Several new faces have graced the operating rooms of the QEII Health Sciences Centre, partially thanks to equipment funded by generous donors to the QEII Foundation's We Are campaign.
The Stewart E. Allen Hybrid Operating Room, the MAZOR X spinal robot and the da Vinci Xi have collectively helped recruit seven surgeons to the QEII, including neurosurgeon Dr. Mark MacLean.
Growing up in the Halifax area, Dr. MacLean enjoyed studying medicine and carrying out his neurosurgery residency at Dalhousie University and the QEII. He left to do a fellowship in spinal surgery and neurotrauma at the University of Pittsburgh, which allowed him to advance his skill set and the opportunity to come home in August 2025.
“Returning to practice at the QEII in Halifax was the clear first choice for my wife and me for many reasons. It allowed us to be closer to family, and I had already experienced the exceptional neurosurgical division here. No two days are ever the same, and being surrounded by talented, supportive colleagues in a positive work environment makes even the most challenging days more manageable.”
“The surgical program at the QEII has consistently been at the forefront of innovation, offering advanced technologies and a broad range of leading-edge surgical procedures. We were the first centre in Canada to implement the Mazor spinal robotic system, which was introduced during my residency. Having the opportunity to train with this technology early in my career was a significant factor in my decision to return, and it continues to play an important role in my practice today.”Dr. MacLean notes he considers himself very fortune to be able to use the spinal robot on patients who can benefit from robotic surgeries.
“As physicians, we are constantly looking for ways to improve patient outcomes. Spinal robotics has been a valuable advancement, enabling us to perform highly precise, minimally invasive procedures that reduce the impact of surgery on the body. By minimizing tissue disruption, patients often experience quicker recoveries and can return to their daily activities sooner, while still receiving the same high standard of surgical care.”
Dr. MacLean is very thankful to those who donated to make the spinal robot a reality at the QEII.
“By supporting access to these technologies, you have helped open the door to the highest standard of surgical care available - not only in Canada, but anywhere in the world. These innovations represent the very forefront of medical technology and patient care. Their value extends far beyond the dollars invested; they transform recoveries, restore quality of life, and have a lasting impact on patients and their families. The magnitude of that impact cannot be measured in financial terms alone, and for that, we will always be deeply grateful.”.
The QEII is now one of only a few hospitals in Canada with seven surgical robots spanning multiple disciplines, including urology, gynecologic oncology, orthopedics, neurosurgery, spine, and now expanded general, thoracic and hepatobiliary surgery. Six of these seven robots have been made possible through QEII Foundation donor support as part of the Foundation’s $100-million We Are campaign’s goal of establishing Canada’s first Centre of Excellence in Surgical Robotics.
