What this program does...

The Thoracic Surgery division at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (SJHH) is based in Hamilton, Ontario with branches associated with Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) and the Niagara Health (NH).

We are dedicated to providing effective, caring medical treatment for diseases of the lung, esophagus and mediastinum through efficient collaborations between thoracic surgeons, nursing staff, allied health professionals and community resources.  We believe strongly in educating patients to increase their knowledge and overall comfort with the surgical process. We are one of the largest thoracic centres in Ontario.

We are the designated Regional Thoracic Centre for the Hamilton-Niagara-Haldimand-Brant Local Health Integration Network (LHIN 4), with a total service population of 1.8 million people. Research has demonstrated that higher surgery volumes, or more patients treated at a particular centre per year are linked with better outcomes, such as lower number of complications and less patient mortality. SJHH sees increasing patient volumes and referrals, partly due to a very strong collaboration with the Lung Diagnostic Assessment Program (Lung DAP) and the Esophageal Diagnostic Assessment Program (EDAP).

How this program helps...

The Thoracic Surgery team at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton is responsible for the thoracic surgery needs of roughly 1.8 million people living in Hamilton, Niagara, Burlington, Brant, Haldimand and most of Norfolk county.

We commonly care for individuals with the following conditions and have the skills and resources to effectively treat both rare and complex thoracic conditions:

• Lung cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Mesothelioma
• Diseases and non-cancerous tumours of the lung
• Mediastinal tumours and diseases
• Chest wall tumours
• Chest reconstruction after major trauma 
• Benign Esophageal diseases 
• Esophageal reconstruction
• Gastroesophageal reflux
• Tracheal resection or insertion of stents to treat narrowing  airways
• Lung volume reduction for emphysema
• Surgery for Hyperhidrosis

We work very closely with the Lung Diagnostic Assessment Program (Lung DAP), Esophageal Diagnostic Assessment Program (EDAP), Integrated Comprehensive Care Project (ICC), Juravinski Cancer Centre (Hamilton) and the Walker Family Cancer Centre (Niagara) to deliver services to our community.

For more information on each of these programs, please go to the following links:

• St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton Lung DAP
• Niagara Health Lung DAP
• St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton EDAP
• Integrated Comprehensive Care Project
• Juravinski Cancer Centre
• Walker Family Cancer Centre

Your Care Team

Thoracic Surgeons, Nursing, Medical, Secretaries and Clerical.

Contact

Please see below for a complete list of Surgical Team and Administrative Assistants' contact details.

To contact a patient undergoing thoracic surgery who is staying at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton as an in-patient, please call the Hospital switchboard at 905-522-1155 to be directed to their room.

Surgical Team

Dr. Yaron Shargall
Phone: 905-522-1155 Ext.33229
Fax: 905-540-6512

Dr. Christian Finley
Phone: 905-522-1155 Ext. 33556
Fax: 905-526-8160

Dr. John Agzarian
Phone: 905-522-1155 Ext. 32701

Dr. Waël Hanna
Phone: 905-522-1155 Ext. 35916
Fax: 905-540-6564

Preparing for Your Surgery

Please download this useful resource with detailed information regarding your surgery here.

We ask that you do not bring any valuables with you as the hospital cannot be responsible for lost or stolen personal items. 

Directions

The Division of Thoracic Surgery is based at the Charlton Campus of St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Located at 50 Charlton Avenue East within the Juravinski Innovation Tower at the west side of Campus grounds. The Clinic is located in the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health Clinic on the first floor.

Registration Procedures

For in-clinic appointments (pre-operative and follow-up), please check in at the reception desk to the right of the doors facing the elevator bank with your OHIP card and identification.

If you are undergoing surgery, please check in at the Day Surgery Unit, located directly inside the main entrance to the Surgical Centre, which is accessed from St. Joseph’s Drive. Please be sure to bring your OHIP card, insurance paperwork, and identification.

After Your Surgery

After surgery, you will be admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, the Chest Unit or the Step-Down Unit. Your doctor will decide which unit is most appropriate for you after your surgery.