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Ottawa ON – 5 December 2023 – Dr. Doug Armstrong, son of the late Dr. Gordon Armstrong, along with fellow surgeons from The Ottawa Hospital (TOH), Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) and the University of Ottawa (uOttawa) Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery Programs, inaugurated the Gordon Armstrong Combined Spine Program at TOH’s Civic Campus.

Dr. Gordon Armstrong’s strong ties to Ottawa and TOH go back decades. In 1954, Dr. Armstrong began his surgical practice in Ottawa and became internationally recognized for his skills as a surgeon, teacher, mentor, and innovator in the development of modern spine surgery. Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Armstrong served as the Chief of the Division of Orthopaedics at TOH, then called the Ottawa Civic Hospital, from 1975 to 1983.

Dr. Armstrong’s surgical skills were legendary at a time when spine surgery was very high-risk and his impact on the field still resonates with surgeons at TOH and uOttawa.  

“Dr. Armstrong was a trailblazer in spine surgery and pioneered surgical innovation that has shaped what we know about spine care today,” said Dr. Steven Papp, Division Head of Orthopaedic Surgery at The Ottawa Hospital. “He developed new surgical techniques in Canada and abroad, which have drastically improved patient spinal care and safety.”

Throughout his career, Dr. Armstrong embodied the spirit of research and clinical care and always treated his patients with the utmost dignity and respect. In 2001, he received the Order of Canada for his work improving the lives of people with spinal injuries, and his immense contributions to the field of spinal deformities.

His vision of enhancing patient care through learning, innovation, and research continues to guide surgical teams here in Ottawa.

“As we celebrate the 75^th anniversary of the Department of Surgery, naming our program after the legendary Gordon Armstrong marks the long-standing surgical progress that Ottawa has made over the past several decades,” said Dr. Adam Sachs, Spine Program Lead, and neurosurgery physician at The Ottawa Hospital. “We hope that this dedication continues to inspire and guide students, fellows, and physicians towards excellence in orthopaedics and neurosurgery.

For more information about the program, please visit www.uottawaortho.ca

Media Contact: 

Rebecca Abelson 
rabelson@toh.ca 
343-576-0259 

The Ottawa Hospital: 

The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) is one of Canada’s top learning and research hospitals where we are guided by our vision to provide the world-class and compassionate care we would all want for our loved ones.

Our multi-campus hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, is home to the Regional Trauma Centre and Cancer Centre, and to discoveries that are adopted globally.   

Backed by generous support from the community, we are focused on reshaping the future of health care to improve the health of our diverse population of patients from Eastern Ontario, Western Quebec, and Nunavut.   

For more information about The Ottawa Hospital, visit OttawaHospital.on.ca.