Appointments and affiliations
Professor
Division of Cardiac Surgery
University of Ottawa Heart Institute
Professor
Department of Surgery and Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
University of Ottawa
Marc Ruel, MD, is a professor and the endowed chair and director of minimally invasive cardiac research in the Division of Cardiac Surgery at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
Background
Dr. Ruel received his medical degree in 1994, and his board certification in cardiac surgery from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 2000. He subsequently pursued minimally invasive surgery and basic science training at Harvard University, where he also completed a master’s degree in public health. Dr. Ruel later returned to Harvard for leadership courses.
Dr. Ruel is a professor in the Department of Surgery and in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa. A seasoned heart surgeon, innovator, and researcher, the focus of Dr. Ruel’s career has been to make cardiac surgery less invasive, more evidence-based, and performed with better patient outcomes. Dr. Ruel has pioneered multi-vessel minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery worldwide, as well as several other cardiac surgical techniques. The BioEngineering and Therapeutic Solutions (BEaTS) laboratory research program founded by Dr. Ruel at the start of his career has also achieved translational impact and is now expertly led by Erik Suuronen, PhD, and Emilio Alarcón, PhD.
For 11 years Dr. Ruel led the Division of Cardiac Surgery at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, enhancing the division’s reputation and presence both nationally and internationally. He has largely shaped the division’s approach to all aspects of patient care, while driving translational and clinical research outputs, and supporting advancements in surgical innovation (including a dedicated, philanthropically funded robotic cardiac surgery program). Under his leadership, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute’s Division of Cardiac Surgery has experienced significant growth in surgical volumes and national outreach, along with improvements in quality, research and innovation, education, external referrals, international reputation, recruitment, and overall impact.
Dr. Ruel performs all types of cardiac surgery, including minimally invasive procedures, complex repeat surgeries, heart transplants and ventricular assist device implantations. He pioneered minimally invasive cardiac surgical coronary artery bypass grafting (MICS CABG) on a global scale. He has also led numerous international courses on MICS CABG and minimally invasive valve surgery, teaching surgeons from around the world both in Ottawa and internationally.Thousands of sternal-sparing coronary operations performed worldwide now use the multivessel bypass techniques developed by Dr. Ruel. He has safely performed several other first-in-man operations that have led to successful clinical series. Dr. Ruel is the editor of a successful 600-page textbook about cardiac surgical techniques, published by Elsevier. Now in its third edition and available in four languages, nearly 10,000 copies have been sold worldwide.
Research and clinical interests
Dr. Ruel has published over 500 scientific papers and chapters, and seven books. He has delivered over 350 invited lectures and led or participated in 17 international practice guidelines or consensus statements on cardiovascular care. Dr. Ruel continues to lead key clinical trials in cardiac surgery. In 2007, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada awarded Dr. Ruel the Gold Medal in Surgery for his work in regenerative medicine. In 2012, Dr. Ruel received Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions to cardiac care. In 2024, the University of Ottawa named Dr. Ruel Researcher of the Year — the second clinician to receive the award since its creation in 1963. In 2019, the American Heart Association honoured Dr. Ruel with its Distinguished Achievement Award. Several organizations have also presented him with awards for lifetime achievement. He is considered among the “Giants of Cardiothoracic Surgery,” a recognition of his lasting impact on the field.
Until recently, Dr. Ruel was the president of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS), one of the most respected medical societies in the world. Since the CCS was established in 1947, only three other surgeons have held this role. Dr. Ruel currently serves as surgery editor and associate editor for the prestigious journal Circulation. Dr. Ruel serves as a reviewer for several leading national and international research and funding agencies, including the British Heart Foundation, the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Austrian Science Fund, the Research Council of Norway, the Dutch Research Council, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. He has also contributed his expertise to regulatory bodies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In addition to his advisory roles, Dr. Ruel has been recognized with several national honours.
Dr. Ruel’s philosophy of care is in keeping with the core values of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. Above all, he demonstrates a strong commitment to ensuring every patient and their family receives world-class care when they come to the hospital for surgery. This devotion extends, roots, and grows outward, resulting in a culture of care providers who consistently strive for excellence at all costs: in clinical/surgical care and technical innovation, in research, and in the dissemination of knowledge and support to peers, colleagues, and the aspiring healthcare leaders of tomorrow.
Publications
Please see PubMed for current listing.