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Abdullah Alabbas,
Program Director
The Division of Pediatric Nephrology, University of Alberta offers a two year residency training program. The program is accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and is open to trainees from Pediatrics after their third and fourth year of training.
Our program offers a balance of clinical and scholarly exposures that are designed to create a stimulating environment to develop skills in Pediatric Nephrology. Our clinical service offers a full renal transplant program integrated into the Northern Alberta Renal Program infrastructure. Transplants are currently done in children as young as 18 months and up to 18 years of age. We offer acute and chronic hemodialysis, acute and chronic peritoneal dialysis, aphaeresis and lipidpheresis modalities. Our outpatient service sees over 1300 patients per year, with an opportunity for trainees to attend combined Nephrology/Urology Clinic, Lupus Clinic, Peritoneal Dialysis clinic, Kidney Stone Clinic, Hypertension Clinic, Chronic Kidney Disease Clinic, Acute Kidney Injury Clinic, Comprehensive Chelation Clinic, Renal Transplant Clinic, Solid Organ Transplant clinic and General Nephrology clinics.
The trainees will also learn to evaluate children with kidney disorders including electrolyte disturbances, hematuria, proteinuria, glomerulonephritis and urinary tract infections. Trainees also manage complex and serious disorders such as poisonings, metabolic disorders, congenital urologic disorders and end-stage renal disease.
As of July 2018, our program moved to a Competence by Design learning structure. For more information regarding this, please refer to the Royal College's "A Resident's Guide".
Thank you for applying to our program, we look forward to meeting you!
Interview Process
Interview Process
What Your Interview Day Will Look Like
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all interviews for 2021 CaRMS match will be conducted virtually. The interviews will be held by Zoom. They will consist of a number of one on one and panel meetings. These will include meeting with the Program Assistant, Program Director, panel of teaching faculty and current trainees. These interviews will focus on communication skills, interpersonal skills, level of maturity, empathy and sensitivity. Finally, a virtual tour of the Stollery Children's Hospital will be offered. The process is approximately two to three hours in length, an agenda will be sent in advance.
Resident Testimonial
Resident Testimonial
Anwar Al-Omairi
Hometown: Sultanate of Oman, Muscat
Medical school: Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
Pediatric residency: Oman Medical Specialty Board, Oman
What I liked about Edmonton: It is a multicultural city and the people are very friendly. I loved its nature, the river and the lakes. I enjoyed biking, running and walking. The winter is very cold but survivable and you would get used to it. The temperature varies significantly and I enjoyed the snow when the temperature above zero but definitely not when it is below -20. It has several shopping malls and West Edmonton Mall is the largest mall all of Canada. It is recommended to visit.
What are the highlights of the program: It is a well organized program and has excellent resources. Reading books and online study material are provided for free. The nephrologists are a group of experts in the field. Each one has their own subspecialized interest. The dietitian and the specialty nurses are knowledgeable in their field and they participate in teaching as well. I found all the team members are very interested in teaching and very supportive for trainees. The teaching is intensified and covers all aspects of nephrology. The program is sharpening the skills and knowledge of the trainees, not only in clinical aspects and research but goes beyond that to laboratory and basic sciences. I will never regret being trained here.
One piece of advice you want to share with applicants about the interview process: Be authentic and genuine.
Sara Rodriguez-Lopez
Hometown: Madrid, Spain
Medical School: Autonoma University of Madrid, Spain
Pediatric Residency: Peurta de Hierro University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
What I like about Edmonton: Its people! They are friendly and talkative and there is a significant diversity which approach me to different cultures. Moreover, Edmonton has beautiful parks where we can practice outdoor winter and summer sports and the Rockies are so close!
What are the highlights of the program: It has different rotations for the development of both clinical and research skills. The hospital offers tertiary nephrology care including dialysis and transplantation so we are exposed to varied complex diseases and situations. The half days are very useful, especially to improve my knowledge on renal physiology. The staff are brilliant nephrologists, always supportive, motivating and ready to teach. The work environment is great!
One piece of advice you want to share with applicants about the interview process: Prepare in advance all the questions you may have about the program and feel free to ask them.
Research and Activities
Research and Activities
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