FELLOWSHIP CRITERIA

In combination with the Dalhousie Department of Anesthesias vision and mission and the fellowship
programs guiding principles, interested fellowship applicants who meet the eligibility criteria should
complete a Department of Anesthesia Fellowship Program application, http://nsanesthesia.ca/s/fellowshipapplication.

Dalhousie Department of Anesthesia Vision & Mission

Vision: A culture of excellence in anesthesia clinical practice and programs, research and education.
Mission: To deliver anesthesia services through up-to-date clinical care based on the latest evidence
(research) and knowledge (education).

Fellowship Program Assumptions

Five (5) assumptions guide the design and delivery of the Dalhousie Department of Anesthesia fellowship
programs.
1.1. Fellowship activities rely upon existing theory, research and practices while concurrently
providing opportunities to challenge and innovate.
Experience alone does not lead to expertise. Knowledge and use of established theoretical and
empirical frameworks, and best practices improves cognitive, psychomotor and interpersonal skills.
1.2. Fellowship activities include scholarly curiosity and discovery.
Critical thinking and reflection build on what is known and leads to new knowledge and ways of
doing things.
1.3. Fellowship activities build on the varied experience, insight and interests of each fellow.

Fellows are mentored primarily by one (1) highly qualified preceptor with expertise in the fellows
chosen field. In addition, fellows have the added benefit of working with a variety of expert
clinicians, researchers and educators thereby gaining exposure to a wide range of
approaches/methods and perspectives.
1.4. Fellowship activities encourage life-long learning and cultivate and nurture leaders.
Todays knowledge will be tomorrows obsolescence. Todays learners will be tomorrows leaders.
Instilling values that promote a belief in ongoing learning, competence and advocacy is the legacy
of the fellowship experience.
1.5. Fellowship activities are based on interprofessional working relationships.
Fellows work in collaboration with a variety of other disciplines and health care providers to provide
the best in patient care. Interprofessional clinical care, education and research is encouraged and
supported.

Fellowship Program Guiding Principles

2.1 Each applicant will be assessed on an individual basis using the selection criteria as a guideline.
2.2 Successful applicants will be provided a concentrated clinical experience in their chosen field of
study.
2.3 Successful applicants will be exposed to the academic foundation upon which their chosen field of
study is based.
2.4 Successful applicants will be expected to contribute to the academic agenda related to their
chosen field of study through a research project and/or teaching assignment.
2.5 Successful applicants will be expected to provide anesthesiology services such that expenses
associated with their fellowship program remain cost neutral to the Department of Anesthesia.
2.6 Each applicant will be expected to understand and converse with patients and staff in English,

therefore, proficiency in English, written and spoken, is a requirement.

2.7 For applicants whose first language is not English, proficiency in English must be demonstrated by
passing The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test of Spoken English
(TSE) or the new TOEFL-Ibt exams:
TOEFL: Minimum score of 250 for computer based or minimum score of 600 for paper
based test
TSE: Minimum score of 30
TOEFL-Ibt: Minimum score of 100 including a minimum score of 24 on the speaking
section
IELTS (International English Language Testing System): Band score of 7
Scores that are less than those stated above will not be considered.
2.8 Three (3) letters of reference must be sent directly from the referee to the Fellowship Office c/o
Managing Director of Education.
2.9 We actively encourage international applicants, however preference is given to Canadian citizens
and permanent residents of Canada.
2.10
Applicants who are neither Canadian citizens nor permanent residents require a work
permit. The Faculty of Medicine through the Coordinator of Visa trainees provides the necessary
documents in support of the work permit for the Canadian government offices (Canadian Embassy,
Consulate, High Commission) in the applicants country of origin; there is a non-refundable visaprocessing fee payable to Dalhousie University at the time of application.
2.11
Applicants must have a valid license to practise medicine in Nova Scotia. Applicants
should contact the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia for an application.
Applications must be submitted sufficiently in advance of the fellowship start date to allow time for
processing.
2.12

All applicants must be eligible to register for an educational license with the College of

Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia, if required.

2.13
Applicants must have malpractice insurance with the Canadian Medical Protective
Association (CMPA). Coverage can be obtained once the CPSNS license is obtained.
2.14
Applicants are required to have medical insurance. Dalhousie University may be able to
assist you in purchasing this insurance through the universitys benefits plan.
2.15
All applicants will be assessed on an individual basis in accordance with the following
eligibility criteria.

Fellowship Program Eligibility Criteria

3.1. Completed Anesthesia specialty training.
3.2. Preference is given to those applicants with an FRCP(C). We also consider those who are
FRCP(C) eligible. Equivalent training in country of origin as approved by the College of Physicians
and Surgeons of Nova Scotia and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada is also
considered.

Fellowship Program Process

1. The applicant reviews the eligibility criteria and determines if their experience and qualifications are
in accordance with those stipulated.
Upon determining compliance with the eligibility criteria, the applicant completes the Department of
Anesthesia Fellowship Program application, http://nsanesthesia.ca/s/fellowship-application. All portions of
this application must be completed.
2. Three (3) letters of reference along with the following must be sent directly to the fellowship
director: a curriculum vitae; a notarized copy of the applicants medical degree; an original
transcript of marks; a letter from the Director of current program confirming standing; proof of
citizenship; and a passport-sized photo.
3. The Dalhousie Department of Anesthesia Fellowship Committee reviews each of the application
packages.
4. If approved for fellowship, the applicant will be directed to the process appropriate to their status
e.g., Canadian applicant or International applicant.
5. A letter of offer will be forwarded to the applicant.
6. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by e-mail/letter within five (5) business days of the
decision.
7. Please note that the initial three (3) months of the fellowship program is an assessment period. If
during this time the applicant is deemed unsuitable, the fellowship arrangement/contract will be
considered null and void.

Fellowship Program Application Submission Guidelines

Applicants requiring a work permit: Complete applications must be received by the fellowship program
six months in advance of the training start date. For example, application paperwork must be received
by January 1st for fellowship training that is scheduled to begin on July 1st of the same year. Other
examples of submission target dates are:
Submissions target date:
Submissions target date:
Submissions target date:

January 1st for a July 1st start date of the same year
March 1st for a September 1st start date of the same year
July 1st for a January 1st start date of the following year

Canadian Citizens / Permanent Residents: Complete applications must be received by the fellowship
program four months in advance of the training start date. For example, application paperwork must be
received by March 1st for fellowship training that is scheduled to begin on July 1st of the same year. Other
examples of submission target dates are:
Submissions target date:
Submissions target date:

March 1st for a July 1st start date of the same year
May 1st for a September 1st start date of the same year

References
Dalhousie University Postgraduate Office
University of Toronto Clinical and Research Fellowships
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
University of Pittsburgh Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program
Toronto General Hospital Department of Anesthesia Fellowship Programs
Emory University School of Medicine Fellowship Programs, Atlanta, Georgia
University of Western Ontario Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine Fellowship
Programs
University of Alberta Clinical Fellowships