Shouldice Hospital

The Shouldice Hospital in Ontario, Canada, is a center of excellence for the repair of abdominal wall hernias. Within this specialty, Shouldice has become a world-class leader, attracting significant numbers of patients from the United States and worldwide.

Shouldice is focused on one procedure - hernias. It has put in place many small touches to support patients. For example, Shouldice’s stairwells are all comprised of half-steps, which makes it easier for hernia patients to move after surgery. Shouldice is a specialized facility that takes these thoughts into consideration and creates a focused environment that satisfy its patients special needs.

Dr. Edward Earle Shouldice graduated from the University of Toronto in 1916. By 1940, Dr. Shouldice was operating a private medical and surgical practice, lecturing at the University of Toronto, and pursuing research work in areas of advancing medical knowledge.

During World War II, he was called to serve on the Medical Examining Board. Dr. Shouldice, a major in the army, found that many young men willing to serve their country had to be denied enlistment. These men needed surgical treatment to repair their hernias before they could be pronounced physically fit for military training.

In 1940, hospital space and doctors were scarce, especially for this non-emergency surgery that normally took three weeks of hospitalization. Dr. Shouldice resolved to do what he could to alleviate the problem. Contributing his services at no fee, he performed an innovative method of surgery on seventy of these men, hastening their induction into the army.

The delighted recruits soon made known their success stories and by the war's end, more than 200 civilians had contacted the doctor and were awaiting surgery. The scarcity of hospitals beds however, created a major problem. There was only one solution, Dr. Shouldice decided to open his own hospital.

Shouldice Hospital has been dedicated to the repair of hernias for over 55 years. Our success rate has long been the benchmark for the medical profession internationally. Success sometimes breeds imitation. We often hear of institutions or associations proclaiming to be performing the "Shouldice Technique" or the "Canadian Method", as if it were a secret formula that has been smuggled out of Thornhill. In fact, we have welcomed doctors from around the world to observe our method of hernia repair and we have always made detailed technical descriptions and reprints from medical journals available to all interested physicians and surgeons.

Shouldice currently has 12 full time surgeons and 89 semi-private licensed beds and specializes in abdominal wall hernia repairs.

The "formula", although not a secret, extends beyond the skill of our surgeons and their ability to perform to the Shouldice standard. It also reflects focus, measurement of results, and constant improvement. The success is based on ore than just the surgeons specialization, but also on creating an enviornment (like the half steps) that help the patient's healing process.