond (Go Red Sox!)

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

David Billing

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 255

School

Columbia University

Specialty

Radiation Oncology

"I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it." ~ Thomas Jefferson Tutor Bio

David is currently an MD/PhD student in his PhD years at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. His research focuses on the molecular basis of hereditary breast cancer. Prior to medical school, David graduated from Harvard University with a degree in molecular and cellular biology and was awarded the Hoopes Prize for outstanding undergraduate research. David has a history of testing excellence, including scoring above a 250 on the USMLE Step I. He is a very dedicated tutor with a passion for teaching and helping his students achieve their academic goals.

Joshua Bitran Medical Tutor BIO

Theme song:

Eye of the Tiger

How would you save the world?

Put everyone on the ketogenic diet

What's your superpower?

I can fall asleep anywhere

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Joshua Bitran

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 254
Step 2 CK - 260

School

St. George's University

Specialty

Urology

"The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding" – Leonardo da Vinci Tutor Bio

Joshua was born and raised in the sandy beaches of Miami, Florida. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Miami with a major in biology. Joshua now attends St. George’s University, where he was inducted into the international medical honors society Iota Epsilon Alpha, and received the outstanding service award in 2016 for most volunteer tutoring hours. He is currently completing a research year at the University of Miami focusing on male infertility and hypogonadism. Joshua continues his passion for teaching others through his work with MST.

Alexander Boardman Medical Tutor BIO

Favorite Travel Destination:

Ko Phi Phi Don, Thailand has the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen. Sandstone cliffs and coral reefs by day and Fire Shows by night.

Theme Song:

“Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield. It really brings out my inner John Mayer, minus the hipster glasses, the six-pack abs, and the musical talent.

What's under your bed?

My didgeridoo and a couple of monsters. Thankfully they don’t know how to play it…yet.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Alexander Boardman

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 254
Step 2CK - 265

School

University of Massachusetts

Specialty

Internal Medicine

“Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty... I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well." ~ Theodore Roosevelt Tutor Bio

Alexander (Alec) Boardman is a 4th year medical student at UMass Medical School, pursuing a residency in Internal Medicine. As an undergrad at Harvard, he spent the majority of his winters up on the slopes training with the alpine ski team before graduating with a degree in molecular and cellular biology. Alec then hopped across the Charles River to work in biomedical research on the medical school campus for two years. He developed a knack for pipetting HeLa cells but ultimately decided that humans were more fun to talk to. Alec is the product of two teacher parents and is excited to help his fellow medical school colleagues reach their highest potential on USMLE exams.

Michael Bohnen Medical Tutor, MD / PhD '17 BIO

What's under your bed?

Probably 10 dead rats. I live in Manhattan.

What's the best part of MST?

The students! Helping an eager medical student realize his or her test day goals is tremendously rewarding.

If your life were a movie, what would it be?

Life of Pi. Not because I'm always daydreaming or stranded on a boat, but because I love the number 3.14159 and I love pie.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Michael Bohnen

Medical Tutor, MD / PhD '17

Scores

Step 1 - 249

School

Columbia University

Internal Medicine

TBA

"It's about practicing the day after the best game of your life." ~ Steve Nash, former NBA MVP and my fellow Canadian! Tutor Bio

Michael graduated Phi Beta Kappa from a joint double degree program from Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary while competing on Columbia’s Men’s Varsity Tennis team. He earned his MD/PhD degrees at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons in 2018, with a PhD research focus in cardiovascular electrophysiology. Having received the highest honors in nearly all his medical school clerkships, Michael's passion for teaching matches his enthusiasm for medicine. He has over a decade of teaching experience in the sciences, including coaching dozens of MST students. Michael has excelled in mentoring MST students coming from a variety of backgrounds and levels. He adapts and personalizes study schedules, simplifies tactics for test day, and breaks down complex concepts in a way that relieves student anxiety while building knowledge and confidence. An encouraging and dedicated mentor, Michael is a special tutor who is fully committed to helping his students conquer their exams with excitement!

Graham Boyd Medical Tutor BIO

Go-To Karaoke Song:

Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) – Backstreet Boys

Favorite Travel Destination:

The west coast of Ireland. The Cliffs of Moher are a must see!

Favorite Power-Up Snack:

Nachos

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Graham Boyd

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 261

School

Boston University

Specialty

Radiation Oncology

Luck is what you have left over after you give 100 percent. ~ Langston Coleman Tutor Bio

Graham graduated Magna Cum Laude from Hamilton College, where he majored in biology and was a member of the varsity swim team and water polo team. After college, Graham entered Boston University School of Medicine, where he is planning to pursue a residency in radiation oncology. Graham has a record of testing excellence, including a score of 261 on the USMLE Step 1 and >90th percentile scores on all his shelf exams to date. Graham loves to work with other students and is committed to helping them achieve their personal goals.

Nicholas Carducci Medical Tutor BIO

If your life were a movie, book or TV show, what would it be?

The Princess Bride

What's your favorite power-up snack?

My body is probably 80% Greek yogurt

One fun fact about you:

I once ran a cooking blog with over 10,000 daily visitors

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Nicholas Carducci

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 256
Step 2 CK - 268

School

Perelman School of Medicine - University of Pennsylvania

Specialty

Ophthalmology

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” ~ Winston Churchill Tutor Bio

Nicholas Carducci graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology with both honors and high distinction. There, he taught honors organic chemistry and mentored exchange students from India as they adjusted to the US. He is a current 4th-year medical student at Penn Med, and recently matched into ophthalmology at the University of Michigan. Other than a Michigan victory over OSU, nothing gets him more excited than seeing that “eureka” moment in a student’s eyes as they finally understand a concept.

Shoutouts + Accolades

Publications:
Anari J.B, Neuwirth A.L, Carducci N.M, Donegan D.J & Baldwin K.D. Pediatric T-Condylar Humerus Fractures: A Systematic Review.. Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics. 2017, Jan; 37(1): 36-40.

Renoux A.J, Carducci N.M, Ahmady A.A, & Todd P.K. Fragile X mental retardation protein expression in Alzheimer's disease.. Frontiers Genetics. 2014, Oct; 5(360): ePub.

Renoux A.J, Sala-Hamrick K.J, Carducci N.M, Frazer M, Halsey K.E, Sutton M.A, Dolan D.F, Murphy G.G, & Todd P.K.. Impaired sensorimotor gating in Fmr1 knock out and Fragile X premutation model mice. Behavioral Brain Research. 2014, Jul; 267(42-5): Epub.

Thibaudeau S, Anari J.B, Carducci N.M, & Carrigan R.B. 30-day readmission after pediatric upper extremity surgery: Analysis of the NSQIP database. Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 2016, Apr; 51(8): 1370-1374.

Awards:
James B. Angell Scholar

Bart Celie Medical Tutor BIO

Fun Fact:

I worked as a student editor with the AMA Journal of Ethics during my first year of medical school.

What’s your theme song?

Anything composed by Hans Zimmer.

What’s in your white coat?

Too much: a copy of the Michigan Manual, tons of tegaderm, trauma shears, several rolls of half-used tape, some xeroform, my iPhone, and gauze everywhere else.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Bart Celie

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - > 260

School

Columbia University

Specialty

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Hope consists in asserting that there is at the heart of being, beyond all data, beyond all inventories and all calculations, a mysterious principle which is in connivance with me. ~ Gabriel Marcel Tutor Bio

Bart is currently pursuing a year of research in between his third and fourth years at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Before med school, he studied at Boston College, where he graduated summa cum laude and with honors in Philosophy. Bart’s background includes extensive travel at a young age, which exposed him to the need for physicians and inspired him to go into medicine. He loves learning and is committed to helping his students work hard, master their subjects, and achieve their testing goals.

Tracy Cheng Medical Tutor BIO

What’s under your bed?

SHOES, way too many shoes

Favorite Power-Up Snack:

Dark chocolate matcha power bars, homemade of course :)

Favorite Travel Destination:

A sleepy little fishing town called Chioggia in Northern Italy. Best seafood dinners and piano concerts ever!

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Tracy Cheng

Medical Tutor

Scores

MCAT - 42
Step 1 - 250

School

Duke

Specialty

Otolaryngology

My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. ~ Maya Angelou Tutor Bio

Tracy grew up in New Jersey before majoring in molecular biology at Princeton University. She is now attending Duke University School of Medicine with a Dean’s Merit Scholarship and did very well in clinical rotations. For her scholarly years, she is pursuing a Masters in Health Sciences with a thesis on computational fluid dynamics in otolaryngology. Tutoring has been her passion since high school, and she has tutored many students for the SAT, MCAT, college physics, and advanced molecular biology. In third year, she was the student leader in the Clinical Skills Course at Duke, and she’s now excited to partner with MST to help students reach their full potential!

Dr. Sarah Coates Medical Tutor BIO

Theme Song:

"Hymn 101" by Joe Pug

Go-To Karaoke Song

"Changes" by Tupac

What's under your bed?

Drawers for extra storage, because San Francisco.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX, SHELF

Dr. Sarah Coates

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 254
Step 2 CK - 274
Step 3 - 255.

School

Weill Cornell Medical College

Specialty

Dermatology

"Why tip someone for a job I'm capable of doing myself? I can deliver food, I can drive a taxi, I can and do cut my own hair. I did, however, tip my urologist. Because I am unable to pulverize my own kidney stones." ~ Dwight K Schrute, The Office. Tutor Bio

Sarah's friends would describe her as genuine, outspoken and empathetic. Sarah feels strongly that self-awareness and a willingness to be vulnerable are the key ingredients to personal and relational growth, as well as success in academics. She is constantly trying to sharpen her understanding of precisely what it is that makes people tick and enjoys exploring the "deep story" that people are often afraid to share. After decades of being a student and more than five years and 1500 hours of USMLE tutoring experience, she has learned to focus on authenticity with herself as well as her students; she believes that the only way to figure out what areas truly require further work is to be honest about what we do and don't know from the start. Having been diagnosed with ADHD at an early age, Sarah had to work especially hard at making studying "fun" and "engaging" so that she wouldn't lose focus. For that reason, she has a special interest in placing the material into the context of larger, visuospatial frameworks in order to help students fully make sense of things. Sharing this approach with others is what gets her most excited, and she lives for the moments when everything "clicks" and the story of medicine can fully come to life. Her students can rely on her to be thoughtful, supportive, organized, honest about their progress, and, perhaps most importantly, understanding of the complex emotions that surround USMLE exams.

Shoutouts

Check out Sarah's Tutor Spotlight

Dr. Mike Coords Chief Medical Tutor, MD BIO

What's in your white coat?

I don't generally wear a white coat except at lunch time, it's like a body bib.

What's your biggest weakness?

Spelling, punctuation and handwriting

Favorite Power-Up Breakfast:

Yogurt with blueberries, high protein bagel with almond butter and chocolate spread. And coffee.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX, SHELF

Dr. Mike Coords

Chief Medical Tutor, MD

Scores

MCAT - 35
Step 1 - 252
Step 2CK - 247

School

UMNDJ

Specialty

Radiology

"It's not an intelligence exam it's a hard work exam. You give me a student with average intelligence, the best resources and willingness to work and they will destroy it." ~ Mike Tutor Bio

Mike began his residency in orthopedic surgery at North Shore-LIJ and then decided to transition to radiology, which he completed at Staten Island University Hospital where he was the Chief Resident. With over fourteen years of experience mentoring and tutoring premed and med students, he now serves as our Chief Medical Officer. He will be completing a fellowship in Musculoskeletal radiology at UCSF, which he will begin in Summer 2016.

Dr. Alexander Dabrowiecki Medical Tutor BIO

What's under your bed?

Dust bunnies

Fun Fact:

I used to be in a Polish folk dance group, touring all over the place.

How would you save the world?

Abolish greed.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Alexander Dabrowiecki

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 253
Step 2CK - 258

School

St. George's University

Specialty

Radiology

"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." ~ Oscar Wilde Tutor Bio

Born and raised in Northern California, Alex graduated summa cum laude from St. George's University in 2016, and he is currently continuing his residency at Emory University specializing in Diagnostic Radiology. He scored a 253 on Step 1 and 258 on Step 2 CK. Alex feels privileged to be a part of the MST team, utilizing his mastery of efficient studying and a concept based approach to assist students in reaching their maximum potential.

Dr. Greta Dahlberg Medical Tutor, MD BIO

Go-To Karaoke Song:

Livin La Vida Loca

If I could have any superpower, it would be...

teleportation...Hawaiian beach for the day? Yes please!

Favorite Travel Destination:

Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Greta Dahlberg

Medical Tutor, MD

Scores

Step 1 - 267
Step 2 CK - 274

School

Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Specialty

Internal Medicine

Worry is a misuse of your imagination. Tutor Bio

Greta is a driven, enthusiastic, and supportive tutor who understands the various challenges students face while studying for the USMLE exams. Greta has learned through her many hours of tutoring how to provide structure and balance to students' study schedules, and she will help you do the same! She has tutored in various settings for many years but has enjoyed her time at MST helping individual students meet their USMLE and Shelf exam goals. Every student she has tutored has met or exceeded their goal for their exam! Greta truly enjoys discovering how each individual learns and tailors her tutoring to fit that learning style. She understands that learning is not one-size-fits-all and she is determined to be the right fit. Greta considers her strengths at MST to be helping students break down question vignettes and working on the approach to a question, putting together a perfect plan of attack regarding resources, and helping students achieve both their short term and long term career goals. She will hold you accountable while remaining ever supportive and encouraging!

Marisa Deliso Medical Tutor, MPH, CPH BIO

What's your favorite power-up snack?

