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Meet Dr. Claudia Malic, Pediatric Surgeon
Dr. Claudia Malic knew from a young age that she wanted to help people. At 10 years old, she dreamed of being a doctor, and by 18, she was entering the Faculty of Medicine in Romania before later completing her plastic surgery training in the UK.
“I’ve always been a creative person. As a child, I loved playing piano and being in nature,” says Dr. Malic, “Plastic surgery offers a similar creativity. You’re equipped with a toolbox and can work in any part of the body. You can be innovative in your approach. And better yet, with plastic surgery, I can see the results of my work rather quickly.”
Today, Dr. Malic works as a pediatric plastic surgeon at CHEO – providing care for cleft lip and palate (with ENT and Oral Surgery), Cranio-facial deformities (with Neurosurgery) and congenital hand deformities, and brachial plexus injuries (with Orthopaedics). She started working in Canada in 2014 when she was six months pregnant with her daughter and just beginning her journey as a surgeon. “Since becoming a mother, I have a deeper understanding of what parents are going through when they bring in their children,” says Dr. Malic, “It’s made me softer, more considerate, and a better physician overall.”
When asked why she chose pediatrics, Dr. Malic shares, “I remember the way the children smiled during my training. They brightened my day.” To this day, she still receives tokens of appreciation from the children she cares for – drawings, bracelets, paintings – and she treasures them.
Dr. Malic, like her peers, has a fondness and appreciation for the children coming through the doors of CHEO. To her, CHEO is unique because of its people and their dedication to helping children and youth live their best lives.
“I’m proud to tell my family and friends that I work at CHEO. I have so many special memories from my time working here. And this year marks another milestone – I am the same age as CHEO.” From everyone at CHEO, happy 50th Dr. Malic!
CHEO is filled with stories of physicians, like Dr. Claudia Malic, who are committed to making a difference for children. Join us.