Medical Microbiology Residency Program
Welcome to the Medical Microbiology Residency Program at the University of Alberta.
LARGEST MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY RESIDENCY PROGRAM IN CANADA
HIGHLY COMPLEX CLINICAL SERVICES RANGING FROM COMMUNITY HOSPITALS TO STI CLINICS, TRANSPLANT PROGRAMS, AND PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTABLE DISEASES
MULTIDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION BETWEEN HOSPITAL, COMMUNITY AND PROVINCIAL LABS, AND UNIVERSITY RESEARCHERS
CARMS Interviews are scheduled for March 8 and 9, 2022 and will be conducted using ZOOM. An informal virtual session with current residents is planned for the evening of March 7, 2022. The Program will send email invitations directly to applicants selected for an interview.
The virtual interview process will include:
- a one-on-one interview with the Program Director
- a panel interview conducted by members of the Medical Microbiology Residency Program Committee and, if available, a resident currently enrolled in the program
- an informal session with the residents where applicants will have the opportunity to ask current residents about their experience in the program
Contact Us
Dr. Nathan Zelyas
Program Director, Medical Microbiology
Ms. Julie Van Hill
Program Co-ordinator
Email: micromepc@ualberta.ca
Dr. Nathan Zelyas
Program Director,
Graduate of the UofA Medical Microbiology Residency Program
Welcome to Our Program
We are involved in the care of community, ER, and hospital-admitted patients, often with complex medical needs.
Medical Microbiology at the U of A is an inclusive and varied program. On both the laboratory and clinical sides, we are involved in the care of community, ER, and hospital-admitted patients, often with complex medical needs. The primary training site for our residents is a referral laboratory that performs both acute care and public health-related microbiology and is located in a tertiary care transplant centre with multiple specialized facilities. Trainees take part in the teaching of medical students, other residents, laboratory technologists, and many others, in their participation in Infectious Diseases Rounds, Laboratory Medicine and Pathology Rounds, academic half-day sessions, and various daily teaching opportunities. Our program is closely affiliated with Infectious Diseases and the Pathology specialties. No matter their background or personal history, our residents develop a real sense of camaraderie with each other and typically form lifelong connections.
Dr. Nathan Zelyas
Program Director
Our Program
The Medical Microbiology residency program is a five year post graduate medical training program in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta. It is designed to facilitate the development of expertise in clinical microbiology and for residents to acquire broad-based clinical and laboratory experience to meet training requirements of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. The inherent flexibility within the program allows it to accommodate and fulfill special interests of the trainee and initiate further advanced training in a chosen area. Completion of the program prepares residents to function as specialists in Medical Microbiology.
Rotations primarily take place at the Provincial Laboratory of Public Health for Alberta, the University of Alberta Hospital, and at a private diagnostic laboratory, DynaLIFE.
Our faculty members have expertise in a wide variety of fields:
- Bacteriology
- Virology
- Mycology
- Parasitology
- Molecular microbiology
- Laboratory management
Our trainees are encouraged to participate in research projects through a wide range of areas:
- Microbiology
- Infectious diseases
- Public health
- Epidemiology
- Infection control
- Laboratory management
Residency at a Glance
Learn about each year of the program with an overview of each year.
BCY Internal Medicine (2 Blocks)
BCY Infectious Diseases (1 Block)
BCY Pediatrics (2 Blocks)
BCY Family Medicine (2 Blocks)
BCY Cardiology/Critical Care (1 Block)
BCY General Surgical (1 Block)
BCY Emergency Medicine (1 Block)
BCY Microbiology (1 Block)
BCY Elective (1 Block)
Vacation (1 Block)
Microbiology Lab (primarily at DynaLIFE – high volume lab - introduction to microbiology)
Infection Prevention and Control (includes IPC course)
Infectious Diseases Consults (MIS or GNH)
Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinic (General Hospital)
Research Course
Microbiology Lab (Primarily at UAH/Prov Lab – routine and advanced microbiology)
Minimum 4 blocks ID Consults (RAH/UAH - Adult ID, Peds ID, OPAT)
Antimicrobial Stewardship Lab @ DynaLIFE
Antimicrobial Stewardship Clinical
Research
Microbiology Lab (Primarily at UAH/Prov Lab – routine and advanced microbiology)
5-6 Infectious Diseases Consults (RAH/UAH - Transplant ID, TB, Adult ID, Peds ID, OPAT)
Viral Hepatitis
National Microbiology Laboratory (NML)
Research
Management Course
Public Health (if requested)
Elective (optional)
Microbiology Lab (Primarily at UAH/Prov Lab – routine and advanced microbiology)
Infectious Diseases Consults
Elective (optional)
Teaching Hospitals
University of Alberta Hospital
Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinic - General Hospital
Alberta Precision Laboratories
Frequently Asked Questions
Medical Microbiology bridges the gap between clinical and lab specialty – so you have the best of both worlds. The work hours are relatively regular. There is a good balance between work and home/family life and your financial future is fairly predictable and secure.
Medical Microbiologists may have variable jobs, such as laboratory physician and clinician working in Sexuality Transmitted Infections Clinic, Public Health Labs, Infection Prevention and Control, or Infectious Diseases (outside of Alberta).I liked the idea of doing something that would immediately make a difference. I could find out what is causing the patient’s illness (the microorganism) and knew what to do to cure it (the antibiotic). I liked the fact I am being asked for advice by other physicians, and that I get to see the birds-eye view of all infections in my hospital through the lab – not just my own patients, like the ID physicians.
At the same time, I always get to do cases within my area of interest (infections), as a consultant, and don’t have to do the plain and simple case load.
Clinical consultations, lab problem solving, investigations of outbreaks, meetings, teaching various learners, research. Lots of phone consultations.
There are many emerging pathogens and infectious diseases we have to handle in the next decade: Ebola and other hemorrhagic fever viruses, Zika, MDR TB, COVID, etc.
There will be evolving techniques and assays to facilitate the detection of microbial pathogens.Resident Testimonials
The Medical Microbiology program at the University of Alberta is unique and affords the opportunity to encounter the regular community pathogens, as well as those of public health concerns; a fine blend that enhances education and improves patient care.
Dr. Ifueko Joan Adeghe (R3) AIMG
This program provides a strong base of education in all areas of Medical Microbiology while supporting each individual resident to maintain a healthy work-life balance and to pursue their individual career goals
Dr. Heather Glassman (R4) CMG
We have been extremely fortunate to have such an amiable, supportive, and dedicated faculty and residents in the Medical Microbiology program at the U of A; key attributes to any successful work/learning environment. The faculty members are easily accessible and willing to help learners achieve extraordinary goals. In addition to traditional training, the program takes extra effort to groom its residents for a successful career in research, discovery, and innovation. This is to enable them to thrive in any environment they may find themselves in the future. A future where emerging infectious diseases pose significant challenges, and the excitement of having new developments and innovation in novel diagnostic tools.
Dr. Sa’adiya Umar (R1) AIMG
One of the greatest pros to completing your Micro training at University of Alberta will be the people you work with. My experience as a first-year resident has been very positive. From the program director and support staff to all of the other residents in the program, I have nothing but good things to say.
Daniel Purdy (R1) CMG