Duration: 5 years
Application Process: CaRMS Match and/or International Medical Graduates (IMG)
Language of Instruction: English

Overview

• Open to applicants directly after medical school.
• Residency length: five years in Vascular Surgery.
• Number of positions is variable and updated annually on the CaRMS website.
• Number of IMGs positions is variable and updated annually – apply through McGill Postgraduate Training Office.  

Training Structure

1. Years 1–2: Surgical Foundations Program
   • Shared with all other surgical residents.
   • Culminates in the Principles of Surgery Exam, which is a Royal College prerequisite for specialty certification.
2. Years 3–5: Core Vascular Surgery Residency
   • Progressive responsibility in clinical and operative settings.
   • Exposure to advanced vascular surgical techniques.
   • Ongoing competency-based assessments aligned with Competency by Design (CBD).

Competency by Design Transition

• As of July 1, 2021, Vascular Surgery training at McGill has fully transitioned to Competency Based Medical Education (CBME).
• The curriculum is built around Royal College principles to ensure residents progress through defined milestones.
• The program emphasizes continuous improvement in educational delivery.

Curriculum Plan - Pathway 1 (5-Year Residency)

Program Overview by Year

PGY1–2: Foundations Training

• Surgical Foundations Program with all surgical disciplines
• Rotations include: General Surgery, Cardiac Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, ICU, Trauma, IM consults
• Culminates in Principles of Surgery Exam (Royal College requirement)

PGY3–5: Core Vascular Surgery

• Progressive responsibility and training in Vascular Surgery
• Key rotations include:
  • Clinical Vascular Surgery (majority of PGY3–5)
  • Interventional Radiology exposure
  • Vascular Laboratory training
  • Electives/Research opportunities
• Final years focus on advanced vascular training & preparation for specialty exam

Curriculum Snapshot (Pathway 1: 5-Year)

Duration: 2 years
Application Process: McGill Postgraduate Training Office
Language of Instruction: English

Overview

• Designed for applicants who have already completed Royal College–approved residency training in one of the following specialties:
  • General Surgery
  • Cardiac Surgery
  • Thoracic Surgery
• Residency length: two years in Vascular Surgery.
• Number of available positions varies each year.

Training Structure

• Focused, advanced training in vascular surgery following prior surgical residency.
• Tailored pathway following the Competency by Design curriculum that has to be completed within 2 years.
• Curricular emphasis on:
  • Advanced open and endovascular surgical techniques
  • Multidisciplinary vascular patient care
  • Leadership, research, and academic development

Application Process

• Applicants must submit an electronic application via the McGill Postgraduate Training Office.
• The PGME office will:
  • Verify eligibility
  • Manage the application process
• Interested candidates are encouraged to contact the Program Director prior to applying to inquire about available positions.

Curriculum Plan - Pathway 2 (5+2 Year Route)

Program Overview by Year

PGY6–7:

• Full immersion in Vascular Surgery after prior surgical residency
• Dedicated time in:
  • Clinical Vascular Surgery (majority)
  • Vascular Laboratory
  • Interventional Radiology
  • Electives tailored towards individual career goals
  • Transition to practice rotations

Curriculum Snapshot (Pathway 2: 2-Year)

1. Academic Teaching

• Time: Fridays, 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
• Format: Didactic sessions led by Vascular Surgery staff
• Details: All Vascular Surgery residents are relieved from clinical duties to ensure protected teaching time. Topics are presented by a member of the vascular faculty.

2. Academic Sessions

• Time: Fridays, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Format: Academic Sessions
• Details: All Vascular Surgery residents, staff, and currently rotating off-service residents and students attend service rounds. 
  The topics of rounds are unique every week. These sessions include a rotation of educational formats:
  • Case and topic presentations
  • Journal Club
  • Interdisciplinary series
  • Guest speakers
  • Debates
  • Morbidity & Mortality rounds

3. Simulation Curriculum

• Time: Fridays, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Format: Hands-on simulation sessions supervised by staff surgeons
• Focus Areas: Peripheral, aortic, carotid, and visceral procedures
• Details: An official simulation curriculum was introduced to the program in 2022. 
  • Residents have scheduled, protected simulation sessions throughout their training.
  • Frequency is higher during junior years and tapers off as seniority increases.
  • Simulation facilities at the Jewish General Hospital are available to all residents and rotating students.

Access the goals and objectives for each vascular surgery rotation below—downloadable as PDF documents for reference and review:

Your guide to the rules and responsibilities for assessment and promotion throughout McGill’s Postgraduate Residency.
Assessment and Promotion in PGME Residency

For a list of key documents that regulate postgraduate medical training and administrative processes including the FMRQ collective agreement, the PGME Evaluation & Promotion Rules, National Transfer Guidelines, reporting mistreatment and much more.

 PGME Policies 

The McGill University Vascular Surgery Residency Program strives to provide a healthy working and learning environments for all trainees in the program. To access the full Program Policy on Resident Safety click here:

Read the Safety Policy