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Calgary - Cardiac Surgery

University of CalgaryCalgary, Alberta
Cardiac Surgery
CMG Stream
1 Position
Official Page

The University of Calgary offers a comprehensive 6-year Cardiac Surgery Residency Program with an academic enrichment year. The program provides extensive surgical exposure, with over 1700 adult cardiac operations per year and training in specialized procedures like minimally invasive cardiac surgery, TAVI, and complex aortic surgery.

Quick Facts
Program ID
29339
Quota
1 positions
Stream
CMG
Program Length
6 years
Last Approved
September 22, 2025
Last Updated
December 3, 2025
Avg. Applications (5 yrs)
0 - 50
Avg. Interview Rate
26 - 50 %
Program Overview

Teaching Philosophy

Follows Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) with progressive professional responsibility, emphasizing graded learning, comprehensive skill development, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada competency objectives.

Training Setting

Training occurs at multiple sites in Calgary and Edmonton, including Foothills Hospital, Peter Lougheed Hospital, and University of Alberta, providing diverse clinical experiences across urban medical centers.

Focus Areas
Adult Cardiac Surgery
Vascular Surgery
Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
Cardiac Transplantation
Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
TAVI
TEVAR
Mechanical Circulatory Support
Complex Aortic Surgery
Special Features
  • Academic enrichment year
  • Flexible academic year timing and content
  • Inter-University Affiliation Agreement
  • Weekly cardiac surgery rounds
  • Journal clubs
  • Seminar series
  • Didactic teaching sessions
  • Wet and dry labs
  • Transplant simulation lab
Program Strengths
  • High surgical volume
  • Comprehensive surgical training
  • Strong administrative support
  • Cohesive learning environment
  • Extensive academic curriculum
  • Flexible academic enrichment year
Patient Populations
Adult cardiac patients
Vascular surgery patients
Pediatric cardiac patients
Cardiac transplant patients
Heart failure patients
Research Opportunities

Academic enrichment year can be spent in basic science research, administration, education, innovation programs, or focused clinical areas, with potential for pursuing Masters or PhD.

Teaching Hospitals
  • Foothills Hospital
  • Peter Lougheed Hospital
  • University of Alberta Hospital
Training Setting Type
Academic medical center
Urban hospital
Tertiary care center
Enhanced Skills Training
Care of the Elderly
Transplant Medicine
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Interview Information

Interview Dates

  • January 18, 2026
Evaluation Criteria
  • Academic standing
  • Technical skills potential
  • Cardiac surgery interest
  • Elective performance
  • Reference letters
  • Personal characteristics
Compensation & Benefits

Alberta provincial salaries

Updated September 9, 2022

Salary Progression (6-Year Program)

Starting Salary

$58,934

PGY-1

Maximum Salary

$86,615

PGY-6

Benefits & Perks

Annual vacation: 4 weeks/yr
Call Stipends: weekday in-house –  $118.02weekend in-house / holiday – $178.72weekday home call – $59.01weekend home call / holiday – $89.35
CMPA dues paid: $1,500
Dental plan: 75% premium paid
Educational leave: 14 days paid leave
Extended health insurance: 75% premium paid$1000 per year Flexible Spending Account*
Frequency of calls: In-house call: 7/28. 2/4 weekend call.Home call: 9/28. 2/4 weekend call**A Resident scheduled on Home call but who is required to work more than four hours in hospital during the call period, of which more than one full hour is past 12:00 a.m. and before 6:00 a.m., or more than six (6) hours in hospital during the call period, shall be remunerated at the rate for In-House call.$100 per day for each scheduled weekend day of patient rounds when not on-call
Life insurance: 100% towards $150,000 coverage
Life Support Course Costs (Program Approved: 100% paid
Long-term disability insurance: 100% paid for 75% gross income
Maternity Leave: 18 weeks total (17 weeks paid to match 90% of salary when combined with EI)
Parental Leave: 2 weeks leave with full pay and benefits;52 weeks (inclusive of Maternity/Paternity/Adoption Leaves) – unpaid leave

... and 4 more benefits

Compensation data is province-wide and may vary by institution. Please verify with individual programs. Data sourced from CARMS.

Curriculum & Rotations

PGY-1 Rotations

Surgical Foundations • VariesHome program
Various surgical disciplines • Full yearMultiple sites

PGY-2 Rotations

Cardiac Surgery • VariesFoothills Hospital
Vascular Surgery • VariesPeter Lougheed Hospital
Critical Care • VariesMultiple sites

PGY-3 Rotations

Cardiac Surgery • 18 blocksFoothills Hospital
Pediatric Cardiac Surgery • 3 blocksUniversity of Alberta

PGY-4 Rotations

Academic Enrichment Year • Full yearFlexible

PGY-5 Rotations

Senior Cardiac Surgery Rotations • VariesMultiple sites
Websites of Interest
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Data Source: This information is aggregated from publicly available sources. Last updated on 12/3/2025. Always verify details with the official program page.