University of Manitoba - Medical Genetics and Genomics - Winnipeg
2026 R-1 Main Residency Match - second iteration
Competitive Stream for IMG
Last approved on March 05, 2026
Summary of changesApproximate Quota:
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Accreditation status : Accredited
Provincial Criteria
Dr. Rizqa Sulaiman-Baradien
MB Clinic, L7, Desk E
820 Sherbrook St.
Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3A1R9
CCMG
Genetics Library Tool Kit
Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics
Program Contacts
Important Information
PGME Mandatory Orientation day for new trainees is scheduled for, Friday, June 26, 2026. Successful applicants will be required to attend prior to their July 1, 2026 start date.
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 IMG's entering all training programs. IMG's already holding a return of service obligation must disclose these obligations at the time of application. IMG's 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
Program application language: English
The medical genetics and genomics residency program at the University of Manitoba is designed to train residents to practice as well-rounded specialists in the rapidly evolving field of clinical genetics. In addition to providing rotations in fields such as Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Obstetrics in order to gain competencies in general medicine we train our residents extensively in Principles of Genetic Counselling, Dysmorphology, Neurogenetics, Cancer genetics, Prenatal genetics, Cardiovascular genetics, and Metabolic genetics. We also provide experience in all three major lab disciplines with a focus on genomics (molecular genetics, cytogenetics, and biochemical genetics) and flexible levels of research experience depending on the career aspirations of the resident.
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
• Passport page showing Canadian Citizenship
• Canadian Permanent Resident Card (both sides of card)
• Certificate of Indian Status / Aboriginal Status or Makivik Society Card
• Canadian Citizenship Card (both sides of card)
Notarized/certified photocopied proof of citizenship must be provided. Photocopies are accepted but citizenship documents other than what is listed above are not accepted.
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.
• IELTS
• Occupational English Test (OET) - Medicine
• Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) - General
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
- If you graduated from an English medical school in Canada, you are exempt from providing proof of language proficiency
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.
- 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 one of the following:
- 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
- Occupational English Test – Medicine (OET-Medicine), with a minimum grade of B in each of the four subsets in the same sitting; or
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program – General (CELPIP-General) Test, with a minimum score of 9 in each of the four skills in the same sitting
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.
While the MCCQE part 1 is a requirement, where it is not available, specifically in cases of International Medical Graduates who are already specialists in a different country, this may be waived.
Three letters of reference are required, and must be from a preceptor (preferably a faculty member) or supervisor/Director/senior colleague. Senior resident's reference letter is also acceptable. We prefer that the applicant not exceed the number of reference letters requested. (See selection criteria).
Consistent with the AFMC measures established in response to the Québec physicians’ strike, we will implement the following accommodations for applicants from Québec faculties of medicine and for applicants from other Canadian faculties who had planned visiting electives in Québec during this time.
- We will accept reference documents completed by any physician able to support the applicant’s candidacy.
- We will not require reference letters from physicians practising in the same discipline as the program.
- Applicants are required to submit two (2) reference documents but are permitted to submit up to the maximum of three (3).
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.
For applicants from Québec faculties of medicine, as well as those from other Canadian faculties who had scheduled visiting electives in Québec during this period, we will accept incomplete MSPRs for file review and ranking purposes.
An incomplete MSPR is one that may be missing final assessments from placements expected to be completed by the date of submission but delayed due to the strike. A complete MSPR will not be required as a criterion for file review or ranking for these applicants.
Personal LetterPlease ensure to address the below questions in your personal letter.
- Provide insight into your history that has led to an interest in Medical Genetics and Genomics (max 300 words)
- Address how your unique experiences, values and attributes make you personally suited to providing medical services to a highly diverse population (eg. varied socioeconomic status, ethnic/cultural diversity, gender diversity, etc.) (max 300 words)
- Manitoba has a very large Indigenous population and individuals with Indigenous background make up a large proportion of our referral base. Please summarize your thoughts and role related to Indigenous reconciliation. (max 300 words)
- Optional: if relevant, please provide details on any personal obstacles or challenges that may have arisen that have affected your career trajectory (max 300 words)
Review Process
Applications submitted after file review has opened on March 17, 2026
Supporting documents (excluding letters of reference) that arrive after file review has opened on March 17, 2026
Letters of reference that arrive after the unmasking date on March 17, 2026
Interviews
Dates:
- March 27, 2026
- March 30, 2026
Candidates are required to prepare a 15min presentation on an interesting genetic clincial case or cases they have encountered, genetics related research they are involved in or a topic of interest in the field of genetics and genomics.
Selection Criteria
Applicant files assessment criteria
The Medical Genetics training program at the University of Manitoba is committed to a fair, equitable, and transparent application process. We maintain the right to choose the applicants that we feel are the best people for our residency training program. The following criteria will be used as a baseline to determine who will be considered for an interview. However, not all applicants who meet our minimum criteria will be offered interviews; only the top candidates will be offered an interview.
- Graduate from an accredited medical school
- Must either be a Canadian citizen or have permanent resident status
- Must have a demonstrable interest in medical genetics.
- Has never had disciplinary action from a medical regulatory authority.
Program goals
The University of Manitoba is committed to the social justice principles of equity, access & participation and to promoting opportunities for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous, Black, racially marginalized Peoples, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities) and women.
Our residency program aims to train well-rounded geneticists that have experience dealing with all aspects of genetic medicine including but not limited to general genetics, prenatal genetics, biochemical genetics, neurogenetics, cardiovascular genetics, and cancer genetics. They will demonstrate exceptional communication skills, clinical skills, and academic acumen. We emphasize working in a team environment that includes other medical specialties, genetic counsellors, nurses, dieticians, and pharmacists.
