
Alert and Oriented
We are a medical student-led podcast aiming to promote the development of clinical reasoning skills in early learners by providing a field to practice swinging for the fences. Although we all strike out here or there along the way, it is our true hope to improve diagnosis in medicine through repetition.
Latest episodes

Oct 18, 2024 • 46min
#43 - Yellow There!
We’re back where Alert & Oriented began to kick off Season 4! In this episode, hosts Kevin Grudzinski and Koushik Kondapi present a clinical case of jaundice to medical students Caroline Wang (Rush M1) and Andrew Mohama (Rush M3), diving deep into the differential diagnosis and clinical reasoning process.Hosts: Koushik Kondapi & Kevin GrudzinskiDiscussants: Caroline Wang & Andrew MohamaA&O Team Member: Rich AbramsProduced By: Kevin Grudzinski, Koushik Kondapi & Rich AbramsAlert & Oriented is a medical student-run clinical reasoning podcast dedicated to providing a unique platform for early learners to practice their skills as a team in real time. Through our podcast, we strive to foster a learning environment where medical students can engage with one another, share knowledge, and gain valuable experience in clinical reasoning. We aim to provide a comprehensive and supportive platform for early learners to develop their clinical reasoning skills, build confidence in their craft, and become the best clinicians they can be.Follow the team on Twitter:A&ORich AbramsNathan KudlapurNU Internal MedA fantastic resource, by learners, for learners in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Primary Care, Emergency Medicine, and Hospital Medicine.

Apr 9, 2024 • 39min
#42 - Tummy Trouble
Nathan Kudlapur and Koushik Kondapi lead medical students Ateh Fonteh & Sam Reyes through a case of acute abdominal pain.Hosts: Koushik Kondapi & Nathan KudlapurDiscussants: Ateh Fonteh & Sam ReyesA&O Team Member: Kevin GrudzinskiProduced By: Kevin Grudzinski, Nathan Kudlapur & Koushik KondapiAlert & Oriented is a medical student-run clinical reasoning podcast dedicated to providing a unique platform for early learners to practice their skills as a team in real-time. Through our podcast, we strive to foster a learning environment where medical students can engage with one another, share knowledge, and gain valuable experience in clinical reasoning. We aim to provide a comprehensive and supportive platform for early learners to develop their clinical reasoning skills, build confidence in their craft, and become the best clinicians they can be.Follow the team on Twitter:A&ORich AbramsNathan KudlapurNU Internal MedA fantastic resource, by learners, for learners in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Primary Care, Emergency Medicine, and Hospital Medicine.Check out Nathan's YouTube Channel for concise and high-yield MedEd videos!

Mar 28, 2024 • 30min
#41 - Liver Let Die
Nathan Kudlapur and Koushik Kondapi lead medical students Nami Kadambi & Michael Saporito through a case of markedly elevated liver tests.Hosts: Koushik Kondapi & Nathan KudlapurDiscussants: Nami Kadambi & Michael SaporitoA&O Team Member: Kevin GrudzinskiProduced By: Kevin Grudzinski, Nathan Kudlapur & Koushik KondapiAlert & Oriented is a medical student-run clinical reasoning podcast dedicated to providing a unique platform for early learners to practice their skills as a team in real-time. Through our podcast, we strive to foster a learning environment where medical students can engage with one another, share knowledge, and gain valuable experience in clinical reasoning. We aim to provide a comprehensive and supportive platform for early learners to develop their clinical reasoning skills, build confidence in their craft, and become the best clinicians they can be.Follow the team on Twitter:A&ORich AbramsNathan KudlapurNU Internal MedA fantastic resource, by learners, for learners in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Primary Care, Emergency Medicine, and Hospital Medicine.Check out Nathan's YouTube Channel for concise and high-yield MedEd videos!

