In Part 2 and the final episode of this two-part series, Dr. Rob Beck continues his conversation with Dr. Peter Shin, breaking down the process of moving from the United States to Canada as a physician.

Dr. Shin walks through the practical steps he took, including finding a job, verifying his medical credentials, applying for provincial licensing, obtaining CMPA malpractice coverage and a billing number, and navigating work permits and permanent residency.

He also shares practical advice for physicians moving with a family, including spousal work permits, schooling for children, healthcare coverage, background checks, moving household goods, importing a vehicle, and preparing financially for the transition.

If you're a U.S. physician seriously considering practicing in Canada, this episode serves as a practical checklist from someone who recently completed the process himself.

This is Part 2 and the final episode of our two-part series with Dr. Peter Shin.

Podcast Link: The Interesting MD Podcast 

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In this episode of The Interesting MD Podcast, Dr. Rob Beck speaks with Dr. Peter Shin, an internist who recently moved from Chicago to British Columbia with his wife and four children.

Dr. Shin shares his experiences practicing medicine across the United States and in New Zealand, why he had been considering leaving the U.S. for years, and how changes to Canadian physician licensing helped make the move to British Columbia possible.

They discuss the differences between the U.S., Canadian, and New Zealand healthcare systems, the tradeoffs he has experienced practicing in Canada, and the warm reception his family has received since arriving. Dr. Shin also shares how the move has affected his stress, work-life balance, and life outside of medicine.

This is Part 1 of Dr. Peter Shin’s conversation. In Part 2, he breaks down the immigration and licensing process for healthcare professionals interested in making the move to Canada.

Podcast Link: The Interesting MD Podcast 

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In the third and final part of this three-part interview, Dr. Rob Beck continues his conversation with Dr. Alona Sukhina, a pediatrician who relocated from Arizona to Vancouver, British Columbia.

Dr. Sukhina shares why she ultimately decided to leave the U.S., the emotional difficulty of making that decision, and why she has no regrets about the move. She also walks through the practical side of relocating, including finding a job, physician licensing, immigration, and resources that can help U.S.-trained doctors interested in practicing in Canada.

They also discuss what life has been like since the move, from working fewer hours and experiencing less stress to Vancouver’s public transportation, community resources, and family-friendly lifestyle.

For physicians seriously considering Canada, this final episode offers both practical guidance and an honest look at what life can be like on the other side of the transition.

This is Part 3 and the final episode featuring Dr. Alona Sukhina.

Podcast Link: The Interesting MD Podcast 

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In Part 2 of this three-part interview series, Dr. Rob Beck continues his conversation with Dr. Alona Sukhina, a pediatrician who moved from the United States to Canada.

Dr. Sukhina shares what practicing pediatrics in Canada actually looks like compared with her experience in the U.S. She discusses simpler billing and documentation, fewer patients per day, longer appointments, greater autonomy in ordering tests, virtual care, and the reduced administrative burden she has experienced since making the move.

After previously seeing as many as 25 patients a day, Dr. Sukhina explains how having more time with each patient has allowed her to practice more comprehensive medicine and spend less time navigating administrative barriers.

For physicians considering Canada, this episode offers a practical look at how changing healthcare systems can affect not only paperwork and billing, but the everyday experience of being a doctor.

This is Part 2 of 3 featuring Dr. Alona Sukhina. Stay tuned for the third and final episode.

Podcast Link: The Interesting MD Podcast 

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This is Part 1 of a three-part interview with Dr. Alona Sukhina, a board-trained pediatrician who recently relocated from Tucson, Arizona, to Vancouver, British Columbia.

In this episode of The Interesting MD Podcast, Dr. Rob Beck speaks with Dr. Sukhina about her experience caring for refugee, immigrant, and underserved communities in the United States. She explains the important role Federally Qualified Health Centers play in supporting vulnerable patients and how policy changes, funding pressures, and systemic barriers increasingly affected her ability to provide the care she believed her patients deserved.

