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Cardiovascular Surgeons
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Dr. Jean-François Légaré
Dr. Jean-François Légaré joined the NB Heart Centre in September 2016, assuming the role of division head of cardiac surgery. Dr. Légaré obtained his medical Degree from McGill University in 1995. Subsequently, he went to Dalhousie University where he completed a residency in Cardiac Surgery. During his residency training, he also obtained a Masters of Science specializing in Pathology as well as Clinical Investigator in Cardiac Surgery. Already proficient in both of Canada's Official languages, Dr. Légaré became proficient in German and embarked on a one year fellowship at the renown "Herzzentrum Leipzig, Univesitat Leipzig" in Germany under the tutelage of Dr. F Mohr, who has a global reputation for robotic cardiac surgery and mini-invasive approaches to valve surgery. Upon returning to Canada, Dr. Légaré choose to practice in Halifax, Nova Scotia where he was a leader in the fields of mitral valve and heart failure surgery. He was also the Director of Research and Surgical Director of Transplantation in the division of Cardiac Surgery with Dalhousie University. In addition to being heavily involved in his clinical capacity, Dr. Légaré has maintained a commitment to academic medicine by publishing to date 94 refereed papers, 2 chapters and 104 abstracts and maintaining peer reviewed funding from National agencies. He continues to mentor students and has supervised several graduate students (PhD and MSC candidates) as well as RIM medical students. Dr. Légaré has maintained his position of full Professor of surgery with cross-appointments in Pathology and Microbiology & Immunology at Dalhousie University which will strengthen the Department of Surgery in NB. The knowledge generated through Dr. Légaré's academic work will continue to contribute and support, in a significant way, ongoing efforts to improve care and outcomes for the cardiac patients within, and outside, this province.
Dr. Craig Brown
Dr. Craig Brown joined the NBHC in 1993. He earned his medical degree from The University of Manitoba in 1984. He trained in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at The University of Manitoba. He was certified as a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery (1992). He is also a Fellow of The American College of Surgeons. He further completed a two year Gerbode Fellowship in Cardiovascular Sciences in San Francisco.
Dr. Rand Forgie
Dr. Rand Forgie joined the NBHC in 1991. He obtained his medical degree from Dalhousie University in 1979. He completed training in General Surgery and Cardiac Surgery at the University of Alberta. He was certified as a Fellow by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Physicians and Surgeon of Canada in General Surgery (1985) and Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery in 1988. He is also a Fellow of The American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He has been involved with the Royal College Exam Committee for Cardiac Surgery.
Dr. Ansar Hassan
"Born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Dr. Ansar Hassan obtained his medical degree from McGill University in 1998. Following this, he went to Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he completed a residency in cardiac surgery. During his residency training, he acquired a PhD degree in social and clinical epidemiology. Upon completion of his residency training in 2007, he embarked on a two-year clinical fellowship under the tutelage of Dr. Randolph Chitwood, the world's leader in robotic and minimally invasive cardiac surgery. Since coming to the New Brunswick Heart Centre in January 2009, Dr. Hassan has initiated the minimally invasive cardiac surgery program, allowing for New Brunswickers with valvular and congenital heart disease to undergo corrective surgery using less invasive techniques with shorter recovery times. In addition to his clinical contributions, Dr. Hassan has established a strong academic research presence in New Brunswick, having acquired peer-reviewed research grants from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of New Brunswick and the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation to study issues pertaining to access to cardiovascular care and their impact on short- and long-term clinical outcomes in this province."