Welcome to the University of Ottawa Anesthesia Residency. As Program Director, I am at the helm of a dynamic and exciting program. We now have a family of 56 residents from many areas of the country including 8 residents of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM)/Ottawa anesthesia program, 3 Family Practice Anesthesia residents, 1 resident from the Canadian forces and 10 International Medical Graduates.

Dr. Desiree Persaud, Program Director

This is a fitting tribute to the variety and diversity of a Program that is based in the nations’ capital.

The University of Ottawa recently celebrated its’ 40th anniversary. The Program was founded by Dr David Power. He paved the way for a host of remarkable Chairs, Program Directors, staff, and residents.

Our residents rotate through 5 hospitals: the Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus, General Campus and Riverside Campus, The Ottawa Heart Institute, and The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. The vast bulk of the training occurs at The Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus and General campus. Those residents that are part of the NOSM/Ottawa Program spend 3-4 blocks per year in Sudbury and the rest in Ottawa. In addition, there is opportunity to do community anesthesia rotations at other hospitals in Ottawa such as the Montfort hospital and Queensway Carlton Hospital. Residents can also do up to three blocks of elective rotations in the PGY2-5 year, anywhere in the world!

We have a heritage of unparalleled commitment to the knowledge translation of the art, practice and science of Anesthesia to our residents. The educational training lecture series is run by staff many of who are experts in that particular field. Please see the section by Dr Patti Murphy, our Education Director for an overview of the Educational program structure. Dr Murphy was also instrumental in development of the Canada wide National Curriculum. Additionally, we have regular Journal Clubs and Visiting Professors (national and international). Our Research program has a strong foundation. There are a number of nationally funded projects and opportunities for residents to be involved. We have a Research principles core lecture series and focused teaching on critical appraisal.

The newly opened University of Ottawa Skills and Simulation Centre is one of the largest and most innovative centers in North America. The Director, Dr Viren Naik, is a Staff Anesthesiologist with us. We are very privileged to have access to this state of the art centre with regular teaching exposure. It also provides a great opportunity to be involved with education simulation research.

However, with a program as large as we are, we haven’t lost our small town feel. We get to know each other not only as faculty to residents but also as friend to friend. To that end, we have a mentorship group where every resident is paired up with a Staff. The Mentor group meets as a whole once per year and then throughout the year with the individual staff. The residents each year host a camping trip and there is a Holiday brunch at Christmas for those with families, and a Christmas party.

Welcome aboard!

Desiree Persaud

Desiree Persaud MD FRCPC
Associate Professor University of Ottawa
Program Director Anesthesiology

Visit official University of Ottawa Department of Anesthesiology - website with information about Teaching Hospitals, current staff, and events.