Dr. Kerstin de Wit holds a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Emergency Venous Thromboembolism and is a Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Queen’s University. She trained in internal medicine, emergency medicine and research in the UK. She completed a Thrombosis Fellowship in Ottawa in 2013. Since then, she has worked in […]
Welcoming Dr. Kerstin de Wit as Our Research Day Visiting Professor
March 25, 2025
Dr. Kerstin de Wit holds a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Emergency Venous Thromboembolism and is a Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Queen’s University. She trained in internal medicine, emergency medicine and research in the UK. She completed a Thrombosis Fellowship in Ottawa in 2013. Since then, she has worked in both emergency medicine and thrombosis. She leads a research program which focuses on the diagnosis of bleeding and clotting disorders in the emergency department, and is funded by CIHR.
Dr. de Wit’s work focuses on the critical area of diagnosing bleeding and clotting disorders in emergency settings. Her research aims to improve patient outcomes in the emergency department (ED) by addressing common yet complex issues, such as pulmonary embolism and brain bleeds. Typically diagnosed via CT scans—technology that is not always readily available in Canadian ERs—this conventional approach can be costly and prolong patient stays. Dr. de Wit has developed an innovative testing protocol for assessing pulmonary embolism, known as the “Adjust-Unlikely” strategy. This protocol significantly reduces the need for CT scans, potentially benefiting over half of emergency patients requiring testing. Additionally, she has established the “Falls Decision Rule,” a clinical guideline assisting emergency physicians in determining the necessity for brain imaging in elderly patients who have experienced falls.
We are honoured to host Dr. Kerstin de Wit at Emergency Medicine Research Day 2025. Please join us for Dr. de Wit’s Plenary Presentation on Pulmonary Embolism Testing.
The Department of Emergency Medicine is proud to announce the promotion of twenty-two clinical faculty members. Join us in celebrating this significant milestone and congratulating these remarkable individuals. For additional information on promotions for clinical faculty, please visit our Clinical Faculty webpage. Dr. Simon Pulfrey, Clinical Professor Dr. Pulfrey has worked in emergency medicine since […]
The Department of Emergency Medicine is proud to announce the promotion of twenty-two clinical faculty members. Join us in celebrating this significant milestone and congratulating these remarkable individuals.
For additional information on promotions for clinical faculty, please visit our Clinical Faculty webpage.
Dr. Simon Pulfrey, Clinical Professor
Dr. Pulfrey has worked in emergency medicine since 2003 and is now a clinical professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine. Over his career, he has participated in various medical education programs, including serving as the CFPC-EM program director at UBC, acting as an examiner for the CFPC, and tutoring medical students using case-based learning. He has also dedicated several years to medical education work in Rwanda and Nepal, which he found particularly rewarding. In 2023, Dr. Pulfrey became a professional certified coach through the International Coaching Federation (ICF) after completing training at UBC. His coaching work is mostly with physicians in the arena of burnout, growth, performance, and regeneration. He volunteers as an advanced medical practitioner with North Shore Rescue and lives with his family in North Vancouver.
Dr. David Migneault, Clinical Associate Professor
Dr. Migneault is an Emergency Medicine Specialist at Vancouver General Hospital, BC Children’s Hospital, and UBC Hospital. He holds a Master of Science in Bioethics from Clarkson University at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. As the Head of the Vancouver Acute Emergency Physicians Association and Physician Support Ethicist for Vancouver Coastal Health, he focuses on decision-support and navigating complex medical challenges. Since joining the emergency departments in 2016, he has been recognized for his expertise in managing complex cases. A dedicated educator, he developed the UBC emergency medicine residency program’s curriculum in Ethics, Health Law, Communication, and Professionalism, and is actively involved in teaching.
Dr. Jan Trojanowski, Clinical Associate Professor
Dr. Trojanowski is an expert in emergency medicine, critical care, and prehospital and transport medicine, with significant roles at Vancouver General Hospital and Kelowna General Hospital. He also currently serves as Medical Director of EPOS and the Clinical Hub at BC Emergency Health Services. He educates residents, medical students, and Paramedics, focusing on airway management and resuscitation, and is an AIME instructor. His research on out-of-hospital blood therapy and pre-hospital care has resulted in numerous publications.
Dr. Donna Lee, Clinical Associate Professor
Dr. Lee is a distinguished emergency physician and educator at Vancouver General Hospital, known for her expertise in acute care management and outstanding teaching evaluations. She educates medical students and residents on clinical skills, mentors residents, teaches UBC’s Basic Procedures course and has led Emergency Ultrasound courses both locally and nationally. Additionally, she engages in community outreach for high school students pursuing healthcare careers and holds leadership roles as the CME Director for the Vancouver Acute Emergency Physician Association and previously as the Emergency Physician Association Ultrasound Director.
