Dr. Forbes spent 15 years as the Division Chair and Chief of Vascular Surgery at the University of Western Ontario and will now be making the move to Toronto. (Photo: UHN News)
After 15 years serving as Division Chair and Chief of Vascular Surgery at University of Western Ontario, Dr. Thomas Forbes joins the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, newly appointed as Chair in the Division of Vascular Surgery at the University of Toronto.
"I wanted the opportunity to pursue clinical, educational, and academic goals with the potential for global impact, in a competitive, multidisciplinary, multihospital organization," says Dr. Forbes. "In my position as Chair, my goal is to raise the profile of the Vascular Surgery Division at University of Toronto onto the world stage, via collaborative efforts. The Peter Munk Cardiac Centre provides the ideal environment for my clinical practice: strong leadership, support and investment for innovation, state-of-the-art equipment, critical mass, and outstanding partners are all hallmarks of the program."
With academic interests including translational and clinical outcomes research, specifically with respect to aortic surgery, Dr. Forbes has published over 150 peer reviewed papers, more than 50 invited commentaries and editorials, and given over 100 invited lectures and visiting professorships. He is also the current President of the Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery and Associate Editor of the Journal of Vascular Surgery.
Dr. Forbes has a keen academic interest in pursuing spinal cord protection, the 'Achilles Heel' of complex aortic surgery. Paralysis after operations on the thoracic and abdominal aorta can be a potentially devastating outcome for patients, affecting up to 10 per cent of this patient population.
"With the exceptional level of talent and expertise we have across University Health Network, we have the opportunity to eliminate this catastrophic complication," comments Dr. Forbes. "Optimal imaging techniques at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre allow for more complex aortic surgery. Clinically, we also have the opportunity to involve patients more directly in research, not just as subjects but also in the planning phase and in the interpretation of results."
Dr. Forbes is joined in Toronto by his wife and four children.
