Thomas Cawthorn

Dr. Thomas Cawthorn

MD, MSc, FRCSC

Positions

Pediatric Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon

Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Surgery | Plastic Surgery

Clinical Assistant Professor

Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Surgery

Child Health & Wellness Researcher

Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute

Contact information

Background

Credentials

FRCSC - Plastic Surgery, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada,

Educational Background

MD Queen's University, 2013

MSc University of Toronto, 2009

BScH Queen's University, 2007

Biography

Dr. Cawthorn is a pediatric Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon working at the Alberta Children's Hospital (ACH). He completed his surgical residency at the University of Calgary, followed by subspecialty fellowship training in pediatric surgery at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto. During his fellowship training, he completed formal training in Quality Improvement & Patient Safety via the EQUIP program through the University of Toronto.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Cawthorn is involved in clinical research and is a member of the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI). His research focuses on quality improvement initiatives to optimize the outcomes of children undergoing surgical procedures.  Dr. Cawthorn and his colleagues (Dr. Rebecca Hartley, Dr. Frankie Fraulin, Dr. Rob Harrop) have established the Pediatric Plastic Surgery Research Group at ACH to conduct collaborative research and develop new research projects.  

Dr. Cawthorn is the Co-Director of Research Research for the Plastic Surgery residency program at the University of Calgary. In this role, he focuses on resident education and mentoring. Through clinical rotations at ACH, he is heavily involved in medical student and resident teaching in the clinic and operating room environments.

Research

Areas of Research

Quality improvement

Development of quality improvement/assurance initiatives to optimize the care of children undergoing surgery.

Clinical care pathways

Design and implementation of standardized clinical care pathways within pediatric plastic surgery.

Planetary Health

Collaborative and multi-disciplinary research to identify opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of the operating room.

Participation in university strategic initiatives