Cardiac Surgery Residency Training Program
Programs
- Contact: Dr. Bill Kidd
- Program Administrator: Christina Faulkner
- Foothills Hospital
- C880, 1403 29th St NW
- Calgary, AB T2N 2T9
- Tel: 403.944-2011
Fax: 403.944-2906
Application
Curiculum
This six year residency program is designed to fulfill the training requirements of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada for examination and certification in Cardiac Surgery.
PGY 1-2
The first two years consist of core training. Rotations are selected jointly by the cardiac surgery residency program committee and the core surgery program coordinator. These surgical (general, trauma and cardiac) and non surgical rotations, along with the Core Surgery Seminar Series, have the resident prepared to pass the Royal College Principles of Surgery Exam (POS), and serve as the basis for the future years of cardiac surgery training. Options for elective rotations include anesthesia, radiology, pathology, plastics and others.
PGY-3
Academic enrichment year. This can be spent in clinical or basic science research or in a focused clinical area. It can take place within the University of Calgary or elsewhere at the request of the candidate and at the discretion of the program director and section head.
PGY-4
Three months each of general and vascular surgery and 6 months of adult cardiac surgery at the junior level.
PGY-5
Six months each of pediatric cardiac surgery (at the University of Alberta) and thoracic surgery.
PGY-6
One year of adult cardiac surgery at the senior level
Rotations
| Month(s) | Section Name |
|---|---|
| 1,2 | Cardiac Surgery |
| 3,4 | Medical Teaching Unit |
| 5 | Infections Disease |
| 6,7,8 | General Surgery |
| 9 | Elect* |
| 10, 11, 12 | Plastic Surgery |
| 13 | Anesthesia |
| * Options include anesthesia, radiology, pathology and others | |
| Month(s) | Section Name |
|---|---|
| 1,2 | Vascular Surgery |
| 3 | ICU |
| 4, 5 | General Surgery (Trauma) |
| 6,7,8,9 | Cardiology |
| 10,11,12 | Cardiac Surgery |
| 13 | CIVCU |
| Month(s) | Section Name |
|---|---|
| 1-12 | Academic Enrichment** |
| 13 | |
| ** This can be at any time in the last 4 years depending on its content | |
| Month(s) | Section Name |
|---|---|
| 1-6 | Cardiac Surgery (Junior) |
| 7-12 | Vascular Surgery |
| 13 |
| Month(s) | Section Name |
|---|---|
| 1-6 | Thoracic Surgery |
| 7-12 | Pediatric Cardiac Surgery (U of A) |
| 13 |
| Month(s) | Section Name |
|---|---|
| 1-12 | Cardiac Surgery (Senior) |
| 13 |
Seminars and Didactic Sessions
Weekly Cardiac Surgery Rounds consist of a variety of sessions including morbidity and mortality review, resident presentations and occasional presentations from faculty in other programs. Journal Club is held one evening per month. Weekly, semi-formal didactic sessions with one faculty member are held for all residents to cover topics in the curriculum of cardiac surgery. Faculty and residents attend weekly heart cath rounds at Foothills Hospital. A faculty wide core curriculum provides teaching in generic, non clinical subjects such as bioethics, medical legal affairs, critical appraisal, communication skills, practice management, etc.
Selection Criteria
- A superior academic record demonstrating special proficiency in subjects related to our specialty.
- Candidates will demonstrate potential in acquiring surgical technical skills.
- Candidates demonstrated interest in Cardiac Surgery with at least one rotation on a cardiac surgery service and a reference letter from a faculty member on that service.
- Three references are required. Where possible, you are encouraged to obtain references from academic specialists in cardiothoracic surgery, attesting to your interest and proficiency in the specialty, as well as comments on exemplary interpersonal skills.
- Candidates with an interest and/or proven experience in research, either at the level of basic science or clinical research, are encouraged to apply.
