2023 William W. L. Glenn Lecturer - Marc Ruel, MD, MPH, FAHA, FRCSC

Dr. Marc Ruel received his Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from the University of Ottawa in 1994 and his Royal College certification in cardiac surgery in 2000. He pursued a scholarship in minimally invasive surgery and laboratory research at Harvard University, where he also obtained a master’s in public health.

Dr. Ruel is a Professor in the Department of Surgery and Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa. A seasoned heart surgeon, innovator, and researcher, Dr. Ruel’s career theme has been to make cardiac surgery less invasive, more evidence-based, and with better patient outcomes. Dr. Ruel has pioneered multivessel minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery worldwide, as well as several other cardiac surgical techniques. The laboratory research program founded by Dr. Ruel at the start of his career (www.beatsresearch.com) has achieved translational impact.

Throughout Dr. Ruel’s 11-year tenure as chair, the Cardiac Surgery Division in Ottawa has massively grown in surgical volumes and national outreach, quality, research and innovation, advanced education, as well as in outside referrals, international reputation, widespread recruitment, and overall impact.

Dr. Ruel has published nearly 500 scientific papers and chapters, 5 books, and has delivered more than 300 invited lectures. He leads key clinical trials in cardiac surgery (including the recent ODIN and MIST trials), is a recipient of numerous academic and community awards, and has been featured among the 'Giants of Cardiothoracic Surgery’. Dr. Ruel is Past President of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS), one of the most respected medical societies in the world; since the CCS was established in 1947, only 3 other surgeons have held this role. Dr. Ruel serves as Surgery Editor and Associate Editor for the journal Circulation, Canadian Director for the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and North American Director for the International Society of Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery.