Ottawa-Nunavut Family Medicine Stream (4 Positions)

This stream is built based on the guiding knowledge of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit:

• Inuuqatigiitsiarniq
  Respecting others, relationships and caring for people.
• Pijitsirniq
  Serving and providing for family and/or community.
• Pilimmaksarniq/Pijariuqsarniq
  Development of skills through observation, mentoring, practice, and effort
• Tunnganarniq
  Fostering good spirits by being open, welcoming and inclusive.
• Aajiiqatigiinniq
  Decision making through discussion and consensus.

Residents spend substantial time training in Nunavut, with two blocks in PGY-1 and five blocks in PGY-2. These experiences move beyond short elective-style exposures, allowing residents to become part of clinical teams, build meaningful relationships with patients and communities, and gain a deeper understanding of healthcare delivery in the North.

Training in Nunavut is paired with a community-based Ottawa teaching site, where residents complete core rotations in Family Medicine, Obstetrics, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, ICU, Geriatrics, pediatrics, palliative care, and other key disciplines. Together, these experiences develop confident, adaptable family physicians with a broad scope of practice.

The stream is grounded in the belief that some of the best family medicine training occurs in communities where family physicians are true generalists. 

In Nunavut, family physicians care for patients across settings and across the lifespan—providing care in clinics, hospitals, emergency departments, delivery rooms, and communities. Residents develop the clinical confidence, procedural skills, adaptability, and resourcefulness that define outstanding comprehensive family physicians.

Residents will work in both regional centers and remote communities, gaining firsthand experience with healthcare delivery in isolated settings. These experiences provide unique insight into northern practice and the rewards and challenges of caring for communities where access to healthcare is often limited.

A central focus of the stream is learning alongside Inuit communities and gaining experience in culturally safe, community-responsive care. Residents deepen their understanding of Inuit health, and the social and structural factors that influence health and healthcare access in northern communities.

The stream reflects the University of Ottawa's commitment to social accountability. Residents gain experience caring for underserved populations, develop skills in health advocacy, and learn from physicians who have dedicated their careers to northern and remote practice.

Residents travel to Nunavut in pairs, fostering peer support, shared learning, and a strong sense of community. All travel, accommodation, and associated training costs are fully funded by the program. We look forward to your application!!

• Four dedicated residency positions annually
• Two Nunavut blocks in PGY-1 and five blocks in PGY-2
• Training in both regional and remote Nunavut communities
• Longitudinal exposure to Inuit, Indigenous, northern, and remote health
• Broad-scope family medicine across outpatient, inpatient, emergency, and obstetrical settings
• Strong focus on cultural humility, health equity, advocacy, and social accountability
• Community-based Ottawa training site with continuity of mentorship and clinical experience
• Residents travel and train in pairs
• All Nunavut travel and accommodation costs covered
• Preparation for comprehensive family medicine practice in northern, rural, remote, underserved, and urban communities"

Please note this is an example rotation outline and the actual rotation might be different.