DR. NINA AHUJA, MD, FRCSC, CHE
Surgeon | Bestselling Author | International Speaker | Founder of Docs in Leadership | Creator of Depth Perception LeadershipTM
High-Stakes Leadership.
Depth Perception Clarity.
Empowering healthcare professionals to lead with clarity, purpose, and resilience.
Dr. Nina Ahuja, M.D.
Leader | Physician | Advocate for trainee well
Empowering healthcare professionals to lead with clarity, purpose, and resilience.
Empowering healthcare professionals to lead with clarity, purpose, and resilience.
Privileged to Have Worked With Organizations Including:
Helping You Lead With Clarity, Calm, and Confidence - When the Stakes Are High
Dr. Nina Ahuja is an accomplished surgeon, award-winning educator, international speaker, bestselling author, and nationally recognized leader in emotionally intelligent, neuroscience-informed leadership. She is the creator of Depth Perception Leadership™, her proprietary framework designed to help professionals lead with clarity, courage, and grounded presence when the stakes are high. Through her work, Dr. Ahuja equips leaders, educators, and healthcare professionals with the tools to perform under pressure, strengthen resilience, and foster cultures of respect.
"As a surgeon and educator, I’ve spent over two decades navigating high-stakes moments - whether in the operating room, advancing medical education, or leading national advocacy. I’ve seen how stress and uncertainty impact performance, team dynamics, and well-being. That’s why I founded Docs in Leadership in 2019, an initiative I created to provide physicians, healthcare professionals, and medical trainees with formalized leadership education. This work became the foundation for my Depth Perception Leadership™ model, which incorporates proprietary frameworks I first introduced in my bestselling book Stress in Medicine. Today, this neuroscience-informed approach helps professionals regulate emotions and lead with clarity under pressure.
My work now spans national leadership, keynote speaking, and thought leadership writing. I share practical tools and insights on platforms such as Psychology Today, my YouTube channel, and from stages around the world. I also continue to contribute to healthcare advocacy, including testifying before the Canadian Senate for Bill C-284 and serving as President-Elect of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society."
Leader | Physician |
Advocate for trainee well
Empowering healthcare professionals to lead with clarity, purpose, and resilience.
Dr. Nina Ahuja is a nationally recognized leader in medical education and physician well-being. As a seasoned ophthalmic surgeon, medical educator, and founder of Docs in Leadership, she is dedicated to equipping healthcare trainees and professionals with the skills and confidence to thrive—both in medicine and in life.
Through her award-winning leadership programming, speaking engagements, and coaching, Dr. Ahuja has helped thousands of learners navigate the challenges of medical training with compassion and clarity. Her bestselling book, Stress in Medicine, provides a powerful roadmap to managing pressure, building emotional resilience, and redefining success in the healthcare space.
Named among Canada’s Most Powerful Women by WXN, Dr. Ahuja continues to champion mental health, leadership development, and equity in healthcare. Her voice has reached audiences across Canada and beyond, through media features, keynote addresses, and her growing online community of like-minded professionals.
Ready to inspire your team or bring transformative leadership training to your organization?
Connect with Dr. Nina and discover what’s possible when we lead with purpose.
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Leadership Roles and Recognitions
Dr. Nina Ahuja has held leadership roles across academic, clinical, and national platforms. With over two decades of experience, she has shaped medical education, advanced healthcare advocacy, and served as a trusted voice in ophthalmology and beyond. Her expertise reflects a deep commitment to building excellence in both professional practice and leadership.
Highlights - Leadership:
Academic Leadership: Associate Clinical Professor, Past Academic Division Head, and Past Residency Program Director of Ophthalmology at McMaster University; Past President, Association of Canadian University Professors of Ophthalmology; National Examiner for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Clinical Leadership: Current Chair of Advocacy, President-Elect and Board Member at Canadian Ophthalmological Society; Past President of the Medical Staff Association, Member of the Joint Board of Governors and Medical Advisory Committee at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton; Current Board Member at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation.
Awards and Media Recognition
Highlights - Recognition:
Author of the bestselling memoir Stress in Medicine: Lessons Learned Through My Years as a Surgeon, from Med School to Residency, and Beyond, recognized as a 2021 National Business Book Award “Recommended Read.”
Recipient, 2023 Champion for Change Award from the Canadian Ophthalmological Society for advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in ophthalmology.
Finalist, 2025 UK Speaker Awards (Best Newcomer) for her keynote “Self-Awareness Is the Core of Leadership.”
Media Features & Podcasts: Guest on 30+ podcasts and national media outlets, speaking on leadership, resilience, and advocacy.
Your Journey to Empowered Leadership
Starts with a Conversation.
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