McMaster University - Medical Microbiology - Hamilton
2023 R-1 Main Residency Match - first iteration
CMG Stream for CMG
Laboratory Medicine - Medical Microbiology
McMaster University
Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Ontario
Program Contacts
Important Information
Please refer to the CaRMS website for provincial eligibility information CaRMS Ontario Provincial Criteria. It is important to review the requirements carefully.
Special Note: For those applicants who have been selected for an interview, you will be notified that you have been selected. The Program will notify all applicants through CaRMS online and an email will be sent directly from the program coordinator to those selected for an interview with details about time and location of interview. Please do not contact the program office requesting interview time and location information
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.
Three reference letters are required and only three will be reviewed. Reference letters must be submitted by CaRMS document deadline.
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.
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 application will not be considered without a Personal Letter. Must be submitted by CaRMS document deadline.
Custom Résumé / CVDue by document deadline
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
Applications, files, late paperwork etc., submitted past CaRMS document deadline will not be reviewed, or considered.
Applications missing a Personal Letter risk not being reviewed or considered.
Reference letters from the institution/ discipline will not be required for consideration of interview
Interviews
Dates:
- February 6, 2023
- Interviews will be conducted virtually.
- Candidates are interviewed by two to five Microbiology faculty members and will have the opportunity to meet with current residents in the program.
Selection Criteria
- Good academic standing
- Broad-based science background
- Genuine interest in Laboratory Medicine - specifically Medical Microbiology
- Genuine interest in the study of Infectious Diseases
Program goals
The primary mission of the Medical Microbiology Residency Program is to train residents by fostering excellence and nurturing resident well being, while attaining the knowledge, skills and attitudes to become successful clinicians and laboratory physicians. Through strong leadership and mentorship, residents who have completed the program will have attained the broad based, diverse and competitive skill set that is fundamental to a well rounded career as a Medical Microbiologist.
Selection process goals
The successful applicant to the Medical Microbiology Residency Program has an inquisitive nature, is dedicated to life long learning, and has a genuine desire to learn. Strong problem solving skills, and the ability to effectively evaluate and critically appraise evidence based literature are essential attributes that will serve the applicant well throughout their training. The successful applicant is a team player, who exemplifies professionalism and collegiality.
File review process
Review team composition : Program Director and an additional Medical Microbiology faculty member.
Average number of applications received by our program in the last five years : 51 - 200
1st iteration usually between 2-10
2nd iteration 50-100
Average percentage of applicants offered interviews : 26 - 50 %
| File component | Criteria |
|---|---|
| CV | Interests, awards, education history |
| Electives | Candidates must demonstrate that they have clinical experience to ensure they are making an informed decision about entering Medical Microbiology. |
| Examinations | We do not evaluate this file component. |
| Extra-curricular | we do not evaluate this file component |
| Leadership skills | leadership interests, leadership experience |
| MSPRs | Good standing |
| Personal letters | Genuine interest in Medical Microbiology, good understanding of the role of a Medical Microbiologist |
| Reference documents | Source of reference letter, interest in program, interpersonal skills |
| Research/Publications | Some research experience,presentations or abstracts in domain of Infectious Diseases/microbiology |
| Transcripts | Strong academic record, official transcript comments, exam scores, clinical rotation comments |
Elective criteria
Interview process
Interview format :
We routinely accommodate requests to re-schedule interviews for applicants.