I love all snacks equally. I was known for my ultimate snackage game during exam prep

All I Do Is Win by DJ Khaled

One fun fact about you:

I was on my Med School’s Bhangra dance team

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Marisa Deliso

Medical Tutor, MPH, CPH

Scores

Step 1 - 266

School

St. George's University School of Medicine

Specialty

TBA

“We don't rise to the occasion, we fall to the level of our training.” – Archilochus Tutor Bio

Marisa is a dedicated, charismatic, and supportive individual who understands that STEP prep is personal. Through her experience of finding it nearly impossible to master concepts through traditional methods of simply reading and writing the material, she learned that there is adapting, one-size-fits all way to best prepare for exams. This realization allowed her to increase her percentile ranking between MCAT and STEP 1 from 61 to 99, respectively, and allowed her to have an intricate understanding of the concepts necessary to be successful on exams and in clinical practice. Marisa first realized her passion for teaching during undergrad where she volunteered at a Harlem middle school as a Citizen Schools biology teacher; it is there that she first developed the skill of breaking down complex information in a way that was fun and easy to understand. Marisa began tutoring at her medical school because she has a passion to see other students excel and quickly becomes personally invested in her students’ success. She intends to help her students develop the skills they will need for long term testing as well as career success by helping them achieve their goals in medicine and beyond. Students can count on Marisa to create for them a detailed and customized study schedule tailored to their progress, timeline, and goals. In doing so, she will help them select the optimal resources for their needs. Marisa is great at adapting: she will identify what is working and not working, and will collaborate with her students to adjust the plan accordingly. She truly believes studying medicine should be fun and hopes to re-spark her student’s passion if it has begun to smolder along the trial-filled journey of med school.

Shoutouts

Academic honors: Iota Epsilon Alpha, Delta Omega, and Gold Humanism Honor Society
Research & publications: 5 Publications in Peer-Reviewed Journals, 7 works accepted at Conferences, 5 Poster Presentations, 1 Oral Presentation
Awards: Basic Science Comprehensive Exam II Highest Grade Award; Best Oral Presentation by Student in the School of Medicine at Phi Zeta Research Day, Department of Educational Services Excellent Facilitator Award

David Delnegro Medical Tutor BIO

Favorite Taylor Swift Song?

Shake It Off!

In what house would the sorting hat place you?

Ravenclaw

Fun Fact:

I won several local eating contests as a young adult.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

David Delnegro

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 252

School

University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine

Interest

Emergency Medicine

¨Weather forecast for tonight: dark. Continued dark overnight, with widely scattered light by morning.¨ – George Carlin Tutor Bio

David is very energetic, resourceful and resilient individual who pulls from a large toolbox of skills to help his students succeed in classes, exams and challenging life problems. Many of his experiences have been shaped by an almost seven year career in Emergency Medical Services and disaster training. He has taught and tutored both the MCAT and the USMLE step exams employed as a freelance individual, a university employee, and for private companies. David also has additional mentorship experience during his time as EMS Sargent and Crew Chief. During his preclinical years, he founded a student organization that collected, edited and wrote new PowerPoint presentations so that second year students for each class could have access to a bank of materials to use to tutor and teach the incoming first years. By providing his students with clear direction, goals and expectations, David takes the guesswork out of study plans. A former MCAT practice material writer for Examkrackers, David has an advanced insight into the way tests and questions are designed and edited. He lives for seeing the look on his student's eyes when the light bulb pops above their head, and is excited to bring a unique blend of humor, organization and creativity to help you tackle any problem that comes your way.

Shoutouts + Accolades

My current research interest is in ER and healthcare decision making.

Zach Dionise Medical Tutor BIO

Theme Song:

Lights by Journey

Power-Up Snack:

The snack that smiles back, Goldfish

Fun Fact:

I had a class with Steph Curry in college.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Zach Dionise

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 272

School

Duke University School of Medicine

Specialty

TBA

“I’m not superstitious…but I am a little stitious.” ~ Michael Scott Tutor Bio

Zach is a motivated tutor determined to help students achieve their absolute best through hard work and enthusiasm. He believes that the key to doing well on Step 1 and the wards is really understanding the “why” rather than trying to remember a pile of disconnected facts. Zach has enjoyed teaching for years, from working as a chemistry and economics tutor-TA in college to teaching a course for second year medical students on clinical skills and the practice of medicine. Zach will help you acquire a solid basis for understanding content and emphasize the many connections between topics during the course of your studying. Then, you’ll collaborate to develop the strong clinical reasoning skills and strategic thinking required to crack the code of Step 1 questions. Throughout the study process, Zach is committed to invest in your success and work with you to find the study strategies that will best help you come test day.

Dr. Tzvi Doron Medical Tutor BIO

Favorite Travel Destination:

New Zealand

Superpower:

If I could have any superpower, it would be mind reading.

How would you save the world?

I'd cure mental illness.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Tzvi Doron

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 247
Step 2CK - 251
COMLEX - 634/642/900

School

Nova Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine

Specialty

Family Medicine

"Don't get caught up in the minutiae. It's all about the fundamentals." ~ Tzvi Tutor Bio

Tzvi has been teaching, tutoring and training others to achieve their personal best for the last 11 years. After excelling on his Board exams, Tzvi brought his broad range of experience to Med School Tutors, where he has helped other aspiring doctors to achieve their own medical dreams. He is a graduate of Brooklyn College and Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is currently practicing as a primary care physician.

Dr. Caleb Dresser Medical Tutor, MD BIO

Theme Song:

"Everything is Awesome" from The Lego Movie

What's in your white coat?

Nothing! Rock the scrubs!!

Favorite Travel Destination:

Anywhere with fresh powder and good friends. Vermont and Colorado spring to mind...

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Caleb Dresser

Medical Tutor, MD

Scores

Step 1 - 254
Step 2 CK - 263
Step 3 - 251

School

University of Massachusetts

Specialty

Emergency Medicine

"Not all those who wander are lost." ~ J.R.R. Tolkien Tutor Bio

Caleb studies at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. His passion for teaching has led him to positions ranging from research lecturer at a hospital in Somaliland to outdoor education instructor at Cornell University. Most recently, he took a year off to work as Program Director for a nonprofit that trains advanced-practice emergency room nurses in rural Uganda, a position that helped him appreciate how crucial well-tailored individual study approaches can be for effective learning. Caleb enjoys sharing his excitement about learning with students as they learn to realize their full potential for success.

Shoutouts + Accolades

Emergency Medicine In-Service Intern Year: 91st percentile
Emergency Medicine In-Service, Junior Year: 90th percentile

Evan Dugdale Medical Tutor BIO

Biggest Superstition:

I always put on my right shoe before my left

Favorite Power-Up Snack:

Ice cream

Favorite Travel Destination:

I like fly fishing a lot, so I’ve loved going out west to fish in Wyoming a few times

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Evan Dugdale

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 253

School

Boston University

Specialty

TBA

Oh yeah. Lotta pressure. You gotta rise above it. You gotta harness in the good energy, block out the bad. Harness. Energy. Block. Bad. Feel the flow, Happy. Feel it. It's circular. ~ Gary Potter (in Happy Gilmore) Tutor Bio

Evan graduated Cum Laude from Williams College in 2013, where he majored in chemistry and played four years on the varsity ice hockey team. After college, he worked as a full-time middle school tutor for one year with the Match Corps program before entering Boston University School of Medicine. In addition to medicine and education, he has also always been interested in entrepreneurship and currently enjoys running a startup company that focuses on improving the application process for med school applicants. Evan is excited to be a part of the MST team and to help students achieve their testing goals.

Dr. Timothy Dyster Medical Tutor, MD BIO

If your life were a tv show, what would it be?

Parks and Recreation! I identify strongly with Leslie Knope.

In what house would the Sorting Hat place you?

Probably Hufflepuff!

Favorite Game:

The Game of Thrones. Just kidding... it's The Last of Us.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Timothy Dyster

Medical Tutor, MD

Scores

Step 1 - 254
Step 2 CK - 249

School

Columbia University

Specialty

Internal Medicine

"Try new things: You should always be doing something that makes you a little uncomfortable." ~ Tim Tutor Bio

Timothy is an alumnus of Cornell University, where he graduated with honors and received the esteemed William T. Keeton Award, and Columbia University’s College of Physicians & Surgeons, where he graduated with AOA distinction. He is currently a resident physician in Internal Medicine at UCSF. Timothy has a record of high scholastic achievement in medical school by consistently receiving the highest possible mark in his clinical rotations, including internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics & gynecology, neurology, and psychiatry. His experience in student mentorship, support, and advising is robust. Tim is known for his warm temperament and passion for education, and enjoys helping his students achieve their maximum potential.

Shoutouts + Accolades

Awards:

William T Keeton Award Recipient

Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society

Publications:

Dyster, Timothy Gordon. “Identity Capital and Identifying Learners at Risk for Marginalization.” Academic Medicine, vol. 92, no. 8, 2017, p. 1070., doi:10.1097/acm.0000000000001802.

Matthew Earle Medical Tutor BIO

Fun Fact:

The pockets on the inside of any white coat are actually for snacks, not instruments or notes.

Two Truths and a Lie:

I have been over 100 feet underground, I have been over 100 feet underwater and I have fallen over 100 feet from the sky.

Fun Fact:

I may or may not be 30% peanut-butter.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Matthew Earle

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 253

School

University of Florida

Specialty

TBA

Never reduce your goals to suit your effort; adjust your effort to suit your goals. Tutor Bio

Matt is a current MS3 at the University of Florida College of Medicine and is planning on pursuing a career in Emergency Medicine. He has a history of high scholastic achievement, including a 253 on STEP 1 and scoring in the 90th percentile on the Pediatrics and Surgery SHELFs, the 91st percentile on the Neurology SHELF and the 97th percentile on the Internal Medicine SHELF. He has experience tutoring first and second year medical school curricula and has a passion for teaching.

Matthew Eisenstat Medical Tutor BIO

What’s under your bed?

Socks and my beagle Daisy. Sometimes Daisy is eating the socks.

What’s your favorite game?

Settlers of Catan. Unless I lose and then it’s lame.

If your life were a TV show?

Definitely Gilmore Girls!

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Matthew Eisenstat

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1: 259
Step 2: 260
Step 3: 235

School

USC School of Medicine Greenville

Specialty

Emergency Medicine

“I have never let schooling interfere with my education” – Mark Twain Tutor Bio

From average college student to chief resident, Matt’s journey has shown that working hard and some basic test-taking skills can help you find success in medicine. Both in the emergency department and in his tutoring, Matt finds that being a calming presence helps him and those around him perform at their best. As a Step 1 tutor in medical school, Matt developed a passion for education and helping students become the best possible doctor they can be. In residency, he continued to hone that passion as a bed-side teacher. As a tutor, he prides himself on taking obscure, esoteric medical knowledge and translating it into its real-world applications. His test-taking tips and strategies will help you get into the head of the test writer and optimize your board scores.

Michael Erossy Medical Tutor BIO

What's in your white coat?

Stethoscope? What’s that? #Ortho

What's your favorite power-up snack?

Steak

Favorite vacation spot:

Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Michael Erossy

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 262
Step 2 CK - 263

School

Northeast Ohio Medical University

Specialty

Orthopedic Surgery

You better lose yourself in the music, the moment / You own it, you better never let it go / You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow / This opportunity comes once in a lifetime. ~Eminem Tutor Bio

Mike was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He completed his undergraduate education at The Ohio State University, then matriculated to Northeast Ohio Medical University where he is currently a 4th-year student, pursuing residency in orthopedic surgery. He has achieved high academic success on the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 exams, is a Junior AOA member, and is the Salutatorian of his class. Mike has a true passion for teaching that started during college and has continued throughout medical school. He thoroughly enjoys facilitating his students’ successes and does his utmost to ensure that he is teaching at the highest possible level.

Shoutouts + Accolades

Junior AOA Member

Dr. Justine Falcone Medical Tutor, MD BIO

Favorite Food:

Apples of all kinds!

Fun Fact:

I have an identical twin sister in medical school who is also a tutor for MST!

Favorite Pastime:

I was an NCAA college cross-country runner and have continued as a NIRCA club cross-country runner for my final three years of medical school!

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Justine Falcone

Medical Tutor, MD

Scores

Step 1 - 245
Step 2 CK - 255
Step 3 - 239

School

University of Florida

Specialty

Emergency Medicine

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”- Mahatma Ghandhi Tutor Bio

On Justine’s journey to become an emergency medicine resident, she learned to excel on standardized examinations by applying her meticulous work ethic, dedication to study schedules, and passion for learning. During her own Step study time, Justine really learned the importance of honing in on some of the key resources to master the exam, and she is excited to help her students do the same! Justine has years of tutoring experience from tutoring the basic sciences in college to working with MST students during her time in medical school and residency. Justine has helped dozens of students achieve their dream scores on Step 1, Step 2, and shelf examinations. She is committed to helping students reach their full potential. Justine takes pride in making students individual and specific study schedules and holding them accountable to making their planned deadlines. She understands the importance of providing honest feedback to students while doing so in a fun, positive, and encouraging manner! Justine knows how stressful, time consuming, and scary the Step examinations can be. However, she personally invests in her students success in order to make the process as stress free and enjoyable as possible!

Lauryn Falcone Medical Tutor, Ph.D. BIO

Fun Fact:

I am an identical twin, and I have two younger identical twin sisters! My twin also tutors for MST.

Favorite Power-Up Snack:

Dark chocolate!

What do you do for fun?

I am a competitive athlete, competing across the country and around the world in triathlons and duathlons!

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Lauryn Falcone

Medical Tutor, Ph.D.

Scores

Step 1 - 254

School

West Virginia University

Specialty

TBA

"The journey in science and medicine may be long and hard, but the rewards are great." Tutor Bio

Lauryn Falcone graduated Summa Cum Laude and as co-valedictorian from Rollins College before pursuing an MD/PhD degree at West Virginia University School of Medicine. She recently completed her PhD in cellular and integrative physiology at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and is currently finishing the clinical years of medical school. Lauryn completed her first two years of medical school as an honors student, scoring a 254 on the USMLE Step 1 examination and achieving above the 90th percentile on eight NBME shelf exams. She has many years of experience tutoring for the USMLE and medical school coursework and therefore understands many of the struggles students face. She also appreciates that medical school is both physically and emotionally demanding and strives to help her students to live happier, healthier lives. By balancing her time as both a successful student and a competitive athlete, Lauryn excels in time management and enjoys helping her students appropriately manage work-life balance.

Malina Filkins Medical Tutor BIO

Fun Fact:

The name Malina means raspberry.

Favorite Travel Destination:

Nicaragua

Favorite Power-Up Snack:

A diet coke and a brownie

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Malina Filkins

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 251

School

University of Massachusetts

Specialty

TBA

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. Tutor Bio

Malina Filkins is a third-year medical student at the University of Massachusetts, and loves to work with kids, but isn’t quite sure yet which specialty is right for her. She has always had standardized testing success, including scoring a 251 on Step 1. Throughout first and second year she helped many of her fellow students grasp challenging material, and has a reputation for being able to break down complicated information in an understandable way. She is looking forward to helping students through the Step 1 process, while helping them build a solid foundation of knowledge of the clinical years!

