Nephrology

Nephrology

Welcome to the Nephrology Residency Program at the University of Alberta.

MENTORSHIP

A mentored research program to cultivate research interest and facilitate development

REPUTABLE

Internationally known renal transplantation program—trainees work with experts at the forefront of the field

OPPORTUNITIES

Conference leave (2 weeks annually) and funding enabling residents to attend 2 conferences each year

Interview/CaRMS Specific Information

Panel interviews (2 panels of 2–3 interviewers):

Interviews will be held via Zoom.
Each interview will take approximately 25 minutes.

Wednesday, September 4, 2024 from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. MT - Nephrology Residents and CaRMS Candidate Q&A Session via Zoom.

Thursday, September 5, 2024 - Interviews via Zoom.

Selection of candidates will be based on a combination of CV, reference letters, LMCC scores, and interviews.

Program will notify all applicants through CaRMS Online and will send email invitations directly to applicants selected for an interview.

We do not accept international applicants.

Contact Us

Dr. Mark Courtney
Department of Nephrology
11-112R Clinical Sciences Building
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G3

mark.courtney@ualberta.ca
780-492-2122

Linda Semper
13-109 Clinical Sciences Building
mednneph@ualberta.ca
780-492-7174

Dr. Mark Courtney
Program Director

Linda Semper
Program Administrator

Welcome to Our Program

Since July of 1982, the Division of Nephrology & Transplantation Immunology has offered a Residency Program in Nephrology. The Program fulfills the requirements of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons for the Certificate of Special Competence in Nephrology and is flexible so as to prepare residents for careers in either academic medicine or community practice.

The basic program is two years in length; however there is the possibility of applying for additional research training years for those interested in academic careers. We also offer additional training years in renal transplantation (a program accredited by the American Society of Transplantation) and home dialysis therapies.

As of July 2018, the training curriculum has been revised to a competency-based evaluation system in alignment with Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada requirements.

Dr. Mark Courtney
Program Director

Our Program

We are a fully accredited program that follows the guidelines set out by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Residents who have fulfilled three years of Internal Medicine training in a Royal College-approved program are invited to apply.

Program Highlights

A faculty with diverse clinical and research interests committed to resident education.

Weekly resident-run continuity clinics in general nephrology and transplantation.

Involvement in quality improvement initiatives and research.

Strong core teaching curriculum, including weekly resident lectures, journal club, pathology rounds, nephrology grand rounds, fluid and electrolyte rounds, research-in-progress meeting.

Training in areas such as: interventional nephrology, and insertion of temporary and tunneled central venous hemodialysis catheters.

Option for extension of training beyond the mandatory two years to pursue additional training in renal transplantation, home dialysis therapies, or clinical research in clinical, epidemiological, or basic research.

Residency at a Glance

Rotations

Program Environment

The Training Program is positioned within Alberta Health Services' Alberta Kidney Care North (AKCN) through which hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and renal transplant patients are cared for in Edmonton and in satellite dialysis units in outlying communities. Dr. Branko Braam is the Director, Division of Nephrology & Transplantation Immunology, and Dr. Kailash Jindal is the Regional Clinical Program Director of AKCN.

The University of Alberta Hospital is one of Canada's leading clinical, research and teaching hospitals, treating patients from across western and northern Canada. The 18-bed in-patient unit is adjacent to an 18-station outpatient hemodialysis unit. Both the dialysis unit (~400 active patients) and the renal transplant program (~1400 active patients) are located home on site.

Ancillary services

The clinical renal program is supported by several ancillary services. These include:

An active renal pathology service headed by Dr. Kim Solez, an international authority on renal transplant pathology and cybernephrology
An active clinical trials program which has participated in multi-centre trials of new immunosuppressives, agents to treat acute renal failure, and innovations in peritoneal dialysis catheters. The clinical trials staff are available to facilitate the development and processing of clinical studies initiated by trainees and may assist in data collection. The program is supported by a statistician
A tissue typing laboratory with a particular interest in molecular HLA typing and the role of alloantibody in allograft rejection
Basic science research programs which emphasize mechanisms of tissue injury, the mechanism of action of immunosuppressive agents, the regulation of HLA and cytokine gene expression, endothelial biology and glomerular physiology.
A host of clinical research programs exist, headed by Divisional members with training in Clinical Epidemiology, Ethics, Health Economics and Health Administration
An active ambulatory care program exists, with clinics for patients with general renal disorders, those on renal replacement therapy, and recipients of renal transplants. There are longitudinal clinic experiences organized for each trainee where he/she sees new patients and follows patients discharged from hospital in both general nephrology and transplantation.
An on-site pediatric nephrology service
A multidisciplinary team of surgeons, dieticians, social workers, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists who participate in the care of the renal patient

Teaching Hospitals

We are a fully accredited program that follows the guidelines set out by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Program Videos

Funding

Ministry funding is provided for those qualified residents who are eligible for licensure on the educational register of the Province of Alberta. This requires that the applicant be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada and have completed the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination. Limited non-ministry monies may occasionally be available for certain highly qualified applicants who fail to meet these criteria. The applications of outstanding individuals for whom funding is provided by a foreign government will be seriously considered.

Qualified residents may apply for research training positions funded by the Royal College Clinical Investigator Program. Successful candidates will be expected to obtain a Masters Degree in a research field during the course of an extended residency. Funds are also available to support research Fellowships within the Division.