Jan 30, 2024 • 29min
#40 - Rashional thoughts
Nathan Kudlapur and Koushik Kondapi lead medical students Janet Song & Julia Carter through a case of a post-solid organ transplant patient with a rash.Hosts: Koushik Kondapi & Nathan KudlapurDiscussants: Janet Song & Julia CarterA&O Team Member: Kevin GrudzinskiProduced By: Kevin Grudzinski, Nathan Kudlapur & Koushik KondapiAlert & Oriented is a medical student-run clinical reasoning podcast dedicated to providing a unique platform for early learners to practice their skills as a team in real-time. Through our podcast, we strive to foster a learning environment where medical students can engage with one another, share knowledge, and gain valuable experience in clinical reasoning. We aim to provide a comprehensive and supportive platform for early learners to develop their clinical reasoning skills, build confidence in their craft, and become the best clinicians they can be.Follow the team on Twitter:A&ORich AbramsNathan KudlapurNU Internal MedA fantastic resource, by learners, for learners in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Primary Care, Emergency Medicine, and Hospital Medicine.Check out Nathan's YouTube Channel for concise and high-yield MedEd videos!

Nov 20, 2023 • 35min
#39 - IgGniting the Fever
Nathan Kudlapur and Koushik Kondapi lead medical students Fikayo Olamigoke & Saihej Basra through a case of a refugee with fever and headache.Check out Nathan's YouTube Channel for concise and high-yield MedEd videos!Host: Koushik Kondapi & Nathan KudlapurDiscussants: Fikayo Olamigoke & Saihej BasraA&O Team Member: Kevin GrudzinskiProduced By: Kevin Grudzinski, Nathan Kudlapur & Koushik KondapiAlert & Oriented is a medical student-run clinical reasoning podcast dedicated to providing a unique platform for early learners to practice their skills as a team in real-time. Through our podcast, we strive to foster a learning environment where medical students can engage with one another, share knowledge, and gain valuable experience in clinical reasoning. We aim to provide a comprehensive and supportive platform for early learners to develop their clinical reasoning skills, build confidence in their craft, and become the best clinicians they can be.Follow the team on Twitter:A&ORich AbramsNathan KudlapurNU Internal MedA fantastic resource, by learners, for learners in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Primary Care, Emergency Medicine, and Hospital Medicine.Check out Nathan's YouTube Channel for concise and high-yield MedEd videos!

Oct 9, 2023 • 37min
#38 - Back to the Bedside
Kevin Grudzinski is joined by special guest Dr. Bruce Henschen, Northwestern's IM clerkship director and everyone's favorite medical educator! Kevin and Bruce present a case of progressive altered mental status to A&O Hosts, Koushik Kondapi and Nathan Kudlapur. Listen along to hear how they handle being back in the hot seat.Host: Kevin Grudzinski Special Guest: Bruce HenschenDiscussants: Koushik Kondapi & Nathan KudlapurProduced By: Kevin GrudzinskiAlert & Oriented is a medical student-run clinical reasoning podcast dedicated to providing a unique platform for early learners to practice their skills as a team in real-time. Through our podcast, we strive to foster a learning environment where medical students can engage with one another, share knowledge, and gain valuable experience in clinical reasoning. We aim to provide a comprehensive and supportive platform for early learners to develop their clinical reasoning skills, build confidence in their craft, and become the best clinicians they can be.Follow the team on Twitter:A&ORich AbramsNathan KudlapurNU Internal MedA fantastic resource, by learners, for learners in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Primary Care, Emergency Medicine, and Hospital Medicine.

