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This information is sourced from publicly available data and may not be current. Always verify program details with the official source before applying.

Hamilton - General Surgery

McMaster UniversityHamilton, Ontario
General Surgery
CMG Stream
6 Positions
Official Page

McMaster University's General Surgery Residency is a comprehensive 5-year program designed to train highly skilled and adaptable surgeons. The program offers flexible training across diverse clinical settings, preparing residents for a wide range of surgical careers from rural hospitals to academic medical centers.

Quick Facts
Program ID
29457
Quota
6 positions
Stream
CMG
Program Length
5 years
Last Approved
September 9, 2025
Last Updated
December 3, 2025
Avg. Applications (5 yrs)
51 - 200
Avg. Interview Rate
26 - 50 %
Program Overview

Teaching Philosophy

A collaborative, competency-based approach emphasizing progressive independence, continuous improvement, and personalized learning through work-based assessments and structured academic curriculum.

Training Setting

Training occurs across multiple urban hospitals in Hamilton, Ontario, including St. Joseph's Hospital, Hamilton General Hospital, and Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre, with additional rotations in community hospitals.

Focus Areas
General Surgery
Surgical Oncology
Acute Care Surgery
Trauma Surgery
Colorectal Surgery
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Minimal Invasive Surgery
Breast Oncology
Special Features
  • Competence by Design (CBD) model
  • Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs)
  • Annual Research Day
  • Clinician Investigator Program (CIP)
  • Opportunity to pursue Masters/PhD
  • Canadian Association of General Surgery (CAGS) membership
  • Multiple surgical skills courses
  • Research project requirements
Program Strengths
  • Comprehensive surgical training across multiple sites
  • Flexible curriculum tailored to individual learning needs
  • Strong research infrastructure
  • Multiple opportunities for academic advancement
  • Supportive learning environment
Patient Populations
Trauma patients
Surgical oncology patients
Acute care patients
Pediatric surgical patients
Colorectal patients
Breast cancer patients
Research Opportunities

Residents are required to complete two research projects, with opportunities to pursue Masters or PhD degrees, including potential funded positions through the Clinician Investigator Program.

Teaching Hospitals
  • St. Joseph's Hospital
  • Hamilton General Hospital
  • Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre
Training Setting Type
Academic medical center
Community hospital
Tertiary care center
Enhanced Skills Training
Clinician Investigator Program
Masters/PhD opportunities
Advanced surgical skills courses
Interview Information

Interview Dates

  • Thursday, January 22, 2026
  • January 22, 2026
  • January 23, 2026
  • January 22, 2026
  • January 23, 2026
Evaluation Criteria
  • CV
  • Personal letter
  • Letters of reference
  • Academic record
  • Interviews
  • Electives exploration
Compensation & Benefits

Ontario provincial salaries

Updated January 6, 2025

Salary Progression (5-Year Program)

Starting Salary

$73,367

PGY-1

Maximum Salary

$98,567

PGY-5

Benefits & Perks

PGY Level: Salary

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 Boot Camp1 block
Trauma1 block
Acute Care Surgery1 blockHGH
General Surgery6 blocksSJH and JHCC
Pediatric General Surgery2 blocks
Internal Medicine/Perioperative Medicine1 block
Emergency Medicine/Internal Medicine/Perioperative Medicine/Thoracic Surgery1 block

PGY-2 Rotations

Acute Care Surgery3 blocksSJH or JHCC
Non-ACS General Surgery2 blocksHGH
Non-ACS General Surgery2 blocksHamilton
ICU3 blocks
Endoscopy3 blocks

PGY-3 Rotations

Community/Elective General SurgeryUp to 6 blocksOutside Hamilton
Non-General Surgery SpecialtyUp to 4 blocks
Breast Oncology2 blocks
Acute Care Surgery3 blocksSJH or JHCC
Acute Care Surgery1 blockHGH
Trauma1 block
General Surgery4-6 blocksHamilton
Non-General Surgery ElectiveUp to 3 blocks

PGY-4 Rotations

General Surgery14 blocks
Transition to Practice2 blocks

PGY-5 Rotations

General SurgeryFull year
Websites of Interest
City Amenities
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Program Location
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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.