Application Process
Deadline: March 31 (Year prior to fellowship start).
Significant technological advancements have resulted in a rapid expansion of the field of advanced/ therapeutic endoscopy. As a tertiary referral centre for southern Alberta and a number of locations in neighboring British Columbia, the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Calgary is proud to offer specialized endoscopic care for a catchment area of 1.5 - 2 million patients. Our clinical service for fluoroscopy-assisted procedures is centralized at the Peter Lougheed Centre. Other advanced endoscopic procedures take place to some extent at all sites within Calgary.
Our mission is to train academically oriented advanced/ therapeutic endoscopists who are optimally prepared for independent practice upon completion of their training. As such, it is a mandatory requirement that all trainees engage in research and complete a research project alongside their clinical fellowship program. The highly centralized nature of our clinical service provision in combination with our high procedural volumes allow us to offer a diverse clinical training experience in ERCP, EUS, luminal therapeutics, deep enteroscopy, RFA, EMR and difficult polypectomy, among others.
We have a well-established research program in luminal endoscopy, with a rapidly growing research program in pancreatico-biliary endoscopy. In 2018, we launched a unique prospective research project, the Calgary Registry for Advanced and Therapeutic Endoscopy (CReATE). Our goal and expectation is to be involved, both as leaders and collaborators, in high-impact endoscopy research for years to come. Examples of active studies include:
Deadline: March 31 (Year prior to fellowship start).
Between one and two new fellowship positions are available yearly with an academic year July 1 – June 30. Occasionally, the program will not take a fellow in a given cycle. Training in basic endoscopy (gastroscopy and colonoscopy) is a prerequisite. Our fellows are typically trained gastroenterologists, but applications from general surgeons are also welcomed. We favour applicants who wish to pursue a two-year fellowship with concurrent research training and/or productivity. After an initial review of the above materials, highly ranked candidates are requested to participate in remote or in-person interviews, from an initial pool of typically 40-50 applicants.
We prioritize candidates who wish to complete two years of training, ideally pursuing a concurrent graduate degree in a healthcare-related field (MSc, MPH, or similar). Fellowship positions are fully funded (see details below), but candidates are also encouraged to apply for clinical fellowship awards (such as those available through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology) to supplement their funding. Support is also available to cover the tuition costs associated with any concurrently pursued graduate program. In addition, funding is available to support trainees who wish to attend scholarly meetings and conferences, with preference given to trainees who are presenting their own work.
Interviews: Typically conducted during the first week of September.
Funding: Fully funded by the Pentax Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy Fellowship Award, at up to $75,000/year (CDN).