Applying to the Fellowship Program
Background
The University of Toronto's Department of Anesthesia offers a variety of fellowship positions in both general and subspecialty anesthesia across six university-affiliated teaching hospitals located at eight sites. With over 250 faculty members—many of whom are internationally recognized leaders in their fields—our program provides a rich environment for professional growth and learning.
A Legacy of Excellence
The University of Toronto has a distinguished history in anesthesia, including pioneering research in cyclopropane use, malignant hyperthermia, and the abnormal cholinesterase enzyme associated with succinylcholine metabolism. Currently, our research efforts focus on critical areas such as:
- Mechanisms of anesthesia and pain
- Brain injury models
- Perioperative cardiac risk assessment
- Blood conservation techniques
- Ultrasound applications in regional anesthesia
- Simulation-based education and team training
Clinically, we lead advancements in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia, trauma and critical care, and cardiac anesthesia.
About Our Program
All fellows are registered through the Faculty of Medicine's Post-Graduate Medical Education, granting access to extensive resources, including comprehensive library services.
Fellowships are primarily hospital-based, with successful applicants typically spending their tenure at one center. A centralized Fellowship Committee, comprising representatives from all participating hospitals, evaluates applicants based on established criteria. Fellowship durations typically range from 6 months to 2 years, with a maximum of 3 years, and a minimum of one year is recommended for an optimal experience.
The department also organizes Professor's Lectures and social activities for fellows from all sites, along with centralized journal clubs and teaching sessions tailored to specific subspecialties. We strongly encourage research opportunities in both clinical and basic science.
Available Fellowships
A list of available fellowships can be found here. For details about our affiliated teaching hospitals, please visit the Hospitals and Services section.
Note: Fellowship training does not count towards anesthesia specialty training certification by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Requirements for Applicants
Candidates must have completed a minimum of 30 months of clinical anesthesia training and passed all requisite certification exams in their home country. American applicants should preferably have completed their ABA exams; however, those who are Board Eligible will also be considered. Preference will be given to candidates who have completed their training within the past seven years.
Applications should be submitted directly to the fellowship coordinators at individual hospitals, ideally 18 to 24 months in advance, as positions fill quickly.
If your medical training was conducted in a language other than English, you must demonstrate English proficiency by achieving the following minimum scores:
- **TOEFL:** 237 (computer-based) or 580 (paper-based)
- **TOEFL iBT:** 93 overall, with at least 24 on the speaking section
- **IELTS:** Score of 7 or higher
- **TSE:** Minimum score of 50
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 further information on fellowship and resident medical education at the University of Toronto, please visit Postgraduate Medical Education.