Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Welcome to the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Residency Program at the University of Alberta.
3 Year Residency
27 months of mandatory clinical rotations with the remaining 9 months being either research or clinical electives of the resident's choice.
Excellent and Varied Training Experience
The program treats a wide array of hematologic and oncologic diagnoses with teaching provided by approachable, engaged and enthusiastic staff hematologists and oncologists.
Scholarly Projects
Significant support for research exists within the division and department of Pediatrics including: access to a divisional research advisor, Department of Pediatrics, & Women and Children's Research Institute (WCHRI).
Interview/CaRMS Specific Information
Following application package review, select candidates will be invited for a virtual interview. While the structure and experience of these interviews may be different than traditional in-person program visits, we hope that the experience is a positive one, due to the elimination of travel.
These will include meetings with the Program Director, the Divisional Director and a number of our teaching faculty and an agenda will be sent in advance.
Contact Us
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Residency Program
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Immunology, Hematology, Oncology & Palliative Care (iHOPE),
University of Alberta
Email: phemonc@ualberta.ca
Phone: 780-248-5531
Dr. Maria Spavor
Program Director, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Kathleen Blair
Program Administrator
Email: phemonc@ualberta.ca
Dr. Maria Spavor
Program Director
Kathleen Blair
Program Administrator
Welcome to Our Program
Welcome to Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Residency Program.
The Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the University of Alberta offers a three year residency training program. The program is accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and is open to trainees from Pediatrics after their third and fourth year of training.
Our faculty includes nationally acclaimed educators, researchers and clinicians. The division collaborates nationally and internationally in studies and clinical trials in both pediatric hematology and pediatric oncology. We have outstanding Hematopathology and Pediatric Pathology Departments located at the training facilities (University of Alberta Hospital and Stollery Children’s Hospital). There is a unique exposure to an internationally recognized Pediatric Thrombosis Program situated at the Stollery Children’s Hospital. It is a medium sized institution and program offering flexibility in training as well as an excellent variety and volume of clinical cases.
As of July 2021, our program moved to a Competence by Design learning structure. For more information regarding this, please refer to the Royal College's "A Resident's Guide".
Thank you for learning about our program, we look forward to meeting you!
Dr. Maria Spavor
Program Director
Our Program
In the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Residency Program, trainees will learn to evaluate and manage children with cancer and non-malignant disorders of the hematopoietic system. Trainees will develop their knowledge and skills in a multidisciplinary team setting as well as making contributions to scholarship and education in the field.
Program Highlights
The U of A program is a medium sized program with teaching provided by approachable, engaged and enthusiastic staff hematologists and oncologists.
In addition to providing clinical care in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and BMT, the trainee may make significant contributions to the development of knowledge in the field and to educating the next generation of subspecialists.
Dedicated hematology/ oncology inpatient unit and outpatient space as well as specialized outpatient clinics in general hematology/ oncology, neuro-oncology, BMT, cancer survivorship, hemoglobinopathies, sickle cell, hemophilia, and bone marrow failure.
Residents have the opportunity to spend time with the renowned KidClot Thrombosis service and the Pediatric Palliative Care (ASSIST Team) Program.
Residents in the program have the opportunity and are expected to complete a scholarly project during their training. Significant support for research exist within the division and department of Pediatrics.
Residency at a Glance
- This residency program is for 3 years.
- Program length of training does not exceed the Royal College or College of Family Physicians of Canada standard.
- The resident will spend 27 months rotating in the core rotations of pediatric hematology/oncology. This includes a 12 week experience in BMT at the Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary and 20 weeks in laboratory rotations in the hematopathology laboratory at the University of Alberta Hospital. The remaining 9 months of training can be in research or clinical electives of the resident's choice.
Teaching Hospitals
We are a fully accredited program that follows the guidelines set out by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
University of Alberta Hospital
Alberta Children’s Hospital (Calgary) - 12 weeks mandatory BMT rotation
Program Supports
- Education and supports from nationally acclaimed educators, researchers and clinicians.
- Significant support for research exist within the division and department of Pediatrics including: access to a divisional research advisor, as well as connections through the Department of Pediatrics to the Women and Children's Research Institute (WCHRI).
- Department funding is available to aid in residents travelling to attend and/or present at a pediatric hematology/oncology conference on an annual basis.
- Laboratory rotations are completed in house with a team of hematopathologists who are noted to have excellent teaching skills.
- An academic half day for residents in the program occurs every Tuesday afternoon and is shared with the hematopathology residents and adult hematology residents. An additional education series is held each Friday morning and is shared with the hematology/oncology program at Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary.
Resident Testimonials
We asked our residents what they like about Edmonton, their highlights of the program, and one piece of advice for applicants about the interview process. Here is what a few of them had to say.
What do you like about Edmonton: I really like how central the hospital is. I love that I can live within walking distance from the hospital, and also be only a few minutes from the great restaurants and shops on Whyte Avenue and the beautiful trails along the river valley. There are lots of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, from the extensive network of running and cycling trails to the Rocky Mountains that are only a few hours away with amazing hiking, camping and skiing.
What are the highlights of the program for you: I like that the program is small enough that you really get to know everyone and feel like part of the department. You have the opportunity to be involved in the care of any patients you want, and there is always an effort to have the fellows be involved with any particularly interesting patients. I feel lucky to work with such a wonderful team, from the physicians, nurses, and pharmacist, to the dietitians, social workers and child life specialists. It is a team that leads by example in providing thoughtful and compassionate care to the children and families they see. I have felt very well supported by all members of the team.
What is one piece of advice that you want to share with applicants about the interview process: Ask lots of questions and be yourself! Finding a program that is a good fit for your personality, learning style and professional goals is important.
Dr. Anna Serebrin (Winnipeg, Manitoba)