The DIGA Podcast

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Stephanie Zone, Associate Program Director of the Dermatology Residency at the University of Utah. Dr. Zone shares her journey into dermatology and her perspective on what makes training at Utah unique. She describes the program’s diverse clinical experiences across multiple training sites and the different patient populations residents encounter throughout their education. Dr. Zone also discusses the culture of the residency program, opportunities for clinical and research involvement, what she looks for in future residents, and her perspective on the residency application process. Listen in for Dr. Zone's advice to medical students interested in dermatology and insight into what it’s like to train at the University of Utah. We hope you enjoy!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with other students interested in dermatology!

Learn More: The University of Utah Dermatology Residency

Instagram: @uofudermresidency

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DIGA Instagram: @⁠⁠⁠derminterest⁠⁠⁠

Today’s Host, Cecile: ⁠⁠@cecileschreidah⁠⁠

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For questions, comments, or future episode suggestions, please reach out to us via email at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

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District Four by Kevin MacLeod

Link: ⁠⁠⁠https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3662-district-four⁠⁠⁠

License: ⁠⁠⁠https://filmmusic.io/standard-license⁠⁠⁠

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In this episode, Dr. Noor Mukarram, a current PGY-2 and first-year dermatology resident at Larkin Palm Springs, shares an honest perspective on the realities of medicine and navigating adversity throughout the journey. We discuss the importance of maintaining a positive mindset, finding balance, giving yourself grace, and allowing yourself to grow through the challenges that come with a career in medicine. Dr. Makarrum also reflects on the importance of perspective and finding ways to care for yourself while continuing to pursue your goals. We hope you enjoy!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with other students interested in dermatology!

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DIGA Instagram: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠derminterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Dr. Noor Mukarram @drnoormukarram

Today’s Host, Marissa: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@marissamarieruppe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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For questions, comments, or future episode suggestions, please reach out to us via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

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District Four by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3662-district-four License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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In this episode, we talk with Dr. Suzanne Sirota-Rozenberg. Dr. Sirota-Rozenberg is the program director of the St. John’s Episcopal Dermatology Residency Program in Far Rockaway, New York and is going on her 14th year in this position. She sits down to talk to us about details of the St. John’s Episcopal program including general curriculum, resident experiences and opportunities, audition rotations and more. We round out the episode with Dr. Sirota-Rozenberg giving valuable insight for students as they take on audition rotations. Be sure to go listen to episode 48 for more insight from Dr. Sirota-Rozenberg as well. We hope you enjoy!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with other students interested in dermatology!

Learn More:

St. John’s Episcopal links:

- Instagram: @sjehdermatology

- Website: St. John’s Episcopal Dermatology Residency Program

- Connect with Dr. Sirota-Rozenberg: [email protected]

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DIGA Instagram: @derminterest

Today’s Host, George: @georgepapadeas

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For questions, comments, or future episode suggestions, please reach out to us via email at [email protected]

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District Four by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3662-district-four

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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In this episode of the DIGA Podcast with Dr. Maria Trung, we discuss a feeling many medical students pursuing dermatology know all too well: imposter syndrome. Dr. Trung shares her journey to dermatology and opens up about navigating self-doubt, comparing herself to other applicants, feeling pressure to constantly “do more,” and dealing with rejection along the way. We also talk about how her perspective changed after matching and whether imposter syndrome ever really goes away.

Beyond imposter syndrome, we dive into practical advice for matching into dermatology, including building a strong application, research and extracurriculars, Step 2, interview preparation, and what students should prioritize during medical school. We hope that this episode is something that students struggling with imposter syndrome can relate to during this difficult process. We are rooting for each of you this cycle. We hope you enjoy!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with other students interested in dermatology!

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Dr. Maria Trung’s Instagram: @⁠dermdrmaria

DIGA Instagram: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠derminterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Today’s Host, Katelyn: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠katsteng⁠

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For questions, comments, or future episode suggestions, please reach out to us via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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District Four by Kevin MacLeod

Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3662-district-four⁠⁠⁠

License: ⁠⁠⁠https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In this episode of the DIGA Podcast, we speak with Dr. Vinod E. Nambudiri, MD, MBA, MPH, EdM, Program Director of the Harvard Combined Dermatology Residency Program. Dr. Nambudiri shares his journey to dermatology and offers insight into the unique structure of the Harvard Combined program, the training experience, and what he is most proud of as a program leader. He also discusses what helps residents thrive and shares advice for medical students and trainees aspiring to become excellent dermatologists and future leaders in the field.

Whether you are a medical student, aspiring dermatologist, or simply interested in dermatology residency training, this episode offers a thoughtful look into the journey and experiences that shape future dermatologists. We hope you enjoy!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with other students interested in dermatology!

