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First call: From medical student to emergency doctor

What's it really like stepping into scrubs after graduation? Alum Dr Jeremy Pong shares his story—and survival tips—from the frontlines. 

By Brandon Raeburn, Media and Content Specialist

Dr Jeremy Pong (left) from Duke-NUS’ Class of 2020 spoke to MEDICUS – the Podcast about his journey from medical school to the emergency department.

The moment you graduate from medical school, a thousand questions and more rush in.  “Will I be ready?” “What’s life like as a junior doctor?” “Did I pick the right specialty?” These are questions that Dr Jeremy Pong, a Class of 2020 graduate who started his career in the middle of a pandemic, is no stranger to.

Now as an emergency doctor at Singapore General Hospital, Jeremy looks back at his first years on the job—from navigating PGY1 to finding his footing (and his passion) in emergency medicine. In this episode, he shares what helped him through the early days, why he stuck with EM, and offers some words of advice for new and future medical graduates.

Watch for a candid, clear-eyed look at life after medical school—told by someone who’s still living it:

Highlights from the conversation include:
  • What Duke-NUS taught him in and beyond the classroom
  • How it felt to graduate into a world turned upside down
  • Why emergency medicine made sense—and stuck
  • Advice for new and soon-to-be doctors finding their way

Listen to Jeremy's story and check out our previous episodes here: 

 

Show credits for Episode 15:
Hosted by: Nicole Lim, Senior editor
Produced by: Brandon Raeburn

 

You can also listen to MEDICUS - the Podcast on Apple Podcasts  and Spotify.

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