Dr. Eliza Chan, Clinical Associate Professor
Dr. Chan is a distinguished physician and educator in emergency medicine at Richmond Hospital since 2018. She has received the UBC Teacher of the Year Award and held leadership positions, including Co-Department Head during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is currently an Executive Director of the Richmond Hospital Physician Society. She is a wellness lead and has led many activities in the hospital to promote wellness, connection and collaboration. As EDI lead at Richmond Hospital and Co-Chair of the Vancouver Coastal Health EDI Committee, she actively promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion. She is also a teacher, mentor, peer supporter, and peer coach. She has earned multiple awards, such as the MSA Peer Award and International Women’s Day award, and was a nominee for the VCH One Award.
Dr. Jason Wale, Clinical Associate Professor
Dr. Wale is an experienced physician and has been an Assistant Clinical Professor since 2017, specializing in emergency medicine. He has over 15 years of experience as a Clinical Instructor and has taught for more than 22 years at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Comox, as well as at Victoria General and Royal Jubilee Hospitals. More recently, he has been involved with Saanich Peninsula Hospital. Dr. Wale completed his CCFP-EM at the University of Ottawa in 2002 and has concentrated on quality improvement, medical education, and the treatment of opioid use disorders. He is a member of the LOUD quality improvement initiative and notably created a protocol for initiating Suboxone in the emergency room. Dr. Wale has held several leadership roles, including Department Head in Comox, and served as the Medical Director for Emergency Services for Island Health. He has also been a Board Member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Currently, Dr. Wale serves as a Senior Medical Consultant for the BC Ministry of Health.
Dr. Matthew Bouchard, Clinical Associate Professor
Dr. Bouchard is an esteemed emergency physician and clinical educator at Island Health’s Royal Jubilee and Victoria General Hospitals, serving as Ultrasound Director. He has developed a residency curriculum to enhance education and professional practice, contributes over 50 hours of academic instruction annually, and created a highly praised POCUS rotation curriculum for the Island Medical Program. Additionally, he is active nationally as a board member of the Royal College Emergency Medicine Examination Committee, completing UBC’s teacher certification course, and holding leadership roles in the Residency Training Committee, hiring committee, and the Victoria Emergency Physicians Association.
Dr. Matthew White, Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. White has been a Critical Care physician and a Clinical Instructor at Kelowna General Hospital since 2020. He introduced point-of-care ultrasound to medical students and developed a critical care ultrasound rotation for senior residents. Dr. White is committed to enhancing ultrasound skills among residents. In addition to his role as a part-time emergency physician and Trauma Team Leader, he has received excellent teaching evaluations and won a teaching award in 2022, which highlights his significant impact on the careers of his mentees.
Dr. Emily Stewart, Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Stewart is dedicated to patient safety through her focus on improving discharge information in Emergency Medicine by standardizing Patient Discharge Sheets with evidence-based strategies developed in collaboration with the BC Emergency Medicine Network, while also contributing to education through bedside teaching, didactic sessions, and professional development in teaching methodologies, all of which is complemented by her strong evaluations and active involvement in leadership roles within her local department and national professional organizations to enhance the healthcare system.
Dr.Mark McKinney, Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. McKinney is a dedicated educator who teaches medical students and residents using various methods, including simulation and oral exams. He has experience mentoring in the residency clinical coaching program, assesses resident advancement on the Clinical Competency Committee, and conducts interdisciplinary workshops. Additionally, he serves on key committees such as the Code Orange Working Group and previously held the role of interim Associate Head for the Vancouver Acute Emergency Physicians’ Association. He is also involved in quality assurance initiatives with the Vancouver Acute Resuscitation Committee and has received recognition for his teaching excellence, including the UBC PGME Faculty Teaching Award in July 2023.
Dr. Kelly Ogilvie, Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Ogilvie is an experienced emergency physician in Vancouver, recognized for her exceptional teaching with the Resident Research Award in 2009 and the Resident Seminar Teacher of the Year Award in 2015. She has mentored many residents, reviewed residency applications, and dedicated over 3,500 hours to clinical teaching and leadership, including serving as the Discipline Specific Site Lead for clerks at VGH. Additionally, she is committed to global medicine through volunteer work in Honduras and participates in the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians Mentorship Program to guide medical students and residents.
Dr. Ava Butler, Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Butler is actively involved in medical education, emphasizing professional and interdisciplinary development. Notable achievements include creating a safe intubation protocol during the COVID-19 pandemic, earning recognition from the BC College of Family Physicians, and serving as CME coordinator for events like the Cowichan ER physician education retreat. She has received teaching awards from the University of Calgary and advocates for anti-racism and cultural safety by collaborating with Indigenous communities and introducing an Indigenous Specific Anti-Racism Training course in Duncan, strengthening community relationships through her scholarly work.
Dr. Danny Liang, Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Liang is an emergency physician at Peace Arch Hospital and Richmond Hospital. He has contributed significantly through teaching medical students and residents both clinically and didactic sessions, QI projects, and emergency medicine research in resuscitation and global health. Coming from an engineering background, he is very interested in developing and implementing new technologies to improve emergency medicine and emergency care in low-resource settings.
