Overview
The McMaster division of pediatric surgery is recognized as a Canadian leader in minimal access surgery, surgical education and patient outcomes. Our vision is to improve the surgical care of children through evidence-based research, education and practice, and to educate the next generation of health professionals in pediatric surgery.
McMaster Children’s Hospital serves a population of 2.4 million people in southern Ontario. We are the sole tertiary pediatric and Level 1 Trauma Centre in the area. Moreover, we have one of the largest and most modern neonatal intensive care units in Canada. Our nurse practitioner works closely with our faculty and residents to provide the best care for our complex patients.
The educational contributions of division members to undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate education in the Faculty of Health Sciences are exemplary. We mentor dozens of residents each year from general surgery, pediatrics, urology, plastic surgery and anesthesia training programs. Our accredited pediatric surgery training program consistently attracts the best fellows. We have trained pediatric surgeons who are caring for children in Canada, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Puerto Rico.
The McMaster Pediatric Surgery Research Collaborative consistently produces high-quality research and participates in international clinical trials. As active participants in our professional societies we are proud that Dr. Peter Fitzgerald, our previous division head, is serving as the president of the Canadian Association of Paediatric Surgeons.
Each of our surgeons has unique training, clinical interests and professional contributions that contribute to our recognition as an innovative, collaborative and forward-thinking division. Please look through the rest of our website and contact me if you would like to support our work or have comments and suggestions.
The History of Pediatric Surgery in Hamilton
An excerpt from the history of pediatric surgery in Canada, by Arlene and Sigmund Ein
Dr. Gordon Cameron finished his pediatric surgical training at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, in 1957, having been the first chief surgical resident of both chief of surgery, Dr. A.W. Farmer, and chief of the division of general surgery, Dr. Stuart Thomson. Then, after a six-month stay at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, London, he moved to Hamilton in 1958, where he became the very first pediatric surgeon in that city.
Before Dr. Cameron arrived, whatever pediatric surgery there was in Hamilton was done by adult general surgeons, with pre- and postoperative care assisted by pediatricians in the area. Needless to say, upon Dr. Cameron’s arrival to establish his private practice, the benefits of his special interest, knowledge and skills as a pediatric surgeon were soon recognized by both pediatricians and family doctors. In a few years, pediatric surgery was well established in Hamilton and his practice flourished.
Ten years later (1967), unbeknownst to Dr. Cameron, Dr. C. Barber Muller, then chairman of the Department of Surgery at Syracuse, contacted Dr. William Kiesewetter (chief of durgery, Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital) about one of his recent American trainees, Dr. Barry F. Sachs, who had just started a pediatric surgery private practice in Pittsburgh. Dr. Mueller was recruiting salaried, full-time, academic surgeons as faculty for the soon to be opened McMaster Medical School in Hamilton, Ontario. He started there as professor of surgery in 1969, and these recruited surgeons all arrived before the first class at McMaster Medical School was admitted and before the University Hospital was built. The Department of Surgery was housed in a free-standing wooden shed in the middle of the parking lot. The first dean of McMaster Medical School was Dr. John Evans, and the surgical activity for the newly-recruited full-time faculty involved: Henderson (Maternity) Hospital, Chedoke Rehabilitation Hospital, Hamilton General Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital (used as a base for some primary care practices and some pediatric surgery). Although most Hamilton surgeons welcomed the advent of a medical school at McMaster and wanted to cooperate and be involved in the clinical teaching, Dr. Mueller found it difficult to relate to these local surgeons. His introduction of a totally separate and independent group of salaried academic surgeons resulted in misunderstandings, mistrust and disagreements. It was the classic “Town and Gown” tug of war, which never seems to benefit either side. Adding to the professional tension was the initiations of the Ontario Health Insurance Program and its potential threat to the private practice of medicine. Too much seemed to be happening too quickly!
In 1968, Dr. Gordon Cameron had recruited Dr. George Lau, who was the chief resident in surgery at Health Science Centre (HSC) in 1964, after which he had been unable to establish a satisfactory pediatric surgery practice in Hong Kong. Dr. Lau was a welcome addition, sharing office space and an increasing clinical load focused primarily at St. Joseph’s Hospital. For 20 years, he and Dr. Cameron remained close and friendly collaborators, and Dr. Lau developed a leadership role at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Apparently, Dean Evans and Dr. Mueller had recruited Dr. Sachs without talking with Dr. Cameron, who never knew of the decision by McMaster Medical School to have a full-time pediatric surgeon. Meanwhile, Dr. Lau and Dr. Sachs arrived in Hamilton simultaneously, without knowing about each other’s separate hiring. The McMaster plan was the full-time clinical pediatric surgical activity belonged to Dr. Sachs and was to take place at Henderson Hospital (for newborns and infants), the Hamilton General Hospital (for general pediatric surgical problems) and Chedoke Rehabilitation Hospital (for orthopedics, rehabilitation and for children with chronic needs).
