Richard Evans, MD, FACS, of Westchester Medical Center Health Network’s Western Region and Assistant Professor at New York Medical College
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “Richard Evans, MD, FACS, of Westchester Medical Center Health Network’s Western Region and Assistant Professor at New York Medical College” inside PodZeus.
Dr. Richard Evans, a urologist and assistant professor at New York Medical College, joins the Becker's Healthcare Podcast to discuss his innovative Mini Medical College program, which brings medical education directly into high school classrooms. Designed to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals, the program offers 30 interactive sessions combining lectures with hands-on training in suturing, endoscopy, and stone removal using custom models. Since its inception in 2017, the initiative has grown from one school in New York to 10 high schools across New York and New Jersey, fueled by word-of-mouth and student enthusiasm. Dr. Evans emphasizes the importance of exposing students early to the full spectrum of healthcare careers—beyond just doctors and nurses—highlighting roles like respiratory therapists and phlebotomists. He draws inspiration from college sports recruitment models, advocating for proactive talent development in healthcare. With recent institutional support from Westchester Medical Center Health Network, the program is poised for national expansion, incorporating AI and advanced surgical training. Dr. Evans stresses the need for constant feedback, curriculum adaptability, and collaboration between hospitals, high schools, and colleges to build a sustainable healthcare workforce pipeline.
Bring medical education directly into high schools to inspire early career interest in healthcare.
Use hands-on, interactive training to engage students and make learning memorable and fun.
Expose students to the full range of healthcare careers—not just physicians and nurses.
Adapt curricula in real time based on student feedback and current events to stay relevant.
Collaborate across hospitals, schools, and colleges to create a sustainable workforce pipeline.
Introduction to Dr. Richard Evans and the Mini Medical College
“The point of the Mini Medical College is not just about an MD or an RN degree. They have no knowledge, what is a respiratory therapist? What is a physical therapist?”
Program Origins and Growth Through Word of Mouth
Dr. Evans shares how the Mini Medical College began as a single-school initiative in New York and grew organically through student and parent referrals, media coverage, and teacher advocacy, now spanning two states and ten high schools.
Hands-On Learning and Student Engagement Strategies
“They have so much fun at it that they forget that they're actually learning.”
Expanding Career Awareness Beyond Physicians and Nurses
“If we don't at least expose the students to all the options that await them in the healthcare field, how can we expect them to go into a graduate program knowing what they want?”
Scalability and Institutional Support
The program is scalable due to its low-cost, school-based model. Westchester Medical Center Health Network has now joined as a full partner, enabling expansion, integration of AI, and advanced training in laparoscopy and robotic surgery.
“If we don't at least expose the students to all the options that await them in the healthcare field, how can we expect them to go into a graduate program knowing what they want?”
“The point of the Mini Medical College is not just about an MD or an RN degree. They have no knowledge, what is a respiratory therapist? What is a physical therapist?”
“They have so much fun at it that they forget that they're actually learning.”
Host
Guest
Dr. Richard Evans
person
Mini Medical College
other
Westchester Medical Center Health Network
organization
New York Medical College
organization
Robotic Surgery
other
Family First
other
Cystoscopy
other
Suturing
other
Bloodless Medicine Surgery Program
other
Laparoscopy
other
How AI is Revolutionizing Capital Planning and Supply Chain in Health Systems
Becker’s Healthcare Podcast • 11m • 3/31/2026
Leading with Purpose, Trust, and Authenticity with Meeta Gandhi
Becker’s Healthcare Podcast • 20m • 3/31/2026
How Health Systems Can Validate ROI and Successfully Scale Ambient AI Solutions from Pilot Programs to Enterprise-Wide Impact
Becker’s Healthcare Podcast • 21m • 3/31/2026
Leading Through Crisis and Continuous Improvement with Jeff Flaks
Becker’s Healthcare Podcast • 21m • 4/1/2026
Inside a Decade of Collaboration Between Banner Health and University of Arizona
Becker’s Healthcare Podcast • 24m • 4/1/2026
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “Richard Evans, MD, FACS, of Westchester Medical Center Health Network’s Western Region and Assistant Professor at New York Medical College” inside PodZeus.
Start discovering podcast insights today
Start with a 7-day trial and explore a growing catalog of popular podcasts. No credit card required.
No credit card required • 7-day trial • Cancel anytime