Residency

The University of Alberta produces world-class surgeon-scientists. We were the first North American university to offer an MSc in Surgical Education – a field we lead globally in research.

Our surgical simulation program is accredited by The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Full surgical teams train in the RRSMRI: a unique facility combining training, research and innovative surgical procedures.

There is a straight line between this, and our global leadership in surgical simulation research: creating the future of surgical training.

Our surgeon-scientists win international and national teaching awards and write text book chapters: Their passion to teach drives their leadership in teaching innovation.

Our having relatively few fellows lets residents gain experience in the operating room.

We offer the broadest range of transplant procedures in Canada, run the country’s second-largest lung and liver transplant programs, and provide the full range of subspecialty services in most specialties.

We are one of the very few centres to access one of the world’s most advanced electronic medical records systems. This helps future surgeons develop their careers and is a data mine for clinical researchers.

The Office of Postgraduate Surgical Education oversees all surgical residency programs at the University of Alberta. Led by Dr Erin Wright, POSE Director and Kim Nicholas, Team Lead, our office is comprised of 8 full-time program administrators, dedicated to the surgical specialties below.

All surgical residents begin in the Surgical Foundations Program directed by Dr Jeevan Nagendran. Nationally, Surgical Foundations is following the CBD curriculum standardized by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. The remainder of the residency will be under the resident's base program and specialty specific program director.

Residents can participate in the Surgical Teaching for Enrichment in Education and Leadership (STEEL) program, which includes didactic sessions, reflective essays, mentored teaching across the spectrum of surgical educational opportunities, and development of a teaching dossier.

Any requests for verification of training for graduates should be directed to the Postgraduate Office of Medical Education via email.