Maple News reports that a new partnership between McMaster University and the Government of Prince Edward Island (PEI) aims to fast-track internationally-trained physicians into the Canadian healthcare system. The initiative, titled the PEI-McMaster Collaborative Hospitalist Fellowship, provides a structured pathway for international medical graduates (IMGs) seeking to work in Canada.
The one-year fellowship will offer hands-on training in internal medicine, preparing participants for licensure to practice in PEI upon completion. Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents and meet specific eligibility criteria set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Prince Edward Island. Preference will be given to those who qualify for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons’ Practice Eligibility Route (PER).
Fellows accepted into the program will be required to practice in PEI for at least one year after training. The move is intended to address persistent shortages in the province’s healthcare workforce, particularly in primary and internal care roles.
The majority of the training—12 out of 13 blocks—will take place at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, a leading institution known for its innovative approaches to medical education. The final training block will occur in PEI, offering a localized experience to help transitioning doctors acclimate to the province’s healthcare environment.
“This initiative helps international physicians integrate into the Canadian health system while giving PEI a boost in our workforce,” said PEI’s Minister of Health and Wellness, Mark McLane. “It’s a win-win strategy that meets our community’s healthcare needs while also supporting doctors trained abroad.”
Health PEI, the province’s healthcare authority, will be responsible for selecting and funding fellowship candidates. The program is modeled in part after the successful journey of Dr. Ali Abdullah, an internationally-trained internal medicine physician who completed a similar fellowship at McMaster and began practicing in PEI in 2024.
By facilitating the transition of internationally-trained doctors into the Canadian healthcare system, this program exemplifies a growing trend among Canadian provinces to tap into the global talent pool to strengthen local services.
Maple News will continue to monitor the rollout of this initiative and its impact on healthcare delivery in PEI.