Step into a front-row seat with Dr. Anna Karwowska, FRCPC, Vice-President of Education at the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC). A Pediatric Emergency Medicine physician whose practice evolved into Child Maltreatment Pediatrics, Dr. Karwowska brings a rare and deeply human perspective to caring for children and families when they are most vulnerable. In this conversation with host Dr. Cameron Wong, she walks us through the "fluid structure" of her clinical life, from team-based assessments to meeting families at critical moments... and the profound privilege of helping children and caregivers move toward safety and healing. The second half of the episode turns toward leadership in medicine: how opportunities emerge unexpectedly, how careers evolve, and how someone who "never in a million years" imagined a leadership role whilst in med school, now helps shape medical education nationally through her work at the AFMC. Whether you're exploring Peds Emerg, Child Maltreatment Pediatrics, or curious about leadership pathways, this episode highlights the unpredictable, deeply meaningful trajectories that define a career in medicine. If you particpate in a Royal College accredited residency, don't forget to join as a Resident Affiliate. It's free, and you can start claiming MOC credits right away. Click here to learn more.
Ever wondered what draws someone to pediatrics, and keeps them there for life? Host Mark Garabedian sits down with Dr. Jayson Stoffman, FRCPC, Pediatric Program Director at the University of Manitoba and a specialist in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. From babysitting and camp counselling to medical school rotations, Dr. Stoffman always knew he wanted to work with kids. But his career took a meaningful turn when he found pediatric hematology/oncology: a field where science, compassion, and family-centred care intersect. As he puts it: "When a child gets cancer… it's like the family gets cancer." Hear his insights into how CanMEDS roles come to life in pediatric care, especially communication... and how his path to becoming a program director was full of unexpected opportunities that revealed a passion for teaching and leadership. Bonus: Dr. Stoffman shares some insightful CaRMS tips! Perfect For: Medical students, CaRMS applicants, early-career residents, and anyone curious about pediatrics or subspecialty training in hematology/oncology. If you particpate in a Royal College accredited residency, don't forget to join as a Resident Affiliate. It's free, and you can start claiming MOC credits right away. Click here to learn more.
The CaRMS deadline is just around the corner. We've got you covered! In this episode of Specialty Café, Dr. Kaif Pardhan, FRCPC, Program Director for Emergency Medicine at the University of Toronto, joins host Mark Garabedian to share insider advice straight from the selection side of the process. Whether you're finalizing your CaRMS application or planning ahead for next year, this conversation shares practical guidance for every stage of your journey. Dr. Pardhan gives great insight into what programs look for in a strong personal letter, how to approach attendings for reference letters, what your CV really communicates, and how to show who you are as a candidate. He also shares helpful strategies for ranking programs and getting ready for interviews (they come sooner than you think!). Key takeaway: Every applicant's story is unique... and diversity is what makes a residency program thrive. For more interview insights, check out CanadiEM's CaRMS interview tips. If you particpate in a Royal College accredited residency, don't forget to join as a Resident Affiliate. It's free, and you can start claiming MOC credits right away. Click here to learn more.
Applying for residency can feel overwhelming, but you're not alone. In this Specialty Café episode, Cameron Wong, MD (PGY1 & Specialty Café host), shares what helped him stay grounded through the CaRMS process. From managing stress to leaning on your support network, Cameron reminds listeners that those around you want to cheer you on... they just might not realize how stressful this moment can be. Host Mark Garabedian dives into what worked (and what didn't) for Cameron during his CaRMS journey. They discuss the importance of authenticity, balance, and self-care while keeping sight of your goals. Whether you're prepping for interviews or navigating electives, Cameron's advice applies well beyond (and indeed before!) CaRMS: Be present. Be kind. Be a hard worker. If you particpate in a Royal College accredited residency, don't forget to join as a Resident Affiliate. It's free, and you can start claiming MOC credits right away. Click here to learn more.
Your personal letter really matters in your CaRMS application, and authenticity is key. In this week's episode of Specialty Café, host Mark Garabedian chats with Dr. Justin Rivard, FRCSC, General Surgery Program Director at the University of Manitoba, to talk about what program directors are really looking for. Dr. Rivard shares practical and reassuring advice on how to approach your personal letter, the role of your social and personal background, and why being hardworking and a team player matter more than perfect technical skills (by the way... not an expectation to get intro a surgical residency!). He also explains how residents play a big role in evaluating elective students, and why it's worth thinking carefully about where and why you apply. This episode isn't just for students preparing for CaRMS: med students in any year will appreciate this reminder about the power of teamwork, professionalism, and effort during electives. Tune in for 'insider' tips that will help you stand out this CaRMS season. If you particpate in a Royal College accredited residency, don't forget to join as a Resident Affiliate. It's free, and you can start claiming MOC credits right away. Click here to learn more.
