The CACC in Red Deer is one of four regional cancer centres within Alberta. Serving Central and Northern Alberta, Southeastern British Columbia and Southwestern Saskatchewan, the centre delivers a wide range of state-of-the-art treatment and care to cancer patients.

Fellows who come to our centre can take advantage of our unique position. Due to its proximity to the two large academic centers in Calgary and Edmonton, it is possible to enjoy a perfect environment for community clinics while at the same time having opportunities for research, access to clinical trials and academic educational events.

Currently our team is composed of 03 medical oncologists, 03 radiation oncologist, 02 GPOs and 02 nurse practitioners. Our care is centered around the major tumor groups with rarer tumors managed in conjunction with consultation and expertise from the tertiary centers in Calgary and Edmonton.

Red Deer is a city of over 100,000. This picturesque, family-oriented community boasts 80 kilometres of multi-use trails that permit biking, rollerblading, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and, walking. The nearby Canyon ski resort is a favorite of snow boarders and down hill skiers alike. In summers, the proximity to Sylvan Lake makes it ideal to enjoy festivals, golfing and water sports.

Interested trainees can contact Dr. Carla Amaro at carla.piresamaro@albertahealthservices.ca.

Perched on the St. Mary’s River, Sault Ste. Marie seamlessly blends urban amenities with nature’s beauty, bridging Lake Huron and Lake Superior at the Canada-United States border. This dynamic city offers rich cultural experiences, and year-round outdoor activities. Whether indulging in arts or embarking on wilderness adventures, there’s something for everyone!

The Sault Area Hospital (SAH), a state-of-the-art, up-to-300-bed facility that opened in 2011, serves the city and the District of Algoma, supporting a catchment population of approximately 115,000. SAH offers comprehensive healthcare services, including the Algoma District Cancer Program (ADCP).

The ADCP is a district cancer program consisting of 4 medical oncologists and 1 hematology-oncologist. This program services the District of Algoma and works in collaboration with the Northeast Cancer Centre. Local and regional multi-disciplinary case conferences, regional oncology rounds, radiation oncology services, and clinical trials are available on site. On-site palliative care exposure is also available. Elective opportunities would cater to the needs and interests of the trainees. Our medical oncologists’ practices are disease site selective, allowing visiting trainees exposure to multiple disease sites within the same day – providing that true community oncology experience. On call opportunities are available upon request. There are no mandatory inpatient service requirements.

For further inquiries please contact Ian Espeut at espeutl@sah.on.ca. Trainees interested in an elective are asked to submit their application to NOSM U: https://www.nosm.ca/education/medical-electives/for-applicants/ 

Our Centre in Vernon is a Community Oncology site with a hybrid operational structure. Physicians are hired by BC Cancer, but other staff and space are funded by Interior Health Authority. The clinic is located within the Vernon Jubilee Hospital. We currently have two full time medical oncologists, supported by 2.0 FTE of GPO team members (4 individual GPOs). A third oncologist has been recruited to join the team in summer 2024, and a fourth position is being considered, due to population growth and the expansion all sites are experiencing in the range of therapy options for patients.  The population size within the city is about 43,000, and adjacent smaller communities produce a catchment area of about 67,000 currently.

Elective opportunities would provide an applicant an experience working in a busy and collegial small Oncology Centre, located about 45 minutes from the Regional Centre in Kelowna. The current medical oncologists each treat the range of most common cancer types, with more specialized tumour types, especially those requiring a chemoradiation approach, referred to Kelowna. Clinicians in Vernon have the opportunity to attend educational and clinical care focused rounds and events based in Vernon or Kelowna, in person or virtually, as desired. Electives could occur at any time of year, with sufficient notice. Vernon is at the North end of the fertile Okanagan valley, and offers beautiful surroundings, including the Silver Star downhill ski mountain, nearby Nordic ski trails at Sovereign Lake, as well as access to beautiful lakes, parks, orchards, and vineyards.  Interested candidates could consider splitting their time between Vernon and Kamloops, for two Community Oncology Centre experiences.

