Master’s Degree
Master of Global Surgical Care
The Master of Global Surgical Care (MGSC) is an 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.
Program Overview
The program provides a strong foundation for present and future global surgical care professionals by developing knowledge and skills in the interpretation and use of published experience and research, balanced with applied learning in low resource settings. Students complete a practicum, in which they conceptualize and design, at a graduate level, a surgical care project, either in a research or educational development format, for a low resource setting globally, producing practical “on-the-ground” skills. The location of the placement is determined by the student in consultation with a program advisor.
A blended model of practicum-based learning and on-line teaching methods facilitates the participation of candidates from across Canada and around the world.
Program Requirements
The Masters is comprised of eight core courses and one 3-credit elective.
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. Learn more
Students will critique current models 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. Discussion focuses on frameworks for advocacy and alleviating the global burden of surgical disability. Learn more
Students will examine the current status of global activity by national and international responders to both natural and conflict-related humanitarian disasters with particular emphasis on the role of surgical care. Learn more
Students will explore key concepts, ethical approaches and practices, and practical skills development for planning and evaluation in surgical care. Prerequisite: SURG 510. Learn more
This course is intended to introduce learners in surgical care to surgical clinical research methods. The course will emphasize approaches to clinical research that are different for surgical research compared to medical research. Students will learn many aspects of the research process from research proposal development, to data analysis and statistical methods used in surgical research, to grant writing. This course will also provide an opportunity for students to learn about systematic reviews, quality improvement and assurance, and technology evaluation in surgical research. Learn more
Students will critique the current and historical provision of surgical care services to indigenous communities in Canada and globally. They will draw on indigenous voices to examine challenges and opportunities confronting both the clinician and the service delivery system, embracing lessons learned from these communities. The course will promote critical thinking on, and ultimately will improve the provision of surgical care services to indigenous communities in Canada and abroad. Prerequisite: SURG 510. Learn more
Students will carry out an exhaustive search of the world literature, on a global surgical care topic. Topics will be chosen by the student in the specialty discipline in consultation with a faculty advisor to support in-depth learning of the current state of knowledge in that topic and to explore knowledge deficits that need to be addressed. This course will promote knowledge acquisition and critical thinking for the student and contribute significantly to the education of peers and to UBC’s Global Surgical Care knowledge repository. Prerequisites: SURG 510, SURG 512, SURG 514, and SURG 517. Learn more
Students will complete an on-site field placement “grounding” their knowledge and skills attained in the other courses of the program. It will enable students to synthesize the knowledge gained from the coursework, transfer their knowledge to one aspect of International Surgical Care practice, and demonstrate achievement of the Master’s program learning objectives. A high level written report will be the main evaluated component and could well provide the basis for a publication or for a major conference presentation. Prerequisites: SURG 510, SURG 512, SURG 514, SURG 516, and SURG 517. Learn more
Master of Global Surgical Care (MGSC)’s course requirements include a mandatory 3-credit elective course. Students currently registered in the MGSC may not take elective courses for credit towards their MGSC without the prior approval of the Program Director. Complete this form and email it directly to the Branch for Global Surgical Care (global.surgery@ubc.ca).
Optional: Canadian Low Resource Settings Stream
The MGSC Canadian Low Resource Settings Stream is an interdisciplinary specialized stream. Students can choose to complete the MGSC with an intense focus on the unique issues affecting surgical care in rural and remote low-resource settings in Canada.
In order to complete this stream, students must declare their interest to the Program Director upon entry into the program and must complete the following requirements.
Students will carry out an exhaustive search of the world literature, on a global surgical care topic. Topics will be chosen by the student in the specialty discipline in consultation with a faculty advisor to support in-depth learning of the current state of knowledge in that topic and to explore knowledge deficits that need to be addressed. This course will promote knowledge acquisition and critical thinking for the student and contribute significantly to the education of peers and to UBC’s Global Surgical Care knowledge repository. Prerequisites: SURG 510, SURG 512, SURG 514, and SURG 517. Learn more
Students will complete an on-site field placement “grounding” their knowledge and skills attained in the other courses of the program. It will enable students to synthesize the knowledge gained from the coursework, transfer their knowledge to one aspect of International Surgical Care practice, and demonstrate achievement of the Master’s program learning objectives. A high level written report will be the main evaluated component and could well provide the basis for a publication or for a major conference presentation. Prerequisites: SURG 510, SURG 512, SURG 514, SURG 516, and SURG 517. Learn more
Students with an interest in global surgical care but who do not wish to complete the MGSC can enroll in SURG 510 independently of the Master’s Degree.
Program Catalogue
Read the MGSC program catalogue to learn more about the program’s courses and instructors.
Career Options
Graduates of the MGSC will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to provide leadership in global surgical care initiatives. Courses on project and research methodology and on monitoring and evaluation methodology, together with a supervised directed studies and research practicum will enable graduates to determine barriers, challenges and opportunities present in unmet surgical care burdens and to propose and facilitate solutions, in partnership with national host colleagues, to these burdens.
