The UBC Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM) is pleased to announce that Dr. Trevor Skutezky and Dr. Michael Bergunder have been selected for the 2025 UBC-MGB Emergency Medicine Leadership Fellowship at Mass General Brigham.
Congratulations to our 2025 UBC-MGB Emergency Medicine Leadership Fellows
August 8, 2025
The UBC Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM) is pleased to announce that Dr. Trevor Skutezky and Dr. Michael Bergunder have been selected for the 2025 UBC-MGB Emergency Medicine Leadership Fellowship at Mass General Brigham. The two-year fellowship program is designed to help residency-trained Emergency Medicine specialists develop into leaders in managing Emergency Departments (ED).
Our participants will gain skills in emergency care management, budgeting, health policy, and personnel management, all of which are essential for leadership roles at various levels. The program emphasizes teamwork, decision-making, and the administrative processes necessary for functioning in hospitals, urgent care settings, and broader health systems.
The fellowship is co-directed by emergency physicians Dr. Shawn D’Andrea, Director of the Strategic Collaborations Unit at Mass General Brigham, and Dr. Chad A. Kim Sing, Vice President of Medicine & Academic Affairs at Vancouver Coastal Health. Primarily based in Boston, the program is affiliated with Mass General Brigham, a major teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School.
Historically, only one fellow is chosen for this program each year, but this year marks a significant change, as DEM is offering two fellowship positions. We also received a record number of applications, featuring outstanding candidates, making the selection process highly competitive. Our selection panel was impressed by the quality of the applications, and we would like to thank all applicants for their interest. Congratulations to Dr. Trevor Skutezky and Dr. Michael Bergunder!
Dr. Trevor Skutezky currently serves as the Department Head and Medical Director for Emergency Medicine at Vancouver Acute (VA), comprised of Vancouver General and UBC Hospitals. He is a practicing emergency physician and a DEM Clinical Assistant Professor.
Leading with a clinical operations partner, Dr. Skutezky oversees an interdisciplinary team renowned for effectively implementing new initiatives. His aim is to position the VA emergency department as a leader in emergency medicine at both the provincial and national levels, thereby enhancing emergency medicine practices throughout British Columbia.
Dr. Skutezky will offer a unique perspective to the Fellowship, drawing on his experience in leading emergency medicine at VA.
“The Fellowship is a key opportunity to learn how other large, complex health systems operate and bring that knowledge back to BC to help tackle some of the current and emerging challenges faced by our emergency department teams.”
Dr. Mike Bergunder is an Emergency Physician practicing in Penticton, and the Senior Medical Director for the Thompson Cariboo region with Interior Health. He also holds leadership positions with UBC’s Southern Medical Program. He completed medical school with UBC Vancouver, rural family medicine training in Red Deer Alberta through the University of Alberta, and a fellowship in emergency medicine at St. Paul’s Hospital with UBC. When not working, Mike spends time with his wife Melissa, their twin boys Will and Ben, and tries to get outside to golf, hike, and explore the Okanagan.
“I believe one of the foundational components of emergency medicine is the concept of adaptability, and I have found over my first five years of practice, that this trait is essential to success, and overall well-being. I have had to overcome several barriers as an Indigenous physician, but those barriers have often directly led to amazing opportunities. I believe that this fellowship will provide foundational opportunities to learn, grow, network, and gain a better understanding of both emergency medicine, and healthcare leadership.”
Drs. Jim Christenson, Laurie Morrison, Rob Stenstrom have recently published Prehospital antibiotics and intravenous fluids for patients with sepsis: protocol for a 2×2 factorial randomised controlled trial. In their research, they found that quickly recognizing and treating patients with sepsis can significantly improve survival rates. Unfortunately, patients taken to the hospital with sepsis often don’t receive […]
Publication Highlight: Prehospital antibiotics and intravenous fluids for patients with sepsis
July 29, 2025
Drs. Jim Christenson, Laurie Morrison, Rob Stenstrom have recently published Prehospital antibiotics and intravenous fluids for patients with sepsis: protocol for a 2×2 factorial randomised controlled trial. In their research, they found that quickly recognizing and treating patients with sepsis can significantly improve survival rates. Unfortunately, patients taken to the hospital with sepsis often don’t receive treatment until they are evaluated in the emergency department. By starting treatments at the first point of contact, paramedics may be able to improve the outcomes for these patients.
