Travel Tips and Hacks for Doctors and Healthcare Providers with Prescription to Travel MD

Courtney Downes
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Explore the world of continuous learning and adventure through the Prescription to Travel MD podcast. Join us as we unravel exciting opportunities for doctors and other medical professionals, exploring conferences, courses, and retreats that seamlessly blend travel with continuing medical education. Elevate your professional growth while embarking on unforgettable journeys and discover travel hacks that will make your travel affordable.

  1. FEB 11

    Episode 53: Designing a Life on Your Own Terms with John Taveras

    What happens when you’ve done everything “right” — built the career, bought the house, checked all the boxes and then decide to walk away from it? In this episode of Prescription to Travel MD, Dr. Courtney Downes sits down with longtime friend John Taveras to talk about the bold, unexpected decision he and his physician wife made: leaving their comfortable New Jersey life and moving their family to Spain. John shares how years of living below their means and investing consistently gave them confidence that they could afford to step away. A central theme of this conversation is optionality. By making small, intentional financial decisions for years - saying no to unnecessary lifestyle inflation, declining excessive travel, prioritizing family dinners, they built the ability to choose differently when the opportunity arose.  The episode breaks down the practical components of the move: • Researching visa types and selecting the right one • Hiring a legal firm to manage documentation • Narrowing down Spanish cities based on lifestyle and language considerations • Managing the emotional side of resigning from stable careers If you’ve ever wondered what it would look like to design your life around values instead of default expectations, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical insight. Find Dr. Courtney Downes here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://prescriptiontotravelmd.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/prescriptiontotravelmd/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@PrescriptiontoTravelMD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prescription to Travel MD- Doctor’s Lounge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/3717624291786190⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get Free Credit Card Consultation Here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://prescriptiontotravelmd.com/credit-card-consultation-form⁠

    45 min

  2. JAN 21

    Episode 52: Daring to Dream: Women Physician’s Retreat in Botswana with Dr. Weili Gray

    In this episode, Dr. Courtney Downes sits down with Dr. Weili Gray, a sleep physician, mom of three, and founder of Dare to Dream Compass, to explore identity, burnout, and what it means to design a life that feels expansive—inside and outside of medicine. Dr. Gray shares her journey from idealistic medical student to attending physician who nearly walked away from medicine altogether. She opens up about becoming pregnant during intern year, losing touch with herself amid career and family demands, and the wake-up call that forced her to reevaluate her life. Travel became the catalyst for transformation, helping her reconnect with her values, find her voice, and ultimately create Journey of Becoming, a transformational retreat for women physicians in Botswana. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Burnout and loss of control in medicine Why stepping away can bring clarity and courage Letting go of guilt around time off How travel accelerates personal growth Follow Dr. Weili Gray here: https://www.instagram.com/dreamphysician/?hl=en https://www.daretodreamcompass.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/weili-gray-md/ Use code RXTRAVEL for a special offer on Journey of Becoming: A Southern African Retreat for Women Physicians. https://www.daretodreamcompass.com/retreat-sa-2026 Find Dr. Courtney Downes here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://prescriptiontotravelmd.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/prescriptiontotravelmd/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@PrescriptiontoTravelMD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prescription to Travel MD- Doctor’s Lounge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/3717624291786190⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get Free Credit Card Consultation Here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://prescriptiontotravelmd.com/credit-card-consultation-form⁠

    53 min

  3. JAN 9

    Episode 51: Looking Ahead: Travel Strategy, Points, and Living Now in 2026

    In this episode, Dr. Courtney Downes shares how she’s approaching travel in 2026 with more intention, alignment, and strategies that actually fit real life. She explores why travel isn’t about escaping your life, but about supporting it — especially for busy professionals who want meaningful experiences without sacrificing financial goals, time, or peace of mind. Dr. Downes reflects on what worked, what didn’t, and why diversification matters in both travel planning and life.  She also opens up about credit card fatigue, time management, and why chasing maximum value isn’t worth it if it comes at the cost of your peace. Whether you’re deep into points and miles or just beginning to think more intentionally about travel, this episode offers perspective, reassurance, and permission to do things differently. This episode is for you if: You want to travel more without blowing up your finances You’re tired of chasing “perfect” redemptions You want travel to feel supportive, not stressful You’re ready to stop waiting and start living now Find Dr. Courtney Downes here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://prescriptiontotravelmd.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/prescriptiontotravelmd/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@PrescriptiontoTravelMD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prescription to Travel MD- Doctor’s Lounge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/3717624291786190⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for the Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://prescriptiontotravelmd.com/contact

    24 min

  4. 12/23/2025

    Episode 50: Hidden Gems and Authentic Travel: Finding the Best Things to Do with the Scout App

    In this episode of Prescription to Travel MD, Dr. Courtney Downes is joined by Chris Stockwell, founder of Scout, a travel app designed to solve one of the biggest frustrations travelers face: figuring out what to actually do once they arrive. Chris shares how years of global travel from backpacking at 17 to working remotely across continents led him to build Scout.  The app curates real, local experiences based on your interests, making it easier to plan trips that feel authentic, meaningful, and stress-free, whether you’re a meticulous planner or booking flights at the last minute. This conversation is especially relevant for busy physicians and healthcare professionals who want memorable travel experiences without spending hours researching. From hidden gems and food finds to AI-powered recommendations and collaborative trip planning, Scout is changing how people explore the world. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants meaningful travel without spending hours researching. Find Dr. Courtney Downes here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://prescriptiontotravelmd.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/prescriptiontotravelmd/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@PrescriptiontoTravelMD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prescription to Travel MD- Doctor’s Lounge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/3717624291786190⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for the Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://prescriptiontotravelmd.com/contact⁠ Follow Chris here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cstockwell/ https://scout.travel/#see-scout https://www.instagram.com/scouttravelapp/

    30 min

  5. 12/09/2025

    Episode 49: Your Guide to Smarter Flight Searching — Asia and Beyond with Tim from Roame Travel

    In this episode, Dr. Courtney Downes talks with Tim Qin, co-founder and CEO of Roame, an award flight and hotel search engine that has become a go to resource for travelers who want to maximize their points. Tim shares how he first began collecting United miles in high school and how that early curiosity eventually led him to build Roame, a tool designed to simplify award travel for everyone.  Dr. Courtney Downes and Tim explore practical and realistic strategies for finding award flights to Asia, which continues to be one of the most challenging regions for travelers. They discuss which loyalty accounts to open first, how to think about timing your award bookings, how families can approach searching for four or more premium seats and when it makes sense to spend more points for convenience.  This episode is packed with guidance for both new and experienced points travelers who want to book high value flights with fewer headaches. Follow Tim here: https://roame.travel/guides/tim-qin https://www.linkedin.com/in/timqin Find Dr. Courtney Downes here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://prescriptiontotravelmd.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/prescriptiontotravelmd/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@PrescriptiontoTravelMD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prescription to Travel MD- Doctor’s Lounge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/3717624291786190⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for the Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://prescriptiontotravelmd.com/contact

    41 min

  6. 11/25/2025

    Episode 48: Freedom Isn’t Coming — You Have to Create It: The Time Freedom Wake-Up Call with Dr. Una

    In this episode, Dr. Courtney Downes is joined by Dr. Una, a pediatrician turned entrepreneur and founder of EntreMD, for a transformative discussion on what it really takes for physicians to create both a dream business and a dream life. Dr. Una breaks down the mindset shifts that help doctors step beyond the “one-track career lane,” the power of exposure to possibility, and why delegation is the cornerstone of time freedom. She also shares her nine-category life-planning framework, how she balances multiple businesses while homeschooling four children, and why family travel — from Nigeria to Italy to Dubai — fuels her creativity and vision. This episode will inspire you to rethink your capacity, reclaim your time, and take the first step toward a more intentional and fulfilling life. What You’ll Learn: Why physicians underestimate their ability to become CEOs How immersion in new environments expands your identity Delegation as a skill that must be practiced and strengthened Using the 80/20 rule to focus on high-impact actions How to plan your life holistically using nine life pillars Building resilient, grounded kids through exposure and responsibility Find Dr. Courtney Downes here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://prescriptiontotravelmd.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/prescriptiontotravelmd/⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@PrescriptiontoTravelMD⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Prescription to Travel MD- Doctor’s Lounge⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/3717624291786190⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for the Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://prescriptiontotravelmd.com/contact Follow Dr. Una here: https://entremd.com https://www.instagram.com/entremds/ https://www.youtube.com/c/DrUnachukwu

