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Faculty of MedicineBranch for Global Surgical Care
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  • Publication Feature: International Consensus on Global Surgery Learning Objectives and Competencies

    We’re very proud to highlight Dr. Roy Hilzenrat, MGSC alumnus. for his work on enhancing global surgery education! His study, which was recently published in the Annals of Surgery, aimed to achieve international consensus on core learning objectives for global surgery education. This Delphi consensus study defines 120 core learning objectives across 14 domains for […] Read More

  • Publication Feature: VitalSurg: Outcomes From a Surgical Task-Shifting Training Program in a Humanitarian Context

    Dr. Hannah Wild and members of the Global Surgery Lab, have recently published the results of a study to evaluate the second iteration of the Vital Surgery Training Program (VitalSurg) a task-shifting initiative designed to build local surgical capacity in surgical deserts by training generalist doctors to perform essential procedures. Implemented in partnership with Médecins […] Read More

  • Engineers in Scrubs Program Call for Project Proposals

    Do you have an idea for a surgical problem you’ve encountered in a low resource setting globally and are seeking a unique design solution? Engineers in Scrubs is looking for you! Submit your project idea at the link below! On behalf of UBC’s School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME), we invite you to submit a project proposal to […] Read More

  • Global Surgery Elective – Available for UBC 4th Year MD Students

    Are you a 4th year UBC medical student interested in learning more about global surgical care? In this 2-week global surgery elective course, you will have the opportunity to explore global surgery with the support of an experienced BGSC faculty member as a preceptor. Register today! Read More

  • SURG 512: Global Disability– A Surgical Care Mandate

    In this online graduate course, students will critique current models of addressing the fact that globally, one billion people live with a disability of whom 80% live in resource limited settings which further compounds the family and public burden and discuss frameworks for moving forward. Read More

  • SURG 517: Clinical Research Methods for Surgical Procedures with Global Surgical Comparisons

    This course is intended to introduce learners in surgical care to surgical clinical research methods and emphasize approaches to clinical research that are different for surgical research compared to medical research. Read More

  • SURG 560: Global Surgical Care Field Practicum

    In the field practicum, students will design and implement a global surgical care project, “grounding” their knowledge and skills attained in the other courses of the program. Read More

  • SURG 542: Directed Study in Global Surgical Care

    Through the Directed Study course, students will carry out an exhaustive search of the world literature, on a global surgical care topic of their choice. Read More

  • SURG 510: Surgical Care in International Health

    In this online course, students will examine the historical beginnings, the reasons for the emergence of surgical care in the public health agenda and the details of the global burden of surgical care need. Read More


Advancing surgical care globally

Global surgery is an emerging discipline that aims to build capacity in surgical care in the areas of the world where it is most needed. Global surgical care delivery projects, international partnerships focused on surgical care education and research, and global disasters either man-made or natural requiring a surgical care response all highlight the opportunities and necessity for appropriately trained health professionals.

Since 2009, the graduate-level programs at Branch for Global Surgical Care (BGSC) have been meeting the learning needs of surgical care clinicians, residents in training and health professionals from many disciplines who wish to incorporate international surgical care into their careers.

In 2021, the Global Surgery Lab was created and designed to be an interdisciplinary, inclusive, and diverse group that aims to improve knowledge of and access to surgical care in underserved communities through innovative, anti-colonialist, and equitable educational platforms and research projects.

As our Graduate Courses and Programs continue to shape new surgical leaders in the field, in parallel, the Lab focuses on grassroots efforts to improve surgical
care on the ground. The existing synergies between the two further allow the Department of Surgery to promote Global Surgical Care and fulfill its strategic
priorities in the areas of research and innovation, education, faculty engagement and development, and the creation of sustainable partnerships at the provincial,
national and global levels.


Education Programs

Delivered fully online and accessible internationally, our programs are available to students all around the world.

Interdisciplinary in nature. Join a diverse classroom of surgeons and allied health professionals from different disciplines and regional settings.

Flexible with both full-time and part-time options. Our programs can be integrated at a comfortable pace by working professionals.


Master of Global Surgical Care

Online 2-year, 30-credit specialized program designed to prepare surgical care professionals from many disciplines to address surgical challenges and contribute to solutions in low-resource settings globally.


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International Surgery

Graduate Certificate in Global Surgical Care

Online 12-credit certificate program designed to meet the growing need for professional development in global surgical care.


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MD Undergraduate Elective

Online 2-week global surgery elective course that provides MD undergraduate students the opportunity to explore global surgery with the support of an experienced BGSC faculty member as a preceptor.


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News & Events

Read the BGSC Fall Newsletter!

September 11, 2025

Publication Feature: International Consensus on Global Surgery Learning Objectives and Competencies

September 10, 2025


Publication Feature: VitalSurg: Outcomes From a Surgical Task-Shifting Training Program in a Humanitarian Context

July 22, 2025

Special Global Surgery Rounds with Dr. Christopher Moir, July 22 & 23

July 11, 2025

Congratulations Dr. Faizal Haji

June 26, 2025

Congratulations Spring 2025 BGSC Graduates!

May 25, 2025



Our Community

Meet the Team

Community Spotlights

Meet some of our inspiring faculty, staff, and trainees, and learn more about their interests and accomplishments.


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Research Projects

Engage with BGSC

Find out more about the Branch and how to engage with us including subscribing to our newsletter, reading about our Strategic Priorities, and more!


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Essential Surgical Skills Curriculum

Global Surgery Lab

The GSL is an interdisciplinary, inclusive, and diverse group that aims to improve knowledge of and access to surgical care in underserved communities through innovative, anti-colonialistic, and equitable educational platforms and research projects.


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Support BGSC

Support the education of future global surgical care leaders by giving to our educational programs or our bursary award fund for low resource surgeons.


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Branch for Global Surgical Care
Faculty of Medicine
Room 11135
2775 Laurel Street
Vancouver, BC Canada V5Z 1M9
Tel 604 875 4111 (ext. 23110)
Fax 604 675 3663
Website globalsurgery.med.ubc.ca/
Email global.surgery@ubc.ca
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