News Archive

MELISSA DYMOND
CLINICAL ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

Site:
Northern BC –  University Hospital of Northern British Columbia (UHNBC)

Dr. Melissa Dymond is a Clinical Assistant Professor with the UBC Department of Emergency Medicine, the Emergency Medicine Discipline-Specific Site Leader (DSSL) and Academic Coordinator for undergraduate and post-graduate programs at UHNBC, and an emergency physician at the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia (UHNBC) in Prince George.

Can you share a little bit about your educational background and journey, and how you got to where you are today?

I grew up primarily in Edmonton, Alberta and completed my undergrad and medical school years at University of Alberta (UofA). I completed my training in family medicine in the UBC Prince George program before returning to Edmonton to do my emergency medicine year at UofA. After finishing that year, I returned to Prince George to start working as an emergency physician at University Hospital of Northern British Columbia (UHNBC). Time flies—I’m now nearly half way through my sixth year here!

Working in Prince George has opened up many opportunities for me with my interest in medical education. I’m currently the Emergency Medicine Discipline-Specific Site Leader (DSSL) for undergrad and postgrad as well as the Academic Coordinator for the Northern Emergency Education Program (NoEEP). 

What inspired you to work in Emergency Medicine?   

In medical school, I resisted the idea of emergency medicine. For the first two years of medical school, I thought that I would end up being an internist. But as I went through my third-year clerkship rotations, I found myself strongly drawn to the environment and culture of emergency medicine.  At UofA, we didn’t do our emergency medicine core rotation until forth year, but I loved being in the emergency department.

Something about the organized chaos of it all drew me in. I’ve always found that I connect most with the team and people who work in the emergency department. I enjoy the challenge of being the first person to assess a patient when they enter the acute care system and trying to figure out what could be causing their presenting complaints and symptoms. The variety and variable acuity keep me constantly interested in my work and striving to be the best physician for my patients and team.

What impact would you like to see your work have on patients, communities and society at large? 

Clinically, I always hope that I’m providing the safest and most efficient and effective patient care that I can. I also have a strong interest in medical education and enjoy teaching various levels and types of medical learners.  I am currently working on completing my Master of Medical Education dissertation through the University of Dundee. I hope that through my involvement in education from undergrad and postgrad to continuing medical education levels I can help learners improve and become comfortable and competent in emergency medicine. 

What excites you most about your work? What are you most proud of?

The most exciting (and humbling) aspect of emergency medicine for me is the continual learning that occurs whether from patients, learners, or colleagues. As an emergency physician, I’ve come to accept that I don’t know everything and that learning—or relearning—is going to be a constant part of my job. 

What is one piece of advice that you would give to current trainees?

Be humble and be honest. There is a lot of uncertainty in emergency medicine—it is inherent to the job that we do and with that uncertainty comes highs and lows. Always remember that there is usually someone else around to ask a question, consult on a case, or ask for support—if not in person, then by a text or phone call.

When you’re not working, where can we find you?

Like a large number of my emergency department colleagues, I enjoy getting outdoors to hike, bike, run, and ski. I’m also a member of the Peloton community *aka cult*, and you’ll find me regularly working out with my favourite instructors (#ERladydoc). Right now, when I’m not doing active things, you’ll find me either being a homebody with my best buns Epi and Adie (featured below) or travelling again—next stop to London, UK to see my fiancé who’s there now finishing his own master’s, and then to Maui for a holiday with my family!

KELSEY INNES
CLINICAL ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

Site:
Vancouver –  Vancouver General Hospital

Dr. Kelsey Innes is a Clinical Assistant Professor with the UBC Department of Emergency Medicine and Co-Director of the Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) Emergency Department Simulation program. She grew up in Vancouver and completed her undergraduate medical degree and residency at UBC.

Can you share a little bit about your educational background and journey, and how you got to where you are today?

I grew up in Vancouver British Columbia and have managed to stay here. I completed my undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Victoria, and I’m not sure I can even do basic math anymore, although at the time I loved it. I completed my undergraduate medical degree and my residency at UBC. I love the city of Vancouver and the group I worked with throughout residency, so I decided to stay (that and my husband would never have allowed us to move).

What inspired you to work in Emergency Medicine?  