Dr. David Smith, Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Smith, with seven years of experience at UBC and extensive clinical exposure across health authorities, including Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health, is dedicated to education in emergency ultrasound, critical care, and trauma resuscitation. He mentors at Vancouver General Hospital, holds a fellowship in Emergency Medicine Ultrasound, and is skilled in advanced resuscitative procedures. Additionally, he co-founded the “Green ED Initiative” to enhance environmental sustainability in emergency operations, supports the Planetary Health Committee, contributes to quality improvement projects, and serves on the Emergency Physician Association recruitment committee.
Dr. Trevor Skutezky, Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Skutezky has significantly advanced clinical teaching and curriculum development in Quality Improvement at Vancouver General Hospital, notably with the PGY-5 Transition-To-Practice QI Curriculum in 2022. His leadership roles as Assistant Department Head and Department Head and Medical Director have improved educational experiences for residents and staff through innovative programs and advanced simulation equipment. He has also contributed to research on Patient Safety Events, with publications in the Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine.
Dr. David Linton, Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Linton is an emergency medicine educator dedicated to bedside teaching, simulation, and rural outreach at Kootenay Boundary Hospital. He holds a Pharmacology degree from UBC and a medical degree from the University of Western Ontario, completing his Family Medicine residency with UBC followed by an emergency medicine year of added competency at the University of Saskatchewan. He has demonstrated a commitment to rural education as an outreach simulation facilitator, and recently co-lead a Basics in Simulation Education (BaSE) course for 13 healthcare professionals. Dr. Linton has received high teaching evaluations, contributed over 300 hours of clinical teaching, facilitated educational simulations throughout rural sites and presented Grand Rounds for the Kootenay Boundary region.
Dr. Michelle Tousignant, Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Tousignant is an experienced educator and leader in clinical practice, known for her innovative teaching, especially in simulation-based education that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration. She played a vital role as the South Island Emergency Medicine COVID Information Coordinator during the pandemic and is an advocate for health initiatives on social media. Her contributions include leading Cardiac Crash CPR training with the Heart and Stroke Foundation and holding a position on the Executive Board of the Canadian SADS Foundation. Currently, she serves as a Master Teacher at UBC’s Island Medical Program, focusing on improving CPR and AED accessibility in schools.
Dr. Kaitlin Stockton, Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Stockton, an emergency medicine physician and Clinical Instructor since 2017, has greatly impacted medical education and patient safety at Royal Columbian Hospital as the CME lead and founder of the CME Committee. She has developed numerous educational programs, including morbidity and mortality rounds and the annual “Amazing and Awesome Rounds.” Additionally, she has created evidence-based discharge packages for renal colic patients, collaborated on ECMO protocols, taught advanced courses, and actively mentored residents and medical students, earning exceptional teaching evaluations.
Dr. Kenneth Van Dewark, Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Van Dewark, a Clinical Instructor in Emergency Medicine at Vancouver General Hospital since 2019, has made notable contributions through over 50 hours of teaching, problem-based learning and ACLS instruction, cognitive load research, and the “Learn the Face” facial ultrasound course. His efforts are supported by a Master’s in Education and an MBA, alongside active participation in departmental committees.
Dr. Dayna Briemon, Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Briemon is a doctor from the Yukon and is part of the Indigenous community. She has a degree in Microbiology from the University of Victoria and completed her medical training at UBC, where she specialized in Emergency Medicine. With over eight years of teaching experience at UBC, she uses creative methods to keep her students engaged. She teaches more than 50 hours each year and plays key roles, including leading hiring for the Victoria Emergency Physicians Association. Dr. Briemon mentors Indigenous students, serves on various committees, contributes to the BC Emergency Network, and speaks at events for the Island Medical Program. She currently works at Royal Jubilee Hospital and Victoria General Hospital, exclusively in Victoria. In her personal life, she has a wonderful husband and two lovely children who are everything to her.
Dr. James Simmonds, Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Simmonds, a CCFP-designated physician with diverse clinical experience in Saskatchewan and locum services, has excelled as the Quality Improvement Lead at Richmond Hospital’s Emergency Department. He has actively contributed to QI initiatives and the COVID-19 Response Committee while demonstrating a strong commitment to medical education, earning recognition as “Teacher of the Year” for over 50 hours of teaching. These accomplishments position him as a strong candidate for promotion to Assistant Clinical Professor.
Dr. David Kim, Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Kim is an emergency medicine physician at Nanaimo Regional Hospital and BC Children’s Hospital and a Flight Surgeon with the European Space Agency. He enhances medical education through clinical teaching and engaging lectures while researching aerospace medicine topics with multiple published peer-reviewed articles, co-supervises MSc and PhD students at SFU in the Aerospace Physiology department, and supports human spaceflight activities as a practicing Flight Surgeon. He serves as a representative for Central/North Vancouver Island for Doctors of BC, also as a board member of the Canadian Society of Aerospace Medicine, and as the co-founder of a biomedical startup company called Difinity Solutions.
International Women’s Day takes place annually on March 8 to recognize and celebrate cis and trans women’s achievements, challenge biases, and reflect on and advance efforts towards greater gender equality. The Department of Emergency Medicine is committed to gender equity and inclusion of all women. Across research, education, and university services and student life, women at UBC are […]
International Women’s Day takes place annually on March 8 to recognize and celebrate cis and trans women’s achievements, challenge biases, and reflect on and advance efforts towards greater gender equality. The Department of Emergency Medicine is committed to gender equity and inclusion of all women.
