Applying to the Fellowship Program

The University of Toronto Department of Anesthesia offers a number of fellowship positions in general and subspecialty anesthesia through its six university-affiliated teaching hospitals across eight sites. Over 250 faculty work at these sites, many of whom are internationally and nationally renowned leaders in their specialty areas.

Historically, the University of Toronto is known for its early use of cyclopropane, work in malignant hyperthermia and identification of the abnormal cholinesterase enzyme in succinylcholine metabolism. Currently, research is being conducted in the mechanisms of anesthesia and pain, models of brain injury, perioperative cardiac risk assessment, blood conservation, ultrasound techniques in regional anesthesia and the use of simulation in education and team training. Clinically, we are leading the way in many areas, including advances in ultrasound based regional anesthesia, trauma and critical care, and cardiac anesthesia.

University of Toronto (UT) is renowned as Canada’s leading research university. The Faculty of Medicine is a leader in many areas of basic science research and in diverse related areas including medical knowledge transfer and the evolution of inter-professional health care teams. The university’s size and diversity creates a multitude of opportunities and resources for ongoing education and research.

Toronto is one of the world’s most multi-cultural cities, and our fellows reflect this characteristic.

About the Program

All Fellows are registered through UT Faculty of Medicine's Post-Graduate Medical Education. This permits access to a variety of benefits, including very extensive Library Services. 

Our current fellowships are hospital based and successful applicants generally spend their time at one centre. A centralized Fellowship Committee with representation from all the hospitals reviews selection criteria and shares application information.  Fellowships ordinarily range from 6 months to 2 years with a maximum of 3 years. A minimum of one year is preferred for optimal fellowship experience.

The university department organizes Professor’s Lectures and some social activities for fellows from all the hospital sites.  Some central journal clubs and teaching sessions are also held for fellows in the same subspecialty area from different hospitals.  Research opportunities in both clinical and basic areas are available and encouraged. A list of fellowships offered through UT's Department of Anesthesia can be found here. For information about UT's affiliated teaching hospitals, please go to our Hospitals and Services section.

Note that fellowship training IS NOT credited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons towards anesthesia specialty training in Canada.

Requirements

Candidates should have a minimum of 30 months training completed in clinical Anesthesia and passed all certification exam(s) required for the specialty of anesthesia in their own country.  American applicants should preferably have passed their ABA exams, although consideration will be given to those that are Board Eligible.  Preference will be given to applicants who are within 7 years of completing their training.  Applications should be sent directly to fellowship coordinators at the individual hospitals ideally 18 -24 months in advance as positions fill up quickly.

If the applicant’s medical training was done in a language other than English, proficiency in English must be demonstrated by passing The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and The Test of Spoken English (TSE) or the new TOEFL-lbt exams

  • TSE: Minimum score 50
  • TOEFL: Minimum score 237, or minimum score 580 for paper based test
  • TOEFL-Ibt: Minimum score of 93 including a minimum score of 24 on the speaking section.
  • IELTS score > 7

Please note:  If you have also applied to the U.S match through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP), be aware that the University of Toronto is a participating institution and adheres to the match policy. The policy states that “Applicants who have matched to a program or have accepted a position during the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP), shall not apply for, discuss, interview for, or accept a concurrent year position in another program prior to the NRMP granting the requested waiver.” More information is accessible in the Specialty Matching Services Match Participation Agreement

For valuable information on UofT's fellowship/resident medical education:
UT Postgraduate Medical Education