Overview
The division of cardiac surgery is located at the Hamilton General site of the Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation. It is a regional program providing adult cardiac surgery to Ontarians in Central-South Ontario. There has been a profound increase in clinical demand, with a resultant doubling in surgical volumes over the past decade.
The division performs the full spectrum of adult cardiac surgery, with the exception of heart transplantation. The division has developed expertise in the specialized fields of off-pump coronary bypass, minimally invasive coronary bypass, robotic assisted mitral valve surgery, reconstructive surgery of the mitral and aortic valves, complex aortic root reconstruction including Ross and aortic valve-sparing procedures and complex surgery of the aorta.
Education
Resources
Hamilton General Hospital
St. Joseph’s Hospital
McMaster University Medical Centre
Hospital for Sick Children
Program Overview
The cardiac surgical residency program is a small program that facilitates a large degree of direct interaction between resident trainee and attending staff. There are eight cardiac surgeons with an annual pump case volume of 1,800. This provides a substantial clinical volume to which residents are exposed and eliminates competition from other residents or fellows. Rotations on other services involve some resident interaction and supervision by more senior resident staff, as well as group teaching sessions and seminars.
The initial two years of the program — the core years — involve surgical rotations that introduce the resident to the Principles of Surgery. The resident is exposed to assessing and examining patients preoperatively and managing them postoperatively. On the general surgery service the resident is also involved in resuscitating trauma patients. Operating room experience introduces the resident to issues in anesthesia, coagulation as well as to surgical techniques, procedures and instruments including newer video technology. During the intensive care unit (ICU) rotation the resident deals with patients requiring hemodynamic monitoring, inotropic support and mechanical ventilation. The rotations will include both cardiac ICU and general ICU. Cardiology rotations include patients requiring coronary care, hospital ward care, outpatient visits and rehabilitation. The resident is exposed to various cardiac investigations, including stress testing and various imaging modalities: nuclear studies, positron emission tomography (PET) scanning, echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. There will be an opportunity to learn more about specialized areas such as arrhythmias, electrophysiological (EP) study studies and pacemakers. The rotations are divided into the following block rotations: coronary care unit, ward/consults, EP, echocardiography and catheterization lab.
The resident will take part in the weekly Department Core surgery seminars, where material covered helps prepare the resident for the Principles of Surgery examination and raises the resident’s awareness of issues in medical ethics, liability, quality assurance and stress management. A review of issues in epidemiology and critical appraisal is also part of the core program sessions.
The third year of the residency program is an enrichment year.
The fourth year of the residency program will have a greater focus on operative skills in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. Each rotation includes preoperative patient assessment, postoperative management and follow-up in an outpatient setting, as well as a role for hospital and emergency consultations.
The junior cardiac surgery rotation will expect the resident to learn to perform sternotomy, cannulate the patient for cardiopulmonary bypass, harvest conduits for coronary artery bypass, such as the long saphenous vein and the left internal mammary artery. The resident will assume a gradually increasing role in performing parts of coronary artery bypass procedures.
The vascular surgery rotation will provide additional opportunity for the resident to perform arterial anastomoses. The resident is exposed to management of conditions involving venous disorders and acute ischemia.
During the thoracic surgery rotation the resident will learn to perform thoracotomy incisions and has the opportunity to perform bronchoscopy, mediastinoscopy, thoracoscopy, lung biopsy, apical bullectomy and tracheostomy. The resident assists in pulmonary and esophageal resections.
The pediatric cardiac surgical rotation will occur at a senior level at the Hospital for Sick Children at the University of Toronto. The resident will be introduced to congenital conditions, their embryologic origin, the methods of investigation and imaging, and the indications and outcome of surgical interventions. The resident takes part in a large number of different procedures: some palliative, some staged and some definitive.
Except the final senior year, elective time is available to the resident during all the clinical years to learn more about a potential area of special interest, which the resident may be considering pursuing upon completion of residency training.
The senior year in cardiac surgery provides the resident with a large volume of cardiac surgery. Upon completion, the resident is capable of independently performing coronary artery bypass surgery and valve replacement. They will have gained experience in reoperative heart surgery. Arrangements are made to ensure maximal resident exposure to:
- Procedures that are performed less frequently, like those involving aortic root enlargement, aortic arch surgery, pericardial resection
- Emergency cases, such as aortic dissections and ruptured ventricular septal defect (VSD) repair
- Specialized cases, including mitral valve repair and pulmonary thromboendarterectomy.
The resident attends weekly rounds of the cardiac surgery service. In preparation for the final fellowship examination, arrangements are made for regularly scheduled sessions with staff to assist in thoroughly covering the necessary material by providing cases for discussion and participating in topic reviews.