What exactly is the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS), and how does the residency match work? For many medical students, this crucial step brings more questions than answers and often a fair bit of stress. In this Specialty Café ep, host Mark Garabedian chats with Geneviève Leroux, Manager of Client Services at CaRMS, to demystify the residency match process. Geneviève breaks down the algorithm behind ranking, shares practical strategies for creating your rank list, and highlights the support available from the CaRMS team. Whether you're just beginning medical school or deep in CaRMS prep, this episode offers practical advice, planning tips, and clear answers to common questions. Pro Tip: Start your CaRMS journey early... it'll alleviate a lot of stress! Make sure to check out this video on How the Match Algorithm Works https://youtu.be/28CvXJ_DcGo . As Geneviève mentioned, the dedicated CaRMS team is there to help. Never hesitate to reach out. https://www.carms.ca/contact/
Curious about what life looks like in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R)? This often-overlooked specialty, aka Physiatry, blends patient-centred care with hands-on procedures and the flexibility to shape a career that fits your life and your passions. Whether you're early in med school and exploring options or gearing up for CaRMS, you will want to tune in. Join host Dr. Cameron Wong as he chats with Dr. Alice Kam, FRCPC, about why Physiatry might be the hidden gem you have been searching for. Dr. Kam shares how she built a practice she loves (her words!) while keeping her family at the heart of her decisions. She reflects on how her patients shaped her understanding of compassionate care and how this specialty creates space to follow your curiosity. If you're participating in a Royal College accredited residency, don't forget to join as a Resident Affiliate. It's free, and you can start claiming MOC credits right away. Click here to learn more.
Welcome to a brand-new season of Specialty Café! Fresh voices, fresh perspectives, and meaningful conversations about Royal College specialties, subspecialties, CaRMS prep, and more. We're starting strong with Geriatric Psychiatry... a field that combines psychiatry, aging, and preventive care. Host Dr. Cameron Wong sits down with Dr. Nimrit Bath, FRCPC, who shares her residency journey, why she chose geriatric psychiatry, and what it means to work with such a rewarding patient population. This episode is packed with insights for medical students exploring specialty choices. You'll hear how aligning your career with your values and lifestyle can lead to a fulfilling path in medicine. Dr. Bath also reflects on the importance of self-care, prevention, and giving back. Plus, she breaks down the many therapies available to patients beyond medications, offering a holistic perspective on geriatric mental health. If you're participating in a Royal College accredited residency, don't forget to join as a Resident Affiliate. It's free, and you can start claiming MOC credits right away. Click here to learn more.
"I am not my diagnoses." These are the words of Janet Rodriguez, a generous patient, advocate, and educator, who joins host Dr. Cameron Wong for the final episode of our Day 1 Allies series. As new residents step into their roles, Janet offers a grounding reminder: every patient you meet is a person first. Not a diagnosis. Not a pathology. A person. In this moving conversation, Janet shares the wisdom she's gathered from years of experience partnering with healthcare teams. She reflects on what makes a doctor trustworthy and what makes care feel truly compassionate. You'll hear practical advice on listening with intention, asking questions that matter, and being honest when you don't know the answer. Most of all, you'll learn how to co-create care... together with your patients. Specialty Café returns later this summer with more episodes on primary specialties, CaRMS prep, and beyond. Stay connected with us on the Royal College's Instagram and YouTube for new content, insights, and inspiration. If you're starting a Royal College accredited residency, don't forget to join as a Resident Affiliate. It's free, and you can start claiming MOC credits right away. Click here to learn more.
What does spiritual care look like in a hospital setting? In this episode, we explore the broad and evolving role of the Spiritual Health Practitioner, a healthcare team member who offers emotional, existential, and spiritual support to patients, families, and even staff, regardless of belief system. Host Dr. Cameron Wong speaks with Suzanne Robertson, a passionate and dedicated Spiritual Health Practitioner, about the many dimensions of this deeply human role. As the spiritual and religious needs of our society shift, so too does this profession, evolving to meet the diverse needs of patients in today's complex care environments. It's enormously rewarding work with extraordinary people going through everyday experiences that we'll all be confronted with. It's also a way to recognize a person's humanity in moments where they may otherwise feel pathologized. From helping patients process grief or life-altering diagnoses to supporting healthcare workers through burnout and moral distress, Suzanne brings clarity and compassion to an often unknown part of the healthcare team. If you're starting your residency and feeling overwhelmed, unsure, or just in need of a meaningful conversation, don't hesitate to reach out to your hospital's spiritual health team. As Suzanne reminds us, they're here for you too. If you're starting a Royal College accredited residency, don't forget to join as a Resident Affiliate. It's free, and you can start claiming MOC credits right away. Click here to learn more.
