Dr. Najma Ahmed

Biography:

Dr. Najma Ahmed is a member of the Board at International Business University (IBU) and a surgeon, educator, and academic leader. She completed medical school and General Surgery residency at McGill University and holds a PhD in Surgical Infections and Sepsis.
Following her residency, she pursued fellowship training in Trauma Surgery and Critical Care at the University of Michigan and the University of Toronto. In 2001, she was recruited to St. Michael’s Hospital, where her clinical practice focuses on Acute Care Surgery, Trauma, and Critical Care. She has been committed to clinical training processes and outcomes throughout her career.

Academic and Leadership Experience:

From 2008 to 2018, Dr. Najma Ahmed served as Residency Program Director for General Surgery, leading the largest and one of the most complex surgical training programs in North America. Under her leadership, the program was recognized for its clinical and academic training, diversity, and engagement of trainees.
She currently serves as Vice Chair of Education in the Department of Surgery at the University of Toronto and is a Professor of Surgery. In this role, she provides leadership in medical education for students, residents, and fellows, and supports the career development of surgeon-teachers.

Research and Professional Contributions:

Dr. Najma Ahmed’s scholarly work focuses on resident duty hours, resident wellness, and competency-based approaches to surgical training. In 2019, she joined the Royal College as a Clinician-Educator.
She has also provided trusted leadership as Surgeon-in-Chief for the department, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recognition and Awards:

Dr. Najma Ahmed has received several honours for her contributions to surgical education and physician advocacy. These include the Royal College AMS/Donald Richards Wilson Award (2016) and the Canadian Medical Association’s Sir Charles Tupper Award for her work on physician advocacy related to gun violence prevention.