Dr. Carolyn Nessim
Surgical Oncologist and Associate Professor at the Ottawa Hospital
Biography
A well-versed Surgical Oncologist, Carolyn Nessim, MD, MSc, FRCSC, FACS works at The Ottawa Hospital, a public academic university teaching hospital offering tertiary care to 1.3 million adults in Ottawa and across Eastern Ontario.
Her main clinical focus is in the treatment of Melanoma and other skin cancers, Soft Tissue Sarcoma/Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST) and Gastric Cancer. She also treats Neurodenocrine Tumors and Advanced Cancer/Carcinomatosis.
She is the regional Co-Chair for the Melanoma Communities of Practice within the Ottawa regional cancer program and member of Cancer Care Ontario’s working group for specific guidelines in the treatment of melanoma. She is also the regional Co-Chair for the Gastric Cancer Communities of Practice.
She also serves on staff at the University of Ottawa, as an Associate Professor of Surgery, teaching medical students and residents and is now the Program Director for the Complex General Surgical Oncology (CGSO) Fellowship Program at the University of Ottawa, for subspecialty training in Surgical Oncology.
Dr. Nessim is actively involved in many surgical and cancer societies. She is the Chair of Education and a member of the Executive and Board of the Canadian Association of General Surgeons (CAGS). She is also the President-Elect of the Canadian Society of Surgical Oncology (CSSO) . She is on the Sarcoma Disease Site Working group of the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) and a member of the Melanoma Measures Panel and technical expert group of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). She is on the Committee on Applicants for the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and is on the Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) Skin Cancer Advisory Board.
She is a Clinician Investigator in the cancer therapeutics program at The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) and has more than 65 publications, editorials and chapters in peer-reviewed journals. She sat on the Ontario Cancer Research Ethics Board (OCREB) and is the Chair of the Research Evaluation Committee of the Trans-Atlantic Australasian Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Working Group (TARPSWG) and is a member of the Canadian Melanoma Research Network. She is also the Co-Chair for the Melanoma Surgery + Surveillance Committee of the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG). Her main research focus is in the improvement and assessment of quality indicators and treatment in cancer surgery as well as the investigation of translational biomarkers and immunomarkers in melanoma and soft tissue sarcoma, which are prognostic and predictive of treatment efficacy.
Dr. Carolyn Nessim conducted her specialized fellowship training in Surgical Oncology at the University of Toronto and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Center in Melbourne, Australia. She is a board certified in General Surgery by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. She is board certified in both General Surgery and Surgical Oncology by the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada and has the honour of being an active member of multiple medical societies including the Society of Surgical Oncology, the Canadian Society of Surgical Oncology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Canadian Association of General Surgeons.
Education
Feb 2019
Sabbatical /Apprenticeship Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Fondazione IRCSS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy - Soft Tissue Sarcoma (Retroperitoneal and Extremity) Mentor: Alessandro Gronchi, Surgical Oncologist
2012 – 2013
Surgical Oncology Fellowship - Melanoma, Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
2010 – 2012
Surgical Oncology Fellowship
University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2009 – 2014
Masters of Science, Biomedical Services
University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada - Institute of Research of Immunology and Cancerology
2004 – 2009
General Surgery Residency
University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
2000 - 2004
Medical Doctorate
University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
1995 - 1998
Bachelors of Science, Occupational Therapy
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
1994 - 1995
Bachelors of Science, Physiology (1 year completed)
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Licenses and Certifications
Current College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
2012 Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada – General Surgical Oncology
2009 Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada – General Surgery
2009 American Board of Surgery – General Surgery
Dr. Nessim is involved in the following committees in many international, national and local associations
