Haematology/Oncology

SickKids Paediatric Haematology/Oncology is committed to excellence in training individuals for careers in paediatric haematology and oncology. The training program follows the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada objectives of training.

The program is located at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto. Some rotations take place at St. Michael's Hospital and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

Core Paediatric Haematology/Oncology

Successful candidates complete a 3-year Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) accredited Training Program, with extensive clinical exposure in oncology (leukemia/lymphoma, solid tumor, neuro-oncology, cancer genetics, new agents and innovative therapies), haematology (haemoglobinopathies, bone marrow failure and myelodysplasia, thrombosis/haemostasis and general haematology), and bone marrow transplantation and cellular therapy. Training also includes in-depth exposure to haematopathology (morphology, flow cytometry, cytogenetics, molecular genetics, blood bank and transfusion, special haematology, and coagulation), adult haematology, radiation oncology, and palliative care and symptom management.

Finally, opportunities exist to gain further experience through electives in areas such as diagnostic imaging, pathology and many others. Teaching occurs in both outpatient and inpatient settings, in addition to protected weekly Academic Half-Days, Continuity Clinics, multiple subspecialty rounds, lectures and seminars.  

For more information, visit our website.

Departmental Paediatric Haematology/Oncology

Successful candidates complete a 2-year highly clinically focused Training Program, with extensive clinical exposure in oncology (leukemia/lymphoma, solid tumor, neuro-oncology, cancer genetics, new agents and innovative therapies), haematology (haemoglobinopathies, bone marrow failure and myelodysplasia, thrombosis/haemostasis and general haematology), and bone marrow transplantation and cellular therapy. Training also includes exposure to haematopathology (morphology, flow cytometry, cytogenetics, molecular genetics, blood bank and transfusion, special haematology, and coagulation), adult haematology, radiation oncology, and palliative care and symptom management, the extent of which depends on each candidate’s training objectives.

Teaching occurs in both outpatient and inpatient settings, in addition to protected weekly Academic Half-Days, Continuity Clinics, multiple subspecialty rounds, lectures and seminars. Candidates are fully funded during their training.

The second-year is dependent on successful completion of the first year. Successful candidates will participate in on-call coverage on the inpatient ward for general haematology/oncology and bone marrow transplantation and cellular therapy. 

For more information, visit our website.

Subspecialty Paediatric Haematology/Oncology

Subspecialty Training Programs are for those already trained in General Paediatric Haematology/Oncology who wish to obtain further clinical and/or research specialization. Customized programs may also be developed according to a trainee’s interests. Past customized subspecialty programs have included Sarcoma, and Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Fellowships. 

Please visit the Subspecialties of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology page for more information on each subspecialty program.

Garron Family Cancer Centre Fellowships

The SickKids Garron Family Cancer Centre is a virtual Centre that advances the diagnosis and treatment of children, adolescents and young adults with cancer.

There are 2 application streams for  Garron Family Cancer Centre (GFCC) Fellowships:

• Research Fellowship (1-2 Years)
  • Open to physician trainees. Eligibility is also extended to nursing and allied health professionals pursuing their Master’s or PhD degree.
• Combined Clinical and Research Fellowship (4 years)
  • Open to physician trainees awarded a two-year clinical fellowship by the Division of Haematology/Oncology

For additional details visit our web page or contact garronfamily.cancercentre@sickkids.ca.

There are many opportunities for trainees to participate in research activities. Each learner in the Core and Departmental programs are assigned a Scholarly Oversight Committee where they are paired with faculty to monitor the progress of their research activities. In particular, the third year of the Core Paediatric Haematology/Oncology program focuses on completing scholarly activities and pursuing further training in individual areas of interest. For all Core and Departmental learners, a dedicated Research and Procedures rotation is available to allow learners the time to work on their research activities.

Evaluation of fellows and residents is done through the end of rotation In-Training Evaluation Reports (ITERs). In training, examinations are also organized to provide formative assessment and feedback to suggest areas for further study. From July 2021, Competency by Design (CBD) will be an additional form of evaluation.

A number of resident committees exist that learners can participate in throughout the course of their training, including the Engagement & Wellness Subcommittee and Residency Program Committee. In addition, learners in their second or third year can be nominated to the position of Chief Fellow, where they are actively involved in decision-making for the program, and are responsible for scheduling calls, approving vacation, and facilitating communication between learners and Program Directors.

