Why choose University of Ottawa for your Postgraduate Medical Education Training!

• Excellent training opportunities: We offer more than 75 training programs that provide innovative clinical experiences through a variety of educational strategies that guide our trainees into well-rounded clinicians. New residency and fellowship training programs are continually being implemented with our partner hospitals as we collaboratively enhance patient care.
• Leading health care settings: Our residents and fellows complete their medical training in our affiliated academic health science centres, including The Ottawa Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Hôpital Montfort, The Royal and Bruyère Continuing Care, as well as hospitals in rural communities in Eastern and Northern Ontario. Additionally, we have one of the largest medical simulation facilities in North America, the University of Ottawa Skills and Simulations Centre.
• Training in a Francophone milieu: Training in French is offered by many programs through our partnership with L’Hôpital Montfort. Furthermore, we offer unique training opportunities with our international partner, L’Université de Lyon in France.
• Specialties, subspecialties, and Area of Focused Competence (AFC) programs: We offer 29 specialty and 37 subspecialty programs that lead to certification by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, as well as core Family Medicine and 7 Enhanced Skills programs leading to certification by the College of Family Physicians of Canada. In addition, uOttawa offers 9 AFC programs that provide advanced post-residency training accredited by the Royal College. These AFCs build on broader disciplines to expand and deepen the scope of clinical practice.
• Fellowships and Clinician Investigator Program (CIP): We offer many fellowship opportunities and accept over 150 foreign trainees annually who bring a wide range of skills and cultural diversity that serve to enrich our programs and Faculty. Our CIP allows residents to complete either a Masters or PhD while conducting research and providing health care.

Our Mission 

To expand our global leadership in a dynamic environment through interdisciplinary innovation in education, research, health of populations, and patient-partnered care, in both official languages. Together, we strive to push the boundaries of medical education and patient care, in alignment with the Faculty of Medicine’s strategic vision: “Leading innovation for a healthier world.”

The goal of the program is to provide comprehensive training in the investigation, diagnosis, treatment, and management of gastrointestinal disorders requiring advanced luminal endoscopic intervention. Our aim is to deliver advanced luminal therapeutic endoscopic training, with a particular focus on the staging and endoscopic resection of pre-malignant and malignant conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as the endoscopic management of other gastrointestinal diseases. In addition, we seek to instill in the trainee a strong interest in research projects involving luminal therapeutic endoscopy.  The program offers hands-on training in advanced luminal therapeutic endoscopy under the guidance of expert faculty. Areas of focus include advanced optical diagnosis using chromoendoscopy and magnifying endoscopy; Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR); Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD); Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM); Zenker’s septotomy/Z-POEM; double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE); radiofrequency ablation (RFA); and capsule endoscopy.  Fellows will also gain exposure to endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for the evaluation of gastrointestinal luminal lesions, including gastrointestinal cancers and subepithelial lesions.

Additionally, they will receive training in the interpretation of esophageal function tests, including high-resolution manometry and 24-hour pH-impedance monitoring of the upper gastrointestinal tract.  The training follows a structured, stepwise progression designed to ensure the safe and effective acquisition of advanced endoscopic skills. Fellows are expected to have prior experience with at least 1,000 esophagogastroduodenoscopies and 500 colonoscopies before beginning hands-on training in therapeutic endoscopy. The initial phase of training focuses on EMR. Before starting EMR, fellows must be proficient in diagnostic colonoscopy, small polypectomy for lesions under 10 mm, pedunculated polypectomy, and endoscopic hemostasis. During the EMR phase, fellows will develop theoretical knowledge in areas such as risk assessment for submucosal invasion, evaluation of technical difficulty, selection between en bloc and piecemeal resection, appropriate use of energy devices, management of adverse events, and interpretation of pathology results. Training in lesion assessment will include the Paris classification, pit pattern classification, NICE classification using narrow-band imaging, and the JNET classification. Fellows will also learn the differences between cold and hot EMR techniques, with an emphasis on standardized technique and assessment of post-resection defects. They will acquire skills to manage intraprocedural bleeding and perforation, recognize delayed complications, and evaluate resection sites for recurrence, including planning for retreatment when necessary.  Training in ESD begins after fellows have completed approximately 30 EMRs. Initial preparation includes observation of at least 20 live ESD cases and assistance in a minimum of 5 procedures before initiating hands-on ESD. Fellows are also expected to participate in formal ESD training courses and supplement their learning through online educational resources. Practical training is conducted using ex vivo models, with recommended practice on 10 to 30 simulated lesions. Clinical training begins with partial involvement in rectal or gastric ESD procedures.

As experience and technical ability develop, fellows gradually assume greater responsibility during procedures. The ultimate goal is to enable fellows to safely and independently perform ESD for basic lesions.  Training in other advanced procedures including POEM, Z-POEM, DBE, RFA, and capsule endoscopy is provided as clinical opportunities arise. Fellows will observe and assist in these procedures before performing them under supervision, following a structured, case-based progression. The program emphasizes individualized instruction and skill development, tailored to each fellow’s background, level of readiness, and procedural availability.  The fellow is expected to work 40 hours per week. This includes three half-days dedicated to advanced luminal therapeutic endoscopy and one half-day in therapeutic endoscopy performed under general anesthesia. The fellow will also be involved in general endoscopy procedures. In addition to clinical duties, the fellow will participate in gastroenterology rounds and multidisciplinary team meetings.  The fellow is expected to engage in research related to luminal therapeutic endoscopy, including both prospective and retrospective data collection, as well as grant writing, protocol development, and manuscript preparation. In addition, the fellow will be involved in teaching activities within the Division of Gastroenterology.

In order to be admissible for a fellowship position, you must meet the following criteria:

• Have a medical degree from an accredited institution listed in the World Directory of Medical School confirming school is recognized in Canada (Sponsor Notes tab);
• Have successfully completed a specialty program before the beginning of the fellowship;
• Be certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) or another recognized international certification board (organization outside of Canada and the United States that certifies medical specialists), or at a minimum, have completed a residency program and be admissible to take the Royal College, CFPC or USA certification exams;
• Have successfully completed an English proficiency test, if applicable. See requirements below.

Language Requirements:

Must provide proof of English language proficiency through ONE of the following:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)-Academic with a minimum score of 7 in each component, OR;
• TOEFL-iBT; passing score of 93, including a minimum score of 24 on the speaking section, OR;
• Occupational English Test (OET)-Medicine with a minimum grade of B in each component, OR;
• The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP General) with a minimum score of 9 in each of the four skills, OR;
• Candidates for whom their primary and secondary, medical school or specialty education was conducted in English, proof must be attached to application, OR;
• World Directory of Medical Schools Language Option – If the instruction and the language of patient care at the undergraduate medical school was conducted completely in English, then a candidate can submit a copy or printout of the World Directory of Medical Schools website (Program Details tab) listing the medical school which clearly states that the language of instruction is English.

Applicants must be able to communicate proficiently in the language of instruction and patient care of the training site.

Note that you may apply only to a Clinical Fellowship in the same discipline (or subdiscipline) in which you are recognized as a specialist.

Sponsorship is mandatory in order to apply.