Specialty Café

Royal College Canada
  • 5.0 (7)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Specialty Café

Are you a medical student or resident choosing your path in healthcare? Grab a coffee and settle in… this café is for you! Our hosts (med students & residents) chat with Royal College specialists and residents about their day to day lives, the reasons behind their specialty choices, the joys, the challenges, and more! Although conversations are full of specialty insights, you’ll gain invaluable life advice about being a fulfilled and excellent clinician (and human being). Feedspot has voted Specialty Café as one of the 10 Best Canadian Medical Podcasts! https://blog.feedspot.com/canadian_medical_podcasts/ Any recommendations or questions about the podcast? Contact us at fellowshipaffairs@royalcollege.ca. Transcripts are available on request.

  1. Nephrology

    DEC 11

    Nephrology

    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 Cameron Wong dives into the diverse and dynamic life of a Nephrologist. From tackling complex diagnoses over weeks to managing a broad practice in a community/rural setting, Dr. Girsberger reveals how this specialty offers variety, intellectual excitement, and opportunities to make a real difference. And yes, his passion for kidney pathology is contagious! A word of advice from Dr. Girsberger: ‘Stay open as you plan your career’. He never imagined when he was doing his residency in Switzerland that he’d be one of three Nephrologists in Prince Edward Island. Check out Specialty Café’s very first episode on Internal Medicine (March 31, 2021) https://specialtycafe.libsyn.com/ep_1_internal_medicine_final_mix_en_feb12021mp3

    33 min
  2. Adolescent Medicine (Staff)

    NOV 26

    Adolescent Medicine (Staff)

    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 into this dynamic subspecialty. Her compassion and passion for her patients are the foundation of her practice.  Dr. Lebeuf reflects on the privilege of supporting vulnerable teens through life-changing moments. From navigating mental health and eating disorders to providing gender-affirming care and reproductive health support, Adolescent Medicine offers endless opportunities for those with a passion for advocacy, education, and outreach. It’s never been said that there are too many medical specialists who work with teens. If you have a pull toward trauma-informed care and truly want to impact a young person’s future… Adolescent Medicine just might be for you. Check out the Specialty Café episode on Pediatrics (published October 7, 2022).

    27 min
  3. Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology (Staff)

    NOV 12

    Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology (Staff)

    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 staff roles with life as a father, husband, hiker, skier, cook, and goalie alongside his nurse colleagues. A true enthusiast for all things pharmacology (and coffee!), he enjoys learning about obsure poisonous events. Somehow, he makes balancing work and life look... possible and fulfilling.  Host Cameron Wong’s fascination shines through, especially as they tackle the complex puzzle of de-prescribing.  If you want to be an true expert in all aspects of your field, love teaching, are open to unlimited career possibilities... then press play and listen on. You may have found a hidden subspecialty that could change the course of your journey.

    36 min
  4. CaRMS: Insights from a PGY2 (and opera singer!)

    OCT 29

    CaRMS: Insights from a PGY2 (and opera singer!)

    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 Café 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 General Surgery, joins host Cameron Wong (who’s embarking on his own CaRMS journey) to share how she crafted an application that truly stood out. Dr. Klapman managed to highlight her passion for both surgery and opera (and how they interrelate!), showing interviewers that she’s not just a skilled candidate but a genuinely interesting one, too. Dr. Klapman offers insights into key steps like asking for "strong" letters of reference and structuring a compelling narrative in your application. She also shares her frank thoughts on planning for a possible unmatched situation. One of her top tips? Allow yourself double the time you think you’ll need for prep. With careful planning and some self-care along the way, you can tackle the CaRMS process with greater confidence and less stress.  Check out the CaRMS website for more information, or have a listen to past Specialty Café's episodes on CaRMS:  CaRMS Unmatched:  A Resident's Personal Story  Let's Demystify CaRMS

    35 min
  5. Want to win a $50 gift card? Listen to Specialty Café!

    SEPT 5 · BONUS

    Want to win a $50 gift card? Listen to Specialty Café!

