Overview
The Department of Surgery at McMaster University is internationally renowned for its research collaborations and innovations that are transforming surgery and medical training, establishing new frontiers in medicine and expanding the boundaries of surgical expertise.
Each of our Royal College accredited surgical programs focus on educating and training surgeons in an environment of cutting edge technology and emerging methodologies. We welcome learners at all levels:
Postgraduate
- Definition of surgical residency: Training that is recognized by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons and leads to a Board examination.
- Definition of a fellowship: Training that is post-residency or post-certification but does not lead to a Board examination. Applicants must meet the requirements of the licensing authority, The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, as well as the program’s own admission criteria. Funding must be obtained by the candidate through outside agencies, departmental funding, etc.
- In addition to the affiliated teaching hospitals in this region, McMaster University has wide access to an extensive number of additional training sites, including rural and community settings in both northern and southern Ontario. This spectrum of resources, along with the size of the programs at McMaster, allow programs to tailor your residency program to meet your needs.
- Browse the postgraduate surgery program listings to learn more.
Undergraduate
With 12 different postgraduate surgery programs, the Department of Surgery is bound to have an elective for you. Students and clinical clerks can sign on for either block or horizontal electives in any year of training. We encourage first year students to consider a few weeks of a horizontal elective as a way to explore different surgical careers. Browse the undergraduate medical education page, download our undergraduate surgery electives brochure (PDF) and check out the program descriptions. Email Joanne Winch to make your arrangements. We hope to see you soon.
Physician Assistants
The first 20 students began the full two-year program in September 2008. The program was taught using McMaster’s internationally-renowned small group, problem-based-learning approach, which focuses on critical thinking, problem-solving, initiative and promotion of lifelong learning. Physician assistants rotate through our surgical programs at the same level as our clinical clerks.
“Our mission is to educate energetic, innovative, committed and caring people to become role models in this new profession,” said Dr. John Cunnington, director of the McMaster Physician Assistant Education program. Visit our Physician Assistant Program in Surgery page to learn more.
Information Box Group
Surgery Programs
The Department of Surgery offers 12 training programs accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Information Box Group
Cardiac Surgery Learn More
Program Director: Dr. Iqbal Jaffer
Program Coordinator: Andrea Howe
General Surgery Learn More
Program Director: Dr. Ilun Yang
Program Coordinators: Katie Niblock
Neurosurgery Learn More
Program Director: Dr. Blake Yarascavitch
Program Coordinator: Elyse Cornell
Ophthalmology Learn More
Program Director: Dr. Enitan Sogbesan
Program Coordinator: Jennifer Koch
Orthopaedic Surgery Learn More
Program Director: Dr. Vickas Khanna
Program Coordinators: Paulette Aubry
Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery Learn More
Program Director: Dr. Han Zhang
Program Coordinator: TBA
Pediatric Surgery Learn More
Program Director: Dr. Lisa VanHouwelingen
Program Coordinator: Carol Dow
Plastic Surgery Learn More
Program Director: Dr. Matthew McRae
Program Coordinator: Jennifer Koch
Surgical Foundations Learn More
Program Director: Dr. Darren de SA
Program Coordinator: Naomi Downer
Thoracic Surgery Learn More
Program Director: Dr. John Agzarian
Program Coordinator: Carol Dow
Urology Learn More
Program Director: Dr. Shahid Lambe
Program Coordinator: Lauren Douglas
Vascular Surgery Learn More
Program Director: Dr. John Harlock
Program Coordinator: Andrea Howe
Undergraduate
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
Devin Peterson
MD, FRCSC
Associate Professor & Orthopaedic Surgery Clerkship Director
Orthopaedic Surgery
Office Location
McMaster Children’s Hospital
1200 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 3Z5
Administrative Support Staff
Danielle Gilbert
Fax: (905) 540-5835
Email: gilberda@hhsc.ca
Devin Peterson
MD, FRCSC
Associate Professor & Orthopaedic Surgery Clerkship Director
Orthopaedic 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
Devin Peterson
MD, FRCSC
Associate Professor & Orthopaedic Surgery Clerkship Director
Orthopaedic Surgery
Office Location
McMaster Children’s Hospital
1200 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 3Z5
Administrative Support Staff
Danielle Gilbert
Fax: (905) 540-5835
Email: gilberda@hhsc.ca
Devin Peterson
MD, FRCSC
Associate Professor & Orthopaedic Surgery Clerkship Director
Orthopaedic Surgery
Office Location
McMaster Children’s Hospital
1200 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 3Z5
Administrative Support Staff
Danielle Gilbert
Fax: (905) 540-5835
Email: gilberda@hhsc.ca
Physician Assistant Program
- Canadian Association of Physician Assistants
- McMaster Physician Assistant Education Program
- Physician Assistant Urology Learning Objectives (PDF)
Dr. Matthew Denkers (Division of Orthopaedic Surgery) currently serves as electives director of the Physician Assistant Program in Surgery. Designed to train physician assistants to work alongside Ontario physicians, the program was the first of its type in Ontario. It is also Canada’s first civilian program at an undergraduate level for these health care professionals who will practice medicine under physician supervision in a wide range of health care settings.
“McMaster was pleased to lead the development of new types of health care professionals who will improve access to quality health care for the residents of Ontario,” said Dr. John Kelton, dean and vice-president of McMaster University’s Faculty of Health Sciences.
The first 20 students began the full two-year program in September 2008. The program was taught using McMaster’s internationally-renowned small group, problem-based-learning approach, which focus on critical thinking, problem-solving, initiative and promotion of lifelong learning. During the course of their training they rotated through a number of surgical programs including general surgery, orthopedic surgery and plastic surgery.
“Our mission is to educate energetic, innovative, committed and caring people to become role models in this new profession,” said Dr. John Cunnington, director of the McMaster Physician Assistant Education Program.