Emergency Medicine
Welcome to the Emergency Medicine Residency Program at the University of Alberta.
EACH SHIFT IS
1 - ON - 1 WITH STAFF
EMERGENCY MEDICINE IS NOT SERVICE-BASED: YOU ARE THERE TO LEARN
OUR RESIDENTS RECEIVE 2-3 EPA'S PER DAY
How to Apply
RCPSC Program
The RCPSC Emergency Medicine program only accepts applications through the Canadian Resident Matching Service. See the CaRMS website for eligibility and timelines.
There are 6 positions available.
Candidates shall be evaluated on the basis of:
- Academic records, with attention paid to proficiency in subjects related to the discipline of emergency medicine.
- Three reference letters. Additional letters are accepted.
- A personal letter
- Interviews
Specifically, the evaluation process shall assess the following:
- Leadership in college or medical school
- Commitment to the discipline of emergency medicine
- Creativity in life adjustments and achievement of educational goals
- Human relations skills
- Motivation and persistence
- Commitment to affect change
- Decision-making ability and maturity under stress
- Likelihood of making a significant contribution to emergency medicine.
David Ha | BSc, MD, FRCPC
Program Director
Joanne Norum | MD, FRCPC
Associate Program Director
Yang Li | MD, MPH, FRCPC
Associate Program Director
Jenni Marshall
Program Administrator
Email: emergpg@ualberta.ca
Our Lead Residents
Email: rcpsem@ualberta.ca
Dr. David Ha | BSc, MD, FRCPC
Program Director
Welcome to Our Program
Emergency Medicine is intense, challenging, and rewarding, all at the same time.
Welcome to the University of Alberta’s Royal College Emergency Medicine Residency Program! Thank you for visiting our website and for your interest in the program.
Emergency Medicine continues to be a discipline with opportunities for growth and excellence. We want to continue our goal of being one of the premier training grounds for emergency medicine in the country. Our program’s top mandate is to give you the resources you need to become the emergency physician you want to be and to become leaders in any niche of emergency medicine you want to call your own. We want you to leave the residency knowing that you have the skills and experiences not only to run any department in the country or around the world, but also with the confidence that you will have the abilities to effect change locally, nationally or internationally.
Our program is blessed with a huge catchment area, several high-level tertiary and community emergency departments as well as outstanding teachers who will work to provide you with the foundation needed to become an elite emergency physician. And most importantly, we have an absolutely dynamic, collegial and fun-loving resident group, whose support, encouragement and camaraderie will be essential in making these five years of learning and development some of the most impactful and enjoyable of your career.
We encourage you to explore our website and ask any member of our team questions that you may have. We are definitely excited at the prospect of continuing to add the next generation of emergency medicine leaders to our team!
Our Program
We are a fully accredited program that follows the guidelines set out by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
- Our catchment area is from Red Deer to the far north.
- You work with staff one - on - one.
- Innovative curriculum tailored to each stage of training.
Program Highlights
Our catchment area is from Red Deer to the far north.
You work with staff one - on - one.
Innovative curriculum tailored to each stage of training.
Residency at a Glance
Learn about each year of the program with an overview of each year.
24 weeks - Emergency Medicine
4 weeks - Pediatric Emergency Medicine
4 weeks - Anesthesia
4 weeks - Internal Medicine
4 weeks - CCU
4 weeks - Obstetrics and Gynaecology
4 weeks - General Surgery
4 weeks - Vacation
16 weeks - Emergency Medicine
4 weeks - Pediatric Emergency Medicine
4 weeks - Psychiatry
4 weeks - Point of Care Ultrasound
4 weeks - Research/Administration
4 weeks - Plastic Surgery
4 weeks - Orthopedics
2 weeks - Pediatric Anesthesia
4 weeks - Neurosurgery
2 weeks - Elective
4 weeks - Vacation
20 weeks - Emergency Medicine
4 weeks - Pediatric Emergency Medicine
4 weeks - Emergency Medical Services
12 weeks - Critical Care
4 weeks - Pediatric Critical Care
4 weeks - Elective
4 weeks - Vacation
36 weeks - Emergency Medicine
4 weeks - Pediatric Emergency Medicine
4 weeks - Toxicology
4 weeks - Elective
4 weeks - Vacation
24 weeks - Area of Concentrated Interest
20 weeks - Emergency Medicine
4 weeks - Pediatric Emergency Medicine
4 weeks - Vacation
Teaching Hospitals
The Department of Emergency Medicine at University of Alberta provides a postgraduate training program in the specialty of Emergency Medicine, accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Emergency Medicine is a 5 year Competence by Design program at multiple sites throughout the Edmonton area.
