Dr George Athwal completed his M.D. at the University of British Columbia. Following completion of his orthopaedic surgery residency at Queen's University, he spent 2 years sub-specialising in upper extremity reconstruction and trauma. Dr Athwal completed a fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery, Cornell University New York, and 1 year at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, specialising in shoulder and elbow surgery. In 2005 he joined the Hand and Upper Limb Centre at the University of Western Ontario. He is actively involved in biomechanical and clinical research pertaining to the shoulder and elbow.

Dr Athwal has been awarded the Dean's Award of Excellence for his research contributions to the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, the Clinician Scientist Award from the Department of Surgery, a Career Development Award from AMOSO and the H.S. Cameron Teaching Award. Additionally, he has represented the Canadian Orthopaedic Association as a North American Travelling Fellow and has also represented the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons as a European Travelling Fellow. He has published over 125 scientific articles and 30 book chapters and is an Assistant Editor for the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery.

Dr Athwal's elective practice involves all aspects of shoulder and elbow surgery, including primary & revision shoulder and elbow joint replacement, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, instability surgery and arthroscopic elbow surgery. Dr Athwal's trauma practice focuses on injuries involving the shoulder, elbow, and wrist.