Publication Title
Prehospital antibiotics and intravenous fluids for patients with sepsis: protocol for a 2×2 factorial randomised controlled trial (BMJ Open, 2025)
Abstract
The study design involves two randomised controlled trials (RCTs) conducted using a 2×2 factorial design comparing use of (1) early intramuscular ceftriaxone versus placebo and (2) an early liberal intravenous fluid strategy (up to 2 L normal saline) versus usual care resuscitation guided by paramedic medical directives. The primary outcome is mortality prior to hospital discharge or within 90 days of admission. Secondary outcomes are all-cause mortality at 90 days after enrolment.
Safety outcomes include the proportion of patients with pulmonary oedema during transport to hospital and on initial chest X-ray and the proportion of patients with anaphylaxis or suspected allergic reactions to study medication.
This project aims to design a cardiac arrest detection system using wearable sensors that can “witness” cardiac arrests that occur in private locations, with the capacity to call 9-1-1. This project will utilize several sensors within smartwatches and rings to monitor participants in palliative care, medically assisted dying, and intensive care unit settings at the time their heart stops (i.e., cardiac arrest). Using artificial intelligence methods, data will be used to validate highly accurate artificial intelligence algorithms that can be run on a smartphone to immediately identify when a cardiac arrest occurs.
New approaches are needed to rapidly detect cardiac arrest and facilitate an emergent professional response. This study aims to identify the most effective sensors for detecting cardiac arrest and to link them to a smartphone app that alerts paramedics for timely interventions. With widespread use, this system has the potential to significantly improve outcomes for cardiac arrest in the general population, especially within high-risk subgroups.
Dr. Brubacher’s research has four aims. First, the project will investigate whether drivers with evidence of recent cannabis use have increased risk of collisions. Second, it will study whether the risk of crashing associated with THC is different in drivers with evidence of frequent cannabis use. They will hypothesize that these drivers will have tolerance to THC and their risk, at any THC level, will be less. Third, the research will investigate whether drivers with high levels of 11-OH-THC are more likely to have been involved in the crash. Finally, they will provide updates on the number of injured drivers in British Columbia who test positive for cannabis, alcohol and/or other drugs.
This research will build on the Cannabis and Motor Vehicle Crashes (CMVC) study, which has measured drug and alcohol levels and obtained police reports of injured BC drivers since 2011. Police reports are reviewed to determine which drivers caused the collision. In their analysis, they will compare drug detection rates in drivers who caused the crash with drivers who were “innocently involved” in a collision.
DEM Researchers: Brian Grunau, Andrew Kestler and Jessica Moe
Funding amount: $1,526,175
The research project aims to address the significant impact of the toxic drug crisis in Canada, where 21 Canadians die every day from opioid-related poisoning. Emergency Departments are critical access points for individuals who use drugs, yet the care provided to these individuals is often variable and lacks evidence-based standards. The project’s objectives are to establish a pan-Canadian registry of Emergency Department patients presenting with opioid poisoning, harmonize data collection across participating sites, describe variations in patient characteristics, clinical practice and outcomes, and derive a clinical decision rule to predict the risk of dying within 60 days.
The research team comprises experts in various fields, including emergency and addictions medicine, biostatistics, and knowledge mobilization. Importantly, individuals with lived/living experience and their families have been involved in developing the proposal and will continue to contribute throughout the study. The expected outcomes include advancing healthcare delivery, improving patient and provider experiences, and enhancing population health and health system sustainability for individuals with opioid poisoning. This research is crucial for addressing the opioid crisis in Canada and has the potential to significantly impact patient care and outcomes.
The UBC Department of Emergency Medicine is delighted to welcome this year’s exceptional cohort of new trainees who will join the RCPSC-EM Residency Program starting in July 2025. This diverse group of incoming residents brings a wealth of experiences from various backgrounds, and we’re excited to support them as they embark on their important journey […]
The UBC Department of Emergency Medicine is delighted to welcome this year’s exceptional cohort of new trainees who will join the RCPSC-EM Residency Program starting in July 2025.
This diverse group of incoming residents brings a wealth of experiences from various backgrounds, and we’re excited to support them as they embark on their important journey in emergency medicine. Meet our new residents below!
Alex Taylor | Fraser Site
Born and raised in Winnipeg alongside six siblings, Alex spent most of his childhood skateboarding, playing Yu-Gi-Oh cards, and exploring with friends. He completed his undergraduate studies at Western University, where he played football and pursued a degree in Kinesiology. After graduating, he played football for the Edmonton Elks before attending medical school at Queen’s University. During his time at Queen’s, he played bass in a band called Shrimpfarm and had the opportunity to coach the varsity football team.
His true passions include anime (he loves Naruto), cinema, and photography. He is excited to be in British Columbia, where he can fish and explore with his dog, Huey, who is his best pal, all while enjoying warmer weather with fewer mosquitoes. However, he will always consider himself a Winni boy at heart.
Angela Mak | Vancouver Site
Angela joins us from Calgary with a big smile and a bigger sense of adventure. Originally from the West Coast, Angela took a brief six-year detour through Ontario to complete her BSc at Queen’s University and a Master’s degree at McMaster University. She then came to her senses, returned to Alberta for medical school, and is now thrilled to be part of Vancouver’s Emergency Medicine team.
Angela brings with her a passion for emergency medicine, a knack for staying calm under pressure, and the organizational skills required to coordinate both resuscitations and elaborate dinner parties. Outside the hospital, she can be found convincing her friends that a 6 AM run is a good idea or trying valiantly to keep up with her husband on the bike or snowboard — a battle she is currently losing, but taking very seriously. Angela is excited to bring her collaborative spirit, love of fast-paced environments, Strava and real-life kudos to the Emergency Medicine department.
Caleb Lawlor | Interior Site
Caleb was raised on the sun-soaked shores of Prince George—widely regarded (by absolutely no one) as British Columbia’s premier beach getaway. Bursting with energy and an allergy to staying still, he spent his youth hiking, camping, and generally outpacing both mosquitoes and common sense in the northern wilderness. Naturally, this restless spirit led him to paramedicine—a career tailor-made for those who consider sitting still a form of mild torture.
Then, in a twist no one quite understands, Caleb managed to drive an ambulance all the way to Japan. He disappeared into the mountains, folklore, and izakayas for three enigmatic years. What exactly he was doing there remains a mystery, but he returned with a suspiciously serene vibe and a burning ambition to become a nurse.
Fast forward six years: after a four-year stint in Thunder Bay (or as locals fondly call it, “almost Grainopolis”), Caleb realized Ontario wasn’t quite his forever home. He boomeranged back to B.C., landing in Kelowna where he’s now pretending to be a grown-up with a stable postal code. Somewhere along the way, he picked up a few hobbies, possibly some wisdom, and—most impressively—his future wife. Though he tried to outrun her, he hit the wall at kilometer 32 as exhibited by the photo on the left.
Delaney Duchek | Vancouver Site
Delaney grew up on a cranberry farm in Ladner, BC, complete with its own brewery and more dogs than people. After switching from waders to skates, she moved to Lethbridge to play varsity hockey and complete a kinesiology degree. She then continued on to Calgary to pursue a master’s in exercise oncology. She stuck around Calgary for medical school when she realized she wasn’t quite ready to give up prairie sunsets or Stampede breakfasts. After 11 long (but character-building) years in Alberta, she’s thrilled to finally be back in BC—coming home to the coast, the mountains, and the dream of never shovelling snow again.
A self-proclaimed Spikeball underdog, Delaney is most at home cruising down (not up!!) hills on a road bike or being outnumbered by the many dogs on the family farm. She’s passionate about emergency medicine for its variety and team environment, paired with a growing interest in how palliative care principles can be meaningfully applied in acute settings. She hopes to combine her love of travel and cycling with a bikepacking adventure across Europe sometime soon—ideally somewhere with good cafés, better roads, and no headwinds.
Elaine Yi Ran Liu | Island Site
Growing up in Toronto, Elaine spent many gloomy winters indoors playing volleyball. After coming to terms with the fact that she would never become a professional volleyball player—mainly due to her 5’4” stature and loathing of plyometric training—she began seeking a more attainable career. She earned her BSc and MSc in Immunology at Western University before moving to Victoria, BC, to work in research at BC Cancer, thinking it would be a short adventure. Little did she know, she would fall in love with the West Coast and with staying out of trouble on a snowboard.
