In an important development for internationally trained physicians, Prince Edward Island (PEI) and McMaster University have joined forces to establish a specialized program aimed at easing the integration of foreign-trained doctors into Canada’s healthcare system.
The PEI-McMaster Collaborative Hospitalist Fellowship is designed to provide International Medical Graduates (IMGs) with clinical training that prepares them for licensure and practice in Prince Edward Island (PEI).
Also Read Canada Opens New Doorway for Foreign-Trained Physicians Through PEI-McMaster Fellowship
A Tailored Fellowship to Address Healthcare Shortages
This newly announced one-year program focuses on hospital-based internal medicine and offers a structured training route for international medical graduates (IMGs) who hold either Canadian citizenship or permanent residency. Upon successful completion, participating physicians are expected to commit to practicing in PEI for a minimum of one year.
Developed in collaboration between the Government of PEI, McMaster University in Ontario, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Prince Edward Island, the initiative aims to address critical shortages in the island’s healthcare workforce while opening new doors for qualified international physicians.
Health PEI, the province’s healthcare authority, will manage the selection process and provide funding for the fellows. The program mirrors elements of an earlier pathway followed by Dr. Ali Abdullah, an IMG who successfully completed McMaster’s hospitalist fellowship and began practicing in PEI in 2024.
Fellowship Structure and Eligibility
The training will primarily take place at McMaster University, with 12 of the 13 blocks of training hosted at the Hamilton-based medical institution. The final portion of the program will be completed in PEI to ensure a smooth transition into the island’s healthcare infrastructure.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status;
- Eligibility for licensure by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of PEI;
- Preferential consideration for candidates eligible for the Royal College’s Internal Medicine exam through the Practice Eligibility Route (PER).
This program provides a vital alternative to the traditional, residency-based licensing process, which is often out of reach for many IMGs due to limited residency positions across Canada.
Addressing Systemic Licensing Challenges for IMGs
Securing medical licensure in Canada remains one of the largest obstacles for internationally-trained doctors. The majority of residency positions—a mandatory requirement for licensing—are reserved for graduates of Canadian medical schools, leaving IMGs with limited opportunities. In most provinces, only around 10% of residency placements are accessible to foreign-trained physicians.
Programs like the PEI-McMaster fellowship are part of a broader effort to introduce alternative licensure pathways that tap into the skilled immigrant population already present in Canada.
Aligning with Canada’s Broader Healthcare and Immigration Strategy
This initiative is consistent with recent national and provincial strategies to recruit healthcare professionals through immigration. Canada’s healthcare sector continues to experience labour shortages, prompting governments to rethink recruitment and credential recognition practices.
Here are some recent steps Canada has taken to improve healthcare staffing through immigration:
- Express Entry Healthcare Draws (2023–2025): IRCC introduced category-based selection in Express Entry, prioritizing candidates with healthcare experience.
- Policy Changes in Ontario (2025): Ontario expanded eligibility criteria in its PNP streams, recognizing self-employment experience for physicians.
- Federal Recognition of Self-Employment (2025): New policies allow doctors to count self-employed work experience under select federal immigration programs.
- Targeted Provincial Immigration (2024–2025): PEI, BC, Saskatchewan, and others have introduced targeted immigration pathways prioritizing healthcare professionals.
Incentives in Multiple Provinces: Manitoba, Newfoundland & Labrador, and Saskatchewan, among others, have introduced benefits and streamlined programs to attract foreign-trained healthcare professionals.
A Win-Win for PEI and Skilled Immigrants
This fellowship not only provides internationally-trained physicians with a viable path to licensure but also directly contributes to filling critical gaps in PEI’s healthcare system. With both federal and provincial governments aligned in their commitment to addressing workforce shortages, initiatives like this one serve as a blueprint for integrating qualified immigrants into Canada’s essential sectors.
For internationally-trained doctors already in Canada or seeking to immigrate, the PEI-McMaster Collaborative Hospitalist Fellowship offers a promising and structured route to practicing medicine—while contributing meaningfully to Canadian healthcare.
