Message from the Associate Director of Education
Dr. Michael Sia, BSc(Hon), MSc, MD, FRCP
Associate Director of Education
The Department of Oncology has a comprehensive education program which encompasses undergraduate medical education (UME), postgraduate medical education (PGME) and continuing medical education (CME).
From a UME perspective our department offers medical students the opportunity to explore their oncology career options and learn basic principles of oncology through observerships, clerkship rotations and didactic teaching sessions provided by members of our department.
Through PGME we offer a number of residency training programs including gynecologic oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology and surgical oncology. Training programs in medical physics and psychosocial oncology are also offered. Funded fellowship training opportunities in all of the previously mentioned disciplines are also available.
The Alberta General Practitioner in Oncology Focused Training Program is also based in our department. The goal of this program is to improve the cancer-related education of family physicians and provide them with the necessary skills to proficiently function as members of the cancer care team. Such physicians may go on to work in an urban hospital setting or oncology clinic, or may provide cancer services to patients in rural communities which are areas that generally lack oncologists.
With respect to CME the Department of Oncology does host Grand Rounds once to twice each month. The focus of these rounds is usually a practice changing topic within each division or tumour group.
Applicants who are interested in the above-mentioned training programs or fellowship opportunities are encouraged to contact the respective program directors listed on this website for more information.
Education
Education in the Department of Oncology spans multiple disciplines and levels of training. In addition to medical education for students, residents, fellows, graduate students, and faculty, there are affiliations with training programs in radiation therapy and nursing.
- Clinical Residency
- Fellowship
- Observerships
- GPO
The Department of Oncology offers fully accredited residency training in all oncology specialties, functioning within a comprehensive multidisciplinary patient care environment. Training sites include the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Richmond Road Diagnostic and Holy Cross Hospital, Foothills Hospital, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Peter Lougheed Centre, and Rockyview Hospital in Calgary. Opportunities for electives in associate cancer centres in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat allow for community experience.
Gynecologic Oncology
GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, in conjunction with the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, provides a formal training program in Gynecologic Oncology accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Prerequisites
This is a 2-year clinical training program that requires successful completion of a 5-year Training Program in Obstetrics & Gynecology in a Royal College accredited program or equivalent. Applicants must be currently enrolled in a training program.
Program Outline
The first year is mostly spent in the outpatient clinics, on the ward, and about one day per week in the operating room. The ward patients are diverse and include patients who require inpatient chemotherapy, postoperative patients, and palliative care patients. There is a colposcopy rotation in the first year. A minor procedure operating room runs once per week and residents can attend on a rotating basis. This is an opportunity for the residents to learn how to perform the following procedures: examinations under anesthesia, cystoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, tenckhoff catheter insertion, cone biopsies and laser therapy.
During the latter half of the first year of residency, there is an eight-week rotation each in radiation oncology and medical oncology. There is also the opportunity for selectives in surgical oncology, colorectal surgery, palliative care, and research.
The Gynecologic Oncology program at the University of Calgary is a high-volume center. We see approximately -20 new patients, 40-45 chemotherapy patients, and 50-60 follow-up patients on a weekly basis. In addition, the program participates in NCIC and Industry-Sponsored Phase II and III trials. The access to clinical trials is an excellent opportunity for the residents to learn how to manage patients on clinical trials.
The second year is focused on more complex open and laparoscopic gynecologic oncology surgery as well as the post-operative management of complex patients. In addition, the residents spend dedicated time on assessing and treating chemotherapy patients. Each resident functions as the Lead resident for four to six months. During this time, the Lead resident manages the entire team of learners, can select the appropriate surgical cases for their learning and manages the inpatient ward. The focus during the second year is to develop the skills to be able to transition to a consultant gynecologic oncologist.
A third additional year in research to pursue a master’s in education Epidemiology/and Statistics/Public Health can also be offered. This additional year is usually offered as the first year of the program prior to the start of the 2 clinical residency years.
Teaching
It is expected that the trainee will participate in the core curriculum seminars, Pathology Tumor Board Rounds, Gynecologic Oncology Rounds, and other teaching sessions relevant to the specialty.
Research
All Fellows are expected to have completed at least one research project and have it accepted in a peer-reviewed journal.
Resources
The Gynecologic Oncology Program includes six qualified Gynecologic Oncologists working in a team with three Radiation Oncologists, six Gynecologic Pathologists. There is close coordination with the surgical and medical oncologists.
Selection Criteria
Applications to the Gynecologic Oncology Program must be received the year prior to the year in which you wish to start your training. Applications must be submitted to the program administrator, Judy McFadzen (listed below), no later than August 15, 2024.