Across research, education, and university services and student life, women at UBC are making a difference in the lives of others every day. Explore stories of achievement, events, and community resources.
The Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine pays homage to Dr. Jill McEwen in a special commentary co-authored by Dr. Riyad Abu-Laban, a distinguished DEM Professor and Emergency Physician, and Tamara McColl, who serves as the Director of Education, Scholarship, and Faculty Development in the University of Manitoba’s Department of Emergency Medicine. This tribute highlights Dr. […]
In Memory of Dr. Jill McEwen: A Tribute in the Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine
February 20, 2025
The Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine pays homage to Dr. Jill McEwen in a special commentary co-authored by Dr. Riyad Abu-Laban, a distinguished DEM Professor and Emergency Physician, and Tamara McColl, who serves as the Director of Education, Scholarship, and Faculty Development in the University of Manitoba’s Department of Emergency Medicine. This tribute highlights Dr. McEwen’s significant contributions to the field.
An excerpt from the commentary:
“On November 1st, 2024, the Canadian emergency medicine (EM) community suffered a profound loss with the sudden and unexpected death of Dr. Jill McEwen. For decades, Jill was a towering presence in EM; a trailblazing clinician, an innovative educator, a visionary leader, and a passionate advocate for women in her specialty. She was also a strong proponent of work-life balance.”
The UBC Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM) is pleased to announce the return of an in-person Research Day on April 9 at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (Chan Centre Lecture Theatre & Chieng Family Atrium).
Registration is now open for 16th Annual Emergency Medicine Research Day
January 24, 2025
The UBC Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM) is pleased to announce the return of an in-person Research Day! We invite audience members and presenters to join us at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (Chan Centre Lecture Theatre & Chieng Family Atrium) for a full day of podium presentations on April 9, 2025.
Now in its 16th year, the event will include presentations by DEM or Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) faculty and trainees on their completed or planned research in emergency medicine. Additionally, we are honoured to welcome visiting professor Dr. Kerstin de Wit, who will deliver a plenary presentation.
We look forward to seeing everyone there. However, we understand that some may be unable to attend in person. A Zoom option will be available for those who can only participate virtually.
EVENT DETAILS
Event: UBC Department of Emergency Medicine Research Day 2025 Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2025 Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. PT Location: BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver BC (Zoom option available for virtual attendees)
We are currently accepting abstracts for Research Day 2025. Please review the abstract guidelines using the button below. You can submit your abstract through our abstract submission portal by Monday, February 24, 2025. Notifications for selected presenters will be sent within two weeks of the submission deadline.
Please register online if you plan to attend the event in person or virtually, whether as an audience member or a potential presenter.
The Faculty of Medicine One45 system is transitioning to log in using UBC CWL effective December 9, 2024. One45 access is crucial to ensure Clinical Faculty to be able to complete the daily shift learner assessments for both medical students and resident physicians. All physicians with a UBC Clinical Faculty Appointment have a CWL (Campus […]
One45 access is crucial to ensure Clinical Facultyto be able to complete the daily shift learner assessments for both medical students and resident physicians.
All physicians with a UBC Clinical Faculty Appointment have a CWL (Campus Wide Login) and a UBC employee ID. There is no need for anyone to update their passwords. Faculty, staff, student, and resident accounts in One45 have all been mapped to their CWL accounts. On December 9, the One45 current login fields will be replaced with a button to log in with your CWL.
If you are not familiar with CWL, kindly ensure your CWL is activated in preparation for this transition and refer to the following resources,
CWL Activation/ Recovery Instructions
If you’re still having trouble, submit a ticket via email to service.helpdesk@ubc.ca or call the UBC IT Desk at 604.822.2008 between 8:00am and 5:00pm Monday – Friday.
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Jessica Moe for being appointed as a new Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Emergency Response to the Opioid Overdose Crisis! This prestigious appointment recognizes Dr. Moe’s exceptional contributions to emergency medicine and her dedication to addressing the opioid overdose crisis in Canada. Dr. Moe’s research focuses on […]
Congratulations to Dr. Jessica Moe appointed as a new Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Emergency Response to the Opioid Overdose Crisis!
November 18, 2024
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Jessica Moe for being appointed as a new Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Emergency Response to the Opioid Overdose Crisis! This prestigious appointment recognizes Dr. Moe’s exceptional contributions to emergency medicine and her dedication to addressing the opioid overdose crisis in Canada.
Dr. Moe’s research focuses on developing and evaluating emergency department and community-based interventions for patients with substance and opioid use disorders. Her work aims to identify high-risk individuals and initiate innovative clinical and public health interventions at the point of contact with acute and emergency care.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Moe on this remarkable achievement and in supporting her continued efforts to make a significant impact in the field of emergency medicine.
It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we acknowledge the passing of Dr. Jill McEwen, Program Director of Undergraduate Education program of the Department of Emergency Medicine.
