Overview
It is with pleasure that I invite you to review McMaster University’s division of thoracic surgery website. It offers a brief history of the division and outline of our clinical programs.
The division of thoracic surgery at McMaster University has grown to consist of four full-time geographic faculty members. Located at St. Joseph’s Healthcare, the division provides Hamilton and surrounding communities with specialty care for diseases of the lung, esophagus and mediastinum. Clinical growth within the division has been substantial over that past decade and is expected to continue as population demographics change in favour of the elderly, the incidences of lung cancer increase and cancer care begins to require more sophisticated multimodality care. Thoracic surgical volumes are expected to increase creating unique challenges and opportunities for the division.
In addition to providing innovative clinical services, the division is acclaimed as one of eight centres in Canada (and nine in the USA) qualified to train thoracic surgeons to practice thoracic surgery in Canada. Over the past decade, the reputation of the division has grown substantially as a centre for clinical excellence, research and education. The participation of members of the division in several high-profile, international research studies in emphysema, asthma and lung cancer has attracted the attention of professional colleagues, as well as the local and national news media, and has sparked the interest of the community in its work.
The division continues to enjoy close relationships with other groups and institutions both within and outside the hospital, including the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health (FIRH), Juravinski Cancer Centre, Father Sean O’Sullivan Research Centre (FSORC) and the Ontario Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation.
Clinical Service
Our clinical program serves southwest Ontario an area with a population of 1.8 million. The thoracic division is a regional program situated at St Joseph’s Healthcare – Hamilton campus. At full capacity we are four active thoracic surgeons. More than 700 major thoracic cases and 900 endoscopies are performed each year. St. Joseph’s is one of the largest single institutions practicing tertiary thoracic surgery in the country. The program is supported by high quality chest radiology and chest pathology. We enjoy a strong relationship with our respirology colleagues at the Firestone Institute.
Research
The division is productive academically and holds several hundred thousand dollars in both peer-review and industry research funding, and is involved in research for both benign and malignant thoracic disease. Our division has played a central role in the Canadian lung reduction surgery trial, as well as the development bronchial thermoplasty for asthma. Our current research interests focus around: surgical reporting, information collection, quality improvement, perioperative complications and resident education. We are a member of several inter-group studies and continue to contribute to these trials.
Education
The division educates learners in surgery at all levels, including medical students, residents, thoracic surgery secondary residents and clinical fellows.
Information Box Group
Postgraduate Training Program - Learn More
Assistant Professor, Thoracic Surgery
Program Director, Thoracic Surgery Residency Program
Welcome Message from the Program Director
Since 2000, McMaster University has had a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Residency Fellowship Program in thoracic surgery. The program is two years in length, commencing at the conclusion of a residency in general surgery. During the two year program residents will spend at least 18 months of their time on the thoracic surgery service, with additional time spent on their mandatory cardiac rotation, as well as flexible elective time. The residents may tailor their elective experiences to their own needs and interests.
The strengths of our program are the dedicated faculty, the active research program and the excellent high volume clinical exposure. Resident education is a central priority of all our faculty and the entire division revolves around the educational schedule.
Every other year a resident will be accepted into the program. The program does not participate in any matching process (e.g., Canadian Resident Matching Service). We encourage applicants to apply to the program 18 months prior to their anticipated start date.
We invite you to contact us if you have any questions. All enquiries can be emailed to Emily Hutchinson, residency program coordinator.
Fellowship Program - Learn More
The division has approximately two clinical fellows at any one time. The breadth and depth of the surgical experience our clinical fellows receive reflects directly back on our division by way of how successful our graduates are in their subsequent surgical careers.
Thoracic Residency & Fellowship Opportunities
The McMaster Thoracic Surgery Program accepts postgraduate trainees via two separate route:
- The program accepts one Canadian trained graduate into the thoracic surgery residency program, which is two years in length and is accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. This is a funded position with payment consistent with standard Ontario Ministry of Health wages.
- We accept international thoracic surgery fellows for varying durations of time, typically from one to two years after completion of training abroad. These positions are sometimes funded internally or through the trainee’s home institution.