Connect with Harvard Dermatology:

Website: www.harvard-derm.com

Instagram: @harvardderm

2026-2027 Harvard Combined Informational Video

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DIGA Instagram: @⁠⁠⁠⁠derminterest⁠⁠⁠⁠

Today’s Host: Shan Francis

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For questions, comments, or future episode suggestions, please reach out to us via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠

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District Four by Kevin MacLeod

Link: ⁠⁠https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3662-district-four⁠⁠⁠⁠

License: ⁠⁠https://filmmusic.io/standard-license⁠

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Carsten Hamann, assistant program director at HonorHealth, associate professor at Dartmouth, and practicing dermatologist at Saguaro Dermatology in Arizona. Dr. Hamann gives an inside look at the residency application process from the other side of the table: ERAS changes, program signaling, what makes an application stand out, and how to build an application that genuinely reflects YOU as a future dermatologist. We hope you enjoy!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with other students interested in dermatology!

Connect with Dr. Hamann: [email protected]

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DIGA Instagram: @derminterest

Today’s Host, Laila: @lailanalrawi

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For questions, comments, or future episode suggestions, please reach out to us via email at [email protected]

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District Four by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3662-district-four

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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In this episode, we talk with Dr. Basia Michalski-McNeely, Program Director of the Dermatology Residency at Washington University in St. Louis. Listen in as she shares her journey into dermatology and to WashU, what makes the WashU residency program unique, and her perspective on what helps applicants stand out during the residency application process. Dr. Michalski-McNeely also discusses the qualities she looks for in future residents, the clinical and research opportunities available at WashU, and her advice for medical students interested in pursuing dermatology. We hope you enjoy!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with other students interested in dermatology!

Learn More:

Washington University in St. Louis Dermatology Residency Program

Instagram: @washuderm

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DIGA Instagram: @⁠⁠derminterest⁠⁠

Today’s Host, Cecile: ⁠@cecileschreidah⁠

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For questions, comments, or future episode suggestions, please reach out to us via email at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

---

District Four by Kevin MacLeod

Link: ⁠⁠https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3662-district-four⁠⁠

License: ⁠⁠https://filmmusic.io/standard-license⁠⁠

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In this episode, we talk with Dr. Mojahed Shalabi, MD. Dr. Shalabi graduated from the Baylor Scott and White dermatology residency program and is currently a Mohs fellow at Baylor University Medical Center. In the first part of the episode, Dr. Shalabi discusses all things audition rotations. He tells us about how students can handle the application system, how students can excel on audition rotations, clinical knowledge to be prepared with, and what to look for in programs. In the second part, Dr. Shalabi helps us to understand the signaling process on the ERAS system. Dr. Shalabi gives practical advice for how students can handle their signals and how programs may weight them. This is an episode jam packed with valuable information for students at all levels of their journey into dermatology. We hope you enjoy!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with other students interested in dermatology!

Learn More:

Educational links: Lookingbill and Marks’ Principles of Dermatology

Instagram: @mojahedshalabimd

Email: [email protected]

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DIGA Instagram: @derminterest

Today’s Host, George: @georgepapadeas

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For questions, comments, or future episode suggestions, please reach out to us via email at [email protected]

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District Four by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3662-district-four

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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In this episode of the DIGA Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Jackie Nikakis, a graduate of New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine and current dermatology resident at Larkin South Miami. She shares her journey starting from school in Long Island to her transitional year at Peconic Bay Medical Center and now a research year at Larkin South Miami. Dr. Nikakis discusses navigating a non-linear path to residency, making the most of a research year as an osteopathic resident, and committing to the process. We hope you enjoy!

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DIGA Instagram: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠derminterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Dr. Jackie Nikakis ⁠@dr.jackienikakis

Today’s Host, Marissa: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@marissamarieruppe⁠⁠⁠⁠

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For questions, comments, or future episode suggestions, please reach out to us via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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District Four by Kevin MacLeod

Link:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3662-district-four⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

License:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In this episode of the Dermatology Interest Group Association (DIGA) Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Sherry Ershadi to discuss one of the most common questions medical students ask when pursuing dermatology: Should I take a research year?

Dr. Ershadi shares her personal journey into dermatology and provides an inside look at the dermatology research year experience. We discuss how students can determine whether a research year is the right choice for them, when to start preparing applications, what makes a strong applicant, and how to identify programs and mentors that align with their goals.

We also explore the realities of research year interviews, day-to-day responsibilities, mentorship, networking, and the personal and financial considerations that come with taking a year away from the traditional medical school timeline. Dr. Ershadi offers practical advice on building connections and finding opportunities in a competitive specialty.

Whether you're actively applying for research years, considering one in the future, or simply curious about the role research can play in a dermatology career, this episode provides valuable guidance and actionable advice from someone who has successfully navigated the process.

Tune in for an honest conversation about mentorship, career development, and making informed decisions on the path to dermatology. We hope you enjoy!

Link to icite:

https://icite.od.nih.gov/analysis?search_id=waz6qxpwd414q5nf

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DIGA Instagram: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠derminterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Dr. Sherry Ershadi’s Instagram: @drsherryershadimd

Today’s Host, Katelyn: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠katsteng⁠

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For questions, comments, or future episode suggestions, please reach out to us via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

---

District Four by Kevin MacLeod

Link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3662-district-four⁠⁠⁠

License: ⁠⁠⁠https://filmmusic.io/standard-license