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You won't want to miss this inspirational interview with Pearl Ugwu-Dike, medical student and aspiring dermatologist. She talks to us about how she sought out research opportunities and mentorship (spoiler alert: through cold emails!) and her amazing work capturing the the way patients of color live with their skin conditions and navigate the healthcare system.   Talk to us: Email: topicalpod@gmail.com Twitter: @TopicalPod             @KristinaLiuMD             @AMostaghimi Follow us on: iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/topical-the-dermatology-podcast/id1375358222 Stitcher: http://stitcher.com/s?fid=183355&refid=stpr Google Play: https://player.fm/series/topical-the-dermatology-podcast

Are you a foreign medical graduate considering dermatology training in the U.S.?  Then you don't want to miss this episode with Dr. Alex Ortega Loayza.  Dr. Ortega Loayza grew up in Peru, and through incredible tenacity, intellectual curiosity, creativity and a bit of serendipity, he has created a powerhouse career in pyoderma gangrenosum and complex medical-dermatology. Talk to us: Email: topicalpod@gmail.com Twitter: @AlexOrtegaLoay1              @TopicalPod             @KristinaLiuMD             @AMostaghimi Follow us on: iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/topical-the-dermatology-podcast/id1375358222 Stitcher: http://stitcher.com/s?fid=183355&refid=stpr Google Play: https://player.fm/series/topical-the-dermatology-podcast

We are delighted to cross-pollinate with another amazing dermatology podcast, Dermasphere, which is hosted by two savvy, funny dermatologists with the goal of bringing the latest dermatology research direct to listeners.  They take the hard work out of keeping up-to-date with the dermatology literature!   You can find Dermasphere anywhere you can find podcasts.  You can also check them out at:  https://dermaspherepodcast.com https://www.facebook.com/DermaspherePodcast Twitter: @DermaspherePC Instagram: @dermaspherepodcast ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Talk to us: Email: topicalpod@gmail.com Twitter: @TopicalPod             @KristinaLiuMD             @AMostaghimi Follow us on: iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/topical-the-dermatology-podcast/id1375358222 Stitcher: http://stitcher.com/s?fid=183355&refid=stpr Google Play: https://player.fm/series/topical-the-dermatology-podcast

Welcome to Season 3, listeners!  We are excited to kick off our new season and the new year with a special guest, Dr. Sadaf Hussain.  She shares with us her path to becoming a pediatric dermatologist, a journey fueled by a thirst for knowledge, passion for service and, of course, love for taking care of the cutest kiddos.     Talk to us: Email: topicalpod@gmail.com Twitter: @TopicalPod             @KristinaLiuMD             @AMostaghimi Follow us on: iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/topical-the-dermatology-podcast/id1375358222 Stitcher: http://stitcher.com/s?fid=183355&refid=stpr Google Play: https://player.fm/series/topical-the-dermatology-podcast

What will online residency interviews be like?  We answer some frequently asked questions: How to answer the question "tell me about yourself"?  (Hint: it's like an elevator pitch) What to do during the virtual resident dinner? (Should you eat something exotic?) Is there such a thing as a perfect answer? (Hint: be prepared but not too rehearsed...maybe Goldilocks had it right) What question to ask when asked if you have questions? (Try saying that three times fast)   Follow us on: iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/topical-the-dermatology-podcast/id1375358222 Stitcher: http://stitcher.com/s?fid=183355&refid=stpr Google Play: https://player.fm/series/topical-the-dermatology-podcast   Talk to us: Email: topicalpod@gmail.com Twitter: @TopicalPod             @KristinaLiuMD             @AMostaghimi

Are you tired of hearing the words "unprecedented times" yet? When it comes to residency interviews this year, those overused words definitely apply. We share some practical tips and easy tricks to turn your online interviews up a notch. (Note: We initially recorded this as a video episode, but...surprise...ran into some Zoom technical difficulties.  The audio recording is being posted first, with the Youtube link to follow soon!)   Follow us on: iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/topical-the-dermatology-podcast/id1375358222 Stitcher: http://stitcher.com/s?fid=183355&refid=stpr Google Play: https://player.fm/series/topical-the-dermatology-podcast   Talk to us: Email: topicalpod@gmail.com Twitter: @TopicalPod             @KristinaLiuMD             @AMostaghimi

