Advanced Gynaecologic Surgery and Health Quality Improvement
Date Updated: Febraury 25, 2021
Program Directors:
Dr. Abheha Satkunaratnam MD, FRCSC
Lecturer
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
University of Toronto
North York General Hospital
Email: abheha.s@nygh.on.ca
and
Dr. Alice Pham, MD, FRCSC, MSc
Assistant Professor
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
University of Toronto
North York General Hospital
Email: alice.pham@nygh.on.ca
Site: North York General Hospital
Application deadline: Submit Application Form between June 17 – August 15 of each year. This program is part of the CanSAGE matching process.
To All Applicants:
If you have also applied to the U.S match through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP), please be advised 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 at http://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2018-MPA-Specialities-Matching-Service.pdf.
Program Information
North York General Hospital is offering a one-year long fellowship in advanced gynaecologic surgery and health quality improvement. North York General Hospital is a leading community academic hospital with one of the highest annual volume of gynaecology procedures done at a single site. There is an unwavering commitment to quality improvement initiatives both at a national and international level – it is a partner site and one of the founding members of the Southern Ontario Network of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (SOON-ObGyn). The Surgical Services Program at NYGH also participates in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, often surpassing goals set for the program. Our goal is to train and develop surgeons who will bring the depth and breadth of expertise and leadership at NYGH to their community. Applicants must have completed their FRCS(C) requirements and hold an independent practice license from the Province of Ontario.
Structure
The fellow will spend three to four days in the operating room, and Friday afternoons supervising the Acute Gynecology Clinic (AGC) that is run by the chief resident. The fellow will be the staff supervisor for all chief resident surgical cases booked in AGC. Clinic time with a fellowship faculty member will be up to one day per week and this includes exposure to a urogynaecology clinic comprised of fitting of pessaries and management of pessary complications. There are also opportunities to train in first trimester sonography in our Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic and in dilatation and evacuation procedures (all of which involve mentorship from faculty who are both local and national experts). There is half-day to one-day of protected research time – work in health quality improvement is strongly encouraged. Our previous fellows have completed certification and Masters’ programs in Health Quality and Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Leadership. The fellowship will support trainees to present original research, generated at NYGH, up to $5000 per year, subject to approval by the fellowship directors.
Objectives
At the end of the fellowship, the candidate will be able to demonstrate core competencies in both basic and advanced laparoscopic cases including CO2 laser technology and safety. The fellow will be trained by six fellowship-trained faculty in laparoscopic hysterectomies for enlarged uteri, laparoscopic myomectomies, excision of deeply infiltrating endometriosis (including concurrent surgeries with our general surgery and urology colleagues), fertility optimizing gynaecologic surgery, challenging operative hysteroscopies, vaginal hysterectomies, primary and recurrent pelvic organ prolapse repairs as well as anti-incontinence procedures. In addition to technical skill, the fellow will learn to manage perioperative and postoperative complications, train in situational awareness and how to minimize potential adverse events, as well as develop leadership skills in research and teaching. Of note, there is also a designated faculty lead member for fellow wellness.