Dr. Robert Hilsden

Biography

Robert Jay Hilsden is an academic gastroenterologist at the University of Calgary, where his research focuses on improving access to quality colorectal cancer screening and colonoscopy. He served as the Director of the Forzani & MacPhail Colon Cancer Screening Centre (FMCCSC) from 2008 to 2022, and in February 2022, he assumed the role of Medical Director at FMCCSC, which is an Alberta Health Services non-hospital endoscopy unit dedicated to providing colon cancer screening-related colonoscopies. Dr. Hilsden's research areas include population-based cancer screening and health services research related to colorectal cancer. He has contributed to projects such as the FMCCSC Biorepository, which supports CIHR Emerging Team Grants and facilitates access to biologic samples and clinical information for researchers. The biorepository currently holds data from 3,300 participants, with samples shared with researchers across Canada and internationally. His work at FMCCSC also emphasizes the significance of developing and validating quality indicators for colonoscopy and measuring the impact of screening on population health. Dr. Hilsden has participated in various clinical trials, including the DEEP-C study evaluating fecal DNA testing for colorectal cancer, and has a strong focus on maintaining high-quality standards in colonoscopy to ensure valid research outcomes.

Research Interests

Experience