Dr. Kristin Nord, Program Director of the Stanford Dermatology Residency, joins us on our show to talk about her path to medicine and dermatology.  We also learn about wellness, a vitally important aspect of thriving (not just surviving) in our jobs and lives.  (Spoiler alert: we reveal the meaning behind JOMO) Follow us on: iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/topical-the-dermatology-podcast/id1375358222 Stitcher: http://stitcher.com/s?fid=183355&refid=stpr Google Play: https://player.fm/series/topical-the-dermatology-podcast   Talk to us: Email: topicalpod@gmail.com Twitter: @TopicalPod             @KristinaLiuMD             @AMostaghimi

Holistic review. Preference signaling. Application caps.  Have you wondered how these buzzwords relate to the residency application process?  In this episode, Dr. Ilana Rosman, Program Director of the Washington University dermatology residency and Twitter #MedEd thought-leader (@ilanarosman), talks to us about ideas for improving the application process in order to increase transparency, equity and fit.   Dermatology Program Information for Students; 2020-2021 Application Cycle: https://bit.ly/DermResidencyInfo Talk to us: Email: topicalpod@gmail.com Twitter: @TopicalPod             @KristinaLiuMD             @AMostaghimi             @IlanaRosman Follow us on: iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/topical-the-dermatology-podcast/id1375358222 Stitcher: http://stitcher.com/s?fid=183355&refid=stpr Google Play: https://player.fm/series/topical-the-dermatology-podcast

It is our absolute pleasure to invite Dr. Kanade Shinkai on our show. She is a distinguished clinician, medical educator and the current Editor-in-Chief of JAMA Dermatology.  (Spoiler: this wonderful educator got her start by teaching "stuffies" as a child) Follow us on: iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/topical-the-dermatology-podcast/id1375358222 Stitcher: http://stitcher.com/s?fid=183355&refid=stpr Google Play: https://player.fm/series/topical-the-dermatology-podcast   Talk to us: Email: topicalpod@gmail.com Twitter: @KanadeShinkai              @TopicalPod             @KristinaLiuMD             @AMostaghimi

Like fine wine, discussions with Dr. Misha Rosenbach gets better with time.  Due to popular demand, he returns to Topical (for Round 3!) to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on trainees and residency applications.     Talk to us: Email: topicalpod@gmail.com Twitter: @TopicalPod             @KristinaLiuMD             @AMostaghimi             @MishaRosenbach Follow us on: iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/topical-the-dermatology-podcast/id1375358222 Stitcher: http://stitcher.com/s?fid=183355&refid=stpr Google Play: https://player.fm/series/topical-the-dermatology-podcast    

We invite Dr. Esther Freeman on our show because many of our listeners wanted to learn how to combine their interests in global health and dermatology.  Dr. Freeman does exactly that - travel the world, combining her love for epidemiology, public health and dermatology, and representing our specialty by being on the forefront of HIV and COVID-19 research. Talk to us: Email: topicalpod@gmail.com Twitter: @TopicalPod             @KristinaLiuMD             @AMostaghimi             @DrEstherFreeman Follow us on: iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/topical-the-dermatology-podcast/id1375358222 Stitcher: http://stitcher.com/s?fid=183355&refid=stpr Google Play: https://player.fm/series/topical-the-dermatology-podcast

Over the past decade, financial investment funds, known as private equity groups, have been rapidly acquiring and consolidating many dermatology practices.  We invite a special guest, the newly minted Dr. Kira Seiger, on our show to discuss what this trend means and how it affects dermatologists and our field as a whole.   Talk to us: Email: topicalpod@gmail.com Twitter: @TopicalPod             @KristinaLiuMD             @AMostaghimi   Follow us on: iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/topical-the-dermatology-podcast/id1375358222 Stitcher: http://stitcher.com/s?fid=183355&refid=stpr Google Play: https://player.fm/series/topical-the-dermatology-podcast

Hi listeners, we paused from releasing new content so that we can listen instead of speak, learn to fill our knowledge gaps, and reflect on our roles as individuals and physicians in the current state of systemic racism and danger to black and brown lives.  We don't have the answer yet, but we are working on content to broaden this discussion of diversity and anti-racism in medicine and dermatology.  

