October 23, 2024
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Gurinder Singh Gill has joined CHEO as our new Chief Perfusionist. Dr. Gill brings over 20 years of experience in healthcare across Canada and the US, and has strong ties to the perfusion community. In this role, he will support cardiac surgery and lead the development of a perfusion/extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) program based at CHEO.
This is a positive step following the difficulties providing perfusion services to CHEO due to a shortage of perfusionists worldwide. We are collaborating closely with The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) to ensure the stability of the Ontario one-program-two-site model for pediatric cardiac surgery.
While we address ongoing staffing needs now and for the future, some specialized cardiac procedures will continue to be temporarily diverted to Toronto. Affected families will continue to receive pre- and post-operative care at CHEO and will work directly with their cardiac team to ensure the safety and well-being of their child.
We understand that this temporary diversion may cause concern, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we work towards a long-term stable solution at CHEO. We are committed to providing the highest quality care for your children and will keep you updated on our progress.