The UofA Hospital is the main tertiary care centre for Northern Alberta and is situated on the campus of the University of Alberta. The hospital is a major transplantation centre and a designated trauma centre. The department sees over 73,000 patients per year. The Emergency Department deals with many high acuity patients with complicated medical illnesses and a wide variety of trauma.
Pediatric Emergency Medicine rotations are carried out at the Stollery Children's Hospital at the University of Alberta. This department receives approximately 20,000 visits per year. These numbers have continued to grow per annum since opening September 27th, 2000.
The Royal Alexandra Hospital is a large tertiary care centre serving the urban centre of Edmonton seeing over 66,000 patients per year. It is a designated trauma centre and has a high volume, high acuity emergency department.
The Grey Nuns, Misericordia, Strathcona, and Sturgeon Hospitals are community hospitals with active emergency departments. Residents rotate through these community hospitals as both junior and senior learners. The Grey Nuns receives 55,000 visits per year, Misericordia 46,000 visits per year, the Strathcona receives 36,176 visits per year, and the Sturgeon 46,000 visits per year.
The Northeast Health Centre (NEHC) is a free standing Emergency Department serving as an ambulatory care facility. Residents rotate through the NEHC as part of their rotations at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
WestView Health Centre in Stony Plain, Alberta, 30 km west of Edmonton, provides acute care for patients located in the immediate western vicinity of Edmonton.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Our program is very focused on preparing you to be a competent consultant emergency physician. Academic Day, journal club, various rounds, clinical learning, direct observation in the emergency department, and specific exam preparation in our final year of training allow us every opportunity for success on our Royal College certification exam.
- The CanMEDS competencies are an essential part of our evaluation scheme, ensuring that we become complete physicians. Our goal is to produce leaders in the field of emergency medicine at all levels including our own city, the country and also internationally.
- As one can imagine, EM residents spend a great deal of their clinical time gaining skills and knowledge in various “off-service” rotations. Currently we do rotations in surgical subspecialties including orthopedics, plastic surgery and neurosurgery. Medical subspecialties rotations include critical care and cardiology. Emergency subspecialty rotations include EMS (emergency medical services), Trauma, and Toxicology.
- With our extensive elective time residents have spent time in other subspecialties including: research, medical education, air medical transport, infectious diseases, neurology, pulmonology, the STI Clinic, rural emergency medicine, wilderness medicine, and ophthalmology to name a few. Of course we also spend significant time in other off service rotations not traditionally considered subspecialties including general surgery, medicine and obstetrics.
Residents will complete an Area of Specialist Leadership during their residency.In recent years, areas of focus have included (but are not limited to):
- Critical Care Medicine
- Ethics
- Geriatric Emergency Medicine
- Sports Medicine
- Simulation
- Medical Education
- Informatics
- Air Transport
- Disaster Medicine
- ED Ultrasound
- Toxicology
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Refugee Health
- Inner City Health
- Trauma
- Infectious Diseases
- Master’s degrees in Business, Public Health & Epidemiology, Education
- Prehospital and Transport Medicine (formerly EMS)
Residents generally do call during the first 3 years of residency when we do the majority of our off service rotations. Call requirements are outlined in the PARA contract. More information may be obtained on the PARA website www.para-ab.ca.
