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Know More About Medsmarter

Empowering Future Physicians on the Path to Excellence

A pioneering approach to personalized medical education founded on mentorship & real-world expertise. Explore how our comprehensive, student-centric system guides aspiring doctors from MCAT prep through residency readiness, providing the tailored support, engaging curriculum, & clinical training to ensure you become a skilled, confident physician.

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Get To Know

The MedSmarter Story

Started in 2004, MedSmarter was made official in the autumn of 2014 by the husband and wife team of entrepreneur Don Mahmood and Dr. Untara Shaikh, two individuals deeply passionate about making a difference in medical education. What started as a one-on-one tutoring service to help struggling students has grown into a comprehensive, student-centric system for medical training success.

Coming from diverse backgrounds, Don and Dr. Shaikh recognized the challenges students faced in navigating the intense demands of a medical career path. They were driven by a vision to create a new approach that would provide quality, personalized guidance missing from traditional medical curricula.

Starting in their home, they began tutoring pre-meds and medical students, taking the time to truly understand each individual's needs. This allowed them to develop tailored strategies that fostered mastery of concepts rather than just memorization. Their student-centered philosophy of going the extra mile for every learner attracted more students seeking their innovative methods.

Our Mission

The MedSmarter Difference

As the business organically grew through word-of-mouth referrals, Don and Dr. Shaikh assembled a team of physicians and industry professionals to establish MedSmarter's comprehensive training system. They pioneered a hybrid model blending one-on-one tutoring with interactive classroom learning tailored to all learning styles.

Small class sizes utilizing visual, auditory, and kinesthetic practices create an engaging, high-yield curriculum. With over 150,000 hours of coaching for 1,800+ students from 95+ universities worldwide, MedSmarter courses produce phenomenal results - a 98% lifetime pass rate and an average 170 point increase on NBME exams.

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Our Vision

The MedSmarter Vision

MedSmarter is much more than an educational company - it's a community built on mentorship and lasting relationships. Our mission is to provide students with start-to-finish support on their journeys to becoming skilled, confident physicians.

From MCAT prep through residency readiness and clinical experience training, we are a guide dedicated to each student's comprehensive preparation. As practicing medical professionals who have been in their shoes, we understand the demands of this path intimately. Our student-centered approach empowers aspiring physicians to reach their full potential.

Why MedSmarter Is the Smart Choice

When considering a USMLE preparation program, MedSmarter stands out for several reasons. Our comprehensive video-on-demand resources offer high-quality content that caters to various learning styles

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Comprehensive Resources

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Expert Level Mentorship & Guidance

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Flexible Learning

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Smaller Class Sizes to Build Confidence

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Accessibility and Convenience

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Tailored Sessions with Disciplined Accountability

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Hybrid of Tutoring & Classroom Learning

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High-Yield Resources & Materials

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98% Pass Rate Post MSTP Course

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Study Anywhere with Online Access

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Practice Quizzes

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Complimentory USMLE Prep Trial

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Question Breakdowns

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Videos On Demand

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Exclusive Webinars & Lectures

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Support for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) & US MED Students

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Personalized Study Plan

Meet our Team

In Association with Meenakshi Holdings, LLC.

Our team of MD’s and Professionals is devoted to assisting pre-med, medical students, IMGs and physicians succeed in their journey on becoming practicing physicians in the United States.

Don Mahmood Headshot 2026

Don Mahmood

CHAIRMAN / CEO

Untara Shaikh Headshot 2026

Untara Shaikh, M.D, PhD

PRESIDENT / PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Hema Gujarathi Headshot 2026

Hemalata Gujarathi, M.D.

INSTRUCTOR

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Jason Colip, M.D.

INSTRUCTOR / STUDENT ADVISOR

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Nitin Venugopal, M.D.

CONTENT CONTRIBUTOR

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Syed N. Kamal, M.D.

INSTRUCTOR / STUDENT ADVISOR

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Zoha Shaikh

STUDENT SERVICES

Meet our Team

Our team of MD’s and Professionals is devoted to assisting pre-med, medical students, IMGs and physicians succeed in their journey on becoming practicing physicians in the United States.

Don Mahmood Headshot 2026

Don Mahmood

CHAIRMAN / CEO

Untara Shaikh Headshot 2026

Untara Shaikh, M.D, PhD

PRESIDENT / PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Hema Gujarathi Headshot 2026

Hemalata Gujarathi, M.D.

INSTRUCTOR

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Jason Colip, MD

INSTRUCTOR

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Nitin Venugopal, M.D.

CONTENT CONTRIBUTOR

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Syed N. Kamal, MD

INSTRUCTOR / STUDENT ADVISOR

In Association with Meenakshi Holdings, LLC.

What Our Students Say About Us

​​Read what some of our previous students are saying about their experiences with MedSmarter’s instructors and programs.

  • When I started the program I had been trying on my own and felt lost I didnt know where to start. Dr Untara Grounds you in a way that you... read more

    Aury Fernandez Avatar Aury Fernandez
    April 2, 2021
  • Medsmarter is second to none for USMLE prep. Dr. Untara is passionate, student focused, and effective in her approach to helping students. My experience has been nothing but positive in... read more

    Hashem Rifai Avatar Hashem Rifai
    January 2, 2024
  • Thank you to the owner Don for his patience and efforts, by helping me out with Proctoring on my final exam. I will be returning to do a one... read more

    Paula Coleman Avatar Paula Coleman
    April 2, 2020
  • Dr. Untara has helped me pass my Step 1 after my second year and my Step 2 at the end of my third year of medical school . The testing... read more

    Perla Jimenez Avatar Perla Jimenez
    September 2, 2023
  • Put yourself in MedSmarter's capable hands and never look back! I struggled with Step 1 prep for 2 years before discovering MedSmarter. Dr. Untara's dedication and investment in each... read more

    Natasha Singh Avatar Natasha Singh
    April 2, 2021
  • I've now gone to Medsmarter for help for Step 1& 2 (CS & Ck). Passed Step 1 & CS first attempt and taking CK in a few weeks. This program... read more

    Amartej Deol Avatar Amartej Deol
    April 2, 2019
  • MedSmarter is the best for preparing the USMLE Steps. It provides with live classes and personalized coaching, thus bringing in perfection in each and every student. I am deeply grateful... read more

    Debasmita De Avatar Debasmita De
    April 2, 2022
  • Before I took my USMLE step 2 CS, I thought I was not ready for the exam and I needed help. I made the right decision to take a prep... read more

    jimmy JOSEPH Avatar jimmy JOSEPH
    April 2, 2019
  • I used MedSmarter for step 2 CK prep and also for my residency personal statement and interview prep. Not only did I score twelve points higher than my highest... read more

    Rameez Siddiqui Avatar Rameez Siddiqui
    April 2, 2023
  • Medsmarter is a great prep program if your interested in a focused and more individualized approach to studying for your USMLE Step exams. I am a detail oriented individual... read more

    Melanie Rookwood Avatar Melanie Rookwood
    April 2, 2017

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News, Blog &

Important Updates:

Keeping You in the Know

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Explore MedSmarter's Blogs & Insights page, your source for valuable information on medical education, exam preparation, and career insights. Our articles, written by experts in the field, provide the latest trends, tips, and advice for excelling in your medical journey.