Regional Anaesthesia Fellowship (SHSC)

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto and is one of four major teaching hospitals in the city. There are three hospital sites: Bayview Campus, Holland Centre and St. John's Rehab. Fellows will be expected to work at Bayview Campus and the Holland Centre depending on their subspecialty interest. Sunnybrook is a major tertiary referral centre for cardiac (700 cases/year), major trauma (800+/year), oncology, and burns.  A full complement of surgical specialties except for pediatrics are on site. In total the hospital carries out approximately 18,000 surgical procedures per year and provides obstetrical services for over 4,000 deliveries per year. The Department of Anaesthesia also runs a Clinical Simulation Centre, providing training for multiple medical specialties.

Duration and Positions

This fellowship is 12 months. Fellowships that are shorter or longer may be pursued under certain circumstances.

There are 4 – 6 positions per year.

Program / Curriculum

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre performs more than 3,000 regional anaesthesia procedures each year. Under the supervision of a staff regional anaesthetist, fellows will learn to perform a variety of different peripheral nerve blocks of the upper and lower extremity. Fellows will gain expertise in continuous catheter techniques for postoperative analgesia for both the upper and lower extremities. Central neuraxial techniques, including thoracic epidurals, combined spinal-epidurals, and spinal anaesthetics are also commonly performed for surgery at our hospital. The successful applicant will learn to perform all peripheral nerve block techniques as well as neuraxial procedures and truncal blocks with ultrasound guidance.

Fellows will also participate in the Acute Pain Service rotation and non-regional anaesthesia cases during the training year. The Acute Pain Service manages approximately 2,500 patients per year including referrals with challenging chronic and cancer pain.

Research Experience

Regional anesthesia fellows will spend up to 20% of time in research and educational activities. Under direct staff supervision, regional anaesthesia fellows are expected to initiate at least one research project during the training year. Fellows will often assume a teaching role especially towards their end of their fellowship year.

Licensing

Once accepted, a temporary license is issued by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). This enables the fellow to practice under direct supervision in a teaching hospital. After successful completion of a 1 to 3 month assessment period, the CPSO issues an educational license and the fellow may continue the fellowship. This assessment period is mandated by the CPSO and failure of this assessment will preclude licensure and the fellowship will be immediately terminated.

Medical Malpractice insurance must be procured by the fellow.

Application Process

Please follow the application instructions and note that the application links provided will close after the application cut-off date. You may, under special circumstances, be considered for a late application. Please contact the Fellowship Director if you are applying outside the normal timeline.

The fellowship committee will review and rank all candidates and only those highest ranked will be contacted. Fluency in English is mandatory. Applicants whose first language is not English must pass the TOEFL/TSE or IETLS.

The application process is outlined below:

• Applications should be made at least 15 to 18 months in advance.
• To apply please use the following links below.  Each link corresponds to a specific intake period.  Please choose only one intake period for your application (if you are flexible in your start time please make this clear in your letter of intent). 
• In addition to using the links below please send a CV and letter of intent to Dr. Roland Xu (shuzhengrong.xu@sunnybrook.ca)
• The Letter of intent should stipulate the fellowship position you are applying for and indicate the dates you wish to work, your educational goals, research aims (if any) and future plans.
• Reference letters need to be signed by the referee and sent independently to our office.
• Please note that when applying, electronic correspondence (i.e. email) is preferred for all documents (including reference letters).

Begin Your Application

Applicants can apply using the online platform: 

• The January 2027 application session has now closed.
• If you are interested in applying for July 2027, please complete this online application form HERE
• If you are interested in applying for January 2028, please complete this online application form HERE

General Inquiries and Reference Letters should be directed to:

Dr. Roland Xu (shuzhengrong.xu@sunnybrook.ca)
Fellowship Director, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
2075 Bayview Avenue, Room M3-200
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M4N 3M5