News Archive

North Shore Rescue (NSR) has long been the backbone of wilderness emergency response on the North Shore, answering calls from steep backcountry terrain, dense forests, and unpredictable mountain weather. Their volunteers—more than 50 strong—respond year-round to hundreds of incidents, often far beyond the reach of traditional medical systems. Among them is the Advanced Medical Provider (AMP) team, a multidisciplinary group of physicians and nurses, and open to paramedics, who bring vital medical expertise to some of the most challenging rescue environments in British Columbia.

Much of NSR’s strength comes from the culture built over decades. Before the AMP program existed, advanced medical care in the mountains was shaped significantly by figures like Tim Jones, an advanced care paramedic and dedicated NSR member whose work helped define the standard for wilderness medical readiness in the region. His contribution, recognized through the Order of British Columbia, still influences how rescues are approached today.

In recent years NSR’s AMP program has grown into a coordinated, specialized team. Recognition of NSR’s medical rescue capability has even evolved into a formal agreement with Vancouver General Hospital and BC Emergency Health Services whereby patients with ‘LLTO’ (life, limb, threatened organ) type of injuries or illness can be flown directly to the VGH rooftop helipad in the rescue helicopter under the care of the NSR AMP. Dr. Alec Ritchie, DEM Clinical Professor, played an important role in establishing key components of the program, and his commitment helped shape the structure and training that AMP volunteers rely on today. Leadership of the AMP Program is now in transition, with Dr. Ritchie stepping down as NSR medical lead and passing the torch to Dr. Carolyn Kelly-Smith, DEM Clinical Instructor. Dr. Kelly-Smith, who has a Diploma in Mountain Medicine, is ensuring that NSR’s medical capabilities continue to evolve and adapt to the realities of backcountry emergencies. An example is NSR’s foundation in evidence-based care, such as the work on management of accidental hypothermia done by AMP Dr. Doug Brown, DEM Clinical Assistant Professor – work which helps guide medical decision-making in cold-weather rescues.

“Search & rescue has been the driver of my medical career and shaped my work improving care for hypothermic patients locally and internationally. On January  28, 1999, five hikers were swept away by an avalanche on the Grouse Grind.  I was 24, a civil engineer still early in my SAR journey, and it was my first major call. After riding the Grouse tram to the top, I was handed bags of saline that had been warmed in the cafeteria microwave and sent down the trail. That night was the first time I worked closely with Tim Jones and the North Shore Rescue team to save a life. Using stretchers and ropes, we hauled patients to the top while Tim treated injuries, controlled pain and managed hypothermia. The experience changed the course of my life.”

– Dr. Doug Brown, DEM Clinical Assistant Professor

Every NSR volunteer, medical or not, commits to extensive training. Before becoming a full member, each individual completes the GSAR (Ground Search and Rescue) course through the Justice Institute of British Columbia—online modules and practical field assessments—spending their first two years as a Member in Training. (Some AMPs are not full members, but are “resource members”. This is still a formal designation and proficiency in backcountry and GSAR skills is still necessary.) This foundation allows NSR’s diverse team to work together safely and effectively during complex rescues, whether they are on foot, using technical rope systems, or coordinating helicopter evacuations.

“It is a privilege to be a member of NSR, a team that has significantly advanced the provision of medical care in Search and Rescue. It takes an incredible amount of training time and resources from the team to be able to safely insert an AMP into a wilderness environment day or night to provide advanced medical care.”

– Dr. Carolyn Kelly-Smith, DEM Clinical Instructor

Despite the growing professionalism of wilderness medical care, Canada still has no formal wilderness medicine fellowship. This gap leaves medical professionals seeking advanced backcountry medical training to pursue learning through programs like the Diploma in Mountain Medicine course (offered by the Canadian Society of Mountain Medicine) or to look outside the country. Continued advocacy from groups such as the UBC DEM’s Wilderness Mountain Medicine Interest Group aims to change that, recognizing the importance of consistent, advanced academic and practical training for clinicians who support teams like NSR.