It is with great sadness that we share the loss of Dr. Jill McEwen. Jill served as an emergency physician at Vancouver General Hospital for over 37 years. During that time, she became well known for standing up and working tirelessly for what she believed in, and yet knowing how to find joy in life. She shared that joy with her family, friends and colleagues. Jill was a highly respected and compassionate emergency physician who dedicated her life to caring for others. On every shift, her decisions were guided by what was best for her patients. Her advocacy was exemplary. She inspired learners, colleagues and staff around her.
Jill was a dedicated educator, serving as Director, Undergraduate Education program for the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Department of Emergency Medicine for 35 years. She founded one of the first mandatory Emergency Medicine clerkships in Canada which received consistent stellar reviews from medical students. She was instrumental in distributing UBC’s Emergency Medicine clerkship rotation from a few teaching sites in Vancouver to sites across the province, enabling students to experience Emergency Medicine outside traditional academic sites. She contributed actively to UBC’s curriculum renewal and served as Assistant Dean for UBC’s MD Undergraduate Program from 2013-2016. She provided visionary guidance to the creation of the Vancouver Fraser Medical Program learning communities and was an instrumental member of its promotion committee, ensuring that medical students met their competencies prior to starting residency. She continued to actively contribute to UBC’s overall medical school curriculum as the Emergency Medicine representative. While advocating for medical education, she didn’t forget those who provide and support teaching and advocated for clinical Faculty as well as the administrative staff who support learners. Tens of thousands of medical students who are now in medical practice across Canada benefited from Jill’s visionary teaching innovations.
Jill was a member of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP) for 38 years. She served as the Chair of CAEP’s national Emergency Medicine Undergraduate Education Committee and was key in developing consensus on Emergency Medicine clerkship competencies. She went on to serve on the CAEP Board of Directors and as CAEP President. Internationally, Jill served as the Canadian representative of the US National Board of Medical Examiners Task Force and gave invited lectures in Brazil and Grenada. In 2019, Jill was awarded with CAEP’s highest honour, the President’s Award for her contributions to our profession.
Outside of work, Jill was dedicated to family and friends. She loved telling us stories about her children, grandchildren, and about times at the cottage. They were her pride and joy. She gave welcome and sage parenting advice to many staff with younger kids, always putting experiences into context to help staff cope with the vagaries of being a parent and a physician. Some of the funniest stories we remember about Jill are how she encountered “unexpected” traffic in the Massey Tunnel, leading her to park her car in the police stall outside of the emergency department, with police officers afraid to ask her to move her car. Once, she even managed to park her boat in the ambulance bay. Nothing was unimaginable, and that was why it so much fun and such a privilege to be her colleague.
The Department of Emergency Medicine migrated to M365 on September 12, 2024. If you use your phone to connect to FASmail, you’ll need to follow these instructions for Exchange Online: After your email has been migrated to Microsoft Exchange Online, webmail will be available to you 24/7 at a new webmail link, outlook.office.com. How-to videos and […]
Below are a few action items to support your new experience with Microsoft Exchange Online:
Laptop/Desktop users: If prompted with a login window, log in with your firstname.lastname@ubc.ca and CWL password, and verify your identity through the Duo security authenticator prompt to continue to access your mailbox.
Mail forwarding: If you use mail forwarding, you may need to reconfigure your email forwarding rules. Please note that auto-mail forwarding to commercial email systems such as Gmail will no longer be supported after you migrate to comply with UBC’s IT security standards.
Webmail: Access to webmail will now be at hxxps://outlook.office.com using your firstname.lastname@ubc.ca email and your CWL password
Voicemail users: You will receive an email notification in the next 48 hours when your voicemail has been activated. The email will include instructions on how to set up your new voicemail and greeting message.
Please note: Your Calendar in Microsoft Teams may not be accessible immediately after your migration. This is a temporary issue with the Teams desktop app that resolves within a few days. You can access your calendar through the Teams mobile app or through your Outlook calendar.
A complete list of post-migration changes can be found at: hxxps://m365.ubc.ca/post-migration
Support If you need assistance, please contact emergency.admin@ubc.ca to be connected with IT support.
The UBC Department of Emergency Medicine is honoured and excited to welcome an incredible group of new trainees to our RCPSC-EM Residency Program in July 2024.
The UBC Department of Emergency Medicine is honoured and excited to welcome an incredible group of new trainees to our RCPSC-EM Residency Program in July 2024.
Learn more about our incoming residents and why they are excited to pursue their emergency medicine training at UBC.
Katie Baas-Sylvester | Vancouver Island Site
“I am absolutely thrilled to be returning to BC to join the Emergency Medicine family at UBC in Victoria. UBC is known as a leader in medical education and the stellar mentorship aligns with my values of community, diversity, and outdoor living. I am excited to continue learning amongst staff and peers who embrace the challenges of Emergency Medicine and strive to meet them with dedication and expertise. Plus, my kids can’t wait to explore the coastline!”
Ian Cooper | Fraser Site
“I’m excited to be joining the UBC EM community. The program is incredible and felt like the place I want to train the second I began clinical interactions here. Plus, you can’t beat getting that amazing educational experience while living a couple blocks from the beach.”