Meanwhile, Dr. Cameron had an excellent, vigorous practice at St. Joseph’s Hospital. However, both he and Dr. Sachs sought to establish a professional relationship; Dr. Sachs also brought some research interests with him. It was their hope and expectation that together they could help expand and develop new dimensions for pediatric surgery in Hamilton, both clinically and academically. Therefore, in the spring of 1970, they both met with Dean Evans to explain their idea of uniting the clinical, academic and research activities. This would be a new direction of cooperation between full-time and private practice pediatric surgeons in the Hamilton community. However, they needed permission from Dr. Sachs to work out of Dr. Cameron’s office and for both to care for their private patients at St. Joseph’s Hospital. The latter site would also be used for clinical teaching of pediatric surgery to surgical residences and medical students. Similarly, Dr. Cameron would have a McMaster faculty appointment and also be involved in teaching and research. Dr. Evans’ answer was: “That is not what the university has in mind for the way we want to practice medicine,” and his attitude prevented this ambitious scheme from advancing pediatric surgery in the 1970’s to where it is today. As a result, Dr. Sachs returned to the United States in August 1970, and Drs. Cameron and Lau carried on with their practice of pediatric surgery in Hamilton. Dr. Cameron was head of the division of pediatric surgery at McMaster from 1972 to 1985.
In 1972, Dr. Cameron joined the full-time university surgical staff. He became heavily involved with the medical school and its innovative policies. The new controversial campus-based hospital also brought new and exciting challenges. Regional centralization of neonatal intensive care, cancer treatment and management of major trauma followed, with involvement of a small cadre of surgical subspecialists with special training and interest in children’s problems. Postgraduate programs developed, and both pediatric and general surgical residents had regular rotations on the pediatric surgery service and at St. Joseph’s Hospital, where the bulk of routine simple cases were still being admitted. By 1988, all inpatient pediatric surgery was concentrated at McMaster and it was officially designated as a children’s hospital. He and Dr. Lau were then joined by Dr. Jack Langer in 1989, six months before Dr. Cameron’s retirement. Under Dr. Langer’s leadership, the care of more complex cases was possible, the caseload expanded and the role of pediatric surgery was greatly enhanced. A year later, Dr. Andrea Winthrop, also trained in Toronto, as recruited. Within four years, Drs. Langer and Winthrop both left for St. Louis. During all this time, Drs. Cameron and Lau still shared both clinical and educational duties, until Dr. Cameron’s retirement in 1989.
In the 1990’s, the beginning of the present group of pediatric surgeons started. Dr. Peter Fitzgerald (trained in Halifax) became head of the division of pediatric general surgery in 1993 and is presently the chief of surgery at McMaster Children’s Hospital (MCH). Within a few years, he was joined by Dr. Mark Walton (trained in Ottawa). Dr. Brian Cameron (trained in Vancouver and son of Dr. Gordon Cameron) joined the division in 1999, the same year Dr. Lau retired. Dr. Khalid Al-Harbi (trained in Vancouver) became the fourth member of the present division in 2002 and Dr. Helene Flageole (trained in Montreal, MCH in 1995) moved from MCH to join the division in 2007. As of October 2008, the pediatric surgery group became the eighth Canadian Pediatric Surgery Training Program to be approved by the Canadian Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, which graduates one fellow every year. This group now accommodates all pediatric surgery inpatient care in Hamilton, has earned a wide reputation for its Minimal Access Surgery Program and serves as a tertiary referral centre for a population of more than two million.
As of December, 2009, Dr. Al-Harbi has returned to Saudi Arabia and Dr. Karen Bailey (trained in Toronto, HSC) was recruited to replace him. Dr. Peter Fitzgerald is now president of McMaster Children’s Hospital.
Note: Dr. Helene Flageole was appointed the chief of pediatric surgery in 2013.
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Education
Welcome Message From the Program Director
McMaster offers a two-year residency in pediatric surgery. The program is accredited by the Royal College and not only offers a diversified clinical experience but also opportunities in global surgery. We have a strong infrastructure for research that focuses on evidence-based clinical research.
Trainees learn under the supervision of six faculty members: Drs. P. Fitzgerald, M. Walton, K. Bailey, H. Flageole, L. Van Houwelingen and M. Livingston.
McMaster Children’s Hospital provides surgical care to a population base of approximately 2.4 million people in southern Ontario. We are the sole tertiary pediatric center and also the Level 1 Trauma Centre in the area. We have the second largest and most modern neonatal intensive care units in Canada.
The division of pediatric surgery at McMaster Children’s Hospital is committed to quality patient care, education and research. We are fortunate to take care of a broad range of pediatric surgical conditions and we collaborate closely with McMaster University to innovate in the area of evidence-based medicine.
