Residency Interviews: Inside the Minds of Program Directors

In this episode of POMA DOes…, Sayed Arian, DO, a third-year Family Medicine resident at Lehigh Valley Health Network's Rural Family Medicine Program, sits down with three experienced program directors: John Kalata, DO (Family Medicine and Transitional Year Programs, LECOM Medical Center), Joseph Rosenblatt, DO (Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program, PCOM), and Brenton Song, DO (Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program, LECOM). Together, they offer unfiltered, candid advice for medical students preparing for residency interviews, covering what programs look for, how to communicate authentically, and how to assess program culture. They also share common pitfalls applicants should avoid and the key traits that help candidates stand out. Getting ready for a residency interview? You won't want to miss this episode packed with real-world advice from those who sit on the other side of the table.

Key Takeaways:

• Be authentic and prepared. Know your application thoroughly and be ready to discuss every experience with confidence and honesty. Residency programs value genuine self-awareness over scripted answers.

• Show your interpersonal strengths. Eye contact, composure, and conversational skills reveal as much as your credentials. Program Directors look for applicants who engage naturally and think on their feet.

• Do your homework on culture. Talk with current residents, attend program events, and look beyond the website to find where you truly fit and can thrive.

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