Episode 125: The Hidden Curriculum with Dr. Sarah Dubbs and Dr. Sandra Quezada
Release Date: 05/13/2025
The OSA Insider
We all assume that once we match at a residency program, we're set. It’s practically etched in stone that we’ll spend the next 3-7 years of our life at that one hospital. But what if the residency program isn't the right fit? What does it mean to transfer residency programs? How hard is it to make that choice? What happens next, and what’s the process like afterwards? SOM alum Dr. Miriam Robin, an academic Med/Peds hospitalist, lived through this exact situation. It wasn’t easy, but she emerged on the other side happy, thriving, and successful. She shares her story with us in this...
info_outlineThe OSA Insider
The Student Clinician Ceremony is a rite of passage for our medical students as they move from the classroom to clinical rotations. As a companion piece to the upcoming Student Clinician Ceremony, we are delighted to bring you the wisdom and perspectives of Aidan Wiley, MS4. He shares stories of humanism in his third year, where he received help in a moment of need, and his top advice for students at this special time in training and life.
info_outlineThe OSA Insider
We're continuing our Applying to Residency series with this lovely, informative, pearl-packed conversation with Dr. Vandana Racherla, pediatrician and Program Director of the Pediatrics residency program at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Her guidance is highly relevant to future pediatricians, and it's also valuable for any medical student interested in different career paths.
info_outlineThe OSA Insider
Happy new year! For our first episode of 2026, we are featuring a topic that’s not flashy, but it is so important - records and registration. What are the differences among MedScope, Vida Nova, SURFS, and UMB’s MyHub? What should you do if you have a hold on your record? What if your future residency program contacts the OSA to request verification of your medical education? Mr. Brian Wynder answers all these questions and more. He is the Records and Registration Coordinator for the SOM, also known as the MD Program Registrar. He helps peel back the curtain on how records and registration...
info_outlineThe OSA Insider
Our series on applying to residency programs marches on with a deep dive into the Dermatology application process with SOM 2025 graduate, Dr. Emily Ma. She shares practical, down-to-earth advice for applying to such a competitive specialty.
info_outlineThe OSA Insider
We are continuing our series on applying to residency programs, this time with a warm, wise conversation with Dr. Fernando Martinez Guasch. He graduated from the SOM in 2025 and is completing his internship year before pursuing an Ophthalmology residency. He shares so many insights about the Ophtho match and about navigating this time of life in general.
info_outlineThe OSA Insider
Our series on applying to residency programs continues, this time with UMMC's General Surgery Program Director, Dr. Steve Kavic. He shares a wealth of information on what he looks for in candidates, how to approach personal statements and interview days, and how he supports his residents to achieve their career goals.
info_outlineThe OSA Insider
Our special series on applying to residency continues, this time with an interview with Internal Medicine Residency Program Director Dr. Danny Baek. She shares her approach to the residency application process and match, how signaling works in her field, what she looks for in applicants, and her best advice for students navigating this unique life chapter. This episode is filled with practical info and tons of support for our students.
info_outlineThe OSA Insider
We continue our series on Applying to Residency with brand new SOM grad Shirin Parsa. She's a prelim surgery intern who will complete her residency in Integrated Interventional Radiology at the University of Maryland. She shares her residency application journey, including the mentorship she received, the interviews she went on, and how she crafted her rank list. Each of these conversations has pearls for all third—and fourth-year students, regardless of specialty. Listen in, and let us know what other specialties you'd like to learn about in this series.
info_outlineThe OSA Insider
We are kicking off a brand new series on Applying to Residency with recent SOM graduates who recently went through the Match. We'll get to know their individual stories, special considerations for applying to their field, and how they approached items like their personal statement, letters of recommendation, away rotations, and rank lists. You'll learn about virtual vs. in-person interviews, signaling, and so much more. In this episode, you'll get to meet SOM 2025 graduate Dr. Pharibe Pope and learn about the ENT application process.
info_outlineWe all know about the medical school curriculum. But what about the hidden curriculum, or how students learn about the unspoken culture of medicine through everyday, informal interactions? In this episode, Dr. Sandra Quezada and Dr. Sarah Dubbs explore the hidden curriculum with some examples, chat about whether the hidden curriculum can be positive or negative, and offer guidance on how students can best navigate the hidden curriculum and thrive within it.
References:
-
Lawrence C, Mhlaba T, Stewart KA, et al. The Hidden Curricula of Medical Education: A Scoping Review. Acad Med. 2018 Apr;93(4):648-656. PMID: 29116981.
-
Bandini J, Mitchell C, Epstein-Peterson ZD, et al. Student and Faculty Reflections of the Hidden Curriculum. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2017 Feb;34(1):57-63. Epub 2016 Jul 11. PMID: 26566929.
-
Martimianakis MA, Michalec B, Lam J, et al. Humanism, the Hidden Curriculum, and Educational Reform: A Scoping Review and Thematic Analysis. Acad Med. 2015 Nov;90(11 Suppl):S5-S13. PMID: 26505101.
-
Hopkins L, Saciragic L, Kim J, Posner G. The Hidden Curriculum: Exposing the Unintended Lessons of Medical Education. Cureus. 2016 Oct 25;8(10):e845. PMID: 27909633
-
Kalter L. Navigating the Hidden Curriculum in Medical School. AAMC News. Published July 13, 2019. Accessed December 10, 2024. Link.
-
Freedman D. The Hidden Curriculum. NYU Langone Health Hub. Accessed December 10, 2024. Link.