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Memorial University of Newfoundland - Obstetrics and Gynecology - St. John's

2024 R-1 Main Residency Match - first iteration
CMG Stream for CMG

Last approved on November 15, 2023

Summary of changes

Approximate Quota:

 4 

Accreditation status : Accredited

Provincial Criteria

Dr. Maria Kielly
Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynecology 
Health Sciences Centre , Room H2839 
300 Prince Philip Drive
St. John's NL A1B 3V6 , Newfoundland and Labrador, A1B 3V6
709-864-6606
Discipline of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Postgraduate Medical Education

Program Contacts

Ms. Lisa Hickey
Academic Program Administrator
obsgyne.residency@med.mun.ca
709-864-6606

Important Information

Please review Memorial University's Provincial Criteria and admission requirements for postgraduate medical education. 

 

COVID-19:

Memorial University continues to follow the most up-to-date advice provided by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Government of Canada on COVID-19 response. Please refer to the University's COVID-19 website for up-to-date information. 

 

MUN ObGyn Residency Information Session

Thank you for your interest in training with us in obstetrics and gynecology! Memorial University's program is dynamic and unique due to its small size, with close interaction and good rapport between residents and faculty. The program is geared towards producing an excellent generalist in obstetrics and gynecology, although recent years have seen a number of graduates enter competitive subspecialties across North America. Our size allows flexibility to meet resident needs and special interests, which is a high priority for us. 

Please be sure to join us for the MUN ObGyn Residency Information Session: 

Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 7:30 EST.

Sign up here: https://linktr.ee/mun.obgyn

 

Return of Service

CMGs/USMGs:

No return of service (RoS) is required for CMG seats in the first iteration.

General Instructions

Program application language: English

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Supporting Documentation / Information

Canadian citizenship
CaRMS partners with third-party organizations to verify your citizenship or permanent resident status. If your status is verified by one of these organizations, you will not need to provide citizenship documents in your application. If your citizenship status is not verified, you must provide one of the documents listed below.
Document must be notarized/certified
Required
Submit one of the following documents to verify your Canadian citizenship:
• 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)
• Canadian Citizenship Card (both sides of card)
Language proficiency
Required
Submit one of the following documents to verify your language proficiency:
• IELTS
• Occupational English Test (OET) - Medicine
• Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) - General

Exemption to English language proficiency testing

  • If you graduated from a medical school in Canada or the United States where English is the language of instruction, you are exempt from providing proof of language proficiency.  
    • If you graduated from a medical school in Canada or the United States which provides training in multiple language streams, please self-identify which stream you graduated from, e.g. English-Stream, French-Stream, Spanish-Stream, etc.

Who is required to provide English Language Proficiency?

  • If you graduated from a medical school in Canada or the United States where the language of instruction is not in English (e.g. French) you are required to provide proof of proficiency in the English language. It is important to note that this requirement extends to all such applicants, regardless of whether other secondary/post-secondary education took place in English and regardless of citizenship.

The accepted English language proficiency exams, and the required scores, are as follows:

  • International English Language Testing System - Academic (IELTS-Academic), with a minimum score of 7 in each of the components in the same sitting;
  • Occupational English Test - Medicine (OET-Medicine), with a minimum grade of B in each of the four subsets in the same sitting;
  • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program Test - General (CELPIP-General), with a minimum score of 9 in each of the four skills in the same sitting.

Exams must be dated within 24 months of the residency start date (July 1). Results must be available by the CaRMS document review deadline.

Examinations
Optional - will be reviewed
MCCQE Part I
  • Score and document(s)
  • MCCQE Part I - Statement of Results
  • MCCQE Part I - Supplemental Information Report

    • If applicable.

     

    Reference documents
    Required
    Number requested: 3

    Three reference letters required. No specific guidelines but letters from faculty are preferred.

    Additional documents
    Required
    Personal Letter 
    Word count
    Minimum : None
    Maximum : 500

    Insight into the candidate's motivations for applying to the field and to Memorial University:

    - Why have you chosen the specialty of obstetrics and gynecology?
    - Why have you chosen to apply to Memorial?
    - What do you feel you can contribute to our program?
    - Are there any interesting facts that you would like the selection committee to consider?

     

    Custom Résumé / CV 

    Memorial Declaration for Interruptions 

    ALL applicants must submit the Declaration of Interruptions form with their application.

    Consent for disclosure 

    ALL applicants must submit the Consent to Disclose form with their application.

    Medical School Transcript 

    Your medical school transcript can be submitted through one of the methods below:

    1. 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;
    2. Ask your medical school to upload your medical transcript through their CaRMS Undergraduate Portal account; or
    3. International (IMGs) and United States (USMGs) medical graduates can transfer their transcript from their physiciansapply.ca account.

    Medical Student Performance Record 

    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.

    Photo 
    [Note: Photograph is used as memory aid only]

    Conditionally required
    Medical School Diploma 

    Conditionally required

    Undergraduate Transcript (Bachelor's Degree) 

    If applicable, order from your Registrar's Office.