Selection process goals
Identify applicants that interact professionally with patients and colleagues.
Identify applicants with excellent basic clinical skills, particularly in the realm of communication.
Identify applicants with a clear interest in clinical genetics.
Identify applicants who demonstrate an ability and enthusiasm to learn and are able to adapt to the various demands of residency training.
Identify applicants who have the potential to lead a collaborative health care team.
File review process
Review team composition : The review team consists of the program directors, lead resident or delegate, and a selection of faculty members all involved in residency education. At least one faculty member is external to the genetics department.
Average number of applications received by our program in the last five years : 0 - 50
Average percentage of applicants offered interviews : 76 - 100 %
| File component | Criteria |
|---|---|
| CV | Optional |
| Electives | Clear interest in clinical genetics |
| Examinations | We do not evaluate this file component |
| Extra-curricular | Volunteering, mentoring, non-medical experiences, work experience |
| Leadership skills | Involvement in student government or similar |
| MSPRs | Interpersonal skills, concerns raised during clinical electives |
| Personal letters | Specific required questions answered |
| Reference documents | Professionalism, ability to interact positively with patients and colleagues |
| Research/Publications | Accomplishing or completing projects and engaging in self directed learning and problem solving. |
| Transcripts | Academic performance |
Elective criteria
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 | Demonstrate ability to work in a team setting |
| Collegiality | Behaviour, attitude and ability to work with others |
| Communication skills | Speak and write in English, ability to convey complex topics to a lay person |
| Health advocacy | Demonstrates ability to advocate on behalf of patient health |
| Interest in the discipline | Clear understanding of the discipline and demonstrated exposure |
| Interest in the program | Demonstrate an interest in program site. A connection to Manitoba is advantageous, but not necessary. |
| Leadership skills | Involvement in student government, interest groups, mentorship, and coaching or other |
| Professionalism | Interaction with program administrator, current residents, and interview staff |
| Scholarly activities | Public speaking in the form of 15-20 min presentation |
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
Residents may choose to take electives in other locations. Funding opportunities may be available through the Canadian College of Medical Genetics. No more than 6 months total may be undertaken outside of Manitoba.
In the 2025/2026 academic year, there will be 3 medical genetics residents, one CCMG molecular/cytogenetics fellow and 6 Genetic Counselling trainees. There are 8 MD medical geneticists.
Throughout the program residents will gain experience and graduated responsibility in the metabolics inpatient service along side general genetics. There are several recent graduates who have metabolic genetics as a significant part of their practice without the need for further post graduate training in metabolics.
During most medical genetics rotations, the residents function in a consulting role and not as the primary physician responsible for patients. However, during the final 3 years each resident runs their own monthly clinic under the supervision of a rotating roster of geneticists where they are responsible for all aspects of their patient’s care in order to gain experience having their own medical practice.
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.
Curriculum
Training in medical genetics fulfils the requirements noted in the training guidelines established by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada for competency based medical education in Medical Genetics and Genomics. The focus in CBD programs is on growth and achieving competencies throughout the 5 year residency. The first two years will start with two months on the genetic service completing the requirements of "transition to discipline" and establishing some basic genetic knowledge. The remainder of these two years will then include off service rotations in pediatrics, internal medicine, and maternal fetal medicine. The next 2.5 yrs will include exposures to all the core areas of medical genetics which also include genetic counselling, general genetics, neurogenetics, cardiogenetics, prenatal genetics, cancer genetics, biochemical genetics, and laboratory genetics. The remaining 0.5 yr will focus on leadership skills to prepare for independent practice. A scholarly project of the residents choice must be completed during the residency and dedicated time and mentorship will be available.
Residents are expected to take courses at the graduate level including "Introduction to Human Genetics", "Principles and Practice of Human Genetics", and "Human Molecular Cytogenetics". These courses are offered through the Biochemistry & Medical Genetics and can be taken concurrently with rotations beginning in the PGY-3 year. These course credits may be counted towards a MSc in Biochemistry and Medical Genetics.
There are no mandatory rural rotations.
Vacation
1 period of Vacation each year
1 period = 4 weeks
Academic Teaching
A half day of weekly academic teaching is provided throughout the year and is made up of a 3 year rotating curriculum intended to cover the core syllabus as required by the RCPSC. Residents are required to have an active role in the academic sessions delivery. There is also dedicated time to journal club and interdisciplinary teaching.
Training Sites
Resources
The Medical Genetics Residency program at the University of Manitoba is an interdisciplinary program with training sites at the Children's Hospital, Women's Hospital, Psych Health Centre, General Hospital at the Health Sciences Centre and the research laboratories at the Bannatyne Campus of the University of Manitoba. All of these centres are located within a four block area which is centrally located in the city of Winnipeg. A strength of our program is the integration of basic human genetics with clinical genetic sciences. The program facilitates and encourages residents to enter the graduate program towards an MSc in Biochemistry and Medical Genetics. Our centre offers modern in-patient/out-patient facilities and we have state-of-the-art diagnostic genetic laboratory. Our clinical program accommodates approximately 350 in-patient consultations and over 2000 out-patients per year.
Medical genetics residents have a dedicated office with multiple work stations. Electronic access is available via the internet through the University of Manitoba library to multiple online journals including New England Journal of Medicine, Lancet, Prenatal Diagnosis, American Journal of Medical Genetics, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Annals of Human Genetics, British Medical Journal and many more. In addition, the residents will have direct access to MedLine, OMIM (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man) and the London Dysmorphology Database and the teratogen inquiry system (TERIS) to name a few. There is a genetics library filled with up-to-date genetic references relevant to medical genetics.
Additional Information
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Summary of changes
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