Public Health & Preventive Medicine (PHPM) Program

The Public Health and Preventive Medicine (PHPM) program at Queen’s University is a 5-year training program administered in partnership with the Queen’s Department of Family Medicine and Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) Public Health. During residency training, residents develop their skills as public health physicians. Residents will explore ways to improve the health of individuals and communities at the local, provincial, national, and international levels. The specialty focuses on disease prevention, health protection, and health promotion.  Our specialists are guided by a commitment to improve the health of the entire population through population-based assessment and intervention, and share a sense of responsibility to shape public health policy and delivery of excellent public health programs.

Residents typically will complete two years of family medicine training, a Master’s degree, and two years of public health training. Our residents are highly motivated and engaged, and benefit from the many strengths of the program including:

Hands-on training by experienced and qualified Public Health and Preventive Medicine specialists who are committed to training residents, with engaged program staff.
Strong linkages with local public health agencies and provincial agencies provide a wide range of exposure and experience.
Early integration of public health training, including during family medicine years.
The Family Medicine program at Queen’s University is known nationally as a leader in medical education.  Residents in the PHPM program directly benefit from its innovative curriculum.
Integration of a Master of Public Health or Master of Science in Epidemiology degree offered through the Department of Public Health Sciences at Queen’s University makes the program a leader academically.
Learners are also encouraged to pursue training that increases a diversity of experiences through Master’s degree programs related to public health at other universities in Canada and elsewhere, subject to approval by the program.
The flexible program structure allows for choice and customization. Individualized learning plans are developed by each resident with the support of academic advisors.
Both rural and urban rotations and electives are available, as are international placements. Previous residents have completed electives in such locations as the United States, Japan, Peru, and Switzerland.
Strong alumni presence supports exploration of various career paths

Upon graduation, residents receive certification from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Public Health and Preventive Medicine; most residents also choose to receive certification from the College of Family Physicians of Canada. If you are a medical student and interested in learning more about our program, please reach out to our lead residents at dfm-phpmrelead@queensu.ca.  We would love to have you join us for academic half-day on Friday mornings from 9:00 to 12:00 EST, either virtually or in-person. 

We also are aware that clerkship elective scheduling can be challenging.  If you are interested in an elective with us and no opportunities are available on the portal, please reach out.  We have many faculty members across the region who would be willing to host a student for an engaging elective experience.

PHPM Video

Queen's FM Brochure

Queen's PHPM Strategic Plan 2021-2026