This episode continues our Day 1 Allies series, a campaign to support new residents as they join the clinical team. In this episode, we focus on a role that often works behind the scenes but has a huge impact on patient care: the Patient Care Navigator (PCN). Host Cameron Wong, MD chats with Taylor Farrance, to explore how PCNs guide patients from admission through to discharge... and why this process is far more complex than it looks. Taylor describes discharge planning as something that evolves every day during a patient's stay, shaped by input from the entire allied health team. As Cameron puts it, PCNs are the masters of discharge planning, and essential allies for new residents. In this episode, we unpack questions like: • What does a Patient Care Navigator actually do? • Why is discharge planning a process that starts early and not at the end of a hospital stay? • How do PCNs center patient and family needs in the discharge plan? • What should residents do if their hospital doesn't have a PCN? Key takeaway: Communicate early and often. Whether you have a PCN or another discharge coordinator, building a strong line of communication is key to safe, effective care. If you're starting a Royal College accredited residency, don't forget to join as a Resident Affiliate. It's free, and you can start claiming MOC credits right away. Click here to learn more.
Starting R1 this July? We've got your back. This episode kicks off our Day 1 Allies series, a campaign to support new residents as they join the clinical team. We're starting with a vital but sometimes misunderstood member of the healthcare team: the pharmacist. Host Cameron Wong, MD (congrats to him as he begins R1!) sits down with Clement Chan, PharmD ACPR, to explore how pharmacists support residents, collaborate on patient care, and bring clinical expertise to the bedside. Fun fact: Clement and Cameron met on a rotation, and the experience left a big impression. In this episode, we answer some big questions: What exactly does a pharmacist do in a hospital setting? Do pharmacists see patients directly? How do they help residents succeed, especially in those high-stress early days? And yes… do they actually know every drug (and colour)? Key takeaway: Ask your pharmacist questions. Ask for help. They want you to succeed... because when residents succeed, so do patients. If you're starting a Royal College accredited residency, don't forget to join as a Resident Affiliate! It's free, and you can start claiming MOC credits right away. Click here to learn more.
Are you not only interested in psychiatry, but also in how to have a healthy and fulfilling residency? This episode is for anyone who's curious about why humans are the way they are—and wants to hear how compassion and empathy can go a long way in both medicine and life. Today's guest, Patricia Celan, MD, shares insight into her journey to becoming a psychiatry resident. She talks with host Cameron Wong (now an MD!) about the incredibly varied and broad practice of psychiatry, and the many ways you can tailor it to reflect your interests and values. Dr. Celan also speaks to the importance of advocating for your patients—and for yourself. Her advice? Feed all aspects of who you are during residency. You're not 'just' a doctor, but a whole person with passions and experiences outside of medicine. Tending to those can make you an even better physician. And remember: your community—both inside and outside of medicine—matters. It really does take a village to raise a resident. If you're starting a Royal College accredited residency, don't forget to join as a Resident Affiliate! It's free, and you can start claiming MOC credits right away. Click here to learn more.
You're looking ahead to future-you as a specialist. You're someone who loves your patients and loves your job! You get paged at 3 a.m. and your immediate thought is, "yes!" On many occasions, there's laughter and tears of joy in the operating room. You thrive on nearly every medical and surgical aspect of your work and find deep joy in your day-to-day. Sure, balance in life can be a challenge... but it's possible. You've probably already guessed this episode is about OBGYN. Dr. Modupe Tunde-Byass, FRCSC, shares with host Cameron Wong, her passion for the many roles she holds. From past-president of the Black Physicians of Canada to president-elect of the Federation of Medical Women of Canada... and as a mother wife, generalist, researcher, teacher, leader, mentor, and lifelong learner... there's a lot to unpack in this conversation. Not only does this episode explore what OBGYN actually involves, it also offers powerful takeaways about the privilege of being a doctor and the importance of seizing opportunities for advocacy right on your doorstep.
Do you suffer from neurophobia? Neurology can seem daunting, but it's also one of the most rewarding fields in medicine. In this episode, we learn how conversation and comfort with uncertainty are key to mastering this complex specialty. Chris Watling, MD, FRCPC, neurologist and CEO of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, joins host Cameron Wong live at the International Congress on Academic Medicine 2025. From practicing community neurology to becoming a program director, associate dean, and eventually CEO, Dr. Watling shares his unexpected career journey and offers some top notch insights for medical trainees. His advice? Stay open to new opportunities—and pay attention to what energizes you most. If you're starting a Royal College accredited residency, don't forget to join as a Resident Affiliate! It's free, and you can start claiming MOC credits right away. Click here to learn more.