- The Department of Emergency Medicine is actively involved in EM research at local, national, and international levels. Current areas of research include ED Overcrowding, Health outcomes, Acute Asthma/COPD care, Pediatric CT Head Rules, prehospital care, air medical transport, and medical education (pretty much every area of EM you can think of!).
- It is expected that each resident will complete a scholarly project. This project is defined as the production and dissemination of a scholarly project suitable for dissemination at a national or international level. Examples of projects include systematic reviews, prospective surveys, chart reviews, case control studies, educational modules, and quality assurance projects.
Resident Testimonials
What are the highlights of the program for you?
I feel so lucky to be part of an incredibly kind and supportive residency family. I'm also very grateful to be part of a program where all of the staff are extremely supportive and dedicated to teaching and mentoring.
What do you like about Edmonton?
It's my home!
What is one piece of advice you want to share with applicants about the interview process, starting with the U of A, or residency in general?
It sounds cliché, but just be yourself. Things will work out how they are meant to.
Dr. Stephanie Pilieci (PGY-2)
What are the highlights of the program for you?
I know it sounds cheesy, but with Sandy and Dave anything is possible. They have your back during the worst of times and they are your cheerleaders during the best of times. If you have a goal, or a unique situation, they will find a way to help you succeed.
What do you like about Edmonton?
Edmonton has some of the friendliest people you will meet. There is plenty of opportunity for everyone and you’ll find that people want to support you in your endeavours.
What is one piece of advice you want to share with applicants about the interview process, starting with the U of A, or residency in general?
Be yourself and follow your interests.
Dr. Isabelle Gray (R5)
What are the highlights of the program for you?
The quality of Emergency Medicine training at the University of Alberta is probably among the top in the country. The huge catchment area, breadth of pathology, and incredible team of instructors foster a collegial environment primed for learning the skills required to be a great emergency physician. The overall teaching culture and approach to mentorship is unparalleled, and the fantastic training facilities and hospitals allow each resident ample opportunity to thrive in all areas of academic medicine, from research, clinical, and beyond.
What do you like about Edmonton?
During my junior residency years in Edmonton, I have come to find the city extremely liveable. While having all of the amenities of a big city, the commute to work is short, and getting around the city has been extremely easy. The cost of living is also reasonable, which is a huge stress reliever as a residency physician. All year round, Edmonton's beautiful River Valley has provided me opportunity to pursue my interests in Mountain Biking and running. The numerous rock climbing and fitness gyms in the city have allowed me to disconnect from my work life, and remain physically fit. Additionally, the food and theatre scene has kept my partner and I entertained on weekends. The number of music festivals and social opportunities in the warmer months definitely give Edmonton a vibrant, metropolitan feel and as past residents of Vancouver, Edmonton has never failed to entertain.
What is one piece of advice you want to share with applicants about the interview process, starting with the U of A, or residency in general?
The biggest piece of advice I can give with regards to the interview process is to be yourself, and to make it your priority to learn about us and what we have to offer you- it is a two-way street! We are looking forward to the opportunity to get to know you!
Dr. Cristian Vadeanu (PGY-4)
What are the highlights of the program for you?
I feel like the U of A Emergency Medicine program is one big family! It's cheesy, I know, but I can honestly say that the program has welcomed me with open arms, and everybody genuinely cares about each other and wants to see you succeed. The residents, faculty and staff are all amazing and super friendly. The learning is top notch too; while every EM program across the country teaches at a very high level, I believe the learning experiences at the U of A make it the best program in the country for clinical learning. Plus, there are LOTS of people with pets in the program, so you get the added bonus of making many furry friends!
What do you like about Edmonton?
Although I haven't been able to fully experience Edmonton yet because of COVID, there are a few things that stand out for me. First, the food scene. It is incredible! There are more food options than you could ever eat, and I struggle to stick to my food budget because it is all just so good. Second, Edmonton has lots of festivals each year, which will hopefully resume soon once we clear this pandemic! Finally, the untouched river valley is a great retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city, right in the middle of Edmonton. You don't need to drive for hours to find wilderness, as it is right there next to you!