Elaine went on to attend medical school at UBC’s Island Medical Program. Her realization that she enjoys (hopefully) healthy doses of stress and unpredictability led her to pursue a career in emergency medicine.
After getting her fill of excitement on shift, on the court, or on the mountain, Elaine transforms into a geriatric Olde English Bulldogge—wrapped in blankets and snoozing on the couch. Now that she works shifts, she finally has the perfect excuse to take mid-day naps. You can also find her in the garden admiring the bumblebees that pollinate her flowers and waging war against the aphids that destroy them. While she no longer conducts immunology experiments, she continues to experiment with recipes in her kitchen.
Liz Carr | Island Site
Whether leading her team through a 24-hour adventure race in the North Dakota badlands or winning a solo bike race at –40°C, Liz thrives in high-pressure, high-stakes environments that involve moderate physical suffering, making EM a natural fit. After spending her childhood on the prairies where she became accustomed to sleep deprivation during ultra-endurance events and long drives to the nearest climbing crag, Liz moved to Victoria to be closer to mountains and ocean and to earn her kinesiology degree. Once on the island, she fell in love with the smell of coastal rainforest (and her now-husband) and knew this would be home.
While volunteering her internal organs as an ultrasound model during undergrad, she was inspired by the legendary VicEM crew to pursue EM. After taking a year to build a flower farm from the ground up—literally, from pig manure—she headed to Kelowna for medical school. Her climbing and skiing skills advanced alongside her medical knowledge, and soon her dream of returning to the island for EM residency was realized.
A jack of all adventure sports and master of none, you can find Liz scaling rocks, running stealthily through the forest, or quietly attacking hill climbs on her road bike. When she’s not outside fighting gravity, Liz is cuddling her silver Labrador, Lily, and nerding out over coffee.
Liz is passionate about rural and remote emergency care, with interests in trauma, wilderness medicine, and medical education, and is excited to contribute to emergency care in rural BC.
Jennifer Engler | Island Site
Jennifer hails from Red Deer, Alberta, but took a few scenic detours before landing in medicine. After years working aboard Disney Cruise Line on the entertainment team and lifeboat commander (yes, both), she returned to school, eventually graduating from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. While in Dublin, she survived endless rainy walks along Grafton Street, directed a full-scale musical, and engaged in extra “study” time finding the perfect pint of Guinness.
Jennifer’s path has taken her from theatre school to simulations, and now to beautiful Vancouver Island at the Victoria site. She’s thrilled to be an international medical graduate matched to UBC, where she can once again see the ocean every day and wave at the cruise ships as they go by!
Jessie Chai | Vancouver Site
Jessie took the scenic route to Vancouver, making stops in Kingston and Calgary before settling on the West Coast—mostly for the ocean views, $8 lattes, and the sheer volume of large dogs in tiny rain jackets. A proud UBC-lifer, she did both undergrad and med school here and never left. Some say it’s loyalty. Others say she just can’t remember her CWL password to log out.
Emergency Medicine quickly stole Jessie’s heart (and destroyed her sleep schedule) with its controlled chaos and high-stakes problem-solving. A match made in trauma-bay heaven, if you will.
Outside the hospital, Jessie keeps her cortisol in check with boxing sessions—because nothing says self-care like aggressively punching a heavy bag. She is also regularly humbled by seniors on the pickleball court. But most days she can be found in couch-rotting mode: horizontal, doom-scrolling, and somehow still dodging a DVT.
Jessie is absolutely stoked to join the UBC Emergency Medicine crew—ready to tackle residency one trauma, one “weak and dizzy,” and one Diet Coke at a time.
Jonah Hartel | Island Site
Jonah was born and raised in Prince George, where he also completed his undergrad at UNBC and medical school through the NMP—making his academic journey the educational version of never leaving his parents’ basement. He’s a firm believer in the mulligan, both on the golf course (where his scores flirt with triple digits) and in life.
A loyal New York Giants fan, Jonah clearly enjoys pain, disappointment, and character-building hobbies. To really drive that point home, he kicked off residency by getting a 4-month-old Malinois-German Shepherd puppy named Ivyprofen (Ivy, when she’s not stealing drywall). He and his girlfriend are adjusting well to life with Ivy—by which he means they’re tired and slightly afraid.
