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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.  The Royal College produces a uniquely French version of this podcast - Café des spécialités: https://cafedesspecialites.libsyn.com/. 

Mar 3, 2026

On Match Day, fourth-year medical student Mark Garabedian sits down with Henry Tran (Med3) for a thoughtful reflection on the journey through medical school and the transition into what comes next.

While residency officially begins July 1, this moment offers something equally powerful: perspective. Mark shares practical insights into what CaRMS is, how to approach it strategically, and why starting early, long before the CaRMS portal opens, can make a meaningful difference. From building relationships and exploring specialties to knowing yourself and managing stress, proactive planning isn’t about overthinking - it’s about creating breathing room.

Whether you’re a first-year just beginning or a future applicant preparing for CaRMS later this year, this episode is a reminder that preparation starts quietly, well before deadlines. And often, the things you do early are what make the biggest difference later.

This episode was recorded on Feb 21, 2026. 

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