Step/Level 1 and 2 Curriculum Directors and Lead Lecturers

Dr. Jahan Eftekar

Also known as “Dr. Testbuster”; Dr. Eftekar is the founder, director and lead lecturer of the Step/Level I curriculum at Northwestern Medical Review.

He is a professional USMLE and COMLEX prep coach and author, and has mentored medical students on passing over their medical board exam hurdles for more than 25 years. Dr. Eftekar’s broad basic medical science background and his zest for epistemology and philosophy of medicine have made him an unparalleled story teller in the COMLEX and USMLE arena.

Dr. Eftekar’s instructional TALLP methodology that began as a prolegomena to any future medical review training back in 80’s not only has now infiltrated all aspects of the Step/Level 1 training curriculum at Northwestern Medical Review but it has also made him a pathfinder to many other fledgling board review authors and teachers. Dr. Eftekar’s ground-breaking understanding of the unique aspects of the osteopathic medicine curriculum back in 1984 has made Northwestern Medical Review company the pioneer of NBOME/COMLEX preparation in the USA. Dr. Eftekar has authored over 32 medical board review books and study materials for the Step/Level 1 and his integrated and clinically-oriented teaching prep books are among the best-selling books of the Northwestern Medical Review.

Dr. Thomas Brown

Dr. Brown is the leading lecturer of the Step/Level 2 and 3 USMLE/COMLEX preparation courses at Northwestern Medical Review. His greatest contribution to success stories of NMR students is due to his outstanding review book, “USMLE Step I Secrets”, that is currently  included in the set of study materials that are provided to all NMR Step/Level 1 students.

Trained as a hospitalist, he is also the associate attending physician of the Department of Medicine at the hospital of Central Connecticut. Dr. Brown has a superb background in internal medicine and basic medical sciences including biochemistry and physiology. His immeasurable zest for teaching and writing has increasingly provided the NMR clienteles with their utmost productive and memorable experiences during the two and three-day board review courses.

Dr. Brown has authored three Step 1 and 2 USMLE review books of Northwestern Medical Review and two of his bookstore textbooks, Rapid Physiology published by Mosby, and USMLE Step 1 Secrets published by Elsevier, are among the best selling USMLE/COMLEX prep books in the world.

Dr. Naishadh Shah

Dr. Shah graduated from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and has specialty training in diagnostic radiology. He has a strong background and teaching experience in anatomy and osteopathic manipulative medicine. Dr. Shah’s integrated approach to gross anatomy and OMM has heavily impacted the Level 1 courses of Northwestern Medical Review since 2005. He has authored several review books for Northwestern Medical Review including Bare Minimum Gross Anatomy Review. He also has co-authored Clinical Anatomy and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, published by Blackwell, which is among the best selling COMLEX prep books.

Dr. Sahar Eftekar

Dr. Sahar Eftekar is the chief advisor of COMLEX prep curriculum at Northwestern Medical Review. She teaches behavioral sciences and has co-authored two review workbooks, Bare Minimum OMT Review, and Bare Minimum USMLE and COMLEX Behavioral Sciences Review. Dr. Eftekar’s favorite quote from John Quincy Adams “…If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader…” has been a driving force behind her personal and professional accomplishments and has inspired many of her peers and associates.

Dr. Sahar Eftekar is a graduate of the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University.

Dr. Laura Favazza, DO

Dr. Favazza is a graduate of MSUCOM. She is one of the main contributors of the OMT program at Northwestern Medical Review. Dr. Favazza’s deep familiarity with the Northwestern curriculum and her passion for OMT and anatomical and clinical pathology has provided NMR osteopathic students with a super high-yield and extremely COMLEX-relevant integrated OMT review.

Dr. Max Ghalambor

Dr. Max Ghalambor, a practicing orthopaedic surgeon, is the chief consultant of the Step II and III curricula.

Dr. Ghalambor is a graduate of the Wayne State University School of Medicine, with a unique well-rounded background that among others includes two engineering degrees in mechanical and aeroscience from the University of Michigan. Dr. Ghalambor’s contributions to Northwestern Medical Review students’ success stories originally began in the early 1990s with his superb conductance of live MCAT and engineering licensure programs, but it was later consolidated into the enhancement of Northwestern orthopedics, radiology, and musculoskeletal system curricula.

Dr. Jahan Shah Eftekar

Dr. Eftekar

Dr. Jahan Shah Eftekar

Also known as “Dr. E” and "Dr. Testbuster"; Dr. Eftekar is the founder, director and lead lecturer of the Step/Level I curriculum at Northwestern Medical Review.

Dr. Jahan Eftekar's Major Publications

Dr. Eftekar has authored and contributed to many publications in the test prep industry. The following are some of the literature he has been a part of:

“Physiology and Pharmacology with Relevant Pathology” (14 editions), Jahan Eftekar

“Integrated and Clinically-Oriented Biochemistry Review” (14 editions), Jahan Eftekar

“Integrated and Clinically-Oriented Microbiology” (12 editions), Jahan Eftekar

“Bare Minimum Pathology Review” (11 editions), Jahan Eftekar

“Bare Minimum Neurology and Neuroanatomy Review” (9 editions), Jahan Eftekar

“Primary Care for NBOME Part I” (3 editions), Jahan Eftekar

“Primary Care for COMLEX Level I” (5 editions), Jahan Eftekar

“Primary Care for USMLE Step I” (5 editions), Jahan Eftekar

“USMLE and COMLEX Step / Level II Preparation” (1 edition), Jahan Eftekar and Thomas Brown

“Behavioral Sciences for COMLEX and USMLE”, (1 edition), Jahan Eftekar and Sahar Eftekar

“TALLP Test-Taking Strategies for USMLE and COMLEX” (15 editions), Jahan Eftekar

“COMLEX Level 1 Testbook” (4 editions), Jahan Eftekar

“USMLE Step 1 Testbook” (3 editions), Jahan Eftekar

“Medical School Survival Skills” (2 editions), Jahan Eftekar

MCAT Pretest-A (1 edition), Jahan Eftekar, John Holmes and Scott Woodman

MCAT Pretest-B (1 edition), Jahan Eftekar

Allo-MCAT Pretest (1 edition), Jahan Eftekar and Dan Mondoux

MCAT Review (3 editions), Jahan Eftekar and Dan Mondoux

GRE Review (3 editions), Jahan Eftekar and Dan Mondoux

SAT Review (4 editions), Jahan Eftekar and Dan Mondoux

PSAT Review (2 editions), Jahan Eftekar and Dan Mondoux

ACT Review (3 editions), Jahan Eftekar and Dan Mondoux

“How to Improve Your Memory” (1 edition), Jahan Eftekar

“Medical School Survival Skills” (2 editions), Jahan Eftekar

“NCLEX Exam Test-Strategies”, (1 edition), Jahan Eftekar

“Mid-Management In-basket Civil Service Exam Preparation” (2 editions), Jahan Eftekar