The specialty of anesthesia at the University of Ottawa has an active, progressive and dynamic department of over 90 fellowship anesthesiologists dedicated to improving patient care, teaching and research.

The anesthesia residency-training program in Ottawa was founded in 1967 under the chairmanship of Dr. David Power.  It�s successive chairmanships, held by Dr. Gary Johnson, Dr. David Skene (acting), Dr. J. Earl Wynands, Dr. Dennis Reid and Dr. Homer Yang (current Professor and Chair of the Department), have provided effective leadership in establishing a strong academic atmosphere for the residency-training program. 

The training program rotates through the University Hospitals in Ottawa and meets with all the training requirements for certification in anesthesia set out by the Royal College of Physician�s and Surgeons of Canada.  Complementary electives at other university programs and other non-university hospitals are both encouraged and supported during the training program. During each block of the 5 years, the residents are evaluated on their performance in all 7 of the CanMEDS roles.

Dr. Linda Wynne, resident program director, chairs the residency training committee, which is responsible for the content and teaching activities for the residency-training program.  This committee monitors the effectiveness of the clinical, teaching and research activities in the training program.  Dr. Patti Murphy is the new Education Director with responsibility of innovation for our many teaching responsibilities.

 The postgraduate anesthesia-training program at the University of Ottawa is 5 years duration.  The first year of training (PGY1 year) is a basic clinical training year as approved by the Postgraduate Medical Education Committee. The following four years of training include 36 months of anesthesia and 12 months of internal medicine, which include rotations in critical care medicine. 

The department has an active Visiting Professor Program where professors come from other centers to deliver grand rounds, assist with oral examinations, and also hold interactive afternoon teaching sessions with the residents.  Residents are encouraged to participate with faculty supervisors and pursue two research projects during their training program.  These research projects are presented in Ottawa at the Gary Johnson Research Day held in May of each year.  Presentation of resident research work at national and international meetings are both encouraged and financially supported. 

During the PGY1 year there are half-day seminars twice a month in anesthesia, which run throughout the year.  At the beginning of the academic year is a two-month summer core program addressing relevant issues in anesthesia (ethics, stress management, substance abuse, medical updates and review courses etc.). 

The medical and subspecialty anesthesia rotations are spread over the PGY3 to PGY5 years.  Residents are expected to acquire the judgment and skills of critical care medicine during a 6-month period in critical care units. In addition, the resident is expected to learn the principles of respiratory medicine, cardiology, nephrology and transfusion medicine in order to complement their anesthesia consultations and clinical practice. 

 The fifth year is intended to consolidate the clinical skills, judgment, and information obtained during the first four years in anesthesia and medicine.  A PGY5 is expected to show initiative and resourcefulness in assuming responsibility for the perioperative management of all types of problems.  They are expected to provide leadership and instruction to junior residents, students, and nurses both in the operating room and critical care setting. Dedicated study time is given in PGY4 year and every week in PGY5 year.

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