Najma Ahmed

Research Synopsis

Dr. Ahmed completed Medical School and General Surgery Residency at McGill University. She holds a PhD in Surgical Infections and Sepsis. Following Residency, Najma pursued fellowship training in Trauma Surgery and Critical Care at the University of Michigan and the University of Toronto. Najma was recruited to St. Michael’s Hospital in the Division of General Surgery in 2001. Her clinical focus and practice is in Acute Care Surgery, Trauma and Critical Care. She has been committed to clinical training processes and outcomes since the beginning of her career. From 2008 until 2018, Najma was the Residency Program Director for General Surgery, responsible for the largest and arguably most complex surgical training program in North America. Under her leadership, the program was known for its stellar clinical and academic training, diversity and engagement of trainees. Najma holds the positions of Vice Chair of Education, Department of Surgery at University of Toronto and Professor of Surgery. In this role, she provides visionary leadership for training success for medical students, residents and fellows, as well as career success of surgeon- teachers within the Department of Surgery. Her contributions to post graduate surgical education have been recognized by numerous awards, including the prestigious Royal College AMS/Donald Richards Wilson Award in 2016. Her scholarly activities relate to Resident duty hours, Resident wellness and the application of a competency based framework to surgical training. In 2019, she joined the Royal College as a Clinician-Educator. She recently was awarded the CMA Canadian Medical Association, Sir Charles Tupper Award for her work on physician advocacy related to gun violence prevention. Najma has provided trusted leadership as Surgeon-in-Chief for the Department over the last many months, and especially during the unprecedented period of the COVID19 pandemic.