What does it take to become a doctor at 73 years old?

In this inspiring episode of Med School Minutes, host Kaushik Guha sits down with Dr. Dawn Zuidgeest Craft, a Saint James School of Medicine graduate who recently matched into a Family Medicine residency at the age of 73.

After decades of service as a neonatal nurse practitioner, educator, and professor, Dr. Dawn made the extraordinary decision to return to school and pursue her MD. She shares the experiences that shaped her career, the challenges of medical school later in life, and why her passion for learning and serving others never faded.

This conversation explores:
• Why Dr. Dawn chose to attend medical school after an accomplished healthcare career
• The value of lifelong learning and curiosity
• Lessons from decades of patient care and teaching
• Medical education, mentorship, and healthcare workforce development
• Advice for non-traditional medical students
• Matching into residency and what's next in her journey

Whether you're a future physician, a healthcare professional considering a new path, or someone pursuing a goal others might consider impossible, Dr. Dawn's story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to follow your purpose.

🎓 Learn more about Saint James School of Medicine:
https://www.sjsm.org

🎙️ Subscribe for more Med School Minutes episodes featuring physicians, students, residency experts, and healthcare leaders.

00:00 Introduction
01:08 Meet Dr. Dawn: Becoming a Doctor at 73
07:53 From Nurse Practitioner to Medical Student
11:50 Why Go to Medical School After an Entire Career?
23:57 The Future of Medical Education
32:53 Advice for Future and Non-Traditional Medical Students
43:49 Why Dr. Dawn Chose Saint James School of Medicine
50:03 Lifelong Learning, Residency, and Final Thoughts

#MedSchoolMinutes #SaintJamesSchoolOfMedicine #MedicalSchool #ResidencyMatch #FamilyMedicine #NonTraditionalStudent #FutureDoctor #MedicalEducation #CaribbeanMedicalSchool #LifelongLearning