Meet Our Vascular Surgeons

Dr. Rapanos is an Associate Professor of Vascular Surgery at McMaster University. He is an advanced endovascular and contemporary practicing Vascular Surgeon based out of Hamilton Health Sciences. Dr. Rapanos sits on numerous local, national, and University committees that set and maintain the standard of vascular surgical care in Ontario and Canada.

Dr. Rapanos holds a fellowship in general and vascular surgery with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC). He holds his fellowship with the American College of Surgeons (FACS). He is a fellow of the Society for Vascular Surgery (FSVS). Dr. Rapanos completed his Bachelor and Master of Science, Medical Degree and General Surgery Residency training at University of Toronto. Vascular Surgery training completed at McMaster and Stanford University. He recently completed his Surgical Leadership certificate at Harvard University. Dr. Rapanos sits on the executive committees of both the McMaster Surgical Associates and Canadian Society of Vascular Surgery. He is a current member of the Society of Vascular Surgery and the Vascular Endovascular Surgery Society.

Dr. Rapanos sits on a subcommittee of the National Surgical Improvement Program. He has conducted Out of Hospital Premises assessments for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. He is one of the founding members of the McMaster Surgical Professionalism Committee. He is the former Research Director for McMaster University Vascular Surgery Residency Program and Program Director for Vascular Surgery at McMaster University. Dr. Rapanos is a former member of the Executive Committee for Vascular Surgery at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the former Vice President of the Hamilton Academy of Medicine, and Chair of the Ontario Medical Association Vascular Section. Dr. Rapanos is the past chair of Hamilton Health Sciences Vascular Surgery Quality Weekly Grand Rounds.

Dr. Rapanos practices in all aspects of vascular surgery including medical, surgery and endovascular management of arterial and venous disorders. Dr. Rapanos was involved in some of the earliest endovenous laser ablation techniques in North America, expanding his experience through both Canadian and US exposure. He continues to be instrumental in the research and development of novel venous management devices. He currently teaches and certifies endovenous and advanced venous care to practicing vascular surgeons and trainees across Canada and the USA. Dr. Rapanos has amassed an extensive experience in endovenous laser ablation offering his patient state of the art management.

Over the past decade, Dr. Rapanos has performed over 8,000 endovenous laser ablations (EVLT), one of the largest numbers in Canada. He has also been instrumental in introducing and testing new venous management techniques. He was the first Vascular Surgeon in North America to perform VenaSeal. He was instrumental in the initial research and data presentations of VenaSeal that subsequently allowed the technology to be disseminated throughout North America. Sapheon Inc., the developers of VenaSeal, subsequently sold the technology to Medtronics.

Dr. Fadi Elias is a world leading Vascular Surgeon and Assistant Professor who has joined One Vascular as a partner with Dr. Ted Rapanos. Dr. Elias has had many accomplishments over the span of his career to include numerous publications, ground-breaking research and a specialization in Advanced Endovascular & Open Aortic through the Paris University in France. Dr. Elias completed his MD and Vascular Surgery Residency at McMaster University. He completed his Masters of Science in Clinical Epidemiology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in 2018. In addition, Dr. Elias has completed his Advanced Endovascular and Open Aortic Fellowship in 2018 at Paris University in France.

As an innovative specialist, Dr. Elias contributes his expertise to the One Vascular Health and Imaging Clinics with a passion for Vascular prevention, treatment and overall care of the patients. Dr. Elias sits on the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Specialty Committee for Vascular Surgery and the Canadian Society of Vascular Surgery Executive Committee Further, he represents the Division of Vascular Surgery as the acting member on the Research Advisory Committee for the Department of Surgery, McMaster University. Dr. Elias is the current Program Director for the Residency Program for the Department of Vascular Surgery at McMaster University. He has been significantly involved in delivering medical education to undergraduate students and residents. His experiences have unquestionably translated to innovative, high-quality, and effective training for trainees of all levels.

Dr. Elias is an Assistant Professor for the division of Vascular Surgery at McMaster University in Hamilton. Dr. Elias practices in all aspects of vascular surgery including medical, surgical and endovascular management of arterial and venous disorders.

Sadia Sohail is the Director of Operations for One Vascular Health and Imaging. She has a distinguished background in healthcare, starting her career as a medical doctor in Pakistan. She holds a Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada, a postgraduate diploma in Ultrasonography from the Michener Institute, and a diploma in Health Informatics from Ryerson University’s Chang School. With over two decades of experience, Sadia has taken on leadership roles in radiology and healthcare management, now serving as the Director of Operations at One Vascular Health & Imaging. In this role, she oversees 11 clinics, focusing on compliance, quality assurance, and enhancing patient care.

Sadia has consistently proven her ability to manage clinical operations, troubleshoot systems, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to optimize healthcare outcomes. Her leadership in staffing, policy implementation, and maintaining high standards across multiple sites has helped streamline operations and reduce patient wait times. She also serves as the committee chair for curriculum development in diagnostic medical sonography at Anderson College and sits on the advisory board for the Ministry of Health, contributing to vascular protocols development. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and taking nature walks.