Giordano Corlazzoli | Vancouver Site
“There is truly no better place to live and train than BC. I am beyond excited to be staying in my home province for my emergency medicine training in Vancouver. Having the opportunity to travel across our beautiful province and explore different learning environments is one of the main factors that drew me to UBC’s emergency program. I can’t wait to start in July and begin my journey in the best field in medicine!”
Alisha Hussey | Vancouver Site
“I am beyond excited to start my Emergency Medicine training at UBC and thrilled to join this amazing community! I feel so fortunate to have found incredible mentors here who continue to support, inspire, and challenge me. It is a dream come true to continue my training in this department. Looking forward to all the adventures, learning, and friendships the next five years will bring!”
Michael McCue | Vancouver Island Site
“I could not be more excited to pursue emergency medicine at UBC’s Victoria site! Having been raised in BC, it is a privilege to be able to learn with and give back to my community. I can’t wait to work and learn with the amazing residents and staff physicians who have supported me over these past +4 years. Mostly, I’m eager to fulfill every west-coast and emergency medicine stereotype with my bicycle helmet, high-energy dog, and craft coffee!”
Erin McDonagh | Vancouver Island Site
“Vancouver Island has always been home to me, therefore I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to train here and continue to grow my roots in Victoria. UBC’s EM program has so much to offer but it was ultimately the preceptors, mentors and community I had the privilege to work with during my UBC electives that impacted me the most. I am very excited for July and to become a part of the UBC EM family! When I’m not at work, you can find me tinkering with my new Jeep, enjoying a low-intensity walk to Starbucks, or playing video games with one of my cats curled up on my lap”
Ciara Morrison | Vancouver Site
“I am beyond excited to be moving to the West Coast and joining the UBC EM Vancouver team! I feel incredibly grateful to be welcomed by such a friendly and close-knit community while pursuing training in a specialty that I love. Can’t wait for the next five years!”
Amandeep Sehmbi | Interior Site
“I’m thrilled to join the UBC EM family this year! Training with such an amazing group of residents and physicians is a dream come true, and I can’t wait to call Kelowna home for the next 5 years.”
Sophie Thomas | Interior Site
“I am beyond excited to be joining the UBC Emergency Medicine family! My elective in Kelowna was so welcoming and fun, and the tight community at KGH made me feel incredibly supported. It still feels surreal that I get to train and work with incredible residents and staff from all UBC sites. Outside of the ED, I can’t wait for adventures in the Okanagan and BC – hiking, skiing, lake days and many more. I am so grateful to start at my dream program in July!”
Aneesha Thouli | Vancouver Site
“Becoming an Emergency Medicine physician is something I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid and the chance to do that at UBC is just the cherry on top. I’m incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the field and experience everything UBC has to offer over the next 5 years!”
Bobbi Wiens | Fraser Site
“Honored and incredibly excited to be accepted to EM. Every time I walk into the ED I feel like birds start to sing, it’s where I know I’m meant to be. Can’t wait to meet the team and start this next leg of the journey.”
Alix Wells | Fraser Site
“I am extremely excited to start my EM residency at UBC. I had the opportunity to rotate through some of UBC’s EM program sites and I was drawn to the immense collegiality, support and high-quality training amongst staff and residents. I cannot wait for the next 5 years!”
Caitlin Wotton | Vancouver Site
“I’m overjoyed to be joining the UBC EM family in Vancouver for residency! With the amazing program and residents here, I’m certain the transition from Saskatchewan will be as seamless as possible. The strong sense of community, abundant learning opportunities, and program flexibility were a few of the many reasons that drew me to the program here.
I cannot wait to experience all that the West Coast has to offer!”
Matthew Yeung | Vancouver Site
“I am excited to pursue EM in Vancouver owing to the renowned addictions exposure, research expertise, and high volume and acuity from BC and beyond. I am also excited to join an amazing team of friendly fellow staff and residents.”
Jade Zhong | Vancouver Site
“I’m thrilled to embark on my residency journey with UBC Emergency Medicine! The incredible dedication to teaching and supportiveness shown by the staff and residents made me feel confident that this is where I want to train for the next five years. It is an honour to be able to serve the diverse patient population here in Vancouver. It truly feels like a dream come true, and I can’t wait to get started in July!”
Kaitlyn Zugic | Interior Site
“I couldn’t be more excited to be joining my dream Emergency Medicine program in Kelowna and spending the coming years training across the province of British Columbia! My interests lie in prehospital care and wilderness medicine, and I can’t imagine a better environment for an aspiring alpinist, expedition doctor, or emergency physician than UBC.”
The UBC Department of Emergency Medicine would like to congratulate our outgoing residents as they celebrate their achievements and look ahead to the next stage of their careers in emergency medicine! Meet our 2024 graduates and learn more about what’s next for them.
Helene Morakis
Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba
What inspired you to pursue emergency medicine?
The opportunity to learn patients’ unique stories, the fast pace and the variety of work.
What is the most important thing you learned in the residency program?
Every shift brings many learning opportunities and it is important to have a growth mindset.
What’s next for you?