“There is a gap that exists in the medical care of people who are injured or ill in an austere wilderness environment. The NSR AMP program addresses that gap.”

– Dr. Alec Ritchie, DEM Clinical Professor

But the real story is not about titles or roles—it is about the people. The volunteers who leave their homes at midnight to search for someone lost or injured in austere wilderness environments. The medical providers who bring calm expertise to patients in remote gullies or on frozen ridgelines. The logistics and technical members who coordinate operations so that everything runs safely. Together, they form a safety net for anyone who explores the mountains of the North Shore.

The work they do is demanding, often exhausting, and always essential. And to these volunteers – every member of NSR – our gratitude is deep and enduring. Special thanks to the members of NSR’s AMP Program:

Eric Angus, Kayla Brolly, Doug Brown, Mike Crickmer, Mickael Francoeur, Stuart Horak, Carolyn Kelly-Smith, Hazel Park, Simon Pulfrey, Alec Ritchie, Sean Staniforth, Rebecca Sugar, Matt Turnock, Cam Williams

Congratulations to DEM Faculty members Drs. Riyad Abu-laban, Simon Pulfrey, and UBC Royal College EM Senior Resident Dr. Dylan Collins on their recent publication, The intersection of emergency care, human resources and health equity: a comparative mapping of policy and systems in Australia, Canada, Rwanda and South Africa, in BMJ Global Health!

Achieving equitable access to quality emergency healthcare services remains a significant global health challenge, particularly for marginalized communities, who face higher mortality rates due to systemic barriers. The disparities in access stem largely from the inequitable distribution of skilled emergency healthcare personnel and policies that fail to address the needs of diverse populations. This project aimed to explore the intersection of human resources for health and health equity in emergency care across four countries: Canada, Australia, Rwanda, and South Africa, to enhance the effectiveness and accessibility of emergency services for those most in need.

Publication Title

The intersection of emergency care, human resources and health equity: a comparative mapping of policy and systems in Australia, Canada, Rwanda and South Africa (BMJ Global Health, 2026)

Abstract

Strengthening systems of emergency healthcare is crucial to achieving global and national health goals. One of the key challenges in improving emergency care systems is the insufficient attention given to human resources for health (HRH) tasked with delivering this care. The intersection of emergency care policy and systems, human resources and health equity is an underdeveloped area of research and practice.

In this project, the team used HRH frameworks to conduct an exploratory and comparative mapping of emergency healthcare workforce policy and systems in four countries—Canada, Australia, Rwanda and South Africa—and to explore its intersection with health equity. Governance fragmentation for emergency care workforces was common, with responsibilities for workforce training, distribution, regulation and retention split among multiple governmental and non-governmental actors, typically without any high-level oversight of equity-related outcomes. The comparative nature of this project facilitated an exploration of labour market interdependencies across the countries, such as the impact of burnout and attrition in fuelling international migration of emergency care workers.

“This comparative study identified many international similarities from the intersection and impact of health policies and human resources on emergency care. Our findings also underscore the ongoing need to address and reform some uniquely Canadian issues, in particular our internationally aberrant EM training and certification approach involving two independent colleges, and the uncoordinated and inefficient system it has led to.” – Dr. Riyad Abu-laban, DEM Professor Emeritus

“It was a privilege to be a small part of this multi-country study that highlights important health care policies and training challenges in emergency care delivery. Having spent a year helping establish emergency medicine residency training in Rwanda a decade ago, it was especially meaningful to see how effectively that program is developing. The Canadian model has valuable lessons to learn from our international colleagues.” – Dr. Simon Pulfrey, DEM Clinical Professor

“This work situates emergency care within the broader health system functions that shape inequities in access and outcomes, using a global lens often missing from Canadian emergency medicine. It clarifies how strengthening the emergency care workforce can be a lever for more resilient and equitable health systems and underscores the need for a more unified, fit-for-purpose training pathway for emergency medicine in Canada.” – Dr. Dylan Collins, UBC Royal College EM Senior Resident

Congratulations to Dr. Robert Gooch, DEM Clinical Assistant Professor, who contributed to the recent publication, Factors in the Initial Resuscitation of Patients With Severe Trauma: The FiiRST-2 Randomized Clinical Trial, in JAMA Network Open.

