Residency Program Overview

If you are looking for a program that provides you opportunities to become a well-rounded anesthesiologist, you found the right program!

Subspecialties

Our graduates commonly pursue the following subspecialty programs (both locally and internationally):

• Cardiac Anesthesia
• Thoracic Anesthesia
• Regional Anesthesia, Simulation
• Medical Education
• Obstetrics anesthesia
• Postgraduate degree (PhD)

Elliot is one of our R4s in the program and is currently a co-chief resident. While Elliot is originally from Edmonton, he had a brief sabbatical in Calgary to get his MD and then returned home for his pursuit of anesthesia residency.
Beyond the walls of the hospital, you'll find Elliot getting his hands dirty in a home project, swapping stories alongside a frosty Heineken, or taking his wife Carlie sled skiing out in Valemont!

– Dr. Elliot Pittman (R4)

Thanks for considering our Anesthesiology program at the UofA! Being a local for (nearly) my entire life, I’ve completed my post-secondary education in Edmonton while seeing it transform into a major city. In the last decade, the downtown skyline has changed dramatically which has reflected our rapidly growing food scene, ability to attract major sporting events/artists to the new Rogers’ Place, and added to our already abundant list of year-around festivals. The best part? Even on a resident’s salary, you can live within walking distance or a short train ride to these amazing amenities and even to the hospitals. Our program has also attracted extremely talented staff members who have taken our education to the next level! Can you imagine, even as a PGY2, having opportunities to care of patients with pheochromocytoma, those undergoing transplant or thoracic surgery, or Whipple’s procedure?! Many programs either don’t offer these experiences or (if you’re lucky) you may get to see them well into your senior years with a fellow. Despite offering these unique exposures, our program recognizes just how tough residency can be. As a result, having a sense of camaraderie is really promoted here, whether that be through staff mentors who check in on us regularly or doing virtual games with other residents after half day. These close bonds and, what are sure to be, ever-lasting friendships add another layer to our program which tries to make us the best anesthesiologists that we can be!

– Dr. Jaasmit Khurana (R4) 

What do you like about Edmonton: Edmonton has a friendly, down to earth and welcoming demeanor. The city has all the amenities and attractions you need while also offering an easy commute to hospitals. The city is still affordable enough to purchase a home during residency!

What are the highlights of the program for you: The residency program has multiple clinical sites, a diverse array of staff anesthesiologists, incredible co-residents and few fellows. As a resident, we are exposed to many complex cases on a daily basis. Due to the complex patient population that undergoes operations in Edmonton and relatively few fellows, it is not uncommon to be slated in a renal harvest/transplant room or take care of a patient with multiple solid organ transplants even as a junior resident. The residency program in Edmonton is small enough that you are recognizable to staff across the city and exposes you early on to ASA 3 & 4 patients.

What is one piece of advice that you want to share with applicants about the interview process: Do not let the CARMS process or your classmates stress you out! Find the program that fits your personality, learning style and will move you closer towards both your goals and aspirations in anesthesia.

– Dr. Montana Johnston (R4)

What do you like about Edmonton: I am a born and raised Calgarian… but found a love for Edmonton after attending medical school in this city, and never wanted to leave. In the summer you can find an event or festival going on pretty much every weekend from May to October. I love the vibrancy of the city, and how it comes alive during these times. The food scene is also incredible in Edmonton, with tons of tiny restaurants through the Whyte Ave and Downtown area (this scene is also very much alive during COVID-19, with just about all the best restaurants available for curbside pick-up/delivery!). Lastly, the River Valley is unlike anything else. There are a multitude of paths for running, road biking, and mountain biking all through the area. In the winter, many of these are transformed into cross-country ski trails.

What are the highlights of the program for you: Anesthesia at the U of A is a moderate sized program that offers opportunities you would only expect at larger institutions. We have one of the biggest transplant programs in the country (including pediatrics), yet very few fellows to take priority over cases. You may find yourself navigating through a liver transplant as early as PGY-2! In that endeavour you won’t be alone though, as we have some incredible staff who will be there to support and teach you along the way. Lastly, we are an incredibly close group of residents. Some of my closest friendships have developed as a result of being a resident in this program.

– Dr. Allyson Farran (R5)

I am one of the PGY-2s in our program. I grew up in Ontario and graduated from Queen’s Medicine before moving across the country to Alberta for residency.
When not in the hospital, you can find me running in the river valley, hiking and skiing in the Rocky Mountains, cooking, and baking sourdough (I swear I did it before it was cool)! Track me down to find out my favourite trail or recipe. You’ll never catch me in the same scrub cap 2 days in a row!

– Dr. Melissa Shears (R4)