Surrey South Fraser
Site Information
Number of Residents: 12 CMG, 7 IMG
Location: Surrey and Langley
Community: 509,000
Hospitals: Surrey Memorial Hospital, Langley Memorial Hospital, Peach Arch Hospital, Delta Hospital
Curriculum Type: Longitudinal and Block Rotations
R2 Elective Time: 12 weeks
Lead Residents: Dr. Justin Fernandes and Dr. David Luu
Site Director Message
Welcome to the Surrey South Fraser Site of the UBC Family Medicine Residency Program!
Since its launch in 2011, our program has grown to become the second largest in the UBC Family Medicine Residency, currently hosting 36 residents. Our residents are integrated into community family practices in Surrey, Langley, and White Rock, and they experience a variety of rotations including surgery, obstetrics, pediatrics, emergency medicine, psychiatry, and addictions medicine at several local hospitals.
Every 1st, 3rd, and 5th Thursday, residents return to their “home clinic” for longitudinal patient care. On the 2nd and 4th Thursdays, they come together for academic days at Surrey Memorial Hospital, featuring lectures, clinical skills exercises, and social bonding opportunities. Regular exam preparation sessions, including practice SAMPs and mock SOOs, ensure residents are ready for certification and independent practice.
Our diverse patient population reflects Surrey’s status as Canada’s fourth-largest municipality, with 59% of its 580,000 residents identifying as visible minorities. This diversity enriches the training experience for residents.
Surrey Memorial Hospital, the largest in the Fraser Health Authority, is a busy regional facility offering comprehensive care. With 624 acute care beds and a high volume of emergency visits, residents gain extensive clinical exposure.
The surrounding communities provide ample recreational and cultural activities, from food festivals and concerts to beautiful parks and beaches. This vibrant environment promotes a healthy work-life balance.
The Surrey South Fraser site offers a dynamic training experience that fosters skill development and confidence in family medicine. We look forward to welcoming you! Feel free to reach out with any questions.
Sincerely,
Dr. Sandra Derkach
About
Contact: Sandra.Derkach@fraserhealth.ca
Click here to view the site presentation.
Learn more about the City of Surrey here. Further details on recreation activities are here.
Lead Resident Message
Congratulations on nearing the completion of your medical studies! We’re excited to welcome you to the CaRMS tour and share our experiences at the Surrey South Fraser site. Our community has embraced us warmly, from preceptors to patients, creating an integrated environment that values the diverse backgrounds of international medical graduates.
Surrey and Langley boast a network of skilled family physicians, providing exposure to the core of family medicine, including complex cases and various procedures. With around 4,000 deliveries and over 100,000 emergency department visits annually—making it the busiest in Canada—you’ll gain invaluable experience in one of the highest-volume hospitals in the country. Whether following your patients in the hospital or working as a hospitalist, the diversity of cases you’ll encounter is remarkable.
Our site uniquely prepares residents for emergency medicine, obstetrics, and hospitalist roles. With a low physician-learner ratio and a strong educational focus, you’ll benefit from personalized mentorship. Our new UBC medical education floor in the critical care tower hosts our academic days, ensuring an engaging learning environment.
Despite our rigorous training, we emphasize a healthy work-life balance. Our close-knit resident group organizes social activities like kayaking, snowshoeing, and white-water rafting, fostering strong connections. Our faculty supports us in balancing work and personal lives, accommodating those with families or commutes.
If you seek a program that develops your skills as a full-service family physician, offers leadership opportunities, and cultivates a supportive community, Surrey-South Fraser is the place for you! Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to meeting you on the CaRMS tour!
Dr. Salina Kung and Dr. Kevin Hooi