About Us
Get to know The Department of Diagnostic Radiology at the University of Ottawa
The Department of Diagnostic Radiology at the University of Ottawa views continuing medical education (CME) as a core mission of our department. Our commitment is to sponsor several CME courses every year in Canada and around the world to fulfill our faculty's educational needs in our constantly evolving field. Not only do we feel that the scientific content of these CME courses is important, but we also hope to learn from each other, renew old ties and develop new relationships.
The University of Ottawa, Department of Radiology, Radiation Oncology and Medical Physics contributes to continuing professional development opportunities for practicing family physicians and specialists and other health professionals. The office provides courses that are evidence-based, designed to maintain and enhance medical knowledge, clinical skills, and professional attitudes, and intended to enhance performance standards and quality of care.
In keeping with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada accreditation standards, all speakers are asked to disclose any real or apparent conflict(s) of interest that may have a bearing on the content of their presentations. The intent of disclosure is to make potential influences known to the participants so they may make their own conclusions about the content presented.
Meet Our Team
Dr. Carlos Torres MD, FRCPC FCAR
CME Director
**NOTE - PERHAPS CARLOS COULD WRITE A MESSAGE FROM DIRECTOR TO ADD TO FUTURE WEBSITES**
Dr. Carlos Torres is the Vice Chair of Research, CME Director and Full Professor in the Department of Radiology, Radiation Oncology and Medical Physics at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, and a diagnostic neuroradiologist in the Department of Medical Imaging at The Ottawa Hospital.
He is the President-Elect of the Eastern Neuroradiological Society ENRS, 1st Past President of the Ibero Latin American Society of Neuroradiology (SILAN), and a member of the Executive Committee of the American Society of Spine Radiology (ASSR). Dr. Torres also serves on multiple RSNA, ARRS, ASNR, ASSR and ESNR committees.
Dr. Torres has given more than 500 national and international invited lectures in 45 different countries and is regularly invited to speak at all the major Radiology and Neuroradiology Meetings, on a wide range of Neuroradiology topics. He has been a national and international Visiting Professor to multiple academic centres in the US and Canada as well as in Asia, Central and South America, including Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Chile, Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Mongolia.
He has over 100 peer-reviewed publications and 24 book chapters. He is an Associate Editor of the Canadian Association of Radiologists journal CARJ, an Editor of the journal 3D Printing in Medicine and a reviewer for multiple journals including AJNR, Neuroradiology Journal and European Radiology.
He has received numerous departmental, national and international awards for his teaching and research including the uOttawa Faculty of Medicine Educator of the Year Award, the Undergrad Teacher of the Year Award, the Radiology Staff Teacher of the Year Award, the Department of Radiology Education Award, The Department of Radiology Promotion of Academic Mission Award, the prestigious RSNA Honored Educator Award and the Order of Merit from the Government of Colombia (equivalent to the Order of Canada) for his scientific and educational contributions in Neuroradiology. He is also a Fellow of the Canadian Association of Radiologists
Dr. Mary Beth Bissell MSc, MD, FRCPC
Course Director
Dr. Mary Beth Bissell is an assistant professor in the Department of Radiology at the University of Ottawa and the Residency Program Director for Diagnostic Radiology. Her area of expertise is in breast imaging and intervention and she joined our team in the Department of Medical Imaging at The Ottawa Hospital in 2020.
Dr. Bissell also holds a Master in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Mount Allison University in New Brunswick . She has a broad area of research interests including breast cancer screening and breast MRI interventional outcomes as well as emergency radiology.
Dr. Bissell is passionate about medical education having published articles about the use of an online emergency radiology curriculum for residency training programs. Dr. Bissell is a highly awarded educator, recognized repeatedly for excellence in teaching and mentorship by medical students, residents, and fellows.
Dr. Alessander Ramos MD, FRCPC
Course Director
Dr. Ramos is originally from Brazil and prior to becoming a radiologist, he was a vascular surgeon there. He moved to Quebec several years ago where he obtained a B.Sc. in Microbiology and Immunology at Laval University followed by medical training in Canada.
He is an Assistant Professor and a cardiothoracic radiologist at The Ottawa Hospital since 2025. He is the co-director of the Annual Radiology Review Course, our flagship CME course. It is attended by the majority of PGY-5 residents across Canada as well as residents from multiple other countries. Radiologists wanting a refresher course are also in attendance.
Dr. Ramos is passionate about teaching and Radiology, always promoting the specialty to medical students, residents, other medical specialties and allied health care professionals with a strong background in leadership and peer representation with the goal of improving the teaching of Radiology and, ultimately, patient care.
