Mission Statement:
The mission of the Division of Pediatric General Surgery is to provide state of the art, evidence-based surgical care to children in a friendly, compassionate, and family-centered environment, to train the pediatric surgeons of tomorrow, and to conduct cutting-edge laboratory and clinical research.
Our Commitment to Patients:
- We will treat every child with dignity, compassion, and respect.
- We will offer each child the best evidence-based surgical care, and discuss all relevant alternatives for treatment.
- We will always keep the family fully informed of the treatment plan, and address their questions and concerns in an open and honest manner.
- We will serve as advocates for each child within a resource-limited health care system.
- We will draw on the expertise of the entire team and other hospital services, not just one individual, to offer the most effective care to each child.
- We will be open to family suggestions for improvement in care or in their child’s hospital experience.
Our Commitment to Education:
We are one of a select group of pediatric surgeons in North America with a responsibility to train the pediatric surgeons of tomorrow. We are committed to offering each of our fellows the best didactic, clinical, and operative teaching in a safe and patient-centered surgical setting. We are committed to creating competent, skilled, ethical, and mission-driven surgeons.
Our Commitment to Research:
We are committed to carrying out cutting-edge laboratory and clinical surgical research aimed at providing innovative solutions to difficult problems, and improving our patients’ outcomes. We are committed to applying our research results for the benefit of our patients. We are committed to sharing our results with the scientific community for the benefit of children around the world.
Division of Pediatric General Surgery Expertise
General:
The division of pediatric general surgery practices the full range of surgical evaluation and care of children from the foetal period to the 18th birthday. We have expertise in all areas of general surgical care including head and neck, thoracic, genitourinary, and gynaecologic conditions. We perform the full range of surgical procedures, including neonatal and infantile surgery, laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgery, resection of pediatric solid tumors, and reconstruction of chest wall anomalies.
Dr. Emil:
Dr. Sherif Emil is Associate Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics, and the Director of the Division. His clinical and research interests include foetal diagnosis, neonatal bowel obstruction and other congenital conditions, pediatric appendicitis, gastroesophageal reflux, surgical outcomes, minimally invasive surgical procedures in all age groups, international surgery, and health care policy. He is also a surgical consultant to the MCH Family Advisor Forum.
Dr. Laberge:
Dr. Laberge is Professor of Surgery and Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the most senior active member of the Division. He has significant expertise in all pediatric surgical fields, and has published widely on most areas in pediatric surgery. His clinical and research interests include lung development, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, foetal evaluation and therapy, and congenital anorectal anomalies. He is the current President of the Canadian Association of Pediatric Surgeons.
Dr. Puligandla:
Dr. Puligandla is Associate Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics, and the Director of the fellowship program in pediatric general surgery. He also is one of two surgeons in Canada certified in pediatric critical care, which he actively practices. His clinical and research interests include thyroid surgery, congenital lung anomalies, and neonatal surgical outcomes.
Dr. Shaw:
Dr. Shaw is Assistant Professor of Surgery. He practices the full range of pediatric general surgery. His clinical interests include the development of surgical protocols and clinical pathway, and the study of the effects of such pathways on surgical care. He is also active in surgical education, and co-directs the core surgery program.
Dr. Wissanji:
Dr. Hussein Wissanji is a pediatric surgeon specializing in colorectal surgery and chest wall anomalies. He serves as the Director of the Colorectal Center of Excellence (COCOE). COCOE aims to set new standards for pediatric colorectal care in Canada and improve the lives of families and children living with anorectal malformations or Hirschsprung’s disease. His research and advocacy works are geared towards improving the ability to seek, reach and engage with pediatric surgical care across Canada. Passionate about public health education, Dr. Wissanji uses both traditional and social media to share medical information in clear, simple language, making it accessible to a wider audience.