Dr. Eli Freiman Medical Tutor BIO

Go-To Karaoke Song:

"Lose Yourself" by Eminem (for 14+ years running!)

Favorite Travel Destination:

Visiting my nephew, wherever he is!

Favorite Power-Up Snack:

er... lots and lots of coffee?

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Eli Freiman

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 259
Step 2CK - 258

School

University of Massachusetts

Specialty

Pediatrics/Pediatric Emergency

"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone is omnipotent" ~ Calvin Coolidge Tutor Bio

Eli is a Harvard Medical School resident teaching award recipient, a Pediatrics resident at Boston Children's Hospital and Boston Medical Center, and is pursuing a career in Pediatric Emergency Medicine. Eli has a strong record of academic excellence including Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha awards, scoring in the top percentiles for both the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK, and was awarded Special Honors in Pediatrics from his medical school during his final year. Eli currently works as an exam prep tutor for USMLE Steps 1 & 2, a mentor/trainer for new tutors as the Associate Director for Tutor Development and Medical education, and is part of the MST consulting team. Eli has a strong interest in medical education, public health and advocacy and has held many leadership and advising positions. He has tutored 750+ hours with MST, helped train more than twenty-five tutors, and partaken in USMLE curriculum consulting with Rush Medical College.

Check out Eli's Tutor Spotlight here: https://www.medschooltutors.com/blog/tutor-spotlight-eli-freiman

Spencer Fuller Medical Tutor BIO

If your life were a movie, book or TV show, what would it be?

The Little Rascals

When I dance, people tell me I look like:

Fred Astaire (I Actually Tap Dance!)

Go To Karaoke Song:

“Getting’ Jiggy wit it” by Will Smith

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Spencer Fuller

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 252
Step 2 - 262

School

UC San Diego / Johns Hopkins School of Public Health

Specialty

TBA

‘Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.’ ~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in a speech to the Medical Committee for Human Rights, 1966 Tutor Bio

Spencer is a current MPH student at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health who recently finished his third year of medical school at UC San Diego. In addition to excelling on the USMLE Step 1 and 2 CK, he received Honors grades in four of his third year clerkship rotations, and was recently nominated to the Gold Humanism Honors Society by his medical school peers and faculty. His extensive academic experience includes teaching the introductory Italian course at his alma mater, and he enjoys few things more than teaching and mentoring fellow students. When he’s not having fun with his wife and two kids, he loves playing soccer.

Kelsey Gallo Medical Tutor BIO

When I dance people tell me I look like...

Elaine from Seinfeld

Favorite Power-Up Snack:

Fried chicken

What's in your white coat?

+/- 7 different types of chapstick

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Kelsey Gallo

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 269
Step 2 CK - 277

School

Rush Medical College

Specialty

Urology

Your own destiny, create your own recipe. ~ Nelly Tutor Bio

Kelsey is a student at Rush Medical College and is excited to be pursuing a career in Urology. Kelsey has always been dedicated to education, having worked as a teaching assistant throughout her undergraduate career at Vanderbilt University and as a full-time middle school tutor prior to attending medical school. In her free time, Kelsey enjoys watching Ellen and eating her way through her hometown of Chicago. Kelsey loves being part of the MST team and looks forward to helping all of her students achieve their testing goals!

Dr. Sarah Godfrey Medical Tutor, MD, MPH BIO

Fun Fact:

I have done the highest natural bungee jump in the world (216 meters!) in South Africa.

What color is your toothbrush?

Purple

Favorite Travel Destination:

Montepulciano, Italy

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Sarah Godfrey

Medical Tutor, MD, MPH

Scores

Step 1 - 246
Step 2 CK - 266

School

Columbia University

Specialty

Internal Medicine

"We don’t need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside our selves already: We have the power to imagine better." – J.K. Rowling Tutor Bio

Sarah is a dedicated and encouraging tutor who has extensive experience in medical education, including her Shelf exam and Step 2 CK tutoring at MST, serving as the teaching assistant for a preclinical physical diagnosis course, and developing her own online public health curriculum now utilized by all clinical students at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. She is flexible, accommodating, and creative in her approach to meet each student's individual needs, as she learned during her own Step studying how challenging it can be for students from a non-science background. Sarah loves developing relationships with her students and guiding them to achieve their personal goals. Her favorite part of teaching is seeing students gain self-confidence, as well as clinical knowledge, during their test preparation. She particularly loves working with students who have struggled in medical school and helping them to overcome those challenges. Working with Sarah, you will receive a detailed and customized study schedule that is tailored to your strengths, weaknesses, and goals. She will help you to find the best resources for your specific needs and help you to study them most efficiently and effectively. In her tutoring sessions, Sarah incorporates both intense content review and detailed test-taking strategies to help you improve your fund of knowledge and clinical reasoning skills. Throughout the process, you'll be sure to appreciate Sarah's warmth and understanding as she cheers you on to achieve your personal best!

Shoutouts + Accolades

Created Public Health Curriculum for Columbia's Harlem Public Health Commune

Columbia Mailman School of Public Health — MPH, 2017

Dr. Daniel Good Medical Tutor, MD BIO

What's under your bed?

A chocolate labrador (most of the time).

Favorite Travel Destination:

Breckenridge, CO

How would you save the world?

I would invent a time machine and prevent Creed from ever becoming a band.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Daniel Good

Medical Tutor, MD

Scores

Step 1 - 272
Step 2 CK - 284

School

Northeast Ohio Medical University

Specialty

Emergency Medicine

"Strong work!" Tutor Bio

Dan is a proud Texan! He graduated from Texas Christian University before going on to get a Master in Public Health from the University of North Texas. He began his medical education at St. George's University in Grenada where he excelled in the basic science coursework and was inducted into the Iota Epsilon Alpha international honor society. After achieving great success on Step 1, he transferred to Northeast Ohio Medical University where he successfully honored every core rotation and was inducted in the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. He is currently active in emergency medicine airway management and quality improvement research, and has presented his research at national conferences. He has successfully matched at UT Southwestern Medical Center to train in emergency medicine. Dan enjoys bringing the same level of excellence to his tutoring and helping students achieve their goals. He loves to set the bar high for his students and provide them the guidance they need to reach it. His personal success, along with his ability to teach, allow him to meet students at their level and show them how to take it up a notch. Whether you are struggling to understand basic concepts, or looking to master the content, Dan can get you there.

Alec Gramann Medical Tutor BIO

Favorite Game:

Ultimate Frisbee

Favorite Power-up Snack:

Crackers with nutella. Or anything with nutella. Or just nutella. So... yeah... nutella.

If your life were a TV show, what would it be?

The Great Food Truck Race. Tyler Florence is my food spirit guide.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Alec Gramann

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 266

School

University of Massachusetts

Specialty

TBA

"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough." ~ Mario Andretti Tutor Bio

Alec is an enthusiastic and encouraging tutor who understands that there isn’t any one study plan or strategy that works for all students. Early in his Step 1 preparation, Alec realized that certain “top” review resources all his friends were using were completely useless for his learning style. Rather than continue to struggle, he began to explore other types of resources, eventually finding a core set of review materials that made his Step 1 studying a much more rewarding and enlightening experience. Since his exam, Alec has devoted his time to exploring as many resources as possible so he can help his students build the most effective and efficient study plan for their individual Step 1 goals and time frame. In combination with resource utilization, Alec focuses heavily on question approach with his students, helping them adopt efficient and consistent strategies that mirror the features and habits of great standardized test takers. With these methods, Alec’s students successfully build their foundational knowledge, and learn how to apply that knowledge not only to Step 1 questions, but to all clinical scenarios on future exams and on the wards. With Alec on your team, you’ll have the support and encouragement of an exceptional tutor on your journey to maximize your potential on Step 1 and beyond!

Tyler Guinn Medical Tutor BIO

What's your favorite power-up snack?

dark raspberry chocolate and espresso

Go-to karaoke song?

The Gambler by Kenny Rogers

What's in your white coat?

Definitely chocolate and an extra pair of headphones for the times you really need some music

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Tyler Guinn

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 257

School

Stony Brook University School of Medicine

Specialty

TBA

"Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." ~ Lao Tzu Tutor Bio

Tyler is a creative and meticulous tutor who utilizes innovative teaching methodologies learned as a Ph.D. student and resourcefulness in maintaining a rigorous schedule for conquering Step 1. Combining curiosity and hard-work, Tyler learned from his own Step 1 studies the power of coupling a deep interest in a field and incremental progress in obtaining a great Step 1 score and he will help do the same for you. His deep passion for mentoring is immediately noticeable by his 6-year record of teaching dozens of students in his research endeavors and tutoring hundreds of hours for anatomy & physiology, biochemistry, MCAT, and Step 1. During his own Step 1 preparation, Tyler was able to narrow in on the most essential resources and when tutoring you, he will ensure optimal usage to customize the best plan for you. His years of teaching standardized tests and attentiveness to personalized needs will help you refine your test strategies to greater heights for conquering difficult vignettes and questions. He will drive you to maintain accountability and give authentic feedback, but all the while encouraging you throughout the process. We know Tyler will be a superb partner for your studies!

Shoutouts + Accolades

Publications:
Ehrhardt, K.*, Guinn, M. T.*, Quarton, T., Zhang, M., & Bleris, L. (2015). Reconfigurable hybrid interface for molecular marker diagnostics and in-situ reporting. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Volume 74, 15 December 2015, Pages 744-750, ISSN 0956-5663, .doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2015.07.035. (*equal
contribution)

Guinn, M. & Bleris, L. (2014). Biological 2-Input Decoder Circuit in Human Cells. ACS Synthetic Biology. doi: 10.1021/sb4001596

Li, Y., Moore, R.*, Guinn, M.*, & Bleris, L. (2012). Transcription activator-like effector hybrids for conditional control and rewiring of chromosomal transgene expression. Scientific Reports 2: 897. (*equal contribution)

Fellowship:
Medical Scientist Training Program Fellowship (MSTP), 2015-2023

Claire Hannah Medical Tutor BIO

Favorite power-up snack:

Popcorn

Fun fact:

I had a legitimate near-death experience being charged by a black rhino in Botswana. Contrary to what I learned in medical school, fight-or-flight experiences do not help you run faster.

Favorite iconic hero:

My mom

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Claire Hannah

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1: 268
Step 2 CK: 280

School

Carver College of Medicine

Intended Specialty

Dermatology

“You can never be overdressed or overeducated.” – Oscar Wilde Tutor Bio

Claire is an energetic, passionate, and effective tutor who recently completed both USMLE exams and is eager to share her test-taking strategies with students. She believes that a simplified study schedule, proper selection of resources, and plenty of coffee, exercise, and sleep are key to succeeding on standardized exams. Claire has extensive tutoring and mentoring experience from medical school that has allowed her to contribute to the test-taking success of many students in their pre-clinical and clinical courses. Her favorite part of tutoring is the satisfaction of helping students finally grasp a complex subject. Claire promises to provide an open, non-judgmental environment where students can share their concerns and areas of weakness. Her greatest tutoring skill is breaking down highly complex subjects and explaining them in a manner that is easier to understand. Claire helps to build a strong foundation of knowledge so that students can understand topics on a deeper level instead of rotely memorizing facts. She considers her tutoring style to be positive and motivational, but she still strongly supports the Socratic method of teaching. Claire will be your tutor, friend, mentor, and coach throughout your studying experience, helping you to achieve your best possible score!

Luke Hartstein Medical Tutor BIO

Go-to karaoke song:

Fat Lip by Sum 41

If I had a Superpower, I’d...

control time

The Sorting Hat would place me in...

Slytherin (they’re not all bad!...it’s just a reputation)

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Luke Hartstein

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 261
Step 2 CK - 260

School

NYU Langone School of Medicine

Interest

Psychiatry

“You sort of start thinking anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve” – Ginny Weasley Tutor Bio

Luke is a detail-oriented teacher who likes to solidify knowledge by looking at the bigger picture. As an educator, he is patient, understanding, and encouraging. While initially intimidated by a 6-week period of all day studying, Luke managed to achieve success on Steps 1 & 2 by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and setting small, achievable goals. Luke has a substantial teaching background and has worked with students of all ages and learning styles. His background has taught him to be patient and to adapt to the learning needs of each individual student. He also recognizes the importance of taking a holistic approach, and will address all variables related to test day performance in your work together. As your tutor, Luke will provide a detailed and customized study schedule that is tailored to your goals, timeline, and learning style. He will break down complicated vignettes and teach test-specific question strategy. Luke will also help to bolster weak content areas with intuitive explanations and explicit self-study strategies.

Shoutouts + Accolades

NYU Stern School of Business, MBA Candidate 2020

Awards:
NYU School of Medicine Silverstein Scholar, Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-medical Honor Society

Publications:
Drgonova, J., Walther, D., Wang, K. J., Hartstein, G. L., Lochte, B., Troncoso, J., … Uhl, G. R. (2015). Mouse Model for Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase D (PTPRD) Associations with Restless Leg Syndrome or Willis-Ekbom Disease and Addiction: Reduced Expression Alters Locomotion, Sleep Behaviors and Cocaine-Conditioned Place Preference. Molecular Medicine, 21(1), 717–725.

Drgonova, J., Walther, D., Hartstein, G. L., Bukhari, M. O., Baumann, M. H., Katz, J., … Uhl, G. R. (2016). Cadherin 13: Human cis-Regulation and Selectively Altered Addiction Phenotypes and Cerebral Cortical Dopamine in Knockout Mice. Molecular Medicine, 22, 537–547

Robert Hayden Medical Tutor BIO

When I dance, people tell me I look like:

Whacky waving inflatable arm-flailing tube man!

What's your favorite power-up snack?

Breakfast sandwich and a big cup of coffee

Where's your favorite travel destination?

Morocco

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Robert Hayden

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 249

School

Harvard Medical School

Specialty

TBA

“Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good” ~ Voltaire Tutor Bio

Rob is a third year student at Harvard Medical School planning to pursue internal medicine. After graduating from Hamilton College, he spent a gap year conducting virology research in Copenhagen, Denmark. At Hamilton, Rob served as a peer tutor for the intro science courses, worked as a chemistry TA, and volunteered as an ESL tutor. Outside of medicine, Rob enjoys being outdoors and playing piano. He is thrilled to be a part of MST!