The following are required for application:
- Covering letter explaining why you wish to pursue a career in Gynecologic Oncology
- CV
- Three letters of reference
- An elective is encouraged for Canadian applicants
- For international applicants an elective if in residency or, if completed residency, a skills assessment is mandatory
Contact Information:
Program Director:
Anna Cameron MD FRCSC MS
University of Calgary
Tom Baker Cancer Centre
1331 29th Street NW
Calgary, AB T2N 4N2
Phone: 403-521-3721 Fax: 403-521-3573
Email: Anna.Cameron@ahs.ca
Program Administrator:
Judy McFadzen
University of Calgary
Tom Baker Cancer Centre
CC 110D, 1131 - 29th Street NW
Calgary, AB T2N 4N2
Phone: 403-521-3775 Fax: 403-521-3573
Email: Judy.McFadzen@ahs.ca
Malignant Hematology & BMT
For information regarding the Hematology residency training program please contact:
Program Director
Name: Dr. Natalia Rydz
E: natalia.rydz@ahs.ca
Program Administrator
Name: Kathryn Watson
E: kathryn.watson@ahs.ca
T: 403.944.1993
F: 403.270.7891
Mailing Address and Web Links
Hematology
Foothills Medical Centre
1403 – 29 Street NW
Calgary, AB T2N 2T9
W: www.carms.ca
Medical Oncology
MEDICAL ONCOLOGY PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Medical Oncology Residency Training Program is a two-year Royal College Subspecialty Program in Calgary; affiliated with the University of Calgary and the Tom Baker Cancer Centre.
Our program trains residents to become Medical Oncologists who develop a solid foundation in managing solid tumours. We provide instruction in the basic and clinical science of oncology while providing opportunities to explore many different career interests such as community oncology, clinical research, translational research, medical education, and administration.
As each resident becomes a vital member of the Residency Training Program Committee our program offers the flexibility to tailor his/her training needs for a specific career path to achieve their goals.
Prerequisite:
Three years of core Internal Medicine training are required (PGY1-3 completed).
Program Outline:
Residents will complete 26 (4-week) blocks during their training. This includes dedicated time in each major tumour group with exposure to minor group sites. In addition, residents will gain exposure to Palliative Medicine, Radiation Oncology, Hematology, Gynecological Oncology, Surgical Oncology, and Psychosocial Oncology. There is ample elective and research time built into the program.
Our program members all actively participate in Competency Based Medical Education.
Education:
Residents have protected time and are excused from clinical duties to attend Academic Half Day (AHD) educational sessions. These AHD sessions are weekly didactic, interactive sessions which are staff-led and cover high-yield topics relevant to Medical Oncology.
Friday Professor Rounds are weekly resident-led sessions and focus on cases of interest. Combined Curriculum lectures are tailored for all oncology trainees and cover topics such as basic science, principles of therapy, and palliative care. Journal Clubs are held monthly to get in-depth reviews of practice-changing or novel concepts.
In addition, residents have several opportunities to participate in formal and informal teaching to junior trainees.
Research:
All medical oncology residents are expected to undertake at least one research project. We have a depth of international experts in various areas of interest who serve as research supervisors and mentors.
Applications:
Resident applications for the July academic year will be administered by CaRMS. Applications are usually due in August of the preceding year, with interviews taking place in the fall.
Contact information:
Program Director:
Nimira Alimohamed, MD, FRCPC
University of Calgary
Tom Baker Cancer Centre
1331 29th Street NW
Calgary, AB T2N4N2
Phone 403-521-3916
Fax 403-283-1651
nimira.alimohamed@ahs.ca
Program Administrator:
Tracy Keith
University of Calgary
Tom Baker Cancer Centre
cc 110D, 1331 – 29th Street NW
Calgary, AB T2N 4N2
Phone: 403.521.3810 Fax: 403.283.1651
Email: tracy.keith@ahs.ca
Palliative Medicine
Mission: To train physicians certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada to be subspecialist experts in the study, advancement and provision of exemplary palliative care throughout the continuum of life, death and bereavement for patients and families affected by chronic or life threatening illness.
Vision: Palliative subspecialists understand the history and foundations of palliative medicine, and the evidence base for best practices of medical and wholistic patient and family centered care throughout the continuum from diagnosis to death and bereavement. They are excellent communicators with patients, families and colleagues. They educate others about the fundamentals of palliative medicine. They collaborate with other disciplines on interdisciplinary teams to bring and teach the palliative perspective to patient care in inpatient, community and ambulatory settings. Palliative subspecialists are role models for managing patient and family dynamics in chronic and life threatening illness, particularly for ethically and morally complex issues, advanced care planning and end of life decision making. They are scholars, advancing the evidence base for understanding and management of pain and symptom control and the patient and family experience of suffering. They are comfortable with being with dying. They are able to support others, including families, patients and interprofessional team members in their ability to cope with death and dying. Palliative subspecialists advocate for palliative care delivery which overcomes systemic and local barriers for diverse and marginalized populations.
