University of Manitoba - Neurosurgery - Winnipeg
2021 R-1 Main Residency Match - first iteration
CMG Stream for CMG
Last approved on January 19, 2021
Summary of changesAccreditation status : Accredited
Provincial Criteria
University of Manitoba
GB1 - 820 Sherbrook Street
Winnipeg , Manitoba, R3A 1R9
Program Contacts
Important Information
The CPGME Mandatory Orientation Day for new trainees has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 29, 2021.
Return of Service
The following applicants will be required to sign a Return of Service “ROS” contract with the Province of Manitoba. The ROS commitment is commensurate with the length of the training program.
- All applicants entering the Family Medicine – Northern Remote Stream (including transfers into the program)
- All IMGs entering all training programs
IMGs already holding a return of service obligation must disclose these obligations at the time of application. IMGs who have undischarged return of service obligations may not be eligible to begin training in a position funded by Manitoba Health.
Such individuals may wish to contact Shared Health at pmao-residents@sharedhealthmb.ca for more information.
General Instructions
Program application language: English
If you have any questions regarding application to the Neurosurgery Postgraduate Training Program at the University of Manitoba, please contact our Program Administrator, Karen Soares, at ksoares@hsc.mb.ca.
You are required to fulfill ALL of the most current Provincial Criteria for Canadian Medical Graduates for Manitoba
The criteria can be found at: https://www.carms.ca/match/r-1-main-residency-match/eligibility-criteria/manitoba/
Supporting Documentation / Information
• Canadian Birth Certificate or Act of Birth
• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
• Confirmation of Permanent Residence in Canada
• Passport page showing Canadian Citizenship
• Canadian Permanent Resident Card (both sides of card)
• IELTS
Language Proficiency
English is the language of study at the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba. All applicants whose first language is not English must submit proof of English language proficiency to CaRMS by the file review opening date.
CMG/USMG
- If you graduated from an English medical school in Canada or the US, you are exempt from providing proof of language proficiency.
Candidates who attended medical school in Quebec or the University of Ottawa where the language of instruction or the primary language of patient care was not English, must fulfill the English Language Proficiency requirements.
IMG’s
- IMG applicants must fulfill the English Language Proficiency requirements.
Candidates are exempted from English language proficiency testing under the following circumstances:
- the language of instruction and patient care throughout the entire undergraduate medical education curriculum was in English. A letter of attestation obtained directly from the Dean of the candidate’s medical school confirming that the majority of the language of instruction and patient care was conducted in English is required.
- their undergraduate medical education was taken in English in one of the countries that have English as a first and native language (see list below)
All other candidates must have taken the Academic Version of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 7 in each component with an overall band score of no less than 7 in the same sitting. IELTS scores will be considered valid for 2 years from the date taken.
List of countries that have English as a first and native language - Countries: Australia, Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America, US Virgin Islands - Caribbean Islands: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Grenadines, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago
Please note the following:
- Photocopies are acceptable.
- Language Proficiency Attestations will not be accepted from the candidate or a third party.
- Language Proficiency results will not be accepted by fax or e-mail.
Please note, for the 2021 R-1 Match cycle, the IELTS Indicator will be accepted as a substitute for the Academic Version of the IELTS.
3 letters of reference are required, although more will be accepted if available. Ideally, letters of reference should be received from a faculty neurosurgeon at a University where the candidate has trained or completed an elective. References from a non-neurosurgical faculty member whom the candidate has worked with extensively are also desirable. Letters from residents are accepted, but faculty references are strongly recommended.
Order from your Registrar
Medical Student Performance RecordOrder from your Dean's office
Personal LetterThe personal letter is a chance for the applicant to outline why they became interested in neurosurgery and wish to pursue it as a career and to provide information not available in other parts of the application. Outside interests and hobbies can be described.
CASPer exam“CASPer™ Test
All applicants must complete a CASPer™ (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) test. CASPer is an online test which assesses for non-cognitive skills and interpersonal characteristics.
Test dates for 1st Iteration: A limited number of test dates and times will be available. Please note these are the only testing dates available and no additional tests will be scheduled.
To see an example of the test structure and schedule a test, please visit take CASPer.com http://www.takeCASPer.com
Please direct any inquiries on the test to support@takecasper.com<support@takecasper.com
Review Process
Applications submitted after file review has opened on February 8, 2021
Supporting documents (excluding letters of reference) that arrive after file review has opened on February 8, 2021
Letters of reference that arrive after the unmasking date on February 8, 2021
Interviews
Dates:
- March 16, 2021
- March 17, 2021
Each candidate will have a series of individual interviews with neurosurgical faculty, as well as 2 residents in the program and will be held virtually.