Samuel Heilbroner Medical Tutor BIO

What's under your bed?

Every cardboard box Amazon ever sent me. I don't hoard, I reuse.

Fun Fact:

I have a double uvula.

Favorite Game:

Honestly, chess.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Samuel Heilbroner

Medical Tutor

Scores

MCAT - 37
Step 1 - 251

School

Columbia University

Specialty

TBA

"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." ~ Albert Einstein Tutor Bio

Sam graduated from MIT with a 3.9 GPA in math and physics. He is now a fourth year at the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons and plans to become a radiation oncologist. Sam has stellar record on standardized exams including the MCAT (37), USMLE Step 1 (251), and the clinical shelf exams (99th percentile in neurology and psychiatry). Sam has a unique background as an award winning saxophonist, accomplished mathematician, and successful researcher at NASA. His diverse experiences enable him to approach each student with professionalism and expertise. Sam has over 8 years of experience tutoring in science and medicine. He is a dedicated mentor and excellent listener.

Marc Hersh Medical Tutor BIO

One fun fact about you:

I have lived in 5 different countries growing up!

What’s your favorite power up snack:

Apple and peanut butter (Crunchy only)

Favorite Movie:

The Prestige and pretty much anything Christopher Nolan produces.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Marc Hersh

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1: 251

School

Rush Medical College

Specialty

TBA

“The future ain’t what it used to be”- Yogi Berra Tutor Bio

Marc has been tutoring fellow students both in undergrad and in medical school to great success for the past several years. His passion for medicine and teaching is seen in his desire to go above and beyond to help his students achieve their goals on the Step 1 exam. Marc’s strength lies in his ability to adjust lesson plans to best meet each student's learning style. His strong understanding of the various study materials available enables him to advise students to select only the most high yield resources in order to avoid resource overload and burnout. Lastly, Marc emphasizes the importance of maintaining a work life balance amidst the chaotic world of being a medical student. When not at school, Marc enjoys brewing beer with friends and is an avid hockey fan, believing every year that his team will finally win the Stanley Cup!

Alex Hicks Medical Tutor BIO

Go-To Karaoke Song:

Sweet Emotion by Aerosmith

Favorite Game:

Chardee MacDennis: The Game of Games

Fun Fact:

I enjoy rebuilding small engines!

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Alex Hicks

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 262
Step 2 CK - 268

School

East Tennessee State University

Specialty

Dermatology

"Talent is God-given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful." ~ John Wooden Tutor Bio

Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Alex is a student at the James H. Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University, applying for a residency position in dermatology. He has a strong record of academic excellence, achieving Honors in all clerkships throughout his medical training, and he was also elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society as a junior medical student. Outside of academics, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children, as well as several other hobbies including guitar, golf, snowboarding, hunting, and largemouth bass fishing. He has experienced great satisfaction in translating his successes on the USMLEs to other students!

Dr. Zachary Holcomb Medical Tutor, MD BIO

What's in your white coat?

Tide To-Go pen

Favorite Game:

Super Smash Brothers! I will occasionally dust off my Nintendo64 and play after a long day on the wards.

Favorite Travel Destination:

Back home to the mountains of southwest Virginia

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Zachary Holcomb

Medical Tutor, MD

Scores

Step 1 - >260
Step 2 CK - >260

School

Duke University School of Medicine, MD 2017

Specialty

Internal Medicine/Dermatology

"I've learned in my life that it's important to be able to step outside your comfort zone and be challenged with something you're not familiar or accustomed to. That challenge will allow you to see what you can do.” ~ J. R. Martinez Tutor Bio

Zack is a dedicated, meticulous tutor who is passionate about helping others succeed on the USMLE. His joy for teaching began during his undergraduate years tutoring chemistry and physics and has blossomed throughout his journey into medicine. He brings several years of experience in tutoring medical students, dating back to his time teaching clinical skills to students while in medical school. Zack learned during his own time preparing for the USMLE exams that nothing replaces a disciplined commitment to preparation and he wants to help ensure that all students utilize their time in the most high-yield ways possible. By balancing thorough review with focused question practice, Zack will help you meet and exceed your test-taking goals! Throughout this process, you’ll be sure to appreciate his commitment to your success and positive motivation as he pushes you to succeed!

Michael Huang Medical Tutor BIO

Favorite Travel Destination:

The Netherlands

Fun Fact:

I run a dance company that specializes in Cuban dances.

How would you save the world?

Get everyone to talk about their feelings

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Michael Huang

Medical Tutor

Scores

STEP 1 - 252
MCAT - 40

School

University of Pennsylvania

Specialty

Psychiatry

“If you hear a voice within you say “you cannot paint,” then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.” ~ Vincent Van Gogh Tutor Bio

Michael graduated summa cum laude from Cornell University with a degree in Neurobiology and Behavior, and is currently a fourth year medical student at the University of Pennsylvania on a year out to do research. He will be pursuing a career in psychiatry with a focus on medical education. He has extensive experience in teaching and mentoring, from undergraduate biochemistry and physics courses to the “Doctoring” course for first year medical students. Furthermore, he spends his free time as an instructor of modern and traditional Cuban dances.

Dr. Emma Husain Medical Tutor BIO

What's under your bed?

a small fluffy cat named Aisha Husain

Fun Fact:

I can diagnose and treat diseases just by talking on the phone!

When I dance, people tell me I look like...

a baby bird trying to fly (but I think I look like Beyonce)

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX, SHELF

Dr. Emma Husain

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 & 2CK - 99th Percentile*

School

University of British Columbia

Specialty

Orthopedic Surgery

"You enter the forest at the darkest point, where there is no path. Where there is a way or path, it is someone else's path. You are not on your own path. If you follow someone else's way, you are not going to realize your potential." ~ Joseph Campbell, "The Hero's Journey" Tutor Bio

Emma is one of our most veteran and senior USMLE and medical mentors. Unlike almost anyone we know, she has been teaching and tutoring the USMLEs, basic and clinical sciences for over 12 years—both in the classroom and as a one-on-one tutor. Her wealth of experience and love of teaching have made her adored by her students, who can hardly believe how much she helps them raise their scores. Emma graduated twice from the University of British Columbia with her BS in microbiology and subsequently her MD. She also trained in orthopedic surgery at the prestigious McGill University program. *Emma took her Step 1 and 2 CK about 15 years ago at which time the scoring was quite different. At that time, passing was in the 170s, and Emma scored in the 99th percentile on both tests.

Dr. Jonathan Huz Medical Tutor BIO

Under my bed, you'll find...

I could tell you, but I'd have to kill you...

In my white coat, you'll find...

at least one Rice Krispie Treat at all times

If I weren't a doctor, I'd be...

an auto mechanic

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Jonathan Huz

Medical Tutor

Scores

MCAT - 38
256 - Step 1
265 - Step 2CK

School

NYU

Specialty

Ophthalmology

"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple" ~ Dr. Seuss Tutor Bio

Like many of our tutors, Jonathan left Kaplan to join the elite Med School Tutors team as an MCAT tutor. He graduated magna cum laude from Brandeis University before moving on to NYU School of Medicine. Jonathan now specializes in helping aspiring physicians to reach their top scores on their own USMLE exams. He has a long history of dedicated teaching and tutoring experience, spanning high school subjects, SAT, college sciences, MCAT and basic medical sciences. He is an Ophthalmology resident at Rutgers-NJMS.

Dr. Leila Javidi Medical Tutor BIO

Theme Song:

"Tubthumping" by Chumbawamba

Fun Fact:

I have my black belt in Kenpo Karate...and I own nunchucks.

Favorite Iconic Hero:

John Snow (the father of epidemiology, not the honorable lord of Winterfell)

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX, SHELF

Dr. Leila Javidi

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 249
Step 2CK - 258

School

St. George's University

Specialty

Family Medicine

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." ~ Sir Winston Churchill Tutor Bio

Dr. Leila Javidi is a Family Medicine Resident with her Masters in Public Health at Mount Carmel St. Ann's, a wonderful community hospital in the heart of Columbus, Ohio (Go Bucks!) where she is actively involved in curriculum development, recruitment, patient safety and medical mission trips. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Saint George’s University and completed her core clerkships at NYU-Lutheran in Brooklyn, NY. Although she had never before considered herself a “standardized test guru”, over the course of her first few years of medical school she developed a fool proof study style that she is eager to share with her students. She loves to teach and she prides herself on her ability to motivate students to achieve their maximum potential. She is most known by her students for her sense of humor, her ‘pep talks’ and her ‘no-excuses’ study mentality.

Dr. Ryan Kelsch Medical Tutor BIO

Favorite Iconic Hero:

Batman

What's in your white coat?

Always a snack, usually cookies

Favorite Game:

Super Smash Bros

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Ryan Kelsch

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 263
Level 1 - 790
Step 2 CK - 271
Level 2 CE - 847
Level 3: 999

School

Resident at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak

Specialty

Radiology

"Do what you ought, and put your heart into what you are doing." ~ St. Josemaria Escriva Tutor Bio

Ryan is an encouraging, passionate tutor and current Transitional/Diagnostic Radiology resident at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak. He graduated second in his class from Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and was an associate author for the 2017 edition of First Aid. For undergrad, Ryan attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he studied molecular and cellular biology and tutored extensively as a private tutor for organic and inorganic chemistry. Originally struggling himself with standardized tests, Ryan wishes to pass his success and testing strategy down to his students. He pushes his students to find a balance between their work and support systems to be more productive in their exam preparations. Ryan works to break down exam questions, caters the best resources, and loves putting together whiteboard-type lectures. It is his honor to serve his students in whatever needs they have.

Shoutouts + Accolades

Publications:

Kelsch, R., Wiliams, W. “1st Place Student and Resident Category Common Side of Effects of Hormonal Contraceptives: A Comprehensive Literature and Prescribing Information Review”. Linacre Quarterly. 2017;84:187-195.

Tao, L., Bhushan, V., Sochat, M., Chavda, Y. First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 2017. New York: McGraw-Hill Education, 2017. (Associate Author: Kelsch, R.)

Haus, M., Kelsch, R., and Jacobs, T. Application of Optical Topometry to Analysis of the Plant Epidermis. Plant Physiology. 2015;169:946-959.

Kelsch, R., and Goel, A. “Atrio-oesophageal fistula.” Radiopaedia.org. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/atrio-oesophageal-fistula.

Awards:

CCOM Alumni Association Merit Scholarship Recipient

Dr. Joseph King Medical Tutor BIO

What's under your bed?

I don't know, I'm too scared to look.

In what house would the Sorting Hat place you?

Slytherin

Favorite Power-Up Snack:

Coffee

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Joseph King

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 264
Step 2 CK - 271

School

University of South Carolina

Specialty

Radiology

"Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank those with poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat." ~ Teddy Roosevelt Tutor Bio

Joseph is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and began his Diagnostic Radiology training this year at Massachusetts General Hospital. Among his notable accolades are scoring a 264 and a 271 on the USMLE Steps 1 and 2, respectively. He secured honors across the board throughout the first three years of medical school and demonstrated his mastery of the clinical clerkships in an impressive fashion by scoring at the 99th percentile in five out of six core shelf exams. He is truly passionate about teaching and his experience extends years back to working as an MCAT instructor for Kaplan before beginning his medical education.

Kevin Kleffman Medical Tutor, MD/PhD '21 BIO

Fun Fact:

My radial artery runs over the back of my wrist, and you can see it beat on my hand (you can't feel my pulse in the normal spot).

What's under your bed?

suitcases, scuba diving equipment, protein powder jug, one or both of my cats.

Favorite Game:

Super Smash Brothers Melee or Brawl

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Kevin Kleffman

Medical Tutor, MD/PhD '21

Scores

MCAT - 36
Step 1 - 254

School

NYU

Specialty

Oncology

"Be good... and if you can't be good, be careful!" ~ My Nana Tutor Bio

Kevin graduated from University of California – Berkeley with honors and carried out his award-winning senior thesis research at University of California – San Francisco. He is currently a second year MD-PhD student at NYU School of Medicine, where he is researching metastasis in melanoma for his doctoral thesis. Kevin has a longstanding passion for education and has tutored privately for various subjects including SAT, math, and chemistry. Utilizing his enthusiasm and compassion, Kevin is committed to giving students confidence, making learning fun, and helping students achieve their full potentials.

Dr. Steven Krueger Medical Tutor BIO

Fun Fact:

My family and I were on Family Feud with Steve Harvey!

Favorite Pizza Topping:

BBQ Chicken

Superpower:

Taking twenty-minute power naps

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Steven Krueger

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 254
Step 2 CK - 278

School

University of Massachusetts

Specialty

Dermatology

“Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.” ~ Fortune Cookie Tutor Bio

Steven is an energetic and supportive tutor who combines his academic success and passion for teaching to help students achieve their goals. His favorite part of being an MST tutor is watching students grow into smarter, more confident test takers! Steven tailors his sessions to each individual student’s needs. During each meeting, he aims to address the two major components of board exams: content and testing strategy. He accomplishes this with students by breaking down complicated vignettes, asking stress-free “pimp”-style questions, and building a strategic and organized plan of attack for test day. Most importantly, he squashes self-confidence issues with motivational speeches, texts, and emails in the weeks and days leading up to the exam. Steven is personally invested in his students’ success. On the spectrum of drill sergeant to cheerleader, consider Steven to be like Kirsten Dunst in Bring It On!

Nichole Lang Medical Tutor BIO

Favorite Power-Up Snack:

Kiwi and pineapple

Favorite Iconic Hero:

Samwise Gamgee

Favorite Travel Destination:

Ecuador!

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Nichole Lang

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 250

School

UMASS

Specialty

TBA

“Simplify, simplify, simplify.” ~Thoreau  // “Don’t you think one ‘simplify’ is enough, Henry?” ~Emerson Tutor Bio

Nichole graduated summa cum laude from Wheaton College (IL) with degrees in psychology and Spanish literature. She then went on to get her M.A. in psychology at UMASS-Dartmouth and spent a few years before med school helping kids, teens, and adults get the better of depression, anxiety, and behavior dysregulation. During graduate school, she tutored neuroscience, statistics, and research methodology. Now a third year student at UMASS Medical School, her interests include research on Chagas disease, community medicine, and aerospace medicine. She strongly prefers Star Trek to Star Wars but does not discriminate based on people’s preferences for one or the other.

