The Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry welcomed 201 residents at this year's orientation.
On June 27, eager medicine and dentistry graduates flocked to the Katz Group Centre for Pharmacy and Health Research, ready to begin the next stage of their medical and dental education: residency.
The atmosphere of the Katz Atrium was one of excitement as the new residents were fitted for their masks, picked up their hospital IDs and filled in last minute paperwork. For many, it was also a time to reconnect with friends and colleagues from medical school while others took in their first day at a new university.
Though Mariam Abbas, a dermatology resident, completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Saskatchewan, she was thrilled about her placement. "[The U of A] was my first choice for a few reasons. First was my elective experience here - I really liked it! Second, the dermatology program has a great reputation. Plus, this is my home town."
"I did interviews and electives everywhere else in Canada. The University of Alberta was still my first choice because of the program itself and the faculty," said Jason Vaz, who completed his undergraduate medical degree at the U of A and will be doing his residency in anesthesiology.
This year, the group of new residents also includes four dental residents. Steve Ritch, a graduate from the U of A School of Dentistry, said he was looking forward to dental surgery training with a network of specialists. "You can try harder things knowing there's a team behind you."
The Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry welcomed 201 postgraduate learners from across the country in this year's orientation. Of these, 92 completed their undergraduate degrees at the University of Alberta. The Faculty offers 55 accredited residency training programs, one of the largest program selections in North America. Completing any of the U of A's high-quality residency programs prepares residents for certification by either the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or the College of Family Physicians of Canada, one of the requirements to practise medicine in Alberta.