Kevin Lachapelle appointed Director, Division of Cardiac Surgery at the MUHC and McGill University, FMHS

Dear Colleagues,

I am delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Kevin Lachapelle as Director of the Division of Cardiac Surgery at the MUHC and McGill University, effective February 1, 2024. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr Renzo Cecere for his dedicated service in this role since 2013.

Dr Lachapelle is Professor of Surgery at McGill University who brings a wealth of clinical, academic, and collaborative leadership experience to this role. His main clinical and research focus is currently directed towards aortic surgery, co-founding the MUHC Aortic Clinic in 2016 and initiating the Canadian Aneurysm Risk Assessment Program, developing novel algorithms to estimate the risk of rupture and dissection.

As the Founding Director of the McGill Simulation Centre, where he served as director from 2005-13 and again in 2017, Dr Lachapelle has proven experience in leading multidisciplinary teams in pioneering projects. He has received multiple awards in education and leadership, including the John Ruedy Award for Innovation in Medical Education from the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada, the David Johnston Award from the McGill University Alumnae Association, Special Recognition for Service to the Faculty at McGill, and was named to the McGill Faculty of Medicine Honour List for Educational Excellence.

Dr Lachapelle previously served as Adair Chair for Surgical Education where he initiated the Surgical Education concentration in Experimental Surgery and co-directed the Surgical Innovation Concentration. He also served as cardiac surgery residency program director from 2005-16. Dr Lachapelle currently serves as Associate Chair for Faculty Development where he introduced the leadership program for surgeons and the upcoming new STAR course to improve intraoperative teaching.

Please join us in congratulating Dr Lachapelle on this appointment and wishing him every success in this new role.

Liane S Feldman MD CM FACS FRCS
Edward W. Archibald Professor and Chair, Department of Surgery, McGill University
Surgeon-in-chief, McGill University Health Centre
Professeure Edward W. Archibald et directrice, Département de chirurgie, Université McGill
Chirurgienne en chef, Centre universitaire de santé McGill