Latest Blogs
Zomba Urology Week 2019
Three years ago I first came to Zomba Malawi to begin to try and understand the impact that the lack of access to surgic
Embarking on a Global Surgery Initiative in Savanna La Mar Jamaica
I have written previously about my experiences in trying to understand the limitations associated with delivering surgic
Building a Urology Program in Zomba, Malawi.
I have previously described visiting Zomba Malawi in June 2016. As a member of the board of Dignitas Interna
Visiting Kambuga Hospital in Western Uganda
Last week I visited an emerging surgical program at Baraka Hospital in the Maasai Mara region of Kenya. I described a fu
Baraka Hospital: Visiting a Nascent Surgical Program in the Massai Mara of Kenya
In 2015 the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery was convened with the goal of trying to achieve a comprehensive and thor
Weighing the merits of the Proposed 2016 Ontario Physician Services Agreement
A lot has been made about the acrimonious relationship between Ontario physicians, their negotiating arm, the Ontario Me
Ngwelero. A visit to Primary Care in Malawi
Wednesday I visited Ngwelero, Malawi a very rural clinic run by Dignitas in a remote part of Zomba district. Over
Urology in Zomba, Malawi. reflecting on Surgical care in a Resource-limited country
This is a repost of a piece I wrote for British Journal
The Teen Club. Taking care of HIV +ve Adolescents
On Saturday I took a trip to the further reaches of the district to visit Thuchila a Dignitas’ Teen Club. It is on
Understanding Surgical Training Standards in Africa. Meet Dr Eric Borgstein
I took a trip to Blantyre, Malawi’s second largest city, on Friday. My aim was to meet Dr Eric Borgstein a very im
A Visit to the Tisungane Clinic
Today I spent the morning at Dignitas’ flagship Tisungane Clinic. It is from here that many of Dignitas' accomplis
A Half Cancelled surgical list leads to a Patient Safety Initiative
I started the day at 730 on ward rounds. Generally these serve as a sort of triage and recount which patients ca
Day 1 at Dignitas...and an unfamiliar surgery clinic
Monday June 20/16 I looked at this picture that I took shortly after I arrived yesterday. From the sky one realiz
Greetings From Malawi "The Warm Heart of Africa"
Nearly twenty four hours after getting on a plane in Toronto I am settling down in Zomba, Malawi in the southeastern par
Grand Slam 2016 in Support of Michael Garron Hospital is Around the Corner
For those that know me or have visited my office it is not a surprise that the arrival of April is most welcome. It is b
Sorting through a Urological Issue at Spring Training
At this time of the year most of us who enjoy baseball look daily to the storylines as they develop in Florida or Arizon
Drawing us together in a connected world
The advent of various forms of social media in this rapidly changing world of technology has always fascinated me.
Introducing the Michael Garron Hospital
I cannot begin to tell you what great pleasure it gives me to write today on behalf of the physician staff as well as a
Movember 2015 has arrived
Today is November 1. In Canada, despite an usually warm fall and the sweet distraction of the Toronto Blue Jays playoff
Government must engage with physicians to ensure the future of Ontario Healthcare
When the current impasse between the OMA and Ontario Ministry of Health started in January I wrote an early respons
Some reflections on the approaching the U of T Medicine 25th year class reunion
This coming Saturday my University of Toronto medical school graduating class will celebrate its 25th reunion. It seems
On the Importance of Dignitas International
I am hosting an event at my house Thursday to shine a light on Dignitas International. I joined the board of this
Grand Slam in Support of TEGH coming soon
As the weather warms up after a particularly long winter the privilege of being able to live in Canada always comes back
"My GP Just Doesn't Believe in PSA"
“My GP just doesn’t believe in PSA”, a new patient told me today. He was referred to me with an elevat
Ontario's Healthcare Debate faces a Critical Crossroad
News came on Thursday that the comprehensive negotiations between the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care
This Give a Day: Understanding 90-90-90, The three-pronged goal of UNAids to combat HIV
We know how far a day’s pay can go for ourselves – imagine the difference it can make for a person living wi
A night with our ex PM Paul Martin. Physicians need to lead the way in reshaping Canadian Healthcare
I was recently asked to attend a fundraiser by my colleague and friend Dr.Jane Philpott. For those who don't know, she i
Movember and Prostate Cancer Surgery at Toronto East General Hospital
We once again find ourselves in the middle of another Movember campaign. What started out over a few beer in Australia i
A Response to the Canadian Task Force on Preventative Health Recommendations on PSA Testing
Monday, the Canadian Task Force on Preventative Health Care (CTFPHC) issued a statement on the use of the PSA test
A perfect trip to Thunder Bay during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
September is prostate cancer awareness month. It is the month in which many advocacy groups including Prostate Can
A Father's Letter of Gratitude to His Son: The Jake Eliopoulos Story and TEGH
Last month I wrote about an upcoming event that combined two of my great passions, baseball and Toronto East Genera
Reflections on baseball in support of a great institution
With a three games to two lead in the 1993 World Series, the Toronto Blue Jays headed into the bottom of the ninth innin
The relationship between Vasectomy and Prostate Cancer: An old idea Revisited
Last week, I realized that patients coming to my office seeking vasectomies required an additional piece in their counse
The Role of Urologists in Patient Advocacy
Entering my 19th year of practice I have looked after many patients and am constantly amazed and humbled by the courage
Complacency is Biggest Threat to Canadian Health Care System
Canadians enjoy a health care system that at some levels is the envy of the world. No one has to worry abou
Early Prostate Cancer Detection
There is much controversy about prostate cancer with respect to an optimal strategy for detection. With the advent