Merck Advisory Board - Advisory Board on Adjuvant Treatment for High Risk Stage 2 Melanoma
Current Oncology (Journal) - Topic Editor – Special Issue on Retroperitoneal Sarcoma
American College of Surgeons (ACS)
· Ontario District #1 – Committee on Applicants
· Select Canadian Applicants to become fellows of the ACS
· Member of the ACS Ontario Chapter
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
· Melanoma Measures Panel – Technical Expert Group
· Develop ASCO Guidelines for the Management of Melanoma
Trans-Atlantic Australasian Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Working group (TARPSWG)
· Secretary
· Chair of the Research Evaluation Committee
· Member of the Prospective Sarcoma Registry Governance Committee
· Member of the Clinical Trials Development Committee
· Member of the Education Committee
Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO)
· Sarcoma Disease Site Group
· Section Editor for Sarcoma for Annals of Surgical Oncology
· Continuing Medical Education (CME) Committee
· Member and Section Editor of the SCORE Committee
· Program Directors Committee
Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS)
· Abstract Selection Committee for Annual Meeting
Sanofi – Genzyme
· Advisory Board on cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
· Libtayo Advisor Network Platform
· Bridging Care Gaps – Train the Trainer
Novartis Advisory Board
· Melanoma Panel on evaluation of Targeted Therapy in the Adjuvant setting
· Melanoma Expert group on BRAF testing and improving access to adjuvant therapy
· Unify Meeting: discussing bottlenecks for adjuvant melanoma care
· Expert Panel in the Development of a Melanoma Case for a Novartis Canada Learning Program
Canadian Association of General Surgeons (CAGS)
· Member at Large (Academic) – Executive Committee
· Board Member
· Chair of Continuing Professional Development Committee
· Member of the Canadian Surgical Forum Program Committee
· Member of the Women in Surgery Committee
· Member of the Equity and Diversity Committee
Canadian Society of Surgical Oncology (CSSO)
· Director of Research (2022- Current)
· Executive Committee (2014-Current)
· Director of Media and Public Relations (2017-2022)
· Member at large (2014-2017)
· Oral Examiner for Fellows Annual Oral Exam (2014-Current)
· Abstract Selection Committee for CSSO Annual Meeting (2014, 2018, 2019)
· CSSO Abstract Reviewer for CSF (2019)
· Canadian Society of Surgical Oncology Poster Judge at Canadian Surgical Forum (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)
Cancer Care Ontario (CCO)
· Melanoma and Skin Cancer Advisory Board
· Out-of-Country Clinical Review expert
· Melanoma Guidelines Working Group
· External Reviewer of CCO PEBC Guidelines for the Management of Peritoneal Carcinomatosis
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)
· Working Group for CPD (2022)
· General Surgical Oncology Specialty Committee
· Detweiler Traveling Fellowship Grant Selection Committee (2016)
· Certified Accreditation Surveyor
· Royal College Specialty Society Committee – CPD Accreditation
Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG)
· Co-Chair – Melanoma Surveillance and Surgery Committee
· Surgical Oncology Rep – Disease Site Sarcoma Committee
· Surgical Oncology Rep – Disease Site Melanoma Committee
Canadian Gastric Cancer Association (CGCA)
· Head of the Physician Education Committee
· Member of Executive Committee
Canadian Melanoma Research Network (CMRN)
· Active member
Canadian Sarcoma Clinical and Research Collaboration (CanSaRCC)
· Member of Steering Committee
· Member and University of Ottawa Delegate and Principal Investigator
Ontario Cancer Research Ethics Board (OCREB)
· Full Active Member
GIST Specialist Registry Canada
Desmoid Expert Registry – Desmoid Tumour Foundation of Canada
Awards
International
2020 Best of SSO - Society of Surgical Oncology Annual Meeting 2020 - Nessim C, Raut CP, Callegaro D, Barretta F, Miceli R, Rutkowski P, Blay J-Y, Lahat G. Strauss DC, Gonzalez R, Ahuja N, Grignani G, Quagliuolo V, Stoeckle E, de Paoli A, Pillarisetty V, Swallow CJ, Canter R, Mullen J, Gelderblom HJ, Pennacchioli E, van Coevorden F, Cardona K, Fiore M, Fariweather M, Gronchi, Bagaria SP. An Analysis on Change in Differentiation at the time of first recurrence of Retropritoneal Liposarcoma by the Trans-Atlantic Australasian Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Working Group (TARPSWG).
Oral Abstract selected as Best of SSO, 2020
2020 Best of SSO - Society of Surgical Oncology Annual Meeting 2020 - Nessim C, Ibrahim AM, Le May M, Bosse D, Marginean H, Song X, Ong M. Impact of Imaging Intensity and Survival Outcomes in High-Risk Resected Melanoma Treated Oral Abstract selected as Best of SSO, 2020
2020 Top Abstract - Society of Surgical Oncology Annual Meeting 2020 - Ibrahim AM, Le May M, Bosse D, Marginean H, Song X, Nessim C, Ong M. Impact of Imaging Intensity and Survival Outcomes in High-Risk Resected Melanoma Treated by Systemic Therapy at Recurrence.