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Abigail Waldman, dermatologic surgeon, patient educator and social media guru (@abby.waldmanmd).  She shares with us all the exciting aspects of her career (hint: it's not just surgery), all the while balancing a rich academic and personal life.   Talk to us: Email: topicalpod@gmail.com Twitter: @TopicalPod             @KristinaLiuMD             @AMostaghimi             @Abby.WaldmanMD (also on Instagram) Follow us on: iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/topical-the-dermatology-podcast/id1375358222 Stitcher: http://stitcher.com/s?fid=183355&refid=stpr Google Play: https://player.fm/series/topical-the-dermatology-podcast

Ever wondered what patch testing entails?  Do you also have a favorite allergen?  If so, you'll love our special guest, Dr. Ari Goldminz, who shares with us his journey to becoming a contact dermatitis expert.  (Bonus: a great detective story involving Dr. Goldminz's favorite contact allergen)   Talk to us: Email: topicalpod@gmail.com Twitter: @TopicalPod             @KristinaLiuMD             @AMostaghimi Follow us on: iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/topical-the-dermatology-podcast/id1375358222 Stitcher: http://stitcher.com/s?fid=183355&refid=stpr Google Play: https://player.fm/series/topical-the-dermatology-podcast

"In the face of a storm, be like a palm tree."  This saying not only conjures the image of sunnier days, but reminds us that flexibility and resilience are key to weathering the monumental changes happening in the world right now.  This global pandemic has affected everyone, and medical trainees are no exception.  In this episode, we address the impact of COVID-19 on medical students and residency applications, and close with some light-hearted stories from our own training. Talk to us: Email: topicalpod@gmail.com Twitter: @TopicalPod             @KristinaLiuMD             @AMostaghimi Follow us on: iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/topical-the-dermatology-podcast/id1375358222 Stitcher: http://stitcher.com/s?fid=183355&refid=stpr Google Play: https://player.fm/series/topical-the-dermatology-podcast

** Dear Listeners, the world has become a totally different place since we recorded this episode on March 9th.  Many of our listeners celebrated their match results at home rather than in crowded auditoriums.  Zoom has become the way we greet our students, teachers and colleagues.  We are proud to see our friends and colleagues on the frontlines, working tirelessly to take care of patients amidst the Covid-19 crisis.  We will continue to record virtually to bring you more content (and hopefully a few smiles) during these times.  Sending much love to you all, Kris and Arash **   Step 1 has (finally) become pass / fail!  Not only is this a huge change in undergraduate medical education, it may have tremendous implications for the medical school experience and application process.  In this episode, we talk about the pros and cons of this pivotal change.   Talk to us: Email: topicalpod@gmail.com Twitter: @TopicalPod             @KristinaLiuMD             @AMostaghimi Follow us on: iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/topical-the-dermatology-podcast/id1375358222 Stitcher: http://stitcher.com/s?fid=183355&refid=stpr Google Play: https://player.fm/series/topical-the-dermatology-podcast

In this episode, we welcome a special guest, Dr. Avery Lachance, on the show to share with us her passion for health advocacy in dermatology.  If you thought dermatologists' voices can't be heard on the Hill, think again! Talk to us: Email: topicalpod@gmail.com Twitter: @TopicalPod             @KristinaLiuMD             @AMostaghimi Follow us on: iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/topical-the-dermatology-podcast/id1375358222 Stitcher: http://stitcher.com/s?fid=183355&refid=stpr Google Play: https://player.fm/series/topical-the-dermatology-podcast

This episode brings a special guest, Dr. Jennifer Lin, who wears many hats and has expertise in melanoma, multicultural dermatology, and laser & cosmetic surgery.  A true devotee to learning, she has taken a path in dermatology filled with bold choices that is sure to inspire.  

Don't have time to go through old episodes looking for answers to interview trail-related questions?  We put together some of the most commonly asked questions from our listeners in this episode.  (Spoiler: we talk dress code, thank-you letters, top-5 schools, imposter syndrome and more!)