Postgraduate
..Radiation Oncology Residency Program

 

Our Vision...

"To train radiation oncologists who will rise to meet the healthcare needs of cancer patients in the 21st century"

Program Director

Dr. Tracy Sexton
Department of Oncology
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
c/o London Regional Cancer Program
790 Commissioners Road East
London, Ontario, Canada N6A 4L6
Phone:(519) 685-8600 Ext. 53025 
Fax: (519) 685-8627       Email: tracy.sexton@lhsc.on.ca

Residents and Fellows

 

Drs. I. Aivas, A. Louie, L. Best - PGY5 Resident
Drs. J. Bourque, J. Jaswal - PGY4
Drs. K. Huang and V. Velker - PGY3
Drs. D. Toguri and S. Casey - PGY2
Drs. J. Lam and J. Lukovic - PGY1

Medical Staff:

Radiation Oncologists:

Dr. A. Belal                         Dr. G. Bauman                      Dr. D. D'Souza
Dr. R. Dar                           Dr. B. Fisher                         Dr. J. Gilchrist
Dr. A. Hammond                 Dr. M. Lock                           Dr. D. Palma
Dr. F. Perera                       Dr. N. Read                          Dr. G. Rodrigues
Dr. T. Sexton                      Dr. O. Vujovic                       Dr. Venkatesan                        
Dr. B. Yaremko                   Dr. E. Yu
                        

Application and Appointment of Trainees

Applications are made to the Program Director through CaRMS for positions beginning July 1 of the following year.  The London Regional Cancer Program will hold their interviews on TBA for 2013.

Training Requirements for Entry into the Program

For purposes of admission to the examinations leading to Certification and to Fellowship in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, acceptable medical qualifications are required. Such qualifications must include completion of a satisfactory undergraduate medical education for graduates of Category A medical schools, and in addition, for graduates of Category B medical schools, success at a screening examination (see below).

The following are Royal College definitions:

The term "medicine" includes surgery and obstetrics, and does not include chiropractic, homeopathy, osteopathy, podiatry, stomatology, or veterinary science.

The "practice of medicine" means the practice of the medical, surgical, and laboratory disciplines, and the specialties and subspecialties thereof.

"Medical qualification" means a degree granted by a faculty, college or school of medicine, upon the satisfactory completion of a full curriculum of studies in medicine.

The following categories of primary medical qualifications have been defined by the College as:

Category A - Medical School. Recognized: Qualifications from medical schools in Canada and the United States of America and its possessions that grant the degree of Doctor of Medicine (MD) and are accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools or the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.

Category B - Medical School. Provisionally Recognized: Holders of qualifications from medical schools in countries other than Canada and the United Sates of America and its possessions shall have succeeded at one of the following screening examinations:
i) Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination
ii) Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination, Parts I and II
iii) United States Medical Licensing Examination, Parts I, II, and III

Graduates of medical schools in Category B may be required to provide the College with information concerning the prerequisites, duration, and substance of their undergraduate medical experience. This information will form part of the assessment of eligibility for specialty examinations.

Objectives

Knowledge Base:

  1. Basic sciences of biology, biochemistry, cell kinetics, endocrinology, immunology and pharmacology as it relates to neoplastic diseases and their treatment.
  2. Epidemiology and biostatistics in relation to the neoplastic diseases.
  3. The conduct and analysis of clinical trials.
  4. The natural history, course and prognostic factors of neoplastic diseases.
  5. The utility of history, physical examination, pathological, laboratory and imaging procedures in the assessment of neoplastic diseases.
  6. The indications, use, complications and prognostic influence of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the treatment of neoplastic diseases.
  7. The management of oncological emergencies and complications of both the neoplastic diseases and their treatment.
  8. The nutritional needs and means for alimentation of patients with malignant diseases.

Skills:
The trainee will demonstrate the following skills:

  1. An ability to utilize clinical examination and appropriate investigations to determine the identity, extent and complications of malignant diseases.
  2. An ability to formulate an appropriate treatment plan for all patients with neoplastic diseases.
  3. An ability to interact with other specialties in the determination of the optical treatment plan.
  4. An ability to utilize the literature and consultation in order to plan the best approach for the management of rare malignancies.
  5. An ability to deal with the psychosocial aspects of patient care as well as the ability to communicate the nature, treatment and prognosis to patients and their families.
  6. The trainee will be required to write at least one acceptable paper for publication.
  7. The trainee will acquire and be able to demonstrate a proficiency in the following procedures:

- planning of external beam radiotherapy
- brachytherapy
- knowledge of usage of radio-isotopes

 

Structure and Duration of Program

The program consists of two to three month rotations, during which a trainee will be generally assigned to a radiation oncologist having primary responsibility for treatment in specific organ sites - neuro-oncology, head and neck, thoracic oncology, breast, gynecological, genitourinary oncology, GI tract malignancies, sarcomas, melanomas and other malignancies. During the first year there is also a two to three month rotation through medical oncology at the London Regional Cancer Program. During the first to second year there is a three to four month rotation in internal medicine. Two months are spent in physics and there is up to six months of elective time to include further clinical oncology, pediatric oncology basic research and further experience in radiation oncology. A substantial proportion of the training is done in outpatients areas at the London Regional Cancer Program.

Trainees will be expected to actively participate in clinical rounds, grand rounds, conferences, seminars and journal clubs. Trainees will also be expected to attend a 74-hour program on core oncology knowledge during their training years. There are courses on treatment planning, general oncology, statistics and quality assurance. A monthly journal club is ongoing.

 

Research Opportunities

There is an active research program in the oncology services of the Western University, both clinical and basic. Involvement in laboratory or clinical research is encouraged to the extent of the trainees' interest and abilities.