Jonah brings his Northern roots, dry wit, and taste for controlled chaos to residency. If you see him looking exhausted, it’s probably from another Giants loss—or because Ivy found the couch stuffing again.
Jonathan Bulger | Interior Site
Jon hails from the rainy wonderland of North Vancouver and has stubbornly refused to leave B.C. for all of his schooling—because why would you, really? Before medical school, he wrangled cats (and the occasional dog) as a veterinary assistant and wheeled humans around as a hospital porter at Lions Gate Hospital.
Jon passionately dislikes writing bios, but will begrudgingly admit he enjoys salted black licorice (yes, really), skiing fast enough to scare his mother, and yelling at NHL games from the couch. He’s endlessly fascinated by the chaos and complexity of emergency medicine and can’t wait to dive into all things acute at KGH.
Justine Lau | Vancouver Site
Despite growing up directly on UBC’s campus, Justine took a seven-year detour to Ontario, completing her undergrad at Western and medical school at McMaster. Although she had a blast out east, she accepted that the West Coast really is the best coast (and she missed her childhood dog). She’s now back in Vancouver, pretending she never owned a parka, and is thrilled to join UBC’s Emergency Medicine team!
When she’s not in the ED, you can find her catching sunsets at the beach, going on walks with her geriatric dog, or crocheting scarves—because that’s the only thing she’s mastered. She also spends too much time watching terrible TV, scrolling Google Flights, and following the many sports she grew up being mediocre at. With a sweet treat in hand and all her new friends, Justine can’t wait to tackle the chaos of the ED!
Matt Lavery | Interior Site
Born and raised in Cranbrook, BC, this outdoor enthusiast is thrilled to be staying in the interior for his Emergency Medicine residency. Matt’s path here included two years of varsity volleyball at the College of the Rockies, a microbiology degree, four years of bartending, and a financially crimpling number of international vacations. When he’s not in the ED, you’ll find him channeling his energy into downhill skiing, tackling mountain and road biking trails, hiking, fishing, travelling, or simply enjoying a sunny afternoon on the lake.
The newest addition to his active life is Benny, his golden retriever, who’s quickly becoming his favorite outdoor companion. Matt also has a passion for good food and probably spends too much of his free time cooking new dishes, making homemade breads/pastries, or eating his way through Kelowna’s food scene. He can’t wait to continue exploring Big White’s slopes, Silver Star’s bike trails, and the scenic Okanagan vineyards while embracing the fast-paced world of EM.
Mohit Sodhi | Fraser Site
Mohit was born in New Delhi, India and came to Canada shortly thereafter. He loved Vancouver so much that he ended up completing his undergraduate, master’s and medical degrees at UBC. He was inspired to pursue medicine, and emergency medicine in particular, by his younger sister with cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorder.
In 2016, Mohit co-founded a local charity called YNOTFORTOTS that donates much-needed school equipment to underfunded elementary schools and pediatrics-focused organizations in the Lower Mainland. Mohit is also very passionate about research and has published a number of studies that have had a global impact.
When he’s not working, Mohit enjoys golfing, cooking (especially steaks and white chocolate pistachio and rose tarts, not to be eaten simultaneously), e-scootering (the most “adrenaline-seeking” activity he will do), weight lifting, and spending time with his friends and family.
Nick Sanchez | Frazer Site
Forged in the suburban paradise of Burnaby, BC, Nick didn’t venture far for school—attending UBC for both his undergraduate years and medical training. Some say he never applied elsewhere anyway, and UBC rewarded his loyalty with a spot at Fraser’s Emergency Medicine program. While medicine was the official reason he stuck around campus, Nick spent most of his time more concerned about the flight of a frisbee over the timing of his next exam. However, his years as a competitive Ultimate Frisbee player at UBC have given him the stamina to survive a string of night shifts and the steady hands needed to catch just about anything tossed his way in the trauma bay.
When he’s not in the ED, you can find Nick over-exerting himself on the least relaxing vacations ever planned, reliving his glory days as an athlete at your local rec league, or just walking through the park trying to spot cute dogs. He is excited to bring his passion for Medical Education & Trauma to the team at RCH—and promises to do his best not to traumatize too many medical learners along the way.