Howard Lee Medical Tutor BIO

In what house would the Sorting Hat place you?

Hufflepuff

Fun Fact:

I’m in a Youtube video with a million views

What’s in your white coat?

My stethoscope and only one pen that I lend out often. I like to live dangerously.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Howard Lee

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 264

School

Duke University

Specialty

Radiation Oncology

Failure is just practice for success. Tutor Bio

Howard grew up in Washington State before attending Pomona College and majoring in molecular biology (he tells people he majored in lab). He went on to Duke University for medical school and finished his clinical rotations with all Honors before returning to Seattle, WA for his scholarly year. He is taking an additional research year to pursue a project combining immunotherapy and radiation. Ever since college he has loved teaching, having mentored for general, organic, and biochemistry courses. He looks forward to getting to know his students and helping them reach their full potential!

Samantha Levin Medical Tutor BIO

Theme song:

Wanna be cool – Donnie Trumpet and the Social Experiment

Fun fact:

I worked on organic farms in Australia after college

Favorite travel destination:

New Zealand

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Samantha Levin

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 257

School

UMass

Specialty

TBA

Through every dark night, there's a bright day after that / So no matter how hard it get / Stick your chest out, keep your head up, and handle it! ~ Tupac Tutor Bio

Sam is a 3rd year medical student at UMass, and studied biochemistry at the University of Chicago. She has been a tutor and teaching assistant for advanced science courses during college and after graduation. Though she is still very much a pluripotent medical student, she has a budding interest in emergency medicine. In her free time, she enjoys rock climbing, yoga, pickup sports, gardening, and is a podcast fiend. She loves helping students understand complex topics or difficult questions by working through basic principles. She believes that with the combined powers of common sense and a balanced lifestyle, anything is possible.

Andrew Lin Medical Tutor BIO

What’s your favorite travel destination:

Kyoto, Japan

What’s your favorite power-up snack:

Almonds + freshly squeezed carrot juice

Favorite game:

Zelda: The Wind Waker

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Andrew Lin

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 255

School

New York University School of Medicine

Specialty

Ophthalmology

"Work in silence, let the success make the noise" - Frank Ocean Tutor Bio

Andrew is a creative, diligent and compassionate tutor who understands the dedication and commitment it takes to excel on Step 1. From high school to college and now medical school, he has consistently been involved in mentorship and community building. From his extensive mentoring and tutoring background, Andrew understands that students learn in a variety of ways, from brute memorization to flash cards to drawing. In fact, his past mentees and students have taught him over the years that there are infinite ways to flourish and succeed. It is this cornerstone that serves as the basis for his approach to helping you develop a strategic and organized plan of attack: by breaking down complicated vignettes, dissecting lab results, and evaluating complex answer choices. He will work closely with you to bolster your weaknesses and identify your strengths, all while encouraging accountability through honest feedback. Andrew believes that his experiences of mentorship, advisement, and community building are just as important as the medical content he delivers to his students. While working together, he will be honing and developing the skills you will need for career success, to ultimately help you to achieve your goals in medicine and beyond.

Shoutouts + Accolades

Publications:

Hamilton JZ, Kadunce NT, McDonald MD, Rios L, Matlin AR: Hydroxylamine catalyzed Nazarov cyclizations of divinyl ketones, Tetrahedron Letters 2015; 56(47):6622-6624.

McDonald MD, Paik HH, Fairman R, Foley P, Jackson B, Wang G, Stavropoulos SW: Outcomes of type 2 endoleaks detected on venous phase CT arteriography. Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging 2017; in press.

Abstracts:

McDonald MD, Sandsmark DK, Palakshappa J, Mikkelsen ME, Anderson BJ, Gutsche J: Long-Term Outcomes Following Extracorporeal Life Support for Acute Respiratory Failure. IARS, SOCCA, AUA Joint Conference, Chicago, Il. Apr 2018. Notes: Poster Presentation.

McDonald MD, Vernick W, Gutsche J: Acute Respiratory Failure Managed via Interfacility Transport for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Three-Year Experience. IARS, SOCCA, AUA Joint Conference, Chicago, Il. Apr 2018. Notes: Poster Presentation.

Select Awards/Societies:

Graduated with Top of the Class Distinction, Perelman School of Medicine Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society Phi Beta Kappa Liberal Arts Honor Society American Chemical Society Organic Chemistry Award

Dr. Melissa Lumish Medical Tutor BIO

Theme Song:

"Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen

Fun Fact:

I have a twin (she's also a tutor!)

Favorite Travel Destination:

Aruba

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Melissa Lumish

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 257
Step 2CK - 258

School

NYU

Specialty

Internal Medicine

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." – Maya Angelou Tutor Bio

Melissa graduated with honors from Cornell University in 2010, with a degree in Human Biology, Health and Society and a concentration in dietetics. She spent two years at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, first as a dietetic intern and subsequently as an inpatient dietitian covering oncology and cardiology wards. Melissa is currently a fourth year medical student at NYU School of Medicine. She scored 257 on Step 1 and 258 on Step 2CK and has recently been inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. Melissa has several years of teaching experience, first as a clinical preceptor for dietetic interns and more recently as a clinical co-instructor for the Practice of Medicine course for second-year medical students at NYU.

Nick Lunig Medical Tutor BIO

Superpower:

The ability to always have a new pair of socks in my drawer. Or the ability to fly. But probably socks.

Go-To Karaoke Song:

"One Week" by the Bare Naked Ladies. I feel like it really shows off my range.

Favorite Travel Destination:

I recently returned from a trip to Iceland, which is an unbelievable country. The landscapes are so unique and impressive. They also have puffins.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Nick Lunig

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 258
Step 2 CK - 260

School

University of Massachusetts

Specialty

Pediatrics

“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” ~ Muhammad Ali Tutor Bio

Nick graduated from UMass Medical School and recently started his residency in pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (because kids are way cooler than adults). After graduating from Boston College, Nick moved to Houston, Texas where he taught 6th and 8th grade math for three years. He also bought cowboy boots. After teaching, Nick returned to being a student, where he received high-honors in all of his third year clerkships and excelled on their shelf exams. He is excited to return to the world of teaching and is ready to help his fellow medical students ace their exams.

Dr. Daniel Maselli Medical Tutor BIO

What's under your bed?

My Scottish Highland bagpipes.

Fun Fact:

I was in an improv comedy troupe called "Quipfire!" in college that performed on campus and on tours in Chicago and LA.

My Style:

I only wear dress socks with animals on them.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Daniel Maselli

Medical Tutor

Scores

MCAT - 37
Step 1 - 260
Step 2 CK - 259

School

University of Massachusetts
Fellowship: Mayo Clinic

Specialty

Internal Medicine

"Humor is the great thing, the saving thing after all. The minute it crops up, all our hardnesses yield, all our irritations, and resentments flit away, and a sunny spirit takes their place." ~ Mark Twain Tutor Bio

Dan is a graduate from Princeton University, where he studied molecular biology and neuroscience and performed in an improv comedy troupe. He then went on to the University of Massachusetts Medical School where he demonstrated a record of academic excellence, and was inducted into both the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and Gold Humanism Honor Society. Dan is pursing a residency in Internal Medicine and is confident that, wherever he ends up, he wants medical teaching to be a large part of his career.

Shoutouts

Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society

Gold Humanism Honor Society

Michael McDonald Medical Tutor BIO

What’s your favorite power-up snack?

Cheese. All of the cheese.

Where’s your favorite travel destination?

The beach!

What’s under your bed?

Likely my two cats, Octavia and Augusta.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Michael McDonald

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 263
Step 2 CK: 265

School

Perelman School of Medicine - University of Pennsylvania

Specialty

Anesthesiology

Seek simplicity, and distrust it. ~ Alfred North Whitehead Tutor Bio

Michael is a confident, energetic, and insightful tutor who brings nearly a decade of formal tutoring and teaching experience to clerkship and board prep. He has learned that building a strong foundation of physiology will go a long way when layering in pathophysiology during exam prep and has integrated this approach into his tutoring. Michael began tutoring for math and the sciences in high school, and grew his expertise over his four years tutoring and teaching for the MCAT at Kaplan before transitioning to Med School Tutors. He loves seeing his students succeed and has a passion for medical education, which is why he plans to find time to continue tutoring during his residency in Anesthesiology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Michael prides himself on providing his students with a comprehensive and individualized approach to both studying and test day. While providing the support his students require, he holds them accountable and pushes them with difficult probing and honest feedback along their path to test day to identify both strengths and weaknesses. Michael becomes personally involved in his student’s success, and hopes to have the pleasure of having you as his next student!

Shoutouts + Accolades

Publications:

Hamilton JZ, Kadunce NT, McDonald MD, Rios L, Matlin AR: Hydroxylamine catalyzed Nazarov cyclizations of divinyl ketones, Tetrahedron Letters 2015; 56(47):6622-6624.

Abstracts:

Select Awards/Societies:

Kerri McKie Medical Tutor BIO

What’s in my white coat?

Lara Bar, three pens, deodorant (not kidding even a little bit!)

Favorite Power-Up Snack:

Cashews and Almonds

Fun Fact:

I keep a copy of Moby Dick on my bedside table and re-read at least one passage a day. I have read the entire book countless times!

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Kerri McKie

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 251

School

UMass

Specialty

TBA

"Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more so that we may fear less." Tutor Bio

Kerri taught middle school health education in DC public schools while working for the Grassroot Project, a non-profit founded and run by student-athletes dedicated to educating DC youth about HIV/AIDS. After leaving DC, she taught high school science in Massachusetts. At UMASS Medical School she served on the Curriculum Committee for two years, working with both professors and fellow classmates to change and improve curriculum goals and objectives. Her love for teaching and learning will continue throughout medical school and in her future career. In addition to medicine and teaching, Kerri loves coffee, running and her dog, Tally.

Clark McLaughlin Medical Tutor BIO

What is your Superpower?

My superpower is…. Well does it need to be explained? -aka. Clark Kent ;)

What is one fun fact about you:

I play 4 instruments: Piano, Trumpet, Ukulele and Pan Flute (Yes like Peter Pan)

What is your favorite travel destination?

I have traveled all over the world, but of all the places I have been to Sorrento, Italy was my favorite (google it, it’s beautiful)

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Clark McLaughlin

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 259

School

St. George's University School of Medicine

Interest

Pediatrics

“I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.” – Philippians 4:12-13 Tutor Bio

Clark is an enthusiastic tutor who encourages students to succeed while also putting their critical thinking abilities to the test. Clark was always an "average student" until he had a very encouraging high school anatomy and physiology teacher. This teacher not only sparked Clark's interest to excel academically but also inspired within Clark a desire to help other students learn. Clark has tutored medical students in groups and individually for the last two years. Prior to this he tutored for science and math courses throughout undergrad and in high school programs. Clark even has his own Youtube Channel where he teaches subjects such as Medical Microbiology, Anatomy and Biochemistry! Clark’s tutoring strengths lie in his ability to draw connections between complex topics and in his understanding of how to make information more easily retainable. He believes that mastering test-taking strategies are equally, if not more, important than knowing material, and you can rely on Clark to help you sharpen your test-taking abilities. He will to guide you to break down complicated clinical vignettes to help expose and organize the raw information so that you can thoroughly learn. Clark will also help hone and develop the skills that you will need for long-term testing and career success, helping you achieve your goals in medicine and beyond. Throughout your studying journey you will surely appreciate his kindness, sense of humor, commitment, and motivation as he guides you to success.

Shoutouts + Accolades

Deans List St. George’s University January 2016-Present

Golden Stethoscope Award December 2017 from SGU’s Board of Clinical Skills for strongest interpersonal and clinical skills from a class of 526 students of MS1 and MS2 Basic Sciences

Meriem Mokhtech Medical Tutor BIO

What's your theme song?

Just keep swimming -Dory, Finding Nemo

What color is your toothbrush?

Red

What's your favorite power-up snack?

Smoothies! I love to blend.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Meriem Mokhtech

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 254
Step 2 CK - 252

School

University of Florida

Specialty

Radiation Oncology

You may never know what results come of your actions, but if you do nothing, there will be no results. ~ Mahatma Gandhi Tutor Bio

Meriem is a fourth year medical student at the University of Florida College of Medicine and plans to pursue a career in radiation oncology. In addition to her passion for cancer care, Meriem is actively involved in organized medicine and student mentorship. She has many years of teaching experience, and believes strongly in working smarter, not harder. She has a long history of testing success, including a MCAT score of 36 and a Step 1 score of 254. She is so excited to share her love for learning with other students!

Moses Murdock Medical Tutor BIO

What’s under your bed?

hundreds of novels

Fun fact:

I’ve climbed three (inactive) volcanoes

Favorite Travel Destination:

Costa Rica....”Pura Vida!”

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Moses Murdock

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1: 258

School

Perelman School of Medicine - University of Pennsylvania

Specialty

Internal Medicine

Why scurry about looking for the truth? / It vibrates in every thing and every not-thing, right off the tip of your nose. / Can you be still and see it in the mountain? / the pine tree? / yourself? – Hua Hu Ching, Lao Tzu Tutor Bio

Moses is a tutor who is excited about partnering with fellow students on their path to a career in medicine. He has lived the full spectrum of standardized test results: after underperforming on the SAT and being rejected from all of his dream undergraduate schools, Moses went on to hone his study techniques and practice better self-discipline. This led to him achieving a great MCAT score and earning acceptances at 15 of the 16 medical schools to which he applied. Moses will bring his 5 years of experience as a personal tutor, peer-mentor, and supplemental instructor into your sessions together. He will craft a study schedule for you that plays to your strengths while tackling your weaknesses with strategies to understand human biology on a deep, intuitive level. You can count on Moses to be there every step of the way as you embark on this test-taking journey: his warm demeanor and borderline nerdy love of science will be sure to ignite your own excitement for learning and help you achieve your goals.

