Dermalogues: The Dermatology Residents Podcast with Dr. Kerri Purdy

“We are a small specialty in dermatology, but we need to be involved in larger discussions. There are a lot of things that we do well, both in leadership, in getting different perspectives, in being part of the community and seeing a variety of patients, that we can lend to any medical organization.”How can dermatologists help shape the future of medicine—inside and outside the clinic?Dr. Kerri Purdy welcomes Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi for a conversation about physician leadership, health advocacy and finding the confidence to put your hand up. A dermatologist in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and a clinical associate professor of medicine at Memorial University, Dr. Ogunyemi is the first Black president of the Canadian Medical Association.From student leadership to representing physicians on the national stage, he shares how taking on unfamiliar roles can build skills, broaden perspectives and create opportunities to make a difference.Together, Kerri and Bolu explore:Getting involved in leadership during residency—and why you don’t need a perfect résumé to begin.Building confidence in public speaking and working with the media.Social media’s influence on skin health, body image and patients’ expectations.The opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence in medicine.Improving education and care across all skin tones, and sharing that knowledge beyond dermatology.Plus, a lighter question: does the CMA president get the new medical school backpack?A special thank-you to Dr. Nickoo Merati, PGY5 dermatology resident at McGill University, for contributing a thoughtful question about building on dermatology’s progress in skin of colour education across Canadian medicine.For more on skin-of-colour care Enjoying Dermalogues? Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review. For more conversations from the world of dermatology, listen to JCMS Author Interviews, hosted by Dr. Kirk Barber.For more on the work of the CDA visit dermatology.caDermalogues is produced by David McGuffin with Graham McGuffin of ExploreProductions.ca

In the Season 8 premiere of Dermalogues, Dr. Kerri Purdy welcomes Dr. Michelle Tarbox, co-host of the popular Dermasphere podcast, for a lively conversation about podcasting, medical education and the clinical art of dermoscopy.Dr. Tarbox reflects on the unlikely beginnings of Dermasphere, from recording underneath blankets to producing over 200 episodes filled with practical, clinically actionable teaching. She explains how podcasting has made her a better educator, clinician, researcher and patient advocate—and why humour, music and memorable associations can help learners retrieve important information when it matters most.The conversation then turns to dermoscopy. Drs. Tarbox and Purdy discuss what to look for when choosing a dermatoscope, contact versus non-contact examination, polarized and non-polarized light, dermoscopic photography and the importance of recognizing when a lesion simply does not fit a patient’s usual pattern.Dr. Tarbox also shares practical approaches to interpreting vascular structures, using dermoscopy in patients with darker skin tones and distinguishing inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.And thanks to Drs. Kevin Kim and Alicia Van, both second year dermatology residents at the University of Ottawa, for contributing questions for this episode.Dr. Michelle Tarbox is an associate professor of dermatology at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. She is fellowship-trained in dermatopathology, and her clinical interests include dermoscopy, cosmetics and hair disorders.For more on the work of the CDA, please visit dermatology.ca And for more great CDA Podcasts, check out JCMS Author Interviews, hosted by Dr Kirk Barber. Dermalogues is produced David McGuffin of ExploreProductions.ca with Graham McGuffin and Clare McGuffin.Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

Pregnancy brings major hormonal and immune changes—and the skin often reflects it. In this final episode of season 7 of Dermalogues, Kerri sits down with Dr. Perla Lansang to break down common and high-yield dermatologic conditions in pregnancy, from physiologic changes to PEP (PUPPP) and pemphigoid gestationis.They discuss how to recognize key patterns, when to biopsy, and how to treat safely—including the role of systemic therapies. The episode also emphasizes a critical takeaway: don’t undertreat pregnant patients—healthy moms are essential for healthy pregnancies.Dr. Perla Lansang is a staff dermatologist and Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, based at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. She has held leadership roles including Division Director and Director of Undergraduate Education, and is cross-appointed in pediatric dermatology at the Hospital for Sick Children as well as Obstetric Medicine at Sunnybrook. Her clinical interests include pregnancy-related dermatoses and complex medical dermatology.In this episode:Normal vs pathologic skin changes in pregnancyAtopic eruption, acne, and psoriasis in pregnancyPEP vs pemphigoid gestationis: key differencesSafe treatment strategies and medication pitfalls Additional Reading:Development and multicenter international validation of a diagnostic tool to differentiate between pemphigoid gestationis and polymorphic eruption of pregnancy in the JAAD.For more on the work of the CDA, please visit dermatology.ca And for more great CDA Podcasts, check out JCMS Author Interviews, hosted by Dr Kirk Barber. Dermalogues is produced David McGuffin of ExploreProductions.ca with Graham McGuffin.Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

In this episode of Dermalogues, Dr. Kerri Purdy is joined by pediatric dermatologist Dr. Jérôme Coulombe for a practical discussion on common and high-stakes pediatric dermatology presentations.They cover how to approach the febrile child with a rash, recognizing red flags for serious infection and Kawasaki disease, and navigating viral exanthems like urticaria multiforme, EBV, adenovirus, and measles. The conversation also dives into eczema management myths, molluscum contagiosum (including a clever otoscope curettage technique), and how to think through genital lesions in children.The episode wraps with a clear, experience-based review of infantile hemangiomas, including when to treat, propranolol dosing, duration, rebound, and the role of topical timolol. Packed with practical pearls for residents and practicing clinicians alike.Dr. Jérôme Coulombe is a dermatologist with fellowship training in pediatric dermatology. He is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the Université de Montréal Faculty of Medicine and practices at CHU Sainte-Justine in Montreal.For more on the work of the CDA, please visit dermatology.ca And for more great CDA Podcasts, check out JCMS Author Interviews, hosted by Dr Kirk Barber. Dermalogues is produced David McGuffin of ExploreProductions.ca with production assistance by Graham McGuffin and Clare McGuffin.Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere

“Clinical trials don’t just advance medicine — they can transform your practice.”In this episode of Dermalogues, host Dr. Kerri Purdy sits down with Dr. Melinda Gooderham, Medical Director at the Skin Centre for Dermatology in Peterborough, Ontario. Together, they take a deep dive into the world of clinical research in dermatology.Dr. Gooderham shares her journey into clinical trials, how she balances a busy medical practice with research, and the many rewards — and realities — of integrating trials into clinical dermatology. They cover everything from the four phases of clinical research to practical tips on getting started, managing staff and space, and navigating ethics approvals and sponsor relationships.Whether you’re a dermatology resident curious about research or a practicing dermatologist considering trials in your own clinic, this episode offers insider insights, candid advice, and a clear look at how clinical research can enrich your practice and patient care.Dr. Melinda Gooderham is Medical Director at the Skin Centre for Dermatology in Peterborough, Ontario, a Consultant Physician at Peterborough Regional Health Centre, and Assistant Professor at Queen’s University. She is also Deputy Editor of JCMS Case Reports and one of Canada’s leading clinical trial investigators in dermatology.For more on the work of the CDA, please visit dermatology.ca And for more great CDA Podcasts, check out JCMS Author Interviews, hosted by Dr Kirk Barber. Dermalogues is produced David McGuffin of ExploreProductions.ca with Graham McGuffin and Clare McGuffin.Our theme music is by Lee Rosevere