Values: At University of Calgary, we value collaboration, collegiality, equal access to care, and compassionate communication with our patients and each other. As a result, there are no silos of practice in Calgary, rather, our palliative care service to the Calgary zone is under one umbrella, with patients able to move seamlessly from one team to the next throughout their disease trajectory. We value patient and family centered care and work closely with other disciplines including clinical nurse specialists, spiritual care practitioners, among others to provide holistic, trauma informed care. We value innovation and have a record of firsts including the first study on community-based methadone rotation, the first province wide advanced care planning initiative and the first province wide palliative emergency treat and response program for community paramedics. We value equity in service delivery. We have one of the country’s first mobile palliative programs for vulnerably housed individuals. We are working with Indigenous elders to understand the intersection between Indigenous ways of knowing and being and palliative care. We value equity and diversity and strive to incorporate this lens to all aspects of residency training, including recruitment, assessment and curriculum. We are inclusive: our interdisciplinary partners are active on our residency program committees and in clinical and academic teaching.
We value practices that are based on critical appraisal and application of the literature
We value the importance of resident wellness related to the ongoing and cumulative psychological effects of working exclusively with people who are dying or who have life limiting illnesses. Our program endeavours to help residents reflect on and reinforce their own effective awareness and coping strategies. We introduce and practice new approaches to coping with our own suffering and that of others so that we can all have balanced and fulfilling careers in palliative care.
Program Highlights
All palliative programs, from inpatient consultation teams, community teams, hospice, intensive palliative care unit, embedded palliative services in long term care, specialty clinics and ambulatory palliative clinics are under one portfolio for seamless care. This provides flexibility for the residents to follow their patients across multiple settings.
Clinical nurse specialists, spiritual care practitioners, pharmacists, social workers, health advocate, psychologists, rehabilitation professionals and others in the palliative care portfolio are active on our residency program committees and in clinical and academic teaching alongside the palliative specialists.
Residents can be a part of our innovation. Our faculty co-created the original Goal of Care framework, as well as the first and only province wide policy for advanced care planning and for communicating patient’s goals across all care settings. Other firsts include establishing the first 24/7 EMS “Assess, Treat and Refer,” program in the country, so pain and symptom crises for all patients on our palliative home care program can be addressed at home if appropriate, in conjunction with the palliative physicians on call, the first published in home methadone rotation study, and the first province wide palliative sedation guideline. Our faculty established the second program in the country to deliver palliative and end of life care to vulnerably housed population.
The residency program is adaptable while staying true to the objectives of training of the subspecialty of palliative medicine. We value and integrate feedback from residents and faculty and adapt the program in an iterative manner, so that the clinical and academic experiences to meet the program and subspecialty goals using our local opportunities.
Clinical Curriculum
| Block | Phase of Training | Rotation |
| 1 | Transition to Discipline | Community Hospital Consults Jr |
| 2 | Intensive Palliative Care Unit Jr (IPCU) | |
| 3 | Home Care Jr plus CAMPP (Calgary Allied Mobile Palliative Program) | |
| 4 | Foundations of Discipline | Medical Oncology/Rehabilitation Oncology |
| 5 | Radiation Oncology/Surgical Oncology/Gyne Oncology | |
| 6 | Psychosocial Oncology/Spiritual Care | |
| 7 | Geriatrics | |
| 8 | Elective | |
| 9 | Core of Discipline | Scholarly Project |
| 10 | Calgary Rural Consults | |
| 11 | IPCU Jr/Sr | |
| 12 | Pediatrics | |
| 13 | Hospice | |
| 14 | Critical Care | |
| 15 | IPCU Sr | |
| 16 | Advanced Disease Clinics Grouping #1 (COPD/ILD, kidney, cardiac, liver, HIV) | |
| 17 | Advanced Disease Clinics Grouping #1 (COPD/ILD, kidney, cardiac, liver, HIV) |
| Block | Phase of Training | Rotation |
| 18 | Core of Discipline cont. | Community Hospital Consults Sr |
| 19 | Oncology Outpatient Pain and Complex Symptom Clinic | |
| 20 | Scholarly Project | |
| 21 | Advanced Disease Clinics Grouping #2 (ALS/MND, Movement Disorders, GIM, Renal) | |
| 22 | Advanced Disease Clinics Grouping #2 (ALS/MND, Movement Disorders, GIM, Renal) | |
| 23 | Elective or Selective (Interventional Radiology, Acute Pain Service, Chronic Pain Service, other) | |
| 24 | Transition to Practice | IPCU Sr |
| 25 | Home Care Sr | |
| 26 | Tertiary Hospital Consults Sr | |
| Longitudinal | Procedures: Pocus, paracenteses, thoracenteses, subcutaneous access for medications and lymphatic drainage, CADD pump management. | |
Academic Curriculum
Year 1 Academic Half Days: 68 evidence based sessions over 40 half days. 12 half days protected time for scholarly Project (in addition to full Scholarly Project Rotation Block). Including 4 sessions of longitudinal wellness curriculum.