I am looking forward to working full time at Royal Columbian Hospital and Eagle Ridge Hospital’s Emergency Departments, as well as pursuing my outdoor interests.
Jamie Ward
Hometown: Victoria, British Columbia
What inspired you to pursue emergency medicine?
I enjoy the frontline nature of emergency medicine and the ability to make a major positive impact in patient’s lives..
What is the most important thing you learned in the residency program?
I’ve learned that medicine is a lifelong journey of learning and growth, and the importance of finding balance in that with life outside of work.
What’s next for you?
I will be continuing at the Victoria General and Royal Jubilee Hospitals as a new staff.
Kelly Huang
Hometown: Vancouver, British Columbia
What inspired you to pursue emergency medicine?
Honestly, I went into emergency medicine because I simply loved it. I love the people who work in it, the variety of patients, the fact that you have no idea what will come through the door. I go to work everyday excited to see what it will bring me; what more can you ask for?
What is the most important thing you learned in the residency program?
That it’s important to stay curious, humble, and ask for help. Medicine is weird and wonderful, and I am surrounded by friends and colleagues who know more and have seen more than I have.
What’s next for you?
I am excited to continue to work at VGH and see all my friends at work. And I will also work at Burnaby Hospital!
Kerry Spearing
Hometown: Kelowna, British Columbia
What inspired you to pursue emergency medicine?
I fell in love with the speciality during clerkship. I love the variety, the pace, and most of all the people who choose to work in the emergency department.
What is the most important thing you learned in the residency program?
Emergency medicine is awesome, but you can’t go about it alone. Community and family are what make good doctors thrive. I hope to never loose perspective of that.
What’s next for you?
With residency behind me I am striving for a better work/life balance. I hope to spend more time with my two incredible kids (ages 2 and 4), and my husband. I am working in the Okanagan and really enjoying my time at Kelowna and Vernon hospitals.
Kia Dullemond
Hometown: Pitt Meadows, British Columbia
What inspired you to pursue emergency medicine?
The people I met working in EM felt like my people. Feeling like I could manage the acute part of any emergency was a huge draw.
What is the most important thing you learned in the residency program?
An encounter you could forget in a week can stay with a patient and their family forever.
What’s next for you?
Excited to be working in Emergency Medicine at Vancouver General Hospital and UBC Hospital.
Qadeem Salehmohamed
Hometown: Surrey, British Columbia
What inspired you to pursue emergency medicine?
To practice real medicine. To have the knowledge and decision-making skills to take undifferentiated patients to a diagnosis.
What is the most important thing you learned in the residency program?
“It’s not about being right; it’s about doing the right thing.” – Dr. Jake Onrot
What’s next for you?
I’ll be starting a critical care fellowship in Calgary, Alberta.
Xin Mei Liu
Hometown: Montreal, Quebec
What inspired you to pursue emergency medicine?
Meeting people from all walks of life in the ER and being able to support them in the way they need. From a lifestyle perspective, I like the flexibility of EM.
What is the most important thing you learned in the residency program?
In addition to how to do emergency medicine: I learned from incredible mentors (Drs. Niresha Velmurugiah, Anne Sutherland, and Heather Lindsay only to name a few) how to create systemic change through leadership, advocacy, and education.
What’s next for you?
I will be practicing emergency medicine at Vancouver General Hospital and Saint Paul’s Hospital. I will be continuing my Clinical Educator Fellowship at UBC and Master of Health Professions Education at Maastricht University throughout 2024-2025.
Kiran Rikhraj
Hometown: Vancouver, British Columbia
What inspired you to pursue emergency medicine?
The Emergency Department is the great equalizer of society – no matter who you are or where you can from, you may end up in the ED one day. I love being able to care for patients from all walks of life with a variety of presenting complaints. I am thankful that I get to talk to patients, get to know a bit about who they are and help them through what is sometimes the most stressful and trying time of their lives.
What is the most important thing you learned in the residency program?
A listening ear goes a long way. Be there for your friends, your coresidents, your colleagues and your staff and they will be there for you. We are all in this together and life doesn’t stop for residency.
What’s next for you?
I will be staying at UBC for my Intensive Care Medicine fellowship over the next 2 years and am excited to continue working with the amazing people I’ve met throughout residency, albeit in a different way.
Colin Sedgwick
Hometown: Victoria, British Columbia
What inspired you to pursue emergency medicine?
The ability to handle any patient presentation.
What is the most important thing you learned in the residency program?
The perfect caffeine schedule on shift.
What’s next for you?
Working in EDs on Vancouver Island!
For more information about the UBC RCPSC-EM Residency Program, please visit our program website.
The Department congratulates Dr. Kendall Ho and Dr. Brian Grunau, both of whom are recipients of a 2024 Faculty of Medicine Distinguished Achievement Award! Dr. Kendall Ho is a recipient of the Award for Service to the University and Community in recognition of his impactful academic and community work, which has brought benefits to the university, communities, […]
Dr. Kendall Ho is a recipient of the Award for Service to the University and Community in recognition of his impactful academic and community work, which has brought benefits to the university, communities, health profession, and health system.