They will make significant contributions both as prepared participants and as leaders in the discipline. Graduates will be empowered with skills and tools to apply to the field of global surgery in academic, grassroots or non-governmental organizations, or with agencies involved in global surgical care in clinical, administrative, research or project management capacities. Many of our alumni have gone on to have careers at their own academic institutions or hospitals, or have expanded their practicum projects into research collaborations and pursued academic careers in global surgical care.
Class of 2026
Brynn Aucoin, BSc, MD, MGSC
Master in Global Surgical Care
Fifth year general surgery resident at Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM)
BSc in Biochemistry, Mount Allison University
MD, Dalhousie University
Carlyn Barclay, BSN, RN, MGSC
Master in Global Surgical Care
Registered Nurse, University of British Columbia
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of British Columbia
Post-Operative Cardiac Surgery Registered Nurse, Kelowna
Amy Ciancio, RN, BScN, MGSC
Master in Global Surgical Care
Clinical Manager, Perioperative Services
West Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Competency Maintenance for Perioperative Nursing in a Rural Setting
Philip Hache, MD, FRC(S)
Master in Global Surgical Care
Director, Global Orthopedics, University of British Columbia
Participant in Uganda Sustainable Trauma Orthopaedic Program (USTOP)
Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeon at Vancouver General Hospital
Orthopedics Resident, McMaster University
MD, McMaster University
Simon Holland, MB, FRC(S), FRCS
Master in Global Surgical Care
Graduate Certificate in Global Surgical Care
Clinical Professor, Deparmtent of Ophthalmology, UBC
Chair, ORBIS Canada
Harshita Kour, MBBS, MS, MCh, MGSC
Master in Global Surgical Care
MBBS, Govt. Medical College, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K)
MS (General Surgery), Govt. Medical College, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K)
MCh (Pediatric Surgery), Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi
Fellowship in Pediatric Urology, BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver
Pediatric Urologist
Dieudonne Lemfuka, MD, FCS (ECSA), MGSC
Master in Global Surgical Care
Assistant Professor of Surgery (Voluntary/Global Status), Loma Linda University
General Surgeon and Faculty Member and | Head of Department of General Surgery, AIC Kijabe Hospital, Kenya
Specialist Certificate of General Surgery, Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAAACS)
Fellowship Certificate. College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA)
Doctor of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi (D.R. Congo)
Sulaiman Nanji, MD, RCPSC, MGSC
Master in Global Surgical Care
Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Queen’s University
Attending Staff, Kingston Health Sciences Centre
Founding Member, Queen’s Global Oncology and and the West African College of Surgeons (WACS) Partnership
Valerie Tiller, RN, BScN, CPN(C)
Master in Global Surgical Care
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN), St. Francis Xavier University
Nursing Officer, Canadian Armed Forces
Class of 2025
Mathilde Djeneba Billau, MD, MGSC
Master of Global Surgical Care
Medical Degree, University of Sherbrooke, Quebec, 2023
Huiyu (Anne) Li, M.Med
General Manager, Hunan Manxi Technology Development Co., Ltd. (MedeShell MedTech)
Over ten years in the neurosurgery divisions of Medtronic and Johnson & Johnson, leading and delivering various physician education and training programs.
Master in Global Surgical Care
Graduate Certificate in Global Surgical Care
Master of Medical (Pharmaceuticals), Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Bachelor of Science (Pharmaceuticals), Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Matthew Boroditsky, MD, MGSC
Master in Global Surgical Care
Plastic Surgery Resident, University of British Columbia
MD, University of British Columbia
Bachelor of Health Sciences, McMaster University
Emma Robertson, BScN, RN, MGSC
Master in Global Surgical Care
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) from Saint Francis Xavier University
Certificate in Perioperative Nursing from George Brown College
Coordinator for the Chronic Pain Program as a Registered Nurse, Anaesthesia Department at Toronto Western Hospital
Class of 2024
Roy Hilzenrat, MGSC, MHSc, MD.CM
PGY5 Division of General Surgery, University of British Columbia.
Medical Doctorate (MD.CM), McGill University
Master of Health Sciences (MHSc), University of British Columbia
Master in Global Surgical Care
Serena Kassam, B.A., D.M.D., M.A.
B.A. and D.M.D., Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts
Pediatric Dental Residency, Lutheran Medical Center/ St. Joseph’s’s Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island.
