Program Contacts

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Important Information

The University of Manitoba campuses are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation.  The Department of Family Medicine additionally participates in clinical programs in Inuit communities.  We respect the Treaties and Agreements that were made on these territories, we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past, and we dedicate ourselves to move forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.

 

The CASPer Test - Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics 

All applicants to the Family Medicine Residency Program, at the University of Manitoba are required to complete an online assessment (CASPer), to assist with our selection process. Successful completion of CASPer is mandatory in order to maintain admission eligibility.

CASPer is an online test which assesses for non-cognitive skills and interpersonal characteristics that we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program, and will complement the other tools that we use for applicant screening. In implementing CASPer, we are trying to further enhance fairness and objectivity in our selection process. 

In order to take CASPer, you will be responsible for securing access to a computer with audio capabilities, a webcam, and a reliable internet connection on your selected test date. CASPer can be taken practically anywhere that you can satisfy the aforementioned requirements. No exceptions will be provided for applicants unable to take CASPer online due to being located at sites where internet is not dependable due to technical or political factors.

Please go to www.takeCASPer.com to sign up and reserve a test using your student identifier and a piece of government-issued photo ID. You will be provided with a limited number of testing dates and times. Please note that these are the only testing dates available for your CASPer test. There will be no additional tests scheduled. Please use an email address that you check regularly; there may be updates to the test schedule.

Please direct any inquiries on the test to support@takecasper.com. Alternatively, you may use the chat bubble in the bottom right hand corner of your screen on the takecasper.com website.

The CASPer test is comprised of 12 sections of video and written scenarios. Following each scenario, you will be required to answer a set of probing questions under a time contract. Each response is graded by a different rater, giving a very robust and reliable view of personal and professional characteristics important to our program. No studying is required for CASPer, although you may want to familiarize yourself with the test structure at takeCASPer.com, and ensure you have a quiet environment to take the test.

CASPer test results are valid for one admissions cycle. Applicants who have already taken the test in previous years will therefore be expected to re-take it.

 

ZOOM INFORMATION SESSIONS:

CaRMS General Overview session:  Thursday, January 13, 2022 from 7:00-8:30pm CST via Zoom.

Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0lc-ivqjssGNFmplBvyjCRgDJl1mGSKg2V

 

CaRMS Information Deeper Dive – Urban: Wednesday, January 19, 2022 from 7:00-8:30pm CST via Zoom

Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0rduyqrjMuEtPDSk-0vkqsKbJSQkd-W3N4

 

CaRMS Information - Resident Sessions (hosted by our Chief Residents): 7:00-8:00pm CST via Zoom

• Tuesday, February 8, 2022
• Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpde-sqzwiG9zYapGMdaF7UEOBIDUU6XHm

 

 MANDATORY ORIENTATION SESSIONS:

The mandatory full day Postgraduate Medical Education Orientation for all residents will be held on Wednesday, June 29, 2022.

The mandatory full day Family Medicine Residency Orientation will be held on Thursday, June 30, 2022.

 

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

Prior to the commencement of training, matched applicants must provide proof of ACLS certification that is current as of July 1, 2022. The ACLS Provider course must be certified by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada or the American Heart Association. ACLS training that is not certified by one of these two organizations and/or is completed entirely through an online course will not be accepted. Applicants are responsible for all costs associated with obtaining ACLS certification. We provide a re-certification course in your second year of residency prior to graduation.

Resident Home Location and Travel Requirements

As a resident in the urban stream, you will be expected to maintain a residence in Winnipeg.

Vacation Allowance

Vacation in PGY1 can be taken for two weeks in each of two blocks in conjunction with an approved elective or Family Medicine Block Time in the remaining two weeks of the same blocks, or alternatively as one 4 week vacation block. Vacation is not allowed in Block 1 in PGY1.  Though the program tries to accommodate residents’ specific vacation period requests, constraints of scheduling often requires flexibility and not all requests will be approved.

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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 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.

 

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General Instructions

Program application language: English

You are required to fulfill ALL of the most current Provincial Criteria for International Medical Graduates for Manitoba.

