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Innovation in Neurosurgery Attracts New Talent

July 17, 2024

Dr. Alysa Almojuela chose to work at HSC Winnipeg without hesitation, drawn by its commitment to innovation and patient care

Dr. Almojuela: “This is an exciting time to be at HSC. Thanks to support from the HSC Foundation, there is new equipment being brought in, new funds being dedicated to the spine program, and a lot of new initiatives to improve patient care.”

For Dr. Alysa Almojuela, MD MSc FRCSC, choosing to work at Health Sciences Centre (HSC) Winnipeg was an easy decision.

“This is an exciting time to be at HSC. Thanks to support from the HSC Foundation, there is new equipment being brought in, new funds being dedicated to the spine program, and a lot of new initiatives to improve patient care,” she says.

Dr. Almojuela recently joined HSC’s neurosurgery department.

“There’s a push at HSC to improve patient care and decrease wait times and that energy is contagious. It is something that I really wanted to be a part of,” she adds.

As a neurosurgeon, Dr. Almojuela treats and manages disorders of the brain and nervous system, including the spinal cord. Her practice involves a wide spectrum of spine pathologies, including degenerative conditions, trauma, tumours, and infections. She attended the University of Manitoba for her undergraduate degree, medical school, and neurosurgery residency, before completing a complex spine fellowship in Calgary.

She says she was attracted to spine surgery due to its fast-paced and dynamic nature.

“I’ve always been fascinated by the nervous system; I find it so complex. There’s opportunity for lifelong learning in this specialty,” she explains.

At HSC, Dr. Almojuela says she has already witnessed the impact of the HSC Foundation and its donors, particularly through transformative equipment like the Stryker Q-Guidance and Ziehm intraoperative 3D imaging systems, funded by the HSC Foundation’s Operation Excellence campaign.

The Stryker Q-Guidance system and Ziehm intraoperative 3D imaging system work together to make spinal surgery more precise. These pieces of equipment were funded by donations to the HSC Foundation’s Operation Excellence campaign.

“The Ziehm intraoperative 3D imaging system was a big draw for me. That piece of equipment has really helped me in several of my surgeries,” says Dr. Almojuela.

“With the navigation system, we have a live view of everything as we are doing the procedure. We can see exactly where we are placing the screws,” she explains, adding that the new equipment not only enhances surgical precision, but also enriches educational opportunities for Manitoba’s aspiring neurosurgeons.

“The residents say that they have really benefited from the navigation system as a teaching tool,” she adds. “With this system we can see what trainees are doing as they do it.”

Dr. Almojuela is currently serving as the Wellness Director and Competency Director for the Neurosurgery Residency Program at the University of Manitoba’s Max Rady College of Medicine. In these roles she supports the holistic development of future neurosurgeons, ensuring their mental well-being, overseeing resident evaluations, and ensuring the next generation of neurosurgeons meets the highest standards of competency.

“When things are challenging for me, I always find it helpful to remember that it’s a privilege to do what we do,” she says. “Viewing situations through that lens of gratitude can really help you get through some of those tough times.”

With Dr. Almojuela’s leadership, HSC is positioned to strengthen its reputation as a centre of excellence in spine surgery, prioritizing innovation, compassion, and patient-centred care.

 

To learn more about the Operation Excellence campaign, and to make an online donation, visit the Operation Excellence website.

 

By Jen Golletz

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