Going Unmatched in CaRMS: A Resident’s Story of Resilience & Growth
Release Date: 03/11/2025
Why Pediatric Hematology/Oncology? Purpose, Passion & the Power of Communication
Specialty Café
Ever wondered what draws someone to pediatrics, and keeps them there for life? Host Mark Garabedian sits down with Dr. Jayson Stoffman, FRCPC, Pediatric Program Director at the University of Manitoba and a specialist in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. From babysitting and camp counselling to medical school rotations, Dr. Stoffman always knew he wanted to work with kids. But his career took a meaningful turn when he found pediatric hematology/oncology: a field where science, compassion, and family-centred care intersect. As he puts it: “When a child gets cancer… it’s like the family...
info_outline
CaRMS: Tips from an Emergency Medicine Program Director
Specialty Café
The CaRMS deadline is just around the corner. We’ve got you covered! In this episode of Specialty Café, Dr. Kaif Pardhan, FRCPC, Program Director for Emergency Medicine at the University of Toronto, joins host Mark Garabedian to share insider advice straight from the selection side of the process. Whether you’re finalizing your CaRMS application or planning ahead for next year, this conversation shares practical guidance for every stage of your journey. Dr. Pardhan gives great insight into what programs look for in a strong personal letter, how to approach attendings for reference...
info_outline
CaRMS: Tips to Stay on Track from a PGY1
Specialty Café
to learn more.
info_outline
CaRMS, Your Personal Letter, and Advice from a Surgical Program Director
Specialty Café
Your personal letter really matters in your CaRMS application, and authenticity is key. In this week’s episode of Specialty Café, host Mark Garabedian chats with Dr. Justin Rivard, FRCSC, General Surgery Program Director at the University of Manitoba, to talk about what program directors are really looking for. Dr. Rivard shares practical and reassuring advice on how to approach your personal letter, the role of your social and personal background, and why being hardworking and a team player matter more than perfect technical skills (by the way... not an expectation to get intro a...
info_outline
CaRMS: What You Should Know!
Specialty Café
What exactly is the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS), and how does the residency match work? For many medical students, this crucial step brings more questions than answers and often a fair bit of stress. In this Specialty Café ep, host Mark Garabedian chats with Geneviève Leroux, Manager of Client Services at CaRMS, to demystify the residency match process. Geneviève breaks down the algorithm behind ranking, shares practical strategies for creating your rank list, and highlights the support available from the CaRMS team. Whether you’re just beginning medical school or deep...
info_outline
CaRMS on Your Mind? Meet PM&R, the Hidden Gem
Specialty Café
Curious about what life looks like in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R)? This often-overlooked specialty, aka Physiatry, blends patient-centred care with hands-on procedures and the flexibility to shape a career that fits your life and your passions. Whether you're early in med school and exploring options or gearing up for CaRMS, you will want to tune in. Join host Dr. Cameron Wong as he chats with Dr. Alice Kam, FRCPC, about why Physiatry might be the hidden gem you have been searching for. Dr. Kam shares how she built a practice she loves (her words!) while keeping her...
info_outline
Geriatric Psychiatry: A Specialty That Gives Back
Specialty Café
Welcome to a brand-new season of Specialty Café! Fresh voices, fresh perspectives, and meaningful conversations about Royal College specialties, subspecialties, CaRMS prep, and more. We’re starting strong with Geriatric Psychiatry... a field that combines psychiatry, aging, and preventive care. Host Dr. Cameron Wong sits down with Dr. Nimrit Bath, FRCPC, who shares her residency journey, why she chose geriatric psychiatry, and what it means to work with such a rewarding patient population. This episode is packed with insights for medical students exploring specialty choices. You’ll...
info_outline
Day 1 Allies: Prepping for R1 with a PATIENT... the most important voice!
Specialty Café
"I am not my diagnoses." These are the words of Janet Rodriguez, a generous patient, advocate, and educator, who joins host Dr. Cameron Wong for the final episode of our Day 1 Allies series. As new residents step into their roles, Janet offers a grounding reminder: every patient you meet is a person first. Not a diagnosis. Not a pathology. A person. In this moving conversation, Janet shares the wisdom she’s gathered from years of experience partnering with healthcare teams. She reflects on what makes a doctor trustworthy and what makes care feel truly compassionate. You’ll hear...
info_outline
Day 1 Allies: Prepping for R1 with a SPIRITUAL HEALTH PRACTIONER
Specialty Café
What does spiritual care look like in a hospital setting? In this episode, we explore the broad and evolving role of the Spiritual Health Practitioner, a healthcare team member who offers emotional, existential, and spiritual support to patients, families, and even staff, regardless of belief system. Host Dr. Cameron Wong speaks with Suzanne Robertson, a passionate and dedicated Spiritual Health Practitioner, about the many dimensions of this deeply human role. As the spiritual and religious needs of our society shift, so too does this profession, evolving to meet the diverse needs of...
info_outline
Day 1 Allies: Prepping for R1 with a PATIENT CARE NAVIGATOR
Specialty Café
This episode continues our Day 1 Allies series, a campaign to support new residents as they join the clinical team. In this episode, we focus on a role that often works behind the scenes but has a huge impact on patient care: the Patient Care Navigator (PCN). Host Cameron Wong, MD chats with Taylor Farrance, to explore how PCNs guide patients from admission through to discharge... and why this process is far more complex than it looks. Taylor describes discharge planning as something that evolves every day during a patient’s stay, shaped by input from the entire allied health team....
info_outlineThe 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.