Introduction: A career in Maternal-Fetal medicine

Sub-specialization within Obstetrics and Gynecology has developed over the last two decades. With increasing sophistication in fetal imaging and the ability to observe the intrauterine environment, the concept of the fetus as a patient was born. Concomitant with the explosion in technologies for prenatal diagnosis and medical and surgical fetal therapy came the need for an obstetric perinatologist or fetal physician. Such an individual, by definition, would require a firm grounding in physiology and pathophysiology of the fetus and would be prepared to address, through scientific enquiry, some of the unresolved dilemmas in perinatal medicine. The role of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialist, or perinatologist, has developed as complementary to that of the obstetrician and in current practice the job description also encompasses the tasks of administration, education, and fetal advocate. In this country, where regionalization perinatal care has been shown advantageous, with improved outcome and lowered health care costs, the obstetric perinatologist will be found in academic tertiary level centers. These individuals have clinical practices limited to care of the high-risk mother and her fetus.

In 1986, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada approved the first sub-specialty training program in Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Currently there are 10 Royal College accredited programs in Canada (accreditation without certification). Graduates of two-year Canadian program may receive a diploma stating that they have successfully completed a program accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada - RCPSC. They can expect to gain experience in a wide variety of medical complications of pregnancy, detailed sonographic fetal diagnosis, prenatal genetic diagnosis and screening, and fetal, maternal, and neonatal intensive care. The MFM fellow is expected to make an original contribution to the perinatal literature during his/her training, developing an appropriate research question and methodological approach and gather the relevant data to answer it. Within the University based practice the MFM sub-specialists, in addition to fulfilling clinical commitments, plays a role of educator to the community and other members of the health care team, health policy advisor, auditor of ongoing health practices and researcher. The distribution of time spent in these activities may vary widely.

Patterns of clinical practice within Canada also range from an exclusively consultative service to primary care physician for regional perinatal transfer. The ultimate lifestyle of the perinatologist will be predicated by the pattern of practice and the fiscal arrangements (fee-for-service or salaried positions), the size of the regional center and number of practice partners.

Job opportunities

In 1990, the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Committee of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada published a prospectus on manpower needs in MFM suggesting an excess demand for MFM sub-specialists for 1990's in excess of the anticipated supply with the current number of trainees. The demand in Canada for trained MFM specialists, though less well defined, favor continued growth to meet the target ratio of 6 Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists per 10,000 births in each region.

The vocation of an academic career in Maternal-Fetal Medicine awaits the candidate seeking personal fulfilment, financial security, and intellectual challenge with the desire to explore the concept of the fetus as a patient.

Contact

Mailing Address

The Ottawa Hospital, General Campus
501 Smyth Road
Box 804
Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6

Dr. Brigitte Bonin, Fellowship Program Director
E-mail: [email protected]

For information on MFM Clinical Fellowship

Gabriel Coelho
Program Coordinator,
Postgraduate Clinical Fellowship Programs
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Phone: 613-737-8899 ext. 73254 | E-mail: [email protected]

MFM clinical fellowship program application process

All applicants to the Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellowship Program must apply directly through the uOttawa Postgraduate Medical Education Office.

The University of Ottawa will require the following information to complete your application:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Proof of Medical Degree
• Proof of Specialty Degree
• 3 Current Original Reference Letters (dated and signed)
• Confirmation of Sponsorship
• Apply through the PGME's prospective trainees page

Applications will be reviewed by the Fellowship Committee in Maternal Fetal Medicine and candidates will be contacted for interviews in October /November for positions beginning July 1st, start date.

For information on Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship, please contact: please contact: [email protected]

This is a two-year clinical fellowship training program with MOH funding for Canadian medical graduates. International medical graduates may apply, but they must have a designated funding source, typically provided by their country of origin. There is an optional third year for research or focused training in robotic surgery.

As of July 1, 2022, the fellowship program has transitioned to a Competency By Design (CBD) education model. Trainees will progress through the core competencies, as assessed by completion of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) in Gynecologic Oncology as outlined by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in the following progression:

1. Transition to Discipline
2. Foundations of Discipline
3. Core
4. Transition to Pratice

Graduated responsibilities will include competency in the management of patients on the inpatient ward, assessment of patients in the chemotherapy day care unit, inpatient consultations, competencies with radical surgical procedures as applicable to gynecologic oncology and evaluation and management of patients presenting to emergency department. Active participation in the Gynecologic Oncology Multidisciplinary Cancer Conference (MCC) is expected. The resident will be expected to fully integrate themselves into the multidisciplinary model of care environment and to function as leader within the team under the supervision of attending staff physicians.

From a surgical exposure perspective, the resident will progress through a graduated experience in radical and complex gynecologic oncology procedures by open, laparoscopic and robotic approaches as per program and Royal College objectives. The division operates five days a week allowing for significant case load variety and volumes. The resident is expected to keep a detailed surgical logbook of cases throughout training.