Selection Criteria
Individuals are selected based on a demonstrated interest in Neurosurgery and the Neurosciences, as well as their ability to work with an interprofessional team and a broad range of interest and experience is encouraged. An on-site neurosurgical elective is encouraged. All applicants must complete a CASPer™ (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) test. CASPer is an online test which assesses for non-cognitive skills and interpersonal characteristics. The confirmed dates are as below:
- Thursday December 10, 8pm EST
- Tuesday January 5, 8pm EST
- Sunday January 10, 2pm EST
https://takecasper.com/dates-times/
To see an example of the test structure and schedule a test, please visit take CASPer.com http://www.takeCASPer.com
Please direct any inquiries on the test to support@takecasper.com<support@takecasper.com
Program goals
The Neurosurgery Resident Training Program at the University of Manitoba seeks to provide the highest quality neurosurgical care to patients while supporting the educational, research, health and wellness needs of our residents. The aim of the program is to provide the best possible environment, technology, facilities and human resources in order to facilitate comprehensive neuroscience-based education and neurosurgical training of residents, along with medical students and clinical fellows.
Selection process goals
A successful applicant will demonstrate a mature, dedicated and self-directed approach to acquiring the knowledge and technical skill set required for Neurosurgery. Effective communication skills and a team-based attitude are essential to working within an interdisciplinary team of care providers. Successful applicants will have elective experience in Neurosurgery and the Neurosciences, with an interest in ongoing research and academics.
File review process
Review team composition : The review team is comprised of the Program Director and faculty/resident members of the Residency Program Committee (RPC).
Average number of applications received by our program in the last five years : 51 - 200
Average percentage of applicants offered interviews : 76 - 100 %
| File component | Criteria |
|---|---|
| CV | Ability to work with teams; Leadership potential; Research experience; Extra-curricular; Interests. |
| Electives | At least one formal elective in Neurosurgery; on-site electives are encouraged. |
| Examinations | No additional assessment required |
| Extra-curricular | Interests relating to, and also outside of, medicine. |
| Leadership skills | Leadership potential. |
| MSPRs | Applicant should be in good standing at their respective medical school. |
| Personal letters | No specific format is requested here. |
| Reference documents | A maximum of 3 letters from faculty/mentors (see Reference Documents section, below). |
| Research/Publications | Publications, chapters, posters, etc (to assess for interest/potential for research). |
| Transcripts | Applicant should be in good standing at their respective medical school. |
Elective criteria
At least one elective in Neurosurgery is encouraged with a broad range of interest and experience. Due to COVID-19, we understand that onsite electives may not have been possible.
Interview process
Interview format :
We may accommodate requests to re-schedule interviews for applicants due to weather, technology failure, or unforeseen circumstances.
| Interview components | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Collaboration skills | Capacity for dedicated team-work; Participation in an interdisciplinary team. |
| Collegiality | Reliability; Honesty; Integrity. |
| Communication skills | Effective; Compassionate. |
| Health advocacy | No additional assessment required |
| Interest in the discipline | Interest in Neurosurgery and/or the Neurosciences. |
| Interest in the program | On-site neurosurgical elective is encouraged; Knowledge and interest specific to our program. |
| Leadership skills | Potential for leadership. |
| Professionalism | Ethical decision-making; Honesty; Capacity for self-directed learning. |
| Scholarly activities | Academic performance in medical school; Interest/potential for research/scholarly pursuits. |
Information gathered outside of CaRMS application
Specifically, we may consider:Ranking process
The behavior(s) exhibited below during the interview process may prevent an applicant from being ranked by our program :Program Highlights
Residency Training Program
The Health Sciences Centre and Winnipeg Children’s Hospital are the main sites associated with the Neurosurgery Residency Training Program at the University of Manitoba. These are equipped with modern diagnostic equipment including 1.5 and 3T MR imaging (including an intra-operative MRI Suite, i.e. IMRIS), high-resolution CT scanning and angiographic capabilities. Health Sciences Centre is also home to Canada's first Gamma Knife unit.
During their training, residents are exposed to the full range of neurosurgical subspecialties, including epilepsy, neuro-oncology, vascular, spinal, pediatric, trauma and functional neurosurgery. In addition to clinical neurosurgery, residents rotate through neurology, neuroradiology and neuropathology, along with other surgical and medical subspecialties. Throughout their six years in training, residents are given increasing responsibility, culminating in oversight of the functioning of the neurosurgery unit during their final chief resident year.
Residents are also encouraged to undertake research projects throughout their training. An optional research year is included within residency training in the program. Residents generally elect to conduct this research within their PGY 3 or PGY 4 year. Those residents who are interested in an academic career are advised to take an advanced degree, and may be supported through the Clinician Investigator Program at the University of Manitoba. Some trainees choose to enroll in the Masters of Science Program open to residents in Surgery at the University of Manitoba.
Program Curriculum
This residency program is for 6 years.
Program length of training does not exceed the Royal College or College of Family Physicians of Canada standard.