Dr. Harlock is an Associate Professor of Vascular Surgery at McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences. Dr. Harlock is the Academic and Clinical Head of the Division of Vascular Surgery. He practices all aspects of Vascular Surgery, focusing on peripheral vascular and venous disease.

Dr. Harlock earned his medical degree from McMaster University, where he also completed his General Surgery residency. Dr. Harlock completed his fellowship in Vascular Surgery at McMaster University in 2012, with time spent at Stanford University. Before this, Dr. Harlock completed his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Waterloo and a Bachelor of Education from Western University. He also completed a Master of Science degree in Health Research Methodology at McMaster University.

Dr. Harlock is a Fellow of the Royal College of Canada (FRCSC) and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). He is board-certified with the American Board of Surgery.

Dr. Harlock is active with research at McMaster University, coordinating ongoing resident and faculty projects spanning from clinical to bench research. Dr. Harlock was the Academic Program Director for the McMaster Vascular Surgery residency training program from 2015 to 2022.

Dr. Harlock recently completed a one-year term as President of the Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery (CSVS) and has played an active role on the CSVS executive committee for many years.

Dr. Harlock and his wife Hayley have three children, who are all active in sports. Dr. Harlock enjoys participating in their children’s activities and has helped to coach their hockey and baseball teams.

Dr. Harlock also enjoys travelling with his family. In late 2019, the Harlock family was fortunate to explore Australia and New Zealand while on a six-week sabbatical. One of Dr. Harlock’s favourite places to unplug is Turks and Caicos, where he and his family have enjoyed many memorable vacations. He is an avid gardener and enjoys learning about food and wine.

Dr. Durant is originally from Prince Edward Island. He studied biology and economics at the University of Prince Edward Island, then earned his medical degree from the University of Toronto. He completed both his General Surgery (2008-2013) and Vascular Surgery (2013-2015) training at McMaster University in Hamilton.

Since 2015 he has been practicing at the St. Catharines Site of the Niagara Health system, offering both open and endovascular treatment for all arterial and venous pathologies. He also maintains a clinic in Hamilton/Stoney Creek specializing in venous pathology/varicose veins. Dr. Durant is currently the Head of the Division of Vascular Surgery for the Niagara Health System.

Dr. Durant resides in St. Catharines with his wife and two kids. In his spare time, he enjoys golfing, hiking, skiing, cooking and reading.

Dr. Lauren Gordon is a passionate and skilled vascular surgeon who brings a deep commitment to patient care and medical education. Dr. Gordon earned her MD from the Schulich School of Medicine at Western University, her MSc in Computer Science from Queen’s University, and completed her residency in Vascular Surgery and her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto. She holds specialized certifications, including in complex wound care — International Interprofessional Wound Care Course (IIWCC) and duplex ultrasonography interpretation, as a Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI).

Dr. Gordon is dedicated to training future surgeons with the same precision and passion she brings to the operating room. Her research, published in leading journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA Surgery and Annals of Surgery, spans topics in surgical education, surgical safety, artificial intelligence, and long-term vascular outcomes. She has received numerous awards for her research and clinical work, including the Robert Maudsley Fellowship for Medical Education and the John L. Provan Award for Education Research in Vascular Surgery.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Gordon has also served on various professional committees, including internationally at the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) Post-Graduate Education Committee and more locally in the Best Practices in Evaluation and Assessment committee at the University of Toronto.

Her work is rooted in vascular health, combining technical expertise with compassionate care to provide the best outcomes for patients facing some of the most challenging conditions. Dr. Gordon’s practice covers all aspects of vascular surgery with a particular clinical focus on complex and chronic wound care, peripheral arterial disease, and comprehensive venous treatment.

Dr. Iyer is an Associate Professor of Surgery at McMaster University. He completed training in General and Vascular Surgery at McGill and an Endovascular Fellowship in Dendermonde, Belgium. His practice interests include Advanced Endovascular Aortic Interventions and limb salvage Surgery.

Dr. Tittley was born in Ottawa and attended the University of Ottawa for both undergraduate studies and medical school. He subsequently did his General and Vascular surgical training at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Tittley has been a staff vascular surgeon at McMaster University in Hamilton since 1992. He has served as Program Director for the Vascular and Cardiac diseases program, has been surgical site chief for the Hamilton General Hospital, Vascular surgery Division head, and remains the Beamish Family Foundation Chair in Vascular Surgery for McMaster University.

Externally, he served as President of the Hamilton Academy of Medicine, and President of the Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery. He has been the vascular surgery Canadian examiner in Chief for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Dr. Tittley has a special interest in complex aortic arch reconstructions and embryology.

His practice includes the full scope of arterial and venous pathologies. He currently is a Professor of Vascular Surgery at McMaster University, teaching medical students and surgical residents in all disciplines.