Shoutouts + Accolades

21st Century/Gamble Scholar – full merit scholarship to the Perelman School of Medicine

Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellow

Helped discover a new disease, published in Cell

Lu, W.; Zhang, Y.; McDonald, D.; Jing, H.; Carroll, B.; Robertson, N.; Zhang, Q.; Griffin, H.; Sanderson, S.; Lakey, J.; Morgan, N.; Reynard, L.; Zheng, L.; Murdock, H.; Turvey, S.; Hackett, S.; Prestidge, T.; Hall, J.; Cant, A.; Matthews, H.; Santibanez Koref, M.; Simon, A.; Korolchuk, V.; Lenardo, M.; Hambleton, S.; Su, H. (2014). "Dual Proteolytic Pathways Govern Glycolysis and Immune Competence" (PDF). Cell. 159(7): 1578-1590. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2014.12.001. PMC 4297473 . PMID 25525876.

Dr. Julianne O'Gorman Medical Tutor, DO BIO

Who is your favorite iconic hero?

So, I’m actually a bit of a superhero nerd and it’s Batman (guy) and Rogue (gal)

In what house would the Sorting Hat place you?

Ravenclaw

What’s in your white coat?

Granola bars, almonds, craisins, pens (why do doctors never have pens?), not always a stethoscope • (hey, I’m going into Radiology), notes that make no sense 5 minutes after writing them, cell phone, Maxwell Quick Medical Reference

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Julianne O'Gorman

Medical Tutor, DO

Scores

Step 1 - 256
Step 2 CK - 251
Level 1 - 654
Level 2 CE - 758

School

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine

Specialty

Radiology

"There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it." – Edith Wharton Tutor Bio

Julianne is a very detail-oriented, encouraging and organized tutor. Extensive studying for Step 1 (8,000 questions!) enabled her to become very familiar with question stems, eliminate detractors and quickly focus on the most likely answer, and she is excited to share her strategies to help you do the same. Julianne's organized approach helped her make a plan to cover all topics in ample detail so that she was well prepared on test day. In the past, she struggled with some test anxiety and she has tips to share to help others overcome that as well. Julianne enjoys giving back to others and helping her students do well academically. She describes tutoring as a rewarding experience, as hearing from a student who has improved and has good news to share is the best reward for the hard work that goes into studying and tutoring. In your work together, Julianne will help you break down complicated vignettes, improve your question dissection/strategy and implement a strategic and organized plan of attack. You can also count on her for accountability and honest feedback.

Shoutouts + Accolades

Co-wrote a case report on tubo-ovarian abscess that was accepted for publication in the British Medical Journal

Rob Painter Medical Tutor BIO

Who is your favorite iconic hero?

Severus Snape

What's your go-to karaoke song

Beauty and a Beat (Yes Justin Bieber)

What's your favorite power up snack?

Protein bar and black coffee

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Rob Painter

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 261

School

Indiana University School of Medicine

Specialty

TBA

"Food is really and truly the most effective medicine." – Joel Fuhrman Tutor Bio

Rob is a motivated student who is passionate about sharing his knowledge in medicine. He will encourage you every step of the way so that you can succeed as well! Rob excels at taking difficult concepts and integrating them into existing knowledge so that you can not just memorize, but learn and master material. He has practiced this extensively by mentoring multiple undergrads in an academic research setting, including helping one through a poster presentation. With Rob you can expect flexibility and personalized support to help you meet your goals. He believes that a two way street of communication is key, so that you can be comfortable and get the most out of your sessions. Rob wants to see you succeed not only on your board exams but as a future physician as well. You can expect to be pushed but uplifted at every moment; imagine Jim Harbaugh with a white coat.

Nat Pedley Medical Tutor BIO

Fun Fact:

I played semi-professional baseball in Berlin

Biggest Superstition:

I always keep a two dollar bill in my wallet, in case of emergency.

When I dance, people tell me I look like...

I have hemiballismus, but I think I look like I have Sydenham chorea.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Nat Pedley

Medical Tutor

Scores

MCAT - 38
Step 1 - 255
Step 2 CK - 265

School

Columbia University

Specialty

TBA

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars" ~ Oscar Wilde Tutor Bio

Nat is currently completing a dual MD/MBA program at Columbia University. He will pursue a residency in internal medicine upon graduation in May 2018. Nat has a strong medical testing record, including 255 on Step 1 and 38 on the MCAT. With his business degree, Nat hopes to help transform primary care delivery and get involved in healthcare policy work.

Scott Perkins Medical Tutor BIO

Fun Fact:

I used to buy and sell cutting boards

Favorite Power-Up Snack:

Pickles, peanuts and string cheese

What's your superpower?

Googling

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Scott Perkins

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 259

School

Duke University

Specialty

Radiology

The worst time to have a heart attack is during a game of charades. ~ Demetri Martin Tutor Bio

Scott always felt like an average test taker, but quickly learned that he just wasn’t studying the right way for standardized exams. From the SATs to the MCAT, and finally Step 1, Scott realized how to get inside the mind of a test question writer and perform better and better on his exams. Scott has functioned as a teacher or a tutor on every level from elementary school students to medical students. Through the Socratic method and guided student-led explanations, Scott has helped countless students master both the material and the test. As a Step 1, COMLEX, and coursework tutor for over two years, Scott has seen what does and does not work for test preparation and he is dedicated to helping you realize your goals. You can expect more than just a tutor, but also a mentor who is at your disposal when you need it.

Ann Prybylowski Medical Tutor BIO

Favorite Power-Up Snack:

Dark chocolate covered pretzels

Favorite Game:

SET!!!

Favorite Go-To Karaoke Song:

A Whole New World (Yes, I want to be a Disney Princess)

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Ann Prybylowski

Medical Tutor

Scores

MCAT - 39
Step 1 - 273
Step 2 CK - 281

School

University of Pennsylvania

Specialty

Pediatrics

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." ~ Maya Angelou Tutor Bio

Ann is a first year pediatrics resident at Lurie Children's Hospital. Ann has an excellent record on standardized exams including the MCAT (39), USMLE Step 1 (273), USMLE Step 2 CK (281), and the clinical shelf exams. She has extensive teaching experience after tutoring for the MCAT while attending Duke University. She is also passionate about community service; she has worked at a women's refugee clinic as well as a harm reduction clinic. She is really excited to work with students to achieve their goals on the USMLE exams as part of the Med School Tutor team.

Dr. Brian Radvansky Medical Tutor, MD BIO

Theme Song:

"Real American" (Hulk Hogan's Theme Song)

Fun Fact:

Appeared on Who Wants to be a Millionaire

Go-To Karaoke Song:

Big Pimpin'

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX, SHELF

Dr. Brian Radvansky

Medical Tutor, MD

Scores

Step 1: 264
Step 2 CK: 258
Step 3: 257

School

Rutgers Medical School

Specialty

Anesthesiology

"Do the best you can with what you've got." ~ Brian Tutor Bio

Brian believes that excellence comes from never taking "no" for an answer, and putting as much work into organizing one's studying as into studying itself. After producing an incredibly average MCAT score, he decided he was going to quadruple his efforts in preparing for Step 1. His greatest successes have brought students who were going to drop out of medicine altogether for fear of not matching to matching into their specialties of choice. He reminds students the importance of performing well on a single test, or even learning how to sell themselves can make an extreme difference in their futures. Students can rely on Brian to hold them accountable and make sure that they don't sabotage themselves with excuses. He can help them to totally reevaluate their approach to USMLE questions in a methodical, protocolized way that ultimately leads to more correct answers and a higher score. With his help, you will trim the excesses, and put all of your collective efforts into only the work that will improve your score.
Through his residency admissions consulting, Brian has consistently revamped students applications by helping them to highlight their best (and sometimes hidden) characteristics, and get them to match into the programs they had ranked number one. He can help you to master your personal statement, and craft the story as to why your program of choice needs to have you as a resident. Brian will help you find that all too difficult balance of being proud of and selling your accomplishments, without coming forth as someone who is merely checking boxes to bolster their application.

Shoutouts + Accolades

AOA Honor Society

McMillan Dr. Westley Reinhart Medical Tutor, DO BIO

Where's your favorite travel destination?

Barcelona and Spain in general. (avid traveller - happy to provide complimentary tips on this subject as well ;) )

What’s your go-to karaoke song?

Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen

What's your favorite game?

Cards Against Humanity

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

McMillan Dr. Westley Reinhart

Medical Tutor, DO

Scores

Step 1: 240
Step 2 CK: 250
Level 1: 602
Level 2 CE: 657
Level 3 - 773

School

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine

Specialty

Emergency Medicine

"Ever tried. Ever failed No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better" – Samuel Beckett Tutor Bio

Friends describe Westley (or Wes) as friendly (probably because he’s Canadian), and as a compassionate, patient and driven individual. Coming into medical school, Wes lacked confidence in his standardized test taking abilities after underachieving on the MCAT. He worked meticulously to re-tool his approach and has been successful on every standardized exam he has taken since. He achieved success by simplifying complex problems whenever possible and developing tools to burn important points into memory. As an ED resident, Wes understands someone's life may be in his hands and that he may only have a few seconds to make the right decision. With all this in mind, he understands the importance of appropriate preparation to optimize rapid knowledge retrieval. He’s passionate about "paying it forward" and teaching others how to tap into their potential the way he has learned to in recent years. He is strongly invested in his students and will collaborate closely with them to develop a personalized path to success. Wes works together with his students to: select the best resources for their needs (and, just as importantly, learn not to over-utilize resources), develop a personalized and dynamic study schedule, and collaborate frequently to improve weaknesses, among other strategies.

Shoutouts

A big shoutout to my two roommates and favorite ladies: Nadia (wife) and Fatty (cat child)

Dr. Java Remonde Medical Tutor, MD BIO

What is your go-to karaoke song?

No scrubs – TLC

What is your favorite game?

Counter-Strike Global Offensive

What's your superpower?

Binging Netflix series without developing a DVT

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Java Remonde

Medical Tutor, MD

Scores

Step 1 - 260+
Step 2 CK - 260+

School

Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University

Specialty

Radiation Oncology

“Respect your parents. They graduated school without google.” – Will Ferrell Tutor Bio

Java is from a small town in eastern North Carolina that has a whopping total of two stop lights. His dedication to teaching started over a decade ago at East Carolina University where he served as a lead tutor in multiple subjects for his university’s peer tutoring curriculum. He graduated with Summa Cum Laude distinction and attended The Brody School of Medicine where he piloted a tutoring program dedicated to USMLE Step 1 preparation for preclinical students. He also received the national Alpha Omega Alpha Student Research Fellowship grant and served as a mentor for an American Association for Cancer Research program devoted to guiding underprivileged high school students. Coming from a small town, he appreciates the importance of proper guidance/mentorship and is excited to use this to help students achieve their academic goals. He believes that providing a structured framework will equip students with an organized plan of attack to tackle their most challenging subjects. He is personally invested in his students' success which will be evident to you throughout your tutoring together. When he’s not working or teaching, he enjoys spending time with his family, PC gaming, building computers, and woodworking.

Michael Rossi Medical Tutor BIO

If your life were a movie, book or TV show, what would it be?

Parks & Rec (I used to work for the Dept. of Natural Resources)

One fun fact about you:

My Dad and I apply to be on Jeopardy every year; still waiting for my shot.

What's your favorite game?

Eucher

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Michael Rossi

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 253

School

Rush Medical College

Specialty

TBA

"Do not fear death so much, but rather the inadequate life." – Bertolt Brecht Tutor Bio

Michael is a dedicated tutor who understands that preparing for Step 1 is more than simply acquiring knowledge, it’s also an exercise in strategy and determination. Through collaboration and choosing the best, individualized approach, Michael will work to hone students’ test-taking ability. He has found that intentional planning helps students approach exam prep in a successful manner that allows them to maximize their study time. Michael has a strong track record of work in medical education, including helping to implement a new medical school curriculum, working as a medical school question test writer, and serving on a USMLE strategic planning workgroup for students. His experience in these fields allows him to offer insight into breaking down complex, multi-step questions into digestible, conquerable bits of knowledge. As you work with him, you will sense his calming encouragement that will help you achieve your goals both on exams and in future pursuits.

Dr. Nick Rowan Medical Tutor BIO

Theme Song:

"Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins

What's in your white coat?

Lots of tongue depressors

Fun Fact:

I've had the hiccups since I was 18

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX, SHELF

Dr. Nick Rowan

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 247
Step 2 - 259

School

Rutgers

Specialty

Otolaryngology

"Illegitimi non carborundum" ("Don't let the bastards get you down.") Tutor Bio

Nick is a charismatic, detail-oriented, and thorough tutor who is able to distill complicated topics into simple and understandable concepts. His firm grasp on topics ranging from congential disorders to complex neuroanatomy allows him to translate even the most complex problem into something his puppy can understand. Though scheduling test preparation can be difficult, Nick has demonstrated expert time management skills previously as a Division I athlete and now as a full time clinician scientist and surgeon. Over the years from undergraduate study on the beach in California to competitive surgical subspecialties in some of the most prestigious programs in the country, Nick has been an effective and enthusiastic teacher and mentor who might share a few, or 600, "Dad" jokes along the way. Despite his own busy schedule, Nick is someone who is personally invested in his student's outcomes and one of our most seasoned veterans at MST.

Jacob Schrum Medical Tutor BIO

Favorite Game:

Settlers of Catan

Favorite Power-Up Snack:

Dunkin’ Donuts black coffee. As a native Iowan, this is proof that New England has grown on me.

What’s in your white coat?

That’s a good question…I’ve been in the lab so long I think I lost it.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Jacob Schrum

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 273

School

UMass

Specialty

Immunology

Show me a man who lives alone and has a perpetually clean kitchen, and 8 times out of 9 I'll show you a man with detestable spiritual qualities. ~ Charles Bukowski Tutor Bio

Jacob is a MD/PhD student at UMass Medical School, where he is finishing up his thesis research on how the immune system fights malarial infection. He has yet to cure a single case of malaria, but he has also avoided infecting anyone with malaria. (First, do no harm.) During his PhD, Jacob served as tutor for a variety of preclinical courses at UMass, and he also is a small group leader for the school’s in-house Step 1 prep course. When he is not pipetting or tutoring, Jacob enjoys running, reading, and eating at Chipotle.

Dr. Rishi Sethia Medical Tutor, MD BIO

Where's your favorite travel destination?

Costa Rica

What's your favorite power-up snack?

