The Anesthesiology program at NOSM strives to be outstanding. Entering our nineth year, this program has grown out of a decade of training Royal College residents.
Highlights of the NOSM Anesthesiology program include a proven track record at the Royal College Examinations, unparalleled clinical experience, skilled and enthusiastic faculty members.

Other strengths of the program relate to the innovative, comprehensive curriculum and assessment process. Residents in this program receive frequent feedback to help acquire lifelong, reflective learning skills ensuring that each resident meets their learning objectives and reaches their full potential.

The academic program is heavily based on active learning through simulation and problem-based cases. This program is constantly evaluated and modified to ensure a high-quality academic and clinical experience. We are using a unique, modular framework to implement CBD to help organize and guide the residents’ progress while allowing flexibility.

Residents in this program will have a number of opportunities unique to Northern Ontario. While the majority of the training takes place in Sudbury, the opportunity for clinical experiences in various centers across the North, from small rural hospitals to other major centers such as Thunder Bay, provides a unique chance to understand how anesthesia is provided in a variety of settings and provides exposure to potential career opportunities.

As a new and growing program, resident feedback is an integral part of shaping this program for the future. This is a program that is extremely responsive to resident input.

In addition to clinical research opportunities, residents have a unique ability to engage in medical education scholarship in this cutting-edge program.

Northern Ontario is not dependent on resident service to function. Residents are an integral part of the perioperative team but are not necessary for the day-to-day functioning of the hospital. This means we are all about education! The service to education balance is very much in favour of the resident.

Residents in this program will work in a collegial group, dedicated to outstanding clinical care and education, living in a growing city with lots of opportunities for outdoor living.

In addition to the above, other aspects of the NOSM program that set it apart include:

• Rapid integration as a valued member of the health care team
• Community-based, clinical learning experiences
• Exposure to the culture and social fabric of Francophone and Indigenous communities
• State of the art technologies in both the clinical and academic setting
• Exceptional lifestyle balance with a multitude of recreational opportunities in Northern Ontario
  

Applications will be accepted through the CaRMS R-1 Match application process.

Being a smaller program, are there any major clinical areas that are lacking in exposure?

No, not really. Sudbury has a relatively high number of ORs covering all major surgical specialties with exposure to high acuity cases. Residents are able to gain exposure in these subspecialty rooms throughout their training, not exclusively during subspecialty rotations. Residents are scheduled in other centers to complement their local training. For example, while residents gain exposure to pediatric cases longitudinally, the program has an affiliation agreement with the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children for high volume, subspecialty pediatric anesthesia training. Residents are exposed to regional anesthesia and obstetrics longitudinally throughout their training as well.

How’s the learning environment in a small program?

The learning environment is very positive and collegial. Staff and residents get to know each other very well and all program stakeholders including the Program Director are just a text away. Being a small program allows for one to one, staff to resident ratio every day. Residents are able to develop a rapport & familiarity with staff. The small size of the program also allows for each voice to carry more weight in helping shape and reshape the program.

What exposure do residents have to simulation?

Our program integrates simulation throughout the entire training program. During orientation, residents are introduced to simulation within the first few days of being a resident! Simulation is integrated into our academic program and tied to the topics presented during the academic half days. This gives residents exposure to simulation approximately 6-8 times per year. We also have a simulation review day the week before the academic exams to help bring home key learning that has occurred over the past few months. Finally, we are excited for the opening of the new Labelle Innovation and Learning Centre, which will be home to the new simulation center.

Is the program based only in Sudbury?

The resident’s home base is Sudbury, however, over the course of the five year program there are many opportunities to do rotations outside of Sudbury. For example, the SickKids rotation is for three consecutive months in fourth year. Residents currently go to Thunder Bay once a year for rotations such as chronic pain, respirology and general anesthesia. Residents also do two community anesthesia rotations in northern Ontario during the five years. For all rotations that done outside of Sudbury, NOSM arranges for and pays for all accommodations.

What activities are available in Sudbury outside of work?

Sudbury is a very active city all year round. There are 330 lakes within the City limits, and these lakes are used in all four seasons for swimming, boating, kayaking, canoeing, and ice fishing, walking, snowshoeing and skating –the list goes on! Ramsey Lake is located in the middle of Sudbury, and it once held the record for the world’s largest lake located entirely within the boundaries of a city. There are many hiking trails only a few minutes away. There is also a thriving community of locally owned distilleries and breweries, restaurants, bars, and coffee shops.