The criteria can be found at:  https://www.carms.ca/match/r-1-main-residency-match/eligibility-criteria/manitoba/

 

 

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Supporting Documentation / Information

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Review Process

Applications submitted after file review has opened on January 31, 2022

Supporting documents (excluding letters of reference) that arrive after file review has opened  on  January 31, 2022

Letters of reference that arrive after the unmasking date on January 31, 2022

Applicants must apply to, and rank each of the University of Manitoba Family Medicine programs individually. There is one central review process.

The same personal letter should be used for all University of Manitoba Family Medicine applications as only one letter will be reviewed per applicant.

There will be only one interview irrespective of the number of programs to which you apply; there may be specific additional questions based on your program interests.

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Interviews

Dates:

• March 8, 2022
• March 10, 2022
• March 11, 2022

Selection Criteria

The Department of Family Medicine at the University of Manitoba is committed to a fair, equitable, and transparent selection process.

In assessing eligible IMG applicants, The Department of Family Medicine will ordinarily consider applicants who have completed their undergraduate medical education within the preceding 10 years, unless the applicant has completed a residency in Family Medicine and/or is actively engaged in generalist practice. Of all such eligible applicants, approximately one third of all applicants, and no less than 225, shall be selected for file review based upon a composite score generated from the following:

the z-score of MCCQE Part I (30% weighting); and

the better z-score of NAC providing the NAC is ≥74 or the MCCQE Part II (30% weighting); and

CASPer score providing the CASPer z-score is ≥-1.28 (90% of CASPer takers will achieve a score ≥-1.28) (40% weighting). 

Of those applicants selected for file review, approximately 80 applicants will be selected for interview including all residents of Manitoba, and all other IMG applicants based upon a composite score generated from the following:

the z-score of MCCQE Part I plus the better z-score of NAC or the MCCQE Part II (30% weighting); and

file review scores (30% weighting); and

CASPer score (40%).

Rank order lists will be created for each stream’s IMG positions based on the following formulaic approach:

the z-score of MCCQE Part I plus the better z-score of NAC or the MCCQE Part II (20% weighting); and

file review scores (30% weighting); and

CASPer score (20%); and

Interview score (30% weighting).

Preference may be given to residents of Manitoba, or individuals who have identified a genuine commitment to Manitoba.

Applicants who are invited for interview will participate in one structured interview, regardless of the number of sites to which you have applied.  The structured interview may have questions specific to the sites to which you have applied. 

Program goals

Selection process goals

We are looking for applicants with a broad range of life experiences, interpersonal skills and a firm foundation of academic achievement that will collectively contribute to the capacity to practise the breadth of Family Medicine.  We are seeking individuals with an appropriate balance between personal and family life, engagement with community, and commitment to our profession.

On completion of their program, family physicians trained by our residency program will demonstrate the abilities to: 

• Respond to the needs of their communities by providing comprehensive, high quality, continuous health care to their patients and families across the life cycle (including prevention, acute and chronic illness management), in a variety of care settings, and to a broad base of patients, including those from underserved and marginalized populations.
• Recognize that the patient-physician relationship is central to their practice and strive to communicate effectively with patients.  
• Collaborate with other physicians, health professionals, patients, and their families to optimize patient care.  
• Mobilize the resources of the community to improve the health care delivery system.  
• Take an active role in improving the safety and quality of health care.
• Engage in lifelong learning.  
• Demonstrate professional behaviours in all aspects of practice.

File review process

Evaluation criteria :

Elective criteria

Interview process

Interview evaluation criteria :

Information gathered outside of CaRMS application

Specifically, we may consider:
Social interaction during program related events
Communication with program administration
Social media
Unsolicited reference letters
Unsolicited email references
Unsolicited verbal information on a candidate's prior performance
Unsolicited feedback from colleagues and co-workers

Ranking process

The behavior(s) exhibited below during the interview process may prevent an applicant from being ranked by our program :
Unprofessional or inappropriate behavior   
Did not attend interview   
Interview performance was not competitive   

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Program Highlights

Overview of Department

https://umanitoba.ca/medicine/department-family-medicine

For more than 40 years, the University of Manitoba’s Department of Family Medicine has been positively influencing the health of individuals, families and communities across Manitoba. Through clinical work, teaching and innovative research, family medicine is making a difference.

