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. 

 

In this timely episode, Dr. Andrew Pauls (PGY1, Family Medicine & former host) joins Cameron Wong to share his Match Day experience. He reflects on the whirlwind of emotions leading up to the moment he pressed the button to reveal his result and offers perspective on staying grounded during this high-stakes time.

Dr. Pauls emphasizes the importance of recognizing the many achievements medical students have already made and encourages gratitude for the journey so far. He also shares thoughtful advice for those not in the CaRMS process—offering ways to support fourth-year medical students by giving them the space to process their results in their own way.

Interested in learning more about becoming a Resident Affiliate of the Royal College? Click here for more information. 

We’re kicking off this packed season of Specialty Café with a few episodes dedicated to fourth-year med students in the thick of CaRMS. After that, we’ll dive into fresh conversations on primary specialties—empowering YOU, medical trainees, with the knowledge and insights to confidently navigate your journey toward the perfect specialty and a future you’re excited to embrace.   Plus, we’ll be releasing episodes specifically for fourth-year med students as they transition into residency—coming your way this June!   In this episode, Harley Bray, MD (PGY2, OBGYN) shares her lived tips for staying calm during the final week before Match Day. She thinks that humility and patience are key at this time: take this opportunity to acknowledge all the good you have done and try to enjoy yourself.    Join host Cameron Wong and Dr. Bray for an inspirational chat that aims to reassure you that you are not alone in whatever you are feeling.    Interested in learning more about becoming a Resident Affiliate of the Royal College? Click here for more information.

Is Nephrology really just for the 'nerds' of Internal Medicine?  Michael Girsberger, MD, FRCPC, a practicing Nephrologist in Prince Edward Island, is here to embrace the stereotype—but also challenge it. Nephrologists do so much more than dialysis and kidney care; their work spans acute mechanics, intricate puzzle-solving, and a healthy dose of General Internal Medicine.

In this episode, host Cameron Wong dives into the diverse and dynamic life of a Nephrologist. From tackling complex diagnoses over weeks to managing a broad practice in a community/rural setting, Dr. Girsberger reveals how this specialty offers variety, intellectual excitement, and opportunities to make a real difference. And yes, his passion for kidney pathology is contagious!

A word of advice from Dr. Girsberger: ‘Stay open as you plan your career’. He never imagined when he was doing his residency in Switzerland that he’d be one of three Nephrologists in Prince Edward Island.

Check out Specialty Café’s very first episode on Internal Medicine (March 31, 2021) https://specialtycafe.libsyn.com/ep_1_internal_medicine_final_mix_en_feb12021mp3

Are you drawn to a specialty that bridges the brain and body, builds meaningful relationships, and embraces the unique challenges of adolescence? Do you find teens fascinating - actually do you like teenagers? In this episode, host Cameron Wong hopes to demystify the world of Adolescent Medicine, a field that’s as complex as it is rewarding.

Our guest, Simone Lebeuf, MD, FRCPC, shares her journey into this dynamic subspecialty. Her compassion and passion for her patients are the foundation of her practice. 

Dr. Lebeuf reflects on the privilege of supporting vulnerable teens through life-changing moments. From navigating mental health and eating disorders to providing gender-affirming care and reproductive health support, Adolescent Medicine offers endless opportunities for those with a passion for advocacy, education, and outreach.

It’s never been said that there are too many medical specialists who work with teens. If you have a pull toward trauma-informed care and truly want to impact a young person’s future… Adolescent Medicine just might be for you.

Check out the Specialty Café episode on Pediatrics (published October 7, 2022).

Why can’t dogs eat grapes?  What does a day look like for a Clinical Pharmacologist & Toxicologist? Is this really one subspecialty? Are there many routes to becoming a Clinical Pharmacologist & Toxicologist? Do you see patients in this fascinating subspecialty? Does being an excellent team member with allied health members really matter? 

Today’s guest, Riley Hartmann, MD, FRCPC, balances four staff roles with life as a father, husband, hiker, skier, cook, and goalie alongside his nurse colleagues. A true enthusiast for all things pharmacology (and coffee!), he enjoys learning about obsure poisonous events. Somehow, he makes balancing work and life look... possible and fulfilling. 

Host Cameron Wong’s fascination shines through, especially as they tackle the complex puzzle of de-prescribing. 

If you want to be an true expert in all aspects of your field, love teaching, are open to unlimited career possibilities... then press play and listen on. You may have found a hidden subspecialty that could change the course of your journey. 

Thanks for tuning into Season 7. We've got loads in store. We'll continue to delve into the many Royal College subspecialties whilst addressing topics of interest identified by you - our Specialty Café community. Enjoy the series! 

Clear, memorable, succinct, and consistent—these qualities should define both your CaRMS application and interview. In this episode, Sarah Klapman MD, a PGY2 in General Surgery, joins host Cameron Wong (who’s embarking on his own CaRMS journey) to share how she crafted an application that truly stood out. Dr. Klapman managed to highlight her passion for both surgery and opera (and how they interrelate!), showing interviewers that she’s not just a skilled candidate but a genuinely interesting one, too.

Dr. Klapman offers insights into key steps like asking for "strong" letters of reference and structuring a compelling narrative in your application. She also shares her frank thoughts on planning for a possible unmatched situation. One of her top tips? Allow yourself double the time you think you’ll need for prep. With careful planning and some self-care along the way, you can tackle the CaRMS process with greater confidence and less stress. 

Check out the CaRMS website for more information, or have a listen to past Specialty Café's episodes on CaRMS: 

• CaRMS Unmatched:  A Resident's Personal Story 
• Let's Demystify CaRMS

Thanks to you, our Specialty Café community, we're gearing up for the next season. In the meantime - are you interested in winning a $50 gift card? Here's how:

1. Listen to Specialty Café.
2. Rate and review (and enjoy!). 
3. Take a screenshot of your review and email to us at [email protected]. Include your name, school, and year. 

Winners will be announced at the Canadian Federation of Medical Students' (CFMS) Annual General Meeting in Moncton, New Brunswick on September 20, 2024.  Specialty Café will be hosting a live podcast with a few Royal College specialists (afternoon Sept 20, details to follow soon). 

Good luck! 

Once you hear today’s guest express her deep and unwavering dedication to Pediatric Emergency Medicine, teaching, and advocacy, you’ll understand why her career is perfectly suited to her passion.

Kirstin Weerdenburg, MD, FRCPC, shares her global journey which led her to practice in Halifax, NS. She expected to focus solely on clinical practice but soon discovered there’s a world of opportunity in addition to being a Peds Emerg specialist (such as medial journalism and caring for newcomers to Canada).

Dr. Weerdenburg holds her patients and their families in the highest regard, always attuned to their concerns and worries. For her, earning their trust and seeing a smile on their faces makes it a truly rewarding day. 

Join host Cameron Wong as he discovers that Dr. Weerdenburg is eager to share her knowledge not just with her patients and families, but also with her colleagues, learners, and the public. She finds great joy in seeing her team thrive and grow.

Check out the Specialty Café primary specialty eps on:

Pediatrics (Oct 7, 2022) https://specialtycafe.libsyn.com/pediatrics 

Emergency Medicine (Dec 3, 2021) https://specialtycafe.libsyn.com/emergency-medicine

This is the last episode of Season 6.  We can't wait to bring you more great eps in the fall. Any questions, suggestions, ideas? Reach out to us [email protected].