Research fellowship,Craniofacial Pediatric Dentistry and Nasoalveolar Molding (NAM), New York University Langone Medical Center, Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, New York, NY
YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in Health and Wellness (2021)
Clinical Assistant Professor at UBC, Division of Pediatric Dentistry, University of British Columbia
Clinical Attending, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC
Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor (and former Pre-doctorate Director, New York University College of Dentistry, Dept. of Pediatric Dentistry
Board Member and Presurgical/Dental Director with Global Smile Foundation
Suzanne Roberge, MD, FRCSC, MGSC
Master in Global Surgical Care
Obstetrician Gynecologist, CISSS Côte Nord Manicouagan in Baie-Comeau Québec
Doctor of Medicine, Université de Montréal
Class of 2023
Esther Chin, MD, MGSC, FRCSC
Master in Global Surgical Care (MGSC)
Obstetrician, Gynecologist
Assistant Professor (Adjunct), Global Health Lead, Department of Ob/Gyn, McMaster University
Karina Olivo, RN, MGSC, BSCN
Master in Global Surgical Care
Registered Nurse
Bachelor of Nursing, University of Manitoba
Nurse Manager, Peri-operative Services, Montreal Children’s Hospital
Godfrey Sama Philipo, MD, MPH, MGSC
Master in Global Surgical Care (MGSC)
Adjunct Professor, the Branch for Global Surgical Care, Department of Surgery, UBC
Global Surgery Fellowship, CHESA), University of California San Francisco (UCSF)
Master of Public Health (MPH), Southern Medical University (SMU), China
Doctor of Medicine (M.D), Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), Tanzania
Co-Founder, International Student Surgical Network (InciSioN)
Josh Wiedermann, MD, FACS
Master in Global Surgical Care
Pediatric Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Assistant Professor and Director of Global Surgery
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Faculty Advisor – Global Surgery Student Alliance, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
May Yau, BMRSc, MRT(R), CTIC, BSc
Medical Radiation Technologist at Foothills Medical Centre, Alberta Health Services
Instructor, Diagnostic Imaging, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
Master in Global Surgical Care
Bachelor of Medical Radiation Sciences, McMaster University
Ontario College Advanced Diploma in Medical Radiation Sciences – Radiography, Mohawk College
Montana Zaporzan, RN, MGSC
Master in Global Surgical Care
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN), University of British Columbia
Travel Nurse
Island Health Employee, Operating Room and Recovery Room
Canadian Red Cross, Acute Care RN
Richard Bresler
Lexington Kinnear
Class of 2022
Michelle (Tran) Au, MD, MGSC, BHSc (Honours)
Master in Global Surgical Care
General Surgery Resident, University of Manitoba
MD, University of Calgary
BHSc in Biomedical Sciences and Piano Performance, University of Calgary
Mercedes Pilkington, MD, FRCSC
Master in Global Surgical Care
Pediatric General Surgeon, Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto
General Surgery Residency, Queen’s University
Pediatric Surgery Fellowship at the University of Calgary
Cara Weessies, BSc, MD, MGSC
Master in Global Surgical Care
General Surgery Residency, University of Manitoba
Doctor of Medicine, University of Alberta
BSc in Biochemistry, University of Manitoba
Kimberley Allan, MD, CCFP(ESS), MGSC
Master in Global Surgical Care
Family physician with enhanced surgical skills at Elk Valley Hospital in Fernie, BC
Family Practice Residency, University of Alberta
B.A., First Nations Studies and Bachelor of Human Kinetics, University of British Columbia
Maria Brinza, MD, RN
Master in Global Surgical Care
RN, Clinical Educator, Regional Perioperative Education Program, Vancouver Coastal Health
MD, University of Bucharest, Romania
Kristi Lange, RN, BSCN
Master in Global Surgical Care
BScN, University of Victoria
Perioperative Nurse, Lions Gate Hospital, North Vancouver
Team Lead, Team Broken Earth Vancouver
Current Member of Board of Directors, Team Broken Earth
Andrew Zakhari, MDCM, FRCSC
Master in Global Surgical Care
OBGYN at McGill University Health Centre
Assistant Professor, McGill University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Class of 2021
Anise Barton, MD, FRCSC, MGSC
Master in Global Surgical Care
Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery, UBC
Chair, Global Surgery Committee, Canadian Association of General Surgeons
Ryan Falk, BSC, BA, MD, CCFP(ESS), FCFP, DTM&H, MGSC
Master in Global Surgical Care
Adjunct Professor, Department of Surgery, UBC
Clinical Instructor, Rural Family Medicine, UBC
Chair, Continuing Professional Development Committee for ESS at the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada
Member, Interest Group in ESS at the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)
Sydney Girard, BSc
Master in Global Surgical Care
Radiation Therapist at Health Sciences North/Horizon Santé-Nord, Sudbury, Ontario
BSc, Radiation Therapy, Laurentian University
Advanced Diploma of Health Sciences in Radiation Therapy, Michener Institute
Certification from the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists
Regan Guilfoyle, MD, FRCSC
Master in Global Surgical Care
Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Alberta
Associate Director of the Office of Global Surgery, University of Alberta
David Isa, MD, FRCSC
Master in Global Surgical Care
Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Trauma and Acute Care Surgery Fellowship, University of Toronto
Fellow of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Doctor of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Rupinder Khotar, GenDN, PsychDN, BSCN
Master in Global Surgical Care
OR Nursing Supervisor at St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC
Former President of the Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC)
Former Secretary of the International Federation of Perioperative Nurses (IFPN)
Former Educator, Perioperative Nursing Program, Providence Health Care (PHC)
Lorenz Yeung, BSc
Master in Global Surgical Care
Clinical Research Coordinator, Princess Margaret Hospital
Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University