Formal teaching is given during the weekly academic half day by gynecologic oncologists, medical and radiation oncologists, pharmacists, basic scientists and palliative care physicians. There will be formal teaching in research methodology and clinical appraisal skills. Residents will be expected to participate in and present at regular Journal Club, Morbidity and Mortality Rounds and Quality and Patient Safety Rounds. They will also be expected to present at Obstetrics and Gynecology Grand Rounds and Gynecology Teaching Rounds.

Required off service rotations:

1. Radiation Oncology – two months
2. Medical Oncology – two months
3. Palliative Care – one month

Two months in second year will be dedicated to elective rotations of the resident’s choosing. The remainder of the time will be spent on Gynecologic Oncology rotations.

Research

The Division’s research strengths include ovarian cancer translational and clinical research, health service research, minimally invasive surgery, knowledge transfer and health systems management. The program has an established strong basic science department and an endowed chair in ovarian cancer research. The teaching faculty have academic backgrounds in public health, clinical epidemiology, biostatistics and population health and basic science/translational research. In addition, the program has two senior accomplished basic scientists who are very active in basic research, as well as a dedicated gynecologic pathologists. Residents are expected to carry out at least one publishable research project by the end of their training to fulfill the research requirement of the Royal College. The following supports will be available to the residents to assist them in fulfilling these requirements:

• Dedicated half day teaching in epidemiology, biostatistics, and research methodology
• Regular Journal Club meetings where critical appraisal skills are taught and developed
• Supervision and support from a faculty mentor of the resident’s choosing to assist in developing and completing a research project within the fellowship training timeframe
• The residents are expected to present their research protocols and final results at the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Research Day in May of each year

Canadian applicants

Interested applicants should send a personal letter, a complete CV, and 3 reference letters to the program director and program administrator by June 30th for a July 1 position to start the following academic year. 

Graduates of international medical schools outside North America

Interested applicants must apply directly through the uOttawa Postgraduate Medical Education Office.

The University of Ottawa will require the following information to complete your application:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Proof of Medical Degree
• Proof of Specialty Degree
• 3 Current Original Reference Letters (dated and signed)
• Confirmation of Sponsorship

Applications will be reviewed by the Fellowship Program and candidates selected for interview will be contacted in October /November for positions beginning July 1st the following year.

Dr. Sarah Sinasac
Director, Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Program
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
[email protected]

Gabriel Coelho
Program Coordinator,
Postgraduate Clinical Fellowship Programs
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Phone: 613-737-8899 ext. 73254 | E-mail: [email protected]

The Ottawa hospital minimally invasive gynecology surgery fellowship

The Ottawa Hospital Minimally Invasive Gynecology Surgery Division in the Department of Ob/Gyn is an AAGL certified program affiliated with CanSAGE.

The fellowship is posted as a 2 year academic/clinical experience focusing on minimally invasive gynecologic surgical approaches for complex benign gynecologic disease. It includes an intensive surgical exposure in the operating room and our innovative outpatient hysteroscopy surgical suite. Additional strengths of the program include experience in approaches to pelvic pain, surgical education (fellows run a monthly MIS lab for residents), organizing national level CME events and the opportunity to develop academic projects in one of the many areas that our group is working on.

View more detailed information regarding the fellowship.

Applications should be submitted to the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL).

For further information or questions please contact:

Gabriel Coelho
Program Coordinator,
Postgraduate Clinical Fellowship Programs
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Phone: 613-737-8899 ext. 73254 | E-mail: [email protected]

Introduction

Pediatric Adolescent Gynecology (PAG) is a subspecialty division within the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Newborn Care (TOH), the Department of Surgery (CHEO) and The University of Ottawa.  Our 1-Year funded Program offers the first bilingual PAG Fellowship in Canada.

This PAG Fellowship program will focus on the diagnosis and management of common problems in pediatric gynecology, congenital reproductive tract anomalies, pediatric & adolescent gynecologic malignancies, gynecologic disorders in medically ill children, reproductive endocrinopathies affecting children, contraceptive issue for the adolescent and obstetrical care for the adolescent patient. The Fellow is expected to develop the knowledge and skills appropriate to professionally function in the following roles: Medical expert, Communicator, Collaborator, Manager, Health Advocate, Scholar, and Professional in PAG.

Requirements

Canadian Applicants

• Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of Intent
• 3 Reference Letters (please note: 1 reference letter must be from your current Program Director)
• Copy of Medical Degree

Non-Canadian Applicants

• Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of Intent
• 3 Reference Letters (please note: 1 reference letter must be from your current Program   Director)
• Funding source
• Copy of medical degree (including original and English translation)
• Copy of Specialty degree (including original and English translation) in the specialty or sub specialty sought

Main Contact

Gabriel Coelho
Program Coordinator,
Postgraduate Clinical Fellowship Programs
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Phone: 613-737-8899 ext. 73254 | E-mail: [email protected]

Program Director

Dr. Tania Dumont
Associate Professor
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
University of Ottawa
CHEO
Email: t[email protected]

Deadline for Application Submission

July 1 for a position to start the following academic year
Applications will be reviewed in July and if selected for interview, the interviews will take place end of August or early September.

• Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Objectives
• North American Society For Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (NASPAG)
• Obstetrics/Gynecology Fellowship Match

The University of Ottawa Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynaecologic Reproductive Medicine invites applicants for fellowship training in Gynaecologic Reproductive Medicine.

This is a fully funded Royal College Accredited two-year program. This fellowship incorporates all Royal College Requirements for training in a fully individualized training program. Residents will gain extensive training in clinical or basic science research, and the medical and surgical care of infertility patients.

Training is broken down as follows:

• Clinical Rotation in: Clinical Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Paediatric Gynecology, Paediatric Endocrinology, IVF- ET, Infertility Surgery, and Menopause.
• Ultrasound: This rotation is spent specifically learning ultrasound with respect to investigations, treatment and early obstetrics in the infertility patients. The fellow is expected to take the ARDMS examination by the end of the two years.
• Research and Teaching: The research rotation will include a course at the University of Ottawa on Clinical Trials and Statistical Methods. The fellow has the option to include laboratory experience in the basic science laboratories in the Loeb Research Institute and the gamete laboratory of the human IVF lab. The trainee will be expected to have submitted at least one research paper to a peer-reviewed journal by the end of the training period. Funding is provided to attend meetings to present research. The trainee will also participate in teaching our OB/GYN resident staff and undergraduate students. The trainee presents at the biweekly REI journal club.

The Ottawa Fertility Centre sees approximately 10,300 clinic visits per year. The IVF unit treats 660 cycles of IVF per year and also treats 800 cycles per year of AI, Ovulation induction and Superovulation with Intrauterine Insemination. The OFC Ultrasound Unit performs 9600 ultrasounds per year.

Residents are registered with the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa as post-graduate trainees and are as such eligible for all extra training programs offered through the Faculty of Medicine. 

This subspecialty residency program incorporates all Royal College Requirements for GREI training in a fully individualized training program. One funded position is available for eligible Canadian citizens or permanent residents each year through Ministry of Health funding. Applicants must be currently registered in a Canadian or American accredited Obstetrics and Gynecology residency training program and must be eligible for certification by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 

Consideration for an additional externally funded position will occur each year. Applicants requiring external funding are responsible to secure their own funding. 

Applications should include a personal letter, curriculum vitae, and 3 letters of reference. The application process takes place annually. Canadian applications will be accepted until March 31^st each year for start on July 1^st of the following calendar year and should be sent to the address below. Interviews take place in May each year.

Dr. Aaron Jackson
Program Director
Gynaecologic Reproductive Medicine Fellowship Program
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
University of Ottawa
955 Greenvalley Crescent
Ottawa, ON K2C 3V4​​​​​​
[email protected]

More detailed information on this program
 

For any additional information please contact:

Gabriel Coelho
Program Coordinator,
Postgraduate Clinical Fellowship Programs
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 613-737-8899 ext. 73254

Our two year Fellowship combines clinical, teaching and research elements of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery. The scope of practice in female pelvic floor disorders ranges from urinary incontinence, pelvic floor prolapse, infectious and inflammatory diseases of the pelvis, fistulae, diverticulae, voiding and defecation dysfunction, painful bladder syndromes, to neurological pelvic floor dysfunction and lower urinary tract function in pregnancy, amongst others.  Patients are evaluated with history, physical exam, multichannel urodynamics, cystoscopy, and ultrasound as required.  Cases are managed conservatively or surgically. We favour transvaginal, retroperitoneal, and laparoscopic reconstructive procedures as well as minimally invasive techniques.  Fellows are engaged in academic and community clinics, surgery, teaching residents didactically and surgically, presenting rounds, anatomy lab teaching, and their own research. Our team of four Urogynecologists and three Nurse Continence Advisors comprises a regional centre for primary, secondary, and tertiary care referrals.

Clinical rotations in Urology, Colorectal Surgery, Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy, Menopause, Neurology are available.  Fellows are required to submit one publishable paper by the end of the training period and determine an academic focus of teaching or research in the fellowship.

The Fellow must have Royal College certification or equivalent and will register with the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa as a post-graduate trainee. 

Applications should include a cover letter, CV, and three letters of reference, and will be accepted until May 30^th to start the following July 1^st. 

Dr. Hisham Khalil
Program Director 
Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery 
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
University of Ottawa
152 Cleopatra Drive
Ottawa, ON K2G 5X2 
Email: [email protected]

For further information, please contact:

Gabriel Coelho
Program Coordinator
Postgraduate Clinical Fellowship Programs
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Phone: 613-737-8899 ext. 73254 | E-mail: [email protected]

Coming soon