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 s...

"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...

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...

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 p...

Starting R1 this July? We've got your back. This episode kicks off our Day 1 Allies series, a campaign to support new residents as they join the clinical team. We're starting with a vital but sometimes misunderstood member of the healthcare team:  the pharmacist . Host Cameron Wong, MD (congrats to him as he begins R1!) sits down with Clement Chan, PharmD ACPR , to explore how pharmacists support...

Are you not only interested in psychiatry, but also in how to have a healthy and fulfilling residency? This episode is for anyone who's curious about why humans are the way they are—and wants to hear how compassion and empathy can go a long way in both medicine and life. Today's guest, Patricia Celan, MD, shares insight into her journey to becoming a psychiatry resident. She talks with host Camero...

You're looking ahead to future-you as a specialist. You're someone who loves your patients and loves your job! You get paged at 3 a.m. and your immediate thought is, "yes!" On many occasions, there's laughter and tears of joy in the operating room. You thrive on nearly every medical and surgical aspect of your work and find deep joy in your day-to-day. Sure, balance in life can be a challenge... b...

Do you suffer from neurophobia ? Neurology can seem daunting, but it's also one of the most rewarding fields in medicine. In this episode, we learn how conversation and comfort with uncertainty are key to mastering this complex specialty. Chris Watling, MD, FRCPC, neurologist and CEO of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, joins host Cameron Wong live at the International Congre...

Before we dive into rural General Surgery… a sage piece of advice from our very sage guest: Time flies. On day 1 of practice – plan how and when you want to retire! Review your plan!  Host Cameron Wong sits down with Yemi Laosebikan, MD, FRCSC, a General Surgeon practicing in Melfort, Saskatchewan, to explore what it truly means to serve a rural community in Canada. This conversation goes far beyo...

In Part 2 of our  Medicine or Surgery panel, medical students take the mic to ask the questions that are often left out of formal talks. From starting a family, to getting into competitive programs, to the importance of YOUR brand, to doing fellowships abroad, to choosing between medicine and surgery... and so much more.  Nothing is off the table. Our guests, Adrian Huang, MBBChBAO, FRCSC, (Orthop...

Specialty Café is back — and better than ever! We're diving back into the Royal College's specialty landscape, spotlighting new voices from across the country. Tune in for conversations with Fellows, residents, and allied health professionals — plus practical episodes designed to help you thrive on Day 1 of residency. In this episode: Medicine or Surgery — still deciding? We've got you. Join host...

Residency may still be a few months away, but Day 1 will be here before you know it! In this episode, host Cameron Wong sits down with Emily Wu, MD (PGY2), to share insights on making the transition smoother. From what to expect to practical preparation tips, this conversation is packed with advice to help you feel more confident as you step into your new role. Be kind to yourself... this will be...

The 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 init...

In this timely episode, Dr. Andrew Pauls (PGY1, Family Medicine & former host) joins Cameron Wong to share his Match Day experience. He reflects on the whirlwind of emotions leading up to the moment he pressed the button to reveal his result and offers perspective on staying grounded during this high-stakes time. Dr. Pauls emphasizes the importance of recognizing the many achievements medical stud...

We're kicking off this packed season of Specialty Caf é  with a few episodes dedicated to fourth-year med students in the thick of CaRMS. After that, we'll dive into fresh conversations on primary specialties—empowering YOU, medical trainees, with the knowledge and insights to confidently navigate your journey toward the perfect specialty and a future you're excited to embrace.   Plus, we'll be re...

Is Nephrology really just for the 'nerds' of Internal Medicine?   Michael Girsberger, MD, FRCPC, a practicing Nephrologist in Prince Edward Island, is here to embrace the stereotype—but also challenge it. Nephrologists do so much more than dialysis and kidney care; their work spans acute mechanics, intricate puzzle-solving, and a healthy dose of General Internal Medicine. In this episode, host Cam...

Are you drawn to a specialty that bridges the brain and body, builds meaningful relationships, and embraces the unique challenges of adolescence? Do you find teens fascinating - actually do you like teenagers? In this episode, host Cameron Wong hopes to demystify the world of Adolescent Medicine, a field that's as complex as it is rewarding. Our guest, Simone Lebeuf, MD, FRCPC, shares her journey...

Why can't dogs eat grapes?   What does a day look like for a Clinical Pharmacologist & Toxicologist? Is this really one subspecialty? Are there many routes to becoming a Clinical Pharmacologist & Toxicologist? Do you see patients in this fascinating subspecialty? Does being an excellent team member with allied health members really matter?  Today's guest, Riley Hartmann, MD, FRCPC, balances four s...

Thanks for tuning into Season 7. We've got loads in store. We'll continue to delve into the many Royal College subspecialties whilst addressing topics of interest identified by you - our Specialty Caf é community. Enjoy the series!  Clear, memorable, succinct, and consistent —these qualities should define both your CaRMS application and interview. In this episode, Sarah Klapman MD, a PGY2 in Gener...

Thanks to you, our Specialty Caf é community, we're gearing up for the next season. In the meantime - are you interested in winning a $50 gift card? Here's how: Listen to Specialty Caf é. Rate and review (and enjoy!).  Take a screenshot of your review and email to us at podcasts@royalcollege.ca. Include your name, school, and year.  Winners will be announced at the Canadian Federation of Medical S...

Once you hear today's guest express her deep and unwavering dedication to Pediatric Emergency Medicine, teaching, and advocacy, you'll understand why her career is perfectly suited to her passion. Kirstin Weerdenburg, MD, FRCPC, shares her global journey which led her to practice in Halifax, NS. She expected to focus solely on clinical practice but soon discovered there's a world of opportunity in...

What does mentorship mean to you? Join our podcast team Andrew, Emily, and Mark, as they explore the importance of mentors in their educational journeys. Their discussion highlights some of the amazing benefits of learning from a mentor in a rural setting (this includes of course knowing the entire health care team as well as dinner and 'hanging out' with your preceptor!). They reflect on their pa...

Today's guest is a singer, pianist, science fiction enthusiast, storyteller, listener, and creative writer. And as importantly, he's a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology specialist. Join us as Kyle Mendonça, MD (PGY6... but not for long!), shares his fascinating journey with host Cameron Wong. Dr. Mendonça opens up about his residency experiences, his passion for working with children, and why he chose...

" What do you want to do in this world with your life… and how are you going to meld that into medicine? ".  Some wise refelctions from today's guest – Adrian Huang, MD, FRCSC.  Host Andrew Pauls (now an MD!) asks Dr. Huang to walk us through his experience as he jumped from medical school to his first year of residency in Orthopedic Surgery. What worked? What didn't? What lessons did he learn? Ho...

  Are you uncertain about which specialty to pursue, but know you want a career that is public-facing, involves patient and family interaction, and thrives on the dynamic, high-pressure hospital environment with quick results? And most importantly, do you love working with children?!  Tune-in to this episode as Allen Hayashi, MD, FRCSC tells host Emily Wu, MD why Pediatric Surgery gives him joy an...