Resident Testimonials
Everett Claridge (PGY-5)
What do you like about Edmonton?
Edmonton is full of hidden gems and surprises. Here's a few of my favourite aspects of the city.
- There's a strong music and art scene: I've laughed till my stomach hurt at Improv performances and stand-up off Whyte Ave; I've cried at beautifully performed plays and musicals at the Jubilee and Citadel Theatres; I've sang along joyously with some of my favourite artists performing at Folk Festival and Rogers Place.
- It's a gateway to the outdoors: Edmonton has an expansive River Valley that offers countless trails for hiking, biking, and running. World class skiing is an easy drive away. Loads of public golf courses to lose your ProV1. There seems to be tennis and pickleball courts in every neighbourhood - Edmontonians love to be active.
- Sports, Culture, and Food Festivals: An outing to the Elks (football), River Hawks (baseball), Stingers (basketball), or Oilers (hockey) is always a great time! Want to mix it up? Go to Heritage Days, Taste of Edmonton, or other pop up festivals that run throughout the year.
What are the highlights of the program?
You could make a strong argument for Edmonton having the best Physiatry residency program in the country. I'm partial of course.
We get exposure to nearly all areas of subspecialty, with excellent teachers in each discipline. The program provides opportunity to gain extensive hands-on experience with EMG, spasticity management, fluoroscopy, and ultrasound, in addition to foundational experience in Neurorehab, Amps, Peds, etc. This program has instilled confidence in its graduates year after year and has allowed them to enter practice not just as adequate but with above average competence.
The best part, however, are the people. My co-residents are fantastic. Many staff have become my mentors. I not only see these people as colleagues, but supportive friends and family.
One piece of advice you want to share with applicants about the interview process.
Be open minded when entering the CaRMS process. You may find that some programs and their leadership teams share visions of medical education that resonate more with you than you may have originally anticipated. Approach your interviews with curiosity - you will of course have to sell yourself during an interview (which is best done by trying to fall into your natural self), but you should also ask questions of the programs to ensure that you are a good fit.
Mackenzie Ferguson (PGY-2)
What do you like about Edmonton?
I recently moved to Edmonton to start residency after never having lived here before. So far, I have been extremely impressed by what the city has to offer! Edmonton has all the great amenities of a big city including a ton of festivals, amazing concerts, a great downtown with a spectacular food and beverage scene, and a tremendous sports scene.
Even with all the benefits of the big city, Edmonton also maintains spectacular green space. Within the city, there is the spectacular Edmonton River valley which is the largest urban park in North America offering amazing views, hiking, and biking trails. There are amazing provincial and national parks nearby and also tons of golf courses which makes for a great population-golf course ratio. Lastly, an often overlooked wonderful aspect of the city is the low cost of living compared to many other areas in the country—lower taxes and affordable living make a huge difference in quality of life!
What are the highlights of the program?
Having just started in the program a few months ago, the most immediate strength I noticed about the program was the amazing culture and individuals within the program. All of the co-residents have been extremely supportive during this transition period, and we are a very tight-knit group who spend a lot of time together playing in a slow pitch league, golfing together, regular retreats, fantasy football league and everything else in between.
From the faculty perspective, I feel extremely well supported by our faculty who truly care about both development as residents but also our lives and well being outside of work. Our staff are passionate about teaching and always receptive to feedback for improving the program. Our program gives great exposure to all areas of physiatry with experts in the field.
One piece of advice you want to share with applicants about the interview process.
It sounds cliche but truly just be yourself! We know you are great students and want to get to know you better as a person!! Also ask a lot of questions, and think about what values are most important to you as you move forward into the next phase of your life. It's important to match to a program that will allow you to accomplish your career goals while also being a great fit for your lifestyle and personality.
Stewart Rowe (PGY-4)
What do you like about Edmonton?
Having spent the majority of my life and completed all of my post-secondary education in Edmonton, I continue to discover new and exciting aspects of the city each year. Edmonton’s vibrant summer festivals, such as Folk Fest, Heritage Days, Taste of Edmonton, the Fringe, and Street Performers, contribute to the city’s dynamic and lively atmosphere. The expansive river valley, which runs through the city, offers easy access to a wide range of outdoor activities, including walking, running, and cycling on its many scenic trails.
Additionally, Edmonton’s location within Alberta provides convenient access to world-class mountain ranges, perfect for both summer and winter adventures. The city's evolving food and coffee scene also adds to its charm, with a growing selection of curated restaurants nestled alongside long-standing local favorites.
What are the highlights of the program?
The breadth and depth of training at the University of Alberta is exceptional. Notably, the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, the largest standalone rehabilitation facility in Canada, provides a rich variety of learning opportunities and offers strong interdisciplinary collaboration. In addition to strong foundational rotations in neurologic rehabilitation, the program offers experience in subspecialized areas of PM+R, including spasticity management, EMG/NCS, outpatient procedural MSK, and peripheral nerve transfer. When evaluating my options, it became clear that the U of A PM+R program was uniquely positioned to foster my growth and provide ample opportunities to explore the full spectrum of what PM+R has to offer.
The University of Alberta’s PM+R program offers more than just an exceptional academic and professional experience—it fosters a strong sense of community. Our resident cohort is close-knit, frequently coming together outside of work for social activities such as dining, enjoying drinks, participating in intramural sports along with our bi-annual resident retreats. In addition, our faculty are deeply invested in our education, providing dedicated teaching throughout our rotations. Beyond their roles as instructors, many take an active interest in mentoring us and supporting our professional development.
One piece of advice you want to share with applicants about the interview process.
The interview process can feel artificially stressful, and that’s to be expected. I highly recommend making time for self-care throughout the interview period to ensure you approach each interview and social event feeling rested and prepared, allowing you to present your best self.
Karolin Klement (PGY-4)
What do you like about Edmonton?
Edmonton has an excellent mix of easily accessible community services and outdoor spaces. It is also great for families with options for activities, arts and culture. The river valley and many lakes around the city are my personal highlight. There is always an opportunity to get the paddle board out on a nice, warm summer day. The river valley is great for enjoying green spaces, whether it is for walking, frisbee or biking. Edmonton is also a 3.5 hour drive away from some of the most beautiful mountains in Canada, the Jasper National Park and David Thompson Provincial Park. And one hour further you will find amazing glaciers as you travel through Icefield parkway into Banff National Park.
What are the highlights of the program?
The residents! We are a tight-knit group of people who support each other and lift each other up. There is plenty of social events in the summer (intramurals) and an annual summer and winter retreat, which are great events to get to know each other more.
Physiatry is a relatively small community in Alberta, and faculty members are well known amongst each other, which creates a collegial atmosphere. There is an excellent preceptor-to-resident ratio, which immensely benefits learning and clinical exposure as well as tons of hands on experience.
One piece of advice you want to share with applicants about the interview process.
Try not to overthink the interview and just be yourself. It is more an opportunity to show your personality and in turn get to know details of the programs, the faculty and the residents. This way, you can keep an open mind and after all your interviews are finished, decide where you fit in best.