McMaster University - General Surgery - Niagara
2023 R-1 Main Residency Match - first iteration
CMG Stream for CMG
711 Concession St. - B3/166A
Hamilton, ON, Ontario, L8V 1C3
Program Contacts
Important Information
The Niagara General Surgery residency program is a direct entry branch of the Primary McMaster General Surgery Program. This program offers the unique opportunity to do the majority of clinical training in a community site while maintaining a strong academic connection with the larger McMaster program.
The Niagara Program provides a wide range of clinical activities and experiences within the setting of a community hospital site. The program is home to five residents, one in each year of training, and 8 primary faculty. Residents and faculty have the opportunity to work closely together over the entire course of your training, leading to high levels familiarity and trust.
The Niagara Region consists of 12 distinct and vibrant communities, all located within a short drive from one another. They range from cities, urban in style and attitude, to towns and villages, rural and relaxed in nature, with each offering its own unique choice of recreational and educational opportunities. The Niagara site offers a rewarding learning atmosphere for residents that provides exceptional healthcare services for the people of Niagara.
Please refer to the CaRMS website for provincial eligibility information CaRMS Ontario Provincial Criteria. It is important to review the requirements carefully.
To learn more about the program, upcoming informational events and the McMaster PGME community please visit: https://pgme.mcmaster.ca/carms_r1_match_program_information/
General Instructions
Program application language: English
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 Citizenship Card (both sides of card)
• Canadian Permanent Resident Card (both sides of card)
Proof of valid current citizenship or permanent resident status must be provided by submitting one of the following verifications to CaRMS by the File Review Opening deadline. Failure to provide valid proof will result in your application being removed. No other forms of verification are acceptable:
- Notarized/certified photocopy of Birth Certificate/Act of Birth issued by an authority in Canada accompanied by photo ID (must be valid Canadian government-issued photo ID).
- Failure to provide proof of citizenship will result in the removal of your application. No other forms of verification are acceptable.
- Documents must be notarized/certified photocopies. Notarized/certified copies must be dated and not older than two years from the date of application submission deadline; otherwise, a new notarized/certified copy is required.
- Confirmation of permanent residence must be accompanied by a photo ID (must be a valid Canadian government-issued photo ID).
CaRMS is partnering with third-party organizations to automate the verification of citizenship/legal status required by postgraduate offices for entry into residency. Third-party verification simplifies the process for applicants and programs. All applicants who do not receive third-party citizenship verification will be required to upload and assign an acceptable proof of citizenship document. Please see additional information here.
For current year Canadian medical graduates (CMGs), there is no action required from you. Your medical school will automatically submit your MSPR to CaRMS on your behalf for you to assign.
If your MSPR is in a language other than the program language of English or French, you are required to have the document translated.
Your medical school transcript can be submitted through one of the methods below:
- Obtain your medical transcript from your school and upload it directly to your CaRMS Online account. Follow your school’s policy regarding accessing or requesting your transcript;
- Ask your medical school to upload your medical transcript through their CaRMS Undergraduate Portal account; or
- International (IMGs) and United States (USMGs) medical graduates can transfer their transcript from their physiciansapply.ca account.
Custom Résumé / CV
Please note: Required if Medical school has been completed.
Review Process
Applications submitted after file review has opened on January 10, 2023
Supporting documents (excluding letters of reference) that arrive after file review has opened on January 10, 2023
Letters of reference that arrive after the unmasking date on January 10, 2023
Interviews
Dates:
- February 16, 2023
- Niagara Stream Interviews - February 16, 2023
- Hamilton Stream Interviews - February 17, 2023
Notifcation/Invitations: All candidates will be notified of the specific interview date sometime mid January.
Niagara Campus General Sugery Program Specific Townhalls: There will be a program information townhall held virtually from 8:00pm to 9:30pm EST on October 20, 2022, November 17, 2022 and December 15, 2022. If you would like to join us, please email Krista MacAulay macaulak@mcmaster.ca
Selection Criteria
The Niagara General Surgery residency program is a direct entry branch of the Primary McMaster General Surgery Program. This program offers the unique opportunity to do the majority of clinical training in a community site while maintaining a strong academic connection with the larger McMaster program.
The Niagara Program offers a wide range of clinical activities and experiences within the setting of a community hospital site. The program is home to five residents, one in each year of training, and 8 primary faculty. Residents and faculty have the opportunity to work closely over the entire course of training, leading to high levels familiarity and trust.
The Niagara Region consists of 12 distinct and vibrant communities, all located within a short drive from one another. They range from cities, urban in style and attitude, to towns and villages, rural and relaxed in nature, with each offering its own unique choice of recreational and educational opportunities. The Niagara site offers a rewarding learning atmosphere for residents that provides exceptional healthcare services for the people of Niagara.
Program goals
Program goals
The goal of the Niagara General Surgery Program is to train residents for competent and confident individual practice after graduation. We aim to prepare residents for their own desired career goals, whether that be community surgery, fellowship, academic medicine, or international medicine.
Strengths of the program include:
- A focus on resident learning above service needs.
- A high volume of surgical exposure with limited learners
- Collegial environment with naturally evolving mentorship
- Flexibility in call scheduling, day to day activity, rotation selection and training goals
- A compassionate culture focused on promoting resident wellness, resilience, and a work-life balance
- Strong support for preparation of the Royal College Exam
Selection process goals
The Niagara General Surgery Program is interested in matching a candidate who is dedicated to the pursuit of a career in general surgery while recognizing and fully utilizing the unique opportunities offered while training in Niagara.