Year 2 Academic Half Days: 52 days of protected time for scholarly project, leadership, advocacy, clinical study or other QI endeavours. Including 2 sessions of longitudinal wellness curriculum.
Wellness Retreat in the Rockies. Resident designed and funded by the program.
Advanced Practice Rounds. Residents present three times per year on clinical topics, and receive coaching on presentation skills.
Educational Case Reviews. Residents present once per year and receive training on continuous quality improvement.
Journal Club. Residents present once per year.
Conferences – Mary O’Connor Palliative and Hospice Care Western Regional Conference, Advanced Learning in Palliative Medicine. Residents are encouraged to present their scholarly projects.
Palliative Grand Rounds once monthly. Residents attend, optional presentation.
Annual Scholarly Project Luncheon. Residents present on status of project.
Neil MacDonald Scholarly Rounds: Residents present scholarly project once per year.
Scholarly Project Scholarly projects may be quantitative or qualitative studies, narrative medicine, quality improvement projects, or educational initiatives. Alternatively, residents may join in existing programs of research. Content and research design support is provided by interdisciplinary palliative medicine faculty and related disciplines/departments. Funding sources are available. Residents are encouraged to complete their projects while in training and present their work at the Advanced Learning in Palliative Medicine conference.
Current programs of research includes the following:
- Faculty as co-leads for the One:CarePath project to develop tools and systematic integration for early palliative care to patients with chronic progressive illnesses – including end-stage heart, lung, liver, kidney and solid organ tumours.
- Funded interdisciplinary PaCES project, a province-wide team of researchers and knowledge end-users working together to implement evidence-based practices for delivering early and systematic palliative care for Albertans living with serious illness.
- ACP CRIO, a 6 year study of the implementation and impact of advanced care planning policy in Alberta. Study completed but research and programming initiatives are ongoing.
- Collaboration with the Compassion Research Lab, a University of Calgary based world leader in evidence based research and resources on compassion in health care/palliative care.
The Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning and the O’Brien Institute of Public Health offer workshops, resources and support for scholarly project endeavours.
Scholarly Project Scholarly projects may be quantitative or qualitative studies, narrative medicine, quality improvement projects, or educational initiatives. Alternatively, residents may join in existing programs of research. Content and research design support is provided by interdisciplinary palliative medicine faculty and related disciplines/departments. Funding sources are available. Residents are encouraged to complete their projects while in training and present their work at the Advanced Learning in Palliative Medicine conference.
Training sites
- Hospital-based (inpatient, outpatient clinics)
- Foothills Medical Centre
- Peter Lougheed Centre
- Rockyview General Hospital
- South Health Campus
- Community
- Hospices (7 city-wide)
- Palliative homecare (urban and rural)
- Regional hospitals within the Calgary Zone
- Community Allied Mobile Palliative Program
- Foothills Medical Centre (1065 beds, Intensive Palliative Care Unit with up to 18 beds); Address: 1403 29 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 2T9
For information regarding the Palliative Medicine Residency Program please contact:
Program Director
Name: Stephanie Muir
E: Stephanie.Muir@albertahealthservices.ca
Program Administrator
Name: Dixie Vancak
E: Dixie.Vancak@ahs.ca
T: 403.521.3596
F: 403.283.1651
Mailing Address and Web Links
Palliative Medicine
Tom Baker Cancer Centre
CC110D
1331 – 29th Street NW
Calgary, AB T2N 4N2
W: www.carms.ca
W: www.departmentofoncology.com
Pediatric Hematology Oncology
Pediatric Hematology Oncology Residency PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Our Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Residency program is fully accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. This 3-year program is supported by the Postgraduate Medical Education office at the University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine and is situated at the Alberta Children’s Hospital (ACH). Our program’s goal is that residents, upon completion of training, are well-trained consultants in the breadth of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Transplant and feel confident and prepared to fulfill their career aspirations.
Please refer to the CaRMS website that provides some further details about the current structure of the program.
Applications
We greatly encourage all applicants, especially those from postgraduate training programs outside North America, to consider a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology elective at Alberta Children’s Hospital prior to applying. However we recognize that this may not be possible for all candidates.
Our residency program considers applications from Canadian medical graduates, Canadians Studying Abroad, and International Medical Graduates.
Highlights of our program include:
- A learner-focused program that is attentive to the educational goals of the resident
- Eleven enthusiastic faculty members interested in teaching and mentoring career development
- Resident continuity clinic
- Full participating member of Children’s Oncology Group (COG) with physicians involved as principal investigators and active committee members
- Only Canadian member of novel Phase I trial group, Pediatric Oncology Experimental Therapeutic Investigator Consortium (POETIC)
- Largest bone marrow transplantation program in Western Canada
- Comprehensive teaching-oriented Pediatric Hematology service with diverse patient population
- Well-organized and inclusive series of rounds and teaching sessions
- Excellent structured hematopathology experience
- Translational research opportunities in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology includes developmental novel therapeutics and cancer biology
- Large catchment area gives exposure to great clinical diversity
- Active and growing children’s hospital is in the newest free standing facility in Canada.