Learners are invited to subspecialty rounds, such as Solid Tumour, Leukemia and Lymphoma, and Haematology Rounds. In addition, throughout the course of their training, learners have the opportunity to attend conferences such as ASH and COG. Learners are allotted a professional development conference allowance which covers the cost of registration and travel, up to a specific amount.

Core Paediatric Haematology/Oncology

Please access the CaRMS Website.

Sponsored candidates must submit applications directly to Jessica.filion@utoronto.ca.  

Departmental Paediatric Haematology/Oncology

To access the application, visit the application page.

Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Subspecialty Paediatric Haematology/Oncology

To access the application, visit the application page.

Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Garron Family Cancer Centre Fellowships

There are 3 application streams for the Garron Family Cancer Centre (GFCC) Fellowships.

• Clinical Research Fellowship (4 Years)
• Research Fellowship (1-2 Years)
• Restracomp (1-2 Years)

For additional details visit our website or contact garronfamily.cancercentre@sickkids.ca.

The Elective Program in Haematology/Oncology at The Hospital for Sick Children is available to Medical Students, Residents and Haematology/Oncology Elective Trainees.  Students and trainees are exposed to some of the most unique cases, technologies and research opportunities available in Canada.  Depending on their interest, students and trainees can choose between Paediatric Oncology, Haematology or participate in both disciplines.  In addition, both inpatient and outpatient experiences are available. Students and trainees should indicate to the Haematology/Oncology Education Office their preference and date when booking an elective. 

Medical Students

Electives are a maximum of four (4) weeks during an academic year (July 1 – June 30). For inpatient and outpatient Haematology/Oncology elective rotations, completion of a core paediatric rotation is strongly recommended.  All elective applications are processed and must be approved by the Elective Office, Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. 

How To Apply

• University of Toronto Medical Students, applications are processed via MedSIS. 
• Medical Students outside of the University of Toronto, applications are processed via the AFMC Portal. 
• International and US Medical Students are encouraged to visit the University of Toronto Medical Electives site and scroll down to “Visiting North American and International Medical Students” section. 

Residents & Haematology/Oncology Elective Trainees

As a postgraduate medical resident, you may register for an elective rotation at the University of Toronto in order to satisfy a specified part of the requirements of the ongoing residency training program in which you are enrolled at your home institution. In order to be considered for elective training, applicants must be eligible for a certificate authorizing postgraduate education (an educational-type medical license) from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). All resident elective trainees must have confirmation from their program director and our Education Training Program Office (education.haemonc@sickkids.ca) prior to applying. The elective training period is a maximum of four (4) weeks, due to the volume of training requests. 

How To Apply

• All Resident elective trainees are advised to review the University of Toronto Post MD Education site outlining applicant categories, processes and required documentation. Once all requirements are fulfilled, you will receive an email notifying you of your start date and subsequent emails which will include orientation details. 
• Canadian/Permanent Resident residency trainees, must submit application and documents through the University of Toronto - PGME Electives Program Website. 
• All International residency trainees must submit their requests and the following documentation to education.haemonc@sickkids.ca.  
• International applicants require a work permit for the full duration of their elective training. 

For all inquiries, contact the Haematology/Oncology Education Office. 

SickKids Pediatric Haematology/Oncology is one of the largest training programs in Canada. We have the privilege of being able to accommodate many trainees. However, we do not have the capacity to accept observers. 

For all inquiries, contact the Haematology/Oncology Education Office.

Program Director

Dr. Suzan Williams
Phone: 416 813 8997
Email: suzan.williams@sickkids.ca

Associate Director, Subspecialty

Dr. Angela Punnett
Phone: 416-813-5394
Email: angela.punnett@sickkids.ca

Associate Director, Departmental Fellowship

Dr. Muhammad Ali
Phone: 416-813-5327
Email: muhammad.ali@sickkids.ca

Education Administrative Coordinator

Gabrielle Desjardins
Phone: 416 813 7654 ext. 208795

Education Administrative Coordinator

Apollo Fraser
Phone: 416 813 7654 ext: 207742

Email: education.haemonc@sickkids.ca