Orthopaedic Surgery | Education | PGME
Residency Program Director
Dr. Nicholas Desy
Postgraduate Medical Education
Welcome to the University of Calgary's Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program. Our program was established in 1970, and we pride ourselves on providing exceptional postgraduate surgical education in a supportive academic environment. The program is fully accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
For more information about our program, please contact our Residency Program Coordinator.
Residency Program Administrator
Zainab (Zainy) Abdy
Phone: (403) 944-6684
Email: zainab.abdy@ahs.ca
Learn More About Our Program
There are five residency positions each year.
Applications are accepted through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS), and documentation will include:
- Completed application
- Personal statement
- Three letters of recommendation
Further information can be found on the CaRMS website.
An additional resource for individuals considering applying through CaRMS is the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC).
Select candidates will be invited to interview with the Program Director and various members of the Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Training Committee. This will also include an informal social evening that can help provide further insight into our program.
For more information about our program, please contact our Residency Program Administrator.
This link will highlights our Program, the Residents and our Program Director and shows what the Calgary Orthopaedic Residency Program has to offer you if you join our Program https://youtu.be/NozwBM4b69o
- Program Director: Dr. Nicholas Desy, MD, FRCSC, FAAOS
- Assistant Program Director: Dr. Peter Lewkonia, MD, MSc, FRCSC
- Residency Program Administrator: Ms. Zainab (Zainy) Abdy
- Education Leads:
- Foot and Ankle: Dr. Jeremy LaMothe, MD, PhD, FRCSC
- Hand and Wrist: Dr. Christina Hiscox, MD, FRCSC
- Hip and Knee Reconstruction: Dr. Jeremy Kubik, MD, FRCSC
- Oncology: Dr. Shannon Puloski, MD, FRCSC
- Paediatrics: Dr. Meaghan Marien, MD, FRCSC
- Shoulder and Elbow: Dr. Justin LeBlanc, MD, FRCSC
- Spine: Dr. Fred Nicholls, MD, FRCSC
- Sport Medicine Knee: Dr. Stephen French, MD, FRCSC
- Trauma: Dr. Andrew Dodd, MD, FRCSC
- Resident Research Director: Dr. Prism Schneider, MD, PhD, FRCSC
- Program Simulation Director: Dr. Justin LeBlanc, MD, FRCSC
- Resident Wellness Director: Dr. Jeremy LaMothe, MD, PhD, FRCSC
- Resident Representatives:
- Two Elected Lead Residents
- All PGY-5 Residents
- One Resident for PGY-4
- One Resident for PGY-3
- One Resident for PGY-2
- One Resident for PGY-1
View our committee members here.
View current Policies and Guidelines here.
Dr. Spencer McLean (January 20, 1977 - June 24, 2013) was an Orthopaedic Surgery Resident who had a lasting impact on everyone who met him. Learn more about Spencer and the Dr. Spencer McLean Memorial Award.
Why should you apply to UCalgary's Orthopaedic Residency Program? Visit our testimonials page and find out what our Chief Residents have to say about their experience.
At the University of Calgary, we place high importance on wellness and collegiality. As such, we provide free time for resident wellness and organize a variety of social and sporting activities throughout the year. These include:
- Orthopaedic Residents Golf Yearly Tournament
- Annual Resident Curling Bonspiel/Christmas Party
- Annual Geoff Cragg Ski Day
- Annual Spencer McLean Resident vs Faculty Hockey game
- Calgary Orthopaedic Group Cycling Club (COGcc)
- Weekly rides on Zwift and longer outdoor rides in summer
- Biannual resident retreat
- Annual year-end barbecue and sports day
View the PDF to learn more about our program's wellness and collegiality activities.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion within the University of Calgary Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program: The Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program at the University of Calgary is committed to the advancement of equity, diversity and inclusion for all applicants and members of the Program. It commends the diversity of our community, which is formed by our complex identities, life experiences and perspectives. All applicants, residents and faculty are encouraged to celebrate what makes them unique and individual. To achieve this, the Calgary Orthopaedic community strives to create a learning and working environment that treats everyone with respect and dignity that is free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying as well as any form of disrespectful behaviour. The Program also emphasizes the preparation of its residents to meet the needs of the diverse population and communities that they will ultimately serve in their careers in Canada and abroad.
Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 Region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations), as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations). The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3.
Five Year Curriculum
- Emergency Medicine - 1 Block
- General Surgery - 2 Blocks
- General Internal Medicine Consults - 1 Block
- Junior Paediatric Orthopaedics (ACH) - 3 Blocks
- Community Orthopaedics (RGH) - 3 Blocks
- Acute Care Orthopaedics (FMC) - 3 Blocks
- ICU (minimum 1 block trauma) - 2 Blocks
- Community Orthopaedics Trauma/Arthroplasty/Hand and Wrist (SHC) - 2 Blocks
- Junior Arthroplasty (RGH) - 3 Blocks
- Junior Sport Medicine (PLC) - 2 Blocks
- Junior Trauma (FMC) - 2 Blocks
- Junior Spine (FMC) - 2 Blocks
- Orthopaedic Surgery Electives - 2 Block
- Paediatric Orthopaedics (ACH) - 2 Blocks
- Tumour/Reconstruction (FMC) - 3 Blocks
- Senior Sport Medicine (SHC) - 3 Blocks
- Foot and Ankle (PLC) - 3 Blocks
- Orthopaedic Surgery Electives - 3 Blocks
- Rural Rotation - 1 Block
- Anatomy/Pathology - 4 x 2 Hour Lectures
- Senior Arthroplasty (RGH of PLC) - 3 Blocks
- Hand and Wrist (SHC) - 3 Blocks
- Senior Spine (FMC) - 3 Blocks
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Orthopaedic Clinics – 1 Block
-
Paediatric Orthopaedics (ACH) - 3 Blocks
-
Upper Extremity (PLC) - 3 Blocks
-
Senior Trauma (FMC) - 3 Blocks
-
Orthopaedic Surgery Selectives - 3 Blocks
Academic Half Day
Each Thursday afternoon is a protected educational time when a curriculum of core orthopaedic topics is presented. Although the format may vary, most sessions are case-based or problem-based learning with resident participation, and some sessions are didactic lectures or other formats due to the nature of the topic itself. Resident feedback is obtained after each session to fine-tune the curriculum and ensure it meets resident educational needs and objectives. Attendance is mandatory unless the resident is on vacation or doing an out-of-town elective.