The corridors of the University of California, San Francisco’s renowned medical centre were set to welcome a new leader this year — Ottawa’s celebrated cardiac surgeon Marc Ruel — until geopolitics intervened.
In a decision that has captured headlines, Ruel declined the prestigious role to remain in Canada. His reasoning? Patriotism. “Canada is under duress right now,” he told CBC News, referencing the escalating political tensions between the U.S. and Canada fueled by former President Donald Trump’s aggressive rhetoric and controversial policies. This shift is emblematic of a larger trend, where Canadian physicians are foregoing lucrative U.S. opportunities to serve their homeland, while American doctors increasingly set their sights northward.
For over a decade, Ruel served as head of cardiac surgery at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, pioneering advancements in minimally invasive bypass surgeries. His expertise is unmatched in the western United States, offering techniques essential to patients in need. Yet, the toxic environment created under Trump’s leadership made the move untenable. “What did Trump expect with the environment he’s created?” Ruel’s sentiment reflects the broader unease among medical professionals.
Meanwhile, across the border, many American physicians face a stark reality: an administration fostering vaccine skepticism and public health agency cuts. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been at the centre of controversy, pushing debunked theories and appointing figures with dubious medical practices. For some, this hostile climate has opened the door to reconsider their place in the U.S. healthcare system.
Michelle Flynn, COO of CanAm Physician Recruiting Inc., paints a vivid picture of the change. “The amount of interest has more than doubled,” she says, referring to U.S. physicians now applying to work in Canada. Barriers to entry have been lowered in Ontario and other provinces, streamlining the pathway for U.S.-trained doctors to practice in Canada. The result? A flood of applications, with hundreds already making the transition.
Despite its challenges, Canada’s healthcare system offers equity and accessibility that resonate deeply with many professionals. Ruel himself remains a staunch advocate, hopeful that Canada’s principles will endure turbulent times. “I’m a great believer in the Canadian healthcare system,” he says, proud of the values it upholds.
The story of Marc Ruel and the broader migration of medical talent captures a moment in history. It’s a testament to the quiet but profound power of patriotism and the resilience of a nation’s values amid external pressures.
References:
Trump threats open ‘floodgate’ of inquiries from U.S. physicians about moving north
