Northumberland Hills Hospital is pleased to announce the recruitment of two thoracic surgeons, Dr. Daniel Sisson, MD, FRCSC and Dr. Shannon Trainor, MD, FRCSC.
With the support of their two Nurse Navigators, Dr. Sisson and Dr. Trainor—who are based out of Lakeridge Health Oshawa—will support local patients and primary care providers by running a weekly on-site thoracic surgery clinic at NHH. While surgical procedures will continue to be provided out of Lakeridge Health, patients of this new clinic can receive pre-operative, post-operative and follow-up treatment, bringing a significant portion of their care close to home.
Thoracic surgery is a surgical subspecialty that treats diseases related to the chest, including the trachea, esophagus, and stomach. Medical conditions that a thoracic surgeon may treat can include, but are not limited to lung cancer, esophageal cancer, hiatus hernia (esophageal reflux), metastatic disease to the lung, and endstage lung disease.
“The addition of a thoracic surgery clinic at NHH is a welcomed opportunity to expand specialized services locally,” said President and CEO Susan Walsh. “I am pleased to welcome both Dr. Sisson and Dr. Trainor to NHH and thank them for bringing their expertise and talent, not only to NHH, but the community of west Northumberland County.”
“The recruitment of Dr. Sisson and Dr. Trainor is another step forward in our efforts to create more opportunities for accessible care to be delivered at NHH,” said Dr. Mukesh Bhargava, Chief of Staff. “By enhancing local access to specialities like mental health, rheumatology, neurology, genetics, and now thoracic surgery, I feel like we are advancing our Shared Purpose of People First by reducing barriers, like transportation, and increasing the number of services available here at NHH.”
Dr. Daniel Sisson is an attending physician with the Division of Thoracic Surgery at Lakeridge Health Oshawa. In addition to his work as a thoracic surgeon, Dr. Sisson is also adjunct assistant professor at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.
His postgraduate medical training includes a Clinical Fellowship in General Thoracic Surgery at the University Health Network in Toronto, Ontario, a Thoracic Surgery Residency with the University of Toronto, and a General Surgery Residency at Queen’s University.
Dr. Sisson also holds a Doctor of Medicine from Queen’s University and a an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.
“Through our collaborative efforts with the thoracic surgery clinic, Dr. Trainor and I look forward to helping patients receive timely, specialized care without having to travel far,” said Dr. Sisson. “Often with patients, the burden of travelling to a muchneeded appointment can serve as a deterrent, which has the potential to delay—and in some instances—prevent care. We want to continue working together to address and bridge gaps in care for our patients.”
Dr. Trainor completed an Advanced Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery Fellowship from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre. Additional qualifications include the completion of a Thoracic Surgery Fellowship with McMaster University, Thoracic Surgery Training from the University of Alberta, a General Surgery Fellowship with Toronto East General, and a General Surgery Residency at the University of Toronto.
She obtained her Doctor of Medicine with honours from the University of Toronto and earned an Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Prince Edward Island in Biology and Psychology.
“By offering thoracic surgery clinics at NHH, we are fulfilling the hospital’s commitment of bringing care close to home,” said Dr. Trainor. “On average, I see approximately 20 patients per day at our NHH clinic for pre-operative, post-operative and follow-up consultations. The opportunity to bring another medical specialty to the community helps us eliminate barriers to providing what is often critical and potentially life-saving care.”
Health care providers can submit a referral through EPIC or Ocean eReferral to the Thoracic Diagnostic Assessment Program. Physician referrals can also be faxed to 1-877-291-5956.
(Written by: Pete Fisher, Today’s Northumberland)
