Paediatric Craniomaxillofacial Surgery

Number of Positions	2
Duration	1 year
Start Date	July 1, 2027
Supervisor	Dr. Christopher R. Forrest, MD, MSc, FRCS, FACS, FRACS Medical Director, HSC Centre for Craniofacial Care and Research
Application Deadline	August 16, 2026

Paediatric Craniomaxillofacial Surgery Fellowship Overview

The Craniofacial Program offers a one-year clinical fellowship for surgeons with a special interest in Pediatric Craniomaxillofacial Surgery. The fellowship is administered through the University of Toronto and is based at The Hospital for Sick Children, within the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The program is recognized by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

The 12-month program begins in July each year and is structured to provide comprehensive exposure to all aspects of pediatric craniofacial pathology, including:

• Craniosynostosis
• Cleft lip and palate
• Vascular anomalies
• Tumor-related conditions
• Developmental malocclusion
• Trauma and post-traumatic deformities

The fellowship is managed by Dr. Christopher Forrest, with supervision and guidance from Dr. Johanna Riesel and Dr. Dale Podolsky.

Program Structure

• Two fellowship positions are offered each year: 1 for international/Canadian applicants and 1 for US applicants via SF Match
• Operating days: 4 per week
• Clinic days: 2 per week
• Fellows are expected to participate in on-call duties, teaching responsibilities, surgeries, clinics, and complete a research project over the 12-month period

Fellowship Benefits

• Salary: CAD $85,564.01
• Health Insurance: Provided
• Accommodation: Limited unfurnished suites are available in an apartment building adjacent to the hospital (moving expenses are the responsibility of the fellow)

The program attracts clinical fellows from around the world, enriching the Craniofacial Program and the Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. Fellows gain extensive academic and clinical experience, preparing them for a career in Pediatric Craniofacial Surgery.

Educational Objectives

Cognitive

• Gain experience in the emergency management of common injuries in children.
• Gain an understanding of the classification, assessment and complete management of the child with a cleft lip and/or palate.
• Review literature, prepare and present rounds, teach at resident and undergraduate level and understand the clinical research process including randomized trials.
• Understand the principles and management of subspecialty paediatric plastic surgery areas which may include craniomaxillofacial, brachial plexus injuries, facial paralysis, vascular malformations, congenital hand anomalies, microtia etc.

Attitudinal

• Gain experience in approaching and attending to the child with a physical injury or deformity.
• Gain experience in the approach toward parents and family of the injured or deformed child.
• Gain experience in working with a group of other physicians, nurses and paramedical personnel.
• Learn the value of working in a cohesive, multidisciplinary team setting and appreciate the contributions of each group.

Technical

• Become proficient in the surgical repair of paediatric soft tissues.
• Acquire technical expertise in the surgical management of the child with cleft lip and/or palate.
• Acquire technical expertise in subspecialty areas that may include craniomaxillofacial microsurgery or anomalies of the upper extremity.

Job Description

Clinical

• Attend Plastic Surgery Outpatient Clinics including that of the primary supervisor and others that may be determined by the Head of Plastic Surgery, HSC.
• Assist in the preoperative assessment, surgery, and postoperative care of the supervisor’s and other consultants’ patients.
• Assist in the evaluation of consults referred to the supervisor and other consultants.
• Assist in the clinical teaching responsibility of the Division.
• Work with other house-staff members attending patients in the Emergency Department.

It is clearly understood that none of the above responsibilities will in anyway interfere with the Residency Training Program but will complement the continuous teaching of residents. Fellows will often add an international outlook on teaching.

Research

Complete a minimum of one clinical or basic science research project and prepare it for presentation and publication

Requirements for Fellowship Applicants

Medical Licensing Eligibility

• Applicants must be certified plastic surgeons in Canada or their country of origin
• International Medical Graduates must provide official specialty certification
• Applicants still in residency must provide a letter of good standing confirming recognition as a medical specialist by the fellowship start date

• Applicants certified solely in OMFS are not eligible. Candidates must have completed a subspecialty in Plastic Surgery, with preference for those holding the S. National Board or Canadian Licensing Examination (LMCC). International graduates must have passed the Medical Council of Canada evaluating examination (or be exempted) and be eligible for a work visa in Canada.

Language Proficiency

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) whose medical school language of instruction was not English must meet one of the following English proficiency requirements:

• TOEFL-iBT: Minimum overall score of 93, with a minimum of 24 in the speaking section.
• TSE and TOEFL (paper/computer-based): Passing scores from prior versions of the TOEFL are also accepted.
• More information is available at the TOEFL Website.

Work Authorization

Prospective clinical fellows must also be eligible for a work visa in Canada.** For more information for legibility please see https://pgme.utoronto.ca/applicants/apply-for-fellowship-training/

Additional Preferences

• Completion of US National Board or Canadian LMCC exams is preferred
• Preference for candidates with full-time pediatric plastic surgery positions in their home country seeking advanced training

Early Application for International and Canadian Applicants

International and Canadian applicants may submit an early application up to 2-3 years in advance of the fellowship start date. To do so, a special request must be sent by email to:

• Dr. Christopher Forrest: Christopher.forrest@sickkids.ca
• Michael Perrino: Michael.Perrino@sickkids.ca

Early applications allow for advanced planning of visa processing, licensing requirements, and relocation logistics, ensuring all regulatory and administrative steps are completed well before the fellowship start date. Please note that submitting a special request does not bypass the standard application process—the full application must still be completed via the appropriate pathway.