Public Health & Preventive Medicine: Rural Practice, Open Minds & Better Health
Specialty Café
A quote (and the vibe) from today's guest: "Our operating room is the world." What if improving health meant looking beyond the patient in front of you? How do rural practice, community experiences, and a willingness to embrace the unexpected shape a physician's career and impact? In this episode of Specialty Café, host Dr. Mark Garabedian speaks with Dr. Douglas Manuel, FRCPC, about his journey from rural and northern medical practice to a career in Public Health & Preventive Medicine. Reflecting on experiences in communities across Canada, Dr. Manuel shares how stepping...
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Orthopedic Surgery Residency: CaRMS Tips, Team Culture & Life as an Ortho Resident
Specialty Café
Are you okay with 5 am starts... and not seeing the sun for weeks? Orthopedic Surgery may be one of medicine's most demanding specialties... but for the right person, it's also one of the most rewarding (and of course fun too!). Bonus: Our guest shares her journey in law and how it can benefit her life in medicine. In this episode of Specialty Café, host Henry Tran sits down with Dr. Sophie Ba (now a PGY3), Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Ottawa, to explore what residency is really like beyond the stereotypes. From long OR days and call shifts to finding balance outside...
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Emergency Medicine Residency: The Reality Behind the Specialty
Specialty Café
Is Emergency Medicine the right specialty for you? In this episode of Specialty Café, host Henry Tran, a medical student at the University of Alberta, sits down with Dr. Prince Asare-Agbo (PGY5) from the University of Ottawa for an fullsome conversation about the realities of Emergency Medicine residency. From managing diagnostic uncertainty and rapid task switching to navigating shift work and burnout, Dr. Asare-Agbo shares what medical students don't always see during their Emergency Medicine rotations, and why humility, resilience, and teamwork are essential to thriving in the specialty....
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Day 1 Residency #4: Every Patient Has a Backpack of Life
Specialty Café
What if one of the most important lessons you'll learn in residency comes from a patient? As new residents begin their residency training, guest host Lesly Joyce Nkuindja sits down with patient advocate Jennifer Daly-Cyr for a conversation that every incoming PGY1 should hear. After living with an undiagnosed chronic pain condition for more than a decade, Jennifer shares how pain reshaped her career, relationships and sense of self... and what her experiences inside the healthcare system have taught her about compassionate care. Jennifer and Lesly Joyce explore the power of listening, the...
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Day 1 Residency #3: What Does Being a Good Doctor Mean?
Specialty Café
As you begin residency - are you pondering on what it really meansto be a good doctor? In this special Day 1 of Residency episode, guest host Dr. Harley Bray (PGY3, Obstetrics and Gynecology) sits down with anesthesiologist and intensive care physician Dr. Faisal Siddiqui, FRCPC to explore how their understanding of medicine has evolved from the first days of medical school to clinical practice. Dr. Siddiqui reflects on the importance of teamwork, humility, and recognizing that no physician cares for patients alone. He shares the importance of navigating difficult conversations with families,...
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Day 1 Residency #2: Trust & Respect Your Allied Health Team!
Specialty Café
Day 1 of residency is around the corner. If you're feeling nervous… you're not alone. In this episode of Specialty Café, host Dr. Mark Garabedian speaks with Dr. Cameron Wong (PGY1, Internal Medicine, University of Alberta) about the transition from medical student to resident. Cameron shares practical tips for preparing for your first day, from meal prepping and connecting with an upper-year buddy to finding your way around the hospital… including where to find the scrubs, the call room and, of course, the good hospital food. He also shares his golden rule for surviving and...
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Day 1 Residency #1: What Your Patients Need YOU To Know
Specialty Café
It's Day 1 of residency, and one of your most important collaborations is about to begin: your partnership with your patients. And... if you are in need of a pep talk for the big day, tune-in! In this season premiere of Specialty Café, co-host Sharmin Zahin speaks with patient partner, educator, and advocate Karen Firus about what patients need from the physicians to create a truly collaborative relationship. Actually... let's backtrack. Karen is an artist, loves magenta, rootbeer, and funky hair dos. She's a human! And she doesn't hold back sharing some very vulnerable moments in her...
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Resident Panel: OBGYN, Ophthalmology, Psychiatry, & Family Medicine
Specialty Café
What do top residents across specialties have in common... And how do you stand out as a med student? Recorded live at the Western Medical Students Summit (Vancouver, Feb 2026), Dr. Cameron Wong (PGY1, Internal Medicine) hosts a dynamic panel featuring residents from OBGYN, Ophthalmology, Psychiatry, and Family Medicine (+ Emergency Medicine). More than once, they promote the qualities that matter most: teamwork, curiosity, relatability, kindness, and work ethic... and how these show up in real clinical training. From residency realities to practical tips on excelling in medical school,...
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Inside Anesthesiology + Leadership in Medicine with Dr. Viren Naik, CEO of the MCC
Specialty Café
Who are the unsung heroes of the operating room? In this episode of Specialty Café, host Mark Garabedian sits down with Dr. Viren Naik, FRCPC, anesthesiologist (first and foremost) and CEO of the Medical Council of Canada, to explore his path into anesthesiology and what makes the specialty such a unique and dynamic field. From electives and procedures to teamwork in the operating room, Dr. Naik offers medical trainees a clear look at what to expect and why anesthesiology continues to evolve. As he puts it, anesthesiologists are often the “unsung heroes of the operating room,” quietly...
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Emergency Medicine: Cognitive Load, High‑Performance Teams & Unexpected Career Paths
Specialty Café
In this episode of the Royal College's Specialty Café, host Dr. Cameron Wong (PGY1, Internal Medicine) sits down with Emergency Medicine physician, educator, researcher, father, husband, and host, Dr. Adam Szulewski, FRCPC. Whether you're a medical student exploring specialties or a resident shaping your career path, this episode delivers invaluable insight into what it really means to work in Emergency Medicine... clinically, cognitively, and emotionally. Dr. Szulewski shares a dynamic inside look at: Life as an Emergency Medicine physician and the thrill of working within a...
info_outlineThe 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 letters, what your CV really communicates, and how to show who you are as a candidate. He also shares helpful strategies for ranking programs and getting ready for interviews (they come sooner than you think!).
Key takeaway: Every applicant’s story is unique... and diversity is what makes a residency program thrive.
For more interview insights, check out CanadiEM’s CaRMS interview tips.
If you particpate in 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.