Division of Emergency Medicine

Resident Life

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The residency experience is more than clinical time and studying. McMaster has a long tradition of placing a priority on resident well-being, and from the program director to the faculty to the staff of the Post-Graduate Medical Education Office, a strong support network exists to help the transition to a new and challenging stage in life.

First Year

All incoming PGY-1s start their residency in the Basic Clinical Training (BCT) year. Rotations here will prepare you for the LMCC part 2. More importantly, you will meet residents from other programs and develop a camaraderie lasting far beyond graduation. Take a look at the FRCPC home page for a further description of the academic layout.

Social Atmosphere

The FRCP program considers ourselves a fun and outgoing group. We plan a bunch of formal and informal social gatherings through out the year. In August, we will be inaugurating the Residents annual golf tournament. With attendings and nursing staff from both teaching centers’ (HHS & SJH), it promises to be a day of hi-jinks and laughter as many participants haven’t picked up a club before. As well, there is the ever famous “Meat Club” hosted by residents or faculty where the goal is to eat as much meat as possible and then roll home. Vegetarians are welcome but may be subject to scrutiny and pranks. After many Wednesday afternoon half-days, the group heads out to a local “watering hole” to enjoy a drink or three for fluid rounds and complain about off-service rotations. Our attendings also get in on the action as they are famous for the great parties hosted during the year. Don’t forget the annual Buffalo Bills tailgate party where the residents join nursing staff and attendings on a limo road trip to a NFL game. We hope to continue the tradition of trips to Canada ’s Wonderland and plan new events including Casino road trips, Toronto Raptors games, Leafs games, and supporting our beloved Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL. We are also currently working on an annual Resident Retreat.

There are also official annual events put on by the Division of Emergency Medicine. These include Research day, the Excellence in Teaching Awards Banquet, the Christmas party, and a welcome/goodbye BBQ for the new PGY-1s and graduating PGY-5s. Journal Club is held monthly at different attending’s homes from September to June and food is graciously provided.

Family Environment

Many of our residents are married and some have even found the time to reproduce, so tell your significant other and children that they are always welcome at our events. Just think, one of your new colleagues could be at your wedding and then deliver your baby during BCT…how is that for continuity of care and resident bonding!

Athletics

If you are athletically inclined, there are many residents who cycle, climb, mountaineer, or are just generally active. As well, many of us play organized sports with other residents or on community teams. In the winter, there is a weekly hockey game where residents and attendings play together in a league. There are also intramural sports at McMaster where we play basketball or ultimate. If you ever want to hit up the links then you’ll have no problem finding three other ER residents or attendings to make up your foursome. Remember, you’ll always know who’s working in the ED when you get hurt!

Research

If research is your thing, excellent support is in place from several staff attendings. The research highlight of the year is always the annual CAEP conference. Most of the resident group made it out to CAEP/ICEM in Halifax in June, and some even made it to the conference!

Extracurriculars

Many of our residents are ACLS/ATLS/PALS instructors. Some of us are even course medical directors. Our politically-adept residents sit on the executive of CAEP and PAIRO.

Steel Town

No doubt the easiest way for residents to enjoy days off is to simply step out their door. Hamilton is located in the Golden Horseshoe with close proximity to Toronto and Niagara Falls . Many residents choose to live in Hamilton or the surrounding communities of Ancaster, Dundas , Burlington , Oakville , Mississauga , and even Toronto . The Niagara Escarpment & Dundas Valley Conservation areas are beautiful and offer great hiking and biking trails. Hamilton is truly a multicultural city and offers an open and fascinating experience for everyone.