    1h 5m

  7. 11/11/2025

    Episode 47: Unlocking Hotel Deals and Gondola for Trip Planning with Deb Dunman

    What if you could turn your credit card points into a passport for better mental health? In this episode of Prescription of Travel MD, host Dr. Courtney chats with Deb Dunman, a licensed clinical social worker who discovered that travel—and the world of points and miles—can be a true form of self-care. Deb shares how she balances the emotional demands of therapy with her love of travel, using points and miles to explore the world without breaking the bank. She opens up about her journey from her first redemption trip to Peru to mastering tools like Gondola to find the best hotel deals. Together, Courtney and Deb break down smart, responsible ways to use credit cards, avoid common travel booking mistakes, and plan dream trips that don’t drain your wallet or your energy. Key Takeaways: - Travel helps fight burnout and keeps her love for her work alive. - Smart tools like Gondola make booking hotels with points simple. - Flexibility and curiosity lead to better redemptions and stress-free trips. - Organization is key—know what points you have and where to use them. - Booking directly can help you keep valuable loyalty perks. Find Deb here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exploremoredeb Email: exploremoredeb@gmail.com Gondola referral link: gondola.ai/referral/exploremoredeb  Consult form:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeyeJcAABgeQ_pgskgzCz7vwEUv7BourZh-_g9Zq4mTDslIkw/viewform?usp=header Listeners can use the promo code RXtotravelMD for 50% off their first  consult through 2/28/2026. Instagram account mentioned: @aunt.kara  Find Dr. Courtney Downes here: ⁠⁠⁠https://prescriptiontotravelmd.com/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/prescriptiontotravelmd/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@PrescriptiontoTravelMD⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Prescription to Travel MD- Doctor’s Lounge⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/3717624291786190⁠⁠ Sign up for the Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://prescriptiontotravelmd.com/contact

    37 min

  8. 10/28/2025

    Episode 46: Black Friday Points Strategy – How to Turn Shopping Into Your Next Flight

    The holiday season is here and so is one of the best times of the year to earn serious travel rewards. In this episode, Dr. Courtney Downes breaks down how to maximize every purchase through shopping portals and stacking strategies so you can turn your everyday spending into your next getaway. Whether you’re an experienced points enthusiast or a minimalist traveler who prefers to keep things simple, these tips will help you shop smarter, not harder, and earn thousands of extra points on purchases you’re already making. Dr. Courtney covers her favorite portals (like Rakuten, Capital One Shopping, and airline/hotel portals), shares practical do’s and don’ts, and explains how tools like CardPointers can take the mental load out of tracking offers.  By the end, you’ll see how a few extra clicks could add up to 100,000 points or more—enough for a round-trip business-class flight to Europe or a week in Hawaii! Key Takeaways You don’t need multiple credit cards to earn big travel rewards, just smarter shopping habits. Always start your online purchases through a portal like Rakuten or an airline’s shopping site. Stack your credit-card offers, portal bonuses, and discounts for maximum value. Keep receipts and screenshots to ensure points are tracked correctly. Be cautious with third-party offers that require deposits or long-term commitments. Every purchase is an opportunity to earn—if you plan ahead. If this episode helped you rethink how you spend and earn, please rate and review the podcast. It helps more travelers discover the podcast! Share this episode with a friend or colleague gearing up for holiday shopping; their next gift might just earn them (and you) your next getaway. To learn more about personalized travel-points strategies, visit www.prescriptiontotravelmd.com or connect with Dr. Courtney Downes on Instagram and Facebook. cardpointers.com/rxmd www.rakuten.com/r/CMT702 Find Dr. Courtney Downes here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://prescriptiontotravelmd.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/prescriptiontotravelmd/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@PrescriptiontoTravelMD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prescription to Travel MD- Doctor’s Lounge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/3717624291786190⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for the Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://prescriptiontotravelmd.com/contact⁠

    21 min
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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Explore the world of continuous learning and adventure through the Prescription to Travel MD podcast. Join us as we unravel exciting opportunities for doctors and other medical professionals, exploring conferences, courses, and retreats that seamlessly blend travel with continuing medical education. Elevate your professional growth while embarking on unforgettable journeys and discover travel hacks that will make your travel affordable.

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