Sep 21, 2023 • 34min
#37 - Shaky Hands
Koushik Kondapi & Nathan Kudlapur lead Northwestern M4's Brandon Rafidi & Allie Valenzuela with a case of a young woman who presents with lower extremity swelling and a tremor.Hosts: Koushik Kondapi & Nathan KudlapurDiscussants: Brandon Rafidi & Allie ValenzuelaA&O Team Member: Kevin GrudzinskiProduced By: Kevin Grudzinski, Nathan Kudlapur & Koushik KondapiAlert & Oriented is a medical student-run clinical reasoning podcast dedicated to providing a unique platform for early learners to practice their skills as a team in real-time. Through our podcast, we strive to foster a learning environment where medical students can engage with one another, share knowledge, and gain valuable experience in clinical reasoning. We aim to provide a comprehensive and supportive platform for early learners to develop their clinical reasoning skills, build confidence in their craft, and become the best clinicians they can be.Follow the team on Twitter:A&ORich AbramsNathan KudlapurNU Internal MedA fantastic resource, by learners, for learners in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Primary Care, Emergency Medicine, and Hospital Medicine.

Sep 4, 2023 • 34min
#36 - Puffed Up
Cherie Lo leads Northwestern M4's Lauren Yoo & Twisha Sabloak through a case of a patient who presented from clinic with lower extremity edema. Hosts: Cherie LoDiscussants: Lauren Yoo & Twisha SabloakA&O Team Member: Kevin GrudzinskiProduced By: Kevin Grudzinski & Cherie LoAlert & Oriented is a medical student-run clinical reasoning podcast dedicated to providing a unique platform for early learners to practice their skills as a team in real-time. Through our podcast, we strive to foster a learning environment where medical students can engage with one another, share knowledge, and gain valuable experience in clinical reasoning. We aim to provide a comprehensive and supportive platform for early learners to develop their clinical reasoning skills, build confidence in their craft, and become the best clinicians they can be.Follow the team on Twitter:A&ORich AbramsNathan KudlapurNU Internal MedA fantastic resource, by learners, for learners in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Primary Care, Emergency Medicine, and Hospital Medicine.

Aug 28, 2023 • 32min
#35 - Snot What You Think
Nathan Kudlapur leads Northwestern M4's Tina Shehata & Trish Kaundinya with a case of a post-transplant patient presenting with fatigue.Hosts: Nathan Kudlapur & Koushik KondapiDiscussants: Tina Shehata & Trish KaundinyaA&O Team Member: Kevin GrudzinskiProduced By: Kevin Grudzinski, Nathan Kudlapur & Koushik KondapiAlert & Oriented is a medical student-run clinical reasoning podcast dedicated to providing a unique platform for early learners to practice their skills as a team in real-time. Through our podcast, we strive to foster a learning environment where medical students can engage with one another, share knowledge, and gain valuable experience in clinical reasoning. We aim to provide a comprehensive and supportive platform for early learners to develop their clinical reasoning skills, build confidence in their craft, and become the best clinicians they can be.Follow the team on Twitter:A&ORich AbramsNathan KudlapurNU Internal MedA fantastic resource, by learners, for learners in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Primary Care, Emergency Medicine, and Hospital Medicine.

Aug 18, 2023 • 41min
#34 - CAP or No CAP
We welcome our new hosts for season 3, Nathan Kudlapur and Koushik Kondapi! Northwestern M4s Lena Volpe & Devyn Coskey team up to discuss a case of a young refugee woman presenting with a fever.Host: Nathan Kudlapur & Koushik KondapiDiscussants: Lena Volpe & Devyn CoskeyA&O Team Member: Kevin GrudzinskiProduced by: Kevin Grudzinski, Nathan Kudlapur & Koushik KondapiAlert & Oriented is a medical student-run clinical reasoning podcast dedicated to providing a unique platform for early learners to practice their skills as a team in real-time. Through our podcast, we strive to foster a learning environment where medical students can engage with one another, share knowledge, and gain valuable experience in clinical reasoning. We aim to provide a comprehensive and supportive platform for early learners to develop their clinical reasoning skills, build confidence in their craft, and become the best clinicians they can be.Follow the team on Twitter:A&ONathan KudlapurRich AbramsNU Internal MedA fantastic resource, by learners, for learners in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Primary Care, Emergency Medicine, and Hospital Medicine.