| Interview components | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Collaboration skills | Previous projects or initiatives required a collaborative approach |
| Collegiality | Sincerity, enthusiasm for the discipline |
| Communication skills | Clear, concise, thoughtful answers to interview questions. |
| Health advocacy | Demonstrated understanding of the importance of health advocacy. |
| Interest in the discipline | Genuine knowledge of Med Micro, what the discipline entails & the role of the Medical Microbiologist |
| Interest in the program | Knowledge about how the McMaster Medical Microbiology Program is structured and how it is unique |
| Leadership skills | Leadership experience in past, ideas for pursuing |
| Professionalism | Answers questions appropriately, professional demeanor |
| Scholarly activities | Interest in scholarly activities including research, demonstration of ideas for future projects |
| Other interview component(s) |
Information gathered outside of CaRMS application
We do not consider any information gathered outside of the CaRMS application and local interview processes.Ranking process
The behavior(s) exhibited below during the interview process may prevent an applicant from being ranked by our program :Program Highlights
The McMaster Medical Microbiology Residency Program offers a unique training experience within a large, world class academic hospital setting. The program is extremely flexible, allowing each resident to attain their personal learning goals and to tailor their training to fit their individual needs and interests. There is ample elective opportunity to explore options within the diverse field of Medical Microbiology. Along with core laboratory training within the different microbiology discipline areas, clinical training in Infectious Diseases is integrated throughout the five year training period, therefore developing both the clinical and laboratory skills and knowledge that is critical to the practice of Medical Microbiology. There are ample opportunities for research and residents are encouraged to participate in projects throughout their training. A successful mentorship program is in place to help guide and nurture residents during their time in the program and throughout the resident career planning phase. Structured, protected academic teaching is built into the curriculum and residents are encouraged to seek out learning opportunities that fit their individual goals.
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.
Candidates for Medical Microbiology complete various basic clinical training rotations during their PGY1 year. This includes a combination of rotations through internal medicine, pediatrics, critical care, emergency medicine and infectious diseases.
After the Basic Clinical Training year, the design of training follows the requirements of the Royal College.
Trainees wishing to combine the training program with basic research experiences are encouraged to do so. Residents are encouraged to be involved with research projects corresponding to their area and level of training. Each year, they are expected to present their work during the annual residents' research day, which usually takes place late in Spring. Residents are encouraged to present their work at national discipline conferences.
Candidates pursuing microbiology residency directly after completing the MD program will undergo a five-year training program. The first year consists of clinical rotations in various fields of medicine. During the remaining 4 years, the residents will participate in infectious diseases service rotations, bacteriology, virology, mycology, mycobacteriology, molecular microbiology, infection control, laboratory management, public health microbiology and research projects.
Weekly academic half days are protected time. The medical microbiology half day is combined with the Infectious Diseases Residency Program half day where trainees of the two programs come together for the teaching sessions. There are weekly plate rounds attended by residents and faculty. Regional Infectious Diseases Rounds are held weekly, and Case Rounds occur bi-monthly. Monthly journal club meetings are also arranged as a combined learning event for MM and ID residents.
Training Sites
McMaster University postgraduate programs are integrated in cooperation with the affiliated teaching hospitals St. Joseph's and Hamilton Health Science. The regionalized laboratory services in Hamilton, one of the first in Canada, provide cost-effective patient care and coordinate residency training in an organized yet flexible manner, tailored to individual needs, interests and career goals. Four programs are currently offered: general pathology, anatomical pathology, medical biochemistry, and medical microbiology.
Computers with internet access, dedicated to residents, are available at all hospital sites for literature and medical record search. The computers in each hospital library permit direct journal access for most major journals. In addition, proxy accounts for journal access outside of the hospital are available.
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Our Lab Medicine program has over 200 faculty members and many more non-faculty technical teaching staff. This program has been centralized since 1970, with further restructuring in the past 2-3 years.
Financial support to attend conferences at which the resident is presenting a poster or paper is available. Additional support to attend conferences the resident is not presenting at, is also available, including a yearly CME event held in one of the major Ontario centers.
There is no financial support in addition to the normal salary of the resident.
FAQ
Will the Program contact me?
The Program will e-mail selected candidates to schedule an interview in Hamilton, ON.
The Program will not contact you unless you've been selected to interview. As a courtesy, The Program may send a generalized e-mail to all candidates, selected or not, notify that interviews are scheduled, and the selection process is complete. At that point, please do not anticipate receiving an invitation to interview.