FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Cutting into Endocrine Disease with Dr. Jesse Pasternak
By Bahar Golbon
S
urgery is a unique medical field where science meets art. It is an area suited for trailblazers and those who can stomach a challenge. Dr. Jesse Pasternak is one such individual working as an Endocrine Surgeon at the University Health Network and as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Toronto. His clinical specialty is surgical intervention for patients with endocrine gland tumors. Endocrine surgery meshes the complexity of the endocrine system with the precision and innovation of oncologic surgery. Dr. Pasternak primarily operates on the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands, focusing on minimally invasive and targeted therapy. Surgical treatment of endocrine disease has evolved substantially over the past couple of years, hence evidence-based results are necessary to appropriately guide diagnosis and treatment regimens. Currently, Dr. Pasternak’s research focuses on optimizing health outcomes for patients with endocrine disease by improving treatment guidelines. He develops innovative approaches to remove tumors; some surgical innovations include performing scarless thyroid surgery and using special dyes and light frequency to visualize essential blood networks in the neck during surgery. Additionally, he uses large datasets describing demographic, preoperative, surgical, and postoperative data to understand trends. He describes, “We have a high-volume specialized practice, so with adequate collaborations 30 | IMS MAGAZINE WINTER 2022 MEN’S HEALTH
we are able to generate large sets of past patient data to answer clinical questions.” He continues, “Being a clinician-scientist allows you to ask impactful questions. You’re using your clinical knowledge and experience to generate those questions and from there, using your scientific knowledge to answer them sufficiently.” Dr. Pasternak collaborates with national and international colleagues in the clinical research and teaching spheres. His work is a true testament to the importance of collaboration and its necessity in gathering a holistic understanding of endocrine disease in varying geographic regions, ethnicities, and cultures. “The Institute of Medical Science (IMS) provides a large network of local, international students, and clinical researchers to fuel academic partnerships. It brings people that have an academic research interest into the clinical world to bridge the gap.” As a newer member of the IMS, Dr. Pasternak is thrilled to join this renowned faculty. Dr. Pasternak entered the medical field with the goal to specialize in endocrinology due to personal family experiences with chronic endocrine disease. However, after becoming involved in surgery during a medical elective, he discovered his fascination with the field. “The ability to work with my hands and combine medical knowledge to cure disease instantaneously was amazing”, Dr. Pasternak recounts. During his journey, he was mentored by Canadian leaders in endocrine surgery, including Drs.
DR. JESSE PASTERNAK with his adorable children! MD, MPH, FRCSC Division of General Surgery, Sprott Department of Surgery – University Health Network Assistant Professor of Surgery, Temerty Faculty of Medicine – University of Toronto Associate Member, Institute of Medical Sciences – University of Toronto Photo Credit: Dr. Jesse Pasternak
Graphic design by Sherry An