Before we dive into rural General Surgery… a sage piece of advice from our very sage guest: Time flies. On day 1 of practice – plan how and when you want to retire! Review your plan! Host Cameron Wong sits down with Yemi Laosebikan, MD, FRCSC, a General Surgeon practicing in Melfort, Saskatchewan, to explore what it truly means to serve a rural community in Canada. This conversation goes far beyond the scope of general surgery. From managing surgical emergencies with limited resources to advocating for systemic change and mentoring the next generation of physicians, Dr. Laosebikan shares the reality of being the only surgeon—and the only specialist in a town of 7,000 with a catchment area of 20,000. He reflects on how trauma-informed training, preventative medicine, community engagement, and long-term planning all shape his approach to rural practice. Whether you're considering general surgery or curious about the role of specialists in rural health care, this episode is a masterclass in leadership, humility, and service. If you're starting a Royal College accredited residency, don't forget to join as a Resident Affiliate! It's free, and you can start claiming MOC credits right away. Click here to learn more.
In Part 2 of our Medicine or Surgery panel, medical students take the mic to ask the questions that are often left out of formal talks. From starting a family, to getting into competitive programs, to the importance of YOUR brand, to doing fellowships abroad, to choosing between medicine and surgery... and so much more. Nothing is off the table. Our guests, Adrian Huang, MBBChBAO, FRCSC, (Orthopedic Surgery) and Lara Best, MD, FRCPC (Radiation Oncology), share honest reflections on the real-life factors that shaped their decisions around specialty, practice setting, and lifestyle. Don't miss the full picture—listen to Part 1 of the panel, released April 29, where we dig into career insights, specialty choice, and what motivates our guests! If you're starting a Royal College accredited residency, don't forget to join as a Resident Affiliate! It's free, and you can start claiming MOC credits right away. Click here to learn more. Interested in education, engagement, and empowerment? Check out Dr. Huang's passion at Scrubbedout.
Specialty Café is back — and better than ever! We're diving back into the Royal College's specialty landscape, spotlighting new voices from across the country. Tune in for conversations with Fellows, residents, and allied health professionals — plus practical episodes designed to help you thrive on Day 1 of residency. In this episode: Medicine or Surgery — still deciding? We've got you. Join host Mark Garabedian as he welcomes Lara Best, MD, FRCPC (Radiation Oncology) and Adrian Huang, MBBChBAO, FRCSC (Orthopedic Surgery) live from the Canadian Medical Student Conference in Halifax. They unpack common myths, share what residency programs really look for, and offer real talk on how to show up for your first day — spoiler: your attitude matters more than you think. Whether you're leaning toward clinical care, academics, or still exploring, this episode is packed with encouragement, clarity, and career advice to help you move forward with confidence. Don't miss Pt 2 of this episode for an packed Q&A with students and our guests (dropping April 30, 2025). If you're starting a Royal College accredited residency, don't forget to join as a Resident Affiliate! It's free, and you can start claiming MOC credits right away. Click here to learn more. Interested in education, engagement, and empowerment? Check out Dr. Huang's passion at Scrubbedout.
Residency may still be a few months away, but Day 1 will be here before you know it! In this episode, host Cameron Wong sits down with Emily Wu, MD (PGY2), to share insights on making the transition smoother. From what to expect to practical preparation tips, this conversation is packed with advice to help you feel more confident as you step into your new role. Be kind to yourself... this will be your first time being a resident! What's next on Specialty Café? Coming soon: Fresh perspectives from staff and residents on the Royal College's primary specialties—exploring a day in the life, challenges, joys, and more. Early summer: Special eps to help prepare for your first few months in residency! If you're starting a Royal College accredited residency, don't forget to join as a Resident Affiliate! It's free, and you can start claiming MOC credits right away. Click here to learn more.
The fear of going unmatched in CaRMS is real—especially for those aiming for competitive specialties. In this episode, host Cameron Wong speaks with Dr. Elizabeth (Liz) Svoboda, a PGY1 who went unmatched in 2023. Prepared for the possibility, she embraced Plan B with resilience, turning an uncertain year into a time of personal and professional growth. Dr. Svoboda shares how she navigated the initial disappointment, stayed engaged in medicine, and found strength in unexpected places. Her story is a powerful reminder that going unmatched isn't the end—it's a different path forward. If you're facing this challenge, know that you're not alone—there's a supportive community ready to help. Want to listen to another perspective from a resident who went unmatched? Check out the 2024 episode on going unmatched with Dr. Victoria Turnball.