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Andrew Dixon,
Program Director
Welcome to the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Residency Training Program!
The Stollery Children's Hospital is the clinical home of our program and offers a challenging diverse patient population from urban Edmonton as well as a large rural and northern referral area. We have grown dramatically in the past few years and see about 50,000 patient visits per year, which provides a varied clinical experiences from the concerned-but-well, to major trauma and complex medical issues.
We have over 20 qualified staff with diverse interests including research, simulation, education, trauma and alternative health care. We work closely with our residents on a daily basis. This, in combination with weekly staff led education sessions directed specifically at PEM residents, creates and excellent learning environment.
Thank you for applying to our program. We are very happy to have such excellent candidates. We look forward to meeting you all to see if our program is the right fit for you.
Interview Process
Interview Process
Following application package review, select candidates will be invited for an interview. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all interviews for the 2021 match cycle will be conducted virtually. While the structure and experience of these interviews may be different than traditional in-person program visits, we hope that the experience is a positive one, due to the elimination of travel.
Interviews will be held via Zoom, and will consist of a number of one-on-one meetings. These will include meetings with the Program Director, the Divisional Director and a number of our teaching faculty. These interviews will focus on communication skills, interpersonal skills, level of maturity, empathy and sensitivity.
Resident Testimonials
Resident Testimonials
Tahira Daya
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Medical School: Queen's University
What I like about Edmonton: There are a lot of great restaurants and festivals going on!
What are the highlights of the program for you: The collegiality within the Department stands out. Everyone is very supportive and it's a great learning environment.
One piece of advice you want to share with applicants about the interview process: Try to relax and figure out what program and city are a good fit for you!
Briana Goad
Hometown: Truro, Nova Scotia
Medical School: Dalhousie Medical School
What I like about Edmonton: Edmonton is a great city! Edmontonians are really nice and there is always either a concert, new restaurant or festival to go to.
What are the highlights of the program for you: The staff and allied health professionals truly make the Emergency Department a wonderful place to work. You feel like you are a part of a team as soon as you arrive for a shift. The staff are very supportive of our learning and are wonderful teachers.
One piece of advice you want to share with applicants about the interview process: Be yourself and ask questions! You need to figure out where fits best for you. :)
Stevi Golden-Plotnik
Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Medical School: University of Manitoba
What I like about Edmonton: What I like about Edmonton: the food! Also the river valley, weekly farmers' markets, trips to the mountains and many available flights to visit family around Canada.
What are the highlights of the program for you: We have incredibly supportive and fun groups of staff, which facilitates a relaxed environment among high acuity and complex pathology. I think I laugh during every shift, even when things get intense. These are some of the best mentors I've ever had. I feel that as a resident our learning and success is really a priority.
One piece of advice you want to share with applicants about the interview process: Try to have fun, ask questions, find a team that fits. You get to spend the whole day talking about PEM and meeting future colleagues, enjoy it!
Carmen Tait
Hometown: Vancouver, British Columbia
Medical School: University of British Columbia
What I like about Edmonton: There are great restaurants, bakeries and coffee shops in Edmonton. There are also great neighbourhoods with young families for those with kids. We have loved the public school system.
What are the highlights of the program for you: As noted by others, there is consistently high acuity compared to some of the other departments I have worked in. You will get great exposure to trauma and medical emergencies. As with other departments, we also see lots of primary care and complex general pediatric issues, so whatever your training background is, you will get the exposure you need.
The departments is very welcoming - as someone who trained elsewhere I have never felt out of place. The collegial work environment makes a huge difference!
One piece of advice you want to share with applicants about the interview process: Take note of the places along your interview tour where you fit in with the staff and residents. I can't say enough about positive morale!
Brent Hanasyk
Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Medical School: University of Calgary
What I like about Edmonton: The city boasts tons of entertainment throughout the year and is accessible to the mountains, lakes and camping available by day trip. Compared to home, it's really not that cold.
What are the highlights of the program for you: The department staff are very close and welcoming. Within a very short period of time, I felt like I was a member of the department rather than just a trainee in it. Everyone was approachable and helpful in tailoring my training to allow me to get the most of what I wanted. With the attached adult department, those interesting high acuity adult cases are just across the hall if I have time to wander over.
One piece of advice you want to share with applicants about the interview process: Relax and have fun with it! Remember that you are interviewing the program as much as it is the other way around so make sure you ask questions to help guide your decision. Welcome to PEM!
Stefan Slomp
Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta
Medical School: University of Calgary
What I like about Edmonton: I like the river valley - access to trails, biking.
What are the highlights of the program for you: Consistent high acuity - great case experiences, supportive/fun/happy staff colleagues.
One piece of advice you want to share with applicants about the interview process: Process is just as much (or more) about you finding the right program fit for you as it is the program evaluating you. Breathe!
Janeva Kircher
Hometown: Whitby, Ontario
Medical School: Queen's University
What I like about Edmonton: The river valley and the mountains! I have picked up several outdoor hobbies since moving to Edmonton. We are lucky to live in such a beautiful place!
What are the highlights of the program for you: How tight knit the PEM community is, and how supportive the staff are. It's always nice to come into the Emergency Department, whether you're on service or not, and be welcomed by lots of friendly conversations.
One piece of advice you want to share with applicants about the interview process: Everyone wants you to succeed, and we love hearing why you want to come to the U of A.
Research and Activities
Research and Activities
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