Overview

The Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine Residency Training Program is dedicated to excellence in education. Our program provides an opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and experience necessary for a medical career in Pathology and/or Laboratory Medicine. Currently, post-graduate medical training is offered in the following four areas:

1. Anatomic Pathology
2. General Pathology
3. Medical Microbiology
4. Medical Biochemistry

The Residency Training Program is accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and is structured to meet the College’s high standards of education. The areas of study within the program are designed to ensure the flexibility necessary to meet individual career needs.

Residents are provided ample opportunities for basic research related to their area of training. In addition, both Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Master of Science (M.Sc.) degrees are available through the Faculty of Health Sciences Graduate Program.

Admissions

Applications are accepted through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS). The number of residents selected varies annually according to anticipated manpower demand.

For more information on Admissions, visit the Postgraduate Education website

Facilities

Since 1970, Hamilton has pioneered a model of regionalization for Laboratory Medical Services. Residents are granted rotations through two teaching institutes in the area: Hamilton Health Science Corporation (HSC) and St. Joseph's Healthcare. In total, the bed complement exceeds 1800.

Hamilton Health Sciences includes the following four major hospitals:

• Chedoke
• Henderson General
• Hamilton General
• McMaster University Medical Centre

Henderson General is closely associated with the Juravinski/Hamilton Regional Cancer Centre, which functions primarily as a screening and treatment centre for cancer. The McMaster University Medical Centre includes the Children's Hospital, which focuses on child healthcare. Hamilton General is the regional centre for trauma, cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery and forensic pathology. Finally, Chedoke is a non-acute care hospital in which many of HSC's rehabilitation programs are located, including the Acquired Brain Injury Program and a leading Prosthetics and Orthotics Department. McMaster's Children's Hospital also has a number of outpatient services at Chedoke, and many of the Hospital's administrative services can also be found there.

St. Joseph's Healthcare includes an active downtown hospital and an ambulatory care centre at the east end of the city. St. Joseph's Hospital is the regional centre for chest disease, renal transplantation, head and neck surgery and mental health.

Educational Activities

Within each training program, academic half days are scheduled into the curriculum to provide an opportunity for discussion and educational development. During this time, information is presented on an array of relavant topics, including biomedical ethics, critical journal appraisal and laboratory management. In addition, the Faculty of Health Sciences Post-Graduate Office routinely organizes academic half days, which are open to all residents within the Faculty of Health Sciences. Speakers are invited to discuss topics that are of interest to residents of all programmes. There are many clinical and clinicopathological rounds at different sites for interested residents.

Residents are also encouraged to pursue research project throughout the four years. Papers are presented at the annual residents' research day. An award for the best paper is presented usually during the evening dinner for residents and faculties. These papers are generally presented subsequently in provincial, national or international meetings. Some papers may also be nominated for other awards within McMaster University.

Funding

The salary range is set by the Professional Association of Interns and Residents of Ontario (PAIRO).