    Review Process

    Applications submitted after file review has opened on December 2, 2023


    Supporting documents (excluding letters of reference) that arrive after file review has opened  on  December 2, 2023


    Letters of reference that arrive after the unmasking date on December 2, 2023


    Interviews

    Dates:

    • February 1, 2024
    • February 2, 2024
    Interviews will be offered to interested candidates based on selection criteria.  The interviews will take place virtually on February 1 and February 2, 2024.

    Details regarding the interview process: 

    Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted to make arrangements for an interview time.  We will be conducting virtual interviews that enable us the opportunity to see and talk with the applicant.  You will have two seperate interviews, one with residents and one with attending staff from our department.  The interviews last approximately twenty minutes each and provide you with ample opportunity to ask questions.

     

     
    Program will notify all applicants through CaRMS Online and will send email invitations directly to applicants selected for an interview.

    Selection Criteria

    We are interested in candidates with a good academic record, excellent interpersonal skills, and a commitment to the discipline of obstetrics & gynecology. We have an extremely close-knit and dedicated set of residents and seek enthusiastic candidates to join this group.

    Program goals

    Our program prides itself on its small size and resulting personal interactions amongst staff, residents and clerks. We are fortunate to have a multifaceted training program that focuses on academic and surgical excellence, research and community based experiences. Our goal is to train well-rounded clinicians and surgeons who take pride in their skills and knowledge and who will advocate for Women's Health through their future practices across Canada and beyond. 

    More specifically, we aim to provide a family centered environment for optimal care of the mother and fetus, at all levels of perinatal risk, throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.  We also aim to provide quality care in gynecologic oncology, with diagnosis and treatment through surgical and medical, palliative and holistic methods.  In the field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility, we strive for effective diagnostic and treatment regimens including the provision of appropriate means of assisted reproduction.  Finally we want to provide quality care in general gynecology, including adolescent gynecology and urogynecology, including the introduction of effective new approaches in patient care. 
     
    The department strives to ensure that our trainees receive a comprehensive, evidence based education leading to clinical competency in the provision of both routine and medically challenging women’s health care.  As a department, one of our longstanding goals is the development and conduct of clinical and basic research, and provide trainees witht the knowledge and skills to be life-long contributors to their fields.  

    Selection process goals

    We are interested in candidates with a good academic record, excellent interpersonal skills, and a commitment to the discipline of obstetrics & gynecology. We have an extremely close-knit and dedicated set of residents and seek enthusiastic candidates to join this group.  Successful candidates will have a proven record of academic excellence, leadership skills and the ability to function as a member of a team.  

    File review process

    Review team composition : The review team consists of three faculty members, including the program director, and 4-6 resident members. Committee members review and rank applicant files, conduct interviews, and decide upon the final rank list order.

    Average number of applications received by our program in the last five years : 51 - 200

    Average percentage of applicants offered interviews : 51 - 75 %

    Evaluation criteria :
    File component Criteria
    CV A broad range of education, life experience, volunteer work.
    Electives A variety of electives, indicating strong interest in the field. On-site elective is not mandatory.
    Examinations MCCQE Part I will be reviewed if submitted.
    Extra-curricular Social accountability; activities with a team focus.
    Leadership skills Demonstrated leadership capabilities.
    MSPRs Satisfactory to exemplary performance, without issues of professionalism noted.
    Personal letters Insight into the candidate's motivations for applying to the field and to Memorial University. We request a word count maximum of 500 words.
    Reference documents References that provide insight into the candidates performance, and ability to work in a team.
    Research/Publications Research experience, particularly in obstetrics & gynecology, is valued.
    Transcripts Briefly reviewed.

    Elective criteria

    We encourage applicants to have completed at least one elective in our discipline.
    We do not require applicants to have done onsite electives.

    Interview process

    Interview format :



    We routinely accommodate requests to re-schedule interviews for applicants.

    Interview evaluation criteria :
    Interview components Criteria
    Collaboration skills Demonstrated ability to collaborate with others.
    Collegiality Collegiality and potential fit within our Program is highly valued.
    Communication skills To communicate in a clear, concise, and professional manner throughout the interview process.
    Health advocacy A commitment to women's health advocacy is valued.
    Interest in the discipline Keen interest and passion for the Specialty is essential.
    Interest in the program Candidates should be familiar with our program, and further discussion is welcome.
    Leadership skills A demonstrated history of leadership and demonstration of leadership skills.
    Professionalism Professionalism is highly valued in all candidates.
    Scholarly activities We do not evaluate this interview component. This is evaluated elsewhere.

    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

    Memorial has a small, responsive program with close resident and staff interaction.

    We boast a strong research program with extensive research opportunities and support. 

    There are no postgraduate subspecialty fellows, which allows maximum exposure of our residents to interesting and difficult cases.

    There is excellent potential for community rotations in Clarenville, Grand Falls-Windsor, Corner Brook and Moncton, NB, with plenty of valuable hands on experience, and expanded responsibility commensurate with level of training.

    We have a dedicated faculty with extensive teaching and Royal College exam preparation experience.

    We are very proud of our expanding minimally invasive gynecology and simulation programs.

    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.

