Thoracic Surgery Excels at Innovation and Excellence

The Division of Thoracic Surgery at the Royal Alexandra Hospital continues to strengthen patient care, surgical innovation, and medical education in Alberta through advances in robotic thoracic surgery, recruitment, training, and research.

In September 2025, the Royal Alexandra Hospital performed Alberta’s first robotic thoracic surgery. Since then, the program has successfully completed 74 robotic cases by the fiscal year-end and is on track to reach 100 cases by its one-year anniversary.

The division will welcome Dr. Christopher Griffiths in August 2026 following a recent recruitment process. A graduate of McMaster University with advanced training in robotic thoracic surgery, Dr. Griffiths is expected to play an important role in the continued expansion of the robotic thoracic surgery program and in advancing the division’s clinical and academic mission.

This advanced surgical approach has contributed to shorter hospital stays and expanded access to procedures that were not previously available to patients in Alberta. The strength of the program has also supported the recruitment of highly trained specialists and positioned the division’s training program as a national leader.

The division will also welcome Dr. Richard J. Finley in September as a guest speaker for the Department of Surgery Grand Rounds. Dr. Finley has mentored many thoracic surgeons across Canada, including several members of the Royal Alexandra Hospital group, and was recognized with the American College of Surgeons Distinguished Service Award in 2017.

The division continues to make significant contributions to surgical education. In July 2025, it welcomed its inaugural thoracic surgery resident into the newly accredited Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada training program. Dr. Lujain Attar has now successfully completed her first year of training. Looking ahead, Odelle Ma, a recent graduate of the general surgery residency program at the University of Alberta, will begin thoracic surgery training in July 2026 at the University of Calgary. The division also recognized Jessica Wang as Thoracic Surgery Resident of the Year, while Dr. Azim Valji received a Top Ten Teacher Award for undergraduate education in 2026.

Research remains a key priority for the division. Dr. Dunavan Morris-Janzen is studying sarcopenia and its effect on outcomes in patients with lung cancer under the supervision of Dr. Eric Bedard. As part of the Clinician Investigator Program, he is working toward completion of a master’s degree in 2027. Dr. Morris-Janzen was also awarded best oral presentation at the Tom Williams Research Day 2026.