Two uniforms, one mission: An interview with Dr. Kayssi on serving in the Canadian Armed Forces

May 20, 2026 - Defence Stories

Estimated read time - 1:45

"You're stepping into situations that are less controlled and where your decisions carry real weight. The goal is simple: take care of people as well as you can."

For Dr. Ahmed Kayssi, that sense of purpose was what pulled him beyond a traditional civilian career and into uniform.

As a vascular surgeon and wound care physician, Dr. Ahmed Kayssi serves as Head of the Division of Vascular Surgery at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and is an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto. His clinical and academic interests include wound care and limb preservation, health policy, and improving care for First Nation communities. In 2024, he took on another role: Primary Reserve surgeon with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Like many CAF physicians, he maintains a full civilian practice while serving part-time in the military; moving between two systems that increasingly rely on one another.

Canadians may be surprised to learn that a significant number of physicians continue to work in civilian hospitals while serving in the CAF. For Dr. Kayssi, that dual role is not a compromise; it's by design.

He describes civilian-military service as less about competing demands and more about intention. "I try not to think of it as a perfect balance," he says. "It's more about being deliberate with my time and making sure each role gets the attention it deserves." In practice, he has found that the two roles sharpen, rather than compete with, one another.

Each environment, he explains, develops different strengths. "Civilian work builds depth and consistency," Dr. Kayssi notes. "The military side pushes you to stay flexible and to think clearly when resources are limited and conditions are less predictable." He believes that together, they form a broader clinical perspective than either one alone, highlighting the importance of civilian-military collaboration. Connecting the two, he adds, prepares physicians to function effectively in any setting.

For physicians considering CAF service, Dr. Kayssi sees it as a chance to rediscover purpose. "If you feel like something is missing from the usual path, this is worth exploring," he says. "It challenges you in ways you won't get elsewhere and allows you to be part of something bigger while serving your country."As National Physicians' Day recognizes the dedication of doctors across Canada on May 1st, Canadian Forces Health Services highlights physicians like Dr. Kayssi who choose to bridge civilian and military medicine, carrying lessons from one uniform to the next, making a difference for patients, and saving lives wherever they serve.