Anthony Dean Curione is a Elmira, NY-based emergency medical assistant at Arnot Ogden Medical Center, since 2022. During his time in this role, he has followed established protocols while caring for patients dealing with a variety of critical conditions. He has experience collaborating with a range of health care professionals, including doctors, nurses, and emergency responders. Anthony Dean Curione balances his activities at Arnot Ogden Medical Center with his job as a volunteer at the Milliard Fillmore Suburban Hospital General.
Mr. Curione gained emergency medical service response experience during his time as a volunteer with the Ellicott Creek Fire Department. His work as a fire department volunteer ranged from rescuing civilians to taking care of patients in a variety of emergency environments. He also supported fire suppression efforts.
Mr. Curione studied general science in Corning, New York. He earned a biochemistry degree with honors distinction from the University at Buffalo in Amherst. He also maintains several medical certifications, including emergency medical technician, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and automated external defibrillator certification.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
As a medical student, my typical day involves waking up around 5:30am and making coffee and breakfast before reviewing my daily flashcards. I then head to class for the day, where I attend lectures and case discussions. in the afternoon, I continue to study the material that was learned from the day. After my work is finished, I make dinner and head out for a walk to blow off some steam.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I tend to bring my ideas to life bY making sure my everyday actions are aligned with my overall goals. For instance, helping caring for the unfortunate, supporting causes that I believe in, and studying to become a great physician.
What’s one trend that excites you?
One trend that excites me is the “outdoors” trend where more people are starting to realize the beauty of different parks and landscapes. Although this trend is clogging up some of the National Parks, it is great that more people are going outside.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Being productive means being efficient. And for me, being efficient means balancing maximal effort with productive breaks. During my studies, I will often combine 30 mins – 1 hr of intense study with 5-10 min of relaxing breaks to recharge myself for the next session. I believe that this keeps me working at maximum productivity.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to go out and explore. There are some many chances and opportunities that happen serendipitously in life, whether this be meeting a best friend or obtaining a job opportunity. Always go out and try to explore something new.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe failure is more valuable than success. Most people want to avoid failure at all costs, but I see it as the fastest way to learn and improve. Success feels good, but it often doesn’t teach you much beyond reinforcing what already worked. Failure, on the other hand, forces you to reflect, adjust, and grow in ways you wouldn’t otherwise.
For example, in my own experience, the moments where I’ve missed a goal or had an idea rejected have pushed me to rethink my approach, develop new skills, and come back stronger. Those lessons stick with you much longer than an easy win. To me, failure is not the opposite of success, it’s the foundation that success is built on.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I always exercise and eat healthy. It provides me with tremendous energy and happiness that sustains me throughout my day. Sometimes exercising may look like just a 30-minute walk, and other days eating healthy may just be sneaking in a couple pieces of fruit, but the consistency will provide a life of energy and happiness.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
If I feel overwhelmed, I always try to go back to my schedule and plan my time on a weekly/monthly basis. Being overwhelmed on a certain day may just be that I did not plan it correctly. You have to constantly reflect on your overall goals and motives to help align your daily/weekly/monthly schedule. If your goals need more time, you will have to space it out.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
The absolute best strategy that has helped me advance my career is consistency, each and every day. When I dream about a career in medicine, this is a lifelong goal, not a goal of two or four years. Although I don’t chase my goal of a career in medicine every single day, because balance is necessary, making sure my ultimate vision is constantly aligned is extremely important in making sure I am working toward goals that I want to achieve.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
One failure I experienced was in a research project when my initial proposal was rejected for being too broad and not clearly defined. At first, it was discouraging because I had invested a lot of time in developing the idea, but I realized the feedback was valid.
To overcome it, I stepped back and redesigned the process. I narrowed the research question, refined my methodology, and created a step-by-step experiment design that clearly outlined how the data would be collected and analyzed. I also sought feedback from my mentor throughout the revision, which helped me avoid the same mistakes. The updated proposal was approved, and the project produced meaningful results.
The lesson I took away was the importance of specificity and structure in research. I learned that good ideas need a clear framework to succeed, and now I approach projects with a mindset of breaking them down into manageable, testable steps. That experience ultimately made me more detail-oriented and resilient, qualities that will serve me well in medicine.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
The “Local Lens” App
A platform that connects travelers with vetted local photographers in popular destinations. Instead of awkward selfies, you book a mini photo session while exploring. Locals earn money, travelers get professional memories, and the app takes a service fee.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Google Calendar. Everyone needs a calendar system. Although this might sound very simple to some people, I know many people that lack a straightforward organization system. Google Calendar allows me to structure each minute of my day so that I know exactly what I am supposed to be doing. I can even plan events two years ahead (which may be a little overkill), which is something a paper planner cannot do.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
A podcast I get a lot of value from is The Tim Ferriss Show. I like that it features top performers from all kinds of fields — medicine, business, sports, and the arts — and breaks down their routines, habits, and ways of thinking. It’s a reminder that success often comes from consistent small habits and learning from people outside your own industry.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
A movie I recently enjoyed is Awakenings with Robin Williams and Robert De Niro. What stood out to me was how powerfully it captured the human side of medicine — the hope, the uncertainty, and the responsibility that comes with caring for patients. It showed how small acts of compassion can be just as impactful as scientific breakthroughs. I also appreciated the theme that progress in medicine doesn’t always mean a permanent cure, but it can still give people dignity, joy, and connection. Watching it reminded me why empathy is such a critical part of healthcare.
Key learnings
- Consistency is key to achieving your goals.
- Always align your daily activities with your ultimate visions and values. This helps stay on track.
- Make sure to stay balanced. If you feel overwhelmed, it’s time to step back and readjust your schedule and priorities into something that works.
- Investing in tools can go a long way. Don’t be afraid to invest in yourself.