The DIGA Podcast

In this episode of the DIGA Podcast, we speak with Dr. Vinod E. Nambudiri, MD, MBA, MPH, EdM, Program Director of the Harvard Combined Dermatology Residency Program. Dr. Nambudiri shares his journey to dermatology and offers insight into the unique structure of the Harvard Combined program, the training experience, and what he is most proud of as a program leader. He also discusses what helps residents thrive and shares advice for medical students and trainees aspiring to become excellent dermatologists and future leaders in the field.
Whether you are a medical student, aspiring dermatologist, or simply interested in dermatology residency training, this episode offers a thoughtful look into the journey and experiences that shape future dermatologists. We hope you enjoy!

Connect with Harvard Dermatology
Website: www.harvard-derm.com
Instagram: @harvardderm
2026-2027 Harvard Combined Informational Video---
DIGA Instagram: @⁠⁠⁠⁠derminterest⁠⁠⁠⁠
Today’s Host: Shan Francis
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For questions, comments, or future episode suggestions, please reach out to us via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠derminterestpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠
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District Four by Kevin MacLeod
Link: ⁠⁠https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3662-district-four⁠⁠⁠⁠
License: ⁠⁠https://filmmusic.io/standard-license⁠

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Carsten Hamann, assistant program director at HonorHealth, associate professor at Dartmouth, and practicing dermatologist at Saguaro Dermatology in Arizona. Dr. Hamann gives an inside look at the residency application process from the other side of the table: ERAS changes, program signaling, what makes an application stand out, and how to build an application that genuinely reflects YOU as a future dermatologist. We hope you enjoy!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with other students interested in dermatology!

Connect with Dr. Hamann: hamann511@gmail.com
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DIGA Instagram: @derminterest
Today’s Host, Laila: @lailanalrawi
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For questions, comments, or future episode suggestions, please reach out to us via email at derminterestpod@gmail.com
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District Four by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3662-district-four
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
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In this episode, we talk with Dr. Basia Michalski-McNeely, Program Director of the Dermatology Residency at Washington University in St. Louis. Listen in as she shares her journey into dermatology and to WashU, what makes the WashU residency program unique, and her perspective on what helps applicants stand out during the residency application process. Dr. Michalski-McNeely also discusses the qualities she looks for in future residents, the clinical and research opportunities available at WashU, and her advice for medical students interested in pursuing dermatology. We hope you enjoy!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with other students interested in dermatology!
 
Learn More:
Washington University in St. Louis Dermatology Residency Program
Instagram: @washuderm
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DIGA Instagram: @⁠⁠derminterest⁠⁠
Today’s Host, Cecile: ⁠@cecileschreidah⁠
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For questions, comments, or future episode suggestions, please reach out to us via email at ⁠⁠derminterestpod@gmail.com⁠⁠
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District Four by Kevin MacLeod
Link: ⁠⁠https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3662-district-four⁠⁠
License: ⁠⁠https://filmmusic.io/standard-license⁠⁠
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In this episode, we talk with Dr. Mojahed Shalabi, MD. Dr. Shalabi graduated from the Baylor Scott and White dermatology residency program and is currently a Mohs fellow at Baylor University Medical Center. In the first part of the episode, Dr. Shalabi discusses all things audition rotations. He tells us about how students can handle the application system, how students can excel on audition rotations, clinical knowledge to be prepared with, and what to look for in programs. In the second part, Dr. Shalabi helps us to understand the signaling process on the ERAS system. Dr. Shalabi gives practical advice for how students can handle their signals and how programs may weight them. This is an episode jam packed with valuable information for students at all levels of their journey into dermatology. We hope you enjoy!
 
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with other students interested in dermatology!

Learn More:
Educational links: Lookingbill and Marks’ Principles of Dermatology
Instagram: @mojahedshalabimd
Email: shalabimojahed@gmail.com
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DIGA Instagram: @derminterest
Today’s Host, George: @georgepapadeas
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For questions, comments, or future episode suggestions, please reach out to us via email at derminterestpod@gmail.com
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District Four by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3662-district-four
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
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In this episode of the DIGA Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Jackie Nikakis, a graduate of New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine and current dermatology resident at Larkin South Miami. She shares her journey starting from school in Long Island to her transitional year at Peconic Bay Medical Center and now a research year at Larkin South Miami. Dr. Nikakis discusses navigating a non-linear path to residency, making the most of a research year as an osteopathic resident, and committing to the process. We hope you enjoy!
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DIGA Instagram: @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠derminterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Dr. Jackie Nikakis ⁠@dr.jackienikakis
Today’s Host, Marissa: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@marissamarieruppe⁠⁠⁠⁠
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For questions, comments, or future episode suggestions, please reach out to us via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠derminterestpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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District Four by Kevin MacLeod
Link:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3662-district-four⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
License:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://filmmusic.io/standard-license