Why Choose UCalgary Anesthesiology
Learn more about our program, what we offer, and why you should choose UCalgary.
Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine Residency
Start your journey
At the University of Calgary, we offer a five-year specialist training program in Anesthesiology, recognized by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Training occurs at all five hospitals in Calgary and our program has a focus on striving to achieve the correct balance between general medical and specialist focused training, clinical experience and non-operating room instruction, tertiary care and community experiences and rigorous training and resident wellness.
In accordance with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, our residency program has functioned successfully as a Competence by Design Program now for several years.
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UCaglary PGME
Hear from our residents as to why you should choose UCalgary.
Choosing a residency program outside of your home can be a bit daunting. Coming to Calgary from out of province I feel so lucky to have ended up at a program that not only supports their residents to excel academically, but personally as well. From our fantastic administrative team to our amazing program leadership and all the wonderful staff we work with every day - I feel that Calgary has cultivated both a strong program and community. Additionally, we have great exposure to different areas of practice within anesthesiology, so no matter what path your career may end up taking, the program here in Calgary will set you up for success
Dr. Brynn Walker R3
Department of Anesthesiology - 2024
Our goal
Our goal is to attract honest, intelligent and innovative students and then guide them into becoming well-rounded physicians who possess the specialized knowledge and skills required in modern anesthetic practice. We are constantly re-evaluating our program in order to optimize the educational experiences of our residents, and to ensure that their skills will meet the future needs of the specialty and society at large. We are not afraid to embrace new methods and means to accomplish these goals, and our faculty work together with our residents to accomplish the shared goal of producing the best anesthesiologists possible with the resources available to us.
Our program
Our program is designed to enable residents to be able to work well independently the day after they graduate, and to be in the best position possible to pursue the fellowship opportunities that they desire. Our residents are constantly encouraged to "think big" and "aim high", and to appreciate that residency is a unique chapter in their lives in which they are free to pursue any educational endeavor that they desire.
Our residents
We currently have 41 residents who work closely with faculty members from day one of residency to ensure they reach their full potential and achieve their progressional goals by the completion of their residency training.
Our past residents
Our past residents have gone on to complete a diverse range of fellowship specialties such as cardiac anesthesia, neuro anesthesia, pediatric anesthesia, obstetric anesthesia, perioperative medicine, perioperative ultrasound, medical education and simulation, chronic pain, transfusion medicine and prehospital and transport medicine (STARS) to name a few. We have had residents train all over the world including the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, Massachusetts General, Oxford, University of Pennsylvania, Duke University, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Stanford.
Re-Entry Training for Physicians in Anesthesiology
Anesthesia FRCPC Applications Now Open for July 1, 2025
Re-entry Applications for Anesthesia FRCPC are now being accepted for the July 1, 2025, start date. The deadline for submission is December 15, 2024. Before applying, be sure to review the PGME Re-entry eligibility criteria. You must be a physician practicing in Alberta who wishes to re-enter residency training to apply.
For more information, please contact anesthesiology.residency@ahs.ca.
Resident Wellness
Our program builds in multiple events throughout the year with a focus on resident wellness, building resident resilience and comradery. Some of these include a welcome BBQ, funded resident retreat weekend, resident team building day, as well as many optional informal get togethers.
Hard work is required in any residency program, but we are very fortunate in Calgary to have program leadership who understand the importance of balance and who work hard to create opportunities for residents to connect outside of the hospital. For me, our annual resident retreat weekend in Canmore and wellness ski day have been yearly highlights. They have allowed me to have not just supportive co-residents, but also close friends who share in both the challenges and triumphs of residency with me, which is invaluable. As residents, we have ample opportunity to provide suggestions and feedback to our receptive seniors and staff, allowing us a voice within the program. I’m so excited to see our program continue to develop and grow over the coming years.
Dr. Claire Sumner R3
Department of Anesthesiology - 2024
Calgary is a beautiful city full of diversity and culture. The perioperative community is broad, with access to extensive subspecialties and a wide range of out-of-hospital surgical facilities. We are extremely privileged to learn from such passionate and skilled educators, with comprehensive exposure to all subspecialties of anesthetic care. Not to mention our fantastic geographical access to mountains, lakes, skiing, hiking, and any other outdoor activities to maintain a meaningful connection to the land we live on.
Dr. Tyson Bodor R2
Department of Anesthesiology - 2024
Our wellness initiatives
Each year, the PGY-4 residents organize a retreat for the residents. These retreats enhance resident camaraderie and socialization with residents and their families. Activities are also planned to increase staff-resident social interactions, and to develop non-medical expert CanMEDS competencies.
Every year, we host resident wellness retreat in the lovely mountains of Alberta.
Every CBD resident is assigned their own academic coach. The Academic Coach guides the resident to be the best anesthesiologist they can be, in the broadest terms possible. This includes the intrinsic CanMEDS roles, resiliency, professional identity formation, emotional intelligence, leadership, mentorship, and other academic skills.
Every incoming R1 is paired right after match day with a junior and a senior resident. They can ask them anything! From where to look for housing, what the city is like, how call works, etc...they are your on the ground support system and friends!
You can look forward to our resident intramural team that participates in a multi-sport league!
We also spend time together in a non-organized fashion. Be it celebrating birthdays or team dinners or post call ski days. We are a close knit group.
