Aging is the leading risk factor for cancer. Combined with the fact that seniors are the fastest-growing segment of the population in Canada, particularly in Quebec, it is expected that 65% of new cancer cases in males and 56% in females will be diagnosed in people aged 65 years and older (Canadian Cancer Statistics 2025). We also know that older cancer patients generally receive suboptimal care. To address this important gap in care, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø became the pioneer of Geriatric Oncology in Canada, blending innovation, research, and patient-centered care. In 2006, under the leadership of Drs. Howard Bergman and Gerald Batist, the very first Geriatric Oncology clinic in Canada was established at the Segal Cancer Centre (Jewish General Hospital), integrating geriatrics and oncology in a groundbreaking model of care. A second Geriatric Oncology clinic was created within the Cedars Cancer Centre of the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Health Centre (MUHC) in 2017. As Medical Director of these clinics, Dr. Doreen Wan-Chow-Wah, dually trained in Geriatric Medicine and Medical Oncology, championed the Oncology and Aging program at 51³Ô¹ÏÍøfrom clinical, research, and teaching perspectives.
McGill’s Geriatric Oncology fellowship offers high-volume, multidisciplinary training across 3 teaching hospitals: Jewish General Hospital JGH (40%), Royal Victoria Hospital RVH (40%), and St-Mary’s Hospital (20%). Fellows gain exposure to a broad spectrum of cancer care and geriatrics expertise, including:
- Medical oncology, Hemato-oncology, Radiation oncology
- Geriatric Oncology Clinics at the Segal Cancer Centre (JGH) and Cedars Cancer Centre (MUHC)
- Outpatient Geriatric Medicine Clinics
- Prehabilitation programs/Pre-op clinic (Drs. Franco Carli and Janius Tsang)
- CAncer REhabilitation PROgram / CAREPRO (Dr. Antonio Vigano)
- Palliative care and survivorship
- Supportive care innovations: exercise, nutrition, symptom management, psychosocial oncology
Training is flexible and tailored to each fellow’s background and learning objectives: oncologists may spend more time in geriatric rotations, while geriatricians may focus more on oncology experiences, ensuring individualized skill development in both fields.
Fellows gain hands-on experience in high-volume oncology, geriatric, geriatric oncology clinics, prehabilitation and preoperative programs, while participating in ongoing research and quality improvement projects under the guidance of experienced clinical and academic mentors.
Names of the Teaching Faculty and Program Leadership
- Dr. Doreen Wan-Chow-Wah — Geriatrician-internist; Medical Director of the Geriatric Oncology Clinic at the Cedars Cancer Centre (MUHC); past Geriatric Oncology fellowship coordinator, clinical tutor and research mentor.
- Dr. Miruna Anohim — Geriatrician-internist, completed Geriatric Oncology training at Institut Bergonié in Bordeaux, France under Professor Soubeyran; Medical Director of the Geriatric Oncology Clinic at the Segal Cancer Center (JGH); Geriatric Oncology Fellowship Coordinator; has contributed to national expert committees on mortality prediction in older adults and participated in the SIOG 2025 Advanced Course.
- Dr. Johanne Monette — Geriatrician-epidemiologist; clinical tutor and research mentor, practicing at JGH and Segal Cancer Centre.
- Dr. Francine Gaba — Geriatrician-internist and 51³Ô¹ÏÍøGeriatric Oncology fellowship alumna; associate physician at the Segal Cancer Center.
- Dr. Gustavo Duque — Professor, Dr. Joseph Kaufmann Chair in Geriatric Medicine, and Director of the 51³Ô¹ÏÍøDivision of Geriatric Medicine.
- Dr. Catherine Talbot-Hamon — Geriatrician-internist; 51³Ô¹ÏÍøGeriatric Medicine Residency and Fellowship Training Program Director.
- Dr. Nicholas Meti — 51³Ô¹ÏÍøMedical Oncology Residency Training Program Director; oversees oncology education and supports integration of geriatric oncology training within the broader oncology curriculum
- Dr. Janius Tsang, Director, Prehabilitation Clinic, Montreal General Hospital, MUHC
- Dr. Antonio Vigano, Director, Cancer Rehabilitation Program and Medical Cannabis Program in Oncology, Cedars Cancer Center, MUHC
- Dr. Thomas Jagoe, Director of the Cancer Nutrition Rehabilitation Program, Segal Cancer Center, JGH
Contact Information:
Fellowship Program Coordinator: Dr. Miruna Anohim (miruna.anohim [at] mcgill.ca)
Fellowship Program administrator: Anne-Saraï Alvarez-Oliva (residency.geriatrics [at] mcgill.ca)
For further information on the application process, please visit the 51³Ô¹ÏÍøFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Post-Graduate Medical Education website at:
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