Oreos

One fun fact about you:

I went sandboarding in the driest desert in the world, the Atacama in Northern Chile.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Rishi Sethia

Medical Tutor, MD

Scores

Step 1 - 267
Step 2 CK - 267

School

The Ohio State University College of Medicine

Specialty

Otolaryngology

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow, learn as if you were to live forever." Tutor Bio

Rishi is a resourceful, diligent, and well-rounded tutor who is passionate about helping students achieve their goals. Rishi learned from his own Step 1 prep about the importance of scheduling and accountability, and will use these skills to ensure your success. Rishi has benefitted from many mentors in his life and is dedicated to paying it forward by providing excellent tutoring and mentorship to as many students as possible. He has extensive tutoring experience with students at all levels and tailors his teaching to each individual's learning style. He will provide accountability and honest feedback, bolster both weak areas and strengths, and optimize your study schedule to achieve maximum efficiency. Rishi tends to fall more towards the "drill sergeant" teaching style, but maintains a level of friendliness that leaves students encouraged and confident.

Shoutouts + Accolades

AOA Member

Publications

1. Sethia R, Wiet GJ. Preoperative preparation for otologic surgery: temporal bone simulation. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015 Oct;23(5):355-359. doi: 10.1097/MOO. 0000000000000181. Review.

2. Orczyk JJ, Sethia R, Doster D, Garraghty PE. Transcriptome response to infraorbital nerve transection in the gonadally intact male rat barrel cortex: RNA-seq. J Comp Neurol. 2016 Jan 1;524(1):152-159. doi: 10.1002/cne.23831. Epub 2015 Jul 16.

3. Malekpour M, Kulwin C, Bohnstedt BN, Radmand G, Sethia R, Mendenhall SK, Weyhenmeyer J, Hendricks BK, Leipzig T, Payner TD, Shah MV, Scott J, DeNardo A, Sahlein D, Cohen-Gadol AA. Effect of Short-term ε-Aminocaproic Acid Treatment on Patients undergoing Endovascular Coil Embolization following Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage. J Neurosurg. 2017 May;126(5):1606-1613. doi: 10.3171/2016.4.JNS152951. Epub 2016 Jun 17.

4. Sethia R, Kerwin TF, Wiet GJ. Performance Assessment for Mastoidectomy. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017 Jan;156(1):61-69. doi: 10.1177/0194599816670886. Epub 2016 Oct 3.

5. Bohnstedt BN, Ziemba-Davis M, Sethia R, Payner TD, DeNardo A, Scott J, Cohen-Gadol AA. Comparison of endovascular and microsurgical management of 208 basilar apex aneurysms. J Neurosurg. 2017 Jan 13:1-11. doi: 10.3171/2016.8.JNS16703. [Epub ahead of print].

6. Sethia R, Mahida JB, Subbarayan RA, Deans KJ, Minneci PC, Elmaraghy CA, Essig GF Jr. Evaluation of an imaging protocol using ultrasound as the primary diagnostic modality in pediatric patients with superficial soft tissue infections of the face and neck. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2017 May;96:89-93. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2017.02.027. Epub 2017 Feb 28.

7. Ozbay I, Yumusakhuylu AC, Sethia R, Wei L, Old M, Agrawal A, Teknos T, Ozer E. One-year quality of life and functional outcomes of transoral robotic surgery for carcinoma of unknown primary. Head Neck. 2017 Aug;39(8):1596-1602. doi: 10.1002/hed.24801. Epub 2017 May 17.

8. Sethia R, Yumusakhuylu AC, Ozbay, I, Diavolitsis V, Brown N, Zhou S, Wei L, Old M, Agrawal A, Teknos T, Ozer E. Quality of life outcomes of transoral robotic surgery with or without adjuvant therapy for oropharyngeal cancer. Laryngoscope. 2017 Aug 3. doi: 10.1002/lary.26796. [Epub ahead of print].

Dr. Paras Shah Senior Medical Tutor, MD, MS BIO

What's in your white coat?

Tons of Quarters, so after a long case I can buy some Almond Joy chocolates.

Favorite Game:

MONOPOLY! It's a risky game because there's bound to be arguments and hurt feelings.

Favorite Power-Up Snack:

Anything that can be dipped in HOT SAUCE

Tutors For

USMLE, SHELF

Dr. Paras Shah

Senior Medical Tutor, MD, MS

Scores

Step 1 - 259
Step 2CK - 261

School

Albany Medical College

Specialty

Urology

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." ~ Jeremiah 29:11 Tutor Bio

Paras was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society for his academic prowess and dedication to his community. He has been a tutor and teacher of advanced sciences, medical subjects and USMLE for the last 6 years, and his commitment to his students’ success is without compare.

Vikram Shankar Medical Tutor BIO

What's in your white coat?

Discarded Twix and KitKat wrappers

Go-To Karaoke Song:

"Lose Yourself" by Eminem

Biggest Superstition:

I always wear a pair of lucky boxers for big exams/presentations.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Vikram Shankar

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 260+
Step 2 CK - 260+

School

Washington University St. Louis

Specialty

Ophthalmology

"It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live." ~ Marcus Aurelius Tutor Bio

Vikram received his MPH and is pursuing his MD at Washington University in St. Louis, and will be pursuing a residency in ophthalmology. Vikram began tutoring and mentoring students in high school as a math and reading tutor for Kumon. He continued to teach throughout college, working as an MCAT and undergraduate tutor in the basic sciences. He scored >260 on Step 1 and above the 95th percentile on all his clerkship shelf exams. He loves teaching, as it allows him to invest in his students' success while refining his own knowledge base.

Dr. Josh Shapiro Medical Tutor, MD BIO

Favorite Iconic Hero:

John Elway - Go Broncos!

In what house would the Sorting Hat place you?

Ravenclaw

Favorite Travel Destination:

Croatia

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Josh Shapiro

Medical Tutor, MD

Scores

Step 1 - 268
Step 2 CK - 264
Step 3 - 246

School

University of Colorado School of Medicine

Specialty

Orthopedic Surgery

"Nothing stills an inquiring mind more than the conviction that it knows." – Seneca Tutor Bio

Josh graduated from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is a resident in orthopedic surgery at the University of North Carolina. Josh has a strong record in standardized examinations, including a score of 268 on USMLE Step 1 and 264 on USMLE Step 2CK. Prior to joining the Med School Tutors family, Josh had been a tutor for USMLE Step 1, basic science coursework, and NBME shelf examinations. Josh is an avid teacher with a commitment to excellence and aims to achieve excellence with all of his students.

Shoutouts

Shoutout to my wife Christine who has been my number 1 supporter every step of the way

Christopher Showers Medical Tutor BIO

Theme Song:

My theme song changes with my mood, but it's always something by Brahms.

Favorite Power-Up Snack:

I'm embarrassed to admit that I mix black beans and canned tuna (with a heavy dose of salt). It's kinda the best...

How would you save the world?

Education (I'm trying!). Deficits in language literacy and math literacy are crippling and dangerous.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX, SHELF

Christopher Showers

Medical Tutor

Scores

MCAT - 37
Step 1 - 256

School

Columbia University

Specialty

Neurology

"Active studying is all about scratching down illegible repetitions of facts recently read onto cheap legal pads, then throwing them out! I wanna see a wastebasket full of discarded brain dumps!" ~ Chris Tutor Bio

Chris graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill magna cum laude in Chemistry with distinction in biomedical research. Following two years of research in neuro-pharmacology, he entered the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Remaining engaged in neuroscience, Chris has received research fellowships to study neural stem cells at Stanford University and malignant brain tumors as a Doris Duke Research Fellow at Columbia and was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha. As a senior mentor, Chris has worked with junior medical students at Columbia to prepare them for both the Shelf Exams and USMLE Step 1.

Check out Chris' Tutor Spotlight here: https://www.medschooltutors.com/blog/tutor-spotlight-christopher-showers

Brad Sifrig Medical Tutor BIO

In what house would the Sorting Hat place you?

Hopefully Slytherin. I’m not saying I’d go bad, but I’d like to keep my options open.

Fun Fact:

I can read Braille.

If your life were a TV show, what would it be?

The Office. I aspire to be Michael Scott one day.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Brad Sifrig

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 272

School

University of Florida

Specialty

Ophthamology

Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it, because what the world needs is people who have come alive. ~ Howard Thurman Tutor Bio

Brad is a fourth year medical student at the University of Florida College of Medicine and plans to pursue a residency in ophthalmology. Brad has a record of excellence on standardized exams, scoring a 35 on his MCAT (96th percentile) and a 272 on his USMLE Step 1 (100th percentile). He did equally as well on shelf examinations throughout third year, scoring in the 99th percentile on the Family Medicine, Neurology, OB-GYN, and Surgery exams. In addition to his history of testing excellence, Brad has a plethora of experience and training as a tutor having worked as a paid tutor for multiple years at his undergraduate university.

Dr. Lauren Sinnenberg Medical Tutor, MD BIO

If your life were a tv show, what would it be?

Gilmore Girls

Favorite Iconic Hero:

Rosie the Riveter

Fun Fact:

I was featured in Sports Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd"

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Lauren Sinnenberg

Medical Tutor, MD

Scores

Step 1 - 258
Step 2 CK - 272

School

University of Pennsylvania

Specialty

Internal Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital

"Alis volat propriis" (Rough translation: "she flies by her own wings") ~ Jesse Quinn Thornton Tutor Bio

Lauren is a caring, articulate and insightful tutor who is a natural fit here at MST. Not only has she excelled in medical school and on her board exams, but her extensive volunteer experience - which includes work as an EMT as well as at clinics and healthcare programs - demonstrates her genuine desire to help others. Lauren brings this unique combination of conceptual mastery, mental acuity, and compassion in all her work with students. With over 600 hours of tutoring with MST, she has the experience needed to craft a highly individualized study schedule unique to your strengths, weaknesses, timeline, and goals. Through a holistic emphasis on clinical reasoning, test-taking skills, and structured studying, Lauren will empower you with the tools needed to succeed on your exam - all with the warmth, astuteness and personal investment for which she is known. We have no doubt she will be a tremendous ally for you!

Dr. Evan Stone Medical Tutor, MD BIO

Fun Fact:

"Evan" in Hebrew means "Stone" in English, so Evan's name is "Stone Stone!"

Favorite Food:

Bar-style cheese pizza

Favorite Travel Destination:

Tel Aviv

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Evan Stone

Medical Tutor, MD

Scores

Step 1 - 265
Step 2 CK - 274

School

Sackler School of Medicine

Specialty

Radiology

"This too shall pass!" Tutor Bio

Evan is a fun, energetic, and driven tutor who despite having long-term success with multiple-choice tests, found during his own studies for the USMLEs that it takes more than just memorization and pattern recognition; it takes an understanding of personal strengths and weaknesses to achieve academic goals! Having taught for over two years with Med School Tutors while balancing his rigorous residency, Evan has helped numerous students conquer Step 2 CK, as well as shelf exams and COMLEX Level 2. Evan is known for his intuition and strengths in utilizing an individualized approach to question dissection and analysis, identifying and correcting cognitive barriers, and most importantly, connecting deeply to the success of his students. He loves receiving e-mails from prior students ecstatic with their successes and career paths! Working with Evan will be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and him!

Dr. Rivka Stone Medical Tutor, MD, PhD BIO

Fun Fact:

I have two beautiful kids. My younger one was born during intern year. If you can survive that, you can survive anything!

In what house would the Sorting Hat place you?

Ravenclaw

Favorite Power-Up Snack:

Pickles. It's a family thing.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX, SHELF

Dr. Rivka Stone

Medical Tutor, MD, PhD

Scores

Step 1 - 239
Step 2 CK - 263

School

UMDNJ

Specialty

Dermatology

"You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose." ~ Dr. Seuss Tutor Bio

Rivka graduated as an MD/PhD from UMDNJ and is now in a competitive residency in the University of Miami’s Dermatology-Research Track. Before attending medical school, Rivka taught chemistry and calculus at the high school level, and she also served as a one-on-one high school and SAT tutor. Over the last 6 years, Rivka has served as a peer tutor and private tutor for M1, M2 and M3 students preparing for Shelf exams and Step 1 and 2CK and enjoys helping aspiring doctors to turn these tests into opportunities to excel.

Kailey Sullivan Medical Tutor BIO

If I weren't a doctor, I would be...

Food critic

Favorite Food?

Pasta with a side of pasta

If my life were a TV show it would be...

Seinfeld

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Kailey Sullivan

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 250
Step 2 CK- 253
COMLEX 1- 632
COMLEX 2- 643

School

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Specialty

Diagnostic Radiology

Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive. ~ Elbert Hubbard Tutor Bio

Kailey was born and raised in the great city of Buffalo, NY. She graduated from Penn State University with degrees in Immunology and Infectious Disease as well as Toxicology. Now a 4th year student at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, she is currently pursuing a residency in Diagnostic Radiology. Outside of medicine, she has a love of food (eating>cooking), football, and tropical vacations. Kailey is always excited to share her passion for learning and eager to help others realize their potential.

Darren Sultan Medical Tutor BIO

Movie or TV show?

If my life were a tv show, it would be called INFP.

Favorite travel destination?

Zambia

How would you save the world?

I’d get everyone a Seamless account.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Darren Sultan

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1: 260+
Step 2: 260+

School

NYU School of Medicine

Specialty

TBA

I don’t understand the question and I won’t respond to it – Lucille Bluth when asked to choose, “Plate or platter?” Arrested Development Tutor Bio

Darren is a creative, idealistic and uniquely dedicated tutor with a passion for standardized tests. He imagines a role John Keating would take were he to adopt a penchant for unpacking medical vignettes. With former experience in MCAT question writing and a tutoring history dating back to his high school years, he has long been dedicated to his fellow students’ success. Aside from his interest in USMLE exams, Darren dedicates much of his time to research in dysfunctional wound healing, gender affirmation and global surgery. He is an excellent test-taker, and his commitment to his own achievement is paralleled by his dedication to helping others reach the same goals. In addition to the cheerleading-esque support he provides, Darren guides students using an efficient and methodical approach to answering questions, reading figures and interpreting phrases.

Amit Suneja Medical Tutor BIO

Fun Fact:

I once hitchhiked from California to Texas

Favorite Travel Destination:

Any mountain located anywhere

If your life were a TV show, what would it be?