Dr. Ho is an expert in virtual and digital health. He founded the Inter-Cultural Online Health Network (iCON), which brings together health practitioners and community members to learn and share about disease prevention and management. In 2020, during COVID-19, he founded the 811 HealthLinkBC Emergency iDoctors in-assistance (HEiDi) program to deliver virtual health to address the urgent health issues of BC citizens.
Dr. Brian Grunau is a recipient of the Award for Overall Excellence – Early Career, in recognition of his innovative strategies to improve cardiac arrest outcomes.
Dr. Grunau has authored 150 manuscripts, including two first-author publications in JAMA, with citations in multiple international guidelines. Recently awarded the international American Heart Association Mid-Career Achievement award for research in cardiopulmonary care, he is a member of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation, which provides global recommendations for resuscitation care.
We are pleased to introduce Dr. Corinne Hohl as the new head of the Department of Emergency Medicine, bringing expertise and vision to lead the department forward.
Site: Vancouver – St. Paul’s Hospital & Vancouver General Hospital
Ariel Cheung, Clinical Research Assistant with the UBC Department of Emergency Medicine.
How long have you worked in the Department/UBC?
Since January 2023.
Can you summarize what you do in the department?
I am working on the Active Transportation Injury Circumstances and Outcome Study led by Dr. Jeff Brubacher. The study examines the mechanism of injury and recovery of pedestrians, cyclists, and other active transportation users (e.g., people travelling with e-scooters, skateboards, rollerblades, etc.) who have been involved in a road accident.
The project has four participating hospitals, and I am the lead research assistant at St. Paul’s Hospital. I work at both St. Paul’s Hospital and Vancouver General Hospital, interviewing patients who visit the Emergency Department (ED) about their accidents. Besides patient recruitment, I ensure the operations and logistics of the site are running smoothly under the supervision of my direct and mentor, Lina Jae. I also train student research assistants on site-specific knowledge in the context of data collection and patient interaction, particularly with vulnerable communities who visit St. Paul’s Hospital.
What is your favourite thing about working in the department?
It’s been an extraordinary experience working in the Department. My favourite part is the opportunity to interview patients about their accidents. It’s humbling learning about everyone’s stories. From time to time, patients would thank us for being interested in their stories, distracting them from the pain, and keeping them company in the ED. Although we do not provide patient care, I am honoured that our work with emergency research may, in some way, support the patient experience in the ED.
I also feel lucky to be working alongside emergency physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and community workers that allow me to better appreciate the inner workings of multidisciplinary health care.
What is one interesting fact about you that people may not know?
Before joining the Department, I worked in the legal industry in personal injury to help people involved in road accidents get compensated for their physical and emotional injuries and wage loss. It is fascinating to approach road injuries today through the lens of emergency medicine and I feel lucky to be part of research that has implications on a much larger scale for public health and safety.
What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?
Outside of work, you will find me doing Thai boxing (Muay Thai). It is a form of martial art that involves punches, elbows, knees, and kicks. Being hit in the face is not my favourite but I do enjoy the sport’s focus on training our physical endurance, mental agility, and discipline.
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Ariel and her co-workers, Alyssa Kong, Emily Covell, and King Ying Lau (from left to right)Ariel and her opponent at a Muay Thai fight
The UBC Department of Emergency Medicine established the Disaster Medicine interest group in October 2023, which will support disaster medicine collaboration, research and training among healthcare professionals in British Columbia.
Disaster Medicine Interest Group joins the UBC Department of Emergency Medicine
December 19, 2023
There is a growing need for disaster medicine collaboration, research and training among healthcare professionals in British Columbia, according to a group of UBC Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM) faculty members. To address this need, the department established the Disaster Medicine Interest Group in October 2023.
“We’ve seen several disasters just within BC over the last few years, with the heat dome that led to the deaths of hundreds of people, the atmospheric river that caused flooding in the Fraser Canyon, and the recent wildfires that impacted people across the province,” said Dr. Anthony Fong, UBC DEM clinical assistant professor and chair of the Disaster Medicine Interest Group. “With the frequency of disasters expected to increase every year, it’s never been more relevant to form a group like this.”
The new interest group aims to establish UBC as a centre for excellence in disaster medicine by building interprofessional relationships, highlighting the activities of researchers and healthcare practitioners, and supporting its network to learn and contribute in this field.
Disaster medicine involves a combination of clinical medicine, public health and emergency management principles. The interest group is open to membership from all specialties that touch on disaster medicine, including critical care, anesthesia, family doctors, nurses, paramedics, allied health professionals, social workers, mental health practitioners, and emergency management professionals.
“Being a physician prepares you to use your expertise in the environment where you’ve been working on a daily basis, but when a disaster happens the capacities that exist and the environment that you work in can change drastically,” added Dr. Fong. “You need the right set of tools to help cope with this change in environment.”
Dr. Fong’s co-founders include fellow DEM faculty members Dr. Chris Lee, Dr. Floyd Besserer and Dr. Graham Dodd.
More information on membership, as well as research or mentorship opportunities through the UBC DEM Disaster Medicine interest group can be found here.
