Q&As
MEET OUR TALENT
Our hospital attracts some of the best and brightest medical minds from around the world. Discover what inspired them to pursing a career in healthcare, the most exciting innovations in their field, and what you’ll find them doing when they aren’t at work.
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Q&As


Dr. Rebecca AuerExecutive Vice-President of Research and Innovation at The Ottawa Hospital and CEO and Scientific Director at The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.
It was only a glimpse she caught, standing on the side of the Trans-Canada Highway as it curved along Lake Superior, but since then, Terry Fox has remained a source of inspiration for Dr. Rebecca Auer. His vision and determination helped motivate her to where she is today — an award-winning cancer clinician-scientist. Dr. Auer… Continue Reading From Terry Fox to Bruce Springsteen — this cancer researcher was “Born to Run”
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Dr. Shawn Aaronhe/him2023 recipient of the Dr. J. David Grimes Career Achievement Award
Dr. Shawn Aaron never intended to go into research. Early in his career, the respirologist — a doctor who specializes in lung disease — saw his future as working directly with patients. But after falling in love with research at The Ottawa Hospital, Dr. Aaron became a senior scientist working at the intersection of research… Continue Reading Peaking early, early detection, and research as a team sport
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Dr. Alvin Tieu2023 recipient of the Worton Researcher in Training Award
Dr. Alvin Tieu has been driven to make a difference for patients since the start of his academic career. From an early interest in the scientific method to a realization that research has a tangible impact on patients, Dr. Tieu’s journey has been shaped by how he can help others. After an undergraduate and master’s… Continue Reading The big bang and tiny particles
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Dr. Colleen Webber2023 Clinical and Applied Health Researcher in Training Award winner
Dr. Colleen Webber didn’t always want to go into healthcare, and especially not into research. But after a placement in her masters, she fell in love with the process of looking for answers to life’s big questions. With two master of science degrees — one in occupational therapy and the other in epidemiology — and… Continue Reading Finding answers and asking the right questions
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Dr. Melissa ForgieVice President of Medical Education at The Ottawa Hospital
From clinician to researcher to administrator — Dr. Melissa Forgie’s career touches just about every area of healthcare as we know it. She’s treated patients, conducted practice-changing research, and now, as Vice President of Medical Education at The Ottawa Hospital, Dr. Forgie is shaping the next generation of healthcare providers. Continue Reading Wrangling research and smashing glass ceilings — meet Dr. Melissa Forgie, medical education icon
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Dr. Paul Beauléhe/himOrthopaedic Surgeon
The former Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery at The Ottawa Hospital (2015-2021) has spent his career refining and redefining this art — specializing in the preservation and replacement of hips while maximizing patient outcomes. Continue Reading From Naval Officer to award-winning researcher: meet orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Paul E. Beaulé
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Michelle CummingsICU physiotherapist and research assistant
When someone arrives to The Ottawa Hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU), saving their life is the number one priority. But that’s just the first step. A comprehensive team of physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals team up to help patients not just survive but also thrive. Michelle Cummings plays a critical role in helping make… Continue Reading A sprained ankle, ABBA, and hitting inanimate objects
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Dr. Jean Seelyshe/herBreast Radiologist
Dr. Jean Seely is Head of the Breast Imaging Section at the hospital and a Clinical Investigator in our Clinical Epidemiology Program. Dr. Seely’s career is built on bringing research directly into patient care to improve the outcomes and reduce the mortality of breast cancer patients through better screening and diagnosis. Continue Reading A passion for medicine sparked by a grandmother and Star Trek
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Dr. Dar Dowlatshahihe/himStroke Neurologist & Scientific Director of the Ottawa Stroke Program
Dr. Dar grew up in Iran, lived briefly in France, and then moved to Canada in 1979 with his family. Today, Dr. Dar is a stroke neurologist and scientist at The Ottawa Hospital and the scientific director of the Ottawa Stroke Program. Continue Reading Sci-fi developments and rock ’n’ roll
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