    Thanks to you, our Specialty Café 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 Café. 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 Students' (CFMS) Annual General Meeting in Moncton, New Brunswick on September 20, 2024.  Specialty Café will be hosting a live podcast with a few Royal College specialists (afternoon Sept 20, details to follow soon).  Good luck!

    1 min
  6. Pediatric Emergency Medicine

    JUL 16

    Pediatric Emergency Medicine

    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 addition to being a Peds Emerg specialist (such as medial journalism and caring for newcomers to Canada). Dr. Weerdenburg holds her patients and their families in the highest regard, always attuned to their concerns and worries. For her, earning their trust and seeing a smile on their faces makes it a truly rewarding day.  Join host Cameron Wong as he discovers that Dr. Weerdenburg is eager to share her knowledge not just with her patients and families, but also with her colleagues, learners, and the public. She finds great joy in seeing her team thrive and grow. Check out the Specialty Café primary specialty eps on: Pediatrics (Oct 7, 2022) https://specialtycafe.libsyn.com/pediatrics  Emergency Medicine (Dec 3, 2021) https://specialtycafe.libsyn.com/emergency-medicine This is the last episode of Season 6.  We can't wait to bring you more great eps in the fall. Any questions, suggestions, ideas? Reach out to us podcasts@royalcollege.ca.

    32 min
  7. SPOTLIGHT: Mentorship for Learners... and the benefits of rural learning!

    JUL 2

    SPOTLIGHT: Mentorship for Learners... and the benefits of rural learning!

    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 past podcast hosting and mentor experiences, and look ahead to the future. Who knows where your path may lead. Take risks. Take chances. When one door closes, another opens! And... be present with your learning experiences. It's goes so quickly!  A huge thank you to our dedicated (and outgoing) hosts, Andrew Pauls, MD and Emily Wu, MD as they make their way in family medicine! Thanks for being such curious learners. Welcome to one of our new podcast hosts, Mark Garabedian.  In addition to episodes on Royal College subspecialties, we'll present more Spotlight episodes covering topics such as preparing for CaRMS, balancing work and life as a learner, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, MedEd, and much more. If you have suggestions for a topic, feel free to reach out to us at podcasts@royalcollege.ca.

    20 min
  8. Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

    JUN 18

    Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

    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 this challenging yet rewarding subspecialty. If you're looking for a career in medicine that offers a variety of experiences, from inpatient to outpatient care, managing both critically ill and healthy patients, and forming long-term relationships with families, this might be the perfect path for you. Bonus: it's a 2 in 1 specialty (listen on to learn more!).  You'll need to thrive in a collaborative environment, working closely with a big team of medical specialists and 'lots of' allied health professionals. While the emotional demands can be high, the specialty also offers immense joy and inspiration as you guide patients and their families through what can often be the hardest time of their lives. You’ve heard this before on Specialty Café… but being a person with interests outside medicine simply makes you a more rounded, healthier, and happier doctor (and person!).  Check out our episode on Pediatrics (published Oct 7, 2022),   https://specialtycafe.libsyn.com/pediatrics

    32 min
See All (74)

Trailers

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Are you a medical student or resident choosing your path in healthcare? Grab a coffee and settle in… this café is for you! Our hosts (med students & residents) chat with Royal College specialists and residents about their day to day lives, the reasons behind their specialty choices, the joys, the challenges, and more! Although conversations are full of specialty insights, you’ll gain invaluable life advice about being a fulfilled and excellent clinician (and human being). Feedspot has voted Specialty Café as one of the 10 Best Canadian Medical Podcasts! https://blog.feedspot.com/canadian_medical_podcasts/ Any recommendations or questions about the podcast? Contact us at fellowshipaffairs@royalcollege.ca. Transcripts are available on request.

Information

  • Channel
    Royal College Canada
  • Creator
    Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2024
  • Episodes
    74
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright © 2024 Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. All Rights Reserved.
  • Show Website
    Specialty Café

More From Royal College Canada

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada