About Us
The Division of General Surgery provides clinical care to residents of Ottawa-Carleton and is the tertiary referral center for general surgical care for Eastern Ontario. Our Division provides clinical care and medical teaching at The Ottawa Hospital’s three campuses (Civic, General, and the ambulatory care campus of the Riverside) as well as the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). Our faculty members have a range of subspecialty interests including critical care and trauma, abdominal wall reconstruction, colorectal surgery, hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery, minimally invasive surgery, bariatric surgery, surgical oncology and breast surgery.
Our postgraduate residency program follows the specialty training experiences and competencies specified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. A feature of our residency program is that we offer opportunities to work in a variety of settings including quaternary academic centers, community hospitals, and remote rural communities.
The Division of General Surgery’s mission is to provide excellence in patient care while fulfilling our academic and educational mandate as an undergraduate and postgraduate medical education site.
A Message from our Division Head
Welcome to the General Surgery Residency Program at the University of Ottawa
It is with great honor and pride that I introduce you to the General Surgery Residency Program at the University of Ottawa. As Division Head and a lifelong member of this exceptional team, I can confidently attest to the depth of expertise and dedication that defines our division. Our program is built on the foundation of an outstanding group of general surgeons who bring expertise across six subspecialty areas. Each of these sections is represented by committed educators and clinicians who are passionate about training the next generation of surgeons.
Our division prides itself on fostering a collaborative and cohesive environment. We view ourselves not only as colleagues but as a family, united in our mission to promote excellence in patient care, teaching, and research. This supportive culture enables our residents to thrive both professionally and personally.
One of the key strengths of our program lies in its size. As a medium-sized residency, we offer the close, enriching relationships characteristic of smaller programs, while also providing exposure to a broad range of expertise. Our robust fellowship programs complement, rather than compete with, the residency experience, creating an environment where fellows and residents collaborate and learn from one another.
Our program is structured to provide a comprehensive training experience, combining specialized surgical exposure within The Ottawa Hospital with community practice opportunities through our affiliated regional hospitals. This integrated model ensures that trainees can tailor their experiences to align with their career goals, whether they aspire to subspecialty practice, academic surgery, or community care.
Research is another cornerstone of our program. The University of Ottawa offers a rich array of research opportunities, supported by a strong mentorship culture. Many of our residents have taken advantage of our Surgeon Scientist Program to develop impactful research projects, opening doors to academic and leadership roles across Canada and beyond.
Our division is composed of a diverse group of surgeons who bring a blend of youthful enthusiasm and seasoned wisdom. This dynamic fosters an environment of innovation, mentorship, and lifelong learning, providing residents with a unique and inspiring training experience.
Finally, the city of Ottawa itself offers a remarkable quality of life. As Canada’s capital, Ottawa boasts vibrant cultural and artistic communities, year-round outdoor activities, and proximity to Montreal. Its bilingual character and diverse population provide a rich cultural experience that enhances both personal and professional growth.
On behalf of the Division of General Surgery, I warmly invite prospective trainees to join us and become part of this dynamic, multi-talented, and multifaceted community. Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of excellence in surgery, education, and research.
Dr. Shaheer Tadros
Division Head, General Surgery
A Message from our Program Director
Welcome to the General Surgery Residency Program at the University of Ottawa!
Surgery is learned by doing, under the guidance of people who are dedicated to teaching you to be your best. Our program’s mission is to teach technical and clinical excellence in a collegial learning environment. Residents should be challenged to meet a high standard while being supported by faculty and peers who are invested in their success. We train surgeons who can be trusted with the sickest patients, the hardest decisions, and the responsibility of leading a team. Trust is earned through progressive responsibility, rigorous teaching, and honest and timely feedback.
I still remember the first time I operated without someone standing over my shoulder. I had gone through residency thinking that most decisions seemed to be black and white to the attending surgeons. When I became the attending, I realize for the first time how much of what we do lays in the gray. This has shaped how I teach, and how I think about educating surgeons. Residents need to be part of the decision-making process, and they need to see the times when their attendings are uncertain. Residents grow when they are given real responsibility, candid feedback, and the freedom to learn from their mistakes. We strive to build this into every rotation, with graduated autonomy under the Royal College's Competence by Design framework.
Our residents train across multiple sites, seeing the full breadth of general surgery: acute care and trauma, surgical oncology, HPB, colorectal, breast, bariatrics/ foregut, abdominal wall reconstruction, and community surgery. Upon graduation, residents of our program are equally positioned to compete for top fellowships as well as directly enter practice.
Clinical excellence matters as much as technical skill. We teach residents to think like surgeons: to assess the patient in front of them, weigh risks, decide when to operate and when not to, and lead the care of patients through their illness and recovery. Our teaching faculty will scrub in with you, debrief the hard cases, and push you to think a step ahead.
If you are considering applying, I would love to hear from you! Come visit and see whether Ottawa is the place where you want to train to be a surgeon.
Dr. kimberly bertens
Program Director, General Surgery
Senior Chief Resident Words of Wisdom
As Chief Resident of the Ottawa General Surgery Residency Program, I’m excited to welcome you to our community! Ottawa isn’t just a place to train— it’s a launchpad for your career as a surgeon.
The greatest strength of our program is our sense of community. We celebrate successes together and support one another through the highs and lows of residency. The people you work with aren’t simply your colleagues; rather you will foster bonds with mentors, friends, and a family support system that extend beyond your years in training. Faculty and residents genuinely care about your growth and are invested in helping you achieve both personal and professional goals.
Often called the “Goldilocks program,” Ottawa offers the best of both worlds: large enough to provide broad surgical exposure, yet small enough to maintain a close-knit, supportive environment. What sets us apart is our flexibility in tailoring your training to your career goals. Whether you’re pursuing community practice or subspecialty fellowship, you’ll graduate prepared to thrive in surgical practice.
Outside the hospital, Ottawa offers a vibrant balance of city and nature. You can hike in Gatineau Park, skate on the Rideau Canal, or enjoy the cultural scene downtown—there’s something here for everyone.
As you begin this exciting chapter, we invite you to explore the unique opportunities in both our program and our city. We look forward to meeting you, sharing our experiences, and helping you envision your future with the Ottawa General Surgery Residency family.