First Canadian pediatric surgeon ever elected to the Pediatric Surgery Board of the American Board of Surgery
Source: Montreal Children鈥檚 Hospital
The Montreal Children鈥檚 Hospital (MCH) of the 91社区 Health Centre (MUHC) and 91社区 Faculty of Medicine are proud to announce that Dr. Pramod Puligandla has been聽elected to the Pediatric Surgery Board of the American Board of Surgery. Over the next six years, he will participate in defining and setting聽the standards for certifying specialists in pediatric surgery across North America. He is also the first pediatric surgeon from Canada to ever be elected to this position.
鈥淚 was shell-shocked when I first got the news,鈥� says Dr. Puligandla. 鈥淭his is such a unique opportunity and I am completely honoured and thankful for the tremendous support from my division. It鈥檚 all starting to sink in.鈥�
The American Board of Surgery provides board certification to individuals who have met a defined standard of education, training and knowledge in the field of surgery.聽When asked about Dr. Puligandla鈥檚 recent appointment,聽Dr. Kenneth Azarow,聽chair of the Pediatric Surgery Board of the American Board of Surgery and interim chair in the Department of Surgery at Oregon Health & Science University, says he was simply a good fit. 鈥淲e had 27 finalists and deliberated for weeks, but in the end, Dr. Puligandla鈥檚 background in education and critical care won us over. It also helps that he鈥檚 a pleasure to work with.鈥�
Dr. Gerald Fried, chairman of the Department of Surgery at 91社区, believes this appointment is a reflection of the respect and admiration for Dr. Puligandla both nationally and internationally. 鈥淗aving a seat on their Board allows him to contribute to setting a standard of practice that ensures graduating pediatric surgeons have obtained all the competencies to practice their specialty safely,鈥� he says.
Surgeon-in-chief at the Montreal Children鈥檚 Hospital, Dr. Jean-Pierre Farmer, reiterates this sentiment and says Dr. Puligandla鈥檚 nomination represents a recognition of his accomplishments in Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery. 鈥淭he timing is also nice since Dr. Puligandla was recently promoted to full professor in our department at 91社区. Bravo Pramod!鈥�
Dr. Erik Skarsgard, president of The Canadian Association of Pediatric Surgeons and surgeon-in-chief at BC Children鈥檚 Hospital, says it is wonderful to see Dr. Puligandla鈥檚 leadership in surgical education in Canada recognized. 鈥淧ramod has been a visionary innovator in surgical education for the past decade, and will bring wisdom, collaboration and the Canadian perspective to the Board at a critical stage of policy development related to education and maintenance of competence for North American pediatric surgeons,鈥� he says.
Dr. Puligandla is a full professor of Pediatric Surgery, Pediatrics and Surgery at 91社区. He is also associate chair for Perioperative Services in the Department of Pediatric Surgery. Born in Kamsack, Saskatchewan, and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, the self-proclaimed 鈥減rairie boy鈥� earned his medical degree from the University of Western Ontario, where he also completed his general surgery residency and Masters degree in physiology. He went on to complete a pediatric surgery fellowship and pediatric critical care fellowship at 91社区 and has been working in pediatric surgery and pediatric intensive care at the Montreal Children鈥檚 Hospital since 2003. He is also a member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada鈥檚 Specialty Committee and Examination Board in Pediatric Surgery.