Dr. Robert Maggisano was born in S. Andrea Ionio, Calabria, Italy. He immigrated to Toronto Canada as a young boy in 1958, landing, as most immigrants did in Pier 21! Dr. Maggisano, who prefers to be known for being a caring physician, is currently an Associate Professor at U of T, is the senior Vascular Surgeon, at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and has the prestigious Maggisano Family Chair in Vascular Surgery named in his honour. His undergraduate and post graduate studies were at U of T where he graduated from the prestigious programme of Biological and Medical Sciences, Medical School, Gallie General Surgery programme and Vascular Surgery.

He was awarded the McLaughlin Fellowship in Vascular Surgery, completing it in San Francisco and Houston before returning to Sunnybrook to start a vascular division. Over the last 37 years, he has used his skills as a clinician, surgeon, teacher, and innovator to treat patients with the most challenging vascular problems, to set Canadian standards of care for Thoraco-abdominal aneurysms, Traumatic Ruptures of the Aorta, Visceral aortic disease, and carotid disease, and also to teach next generation colleagues and students alike on the nuances of these diseases. He has published and presented extensively on novel approaches to vascular disease treatments, and has made a significant contribution to patient education through TV and radio presentations.

In addition to being Chief of vascular surgery for 20 years, and being the inaugural chair of vascular surgery at Sunnybrook, examples of his volunteer contributions include being, President of the Medical Dental Staff Association, Hospital Board Member, Chairman of Sunnybrook Hospital U of T Clinic, and Member of the Vaughan Health Care Foundation and Board. His awards include the Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association of Toronto, “Professional Excellence award”, the VHCC “inaugural 2010 legends award”, “NEL Assessor” by an order in council at Queen’s Park, “Assessor Status” by the WSIB, and “Grand Knight Commander” of the order of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem. Through philanthropy he has raised over $16M for Sunnybrook Foundation, thereby being able to develop a world class Endovascular programme that is recognized across Canada and indeed the USA and Europe. He also has funded and is Medical directors of the well-respected Non-invasive vascular Laboratory at Sunnybrook.

Dr. Maggisano exemplifies ideal Professional Practices, Creative excellence, and Professional Innovation, characteristics that all professional seek to emulate.Not to be minimized, Dr. Maggisano is a Canadian of Italian heritage, who cares deeply about the Italian community. Through his personal involvement, generations of Canadians of Italian heritage have benefitted in accessing and getting excellent health care.

Dr. Stacey is a vascular surgeon who came to Canada from Australia in 2014 as the Surgeon in Chief at Hamilton Health Sciences and Professor in the Department of Surgery at McMaster University. He completed his medical degree at the University of Western Australia, is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, and is licensed with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. He spent 2 years working at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, United Kingdom, where he conducted research for his Doctor of Surgery degree (PhD equivalent).

Dr. Stacey took on the role as Chief Medical Executive and Executive Vice President Academic at Hamilton Health Sciences in 2018 until mid-2023. As well as his practice in vascular surgery of more than 30 years, Dr. Stacey has established active research programs in wound healing in both Australia and in Canada. He was the first President of the Australian Wound Management Association (now Wounds Australia), and the founding Chair of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies.

Dr. Stacey has a passion for advancing wound care for patients. He has previously established a multidisciplinary diabetic foot ulcer clinic and a venous leg ulcer clinic in Australia and is working to establish similar clinics in Canada. As well as his clinical practice interests, Dr. Stacey is also an artist, using mainly oil paint as his medium, and a poet. He has published poems in multiple anthologies and periodicals. Examples of his art and poetry can be seen on Instagram at michaelcstacey.artistandpoet.

Dr. Guirgis graduated from medical school at the University of Manitoba in 2012. He subsequently completed surgical residency training in Vascular Surgery in 2017 at McMaster University.

Dr. Guirgis is currently a vascular staff surgeon within the Niagara Health System, as well as a clinical assistant professor at McMaster University.

Dr. Guirgis practices all aspects of vascular surgery including medical, surgical and endovascular management of arterial and venous disorders.

Dr. Vucemilo graduated with Honours from the School of Medicine at the University of Zagreb in Croatia. He also attended Medical School at University of Toronto. He completed a five-year residency in General Surgery, followed by two year fellowship in Vascular Surgery at McMaster University. Dr. Vucemilo is a certified General and Vascular Surgeon of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He obtained additional training in advanced aortic endovascular surgery in Lillie, France.

Dr. Vucemilo joined Trillium Health Partners in 2010 and he is a member of the Department of Vascular Surgery at University of Toronto. He has been named Assistant Program Director for Vascular Surgery at University of Toronto and is actively involved in the development of Competence Based Training in Vascular Surgery. Dr. Vucemilo is certified as a Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI) and Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT). He holds active membership in the Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery (CSVS) where he is member of the Research Committee, the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS), and the Association of International Vascular Surgeons (AIVS) where he serves as the Canadian National Representative. He is also a member of the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARMDS).

His main clinical interest is open and endovascular treatment of aortic disease, carotid disease, infrainguinal revascularization and cosmetic vein surgery. He is actively involved in the teaching of residents and medical students, in addition to clinical research with numerous publications and presentations at vascular surgery meetings.