This five-year integrated residency program is centrally based in Saskatoon, with key rotations in Regina. Our curriculum emphasizes hands-on surgical experience, personalized mentorship, and a solid foundation in all aspects of plastic surgery. Residents benefit from a high faculty-to-resident ratio and exposure to a wide spectrum of complex cases referred regionally. Training is supported by state-of-the-art surgical facilities and a robust simulation infrastructure designed to prepare residents for independent practice.

From Early Exposure to Advanced Subspecialty Experience:

• Early Integrated Exposure: Beginning in Postgraduate Year 1 (PGY-1), residents engage in structured plastic surgery rotations integrated with foundational surgical disciplines such as general surgery, orthopedics, and critical care.
• Clinical Rotations with Dedicated Mentorship: Each resident works closely with faculty mentors in a one-on-one setting, gradually assuming increasing responsibility across all major plastic surgery subspecialties, including microsurgery, craniofacial surgery, hand and pediatric surgery, aesthetic procedures, breast reconstruction, and more.
• Skills & Simulation: The program incorporates cadaveric dissections, anatomy-based teaching sessions, and advanced microvascular procedural training, emphasizing mastery of surgical techniques in a controlled environment.
• Didactic Education: Residents have a protected academic half-day each week dedicated to a variety of educational activities, including grand rounds, case conferences, journal clubs, core curriculum lectures, and board exam preparation.
• Rotations in Regina: Up to 12 months are spent on core rotations at the Regina campus, offering exposure to diverse patient populations and surgical cases. The program also encourages residents to pursue out-of-province electives to broaden their clinical experience.
• Research & Educational Development: Annual research projects are strongly supported, with faculty mentorship and access to departmental resources for presentation and publication at regional, national, and international forums.

Saskatoon Campus:

• Dr. Chris Thomson, MD, FRCSC — Division Lead (Saskatoon), Assistant Professor
• Dr. Vidya Shankaran, MD, FACS — Assistant Professor and Residency Program Director
• Dr. Craig Gendron, MD, FRCSC — Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Assistant Professor
• Dr. John Staples, MD, FRCSC — Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Assistant Professor
• Dr. Jessica Robb, MD, FRCSC — Assistant Professor
• Dr. Geethan Chandran, MD, FRCSC — Assistant Professor

Regina Campus:

• Dr. Megan Lyons, MD, FRCSC — Division Lead and Regina Site Director, Assistant Professor
• Dr. Shukri Ghremida, MD, FRCSC — Clinical Associate Professor
• Dr. Daniel Kozan, MD, FRCSC — Assistant Professor
• Dr. Kris Ledding, MD, FRCSC — Assistant Professor
• Dr. Shawki Souf, MD, FRCSC — Clinical Associate Professor

This diverse faculty ensures comprehensive clinical mentorship, robust teaching, and a supportive learning environment.

The residency follows the rigorous standards set by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, including continuous quality improvement and accreditation oversight. Residents benefit from extensive support services encompassing wellness initiatives, career mentorship, confidential reporting mechanisms, and professional development opportunities, all designed to foster resident success and well-being.

Our program boasts a state-of-the-art surgical skills laboratory equipped with simulation technology that enables residents to practice complex microsurgical and reconstructive techniques in a safe, controlled environment. This simulation-based approach complements real-life clinical experience, ensuring residents develop both technical precision and patient safety awareness before independent practice.

Residents are encouraged to engage actively in research through resources such as the Clinical Trial Support Unit and the Office of the Vice Dean, Research. Access to funding, infrastructure, and collaborative opportunities across the department fosters resident scholarship in education, surgical innovation, and clinical outcomes research. The Division supports residents in developing presentations and publications, promoting academic excellence.

Our program is deeply aligned with the University of Saskatchewan’s mission to foster inclusivity and respect for Indigenous communities and cultural diversity. We are committed to creating accessible, culturally safe learning and care environments for all learners and patients, recognizing the importance of social accountability in medical education.

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