Dr. Sukhina also opens up about the ethical and emotional challenges that ultimately contributed to her decision to leave the United States for Canada—including the difficult feeling of leaving patients and colleagues behind.

This first installment explores medicine, ethics, healthcare access, and what happens when a physician begins questioning whether the system they work within still aligns with their values.

This is Part 1 of 3. Stay tuned for Parts 2 and 3 of Dr. Alona Sukhina’s conversation with Dr. Rob Beck.

Podcast Link: The Interesting MD Podcast 

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In this episode of The Interesting MD Podcast, Dr. Rob Beck continues his conversation with Dr. Fraser Mackay of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP) about the systemic causes of emergency department overcrowding in Canada.

They discuss hospital patient flow, Alternate Level of Care patients, the need for more transparent public reporting, and why short-term initiatives often fail to address the underlying causes of long emergency department waits.

Dr. Mackay also explains why meaningful healthcare reform requires public engagement, political accountability, and evidence-based policy. Rather than directing frustration toward frontline doctors and nurses, he encourages patients and healthcare professionals to use their voices, join advocacy organizations, communicate with political representatives, and push for long-term systemic improvements.

A timely conversation about accountability, advocacy, and what it will take to build a Canadian healthcare system capable of serving a growing and aging population.

Follow Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caep_docs/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAEP01/

Podcast Link: The Interesting MD Podcast 

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In this episode of The Interesting MD Podcast, Dr. Rob Beck speaks with Dr. Fraser Mackay, an emergency physician and advocate with the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP), about the growing crisis of emergency department overcrowding in Canada.

Dr. Mackay explains why long wait times are a symptom of broader healthcare system challenges, including hospital capacity, staffing shortages, and patient flow. Together, they discuss the impact on patients, healthcare workers, and the future of emergency medicine.

The conversation also explores physician recruitment, interprovincial licensing, and practical solutions that could improve care across Canada.

A thoughtful discussion about one of the most pressing issues facing Canadian healthcare today.

Podcast Link: The Interesting MD Podcast 

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In this episode of The Interesting MD Podcast, Dr. Rob Beck speaks with Dr. Marc Jeschke, an internationally recognized burn surgeon and scientist, about groundbreaking advances in regenerative burn care.

Dr. Jeschke discusses how severe burns impact the immune system, the evolution of stem cell and exosome research, and the first clinical use of exosome therapy to treat a young patient with life-changing results. They also explore the challenges of translating laboratory discoveries into real-world patient care and the future of burn treatment.

A compelling conversation about innovation, collaboration, and the potential to dramatically improve outcomes for burn survivors through cutting-edge medical research.

Podcast Link: The Interesting MD Podcast 

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In this episode of The Interesting MD Podcast, Dr. Rob Beck speaks with Dr. Khashayar Farzam, a dual-trained family medicine and emergency physician who completed his medical training in the United States before returning to practice in Ontario, Canada.

Dr. Farzam shares his experiences navigating the transition between healthcare systems, discussing physician licensing, billing, practice ownership, and the differences between practicing medicine in the U.S. and Canada. He also challenges common assumptions about physician compensation and highlights the flexibility available to Canadian family physicians.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Farzam is an accomplished competitive powerlifter and two-time Guinness World Record holder, offering insight into balancing elite athletics with a busy medical career.

A practical and engaging conversation for physicians interested in cross-border practice, healthcare systems, and building a career aligned with both professional and personal goals.

Podcast Link: The Interesting MD Podcast 

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In this episode of The Interesting MD Podcast, Dr. Rob Beck is joined by Dr. Daria for a conversation about the growing role of artificial intelligence in healthcare.

Together, they discuss how AI tools are helping physicians access evidence-based information, improve clinical decision-making, and reduce administrative workload while maintaining the importance of human judgment in patient care.

The conversation also explores outdated healthcare technology, insurance-related administrative burdens, differences between the U.S. and Canadian healthcare systems, and why future healthcare innovation must be built around the real needs of clinicians and patients.

A practical and forward-looking discussion on how technology can improve medicine without losing the human connection at its core.

Podcast Link: The Interesting MD Podcast 

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