Program Director:
Program Director: Dr. Doan Le
Email: doan.le@ahs.ca
Program Administrator:
Ms. Brenda Gallagher
Email: brenda.gallagher@ahs.ca
Phone: 403-955-7613
Location:
Alberta Children’s Hospital
28 Oki Drive NW
Calgary, AB
T3B 6A8
Radiation Oncology
Radiation Oncology
Introduction
The Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, in conjunction with the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, provides a fully accredited, residency training program in Radiation Oncology. The program functions within a dynamic teaching environment in the Department of Oncology, as there are training programs offered in the oncology disciplines as well as medical physics.
Over 4600 new patients are seen for outpatient consultation in Radiation Oncology clinics annually. The majority of inpatient consults and admissions occur on the oncology wards, Units 46 and 47, at the Foothills Medical Centre.
As of Fall 2020, the Division of Radiation Oncology at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre presently consists of 23 radiation oncologists. There are nine linear accelerators, one conventional simulator, two CT simulators, and an orthovoltage unit. We have capabilities for Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), three dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT), intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), and volumetric arc radiotherapy (VMAT) utilizing Varian Eclipse planning, as well as gynecologic, breast and prostate brachytherapy.
The Division has the latest technology and one of the best equipped facilities in the country. The catchment area and patient numbers ensure that residents will see the entire spectrum of tumours. The Tom Baker Cancer Centre is expected to be replaced by the Calgary Cancer Centre in 2023. It is located on Foothills Hospital campus and will be the largest cancer centre in Canada. Please visit the Calgary Cancer Centre for more information. A virtual tour of the new facility is available.
The Division also actively participates in national and international cooperative clinical trials groups including NRG (formerly RTOG), NCIC, COG and NSABP.
Program Highlights :
Our Radiation Oncology Residency Training Program at the University of Calgary was established in 2002 and has enrolled 30 trainees to date. The program currently accepts one trainee per year through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS). Our program provides 2 preceptors to 1 trainee 8-week rotations through the majority of core Radiation Oncology training that provides excellent clinical exposure. The final training year incorporates a year-long rotation with two preceptors, along with single preceptor 8-week rotations, to provide a longitudinal clinic experience of managing patients from start to finish and includes follow-up care to emulate post-training practice. Formal academic half-day teaching with a 2-year curriculum, a dedicated medical physics training course in PGY1/2, and advanced treatment planning course in PGY3/4 provides a suitable didactic learning environment. Our program also incorporates a CanMEDs lecture series to individually address these competencies through a structured learning approach. Our residents are competitive for research awards and have excellent funding support for education courses and to attend conferences throughout training.
Overview:
The Radiation Oncology Residency Training Program at the University of Calgary transitioned to competency-based medical education (CBME) in July 2019 with all trainees entering the program after this date affiliated with a new training program initiative. This initiative, called Competence by Design (CBD), aims to enhance patient care by aligning medical education and lifelong learning with evolving patient needs and empowering learners to more fully engage in their education process. Residency training is divided into four stages that follow the CBD guidelines outlined by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. There is an established didactic teaching program covering core radiation oncology topics and includes necessary basic oncologic knowledge in radiation physics, radiobiology, treatment planning, and clinical physics.
Program Outline:
The overall goal of the program is to provide a training environment that ensures residents acquire the knowledge and skills to function as independent radiation oncologists. At the completion of training, a resident will have demonstrated competence in the CanMEDS domains as described in the Objectives of Training for Radiation Oncology and fulfill all CBD requirements. The training program is structured to meet the requirements of training as set out by the Royal College.
Transition to Discipline:
One month orientation in Radiation Oncology.
Foundations:
The Foundations stage of training consists of 11 months of four-to-eight week rotations in general internal medicine, general surgery, neurology, respiratory medicine, infectious disease medicine, otolaryngology medical, emergency medicine, gynecologic oncology, pediatric oncology, medical oncology, palliative care, and diagnostic radiology.
Core:
The Core stage of training consists of 36-44 months of radiation oncology rotations, including up to 6 blocks of electives/research blocks. Residents are encouraged to pursue elective opportunities at other training centres. During this time, residents take first call for Radiation Oncology services. Radiation physics and radiobiology will be taught weekly during protected time for academic half days, in addition to Radiation Oncology teaching. Towards the end of the Core stage, an 8-week clinical physics and treatment planning rotation is undertaken. A mandatory rural/community-based Radiation Oncology rotation for a minimum of 4 weeks is also performed as well as one four-week rotation each in Medical Oncology and Pediatric Oncology. Training experiences in Pathology will be supplemented by interactive web-based education resources and didactic teaching. In addition, scholarly projects are initiated. The Royal College examination is undertaken at the end of the Core stage, typically in the latter half of PGY-4 or early part of PGY-5.