Courses Offered for Residents in Family Medicine

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

Matched applicants will be required to provide proof of valid Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Provider certification before they can commence residency. The ACLS Provider course must be certified by the Canadian Heart & Stroke Foundation or by the American Heart Association. ACLS certification that has expired or that is not endorsed by the Canadian Heart and Stroke or by the American Heart Association and/or is completed entirely through an on-line course will not be accepted.  We provide a re-certification course in your second year of residency prior to graduation.

Advances in Labour and Risk Management (ALARM)

We mandate ALARM training during the residency and provide reimbursement upon successful completion.

Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS)

We mandate ATLS training during the residency and provide reimbursement upon successful completion for all non-urban residents.

Indigenous Cultures Awareness Workshop (ICAW) or Manitoba Indigenous Cultural Safety Training (MICST)

We mandate ICAW or MICST training during residency.

Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)

We mandate NRP during residency and provide reimbursement upon successful completion.

Ultrasound Curriculum

The curriculum will be delivered via an ultrasound educational platform known as SonoSim.

 

Scholarly Curriculum

Scholarly activities in our program include:

- participation in monthly Journal Clubs

- presentations at patient case rounds and regular guideline appraisals 

- didactic teaching  

- formal Quality Improvement curriculum

- Critical Appraisal assignments

- PEARLS exercises as offered through the College of Family Physicians of Canada

- Academic Days throughout the year

- additional core curriculum as mandated by PGME for all postgraduate program residents

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Program Curriculum

This residency program is for 2 years.

Program length of training does not exceed the Royal College or College of Family Physicians of Canada standard.

You will be attached to one of the four urban academic teaching units for your Family Medicine rotations.

Experiences in Family Medicine include outpatients and office-based care, home visits, caring for your patients admitted to hospital, and following maternity patients through pregnancy and delivery.  There is a wide variety of teaching sessions specific to community needs, rounds, and the integrated and nutrition programs.

Resources vary across different sites. For a general listing of Urban Curriculum, please see link below:

https://umanitoba.ca/faculties/health_sciences/medicine/units/family_medicine/media/DFM_Brochure_and_Rotations_Urban.pdf

 

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Training Sites

Urban Training Sites Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5yGyY49Yy0&list=PLCNj2OCRLILF6vOq6gtxYSY3_M-wuE57r&index=5

Major Strengths of the Urban Stream

We provide:

• Busy teaching units with individualized teaching by your primary preceptor.
• 5 months of Family Medicine Block Time (FMBT) in first year allows for continuity with a defined panel of patients.
• Generous Self-Directed Learning time scheduled during FMBT.
• EMR - All clinics utilize an EMR in the daily care and management of their patients.
• Winnipeg is one of the most culturally diverse cities in Canada. Some 100 languages are spoken and Winnipeg is known for its cultural achievements, amazing restaurants and flourishing arts scene.  More information about the city can be found under Additional Information section.

Training Sites: 

Your training as an Urban Family Medicine resident will be through one of four busy family medicine teaching units in Winnipeg. 

1) Kildonan Medical Centre

Kildonan Medical Centre (KMC) was established in 1981 and is affiliated with Seven Oaks General Hospital (SOGH), a community hospital located in north-west Winnipeg.   We are located within SOGH, on the main level.

SOGH is a key provider of health care to people mainly in the northwest Winnipeg as well as other parts of Winnipeg and beyond.  The hospital is an accredited sub-acute care facility, a major provider of Urgent Care services, a hub for Kidney Health services and has a large commitment to Family Medicine.  The sub-acute medicine inpatient units are run by the Family Medicine Program of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, of which the KMC physicians are members.  Family physicians provide the inpatient services to individuals who are admitted to these units mostly through the Urgent Care Unit. 

Kildonan Medical Centre prides itself in the provision of comprehensive evidenced-based health care for patients across all age groups- from newborns to the elderly, and including the vulnerable, through the outpatient clinic.  We provide inpatient care for our adult KMC patients on admission at SOGH in addition to 3 blocks of unassigned patients (15). 

KMC currently has 10 academic family physicians.  We have experienced primary care nurses who have advanced training in wound care, women’s health, diabetes education, spirometry, smoking cessation, contraception and asthma education to name a few.  Other allied health professionals at KMC include a nurse practitioner, clinical pharmacist, dietician, social worker, unit assistants, administrative and support staff. We also have on site shared care psychiatrist and a part time clinical psychologist.  All members of staff at KMC are dedicated to providing excellent patient care and educational experiences for our residents.