PGY-1
Rotations during PGY-1 include: Principles of surgery core year 1, general surgery (trauma), emergency, cardiac anaesthesia, cardiac surgery and elective
PGY-2
The PGY-2 rotations include: Principles of surgery core year 2, cardiology, ICU, cardiac surgery and elective
PGY-3
The PGY-3 year is an academic enrichment year
PGY-4
The PGY-4 rotations include: thoracic surgery and vascular surgery
PGY-5
The PGY-5 rotations include: pediatric cardiac surgery, heart failure/mechanical circulatory assistance/transplantation, adult cardiac surgery
PGY-6
The final training year is spent as senior resident in cardiac surgery
Research
The academic enrichment year (PGY-3) provides an opportunity for research. Additional involvement in research projects is required during residency training.
Seminars
Seminars vary with rotation and training year. Most services have at least one weekly teaching round, in addition to mortality rounds or Journal clubs. During PGY-1 and PGY-2 years, residents attend half-day core surgery teaching seminars with other surgery residents.
Selection Criteria
- An acceptable academic record, particularly in areas related to cardiac diseases
- Proven interest in cardiac surgery demonstrated by elective choices or research activities
- Letters of reference reflecting on candidate’s interests, motivation and learning ability. Comments should include opinion about candidate’s interpersonal interactions, reliability, maturity and professionalism.
- Demonstrated interests in research: basic or clinical or epidemiological (e.g., surgical outcomes)
Faculty
Information Box Group
Ali Alsagheir
Assistant Professor
Cardiac Surgery
Administrative Support Staff
Carmelita De Freitas
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 44553
Fax: (905) 577-1405
Fan Victor Chu
Associate Professor
Cardiac Surgery
Administrative Support Staff
Kathy Hayes
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 44413
Adel Dyub
Associate Professor
Cardiac Surgery
Administrative Support Staff
Leah Van Dyk-Fleming
Phone: (905) 527-4322 ext. 44967
Fax: 905-577-8228
Iqbal Jaffer
Assistant Professor & Academic Program Director
Cardiac Surgery
Administrative Support Staff
Andrea Howe (Education Program)
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 44453
Email: andhowe@mcmaster.ca
Carmelita De Freitas
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 44553
Fax: (905) 577-1405
Dominic Parry
Associate Professor
Cardiac Surgery
Office Location
Hamilton General Hospital
237 Barton Street East
Hamilton, Ontario
L8L 2X2
Administrative Support Staff
Leah Van Dyk-Fleming
Phone: (905) 527-4322 ext. 44969
Fax: 905-318-0188
Richard Whitlock
Professor & Division Head
Cardiac Surgery
Office Location
David Braley Cardiac, Vascular and Stroke Research Institute
Hamilton General Hospital
237 Barton Street East
Hamilton, Ontario
L8L 2X2
Administrative Support Staff
Jerusha Alaimo
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 40306
Email: jerusha.alaimo@phri.ca
Ali Alsagheir
Assistant Professor
Cardiac Surgery
Administrative Support Staff
Carmelita De Freitas
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 44553
Fax: (905) 577-1405
Ali Alsagheir
Assistant Professor
Cardiac Surgery
Administrative Support Staff
Carmelita De Freitas
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 44553
Fax: (905) 577-1405
Fan Victor Chu
Associate Professor
Cardiac Surgery
Administrative Support Staff
Kathy Hayes
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 44413
Fan Victor Chu
Associate Professor
Cardiac Surgery
Administrative Support Staff
Kathy Hayes
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 44413
Adel Dyub
Associate Professor
Cardiac Surgery
Administrative Support Staff
Leah Van Dyk-Fleming
Phone: (905) 527-4322 ext. 44967
Fax: 905-577-8228
Adel Dyub
Associate Professor
Cardiac Surgery
Administrative Support Staff
Leah Van Dyk-Fleming
Phone: (905) 527-4322 ext. 44967
Fax: 905-577-8228
Iqbal Jaffer
Assistant Professor & Academic Program Director
Cardiac Surgery
Administrative Support Staff
Andrea Howe (Education Program)
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 44453
Email: andhowe@mcmaster.ca
Carmelita De Freitas
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 44553
Fax: (905) 577-1405
Iqbal Jaffer
Assistant Professor & Academic Program Director
Cardiac Surgery
Administrative Support Staff
Andrea Howe (Education Program)
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 44453
Email: andhowe@mcmaster.ca
Carmelita De Freitas
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 44553
Fax: (905) 577-1405
Dominic Parry
Associate Professor
Cardiac Surgery
Office Location
Hamilton General Hospital
237 Barton Street East
Hamilton, Ontario
L8L 2X2
Administrative Support Staff
Leah Van Dyk-Fleming
Phone: (905) 527-4322 ext. 44969
Fax: 905-318-0188
Dominic Parry
Associate Professor
Cardiac Surgery
Office Location
Hamilton General Hospital
237 Barton Street East
Hamilton, Ontario
L8L 2X2
Administrative Support Staff
Leah Van Dyk-Fleming
Phone: (905) 527-4322 ext. 44969
Fax: 905-318-0188
Richard Whitlock
Professor & Division Head
Cardiac Surgery
Office Location
David Braley Cardiac, Vascular and Stroke Research Institute
Hamilton General Hospital
237 Barton Street East
Hamilton, Ontario
L8L 2X2
Administrative Support Staff
Jerusha Alaimo
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 40306
Email: jerusha.alaimo@phri.ca
Richard Whitlock
Professor & Division Head
Cardiac Surgery
Office Location
David Braley Cardiac, Vascular and Stroke Research Institute
Hamilton General Hospital
237 Barton Street East
Hamilton, Ontario
L8L 2X2
Administrative Support Staff
Jerusha Alaimo
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 40306
Email: jerusha.alaimo@phri.ca
Residents
Expandable List
Dr. Charlotte McEwen
Dr. Aiswayra Madhu
Dr. Adam Eqbal
Hometown: Mississauga, Ontario
Undergraduate: Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences, McMaster University
Medical School: Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University
Why did I choose this specialization? I chose cardiac surgery for many reasons. To put it simply, I am fascinated by cardiovascular anatomy and physiology, and I fell in love with the operating room as a work environment. The procedures are technically demanding, life-saving and have excellent outcomes for patients!
