The DIGA Podcast

Today is our first episode in the Application Success Series. We are joined by the original host of this show, Jonny Hatch. We discuss setting up auditions, why they are important, and how to succeed on them. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with other students trying to match into dermatology! Links: DIGA: @derminterest Nate: Natem_33 List of Formerly AOA Programs for Students Doing A...

On todays episode we are joined by Dr. Brooke Walls. She is a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon based out of Aspen Colorado. She shares her story of not matching her first year and how she overcame this struggle. She also shares how she placed into a fellowship at Harvard, opened the first Mohs clinic in Alaska, and how to continue to fight when you feel like everything is stacked against you! If you...

In this Episode, we talk with Dr. Jessica Kaffenberger. She originally hails from Pittsburgh, PA and completed both medical school and dermatology residency at Penn State University. She is a clinical associate professor of dermatology at The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH, where she serves as the Director of Medical Student Education in Dermatology and the Program Director for the Medical...

On todays episode we are joined by Dr. Nicola Natsis, a PGY-3 at the University of California San Diego's Dermatology residency program. She talks about a day in the life at UCSD's Dermatology program, how to fit in during audition/sub-Is rotations, and how to find mentors in the field of dermatology. If you enjoyed this episode please share it with other students interested or thinking of trying...

This episode is a recording of the webinar on November 17, 2022 with Dr. Bob Brodell, MD. Dr. Brodell gives tips on how to shine when answering behavioral and scenario based interview questions. Music: District Four by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3662-district-four License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In this Episode, we talk with Dr. Vamsi Varra. He received his bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, and he received his MD degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. As of this recording, he is a PGY-3 dermatology resident at The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. Vamsi shares with us his experiences, tips for success, and mo...

This is the first podcast of our mini-series on dermatology research years. In this episode, we talk about how to apply to dermatology research years and advice on finding the right mentor. Today, we are joined by Umer Nadir, co-host and current predoctoral research fellow at Northwestern University. Medical Student at UT Southwestern, Michael Yi, co-host and current predoctoral research fell...

Today, we are joined by Dr. Joseph Pierson, MD, dermatologist and program director at the University of Vermont Medical Center Dermatology Program. Dr. Pierson speaks with us about turning topicals into “Over the Counter” medications, updates to the iPLEDGE program, the University of Vermont Dermatology program, as well as advice for medical students pursuing dermatology. Learn More: Instagram: @u...

Ever wondered what a program director looks for in an applicant? Well, in this episode Dr. Annie Dewan, the program director of The Dermatology Residency Program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center ( @vumcdermatology ) discusses what she specifically looks for in an applicant. Please tune in to this episode, enjoy and share! Nate Marroquin: @natem_33 Music: District Four by Kevin MacLeod Link:...

On this episode we have Dr. Alessandra Chen a PGY-4 Dermatology Resident at the University of Southern California. She sheds light on her program, gives us tips on how to stand out during 3rd and 4th year electives and how to impress residents. If you enjoyed this episode please share it and spread the wealth to other students trying to match into dermatology! You can reach Dr. Chen via email here...

In this Episode, we talk with Dr. Faraaz Zafar, MD, a current PGY-3 resident at the Marshfield Clinic Dermatology Residency Program. After failing to match his first go-around, Dr. Zafar spent a few moments grieving, then picked himself back up, made a game plan and matched into his top choice of residency program. Dr. Zafar has a great perspective on re-applying to dermatology. Learn More: Reside...

On this episode we talk with Dr. Colby Presley a PGY-2 at Lehigh Valley Health Network Dermatology Residency. He sheds light on gaining research experience, networking, and how to shine on 3rd and 4th year electives. He also gives us some insight to his residency program and what makes it stand out amongst all the other programs around the country. Music: District Four by Kevin MacLeod Link: https...