Of recent, KMC has been able to partner with the Community Birth program, team of a family physician, midwife and primary care nurse, in the delivery of obstetrical care to the pregnant women population in the community. 

Our established working relationship with SOGH provides KMC good access to many of the hospital resources including the Urgent care services. KMC is also part of the My Health Team Network in Inkster-Seven Oaks that enables us to access additional services and resources for patient care; these includes Chronic Disease Clinicians, a mental health team, physiotherapists and a variety of inter-professional health care professionals.

 

2) Access River East

Access River East (ARE) is a community clinic located in North Kildonan. Inpatient care is provided at Concordia Hospital, a community hospital with a large family medicine presence.  The primary care program at ARE includes home based care and case management for medically and socially complex patients.  Opportunities are provided for training in long term care, teen clinic, Indigenous health and intrapartum obstetrics.  As an urban distributed residency education site, we provide low learner to preceptor ratios. The collaborative team at ARE consists of:

- 11 family physicians
- 3 nurse practitioners and 4 nurses
- 1 dietitian
- 3 midwives
- Shared care counselor and psychiatrist
- MyHealth Team clinicians  (respiratory therapy, social work, nursing, occupational therapy, addictions)

 

3) Access Fort Garry

Access Fort Garry (AFG) is a community clinic located in the Fort Garry community of Winnipeg.  The primary care program at AFG includes clinic and home based care and case management of medically and socially complex patients.  AFG offers the unique opportunity to gain experience in addictions medicine and psychiatry, at AFM (Addictions Foundation of Manitoba), and through our outreach clinic at the Behavioral Health Foundation. Residents are also able to work with physicians that do low-risk obstetrics and are free to explore joining those physicians on call.  As an urban distributed residency site, we provide low learner to preceptor ratios.  The collaborative team at AFG consists of:

- 8 Family Physicians

- 3 Physician Assistants

- 6 Nurses and 5 Nurse Practitioners

- 1 Dietitian

- 2 Counsellors and Psychiatrists

- MyHealth Team clinicians

 

4) Access Winnipeg West

Access Winnipeg West is a WRHA Primary Care site attached to the Grace Hospital that serves the communities of St. James/Assiniboia, Charleswood and Headingly. We serve a diverse demographic across the age spectrum. Our priority is to serve patients who have complex needs – social, physical as well as mental health. To optimize access, our site operates a 7-day per week Walk-In Connected Care clinic that provides evening and weekend care.

Our collaborative care team includes 9 Family Physicians, 7 Nurse Practitioners,6 Nurses, a Dietician, a Clinical Pharmacist, an Occupational Therapist, a Social Worker, a Shared Care Counsellor, a Shared Care Psychiatrist, and a Clinical Psychologist. We are also part of the My Health Team Network in West Winnipeg.

We have the benefit of being co-located with Employment and Income Assistance, Family Services, Public Health, Community Mental Health Services and Home Care.

As part of Family Medicine training at ACCESS Winnipeg West, residents will spend time at the Clinical Assessment Unit at Grace Hospital, Long Term Care at Deer Lodge Centre, home visits for our homebound patients, minor procedures and active involvement in quality improvement initiatives ongoing at our primary care team. Residents will have opportunities for clinical teaching with medical students and interprofessional learning opportunities with other health professional learners. 

Along with our community partners, we are looking forward to working with residents to provide diverse clinical and educational experiences.

Family Physician Faculty:

Dr. Ohunene Audu, Dr. Ewoma Avanoma, Dr. Monica Braun,

Dr. Nicolle Bristow, Dr. Mark Clark, Dr Serena Nelko

Dr. Mary Jane Jamieson, Dr. Jas Mancer, Dr. Alex Singer

 

Whichever site becomes your home teaching unit, you will have learning experiences in both tertiary and community hospitals. 

Winnipeg’s Children's Hospital is a tertiary centre and part of the Health Sciences Centre complex.  All hospital-based pediatric rotations will be based at the Children’s Hospital.

At all sites, our faculty members are committed to working with you in providing the best learning environment possible. We know that Family Medicine is an exciting, diverse and challenging profession - just like the program we offer at the University of Manitoba.