Contact for either location can be made with Dr. Susan Ellard, Medical Oncology Department Leader at BC Cancer Kelowna, and inquiries will be shared with the respective oncologists at Vernon and/or Kamloops, to enable communication and planning.  Susan Ellard can be reached at sellard@bccancer.bc.ca or 250.712.3900 ext 686804.

Our clinic in Kamloops is located about 2 hours from Kelowna and has a hybrid operational structure, currently employing 4 medical oncologists and 3 part-time GPOs (GP in oncology). Clinician staff are employed by BC Cancer, while other medical staff and space are provided by Interior Health.  The clinic is operated within Royal Inland Hospital (RIH). The current near term plan is for expansion of radiation services to Kamloops within the next few years, and the 10 year plan is for a new Regional Centre being established at this locale. There is an opportunity for oncology clinicians in Kamloops to participate in rounds and events in the region, virtually or in person, though with longer travel distances for in person events, if held in Kelowna. There is work ongoing to invest in clinical trials team expansion to Kamloops in the next year or two.

Kamloops is located along the Thompson River, and like other area Oncology Centres, has nearby access to a large ski hill and trails at Sun Peaks, and many parks and recreation facilities.  Kamloops hosts many sports tournaments.  The population of the city is just over 100,000, and RIH provides tertiary care to the nearby Thompson-Cariboo region.

Clinicians in Kamloops could shape an elective experience around a subset of cancer types, if desired, or could provide a broad experience across most frequent tumour types. Visiting trainees would be welcome to participate in any departmental rounds or events while visiting.  If desired, a trainee could request to split their time between Kamloops and our other Community Centre in Vernon about an hour away, to get a sense of both clinics and cities.

Contact for either location can be made with Dr. Susan Ellard, Medical Oncology Department Leader at BC Cancer Kelowna, and inquiries will be shared with the respective oncologists at Vernon and/or Kamloops, to enable communication and planning.  Susan Ellard can be reached at sellard@bccancer.bc.ca or 250.712.3900 ext 686804.

The Jack Ady Cancer Centre in Lethbridge is one of four regional (non-tertiary) centers in Alberta, serving patients in Southern Alberta, and Southeastern BC. Surrounded by rolling hills and national parks, Southern Alberta boasts opportunities for skiing, hiking, and mountain biking in nearby Waterton Park, AB, Crowsnest, AB and Fernie, BC. The city of Lethbridge has a population of 100,000 with the surrounding catchment area comprising a greater population of about half a million.

The center has a complement of three medical oncologists and two radiation oncologists and has a robust systemic program treating malignancies of lung, breast, GI and GU origin. This is complemented by full support in other medical disciplines including General Surgery, Urology, Internal Medicine and subspecialities including Cardiology, GI and Respirology. This would be an excellent opportunity to gain expertise in treatment across a multitude of tumor groups, within a tight knit collaborative environment.

Elective opportunities may be available year-round, please contact Dr. Amina Taleb at Amina.Taleb@albertahealthservices.ca for more details.

Saint John Regional Hospital Oncology Center has 5 Medical Oncologists, 4 Hematologists and 6 Radiation Oncologist.  This elective will provide a broad exposure to community medical oncology. 

Electives are available throughout the year. It may be possible to have accommodations provided walking distance from the hospital. 

Saint John is the oldest incorporated city in Canada and currently the second largest city in New Brunswick.  It is a seaport city located on the world-famous Bay of Fundy where the tides rise and fall by 8.5 meters (28.5 feet) twice daily.  An interconnected system of rivers flow throughout the Saint John Region offering ample opportunity for hiking, boating, fishing, and swimming.

Contact: Dr. James Michael james.michael@horizonnb.ca

https://www.discoversaintjohn.com/