Characteristics of a strong applicant include:
- strong self-directed learner
- highly motivated and organized
- adaptable
- honest and reliable
- detail oriented
- personable
- organized and conscientious
File review process
Review team composition : Our review team is composed of the site director, residents of all levels and faculty members.
Average number of applications received by our program in the last five years : 51 - 200
The number has grown in recent years, and is expected to grow.
Average percentage of applicants offered interviews : 26 - 50 %
There may be some exceptions.
| File component | Criteria |
|---|---|
| CV | We evaluate the content, including research, publications, electives |
| Electives | Clinical evaluations (In particular those from Surgical rotations or electives) |
| Examinations | We do not evaluate this file component. |
| Extra-curricular | Volunteering (medical and non-medical) and mentoring |
| Leadership skills | Participation in teaching, clubs, or organizations |
| MSPRs | Demonstrated interpersonal skills |
| Personal letters | Interest in discipline and knowledge of program location |
| Reference documents | Positive interaction with colleagues and patients |
| Research/Publications | Interest in participating in future research projects |
| Transcripts | Academic performance |
Elective criteria
We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted canidates opportunities to arrange and complete electives and we would liek to reassure you that a lack of elective activity this year will not negatively impact you application to our program.
Interview process
Interview format :
We routinely accommodate requests to re-schedule interviews for applicants.
| Interview components | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Collaboration skills | Promotion of high-quality patient care through working in a team environment |
| Collegiality | Behavior, attitude, ability to work well with others |
| Communication skills | Ability to speak and write in English |
| Health advocacy | Demonstrated understanding of the importance of health advocacy in General Surgery |
| Interest in the discipline | Demonstrated ability to develop within the role of a General Surgeon |
| Interest in the program | Demonstrated interest in living in a community setting |
| Leadership skills | Involvement in the continuous development and improvement of medical care |
| Professionalism | Correspondence with staff and residents |
| Scholarly activities | we do not evaluate this component |
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 Curriculum
This residency program is for 5 years.
Program length of training does not exceed the Royal College or College of Family Physicians of Canada standard.
General surgery is now a competency by design program, and as such, residents will proceed through the stages of training as outlined by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Progress is measured with work based assessments and rotation evaluations. Promotion is determined by the Competency Committee, made up of Surgical and non-surgical faculty with resident representation. Estimated length of training is 5 years, subject to average progress through CBD.
All candidates at the completion of the Surgical Foundations Program will be regarded as eligible to take the Principles of Surgery Examination which for general surgery must be successfully completed prior to applying to sit for the final examination.
Research
All residents are expected to complete a minimum of two quality research projects over the five year program for presentation at an annual research day. Guidance for this will start in the Surgical Foundations Program and continue with meetings with the Department of Surgery Research Director, Dr. E. Parvez, as well as Departmental research staff who are available to residents.
In Niagara there are several research opportunities. Local endeavours have included an RCT, metanalysis and numerous quality improvement projects. With the aid of Seddiq Weera, NRC Research Coordinator, there is opportunity to design and carry out research which you find most engaging. Additionally, Niagara residents maintain all the research support and faculty connections available in Hamilton.
Seminars
Academic half-day is a weekly session protected from service demands. Junior residents will attend Surgical Foundations during this time.
Specific training in Minimal Access Surgery is available in courses for junior residents and another course in 3rd year for senior residents.
Residents take the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course in their 1st year of training and the Advanced Trauma Operative Management (ATOM) course at the beginning of their 5th year.
PGY -1
1 Block Rookie Camp in July
8 Blocks of General Surgery in Niagara
2 Blocks of Pediatric Surgery at McMaster Children's Hospital
1 Block of Internal Medicine in Niagara
1 Block of Selective (ER or Internal Medicine) in Niagara
PGY - 2
3 Blocks of ICU in Niagara
3 Blocks of Endoscopy in Niagara
5 Blocks of General Surgery in Niagara
2 Blocks of General Surgery/Trauma at Hamilton General Surgery
PGY3/4
Variable blocks of General Surgery with elective time and exposure to subspecialty rotations. Residents will have the opportunity to design a rotation schedule with REL to best achieve career goals. Rotations may include Vascular surgery, ENT, Thoracic Surgery, Urology, Research, HPB, Colorectal or alternate community sites.
PGY4/5
14 Blocks of 'Chief Residency' starting in Block 11 of PGY4. Rotations are 3-4 blocks each and are chosen based on learning needs/career goals. Rotations are divided between Niagara and Hamilton. Includes 1 block of study time for written component of RCPSC Certification Exam.
2 Blocks of 'Transition to Practice'. Clinical activities assigned that supports needs for entering practice or preparing for fellowship. Includes time to prepare for RCPSC Applied (oral) exam.
Training Sites
Niagara
The St. Catharines General Hospital is the main teaching site for the Niagara campus. This beautiful hospital opened in 2013. It is a mid to large size community hospital offering a wide scope of practice to the general surgeons, with support from services such as Interventional radiology, vascular surgery and intensive care. Welland Hospital and Greater Niagara Hospital are smaller sites within the Niagara Health system which offer further opportunities for residents and medical learners.
In Hamilton, the McMaster site, Hamilton Health Sciences is a centre for the Children's Hospital and pediatric surgery as well as pediatric trauma.
The General site, Hamilton Health Sciences is the location of the Adult Trauma Centre, cardiovascular surgery, and the largest combined ICU in the region.
The Juravinski site of the Hamilton Health Sciences is the location at which oncology and general surgery occur and is affiliated with the Regional Cancer Centre.
St. Joseph's Hospital is a busy hospital for general surgery with a special interest in minimal access surgery and is the Centre for Minimal Access Surgery (CMAS). Subspecialty services such as head and neck, thoracic and urological surgery are located at St. Joseph's Hospital.