RESUMEN
SUMMARY: The Department of Surgery of the Université de Montréal was officially chartered in 1961, but the structure had been in place since since 1951. The department grew as a fusion of hospital-based surgery training programs from the largest French-speaking hospitals in Montreal. Currently 448 professors (135 women and 313 men) teach in the department. The research activity, both clinical and applied, is in strong progression. The Department of Surgery is the largest French and bilingual training centre in Canada and North America. In 2021 the department will celebrate its 70th anniversary. As members, we should be proud of the work achieved by our predecessors and by the current rank of professors, teachers and researchers. The department strives to promote the essential role of and highlight the rewards and benefits of academic surgery.