Curriculum - PGY 1 to 6
PGY1 and 2
The PGY-1 and 2 years are designed to fulfill the requirements as set out by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, as they relate to core training in the Surgical Foundations Program. This includes a maximum of 18 blocks to be undertaken in Neurosurgery, and includes additional core rotations in Critical care, Emergency medicine, General surgery, Orthopedics, Plastics and/or General medicine.
PGY3 to 6
A formal 52 months of Neurosurgical training is incorporated in the PGY-3 to 6 years, focusing on an incrementally-graded increase in clinical responsibility and duties. During this time, there are expectations for regular participation on ward rounds, the operating room and in clinics. By the completion of residency, the resident will be proficient in the surgical and non-surgical management of all general types of neurosurgical conditions, in both adult and pediatric patients. Given the breadth of expertise across the 10 clinical faculty members, additional sub-specialty exposure to all facets of Neurosurgery is also provided.
It is also expected that the resident's training in PGY3 to 6 will also include 3 core blocks in each of Neurology and Neuropathology.
PGY4 Research/Elective Year
There is an opportunity in PGY4 to pursue up to 13 periods (1 year) of clinical or basic research training. Former trainees have used this time to pursue a M.Sc. or Ph.D. program, as supported by the Clinician Investigator Program, or to pursue a focused elective year in a subspecialty of choice.
This experience is typically planned well in advance, together with recommendations from the Program Director and Residency Program Committee, and must satisfy one of the following Royal College specifications as it relates to:
- Neurosurgery
- Related clinical or basic neuroscience disciplines
- Clinical or basic research
- Other scholarly activities
For those interested in research, further time may be spent obtaining an advanced degree. The Department of Surgery offers a Masters of Science in Surgery program that residents are encouraged to consider.
Among other programs, the University of Manitoba offers specialized research programs in basic spinal cord physiology, minimally invasive spine, neuro-oncology, epilepsy, health policy and hydrocephalus.
Competency-Based Medical Education
As of July 2019, residents entering Neurosurgery will participate in competency-based training through the Competence by Design (CBD) educational initiative of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
To contribute to the success of Canadian physicians and the delivery of high-quality patient care, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada has embarked upon an initiative to introduce competency-based medical education (CBME) in Canadian postgraduate specialty training and in professional practice in Canada. 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.
CBD will use time as a framework rather than the basis for progression. It is not anticipated that the duration of training will change for the majority of trainees. Residency programs will be broken down into stages, and each stage will have a series of milestones based on required competencies. These milestones will create more targeted learning outcomes and involve more frequent, formative assessments within the clinical workplace to ensure residents are developing and receiving feedback on the skills they need.
All programs implementing CBD will continue to undergo the same rigorous accreditation processes as traditional programs. All CBD programs (and traditional programs) will continue to lead to Royal College approved certification. Certification for trainees in both CBD and traditional programs will include the completion of a Royal College examination; however, residents in CBD programs will also be assessed against program milestones throughout their training. Within a CBD program, all milestones and the Royal College examination must be successfully completed to achieve certification. For more information, please contact cbd@royalcollege.ca.
Seminars
The typical resident curriculum consists of weekly Wednesday morning rounds, with a formal academic half-day on Fridays. Didactic teaching with a formal curriculum spanning the breadth of Neurosurgery occurs on a regularly scheduled basis, with exams at the end of each block.
Additional case-based seminars are routinely held in the following forums:
- Refractory Epilepsy Conference
-
Pediatric Neurosurgery Rounds
- Winnipeg Spine Program Rounds
-
Radiosurgery Rounds
-
Vascular Rounds
- Neuropathology Rounds
- Adult and Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Rounds
- Pituitary Tumor Rounds
A Journal Club is also held monthly, during the academic year.
Training Sites
Resources
The neurosurgical unit of the Health Sciences Centre and Children's Hospital represents the only referral centre for the province of Manitoba, as well as Northwestern Ontario and Nunavut. This single site for all neurosurgery makes it possible to develop uniform protocols for the treatment and long term follow-up of patients with various neurosurgical disorders.
The Health Sciences Centre and Winnipeg Children's Hospital have modern-day diagnostic equipment including 1.5 and 3T MR scanning, CT scanning and angiographic units. The first Gamma Knife unit in Canada was instituted in 2003, and continues to be used in the treatment of benign and metastatic tumors, vascular malformations and other conditions.
There is a full complement of full-time adult and pediatric neuroradiologists, and three full-time neuropathologists. A very close link is maintained with Adult and Pediatric Neurology, offering excellent collaboration across all disciplines.
There is a strong core of neuroscience teaching and research at the University of Manitoba and its affiliated Medical School, the Kleysen Centre for Advanced Medicine, and the Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba. Moreover, there is strong foundation backing provided by the Health Sciences Centre Foundation, Children's Foundation and St. Boniface General Hospital Research Foundation.
Additional Information
FAQ
We do not accept late applications.
Summary of changes
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