This episode of the DIGA podcast is a recording of the combined DIGA and Association of Professors of Dermatology Webinar held on August 25 of 2022. In this webinar, the APD ask common questions about the 2022-2023 Dermatology Residency Application Process. This is an excellent broadcast for applicants to the 2023 match and also has meaningful advise for applicants to future match days. Panelists:...

In this bonus episode of the DIGA podcast, I talk with Dr. April Armstrong, Vice Chair of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Southern California, Director of Clinical Trials and Outcomes Research, and Director of the Psoriasis Program. Actually, these are only about 1% of Dr. Armstrong’s titles, as you will learn later on in this episode! We talk about her journey to dermatology, h...

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Anisha Guda. At the time of this recording, Dr. Guda was completing a transitional year at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, TX and preparing to begin her dermatology residency at UT Southwestern. Dr. Guda is passionate about serving others, mentorship, reflective writing, and dermatology. She has great actionable advice for pursuing dermatology and has a f...

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Arash Mostaghimi and Dr. Kris Liu, hosts of the Topical Podcast. Their podcast is an incredible resource for medical students pursuing dermatology. In this episode, we talk about their podcast, what “Med Derm” programs are all about, cosmetic dermatology, their top tips for dermatology applicants, the Harvard Combined Dermatology Residency, and more. Learn More: P...

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Richard Miller. Dr. Miller graduated from an osteopathic medical school. Instead of doing a traditional residency, Dr. Miller did a preceptorship in dermatology. He boot strapped his way to becoming one of the best dermatologists in the region, and now is program director of the Largo Medical Center Dermatology program, a formerly AOA program. Dr. Miller shares hi...

Jarett Anderson recently matched into dermatology and will soon graduate from Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine. Jarett talks to us about his journey to dermatology, the unique challenges of being an osteopathic applicant, strategies for success as an osteopathic student pursuing dermatology, and more. We hope this is useful for all of our aspiring osteopathic dermatolo...

In this episode, we interview Dr. Kristen Kelly, chair of the Department of Dermatology at the University of California, Irvine. Dr. Kelly gives us insights into her career path, the field of dermatology, and advice for current medical students. Links: UC Irvine Derm Program: https://www.dermatology.uci.edu/residency.asp Music: District Four by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetec...

In this episode, we talk with Drs. Brodell and Ortego. Dr. Robert Brodell is professor and chair of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.  He is a board certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist.  Dr Brodell is currently president of the American Dermatological Associa...

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Michelle Tarbox and Dr. Luke Johnson. Dr. Tarbox and Dr. Johnson host the podcast Dermasphere, a podcast by dermatologists for dermatologists to help dermatologists stay up-to-date on the latest research. We talk about how students can effectively learn dermatology, get involved in research, be successful on audition rotations and we even talk about the programs t...

This episode is the final episode of a 3 part series discussing what medical students need to do during each season of medical school in order to be a competitive dermatology applicant. We talk to Dr. CiCi Topham, a former DIGA president and current PGY 2 at the University of Utah. In this episode, we discuss with Dr. Topham how to be successful on audition rotations, tips for applying to Derm res...

This episode of the DIGA podcast is a recording of the joint DIGA and APD webinar on Interview Tips given on November 16, 2021. In this webinar, various program directors and members of the Association of Professors of Dermatology give tips pertaining to interviewing during the 2021-2022 application cycle. Best of luck to all the students interviewing this cycle! Music: District Four by Kevin MacL...

This episode is the 2nd part of a 3 part series discussing what medical students need to do during each season of medical school in order to be a competitive dermatology applicant. We talk to Nick Flint, also known as the AnKing, a 4th year medical student at the University of Utah. Nick is an icon in the medical school community for his work developing the AnKing flashcard deck. He has also start...

This episode is part of a three part series where we discuss the different seasons of a medical student applying to dermatology: 1st, the preclinical years, 2nd, the core rotations, and 3rd, the audition and interview season. In this episode, 4th Year Medical Student Stafford Brown III talks about his experiences during the pre-clinical years to set himself up for success as a dermatology applican...