Why McMaster? As you can see above, I have spent many years here and it is now the place I call home. There is a distinct and strong sense of community, not only within our division but the institution as a whole, which makes you feel comfortable.
Professional Interests: Clinically, at this time in my career, I am intrigued by the full spectrum of cardiac surgery from adults to pediatrics. Outside of clinical work, my professional interests include innovation, design/architecture and health systems.
Other Interests: Travelling, cooking, playing musical instruments, sports and spending time with my friends and family.
Dr. Mariam Alboom
Hometown: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Medical School: Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland
Why did I choose this specialization? I always considered the heart having a mind of its own. The anatomy and physiology always intrigued me. To be able to witness a beating human heart, stop it and then watch it function normally is another level of art. I just love the challenges it has to offer.
Why McMaster? McMaster is known for the worldwide impact and research. In addition, it is affiliated with one of the largest cardiac surgical centres in Canada. I also enjoy Hamilton as a city, in terms of proximity to surrounding areas and lifestyle.
Professional Interests: I am keeping my options open for the time being. Like every field, cardiac surgery is also expanding in terms of techniques and specialization. One of the areas I find myself interested is are heart failure/transplant and ventricular assist devices (VAD).
Other Interests: I really enjoy hiking, camping and yoga. Cooking, good books and podcasts are my go to! I also enjoy photography and recently into astrophotography.
Visiting Resident – Dr. Rachel Eikelboom
Dr. Ans Fakiha
Dr. Nezar Alsaleedi
Dr. Sophie Weiwei Gao
Hometown: Born in Wuhan, China and grew up in Montreal, Quebec
Medical School: McGill University, Quebec
Why did I choose this specialization? Cardiac surgery is the most exciting specialty in medicine. Its acuity, its patient population, its incredibly complex and invasive surgeries, yet with wonderful outcomes, are all aspects that attracted me to this specialty.
Why McMaster? Amazing resident group, incredible hands on experience with high volumes, word class research, supportive and open-minded colleagues, plentiful opportunities to make the most out of residency.
Professional Interests: Minimally invasive surgery.
Other Interests: Travel, pottery, outdoor adventures, innovation.
Dr Saurabah Gupta
Hometown: Milton, Ontario
Undergraduate: Honours Bachelor of Sciences, Western University
Medical School: Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University
Why did I choose this specialization? There was really nothing else I could imagine myself doing. I love that a cardiac surgeon needs to have a good grasp of medicine, be proficient at all kinds of procedures and be able to perform surgeries requiring extremely fine motor skills. There is also the decision-making process of who to operate on and when to operate, which is fascinating. The specialty also has a healthy involvement in academia and research, which I was very keen in as well. There is something truly fascinating and cool about stopping a heart, fix whatever is wrong with it and then have the heart come back to life.
Why McMaster? For two reasons: the hands-on experience and the research experience. In our program, each resident is on a team of two or three cardiac surgeons and develops a mentor-mentee relationship with them. Straight from junior years, you are encouraged to spend as much time in the operating room as possible, without competition for space or time from colleagues. The research experience and mentorship is unparalleled at McMaster University. In the last four years I had full support from my program, as well as the Clinician Investigator Program, in completing a master’s degree. Not only that, there’s been incredible guidance throughout the process and lots of learning.
Professional Interests: Surgically, I am interested in complex valve and aortic interventions, from structural heart and endovascular repairs to open surgical approaches. Academically, I am interested in research around perioperative management of cardiac surgery patients, knowledge translation within cardiac surgery and medical education.
Other Interests: I love to travel – hiking and trekking are a big passion. Motorcycles – I have been riding for over 10 years.