Research
Message from the Vice-Chair, Research
Our Department has a long tradition of research excellence. There are over 60 clinician scientists or non-clinician scientists in the Department, who direct research programs across all research disciplines and clinical areas. In addition, there are close to 100 clinician-investigators who include research activities as part of their day-to-day work. Our faculty members produce research of the highest quality, resulting in publications in journals such as Nature and the New England Journal of Medicine. Indeed the Department of Surgery consistently ranks in the top three academic institutions world-wide in terms of number of publications each year. This research work is focused on improving the outcome for the patients we treat, and indeed has resulted in scores of improvements in patient care that have become common practice world-wide.
In addition to our research productivity, our Surgeon Scientist Program, now in its 25th year, provides the infrastructure for residents from all of our surgical specialties to receive graduate training in the highest quality research programs available in Toronto. Over 200 trainees have graduated from our Surgeon Scientist Program, two thirds of which have gone on to academic faculty positions.
Our Departmental Research Committee oversees our research activities, represents our non-clinician scientists, coordinates the Surgeon Scientist Program, and organizes our annual celebration of research excellence in the department, Gallie Day. Val Cabral coordinates all aspects of our Departmental research activities, and supports all of our Research Committee activities.
Research plays a central role in our department and our research activities are a distinguishing characteristic of our Department of Surgery. There is no doubt in the upcoming years our research activities will continue to expand, with new avenues of investigation being developed, and improvements in our research infrastructure to increase the breadth and depth of our work, ultimately improving the outcome for our patients.
Benjamin Alman
Vice Chair, Research
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