My father is an emergency physician, so I guess it’s in my blood? I tried hard to like something else, but I was hooked the second I did my third-year elective. I always felt well suited to the specialty. I like the dynamic, fast-paced environment. I like having a relatively high level of knowledge of many areas of medicine. I like the collegiality of the department and the friends I have made there. I also think there is something noble about a specialty that has agreed that we are willing to see anyone at any time for any problem.

What impact would you like to see your work have on patients, communities and society at large?

To be honest, my main focus is always on the patient in front of me and how I can improve things for the patient, whether that’s easing pain, preventing harm, educating and generally trying to ensure the patient has a good outcome. I think for this reason, outside of my clinical work, my main focus is on simulation and team behaviors. I do a lot of simulation with residents and allied staff with the goal of improving how we work together. I hope that this makes a difference for that one patient when they come in really sick and really need our help.

What excites you most about your work? What are you most proud of?

I love education and am passionate about teaching. I think the thing that excites me the most about work is watching our residents grow from very green first year residents into very competent and compassionate physicians. I am so proud to play a small part in their journey. 

What is one piece of advice that you would give to current trainees?

Make friends with your cohort and stay in touch often. I have received the greatest support from the group of women who were hired when I was hired, and it has meant everything. 

When you’re not working, where can we find you?

These days you’ll mostly find me at home with my first child (my dog, Lucy) and my new baby, Adelyn.  Exercise is my wellness and I consider Peloton instructors my therapists, so when I can find a moment’s peace, I like to escape to our makeshift home gym and do a class or two.

Learn more

• Listen to CBC’s The Early Edition with Stephen Quinn: Doctor who got covid vaccine while she was pregnant

MANAL MASUD
RESEARCH COORDINATOR

Site:
Vancouver – Vancouver General Hospital Research Pavilion

How long have you worked in the Department/UBC?

I have worked at UBC for three years, first as a graduate research assistant for the UBC School of Nursing and now as a research coordinator with Department of Emergency Medicine. I have been in this role since June 2019, a little over two years.

Can you summarize what you do in the Department?
I coordinate a national multi-centre research study that monitors the prevalence and pattern of drug use in injured drivers across Canada, led by Dr. Jeff Brubacher. I track project progress and budget, support data collection activities, and lead evaluation of the research project for our funder (Health Canada). I am also involved in developing knowledge exchange products, such as surveillance and progress reports, presentations and infographics to engage stakeholders across the country. Additionally, I maintain our research website and assist with grant and manuscript writing.

What is your favourite thing about working in the Department?

The people! Everyone on our road safety and public health research team is a pleasure to work with. We have a very supportive work environment, and I’m always learning new things.

What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?

I enjoy cooking, community organizing, and exploring the beautiful Coast Salish lands and water that I feel very grateful to live and work on.

NICOLE ESLIGAR
PROJECT COORDINATOR

Site:
Vancouver –  Vancouver General Hospital and St. Paul’s Hospital

How long have you worked in the Department/UBC?

I celebrated one year with the department on August 16, 2021

Can you summarize what you do in the Department?

I am a project coordinator for the EMED Study (PI: Dr. Jessica Moe), a multi-site clinical trial including Vancouver General Hospital and St. Paul’s Hospital comparing microdosing and standard dosing of buprenorphine/naloxone for emergency department patients at risk of opioid overdose. I help coordinate the day-to-day logistics of our clinical trial, including working with our emergency department sites to implement study protocols and train staff. I also help support our research grants and reporting requirements, and I collaborate with our external study stakeholders in British Columbia and Alberta.

What is your favorite thing about working in the Department?

My favorite thing about working in the department is connecting with so many different types of people in so many different careers. I work with nurses, doctors, social workers, researchers, hospital administrative staff, grant funders, doctoral students, Public Health officials, and more. It’s an incredibly collaborative and diverse place to work, and I learn so much from interacting with people from very different backgrounds.

What is one interesting fact about you that people may not know?

My first time leaving Canada was to travel to East Africa at age 19 for a field work summer study program. I have had the travel bug ever since, and I am hoping to travel to every continent in my lifetime.

What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?

I am an avid book nerd, and I can almost always be found with a new book in hand. I also love to travel, but when I’m at home, I am outside exploring the BC coastline as much as possible. I am always on the hunt for the best Mexican food, and I love trying out new restaurants and wine bars wherever I am. I’m always up for a hike or a bike or a kayak, and I have recently learned how to rock climb. On the extremely rainy days, you can find me curled up on my couch with a cup of coffee and some reality tv.