Royal College Fellowship Position, for 2023-25
The division of thoracic surgery will be accepting applications starting November 15, 2021, for a Canadian Royal College residency position starting on July 1, 2023. All applications should include the following:
- Current curriculum vitae
- Three reference letters
- Personal statement
The deadline to submit an application is January 1, 2022.
International Fellowship Position
Currently, the international positions are filled until July of 2023. The next available international fellowship position will be for 2023. Please continue to check this website for all updates concerning the application process for this position.
Residency Program - Learn More
Over the past decade, the reputation of the division of thoracic surgery, St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton at McMaster University has grown substantially as a centre for clinical excellence, research and education. The participation of members of the division in several high-profile, international research studies in emphysema, asthma and lung cancer has attracted the attention of professional colleagues and sparked the interest of the community in its work.
Our vision has been to excel in patient care, education and research. Our goal is to provide exemplary patient care of such a caliber to meet and exceed the needs of our community. Our goal includes our intent to practice contemporary evidence based thoracic surgery. We endeavor to develop a thoracic residency program rich in its breadth and depth, attracting the best graduates from around the world to join the program as trainees. We seek to make a meaningful contribution to the understanding of thoracic diseases and its treatment (both benign and malignant) through participation in and leading research activities.
Our postgraduate training program in thoracic surgery began in 2000 under the leadership of Dr. John Miller. Since then, the division has grown into one of the premiere training programs recognized by the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada. We are one of eight centres in Canada qualified to train thoracic surgeons to practice thoracic surgery in Canada.
Links
Clerkship Program - Learn More
The division of thoracic surgery at McMaster University welcomes medical students to apply to the electives program at the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine. Participation in the program will afford McMaster students, and visiting students from accredited schools, an opportunity to experience a wide range of self-directed activities before graduation. Students also have the opportunity to observe and experience the activities of a day-to-day clinical practice and interact with a practitioner to learn about the rewards and challenges of that practice, clinically, administratively and personally.
Attention McMaster University students! Electives and Student Affairs information and forms for McMaster University students have been moved to Medportal.
The Michael G. Degroote School of Medicine allows a limited number of students, enrolled in accredited medical schools from around the world, to undertake electives at McMaster. Two to four week electives in thoracic surgery are available for clerks from McMaster University and from outside this university centre.
Why McMaster? - Learn More
McMaster’s Vision
In our teaching, research and scholarship, we are committed to creativity, innovation and excellence. We value integrity, quality and teamwork in everything we do. We inspire critical thinking, personal growth and a passion for learning. We serve the social, cultural and economic needs of our community and society.
McMaster’s Strengths
- One of the Top 100 universities in the world (Shanghai Jiao Tong University ranking of world universities)
- The “McMaster Model” – a student-centred, problem-based, interdisciplinary approach to learning – has been adopted by universities across the world
- With a total sponsored research income of $345 million, McMaster University ranks first in the country in research intensity – a measure of research income per full-time faculty member – averaging $308,000 per faculty member (Research Infosource Inc., 2006)
- McMaster is the only North American host site of a United Nations University
- McMaster participates in more than 40 international exchange agreements around the globe
McMaster’s Location & Surroundings
- Hamilton, Ontario
- Fourth largest city in Ontario, ninth in Canada
- 65 kms from Toronto
- 71 kms from U.S. border
- 300 acres of property (on McMaster campus)
- Hiking and mountain biking trails
- 20-30 minutes from Niagara wine route
Hamilton Living
With a budding artistic culture, lush landscapes, a thriving downtown core and a multitude of academic portals, Hamilton is the ideal place to pursue your postgraduate studies.
Location
Located just 45 minutes from Toronto downtown, Hamilton is an ideal location to service all of southwestern Ontario. GO Transit buses and trains connect Hamilton to all major cities, including Toronto, Oakville, Peterborough, Brantford, London and Guelph. Hamilton also boasts its own airport that services many sites in Ontario, as well as southern destinations.