Transition to Practice:
The final stage of training now incorporates a formal period of time, typically 3-9 months, for Transition to Practice training. The chief objective is to emulate independent practice, but in a supervised learning environment. The training stage follows the Royal College examination to permit trainee focus on clinical practice with increased responsibilities. The structure for Transition to Practice includes professional development and personal wellness planning, assessing and managing patients at a consultant level, managing day-to-day aspects of practice, and mandatory completion of at least one scholarly project prior to graduation.
Research:
Residents are expected to complete at least one clinical or basic science research project during their training. Research can be conducted in Radiation Oncology or on a collaborative basis with other oncology specialties, or with clinical physics, or with a basic science investigator at the Arne Charbonneau Cancer Institute.
Travel and Conference Funding:
Residents are funded to participate in the National Radiobiology Review course in Toronto, ON, Anatomy and Radiology Contouring course in London, ON, and the Royal College examination preparatory course typically held in Montreal, QC, Ottawa, ON, London, ON, or here in Calgary, AB. In addition, conference funding to attend one or two North American meetings per year is available for residents who present their research work.
Teaching:
The didactic basic physics course runs from September to April every two years and taken in either the first or second year of residency training, while an 8-week treatment planning course is held in the third year of training. Academic half-day occurs weekly on a Tuesday or Friday afternoon from September through August. Several combined oncology teaching sessions are held annually covering topics common to all training programs (e.g. research methods, molecular biology, introduction to other oncology specialties, etc.).
Multidisciplinary tumour board conferences and quality assurance rounds for all tumour sites are held weekly. Residents participate in a journal club administered by staff.
- University of Calgary
- Tom Baker Cancer Center
- Foothills Medical Center
- Peter Lougheed Centre
- Rockyview General Hospital
- Alberta Children's Hospital
- Jack Ady Cancer Centre in Lethbridge, AB
- Central Alberta Cancer Centre in Red Deer, AB
Program Director:
Name: Dr. Shaun Loewen /
Dr. Jordan Stosky
E: shaun.loewen@ahs.ca
E: Jordan.Stosky@ahs.ca
Program Administrator:
Name: Melissa Watkins
E: melissa.watkins2@ahs.ca
T: 403.521.3402
F: 403.283.1651
Mailing Address and Web Links:
Radiation Oncology Residency Program
Tom Baker Cancer Centre
1331 – 29th Street NW
Calgary, AB T2N 4N2
W: www.carms.ca
W: www.departmentofoncology.com
Surgical Oncology
Surgical Oncology Program Description
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
The University of Calgary, the Department of Surgery and the Department of Oncology offer a two-year Surgical Oncology Fellowship. One position is offered each year, which can be designed according to the candidate’s requirements for their future career. Besides the general surgical oncology training, a candidate may subspecialize in sarcoma, melanoma, breast, advanced GI, head and neck, hepatobiliary, or endocrine oncology.
Breast, advanced GI, head and neck, hepatobiliary, or endocrine oncology.
Introduction
The program includes a minimum of 16 months clinical rotations with the remaining time for electives, pathology, radiation and medical oncology, and research. The educational program involves multidisciplinary weekly rounds in surgical oncology, grand rounds in oncology, a basic oncology course running three hours weekly, sarcoma rounds, breast melanoma rounds, advanced GI and hepatobiliary rounds. The candidate is offered courses in biostatistics and clinical epidemiology. Laboratory expertise in molecular biology, genetics, and immunology is available for those who wish to pursue a laboratory academic career. Candidates are expected to pursue and publish prospective clinical or basic research.
The Division of Surgical Oncology includes 18 surgical oncologists who have general training as well as subspecialty interests in head and neck surgery, sarcoma, melanoma, breast, colorectal, advanced GI recurrent tumors, hepatobiliary, and endocrine surgery. The Division works in close collaboration with surgical oncologists in thoracic surgery, colorectal surgery, head and neck surgery, orthopedic surgery, and plastic and minimally invasive surgery. The Cancer Centre is an integrated institution with the University with radiation oncology, medical oncology, gynecologic oncology, surgical oncology, psychosocial services, palliative oncology, and neuro-oncology training programs. Multidisciplinary clinics and multidisciplinary rounds are conducted in each disease site. The Cancer Centre is active in national and international clinical trials.
Eligibility:
Eligibility for clinical fellowship includes completion of a recognized General Surgery training in a USA or Canadian program or equivalent foreign program and interest in a career in academic surgical oncology.
