Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery Residency Program

Welcome to the Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery Residency Program at the University of Alberta.

Want to arrange an elective with our program?

Click Here

For further information on the program see the CaRMS website:
CaRMS Website
For more details about the program, click here:

Mentorship Program

Unique, multi-level mentorship program

Academic half-day seminars

Protected time each week for resident, faculty and guest presentations

Competency by Design

First program to launch CBD

Interview/CaRMS Specific Information 

We will be hosting one or two Open Houses to allow candidates to meet with faculty and residents and find out a bit more about the program. Register for upcoming events on the CanPREPP Portal.

We will be hosting Program Showcase events between October to December. Each Program Showcase will allow discussion with our Program Director and you will have a chance to chat with some of our residents. Events are advertised on the CanPREPP Portal.

Please note that Sponsored Trainee Positions are occasionally accepted by our program. Visit our PGME page for Sponsored International Trainees for more information.

Contact Us

Dr. Trina Rosaasen
Interim Program Director, Otolaryngology

Program Administrator
Email: ohnspg@ualberta.ca  


Office of Surgical Education

2D2.01 WMC, 8440 - 112 ST NW
Edmonton AB, T6G 2B7
T: 780 407 7556


Welcome to Our Program

Our program is ideal for the multi-talented, innovative scholar; one who will excel in the clinic and operating room and who has an interest in contributing to the ongoing development of patient centered care.

The specialty of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck (OHNS) is one of the earliest sub-specialities to gain its independence from the general realm, by the emergence of laryngology and otology in the late 19th century. Over the last 100 years, it embraced advances in science and technology which led to the development of: Otology & Neurotology, Laryngology, Pediatrics, Head & Neck, Microvascular reconstruction, General, Facial Plastic, Audiological medicine, Thyroid and Parathyroid diseases, Rhinology & Skull base, Sleep medicine.

The program is based at the University of Alberta Hospitals (including the Stollery Children’s Hospital), the Royal Alexandra Hospital, the Misericordia Hospital and the Grey Nuns Hospital. We have an extensive catchment area extending into Northern Alberta, Northern B.C., North Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories and the Yukon.

The hallmarks of our program is a commitment to evidence-based education and practice. We have an ambitious faculty, whose background in training is diverse at residency and fellowship levels and locations (North America, UK, Europe, Australia). The interest that we take in developing our trainees is best exemplified by a unique, multi-level mentorship program and a designated academic advisor. Our training utilizes the most current equipment and technology including image guidance surgery, robotic surgery and endoscopic surgeries.

We are looking for promising scholars who have an excellent academic background and a keen interest in our specialty. Ideally, our candidates have completed surgical electives and share our passion and commitment to provide service that is patient and family centred. We look for candidates who want to create and participate in effective healthcare and who are interested in continuous learning and teaching, research and innovation.

Historically, our residents have done exceptionally well on the Royal College Exams and the expectation is that, by the end of training, our residents are fully qualified to enter into practice or to secure highly sought and desirable fellowships.

Thank you for the interest in our program and we look forward to meeting you in the near future.

Dr. Trina Rosaasen
Interim Program Director


Our Program

The Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Program at the University of Alberta offers a unique opportunity to explore a wide range of sub specialties and become proficient in many diverse, complex and delicate procedures over the course of the residency. Our training utilizes the most current equipment and technology including image guidance surgery, robotic surgery and endoscopic surgeries.

Additionally, the practice of Otolaryngology in Edmonton covers a wide geographical area and has very busy clinical and surgical components.

Why Choose U of A for the Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery Residency Program
  • This program is a fully accredited Royal College Program.
  • The ratio of residents to faculty is 13:20.
  • There is a large volume of OR cases available and residents can often operate 5 days a week.
  • Unique, multi-level mentorship program
  • First program to launch CBD

Residency at a Glance

Learn about each year of the program with an overview of each year.

PGY-1

All of the OHNS PGY-1 residents are part of the one year Surgical Foundations Program which includes residents from all surgical specialties and Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Alberta. In July 2017, the OHNS residents were the first cohort (along with Anesthesia) to start the new Royal College Competence by Design initiative. As of July 2018, the Surgical Foundations Program went live with CBD for all of its rotations. Entrustable Professional Activities (EPA's) and Milestones will be used for assessment for all new residents. 

The OHNS curriculum includes:

  • 16 Weeks of Head and Neck Surgery
  • 8 Weeks of Pediatric Otolaryngology
  • 4 Weeks of General Surgery
  • 4 Weeks of CCU
  • 4 Weeks of Anaesthesiology
  • 4 Weeks of Internal Medicine
  • 4 Weeks of Neurosurgery
  • 4 Weeks of Emergency
  • 4 Weeks of Vacation
PGY-2

An expansion of the previous year but with a greater emphasis in the number of on service rotations.

These rotations include: 

  • 33 Weeks of Sub Specialty Otolaryngology rotations, including General Otolaryngology
  • 4 Weeks of Plastic Surgery
  • 8 Weeks of ICU
  • 4 Weeks of OMFS/Rad
PGY-3 to PGY-5

The PGY-3 through PGY-5 years consists of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery rotations in the various subspecialties of the Program at the University of Alberta Hospital, the Royal Alexandra Hospital and the Grey Nuns Community Hospital.

Rotations generally included in these years are:  

  • Head and Neck Surgery
  • Rhinology
  • Laryngology
  • Otology
  • Facial Plastics
  • General Otolaryngology

In the PGY-4 Year residents are able to take 8 weeks of electives and have a 4 week ambulatory care block .

In the PGY-5 Year residents have an 8 week ambulatory care block.



Subspecialties

The overall and ultimate mission of the five-year Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery Residency Program is to produce graduates who have all of the skills and competencies necessary to function professionally as a consultant in General Otolaryngology as well as the ability to transition seamlessly into postgraduate fellowship training.

The Division of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Alberta offers 5 fellowship programs:

  1. Advanced Head and Neck Oncology and Microvascular Reconstruction
  2. International Head & Neck Surgery Outreach Program – Visiting Scholar
  3. Rhinology / Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery
  4. Pediatric Otolaryngology
  5. International Fellowship in Maxillofacial Prosthodontics

For more information, please see our Divisional Site »


Frequently Asked Questions

What Draws People to Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery?

The types of surgery performed are very diverse from easy to complex and delicate and from macro to micro. The specialty is also on the cutting edge of equipment and technology such as image guidance surgery, robotic surgery and endoscopy surgery. Additionally, OHNS is both a clinical and surgical specialty allowing for a thriving clinical based career as well as a surgical one.

What are the varieties of lifestyles in your field? How does this Specialty accommodate family life?

The options are quite diverse. As a general Otolaryngologist, there are one to two days of ORs (mostly day surgeries), one to two days of clinic and some administrative duties. Call is generally phone consults.

Otologists, Rhinologists and Laryngologists are generally involved with day surgery patients while Head and Neck Oncologists are involved with lengthy procedures, work longer hours and have patients who require more pre and post operative care.

Depending on how many hours you choose to work clinically, which subspecialty you select and academic demands of teaching/research, you can tailor this specialty to being very conducive to family life.

What is the availability of experiences in subspecialty areas during training?

All subspecialties are well represented in our program and are reflected in rotations throughout residency.

Additionally, elective time is provided during the third and fourth year of residency to further pursue specific areas of interest.

How does the program support Fellowship Matching?
The OHNS program offers support from a very diverse preceptor group and each resident has a mentor throughout their residency. This provides for very comprehensive training and support during the Fellowship Matching Process. Our staff have helped residents secure some of the most competitive fellowships in North America.