Georges Azzie

Dr. Azzie has a keen interest in international surgery. He has worked extensively around the globe, including the Middle East, Africa and New Zealand. He works to help to expand the international activities of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and the University of Toronto (U of T). In December 2017, Dr. Azzie was appointed as the Program Director for the Division of General and Thoracic surgery at SickKids. His research interests include advanced laparoscopic techniques, simulation, and health care in developing nations.

Education and experience

• 1982–1986: Medical School, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
• 1987–1988: Medical Officer, Serabu Mission Hospital, Sierra Leone 
• 1988–1992: General Surgery Residency, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
• 1992–1994: Consultant Surgeon, University of the Free Stata, Bloemfontein, South Africa 
• 1994–1996: Consultant Surgeon, Ministry of Health, Windhoek, Namibia 
• 1996–1998: Consultant Surgeon, King Fahad National Guard Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 
• 1998–2000: Fellowship in Paediatric Surgery, Hopital Ste Justine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
• 2000–2001: Consultant Pediatric Surgeon, Sheik Khalifa Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 
• 2001–2002: Senior Registrar, Paediatric Surgery, Christchurch Hospital, University of Otago, New Zealand 
• 2002–2006: Staff Pediatric Surgeon, University of New Mexico, USA 
• 2006–Present: Staff Surgeon, SickKids, Toronto, Canada

Achievements

• Two-time recipient of the Tovee Award for Excellence in Education, Department of Surgery at the University of Toronto 
• Adjunct Full Professor of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, USA
• Adjunct Full Professor of Surgery, University of Botswana, Africa
• Adjunct Full Professor of Surgery, University of Cape Town, South Africa 

1. Bedada AG, Hsiao M, Bakanisi B, Motsumi M, Azzie G: Establishing a contextually appropriate laparoscopic program in resource-restricted environments: Experience in Botswana. Annals of Surgery. 2015 Apr 26;26(4):807 - 11. Senior Responsible Author.
2. Mutabdzic D, Bedada AG, Bakanisi B, Motsumi J, Azzie G.: Designing a Contextually Appropriate Surgical Training Program in Low-resource Settings:  The Botswana Experience. World J Surg (E Version). 2013 Jul 1;37(7:1486-91). Senior Responsible Author. 
3. Cintolo-Gonzalez JA, Bedada Alemayehu Ginbo, Morris J, Azzie G: An International Surgical Rotation as a Systems-Based Elective: The Botswana University of Pennsylvania Surgical Experience. Journal of Surgical Education. 2016 Mar 1;73(2):355-359. Senior Responsible Author. 
4. Trudeau MO, Nasr A, Carrillo B, Gerstle JT, Azzie G. Construct validity and educational role for motion analysis in a laparoscopic trainer. Surg Endosc. 2015;29(9):2491-2495. doi:10.1007/s00464-014-3988-6. Senior Responsible Author. 
5. Farcas MA, Trudeau MO, Nasr A, Gerstle JT, Carrillo B, Azzie G:. Analysis of Motion in Laparoscopy: The Deconstruction of an Intra-Corporeal Suturing Task. Surgical Endoscopy. 2016 Dec 7:187-92. Senior Responsible Author.