Message from the Adult Critical Care Medicine Program Director

Educational Approach

The residency is a two-year program aligned with the standards of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and delivered within a competency-based medical education (CBME) framework.

In addition to clinical rotations, residents participate in a structured academic curriculum that includes:

• Weekly academic half-day featuring didactic lectures, interactive case-based sessions, and simulation-based training.
• BASIC (Bedside Assessment by Sonography in Critical Care Medicine) critical care ultrasound curriculum
• Emergency Neurologic Life Support course
• Visiting Professor Rounds and Physiology Rounds
• A dedicated communication curriculum

The program also offers flexibility through electives and protected scholarly time, supporting residents in achieving their individual career goals.

Clinical Training Environment

Based in Toronto, our program serves a population of more than six million people. The city’s size and diversity provide exposure to the full spectrum of critical illness, from common presentations to rare and highly specialized conditions. Residents develop expertise in managing complex cases and advanced therapies across multiple sites. Each hospital delivers high-quality general intensive care while also serving as a referral centre for specialized services, including extracorporeal life support (ECLS), trauma, neurocritical care, transplantation, high-risk obstetrics, and oncology.

Core training sites include:

• Mount Sinai Hospital
• St. Michael’s Hospital
• Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
• Toronto General Hospital
• Toronto Western Hospital

Together, these institutions form an integrated academic network recognized internationally for excellence in patient care, research, and education. These sites have also been ranked among the World's Best Hospitals.

The Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine is also home to a large clinical fellowship program, with more than 50 fellows each year. This provides a unique opportunity for residents to collaborate with and learn from colleagues from around the world, enriching both the clinical and academic training experience.

Mentorship and Program Structure

Despite spanning multiple hospitals, the program is intentionally designed to be cohesive and supportive. Each site is led by dedicated educational leaders, and residents benefit from accessible mentorship throughout all stages of training. We are committed to fostering an environment that is collegial and collaborative; supportive of resident well-being; and focused on both personal and professional development.

Preparing the Next Generation of Intensivists

Our mission is to train intensivists who are not only clinically excellent but also compassionate, adaptable, and forward-thinking. Whether graduates pursue careers in academic centres or community practice, they leave equipped to lead, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to the field of critical care.

We welcome applicants who are driven by curiosity, committed to excellence, and eager to make a difference in patient care, education, quality improvement, and research. We are proud of our graduates and the impact they continue to have across Canada and beyond. If you are interested in learning more about our program, please reach out to us directly. 

Program Director: Dr. Jenna Spring (jenna.spring@sinaihealth.ca)

Program Coordinator: Mr. Simon Chung (adultccmcoordinator@unityhealth.to)