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Additional Information

TRANSPORTATION

As you will need to move frequently about the city and province between training sites, you will need to secure a means of transportation.  You may find it easiest to maintain a personal vehicle.

Additional Points to Consider:

• Cost of living, especially rent and automobile insurance, is one of the most affordable in Canada.
• Full access to University of Manitoba library and its electronic resources, including UpToDate.
• Competitive resident salaries with a solid resident contract including a well-supported maternity/paternity leave policy.  http://www.parim.org
• Membership and registration fees are covered for University of Manitoba, College of Family Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba, Canadian Medical Protective Association, and the initial membership in the College of Family Physicians of Canada for PGY1 year.
• Annual two day resident retreat held in a community outside of Winnipeg.
• All mandatory course fees are reimbursed upon successful completion.  Examples of mandatory courses include:  NRP, ALARM, ATLS, PALS, BLS and ACLS recertification. Mandatory courses vary between programs.
• Travel costs and accommodation are provided for mandatory offsite rotations.

ABOUT WINNIPEG

Winnipeg is a vibrant city in the heart of Canada with a population over 800,000.  It is the largest city in the province of Manitoba and is near the longitudinal centre of Canada, located 110 kilometers north of the Canada – USA border.  Winnipeg is well known for being one of the most culturally diverse cities anywhere, with over 100 languages spoken.  The city is named after nearby Lake Winnipeg, the 10^th largest freshwater lake in the world.  The name comes from the Western Cree words for muddy water.  Winnipeg is family friendly with plenty of charm, many green spaces, parks and activities for children.  The city boasts dazzling arts, theatre & indie music scenes, one of the most extensive & diverse food scenes in Canada, multiple professional sports teams and is home to many festivals.

Winnipeg experiences four distinct seasons.  Nothing beats a prairie summer under our big sky!  Manitoba summers are typically very sunny and hot.  Our legendary winters provide opportunities for various winter sports. We have over 2,300 hours of sunshine per year – among the highest of Canadian cities.  Enjoying all four seasons is easy to do as Winnipeg is close to numerous lakes, parks and beaches which provide great areas to camp, fish and hike.  Winter activities include cross country skiing, skating, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice hockey, ringette and tobogganing.

There are several professional and amateur sports teams including the Winnipeg Jets (NHL), Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL), Winnipeg Goldeyes (baseball), Valour FC (Canadian Premier League Soccer) and Manitoba Moose hockey (AHL).  The city was the first Canadian host of the Pan American Games and recently hosted the Canada Games in 2017.

Winnipeg is home to many festivals including Folklorama, the largest and longest running multicultural festival in the world. Other popular festivals include Festival du Voyageur, the Winnipeg Folk Festival, the Jazz Winnipeg Festival, the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival, the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival among many more.  The Forks is a national historic site at the intersection of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, with warehouses converted to shops and restaurants, plus ample green space dedicated to recreational, historical and cultural events such as festivals, concerts and exhibits.  The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is appropriately situated at the Forks.  Nearby, the Exchange District is known for its well preserved, early 20^th century architecture and numerous art galleries, trendy shops, cafes and restaurants. Some of Winnipeg’s other diverse neighbourhoods include the boho chic Osborne Village and the historic St. Boniface, the heart of Manitoba’s Francophone community.

Known as the “Gateway to the West”, Winnipeg is a railway and transportation hub with a diversified economy.  It is a very affordable place to live in Canada. Resident salaries are higher than in most provinces and items such as food, gas, rent and car insurance are typically less.

Websites of interest:

http://www.tourismwinnipeg.com/

https://www.tourismwinnipeg.com/events/annual-festivals-and-events

http://www.travelmanitoba.com/

http://jets.nhl.com/

https://www.bluebombers.com/

https://goldeyes.com/

http://valourfc.canpl.ca/

http://moosehockey.com/

https://www.theforks.com/

https://www.exchangedistrict.org/

http://tourismeriel.com/en/destinations/st-boniface-1

https://humanrights.ca/

https://www.economicdevelopmentwinnipeg.com/

http://www.gov.mb.ca/

http://www.wrha.mb.ca/

https://sharedhealthmb.ca/