What is one piece of advice you want to share with applicants about the interview process, starting with the U of A, or residency in general?
Be yourself! Our program doesn't interview as many candidates per seat as some other programs, so if you get an interview you've already passed the CV/letters/electives litmus test. We look for people who will be a great fit for the program and people we have here, which is how we get so many high-quality residents every year. Better people make better colleagues, to paraphrase a quote from the All Blacks.
Dr. Kyle Anderson (PGY-1)
What are the highlights of the program for you?
Definitely the people!! The staff are all so amazing and excited to have you around to unload their wealth of knowledge onto you each and every shift. Sandy and Dave being the most supportive PD and aPD around. Edmonton having weird and wonderful sick patients, lots of inner city medicine at the RAH and (sans COVID) being a wonderful city to live in!
What do you like about Edmonton?
The river valley is amazing to feel like you can escape into nature in the middle of the city for biking/running/walking trails. I love skiing so being relatively close to some amazing mountains is also a plus for me, especially being in Emerg where you can always raggle a 3 day weekend to work on your goggle tan or climb some big rocks.
What is one piece of advice you want to share with applicants about the interview process, starting with the U of A, or residency in general?
Ughhh.... this is such a fun but also such a crappy and overwhelming time. Try to be honest and have as much fun as you can with it and be open to matching anywhere if EM is really what you want to do! Take things one step at a time and try not to overstress about the whole process, even though so much is out of your control (or feels that way at least) everything seems to work out the way that it was supposed to in the end!
Dr. Melissa Pyrch (PGY-1)
What are the highlights of the program for you?
I could go on and on about the acuity, the traumas, the volume and the massive catchment zone of Edmonton hospitals - but the biggest highlights are easily the staff and other residents. The culture and community within Edmonton Emergency Medicine is so great and far more than I could have ever imagined. Being new to the city, I was welcomed into such an inclusive group and immediately knew that these were my people. Some of my favourite moments in residency so far come from the behind-the-scenes interactions in the physicians room and the shenanigans that undoubtedly occur at our yearly social events!
What do you like about Edmonton?
Being a transplant, I was absolutely shocked at how great a city Edmonton was to work and live-in. There's a reason why a lot of the people who move here for residency end up staying. Edmonton is almost that perfect size where it has all the benefits and amenities of a big city (great food scene, concerts, NHL team) without having big city problems (traffic, long commutes, $$$$ housing). Coming from Vancouver I have pretty high expectations for food, but there are definitely a ton of gems here in the city that have become staples for me. You have to try a Farrow breakfast sandwich, the Korean fried chicken from Seoul Fried Chicken - or if you're feeling a little fancy check out any of the restaurants in the Ice District. If you're here in the summer, hopefully you'll be able to check out the festival scene, as there's something lively going on almost every weekend
What is one piece of advice you want to share with applicants about the interview process, starting with the U of A, or residency in general?
This has been a very difficult year for all of us, but for any applicants interested in the program - please reach out to chat with us! Normally we would get to meet you in person in the ED, but it's been hard to get to know this year's crop of medical students. We'd really love to get to know you more and convince you to come to the UofA. I can speak for myself and many other residents to say that we were drawn to Edmonton because of how great of a program it was and how happy the residents were! Just drop me a line and I'm happy to email or meet on zoom to answer questions or give CaRMs tips.
Dr. Michael Louie (PGY-3)
What are the highlights of the program for you?
I chose the Edmonton Emergency Medicine program for phenomenal clinical training, inspiring faculty, and for the most supportive resident group around!
What do you like about Edmonton?
Edmonton's river valley has quickly become one of my favourite places. Living less than a 5 minute walk/run/bike/ski to >100km of beautiful trails has been the highlight of this city!
What is one piece of advice you want to share with applicants about the interview process, starting with the U of A, or residency in general?
Trust that you've put in the work to get here. The interviews are a chance to find the program that will fit you the best and help support you to be the kind of physician that you want to be.
Dr. Erin Sachs (PGY-2)