Tarek M. Sardana, CD, MD

TAREK M. SARDANA, CD, MD, DRCPC, FAsMA

Dr. Sardana was appointed as the Medical Director for International SOS Canada commencing in June 2020.  Prior to accepting this position, Dr. Sardana completed his Diploma – Area of Focused Competence (AFC – Diploma) in Aerospace Medicine for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC).  As well, he was appointed as a Fellow of the Aerospace Medical Association (FAsMA) and his role was essential in establishing the Canadian Society of Aerospace Medicine as a Co-Founder.
Dr. Sardana retired from the Canadian Forces (CF) in 2016 after 25 years of service in the Regular and Reserve Force. Dr. Sardana’s last position on active duty was as the Senior Staff Officer, Aerospace Medicine, for the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS). Dr. Sardana was responsible for all aerospace medicine policies and practices, including issues related to aircraft accident investigation and prevention. He also provided expert advice on such issues as aircrew fatigue, hypoxia and neck strain in helicopter and fighter pilots.

Before joining CAS in 2005, Dr. Sardana was the Flight Surgeon for the Directorate of Flight Safety (DFS) in Ottawa. Dr. Sardana was responsible for all aeromedical and human factors issues related to CF Flight Safety. Prior to this Dr. Sardana was the Wing Surgeon at 8 Wing/Canadian Forces Base Trenton from 1999 until 2002. Dr. Sardana was responsible for the medical care of CF members and for operational medicine needs of all five squadrons at the Wing involved in search and rescue and worldwide transport, as well as air medical evacuation from overseas back to Canada.

From 1997 until 1999, Dr. Sardana completed an Advanced Residency in Aerospace Medicine (RAM) Program with the U.S. Navy at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida. While in Florida he completed primary flight training and Aviation Safety Officer training and as well he completed a deployment on the USS Carl Vinson where his activities included familiarization with carrier air operations. He also worked with NASA on the treatment of decompression sickness for astronauts serving on the International Space Station (ISS).

Dr. Sardana served as the Flight Surgeon at 410 Tactical Fighter Squadron at 4 Wing CFB Cold Lake, Alberta where he flew over 100 missions in the CF-18. In 1995, while at CFB Cold Lake, he was deployed for six-months to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights, Israel. Dr. Sardana was also deployed in 1994 for six-weeks as the Flight Surgeon on OP SCOTCH, the airlift support for the UN mission into Rwanda. Most recently, in the spring of 2004, he was the Task Force Surgeon for three months during OP HALO; the Canadian Forces Mission in Haiti.

Dr. Sardana has served on over fourteen aircraft accident Flight Safety Investigations (FSI), he has investigated aircraft accidents and incidents involving gliders, UAVs, helicopters, jet trainers and CF-18’s as well as numerous other minor mishaps and incidents.

Dr. Sardana completed his Doctorate of Medicine (MD) at the University of Ottawa in 1992. Dr. Sardana is a Fellow with the Aerospace Medical Association and a member of the International Academy of Aviation & Space Medicine. In addition to being a Canadian Aviation Medical Examiner (CAME) he is a Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME) for Australia and New Zealand.

Dr. Sardana is an active pilot with over 500 hours of airplane and glider flying experience.

DR. SARDANA IS A MEMBER OF THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS:

  • Co-Founder – Canadian Society of Aerospace Medicine (CSAM)
  • College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and Alberta (CPSA)
  • Ontario and Canadian Medical Associations (OMA/CMA)
  • Australasian Society of Aerospace Medicine (ASAM)
  • International Academy of Aviation and Space Medicine (IAASM)
  • International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI)
  • International Association of Flight Surgeon Pilots (IAFSP)
  • Society of U.S. Navy Flight Surgeons (SUSNFS)
  • Civil Aviation Medicine Association (CAMA)
  • Medical Advisor to the Canadian and Newfoundland Off-Shore Petroleum Board (CNLOBP) Chief Safety Officer (2013-16)
  • Assistant Medical Advisor RCAF commencing September 2013-16 (as a Reservist)
  • Fellow – Aerospace Medicine Association (AsMA)
  • Past Chair – Military Aviation Safety Subcommittee (AsMA) (2005-2008)
  • Designated Civilian Aviation Medical Examiner (CAME) for Canada and Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME) for Australia.