This study investigates whether fibrinogen concentrate (FC) and prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) can reduce the use of allogeneic blood products within 24 hours in severely injured trauma patients when compared to frozen plasma (FP). The findings indicate that in a clinical trial involving 137 patients who received massive hemorrhage protocol activation upon admission, there was no significant difference in the use of allogeneic blood products within 24 hours between the FC-PCC group and the FP group.

Publication Title

Factors in the Initial Resuscitation of Patients With Severe Trauma: The FiiRST-2 Randomized Clinical Trial (JAMA Network Open, 2025)

Abstract

Patients experiencing bleeding and coagulopathic trauma often require more blood transfusions and have higher mortality rates. This situation drives research aimed at improving hemostatic strategies. This study examines the use of frozen plasma (FP) or factor concentrates—specifically, fibrinogen concentrate (FC) and prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC)—for replacing clotting factors during the initial resuscitation of trauma patients.

The primary outcome measured was the total number of allogeneic blood products (including red blood cells, FP, and platelets) administered within the first 24 hours. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of thromboembolic events, the duration of stay in the intensive care unit, and overall mortality rates.

“Severely injured trauma patients are at risk of coagulopathy. Initial resuscitation with factor replacement was not superior to plasma, but remains an effective option, especially where plasma is unavailable.” — Dr. Robert Gooch

The Department of Emergency Medicine is excited to announce a career opportunity for the position of Associate Program Director, RCPSC-EM Residency Program, Vancouver, with an expected start date in January 2026.

The Associate Program Director, RCPSC-EM Residency Program, Vancouver is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the residency program at their site. They ensure the site complies with program accreditation standards. They create and maintain a supportive learning environment where trainees thrive and receive an exceptional educational experience. The Associate Program Director fosters an inclusive culture that promotes diversity and upholds the values of respect, integrity, compassion, collaboration, and equity. 

Appointment Details 

This is a 0.5 FTE position (2.5 days/week) for a five-year term, subject to renewal. The incumbent must have sufficient protected time during the working week to fulfill the requirements of this role. 

The appointee may serve up to two consecutive terms, contingent upon satisfactory performance and alignment with departmental goals.

Reporting Relationships 

The Associate Program Director, RCPSC-EM Residency Program, Vancouver reports to the Provincial Director, RCPS-EM Residency Program. The Associate Program Director will provide direction and functional supervision to the site Program Coordinator. 

Responsibilities 

Qualifications 

• Holds a faculty appointment in the Department of Emergency Medicine 
• Certified in Emergency Medicine 
• Licensed by the BC College of Physicians and Surgeons 
• Holds a hospital appointment as an emergency physician at Vancouver General Hospital 
• Collaboratively spirited with excellent communication and interpersonal skills 
• Strong leadership skills and able to effectively respond to new and complex issues 
• Demonstrated ability to champion the principles of anti-racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion 
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous quality improvement 
• Able to negotiate, mediate conflicts, advocate, and resolve problems 
• Able to interpret and apply policy and procedure 
• Maintains current knowledge of postgraduate education principles and best practices 

Interested candidates should send their CV and cover letter to Corinne Hohl. For any inquiries, please contact Meredith Edwards. Applications will be reviewed starting December 19, 2025, until the position is filled. The anticipated start date will be in January 2026.

The Department of Emergency Medicine is pleased to announce that Dr. Tina Yokota has been appointed the Provincial Program Director for the RCPSC Emergency Medicine Residency Program, providing leadership across all UBC sites. Her appointment will begin early in 2026.

Dr. Yokota is a Clinical Assistant Professor who has served as Associate Program Director at the Vancouver site for five years, where she launched initiatives to strengthen collaboration across sites, implemented policies promoting equity and transparency, and led improvements to resident training and wellness. She also holds a Master of Education in the Health Professions from Johns Hopkins University.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Yokota!

