General Surgery

Program Director
Dr. Lloyd Mack
Room 1028, North Tower
1403 - 29 Street NW
Calgary  AB  T2N 2T9
Phone: (403) 944-8022
Fax: (403)270-0148
e-mail: lloyd.mack@albertahealthservices.ca

For further information see also:
http://www.carms.ca
http://www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/faculties/medicine/surgery

Program Outline
The 5-year general surgery program at the University of Calgary is designed to meet the objectives of core training in surgery and to provide for broad-based training in the specialty of
general surgery.

The PGY-1 year will include rotations in trauma, emergency medicine, general surgery, anesthesia, internal medicine and orthopedic rotations (1 block = 4 weeks).

PGY-1

Internal Medicine (Medical Consult Service)	1 block
Orthopedic Surgery/Neurosurgery	2 blocks
Emergency Medicine	2 blocks
General Surgery Service 04 (Trauma)	3 blocks
General Surgery Service 02, PLC	3 blocks
General Surgery Service   3, FHH	2 blocks

PGY-2  

ICU, FHH	3 blocks
Elective/Research	2 blocks
General Surgery Service 2, FHH (Oncology)	3 blocks
General Surgery Team 03, PLC (Colorectal)	3 blocks
Plastic Surgery	2 blocks

PGY-3

Research/Elective	2 blocks
GI, FHH	3 blocks
Urology/Transplant	2 blocks
Pediatric Surgery, ACH	3 blocks
General Surgery Service 1, FHH	3 blocks

PGY-4

Pathology	2 blocks
General Surgery Service 1, FHH	2 blocks
Elective/Research	2 block
General Surgery Service 2, FHH (Oncology)	3 blocks
General Surgery Service 04 (Trauma)	2 blocks
General Sugery Team 01, PLC	2 blocks

PGY-5

General Surgery - Rural, RVH	2 blocks
General Surgery Team 02, PLC	3 blocks
General Surgery Team 03, PLC (Colorectal)	3 blocks
General Surgery Service 3, FHH	3 blocks
Thoracics	2 blocks

Seminars and Rounds
Seminars in basic science, anatomy, pathology, and clinical problems are presented weekly. Courses in critical thinking, ethics and educational skills are offered throughout the program. This educational time is protected by employment of "physician extenders" to provide patient care.

Research
A program on critical literature appraisal and research design is offered in the PGY-1 year. For the remaining years, ongoing participation in research projects is a mandatory part of the
general surgery training program in Calgary. Residents are expected to initiate a research project under the guidance of the faculty. These research projects are presented on an annual basis. The residents have access to a computer lab with internet capability. The Office of Surgical Research will assist in study design and statistical analysis. Residents with an interest in research can apply for the surgeon scientist program with salary funding for up to 2 years with the goal of obtaining a graduate degree.

Resources

• Peter Lougheed Centre
• Foothills Medical Centre
• Alberta Children's Hospital
• Rockyview General Hospital 

Selection Criteria
Application to the General Surgery program is through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS).

Candidates must provide the following:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Academic letter
• Academic record
• Personal letter
• 3 reference letters from physicians, including at least two from specialists in general surgery, to be forwarded directly to our office by the reference writers. Specific comments related to ability, interpersonal skills and interest in surgery are helpful.

The following attributes will be considered:

• Research background - candidates should specifically address their interest in clinical and/or basic science research.
• Prior experience in surgery - this refers not only to their rotations in surgery as a medical student and clinical clerk but also to the electives the applicant may have done in surgery.
• Past experience, future goals and aspirations are considered.
• Maturity, sensitivity and honesty are important qualities in a surgical candidate and demonstration of these attributes will be sought for during the selection process.