University of Calgary // OrbSurgical Ltd. Dr. Garnette Sutherland, neurosurgeon, scientist and technology innovator, continues his efforts towards improving health outcome for Canadians and beyond. Upon receiving neurosurgical training under the tutelage of legendary Charles Drake, at the (then) University of Western Ontario, his first appointment was at the University of Manitoba. There, he went on to establish an experimental laboratory, one of the first of its kind, for the study of neurological disease using MR imaging and spectroscopy.
In 1993, Sutherland was relocated as Head of Division of Neurosurgery at the University of Calgary. In collaboration with NRC-Canada, he developed the world’s first intraoperative MRI system based on a moveable 1.5T magnet. Commercialized by a Canadian spin-off IMRIS Inc. (now IMRIS-Deerfield, MN, USA), and with >100 international sites, over >80,000 worldwide continue to benefit. Of interest, he pioneered the first province-wide stroke care platform titled the Alberta Stroke Program, the foundation of the present internationally visible Calgary Stroke Program, delivering world class care to patients within and beyond Alberta.
Working with MDA, Brampton ON, to advance precision surgery, Dr. Sutherland developed neuroArm, another world’s first image-guided MR-compatible robot for brain surgery. Recognized by governing bodies and various awards, the neuroArm continues to inspire generations, advance health care innovations, elevating Canada’s space-age innovations at global scale. His commitment to improving patient outcome through technology innovation, Dr. Sutherland is the principal Lead of Project neuroArm Medical Robotics Program at the University of Calgary, now focused in advanced sensors, Ai, and digital transformation/connectivity for standardized health care.
Recipient of multiple awards and recognitions, including Manning Award of Distinction (2004), the Alberta Science and Technology Leadership Foundation (2007), City of Calgary Signature Award (2008), AAS & NASA Award (2012), CIHR-CMAJ Top Achievements in Health Research Award (2013), NASA Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal (2015) and Governor General Innovation Award (2019), and The Alberta Innovates Digital Health System Innovation Champion Award (2024), to name a few. In 2014, Dr. Sutherland, neuroArm and institutional partners were inducted into the Space Technology Hall of Fame.
He has delivered over 330 national and international lectures and published over 240 manuscripts, 22 patents and 33 book excerpts. He has been able to translate his ideas into multiple Canadian spin-offs (IMRIS Inc. (presently IMRIS-Deerfield, MN, USA); neuroArm Surgical Ltd., and presently OrbSurgical Ltd.).
On June 7, 2023, Dr. Sutherland was the recipient of the Honorary Doctor of Science degree from the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry – Western University.
In 2011, Dr. Sutherland was appointed to the Order of Canada for his lifetime achievement in healthcare innovation.
In 2024, Dr. Sutherland is one of the 8 inductees of the Alberta Order of Excellence – the highest civilian honour of the Province of Alberta.