Congratulations to Dr. Jacob Hutton, DEM Postdoctoral Research Fellow, for receiving the 2025 Health Research BC Research Trainee Award! This prestigious award supports researchers dedicated to high-quality work that improves health outcomes. Since its inception in 2001, Health Research BC has awarded over 1,400 Research Trainee awards, fostering career growth in research, biotech, and health policy. This investment strengthens B.C.’s health research system and prepares it for future challenges.

Jacob’s project “Validation and Implementation of a Wearable Cardiac Arrest Detection System in Clinical and Community Settings” is located at the Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes.

Read the announcement from the Faculty of Medicine.

We are excited to announce that Dr. Erica Y. Lau has joined us as DEM Assistant Professor (Grant Tenure-Track) and Scientific Director at Emergency Care BC (ECBC), effective October 1, 2025.

Dr. Lau holds a PhD in Exercise Science and Implementation Science from the University of South Carolina. She brings nine years of postdoctoral research experience at UBC, where she collaborated on and advanced research initiatives within the Departments of Kinesiology, Family Practice, and Emergency Medicine.

Her research focuses on addressing pivotal challenges in healthcare, emphasizing the rapid, equitable, and sustainable implementation of evidence-based practices within complex clinical settings. Her expertise spans Implementation Science, Learning Health Systems (LHS), Pragmatic Evaluation Methods, and Digital Health, establishing her as a leader in bridging innovative research with practical application. With her visionary approach, Dr. Lau integrates real-world data and fosters collaborative efforts across sectors, applying equity-informed strategies to drive impactful system change.

In her new role, Dr. Lau will lead the development of a provincial LHS to enhance emergency care and improve patient outcomes. She will leverage ECBC’s expertise in health system operations and quality improvement and collaborate closely with DEM colleagues to implement and monitor high-priority evidence-based health interventions to improve emergency care in BC. Dr. Lau will also participate in teaching and mentorship to our undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate learners.

Congratulations, Dr. Lau! We look forward to the transformative advancements you will bring to DEM and ECBC.

We are excited to announce that Dr. Kevin Clark has been appointed as the Assistant Dean for Postgraduate Medical Education and Learner Support, effective October 1, 2025. Dr. Clark has been an invaluable asset to our department as a DEM Clinical Professor and demonstrated exceptional leadership during his time as the Provincial Program Director of our Royal College Emergency Medicine Residency Program.

In his new role, Dr. Clark will lead key PGME portfolios, including resident counselling, clinician investigator programs, and support for transitions into practice, among others. Dr. Clark is recognized for his commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and has been honoured with several awards, including the PGME Program Director Award in 2023.

Congratulations to Dr. Clark! We look forward to the positive impact he will bring in his new role.

On September 30, the UBC Department of Emergency Medicine will commemorate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day is dedicated to honouring the children, families, and communities affected by residential schools. We stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities to reflect on the past and actively seek healing and reconciliation. Every action matters.

The UBC community is encouraged to join the Intergenerational March at UBC Vancouver on this day. The march aims to educate and provide support to the Indigenous community on campus and beyond.

The UBC Department of Emergency Medicine is seeking a part-time PGME Program Director. This role involves overseeing our residency program across various training sites, ensuring compliance with accreditation standards, and promoting continuous improvement in postgraduate medical education.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead residency program and chair the Residency Program Committee
• Manage curriculum development and equitable admissions
• Support resident scholarship and promote career planning
• Ensure adherence to diversity, equity, and respect principles
• Provide financial oversight with administrative partners

The successful candidate must hold a UBC faculty appointment or be eligible to hold a UBC faculty appointment for the duration of this position. The successful candidate should have:

• Certification in Emergency Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
• Licensed by the BC College of Physicians and Surgeons
• Hospital appointment as an emergency physician
• Strong leadership and excellent communication skills
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and continuous quality improvement

Interested candidates should submit their applications to Corinne Hohl. For any inquiries, please contact Meredith Edwards. Applications will be reviewed starting October 1, 2025, until the position is filled. Anticipated start date is October 16, 2025.