The Office

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Amit Suneja

Medical Tutor

Scores

MCAT - 39
Step 1 - 250+
Step 2 CK - 250+

School

Columbia University and Johns Hopkins

Specialty

TBA

“If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” ~ Disputed/Unknown Tutor Bio

Amit is currently an MPH student at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health who recently finished his third year of medical school at Columbia University. Amit has stellar academic record, including graduating from Rice University with a 4.0 GPA, 39 on the MCAT, over 250 on both Step 1 and Step 2 CK, and Honors in 6 of his clinical rotations. He has diverse teaching experience, including starting a mentoring and tutoring program for middle school-age refugees, working as a public school teacher, and teaching pre-clinical students. He is deeply committed to helping students reach their full potential.

Joe Thomas Medical Tutor BIO

Favorite Travel Destination:

I just booked my first trip to Tokyo…robot restaurants!

What’s your superpower?

To always have a cold can of La Croix at hand. Especially pamplemousse.

Fun Fact:

I’ve gone swimming with sharks. Whale sharks, but still.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Joe Thomas

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 265

School

Indiana University

Specialty

Ophthalmology

It is much more difficult to judge yourself than to judge others. If you succeed in judging yourself, then you are indeed a man of true wisdom. ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (The Little Prince) Tutor Bio

Joe has had seven years of structured tutoring/teaching experience. From tutoring basic science courses in college, teaching MCAT classes during his gap year, and tutoring medical students in preclinical coursework, he has shown a passion for advancing students through their education. He has thrived throughout medical school, being elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society during his junior year, and currently ranking 2nd out of his class of 321. Being the first in his family to attend medical school, he is dedicated to helping other students thrive and meet their potential as future physicians.

David Toomey Medical Tutor BIO

Favorite Power-Up Snack:

Dunkin Donuts large iced coffee and Stacy’s pita chips

Favorite Travel Destination:

Marrakech, Morocco

Greatest Athletic Accomplishment:

6 years playing Rugby without any (major) injuries (yet)

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

David Toomey

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 257

School

University of Massachusetts

Specialty

TBA

Don’t take life too seriously, you’ll never make it out alive ~ Bugs Bunny Tutor Bio

David is a current third year medical student at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Molecular Genetics from the University of Rochester. David has a proven track record in medical school testing and clinical work, including a Step 1 score of 257 and high honors evaluations in internal medicine, neurology, family medicine, pediatrics, and surgery. In addition to time dedicated to tutoring classmates, David currently serves as biochemistry section editor for a web-based Step 1 lecture series. He is excited to partner with MST and to help students reach their full potential in preparing for their exams!

Solymar Torres Medical Tutor BIO

Fun fact

My name means Sun and Sea in Spanish, which is very fitting since I grew up in the island of Puerto Rico, in a town about 15 minutes away from the beach

Favorite power-up snack?

It can go from a cup of yogurt with granola if I'm a little tired to an entire bag of gummy worms if I'm exhausted

In what house would the Sorting Hat place you?

Anywhere as long as the company is good! Slytherin, because we tend to be ambitious and achievement-oriented but we can be charming too

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Solymar Torres

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 257

School

Perelman School of Medicine – University of Pennsylvania, MD Candidate 2020

Specialty

Surgery

"Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration." – Thomas Edison Tutor Bio

Friends would describe Solymar (they call her Soly) as energetic, creative and compassionate. While in college, Soly realized she had a knack for teaching, as friends would come to her for help with complex courses such as Organic Chemistry. After struggling for months to prepare for the MCAT, but ultimately achieving a great score, Soly decided to share these hard learned lessons by becoming a Kaplan MCAT tutor and has helped dozens of students reach their goal. Now in medical school, Soly continues to nurture her passion for helping others by volunteering at a clinic for uninsured patients as well as working towards her Masters in Health Policy Research. Soly is personally invested in her students’ success and enjoys seeing them gain confidence and clinical knowledge as she guides them through their Step 1 preparation. She will develop a customized study schedule that’s tailored to your progress, timeline and goals. She will help you choose the best study resources for your needs and make sure you use them effectively. In her sessions, she breaks down complicated topics and vignettes while also honing on test taking strategies. Most importantly, Soly is a great listener and will provide insightful feedback and encouragement to help you reach your full potential,

Shoutouts + Accolades

Graduated Summa cum laude with a B.Sc in Cell and Molecular Biology
Twenty-first Century Scholar - Merit-based scholarship for medical school

Brian Velasco Medical Tutor BIO

Where's your favorite travel destination?

Sri Lanka

Fun fact:

I once solved a Rubik's cube in 50 seconds #nerd

What superpower do you want?

Teleportation

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Brian Velasco

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 260

School

Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine

Interest

Orthopaedic Surgery

"You know what they say. 'Fool me once, strike one, but fool me twice... strike three'" - Michael Scott Tutor Bio

Brian is a friendly, enthusiastic, self-driven tutor who is hoping to pursue a career in Orthopaedic Surgery. He learned from his Step 1 prep that the keys to doing well were keeping the resources simple and being committed and disciplined to the study schedule. Brian has always had a strong passion for teaching, mentoring and simply helping others. He has had numerous tutoring experiences including tutoring undergraduates, nursing students and his fellow peers in medical school. He is highly involved in his medical school’s mentoring program where he advises students how to best prepare for Step 1 and school exams. By balancing comprehensive review with question practice, he will help further develop your fund of knowledge, clinical reasoning and test-taking skills. On top of studying techniques, you can count on Brian to give you continuous motivation and encouragement to help you achieve your goals!

Dr. Ayyappan Venkatraman Medical Tutor, MD BIO

Theme Music:

"Misdemeanor" by Ahmad Jamal

Favorite Game:

Metal Gear Solid (only the best video game series ever made!)

When I dance, people tell me I look like...

Bugs Bunny

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Ayyappan Venkatraman

Medical Tutor, MD

Scores

MCAT - 40
Step 1 - 250
Step 2 CK - 258

School

Columbia University

Specialty

Psychiatry

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” ~ Teddy Roosevelt Tutor Bio

Ayyappan is a passionate tutor who strongly believes in a tailored approach to each student's test preparations. Tutoring with MST since 2014, he has a wealth of tutoring experiences to draw from to help navigate even the most difficult study situations. Not only that, but Ayyappan's experience as a psychiatry resident at the University of Pennsylvania has helped him refine his one-on-one counseling and individualized instruction. He sees himself like an Olympic coach of test preparation - creating study plans not just to learn the material but also to get a student mentally prepared for the big day. Ayyappan is also an excellent resource for residency admissions advice and career counseling. He has a non-traditional medical background that has given him great perspective on all of the angles needed to have a great application. More than anything, he wants to help students find their own specific path to incredible success in medicine.

Jonathan Villanueva Medical Tutor BIO

Where's your favorite travel destination?

Japan

Fun Fact:

I am Canadian

What superpower would you want?

Telepathy

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Jonathan Villanueva

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 259

School

Perelman School of Medicine – University of Pennsylvania

Specialty

Anesthesia

“Stay hungry. Stay foolish.” – Steve Jobs Tutor Bio

Jonathan is an energetic, insightful, and charismatic tutor who wants to help other medical students achieve their career aspirations. After honing his test-taking skills over many different standardized exams, Jonathan knows that the key to success on Step 1 is using a minimal number of resources to their maximum potential, as well as having a good work-life balance. He enjoys tutoring for the satisfaction of helping students understand and remember complex subjects and concepts. You can depend on Jonathan to help you select the best resources for your individual learning style and he will work with you to create a study schedule that is tailored to your needs and goals. At the same time, Jonathan will make sure that you incorporate aspects of wellness into your study routine to keep you motivated and avoid burnout. Together, you and Jonathan will work hard but also have some fun along the way as you prepare for the USMLE exams.

Matthew Wagner Medical Tutor BIO

What’s your favorite game?

Playing Cranium with family

Where’s your favorite travel destination?

Lake Lure in the mountains of NC

If I could have any superpower, it would be…

the ability to not need sleep but still be able to enjoy it

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Matthew Wagner

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 259
Step 2 CK - 273

School

Duke University School of Medicine

Specialty

General Surgery

The people who are trying to make this world worse aren’t taking a day off. How can I? Light up the darkness. ~ Will Smith, paraphrasing Bob Marley in I Am Legend Tutor Bio

Matt is a fourth year medical student at Duke University. He grew up in Virginia Beach, VA, and, as the youngest of four children, learned how to collaborate and work well with others from a young age. He began tutoring math and science as a high school student and continues to teach at every opportunity he gets. Matt loves working with other students to help build their confidence. He enjoys breaking down difficult concepts one step at a time to make them more understandable and you can expect him to do the same with you. Outside of school, Matt enjoys playing hockey, watching Seinfeld, and spending time with his wife. He is thrilled to help students improve and gain more confidence!

Clay Walker Medical Tutor BIO

Fun Fact:

Played D3 soccer in college and played in the NCAA tournament twice

If my life were a TV show, what would it be?

Breaking Bad... Just kidding, I actually don't like chemistry

Favorite travel destination:

Anywhere as long as the company is good!

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Clay Walker

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 246
Step 2 CK - 264

School

The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Specialty

Physical medicine and rehabilitation

"Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." – Time Notke Tutor Bio

Clay is a dedicated, patient and supportive tutor who just completed both USMLE exams. With those experiences still fresh in mind, Clay understands the stress of studying for board exams and is excited to share his study strategies with students. He believes that with a regimented study schedule, regular exercise and plenty of sleep, everyone can achieve their test taking goals. Clay has served as a paid tutor throughout undergrad and medical school so he brings multiple years of tutoring experience to his work with MST. What he enjoys most about tutoring is finding out how a student learns best, and then tailoring sessions and study schedules to fit that mold. Clay considers his strengths at MST to be breaking down complicated vignettes; developing killer, detailed, and customized study schedule based on students’ study preferences and progress; and being personally invested in students’ success. He knows that the only way to be successful is by giving your best effort, and he’ll be sure to support you in doing so!

Shoutouts + Accolades

Junior AOA

Published in Telemedicine and e-Health

Matthew Wells Medical Tutor BIO

What's under your bed?

Scary monsters, like Robbins pathology.

What’s in your white coat?

Protein bars. A wanna-be-doctor’s gotta eat, right?

What’s your superpower?

The greatest gift a student could ask for: the ability to fall asleep quickly. #NapTimeBestTime

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Matthew Wells

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 257
COMLEX Level 1 - 707

School

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Specialty

TBA

“Life ain’t about how hard you can hit, but how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” ~ Rocky Balboa Tutor Bio

Matthew is a current third year student at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is an Army military scholar who was inducted into Sigma Sigma Phi for his academic success and dedication to community service. Matthew is currently deciding between orthopedic surgery and emergency medicine as career options. Outside of medicine he spends his time running, working out, and reading with his wife, Nicole. It is Matthew’s belief that every student can crush the boards if they have the right drive and direction in their studies. Even more importantly, every student can become a great doctor and make a difference in their patients’ lives.

Ben Woodle Medical Tutor BIO

What's in your white coat?

An iPad, stethoscope, and energy bar.

Go-To Karaoke Song:

"Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond

Fun Fact:

I've stepped foot on every continent except Antarctica.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Ben Woodle

Medical Tutor

Scores

246 - Step 1
256 - Step 2CK

School

St. George's University

Specialty

TBA

"It always seems impossible until it's done." ~ Nelson Mandela Tutor Bio

Benjamin is a 4th year medical student at St. George’s University and pursuing a residency in Anesthesiology. At SGU, Ben excelled in and outside the classroom. While at SGU, he participated in many extracurricular activities and served as President of the Student Government Association. Despite his busy schedule, Ben maintained over a 95% WMPG and scored a 246 on Step 1 and a 256 on Step 2CK. This year, Ben has received Academic Honors on every shelf exam and clinical rotation. Ben loves to teach difficult topics. His true passion is to help his students achieve their full potential through focusing on high yield concepts and questions.

Danwei Wu Medical Tutor BIO

Favorite Power-Up Snack:

A family size bag of kettle cooked potato chips.

How would you save the world?

Incrementally

Favorite Iconic Hero:

Forest Gump

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Danwei Wu

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 252
Step 2 CK - 260

School

University of Central Florida College of Medicine

Specialty

Pediatric Neurology

What I say is that, if a man really likes potatoes, he must be a pretty decent sort of fellow. ~ A.A. Milne (Author of Winnie the Pooh) Tutor Bio

Danwei was awarded the prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Research Fellowship during her second year of medical school. During her fellowship, she delved into the molecular and cellular mechanisms of autism. Her other research interest include neurodevelopment and neural plasticity. She is passionate about research and hopes to pursue a career in academic medicine. Her passions also include teaching and medical education. Danwei is currently a Peer Academic Coach in medical school and is known for her impressive collection of notes and figures.

Alison Yoder Medical Tutor BIO

What’s your favorite power-up snack?

Chips and Queso

Fun Fact:

I foster dogs (and have two foster failures…I never gave them back)

When I dance, people tell me I look like:

my dad…but I think I look like Katy Perry’s back-up dancer

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Alison Yoder

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 256
Step 2 CK - 270

School

Baylor College of Medicine

Specialty

Radiation Oncology

“I think you mean, why is there silverware in the pancake drawer?” – Chris Turk (Scrubs) Tutor Bio

Alison Yoder is in her 4th year of the MD/MPH program at Baylor College of Medicine. She graduated magna cum laude from Wash U in St. Louis with a degree in Chemical Engineering, and actually ran a chemical plant for three years before coming back to medical school. She’s been tutoring math and science since high school, and is ready to tutor med school material with a 256 on Step 1 and 270 on Step 2. She hopes to match into radiation oncology, and help fellow med students match into their residency of choice!

Dr. Zachary Zimmerman Medical Tutor BIO

If your life were a movie, what would it be?

I hope it would be cool enough to be Space Jam!

Favorite Game:

Cards Against Humanity

Fun Fact:

I was a Classics major in college, studying Ancient Greek language, poetry, art, and architecture.

Tutors For

USMLE, COMLEX

Dr. Zachary Zimmerman

Medical Tutor

Scores

Step 1 - 257
Step 2 CK - 268

School

Florida State University

Specialty

Otolaryngology

"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." ~ Wayne Gretzky Tutor Bio

Zach is a fourth year medical student at Florida State University College of Medicine pursuing a residency in otolaryngology. He has been committed in his medical studies, has honored every rotation, and was inducted into AOA for his volunteerism, professionalism, academics and leadership. Zach has a passion for medical education and has been a teaching assistant, a USMLE q-bank question author/editor, and a mentor throughout medical school.