CAPE BRETON - INVERNESS

Inverness is known as Canada’s Musical Coast, and no wonder—this is a series of stunning communities and majestic coastline bound together by historic musical traditions. Located on the western coastline of Cape Breton Island, Inverness includes the world famous Cabot Trail and reaches inland as far as the beautiful Bras d’Or Lakes. This is a place tailor-made for residents looking for a rural-feeling, small-community experience—in one of nature’s most stunning settings.

  • Inverness is a satellite program of the Family Medicine Residency program in Sydney.

  • High quality of life 

  • Triple-C competency-based curriculum

  • A rich Gaelic culture defines life in this area 

  • Ideal for residents interested in rural and small community life 

  • Hiking, beaches, golf, and ceilidhs keep you on your feet

46,000

POPULATION

DISCOVER CAPE BRETON

Easy access to beaches, trails, and outdoor adventures.

Cape Breton - Inverness facilities

Inverness has a strong history of being a community site for the Cape Breton program, and faculty are excited to embark on an integrated competency-based program centred in family medicine.

  • An integrated Triple-C competency-based program centred on family medicine

  • Continuity of experience is maintained, as residents work primarily in the same family medicine environment

  • Residents will be responsible for a cohort of patients over the two-year program

Ideal for residents interested in rural and small community life.

Salary and benefits

During your residency in Cape Breton-Inverness, as with all our residency sites, your salary will be very competitive.

$77,038 – $82,259

PGY1 - PGY2 SALARY AMOUNTS

The curriculum

In the Cape Breton - Inverness sub-site, resident training is focused on the College of Family Physicians of Canada Triple-C competency-based curriculum, delivered in a longitudinal integrated format with family medicine being the largest component.

Clinical experiences

PGY1 AND PGY2 EXPERIENCES

  • Core family medicine

  • Emergency Medicine

  • Internal medicine

  • Orthopedics

  • General surgery

  • Pediatrics

  • Psychiatry

  • Geriatrics

  • Palliative medicine

  • Obstetrics and gynecology

  • ICU

  • Selectives

To cross reference and compare the sites in our program, find more information by clicking below.

VIEW CHART

Dr. Christina Gillis

PGY2

  • I live in a rented apartment in Inverness.

  • I took over the apartment from a former resident.

  • I chose this site because I wanted to stay close to home, and I loved the idea of a longitudinal program. I was a Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship (LIC) student in Sydney in my third year of medical school, and I really feel a longitudinal model is how I learn best. I was able to complete an elective in Inverness in family and emergency medicine in fourth year. I had an amazing experience and really fell in love with the area. Additionally, I have noticed that many residents that have trained at this site feel they are better prepared for independent practice, and that was appealing. Oh, and the beach of course. Inverness county has the most beautiful beaches in the province.

  • My favourite thing about the site is the people that work here. I feel extremely well-supported in my learning and beyond.

  • Again, the people that work here are really what makes this site stand out. The physicians, nurses, and other team members are kind, welcoming, and supportive.

  • I have enjoyed an excellent relationship with all my preceptors. Given the program is longitudinal, I have had the chance to work with nearly all physicians at the site. They are all kind, approachable, responsive, and invested in our development as learners.

  • Defintiely. There is a great balance of independence and supported learning in Inverness.

  • In PGY-1, you tend to be in a different place each day or every few days. It is a great mix of family medicine clinic, the emergency department, and time with visiting specialists.

  • I could never complain about work-life balance. I think I probably have it better than most residents. Night call is very maneageable and clinic days are reasonable hours. It helps that my commute is 600 meters.

  • As I mentioned before, I think my site's greatest strength is the people that work here. Our preceptors are all very caring. I would feel very comfortable approaching anyone, including our fantastic admin, if I had any issues.

  • The patient population in Inverness is largely rural, with a higher proportion of seniors, underserved communities, and nearby Indigenous populations with unique health needs.

  • As the site is rural, there is ample opportunity to work in rural and underserved areas, including travel to nearby indigenous communities.

  • I would strongly suggest ranking Inverness, or any longitudinal rural site, highly. I do feel this type of learning is the best way to prepare for independent practice, whether or not you plan to practice rurally. This is a supportive site in a beautiful place- what more could you want?

Sound like a good fit?

If you want to learn more about a residency in the community of Inverness, get in touch. Our Inverness staff would be happy to answer all of your questions.

Assistant Site Director 
Dr. Jean MacLachlan
jean.maclachlan@dal.ca
902-258-1932

Associate Resident Leader
Dr. Christina Gillis
christina.gillis@dal.ca

Site Administrator
Natasha Phillips
natasha.phillips@nshealth.ca
(902) 258-1932