MJM MedTalks (S02E11): Global Surgery in our “Backyard”; A Discussion with Dr. Evan Wong
Published 2025-08-25
Keywords
- General Surgery,
- rural medicine,
- trauma surgery,
- Indigenous health,
- Northern Quebec
How to Cite
Copyright (c) 2025 Vanessa Ross, Evan Wong, MD, MPH, FRCSC, FACS, Katherine Lan, MSc, Renée-Claude Bider, MSc, Masha (Maryia) Samuel, MSc, Samy Amghar, Noha Benharira, Esther SH Kang, MDCM, Jan Pack, MSc, Khiran Arumugam, MSc, Susan Joanne Wang, MDCM, MSc

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Abstract
McGill Journal of Medicine (MJM) Podcast Series, MJM MedTalks, interviews members of the medical and health sciences community from McGill, and beyond to gain insights into their careers, research, advocacy, and more. The aim of MedTalks is to open a space where experienced professionals and researchers can share information and advice for trainees in healthcare and medical science. In this episode, Vanessa Ross, MJM podcast team member and fourth-year medical student at McGill University, interviews guest-expert and trauma surgeon Dr. Evan Wong, Assistant Professor of Surgery and Lead for Trauma and General Surgery Services in Nunavik. This conversation covers Dr. Wong’s experience working for communities in Northern Quebec, the role of research, collaboration, and community involvement, as well as some advice for trainees. The show notes include a glossary of terms, links to publications referenced in the episode, and a full transcript of our conversation.
Downloads
References
- Schneidman J, Morel SBA, Ross V, Caminsky NG, Grushka J, Wong EG. Surgical experiences of patients from the Circumpolar North: a scoping review. World J Surg. 2025 Aug 6;1–11. https://doi.org/10.1002/wjs.70034
- Kis A, Razek T, Grushka J, Boulanger N, Watt L, Deckelbaum D, et al. Surgical, trauma and telehealth capacity in Indigenous communities in Northern Quebec: a cross-sectional survey. Can J Surg. 2023 Nov 28;66(6):E572–9. doi:10.1503/cjs.013822. PMID: 38016727; PMCID: PMC10699286.
- Caminsky NG, Wong EG. Trauma systems in Canada: striving for quality across an expansive landmass. Emerg Crit Care Med. 2023 Sep;3(3):89–93. doi:10.1097/EC9.0000000000000102.
- Moon J, Pop C, Talaat M, Boulanger N, Perron PA, Deckelbaum D, et al. Trauma in Northern Quebec, 2005–2014: epidemiologic features, transfers and patient outcomes. Can J Surg. 2021 Sep;64(5):E527–33. doi:10.1503/cjs.011020.
- Young TK, Tabish T, Young SK, Healey G. Patient transportation in Canada's northern territories: patterns, costs and providers' perspectives. Rural Remote Health. 2019 May;19(2):5113. doi:10.22605/RRH5113. PMID: 31128577.
- Hameed SM, Schuurman N, Razek T, Boone D, Van Heest R, Taulu T, et al. Access to trauma systems in Canada. J Trauma. 2010 Dec;69(6):1350–61; discussion 1361. doi:10.1097/TA.0b013e3181e751f7. PMID: 20838258.
- For McGill students interested in getting involved in health promotion for rural communities https://mcgillmed.com/clubs/rmig
- For McGill medical students, don’t miss out on the opportunity to do a family medicine rotation in Nunavik or in the Cree Territory of James Bay https://www.mcgill.ca/med-dme/training-sites/rural-sites-location
- Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services: https://nrbhss.ca/en/nrbhss/about-us/communities
- Felix Lebel, Des patients du Nunavik forcés de prendre l’avion pour obtenir un tomodensitogramme. Radio Canada. https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2072894/ct-scan-nunavik-inuit-sante-nord
- Ariane Lacoursière, Olivier Jean, La mortalité cachée du Nunavik. La Presse. https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/sante/2023-01-28/soins-de-sante-dans-le-nord/la-mortalite-cachee-du-nunavik.php