Vancouver Fraser

John Edworthy
MD, CCFP, FCFP
Site Director
Vancouver Fraser Residency Site

The Vancouver Fraser Residency Site (VF) offers the perfect mix of smaller community hospital training and high-volume, high-acuity, tertiary care academic centre exposure relevant and indispensable to family medicine. As a VF resident, not only will you get to experience beautiful British Columbia and live in a truly world-class city, but you will also find yourself in a supportive, flexible program where your experience can be tailored to meet your personal learning objectives.

At VF, what sets us apart from many other urban programs is our access to multiple community hospitals. From smaller hospitals in Vancouver, such as Mount St. Joseph's, to medium-sized hospitals throughout the Lower Mainland such as Burnaby, Richmond, and Peace Arch Hospitals, we have expanded our program to include a diversity of sites to allow for a varied training experience. At these locations, we work closely with community-based physicians who treat us as their colleagues. As a result, we have the opportunity to lead and to be involved in all areas of patient care, leading to a smooth and rewarding transition to independence.

We also have access to several major tertiary care hospitals; including St. Paul's (serving a unique inner city population), Royal Columbian, Vancouver General, and B.C. Children's and Women's Hospitals. You will have the opportunity to learn from world experts in their fields, work with other postgraduate trainees, and try your hand at being the teacher for medical students. Regular formal and informal educational rounds ensure a wide scope of learning.

Family Practice today is increasingly office based, and our program excels in training residents to be confident outpatient clinicians. In your first year, you will spend four months at one of two UBC-affiliated Family Practice clinics where the preceptors are involved both clinically and academically in many areas of Family Practice. In your second year, you will have the opportunity to work in community clinics where you will fine-tune your skills and learn important practice management essentials. Throughout your training, you will have many opportunities to attend outpatient specialty clinics encompassing most medical and surgical disciplines.

One of the big highlights of our program is that our residency is not service-based, as might be expected in central tertiary teaching centres. This gives you the time and flexibility to pursue other interests, spend extra time with loved ones, participate in clinical research, or see the sun and mountains a little more often than your counterparts!

The VF program is also flexible and allows for elective time during your second year. The learning is resident-driven so that the program can be molded to fit your own needs. Our block scheduling is easily organized and ensures continuous learning experiences.

Vacation can be taken anytime during the year (with the exception of two rotations) and can be divided up however you prefer (i.e. one-week, two-weeks, or some combination).

Socially, we see each other weekly and we are fortunate to have exclusive well-funded resident social events. In the past year, our residents have gone to Whistler for a weekend, a boat cruise from Seattle to Vancouver, and multiple smaller group events including wine night, BBQs, etc.

The graduates of our program have gone on to success in hospital work, clinic work, enhanced skills, and combinations of these in both urban and semi-urban settings.

Thank you for your interest in our program and we look forward to meeting you at our Open Houses. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact either of us.


Drs. Farah Ramji & Jennifer Vassel,

Chief Residents,

Vancouver Fraser Residency Site.