Program Director:
Antoine Bouchard-Fortier, MD
Associate Professor
Department of Oncology and Surgery
University of Calgary
E: Antoine.Bouchard-Fortier@albertahealthservices.ca
Program Administrator:
Name: Mary Lynn Pedora
E: MaryLynn.Pedora@ahs.ca
T: 403.521.3810
F: 403.283.1651
Mailing Address:
Surgical Oncology
Tom Baker Cancer Centre
1331 – 29th Street NW
Calgary, AB T2N 4N2
W: www.departmentofoncology.com
The fellowship program in the Department of Oncology is expanding. Applications are open to all trainees who have completed core training in an oncology discipline and are seeking to enhance their clinical and/or research skills. Fellowships are of one year duration.
The advertisement for fellowship positions is posted each year in April, and the closing date for applications is August 15. Notification of awards is made by October 31, for fellowships beginning the following year, usually on July 1, but start date is negotiable.
For information about available Fellowship programs, see the divisional websites or contact the Fellowship director (listed in the Advertisement 2025-26 Fellowship). Interested applicants are required to submit a CV, a FORM – Fellowship Proposal Document, three letters of reference, and a personal statement.
Details about the application procedures for domestic and international fellowships are described here. Please read the policies and application procedures carefully. International graduates must pass English proficiency requirements before their application will be considered.
Clinical Fellowship in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT)
University of Calgary
The Alberta Blood and Marrow Transplant Program (ABMTP) at the University of Calgary offers a one-year clinical fellowship program that provides specialized training for physicians interested in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
The ABMTP acts as a referral centre for all allogeneic transplants in the province, and all pediatric transplants and autologous transplants for Southern Alberta. Over the past 30 years, it has become one of Canada’s largest BMT programs, treating over 150 adult patients in Calgary each year. Within Canada it performs substantially more unrelated transplants, including cord blood transplantation, than any other adult program, and is the only combined adult and pediatric program. Most allogeneic transplants are performed for leukemia and other disorders of the bone marrow, whereas most adult autologous transplants are performed for lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Medical staff for Calgary’s HSCT Program include 10 Hematologists/Oncologists, 3 clinical associates/ward physicians, as well as numerous dedicated inpatient and outpatient nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, physiotherapists, dieticians and social workers. The ABMTP has achieved repeated FACT accreditation which ensures a high standard of practice and places particular emphasis on quality assurance activities.
Our program has a solid international reputation as an academically productive and innovative group. It is very active in research, including prospective multicentre cooperative group studies, industry sponsored clinical trials, local investigator-initiated studies, retrospective studies, as well as translational research projects. Several division members have national and international research reputations, including Dr. Andrew Daly for clinical research in all areas of allogeneic HSCT (especially high dose conditioning therapy and graft versus host disease prevention), Dr. Doug Stewart for clinical research in the area of lymphoma, Dr. Nizar Bahlis for clinical and translational research in the area of multiple myeloma, and Dr. Jan Storek who is evaluating immunological aspects of HSCT including immune recovery and infectious complications.
As a BMT fellow in our program you will be expected to be an active member of this team.
Goals for the Clinical Fellowship in HSCT
- Preparation for a successful career in hematologic malignancies and blood and marrow transplantation in an academic setting
- Develop the clinical skills and understanding necessary to become an outstanding provider of care for patients with diseases requiring high-dose chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
- Develop research skills in the field of hematologic malignancies and BMT that will allow them to perform independently in an academic setting
Program Contact
Individuals interested in pursuing a clinical fellowship in HSCT at the University of Calgary may contact the HSCT Clinical Fellowship Program Director Dr. Mona Shafey for more information at lynn.savoie@ahs.ca.
For information regarding the Lymphoma fellowship program please contact:
Program Director: Dr. Leslie Street
Email: leslie.street@ahs.ca
Program Administrator: Jeanne Sheldon
Email: jeanne.sheldon@ahs.ca
T: 944-1993
F: 270-7891
The Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, in conjunction with the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, provides a fellowship program in Medical Oncology. A candidate can choose to pursue a fellowship in the following areas: gastrointestinal, breast, hepatobiliary, genitourinary, cancer immunotherapy and cutaneous, health services research/ real world evidence, and other tumor sites based on supervisor availability.
Program Director: Dr. Safiya Karim
E-mail: Safiya.Karim@ahs.ca
Program Administrator: Tracy Keith
E-mail: tracylynn.keith@ahs.ca
Telephone: 403-521-3810
Prerequisites: This is a 6 month to 2-year clinical training program that requires successful completion of a Medical Oncology Residency in a Royal College accredited program or equivalent.
Program Outline: The program can be designed as a purely clinical fellowship, or a combination of a clinical and research fellowship. Fellows can also choose to pursue an advanced degree (i.e. Master’s degree) during their fellowship. The design of the fellowship is decided upon between the fellow and the supervisor. On average, fellows will participate in 4-6 half days per week in medical oncology clinics.