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News
Faculty
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Karen Bailey
Associate Professor
Pediatric Surgery
Office Location
McMaster Children’s Hospital
1200 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 3Z5
Administrative Support Staff
Holly Hammell
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 75231
Fax: (905) 540-5839
Email: hammell@mcmaster.ca
Daniel Briatico
Phone: 905-521-2100 ext. 75244
Fax: 905-540-5838
Email: briaticd@mcmaster.ca
Peter Fitzgerald
Professor
Pediatric Surgery
Office Location
McMaster Children’s Hospital
1200 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 3Z5
Administrative Support Staff
Holly Hammell
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 75231
Fax: (905) 540-5839
Email: hammell@mcmaster.ca
Daniel Briatico
Phone: 905-521-2100 ext. 75244
Fax: 905-540-5838
Email: briaticd@mcmaster.ca
Helene Flageole
Professor
Pediatric Surgery
Office Location
McMaster Children’s Hospital
1200 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 3Z5
Administrative Support Staff
Daniel Briatico
Phone: 905-521-2100 ext. 75244
Fax: 905-540-5838
Email: briaticd@mcmaster.ca
Denise Allen
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 75244
Fax: (905) 540-5838
Email: dallen@mcmaster.ca
Michael Livingston
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Surgery
Office Location
McMaster Children’s Hospital
4E7-1200 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 3Z5
Administrative Support Staff
Holly Hammell
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 75231
Fax: (905) 540-5839
Email: hammell@mcmaster.ca
Daniel Briatico
Phone: 905-521-2100 ext. 75244
Fax: 905-540-5838
Email: briaticd@mcmaster.ca
Lisa VanHouwelingen
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Surgery
Office Location
McMaster Children’s Hospital
1200 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 3Z5
Administrative Support Staff
Denise Allen
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 75244
Fax: (905) 540-5838
Email: dallen@mcmaster.ca
Lisa VanHouwelingen
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Surgery
Mark Walton
Professor
Pediatric Surgery
Office Location
McMaster University Medical Centre
1200 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 3Z5
Administrative Support Staff
Denise Allen
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 75244
Fax: (905) 540-5838
Email: dallen@mcmaster.ca
Karen Bailey
Associate Professor
Pediatric Surgery
Office Location
McMaster Children’s Hospital
1200 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 3Z5
Administrative Support Staff
Holly Hammell
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 75231
Fax: (905) 540-5839
Email: hammell@mcmaster.ca
Daniel Briatico
Phone: 905-521-2100 ext. 75244
Fax: 905-540-5838
Email: briaticd@mcmaster.ca
Karen Bailey
Associate Professor
Pediatric Surgery
Office Location
McMaster Children’s Hospital
1200 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 3Z5
Administrative Support Staff
Holly Hammell
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 75231
Fax: (905) 540-5839
Email: hammell@mcmaster.ca
Daniel Briatico
Phone: 905-521-2100 ext. 75244
Fax: 905-540-5838
Email: briaticd@mcmaster.ca
Peter Fitzgerald
Professor
Pediatric Surgery
Office Location
McMaster Children’s Hospital
1200 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 3Z5
Administrative Support Staff
Holly Hammell
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 75231
Fax: (905) 540-5839
Email: hammell@mcmaster.ca
Daniel Briatico
Phone: 905-521-2100 ext. 75244
Fax: 905-540-5838
Email: briaticd@mcmaster.ca
Peter Fitzgerald
Professor
Pediatric Surgery
Office Location
McMaster Children’s Hospital
1200 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 3Z5
Administrative Support Staff
Holly Hammell
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 75231
Fax: (905) 540-5839
Email: hammell@mcmaster.ca
Daniel Briatico
Phone: 905-521-2100 ext. 75244
Fax: 905-540-5838
Email: briaticd@mcmaster.ca
Helene Flageole
Professor
Pediatric Surgery
Office Location
McMaster Children’s Hospital
1200 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 3Z5
Administrative Support Staff
Daniel Briatico
Phone: 905-521-2100 ext. 75244
Fax: 905-540-5838
Email: briaticd@mcmaster.ca
Denise Allen
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 75244
Fax: (905) 540-5838
Email: dallen@mcmaster.ca
Helene Flageole
Professor
Pediatric Surgery
Office Location
McMaster Children’s Hospital
1200 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 3Z5
Administrative Support Staff
Daniel Briatico
Phone: 905-521-2100 ext. 75244
Fax: 905-540-5838
Email: briaticd@mcmaster.ca
Denise Allen
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 75244
Fax: (905) 540-5838
Email: dallen@mcmaster.ca
Michael Livingston
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Surgery
Office Location
McMaster Children’s Hospital
4E7-1200 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 3Z5
Administrative Support Staff
Holly Hammell
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 75231
Fax: (905) 540-5839
Email: hammell@mcmaster.ca
Daniel Briatico
Phone: 905-521-2100 ext. 75244
Fax: 905-540-5838