This was deemed one of the top 25 abstracts of the conference and manuscript submission was requested and published
2020 Nominated Top Poster - Society of Surgical Oncology Annual Meeting 2020 - Nessim C, Purgina B, Ambacher, Dobransky J, Berger-Richardson D, Burtenshaw S, Ibrahim AM, Gladdy R, Auer R, Swallow CJ. Quality Measures to Improve the Diagnostic Yield and Accuracy of Image-guided Biopsy of a Suspicious Retroperitoneal (RP) Mass
2018- Top Poster Award - Toronto International Sarcoma Symposium - Flaman AN, Nessim C, Gravel DH, Teo I, Purgina B. The Utility of Core Needle Biopsy in Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma: A Fifteen Year Review
2017 Best Scientific Impact Award – American Society of Breast Surgeons - Zhang Y, Cordeiro E, Seely J, Hefler J, Gravel D, Smylie J, Aro J, Nessim C. Radioactive Seed Localization vs. Wire-Guided Localization for non-palpable breast cancer: A Cost and OR efficiency analysis.
National
2017 -Top Oral Presentation – Canadian Association General Surgeons - Zhang Y, Cordeiro E, Seely J, Hefler J, Gravel D, Smylie J, Aro J, Nessim C. Radioactive Seed Localization vs. Wire-Guided Localization for non-palpable breast cancer: A Cost and OR efficiency analysis.
Local
2021 Research Recognition for Scholarly Activity - Division of General Surgery - For the highest Academic Productivity in the Division of General Surgery
2020 Best Oral Presentation - University of Ottawa – Faculty of Medicine Research Day 2020 - Li H, Grose E, Lee A, Brandts-Longtin O, Dobransky J, Boulva K, Jonhson-Obaseki S, Nessim C. Predictors of false negative sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma
2020- Best Medical Student Award- University of Ottawa General Surgery Research Day - Li H, Grose E, Lee A, Brandts-Longtin O, Dobransky J, Boulva K, Jonhson-Obaseki S, Nessim C. Predictors of false negative sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma
2019 Epic Peer Leadership Award – The Ottawa Hospital- Recognizes a medical staff member who has gone above and beyond expectations to assist the hospital and their peers in adapting to a new Health Information System.
2019 Epic Leadership Award – Department of Surgery - Recognizes a surgeon from the department who has gone above and beyond expectations to assist the hospital and their peers in adapting to a new Health Information System.
2019 - Research Recognition for Scholarly Activity - Division of General Surgery- For the highest Academic Productivity in the Division of General Surgery
2019 Best Medical Student Oral Presentation Award - Division of General Surgery Research Day - Li H, Dingley B, Dobransky J, Brandts-Longtin O, Nessim C. Palliative Bowel surgery, are we helping patients?
2019- Best Medical Student Poster Award - Department of Surgery Collins Research Day - Li H, Dingley B, Dobransky J, Brandts-Longtin O, Nessim C. Palliative Bowel surgery, are we helping patients?
2018- Nadia Mikhail Award for Best Research Paper – Department of Pathology - Flaman AN, Nessim C, Gravel DH, Teo I, Purgina B. The Utility of Core Needle Biopsy in Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma: A Fifteen Year Review
2017 Awarded top 3 Research Proposal for Wolves’ Den – Department of Surgery Research Day – The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, OHRI - Stuleanu T, Ibrahim A, Petkiewicz S, Ardolino M, Lo B, Nessim C. T-cell receptor sequencing in Melanoma of Unknown Primary (MUP): Are MUPs more immunogenic?
2017 Honorarium Award for Best Article – UOJM - Ambacher K, Ibrahim A, Nessim C. Ensuring a Safe and Qualitative Diagnostic Biopsy for Retroperitoneal Sarcomas
2017- Audley Bodurtha Teaching Award - Division of General Surgery Faculty Member in Recognition of Outstanding Contributions to Resident Education
2016- WBHC Leadership Award - Women’s Health Breast Center and Breast Disease Site Group - For leadership and dedication to the breast patients at The Ottawa Hospital and Champlain LHIN Region and for leadership in the Radioactive Seed Localization Program
2015 - Best Oral - General Surgery Research Day – University of Ottawa - Crawford, Nessim C, Weaver J, van Walraven C. Association of wait time to surgical management with overall survival in Ontarians with melanoma.