A new podcast led by alumni offers students interested in healthcare a behind-the-scenes look at the many careers within the industry, highlighting the stories, struggles, and successes of those forging unique paths in the field. The healthcare industry is very broad, encapsulating various fields of science, technology, medicine, and public policy, and the podcast aims to demystify these paths by featuring real experiences from those who have navigated them firsthand. Now on its second season, the podcast pulls in a large audience of eager listeners hoping to carve out their careers and learn about the many advances in medicine.
The podcast was founded by Ed Eichhorn, who graduated from Stevens in 1969. He worked for various biotech companies and even founded a medical service business with former colleagues which he sold in the 1990s. He worked in the MRI industry before founding the Medilink Consulting Group in 2006, then becoming the Vice President of Development at Stevens after serving on the Board of Trustees, during which he was the chairman of the nominating and governance committee. He created the team that was responsible for nominating Dr. Nariman Farvardin as the President of Stevens. Eichorn is also the founder of the Healing American Healthcare Coalition.
Having explored much of the healthcare industry throughout his career and serving the university in many capacities, Eichhorn created “Healthcare Torchbearers” as a way to continue that spirit of mentorship and knowledge-sharing. The result is a professional, unique listening experience that invites Stevens alumni to reflect on their academic roots, career decisions, and the personal experiences that shaped them — featuring guests ranging from medical students and residents to engineers working at the intersection of healthcare and technology.
“The podcasts are designed not to be about current events but to be about decisions that our alumni who are willing to speak with us about their careers make,” Eichhorn said. With its user-friendly interface and easily accessible episodes, “Healthcare Torchbearers” offers valuable support to students exploring careers in healthcare. The goal is to enable them to dive into specific fields, hear directly from alumni, and better understand the real-world steps needed to reach their goals. This allows exploration of various careers throughout the medical industry, giving pre-med students a clearer sense of the opportunities available and helping them make more informed decisions about their own paths. This resource also supports career pivots, as some students have reconsidered their original paths after hearing the real-life experiences and reflections shared by alumni. Students can use the podcast to explore possibilities they weren’t previously aware of and foster new interests, opening the door to career paths they might not have considered before.
In a recent episode, Eichhorn interviewed Kim Stavitsky, a 2017 graduate who received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Biomedical Engineering. She detailed her experience as a sophomore struggling to decide whether she wanted to attend medical school, get a Ph.D. in her field, or enter the pharmaceutical industry. She worked an internship her junior year at Bristol Myers Squibb, a biopharmaceutical company, working in the clinical supply group. She had a long-standing interest in the pharmaceutical industry, but was unsure whether or not it would be a better path than the other two options she was considering. “I wanted to completely rule it out before I committed to medical school or Ph.D. programs,” she said in her episode. After working the internship, she realized the pharmaceutical and biotech industries have a diverse range of opportunities for different career explorations. “I really learned that I didn’t need the Ph.D. or MD and those other initials to my name to make an impact in patients’ lives.” She realized she could make a difference by embracing her engineering background and pursuing work that aligned with her skills and passions. This episode highlights the complicated decisions regarding the path one can take with their medical career and how exploring one’s interests can lead to greater clarity and more fulfilling outcomes.
Another recent guest, Va’Shayna Williams, Class of 2022, is now studying to become a medical doctor at Albany Medical College. In her episode, she discussed Albany’s inclusion of extensive mental health resources for students, including a Level I trauma center in its hospital and free psychiatric mental health services, which were key factors in her decision to attend. Suicide rates are high among doctors, and those in both the healthcare field and medical school often struggle with mental health challenges. Recognizing this, Albany Medical College places greater emphasis on support systems to help students manage the emotional demands of medical training. For Williams, choosing a school that prioritized mental wellness meant finding an environment where she could grow both academically and professionally.
At its core, “Healthcare Torchbearers” is more than just a podcast—it’s a growing resource for students and young professionals who are still figuring out where they belong in the vast world of healthcare. By sharing the real, often messy decision-making processes behind each guest’s journey, the series helps demystify an industry that can feel overwhelming from the outside. It encourages listeners to ask questions, reconsider assumptions, and pursue careers that align not just with their academic strengths, but with their values and passions. The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other major platforms.
Founder Ed Eichorn (’69)