Email: briaticd@mcmaster.ca
Michael Livingston
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Surgery
Office Location
McMaster Children’s Hospital
4E7-1200 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 3Z5
Administrative Support Staff
Holly Hammell
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 75231
Fax: (905) 540-5839
Email: hammell@mcmaster.ca
Daniel Briatico
Phone: 905-521-2100 ext. 75244
Fax: 905-540-5838
Email: briaticd@mcmaster.ca
Lisa VanHouwelingen
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Surgery
Office Location
McMaster Children’s Hospital
1200 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 3Z5
Administrative Support Staff
Denise Allen
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 75244
Fax: (905) 540-5838
Email: dallen@mcmaster.ca
Lisa VanHouwelingen
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Surgery
Office Location
McMaster Children’s Hospital
1200 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 3Z5
Administrative Support Staff
Denise Allen
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 75244
Fax: (905) 540-5838
Email: dallen@mcmaster.ca
Mark Walton
Professor
Pediatric Surgery
Office Location
McMaster University Medical Centre
1200 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 3Z5
Administrative Support Staff
Denise Allen
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 75244
Fax: (905) 540-5838
Email: dallen@mcmaster.ca
Mark Walton
Professor
Pediatric Surgery
Office Location
McMaster University Medical Centre
1200 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 3Z5
Administrative Support Staff
Denise Allen
Phone: (905) 521-2100 ext. 75244
Fax: (905) 540-5838
Email: dallen@mcmaster.ca
Research
Faculty Research
The division of pediatric surgery is committed to advancing surgical care for children through research activities that are evidence-based, rigorous, accountable and translatable. Faculty within the division conduct a wide variety of clinical research that incorporates several research paradigms, including mixed methods, quantitative and qualitative methodologies. For additional Information on faculty research activities, please review the McMaster Pediatric Surgery Research Collaborative (MPSRC).
Resident Research
Research training is an important facet of the residency training program in the division. Resident research productivity has been excellent over the last number of years. While Evidence-Based Methodology is the key strength of the division, our residents are encouraged to pursue research interests in both clinical and basic science research. Facilitated by the McMaster Surgeon Scientist Program, research training opportunities for surgical residents are available through McMaster’s medical, biochemical and world-renowned clinical epidemiology research programs. Residents interested in completing their research component with the McMaster Pediatric Surgery Research Collaborative (MPSRC), are invited to contact the MPSRC research coordinator as early as possible to maximize the research experience.
Research activities within the division can be expected to continue to expand, as new avenues of investigation develop and our research infrastructure improves to increase the breadth and depth of our work, ultimately improving the outcome for our patients.
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Quick Links
Fellowship Alumni
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Dr. Abdullah Saleh
2015-17
Assistant Professor, Pediatric Surgery
University of Alberta, Edmonton
Dr. Amar Alnaqi
2014-16
Pediatric Surgeon, Kuwait
Dr. Lisa VanHouwelingen
2013-15
Assistant Professor, Pediatric Surgery
McMaster University, Hamilton
Dr. Jorge Zequeira
2012-14
Assistant Professor, Pediatric Surgery
University Pediatric Hospital, Puerto Rico
Dr. Anna Shawyer
2011-13
Assistant Professor, Pediatric Surgery
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg
Dr. Omar Oda
Dr. Hassan Al-Dossary
2011-12
Dr. Tariq Al-Tokhais
2010-11
Assistant Professor Consultant, Pediatric Surgery
King Saud University, Riyadh
Dr. Abdullah Ali Rajab
2009-11
Al Seef Hospital, Kuwait
Dr. Ashraf Al Nosair
2008-10
Dr. Yasmin Yousef
2008-09
Assistant Professor Pediatric Surgery
King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Al Bagami
2007-09
Dr. Jamal Al Hudhaif
2006-08
Consultant Pediatric Surgeon
Riyadh Armed Forces Hospital, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Wasmi Al-Fadhli
2005-07
Consultant Pediatric Surgeon
Ahmadi Hospital (KOC), Kuwait
Dr. Jaudah Al Maghrabi
2006
King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Mohammad Al Onazi
2004-05
Riyadh Military Hospital, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Taha Khatrawi
2004-05
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Abdullah Al Wabari
2003-04
King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences
Dr. Mohammed Al Ghamdi
2001-03
King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences
Dr. Zakaria Sobhy Habib
2000-01
Consultant Pediatric Surgeon
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Medical Centre
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Soliman Bin Yahib
1999
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Saudi Arabia