Dr. Garry Lee Willard is a skilled General Surgeon, specializing in a comprehensive range of surgical treatments. Practicing at a surgical clinic in Orillia and performing surgeries at Headwaters Health Care Centre in Orillia, ON, he is a respected member of the surgical community. His practice is dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-focused care, adhering to the standards set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). He has expertise in diagnosing and managing conditions affecting the abdomen, digestive system, breast, skin, and endocrine system, among others. He performs both elective and emergency surgeries, often utilizing minimally invasive techniques to enhance patient recovery. The environment at his clinic and affiliated hospital facilities is professional, accessible, and designed to prioritize patient comfort and privacy, ensuring a welcoming setting for consultations and follow-up surgical care.
Dr. Willard graduated with a Medical Degree from Queen's University in Canada. With over 55 years of experience as a General Surgeon since 1969, he brings extensive clinical expertise and a deep commitment to surgical excellence. He is recognized as a RCPSC Specialist by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), ensuring his qualifications meet rigorous Canadian standards for surgical practice.
His professional philosophy centers on providing safe, effective, and evidence-based surgical care. Dr. Willard emphasizes a patient-centered approach, ensuring clear communication and shared decision-making. He utilizes minimally invasive techniques whenever appropriate to promote faster recovery and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams for comprehensive patient management. Dedicated to ongoing professional development, he strives to deliver the highest standard of surgical care to the Orillia community in both English and French, with a focus on compassion and excellence.
Dr. Garry Willard provides surgical treatment for a diverse range of conditions, including:
Abdominal and Digestive System Conditions
Dr. Willard addresses common and complex diseases of the digestive system that may necessitate surgical procedures performed by a general surgeon.
- Diverticulitis / Diverticular Disease: Management ranges from conservative treatment to elective or emergency colectomy.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) - Surgical Aspects (Crohn's, Ulcerative Colitis): Procedures may include bowel resection, strictureplasty, or colectomy with ostomy or pouch creation.
Cancers and Tumors (Surgical Oncology)
Dr. Willard addresses involving the surgical diagnosis, staging, and treatment of various types of cancer.
- Colorectal Cancer (Colon and Rectal Cancer): Minimally invasive (laparoscopic or robotic) approaches are increasingly used.
- Soft Tissue Sarcomas: Aim is to achieve wide, clear surgical margins to prevent local recurrence.
- Thyroid Cancer and other Endocrine Tumors: Management of other endocrine tumors such as parathyroid adenomas or adrenal tumors.
This list is not exhaustive. For a comprehensive evaluation and to discuss whether surgery is appropriate for your specific condition, a consultation with Dr. Garry Willard is necessary.
- Thyroidectomy / Parathyroidectomy: Surgical removal of all or part of the thyroid gland (for nodules, cancer, or hyperthyroidism).
- Hernia Repair (e.g., Inguinal, Umbilical, Ventral, Incisional - Open or Laparoscopic): Surgical correction of hernias, where an organ or tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall or groin.
- Laparoscopic Surgery (Minimally Invasive Surgery): Minimally invasive approaches for procedures like cholecystectomy, appendectomy, hernia repair, and colectomy, often resulting in less pain and faster recovery.
- Second Opinion for Surgical Conditions: Consultations to help patients make informed decisions about their surgical care.
- Pre-operative Assessment and Planning: Discussing the surgical plan, expected outcomes, and answering patient questions before surgery.
- Colonoscopy: An important procedure for preventing and detecting colon cancer.
Note: This list provides an overview of common surgical areas. Specific procedures and treatment plans are determined on an individual basis after consultation with Dr. Willard.
All surgical services are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and relevant Canadian Association of General Surgeons (CAGS) and relevant surgical best practices. A referral from a physician is typically required for consultation.
Dr. Willard's primary practice is located at a dedicated surgical clinic in the Orillia neighborhood, providing a professional and welcoming environment for consultations and follow-up care. Surgical procedures are typically performed at Headwaters Health Care Centre, a well-equipped hospital nearby. The clinic and hospital are conveniently accessible via local public transit routes, with ample parking available in hospital-affiliated lots or nearby public parking facilities. The facilities are wheelchair accessible and designed to ensure patient comfort and privacy. Patients and visitors can expect a straightforward, patient-oriented environment that emphasizes quality care and personalized attention in a convenient location near major healthcare facilities in Orillia.
- Does Dr. Willard perform laparoscopic (minimally invasive) surgery?
- Many General Surgeons like Dr. Willard are trained in and regularly perform laparoscopic surgery, also known as minimally invasive surgery. This technique involves making several small incisions instead of one large one, using a camera and specialized instruments to perform the operation. Laparoscopic approaches are common for procedures like gallbladder removal, appendectomy, and hernia repair, often resulting in less post-operative pain, smaller scars, and a faster return to normal activities. You should discuss with Dr. Willard whether this approach is suitable for your specific condition.
- What types of surgical procedures does Dr. Willard perform?
- As a General Surgeon, Dr. Willard is skilled in a variety of surgical procedures. Common operations include appendectomies (appendix removal), cholecystectomies (gallbladder removal), hernia repairs, bowel resections (for conditions like cancer or diverticulitis), thyroid and parathyroid surgery, and surgeries for breast conditions. Many of these can be performed using minimally invasive (laparoscopic) techniques, which often lead to quicker recovery. The specific procedures offered depend on Dr. Willard's areas of focus within general surgery.
- Do General Surgeons like Dr. Willard ever specialize further?
- Yes, while General Surgery provides a broad foundation, many General Surgeons like Dr. Willard may develop particular areas of interest or pursue additional fellowship training in subspecialties. These can include areas like colorectal surgery, breast surgery, endocrine surgery, surgical oncology (cancer surgery), trauma/critical care surgery, vascular surgery, or pediatric surgery. If Dr. Willard has such a focus, it will be part of the expertise him brings to patient care. General surgeons perform a wide variety of common surgical procedures and can manage many different types of conditions.
- What does a General Surgeon like Dr. Willard do?
- Dr. Willard, a General Surgeon, is a specialist surgeon who manages a wide variety of common and complex surgical problems. General surgeons are often the primary surgical contact for conditions involving the digestive tract, abdominal organs, hernias, breast diseases, and skin/soft tissue lesions. They are trained in numerous surgical techniques, including minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgery, and play a critical role in both planned (elective) operations and emergency surgical situations.
- When would I typically need a referral to see a General Surgeon like Dr. Willard?
- A referral to a General Surgeon like Dr. Willard is usually made by your family doctor or another specialist when a condition is suspected or diagnosed that may require surgical evaluation or treatment. This could include persistent abdominal pain, a new lump or mass (e.g., in the breast or skin), symptoms of gallbladder disease, a hernia, signs of appendicitis, or concerns about colorectal conditions. They also manage conditions initially identified through screening, like colon polyps or early-stage breast cancer.
48 Brandon Cres
Orillia, ON L3V 7P6
Clinic Phone: (416) 605-2312
The clinic and affiliated hospital facilities are wheelchair accessible and designed for patient comfort and privacy.
Dr. Willard is a licensed General Surgeon regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and Medicine Act, 1991 in ON. A referral from a family physician or another specialist is generally required for a consultation with Dr. Willard for services covered by the provincial health plan (Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)).
Verify Dr. Willard's registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Willard-Garry-Lee/0014384-19167