Faculty
Information Box Group
John Agzarian
Assistant Professor
Thoracic Surgery
Office Location
St. Joseph’s Healthcare
50 Charlton Avenue East
Hamilton, ON
L8N 4A6
Administrative Support Staff
Deanna Kennedy
Email: kenned19@mcmaster.ca
Christian Finley
MD, FRCS (C)
Associate Professor
Thoracic Surgery
Office Location
St. Joseph’s Healthcare
50 Charlton Avenue East
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 4A6
Administrative Support Staff
Elizabeth DaCosta
Phone: (905) 522-1155 ext. 33556
Email: dacostae@mcmaster.ca
Laura Schneider
Email: lschnei@mcmaster.ca
Christian Finley
MD, FRCS (C)
Associate Professor
Thoracic Surgery
Waël Hanna
Division Head, Thoracic Surgery
Thoracic Surgery
Office Location
St. Joseph’s Healthcare
50 Charlton Avenue East
Hamilton, ON
L8N 4A6
Administrative Support Staff
Judith Yous
Email: yousju@mcmaster.ca
Waël Hanna
Division Head, Thoracic Surgery
Thoracic Surgery
Yaron Shargall
MD, BSc, FRCSC, FCCP
Professor
Thoracic Surgery
Office Location
St. Joseph’s Healthcare
50 Charlton Avenue East
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 4A6
Administrative Support Staff
Kaitlyn Carter
Email: carterk@stjosham.on.ca
Yaron Shargall
MD, BSc, FRCSC, FCCP
Professor
Thoracic Surgery
John Agzarian
Assistant Professor
Thoracic Surgery
Office Location
St. Joseph’s Healthcare
50 Charlton Avenue East
Hamilton, ON
L8N 4A6
Administrative Support Staff
Deanna Kennedy
Email: kenned19@mcmaster.ca
John Agzarian
Assistant Professor
Thoracic Surgery
Office Location
St. Joseph’s Healthcare
50 Charlton Avenue East
Hamilton, ON
L8N 4A6
Administrative Support Staff
Deanna Kennedy
Email: kenned19@mcmaster.ca
Christian Finley
MD, FRCS (C)
Associate Professor
Thoracic Surgery
Office Location
St. Joseph’s Healthcare
50 Charlton Avenue East
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 4A6
Administrative Support Staff
Elizabeth DaCosta
Phone: (905) 522-1155 ext. 33556
Email: dacostae@mcmaster.ca
Laura Schneider
Email: lschnei@mcmaster.ca
Christian Finley
MD, FRCS (C)
Associate Professor
Thoracic Surgery
Office Location
St. Joseph’s Healthcare
50 Charlton Avenue East
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 4A6
Administrative Support Staff
Elizabeth DaCosta
Phone: (905) 522-1155 ext. 33556
Email: dacostae@mcmaster.ca
Laura Schneider
Email: lschnei@mcmaster.ca
Waël Hanna
Division Head, Thoracic Surgery
Thoracic Surgery
Office Location
St. Joseph’s Healthcare
50 Charlton Avenue East
Hamilton, ON
L8N 4A6
Administrative Support Staff
Judith Yous
Email: yousju@mcmaster.ca
Waël Hanna
Division Head, Thoracic Surgery
Thoracic Surgery
Office Location
St. Joseph’s Healthcare
50 Charlton Avenue East
Hamilton, ON
L8N 4A6
Administrative Support Staff
Judith Yous
Email: yousju@mcmaster.ca
Yaron Shargall
MD, BSc, FRCSC, FCCP
Professor
Thoracic Surgery
Office Location
St. Joseph’s Healthcare
50 Charlton Avenue East
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 4A6
Administrative Support Staff
Kaitlyn Carter
Email: carterk@stjosham.on.ca
Yaron Shargall
MD, BSc, FRCSC, FCCP
Professor
Thoracic Surgery
Office Location
St. Joseph’s Healthcare
50 Charlton Avenue East
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 4A6
Administrative Support Staff
Kaitlyn Carter
Email: carterk@stjosham.on.ca