This scholarship was made possible through the generous donation of $50,000 to the University of Toronto from Mentor Medical Systems Canada. In recognition of the importance of this donation, the University matched the donation dollar for dollar. This resulted in a combined $100,000 endowment that will support, in perpetuity, the Mentor Medical Systems Canada Graduate Scholarship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Toronto.

The award will be granted and administered in accordance with the University’s policy on student awards. Preference will be given to a graduate student who is a resident in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in the Department of Surgery and who is pursuing studies in breast surgery, cosmetic surgery or tissue engineering.

The annual income from the fund, less the portion added to the capital base, is protection against inflation and will be made available by the University of Toronto to provide the funding for student aid in accordance with the conditions specified in the original agreement between the University of Toronto and Mentor Medical Systems Canada. As such, the amount of the award will vary on an annual basis.

Typically, this award is given at the Visiting Professor dinner to the resident in the first year of the Surgeon Scientist Program. Only residents enrolled in the Surgeon Scientist Program are eligible for this award.

In order for the resident to receive the award, the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery requires the following information:

1. A letter of intent from the resident, addressed to Dr. Anastakis, applying for the scholarship,
2. A research proposal from the resident,
3. A curriculum vitae from the resident,
4. A letter from Dr. Anastakis to Dr. Reznick confirming that the resident has been awarded the scholarship.

Deadline for submission of the scholarship application:  March 1st of each year.


Residents awarded this scholarship to date include:

2001 – 2002: Dr. Kyle Wanzel
Title of the Research Project: ‘Needs Assessment and Development of an Educational Tool for Reconstructive Breast Surgery.’ Supervisors: Drs. Mitch Brown, G Regehr, DJ Anastakis

2002 – 2003: Dr. Cory Goldberg
Title of the Research Protocol: ‘Bone Engineering in a Rabbit Craniotomy Defect with PLGA-Calcium Phosphate Foam.’
Supervisors: Drs. Jeffrey Fialkov, JE Davies

2003 – 2004: Dr. Allan Eckhaus
Title of the Research Protocol: ‘Artificial Skin Vascularization with Polymer Beads: an in vivo Model of Angiogenesis.'
Supervisors: Drs. Michael Sefton, Joel Fish

2004 – 2005: Dr. Karen Cross
Title of the Research Protocol: ‘Histopathologic Diagnosis of Burn Wound Depth.’
Supervisors: Drs. Joel Fish, W Hanna, L Leonardi, Manuel Gomez

2005 – 2006: Dr. Daniel Martin
Title of the Research Protocol: ‘Optimizing Wound Healing: Angiogenesis in a Synthetic Skin Substitute.’
Supervisors: Dr. John Semple and Dr. Michael Sefton

2006-2007:  Dr. Karen Cross
Title of the Research Protocol: 'Serial Monitoring of Burn Wound Viability using Near Infrared Spectroscopy: An Interim Report'.
Supervisors: Dr. Joel Fish, Dr. Lorenzo Leonardi

 2007-2008:  Dr. Kristen Davidge
Title of the Research Protocol: ‘Function and Health Status Following Soft Tissue Reconstruction for Limb Preservation in Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcoma.'
Supervisor: Dr. Aileen Davis

 2008-2009:  Nil

2009-2010:  Dr. Siba Haykal
Title of the Research Protocol: 'Trachael Regeneration for Repair of Circumferential Airway Defects'. 
Supervisors:  Dr. Thomas Waddell and Dr. Stefan Hofer