    As with obstetrics & gynecology programs nation-wide, the training program for all candidates has shifted to a competence based medical education model (Competence by Design - CBD).  While trainees progress through the four stages of training, the Residency Training Committee has opted to continued with a rotation-based curriculum in order to ensure immersion into the various areas of training.  Trainees with be paired with academic advisors to help guide them through their CBD training.

    PGY 1

    PGY 1 focuses on an immersion into the specialty of obstetrics & gynecology, with rotations designed to establish the foundational skills in the specialty and meet the initial requirements of the Obstetrics & Gynecology and Surgical Foundations Competence By Design programs.

    Rotations include the following 13 four-week rotations/blocks:

    3 blocks - Obstetrics/Gynecology (St. John's)

    2 blocks -  Obstetrics/Gynecology (Clarenville)

    2 blocks -  Internal Medicine

    2 blocks -  General Surgery

    1 block - Emergency Medicine 

    1 block - Urology

    1 block - Neonatal Intensive Care

    1 block - Selective 

     

    Four weeks of vacation are included throughout the 13 blocks.

    Throughout PGY 1, Friday afternoons are protected time for the obstetrics & gynecology academic half day. 

    In addition, residents are required to successfully complete the Surgical Foundations program and have protected time for lectures and simulation sessions.  The Surgical Foundations CBD program has its own program director and competence committee, separate from your home program, that determines a trainee's competence and progression through the next stages of training.

    PGY 2

    A core year in general obstetrics & gynecology, this year provides an excellent training base with a balance of clinic, case room, operating room, and emergency department exposure from an obstetrics & gynecology perspective.  ICU rotations will also occur during this year.

    Your first research rotation is often built into this year as well.

    PGY 3 and PGY 4

    Expands the breadth of subspecialty expertise including: reproductive endocrinology & infertility, maternal-fetal medicine (including ultrasound), ICU, gynecologic oncology, medical endocrinology, urogynecology, and outstanding community rotations in Moncton, NB, Grand Falls-Windsor and Corner Brook where residents acquire extensive operating experience. 

    There is also ample exposure to colposcopy in a dedicated rotation.

    PGY 5

    Includes several months of experience as chief resident to both obstetrics & gynecology. Additional experience in general obstetrics & gynecology is provided during this year, functioning at a junior consultant level.

    Remaining core rotations or elective time may also be undertaken. Faculty are extremely supportive of the need for residents to study and practice for the Royal College exam at this time, resulting in excellent pass rates over the last 10 years.



    Academics and Research: 

    Teaching is provided through 3 weekly events:

    • Friday afternoon from 1 to 4 pm is protected time for all residents, where faculty provide seminars from September to June. (During the summer, Friday afternoon sessions are resident directed and often end with a social event).
    • Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8 to 9 am are protected time for interactive Case Rounds and Grand Rounds.
    • There are also protected monthly Journal Clubs and Morbidity and Mortality Rounds.
    • Tuesday evenings from 4:30 - 6:00 pm: Surgical Foundations - Mandatory for all PGY 1 and PGY 2 residents in general surgery, orthopedic surgery and obstetrics & gynecology

    Each year there is one excellent hands-on full-day porcine laparoscopic laboratory session, in addition to regular dry laparoscopic simulation experiences.

    At least two research projects must be undertaken during the postgraduate years, for which there is ample faculty support.

    The Masters and diploma programs in clinical epidemiology are optional and well supported by the department.  

    Residents are expected to present twice during the program on the Annual Resident Research Day and often present research results elsewhere in the country.



    Training Sites

    Health Sciences Centre, 300 Prince Philip Drive, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1B 3V6

    St. Clare's Mercy Hospital, 154 LeMarchant Road, St. John's, Newfoundland and Larador, A1C 5B8

    Janeway Children's Health and Rehabilitation Centre, 300 Prince Philip Drive, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1B 3V6

    Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre, 50 Union Street, Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland and Labrador, A2A 2E1

    Western Health Regional Hospital, 1 Brookfield Avenue, Corner Brook, NL, A2H 6J7

    Dr. G. B. Cross Memorial Hospital, 67 Manitoba Dr, Clarenville, NL, A5A 1K3
     
    The Moncton Hospital, 135 Macbeath Ave, Moncton, NB, E1C 6Z8

    Additional Information

    Thank you for your interest in training with us in obstetrics and gynecology! Memorial University's program is dynamic and unique due to its small size, with close interaction and good rapport between residents and faculty. The program is geared towards producing an excellent generalist in obstetrics and gynecology, although recent years have seen a number of graduates enter competitive subspecialties across North America. Our size allows flexibility to meet resident needs and special interests, which is a high priority for us. 

     

    If you have any further questions about our program or what we have to offer, after reading our program profile, please contact our office. Faculty or residents from the program would be pleased to tell you more about what we are like and what we have to offer. A word of warning to candidates from outside of Newfoundland: residents who come from away often get to the end of their training and are too attached to leave "the Rock"!

     

    Virtual Information night in December 2023.  More details to follow!

    Summary of changes

    SUMMARY ID Section Summary of changes Updated on NOTIFY APPLICANTS SECTION NAME Actions