Shaping the Cardiac Surgeons of Tomorrow
Opening pathways to cardiac surgery for highly talented youth held back by systemic barriers—because a representative medical workforce literally saves lives.
Our Healthcare System Doesn’t Reflect the Population It Serves.
The problem:
At a time when our healthcare system is under extreme pressure and facing shortages—including in cardiac surgery—statistics show many highly talented and equally skilled youth are held back from careers in medicine because of unfair obstacles built into the system. These challenges disproportionately affect racialized youth, Indigenous students, and women. As a result, in Canada:
Only 2.3% of physicians identify as Black.¹
Indigenous Peoples represent less than 0.5% of medical professionals.²
Women, especially women of colour, remain vastly underrepresented in surgical specialties.³
Representation in Surgery Matters—It Saves Lives.
Why it matters:
Patients of colour are more likely to experience misdiagnosis, delayed care, and mistrust in the medical system. However:
Research shows that racial and gender concordance between patients and physicians leads to improved health outcomes, greater patient satisfaction, and better adherence to medical advice.⁴
When Black patients are treated by Black doctors, health outcomes improve dramatically—including in complex procedures like cardiac surgery.⁵
A more diverse medical workforce directly contributes to a stronger, more effective healthcare system.
Our Work—We’re Stepping in to Help
The solution:
Operation Heart is a nonprofit focused on closing the gap in access to careers in cardiac surgery.
Founded on the fact that talent is equal but opportunity is not, we focus on identifying highly capable youth with the passion and aptitude for surgery who’ve been left out or pushed aside by the system—and we give them the support they need to thrive.
Through mentorship, skill-building, and targeted programs, we help them navigate the road to a career in cardiac surgery, while working to remove the barriers that stand in their way.
Because when more and diverse skilled hands are in the operating room—everyone benefits.
1. Statistics Canada. "Diversity of the Physician Workforce in Canada." 2. Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). "Indigenous Participation in Health Professions." 3. Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. “Specialty Profiles, 2022.”. 4. Canadian Medical Association. “Equity and Representation in Canadian Medicine.” 5. Greenwood, B. N., et al. “Physician–Patient Racial Concordance and Disparities in Birth Outcomes.” PNAS, 2020.
What you need to know:
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Ontario loses life-saving cardiac care due to Hospital closures
Ontario experienced 868 temporary or permanent emergency department closures in 2023, totalling over 31,000 hours of lost care—including life-saving cardiac care. Read more.
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Shortage of cardiac surgeons impacting cardiac care
Canada is facing a strong risk of a labour shortage in cardiac surgery over the period of 2024-2033. This will overburden cardiac surgeons and impact those needing cardiac care. Read more.
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Death toll rises for Ontarians waiting too long for heart care.
In Ontario, 115 patients died while waiting for cardiac surgery in 2023-24, up from 101 the previous year. Notably, 36% of these patients waited longer than the recommended time. Without changes, this number is expected to rise to 164 per year by 2026-27. Read more.
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Significant wait times for cardiac surgery in Canada
The median wait time for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery in Canada is significant, with 10% of patients waiting over 230 days. Extended wait times can lead to worsened patient outcomes and increased mortality.
Our Impact
We step in early to drive real change in the healthcare system.
550
Highly talented, underrepresented youth mentored via our programs.
150
Alumni of our programs admitted into Canadian Universities
52
Alumni of our programs admitted into medical school on path to careers in cardiac surgery.
Canadian Medical Student Summer Scholarship in Cardiac Surgery Testimonial
Impact Story
“Receiving the Canadian Medical Student Summer Scholarship in Cardiac Surgery was a formative step during medical school thus far. It allowed me to focus on high-impact research under the supervision of Dr. Subodh Verma, leading to publications and national conference presentations, while also gaining valuable Operating Room exposure. The experience reinforced my academic goals and reaffirmed my commitment to a career in cardiac surgery.
— Ekene Nwajei, Year 3 Medical Student
How you can help us achieve our mission
Your support fuels the future of cardiac care in Canada. By donating to Operation Heart, you are:
Investing in future surgeons who reflect the communities they serve.
Breaking down barriers for brilliant youth who face unfair obstacles—not for lack of talent, but lack of access.
Strengthening our healthcare system and improving medical outcomes by helping build a more skilled, compassionate, and representative medical workforce.
Inspire the Next Generation of Heart Surgeons
DONATE
You Made It—Now Help Someone Else Get There
MEDICAL VOLUNTEERISM
We welcome medical professionals to join Operation Heart as mentors, speakers, or trainers. By sharing your time, expertise, or experience, you can:
Be the role model you once needed.
Help underrepresented youth gain real insight into cardiac care.
Support aspiring surgeons as they navigate the path to medicine.
Get involved and help change the face of cardiac surgery.
Let’s Collaborate to Transform Cardiac Care
PARTNER WITH US
If you’re a corporation, hospital, medical supplier, academic institution, organization, or group that shares our vision for a stronger, more inclusive healthcare system—let’s work together.
Whether it's through providing resources, mentorship opportunities, equipment, or institutional support, your partnership can play a vital role in helping underrepresented youth become the next generation of life-saving cardiac surgeons.
Reach out to us—we’d love to explore how we can collaborate.