It is expected that the trainee will participate in the core curriculum seminars, Tumor Board Rounds, and other teaching sessions relevant to the specialty. A course in biostatistics and clinical trial methodology is offered in alternate years.
Research: All Fellows who are doing a combined clinical and research fellowship are expected to have completed at least one research project and have it accepted in a peer-reviewed journal.
Selection Criteria:
The following are required for application:
- Covering letter explaining why subspecialty training in the chosen tumour type/ area of research would be beneficial to your training
- Curriculum Vitae
- Three letters of reference
- Evidence of English Language Proficiency as per the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta. All non-exempt applicants must complete IELTS (International English Language Testing System) academic version prior to applying for the fellowship position. Candidates must score at least 7.0 in each component of a single test.
About the Division of Medical Oncology: The Division of Medical Oncology includes 27 medical oncologists who are Royal College trained and have subspecialty interests in lung, melanoma/cutaneous, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, breast, sarcoma, head and neck, brain, endocrine and thyroid malignancies.
The Tom Baker Cancer Centre is a comprehensive cancer centre affiliated with the University of Calgary and has radiation oncology, medical oncology, gynecology oncology, surgical oncology, psychosocial services, palliative oncology, and neuro-oncology training programs. Multidisciplinary clinics and multidisciplinary rounds are conducted in each disease site. The medical oncology division has significant expertise in real-world evidence, precision oncology, immunotherapy in solid tumours, clinical trials and international collaborations.
Fellowship Program:
Radiation Oncology Physics fellows may be primarily clinical, research or a combination of both. Some fellows have completed their residency, while others are pre-residency and interested in research, rather than clinical careers. Visit residency website for more information.
For more information contact: medical.physics@ahs.ca
For information regarding the Myeloma Fellowship Program please contact:
Program Director: Dr. Peter Duggan
Email: peter.duggan@ahs.ca
Program Administrator: Jeanne Sheldon
Email: jeanne.sheldon@ahs.ca
T: 944-1993
F: 270-7891
For information regarding the Paediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT fellowship program please contact:
Interim Program Director: Dr. Doan Le
Email: doan.le@ahs.ca
Program Administrator: Brenda Gallagher
Email: brenda.gallagher@ahs.ca
T: 955-7613
F: 955-2645
For information regarding the Palliative Medicine fellowship program please contact:
Program Director: Dr. Stephanie Muir
Email: Stephanie.Muir@albertahealthservices.ca
Program Administrator: Dixie Vancak
Email: Dixie.Vancak@ahs.ca
T: 403-521-3596
F: 283-1651
Our Radiation Oncology Fellowship Program accepts one to three fellows per year. Clinical and research activities focus on brachytherapy, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), head and neck oncology, patient reported outcomes, and/or health services research, but other areas of specialization can be accommodated based on the successful candidate’s interest.
Fellowships are one-year in duration, and provide an opportunity to gain clinical expertise, research and publication productivity. The Division of Radiation Oncology has close collaborations with the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute for candidates interested in translational research activities.
Contact information
Fellowship Program Director
Name: Dr. Harvey Quon
E: harvey.quon@ahs.ca
Program Administrator
Name: Melissa Watkins
E: melissa.watkins2@ahs.ca
T: 403.521.3402
F: 403.283.1651
Mailing Address:
Radiation Oncology
Tom Baker Cancer Centre
1331 - 29th Street NW
Calgary, AB T2N 4N2
Web Links:
https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/pgme
https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/pgme/future-trainees/canadian-medical-school-graduates/fellowships
Surgical Oncology Fellowships
Program Coordinator: Francesca Isaacs
Office of Surgical Fellowship
University of Calgary | Department of Surgery
Foothills Medical Centre | North Tower 7th Floor | Room 733
1403 29th Street NW, Calgary, AB T2N 2T9
Ph. 403-944-2185 Fax. 403-944-4301
Plastic Surgery
For information regarding the Plastic Surgery Oncology fellowship program please contact:
Program Director: Dr. Claire Temple-Oberle
Email: claire.temple-oberle@ahs.ca
Students or health professionals interested in observerships should contact a faculty member from the division that the student/health professional is interested in working in. Out of province students/health professionals must review the requirements for observerships as described in the following links, and anticipate that it takes approximately 6 months from submission of a request to being on site.
Alberta General Practitioner in Oncology Training Program
Our GPO Training Program is part of a number of enhanced skills programs and continuing medical education programs in cancer care for family physicians at several Canadian universities. The overall goal of this program is to improve the cancer-related education of family physicians and provide them with the necessary skills to proficiently function as members of the cancer care team.
Download the Alberta General Practitioner in Oncology Program Summary 2025-2026 for more information on the program.
Applications are OPEN (Closes Jan 31, 2025)