“A pioneering fellowship aims to unlock the potential of internationally-trained doctors—starting with PEI. Is this Canada’s next blueprint for healthcare reform?’’
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
In a firstofitskind partnership, Prince Edward Island and McMaster University in Ontario have launched the PEIMcMaster Collaborative Hospitalist Fellowship—a oneyear, handson training program designed to bridge the gap for internationallytrained physicians (IMGs) aiming to practice internal medicine in Canada
How it works:
- 13 fourweek training blocks: 12 at McMaster, 1 on PEI.
- Fellows, selected and funded by Health PEI, are expected to commit to at least one year of practice in PEI afterward.
- Candidates must meet provincial registration criteria and are preferred if eligible to sit the Royal College Internal Medicine exam via the Practice Eligibility Route.
This fellowship is partially modeled after the success story of Dr. Ali Abdullah, an IMG who completed McMaster’s hospitalist training and began practicing in PEI in 2024. The idea is simple but powerful: give internationally-trained physicians real, supervised Canadian experience and help them get licensed faster—while also filling long-standing gaps in the province’s healthcare system.
WHY THIS MATTERS:
PEI—Canada’s smallest province—has among the poorest access to care nationwide. In 2024 it ranked last in physician availability. The province will fund up to four fellowship seats, each costing roughly C$80,000—a “worthwhile investment” according to Health PEI’s interim Chief Medical Officer. He also states that “This initiative helps international physicians integrate into the Canadian health system while giving PEI a boost in our workforce.”
WHAT WE NEED TO REFLECT ONE?
While this fellowship is a strong start, it’s far from a silver bullet.
Four spots a year? That’s hardly a dent in the growing demand for doctors across Canada—let alone within PEI.
One-year return of service? What happens after that year? Will doctors stay? Or will they head for larger, better-resourced provinces once their obligation is fulfilled?
Scalability is a concern. Can this model be replicated elsewhere? And will other provinces, often more resistant to IMG integration, follow suit?
PROGRESS
This fellowship couldn’t have come at a better time. Across the country, the Canadian government is finally recognizing the critical role that immigration can—and must—play in solving our healthcare crisis. In the past two years alone, we’ve seen:
- Express Entry draws that prioritize healthcare professionals.
- More flexible recognition of foreign credentials.
- Immigration pathways targeted at in-demand sectors like health and social services.
The PEI-McMaster Fellowship is a practical response to a long-standing problem. It doesn’t solve everything—but it’s a clear step in the right direction.
