Christopher R. Forrest
MD, MSc, FRCSC, FACS, FAAP
Surgeon-Investigator
Past Chair, Division of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery
Past Chief, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Medical Director, HSC Centre for Craniofacial Care and Research
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine
University of Toronto
phone
(416) 813-8659
fax
(416) 813-6637
assistant
Dyanne Bechard
hospitals and rotations
Hospital for Sick Children
practice location
The Hospital for Sick Children
5430 - 555 University Ave.
Toronto, ON M5G 1X8
subspecialty(ies)
Aesthetic, Cleft, Craniomaxillofacial, Paediatric, Trauma
Christopher R. Forrest is a Professor in the Department of Surgery, at the University of Toronto and is the Medical Director of the Craniofacial Program at the Hospital for Sick Children.
He received his medical training at the University of Toronto and completed his fellowship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery also at the University of Toronto in 1990. He is a graduate of the Surgeon Scientist Program at the University of Toronto and received post graduate fellowship training in the area of adult and pediatric craniomaxillofacial surgery.
After completing fellowships in pediatric and adult craniofacial surgery and aesthetic surgery, he started his university appointment at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in 1993 and moved to the Hospital for Sick Children in 1999 as the Medical Director of the Craniofacial Program. He is an internationally recognized expert in pediatric craniofacial disorders and has trained fellows from all around the world.
Dr. Forrest became the chief of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive in January 2003 and stepped down from this position in October 2022 after almost 20 years. During his tenure, the division grew from 5 to 10 full time academic staff making it the largest division of pediatric plastic surgeons in North America with internationally recognized expertise in all aspects of pediatric care.
After almost 2 years as the interim Chair, he was appointed Chair of the Division of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, Department of Surgery, at the University of Toronto in 2013 and stepped down in October 2022 after 12 years at the helm. He has published over 190 peer reviewed papers and has authored several book chapters. He has research interests in surgical simulation, global outreach, patient reported outcome measures and the application of surgical robotics in craniofacial surgery. Dr. Forrest is currently on loan to Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, Sydney, Australia where he is on sabbatical. He looks forward to returning to SickKids in late 2023.