Olivia Hunter | Frazer Site
Despite being born and raised in beautiful Vancouver, Olivia had to leave to realize she’d hit the geographic jackpot at birth, and she spent the next several years taking an elaborate detour back home. She went to university in New Hampshire, where she studied infectious disease and epidemiology and learned how cold -35C really is. Her thirst for adventure and hatred of routines took her to Dar es Salaam and Prague before she eventually landed in New York City, working in pharmaceutical strategy to help bring new drugs to market.
But it was back home in Vancouver, during medical school, that she found her home in the emergency department. Fast-paced, unpredictable, and full of human connection: it was love at first shift. She’s now thrilled to be sticking around for residency, learning from a phenomenal team while staying close to the mountains, ocean, and her ever-growing gear closet.
Outside the hospital, you’ll find Olivia chasing fresh powder at Whistler, dangling off the cliffs in Squamish, or diving for a volleyball at Spanish Banks (usually with questionable form, but full enthusiasm). She religiously follows the Michelin Guide and Dished to find new restaurants and speakeasies in the city, and is always looking for a recommendation or a sous chef for her kitchen endeavors.
Samara Reyes | Vancouver Site
Born and raised in North Delta and a UBC lifer (West Coast, best coast, obviously), Samara spent most of medical school convinced she was destined for a different specialty—until everything clicked when she stepped into her first EM shift and the emergency department has felt like home ever since! She’s especially passionate about social emergency medicine and is committed to making the ED a safer, more equitable space for all.
When she’s not on shift, you can find her yapping over sweet treats in every café Vancouver has to offer or getting a little too competitive during a game of Settlers of Catan (bonus points if bardcore is playing in the background). An amateur field hockey player and chronic hobby dabbler, she’ll try anything—as long as no one expects her to be good at it – so if you’re looking for someone to join you on an adventure, she’s almost always picking up what you’re putting down. While she may not be the most outdoorsy of the bunch, she’ll still tag along on your hike with snacks in tow, providing rambling narration of the journey.
Aside from Samara’s love for terrible reality TV dating shows and last-minute travel plans, she is also obsessed with dogs in a way that’s borderline alarming and will interrupt any conversation to point out every single one trotting by. Though she doesn’t have a dog (yet), she compensates by treating her brother’s pup like a minor celebrity—and showing unsolicited photos of him to anyone within arm’s reach.
Sarah Yang, Vancouver Site
Sarah took her love for travel a little too far. Born in China, she was raised in Etobicoke, Toronto and slowly moved further and further away from her family and friends. From undergrad at McMaster, to med school in Ottawa, she’s excited (her parents are less so) to be living on the west coast best coast! Naturally, she had to change her personality to conform to societal stereotypes, and is now a biker (extremely amateur, no hills please) and hiker (will not talk because she’s out of breath). In the next 5-years, she hopes to learn how to surf, snowboard and become famous on TikTok. Oh, and become a great emergency physician of course!
However, some things never change. She will always search for free food in the hospital, take a million pseudo-film photos of her friends with her Fujifilm, and be on the look-out for cheap flight deals. As an only child, she may try really hard to befriend you. If you ever have the privilege of meeting her, please ask about her passionate Beli food rank list of 800+ restaurants and cafés, and then ask her to grab a bite!
Sydney Terry | Interior Site
Originally from London, Ontario, Sydney fell in love with BC during her undergraduate years in Squamish—and despite a quick stop in London, UK for her master’s, she knew the mountains were home. Drawn to Kelowna for its strong sense of community and unbeatable geography, she’s thrilled to be training in a place that offers both top-tier emergency medicine and four distinct seasons of adventure.
As a former ballet dancer turned long-distance runner, she brings focus and endurance to everything from marathons to ED shifts. She was drawn to UBC EM for the incredible group of residents and staff, the endless educational opportunities, and the supportive, collegial vibe. Sydney is looking forward to soaking up all residency has to offer and is grateful to be continuing along a path of lifelong learning.
When she’s not in scrubs or lacing up her running shoes, you’ll likely find her on an adventure with her young kids, who keep her on her toes just as much as residency does (maybe more!).
June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to honour and celebrate the stories and experiences of Indigenous people. We encourage all of our faculty, staff, and students to recognize this occasion and to consider taking action in the spirit of celebration and solidarity. In particular, we want to highlight an important report about racism […]
June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to honour and celebrate the stories and experiences of Indigenous people. We encourage all of our faculty, staff, and students to recognize this occasion and to consider taking action in the spirit of celebration and solidarity.
The Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) worked with a review team to address racism in the health care system within B.C, and published this informative summary report. Since Métis people make up one-third of the Indigenous population in the province, it was important for them to be recognized and included in health policies and planning. Acknowledging their identity was crucial for the mental health and well-being of Métis individuals. Although MNBC started connecting with health authorities, they faced challenges because of a lack of resources.
In the report, you will come to understand how crucial it is for the Métis Nation to receive the support needed to take part in discussions about health disparities and to advocate for their community’s needs in the future.
Below are some key initiatives and resources from the Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM), UBC, and the Government of BC. We encourage everyone to use these resources to learn more about the Indigenous community.
Initiative Highlights
Kwiis Hen Niip
The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC) teamed up with Dr. Jim Christenson, DEM Professor, to improve emergency care in four remote Nuu-chah-nulth communities. This project,Kwiis-hen-niip, which means “change”, focuses on supporting first responders, preparing the community, improving patient transport, and enhancing communication, all based on the needs identified by the communities.
The Engaging Physicians in Indigenous Cultural (EPIC) Safety Task Group focuses on improving Indigenous cultural safety in healthcare. Dr. Kendall Ho, DEM Professor, collaborates with various health leaders and organizations to create educational resources and training for medical staff on how to effectively apply Indigenous cultural safety principles.
interCultural Onlline Health Network (iCON) Indigenous Health Rounds
Led by Dr. Kendall Ho, DEM Professor, the interCultural Onlline Health Network (iCON) has partnered with Vancouver Coastal Health Indigenous Health to develop Indigenous Health Rounds, which serve as a series of webinars to bring Indigenous voices to health-care providers, policy makers and health administrators for knowledge sharing, dialogue, and brainstorming solutions to combat racism and foster culturally safe health-care settings for Indigenous patients and families.
We have created this webpage to serve as a resource for initiatives and educational material. If you would like to have anything added to this webpage or to provide feedback, please contact Michelle Ho, Communications and Marketing Specialist.
Congratulations to the 2025 graduates of the RCPSC-EM Residency Program! Your hard work and dedication have brought you to this significant milestone, and we are incredibly proud of your achievements. As you embark on this new chapter in your careers, may you find fulfillment and success in all your future endeavours. Thank you for your […]
Congratulations to the 2025 graduates of the RCPSC-EM Residency Program! Your hard work and dedication have brought you to this significant milestone, and we are incredibly proud of your achievements. As you embark on this new chapter in your careers, may you find fulfillment and success in all your future endeavours. Thank you for your commitment to this vital field—your contributions will undoubtedly make a lasting impact!
Are you clinical faculty or do you have an interest in teaching/supervising students? Do you have an interest in mentorship and in doing more within the UBC Faculty of Medicine (FoM)? Are you interested in getting support from an experienced clinical faculty colleague or mentoring a more junior colleague? If you answered yes to any […]
Are you clinical faculty or do you have an interest in teaching/supervising students? Do you have an interest in mentorship and in doing more within the UBC Faculty of Medicine (FoM)? Are you interested in getting support from an experienced clinical faculty colleague or mentoring a more junior colleague?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be interested in participating in the Clinical Faculty Mentoring Program. The purpose of this formal mentoring program is to support the career goals of clinical faculty in the areas of administration, clinical, and teaching to enhance overall engagement within the UBC Faculty of Medicine (FoM).
Time commitment: approximately 8.5 hours over seven months (Oct 2025-April 2026)
Cost: Free
Accreditation: Up to 8.5 Mainpro+/MOC Section 3 credits (Mentees); 1.5 Mainpro+/MOC Section 1 credits (Mentors)
Dr. Michael Asamoah-Boaheng, DEM Postdoctoral Fellow, has won the 2024 Killam Postdoctoral Fellow Research Prize for his excellent research on vaccination strategies and the effects of COVID-19 on paramedics. He is one of only two recipients on campus and will receive a $5,000 award. His work includes analyzing data from the COVID-19 Occupational Risks, Seroprevalence […]
Michael Asamoah-Boaheng receives Killam Postdoctoral Fellow Research Prize
April 25, 2025
Dr. Michael Asamoah-Boaheng, DEM Postdoctoral Fellow, has won the 2024 Killam Postdoctoral Fellow Research Prize for his excellent research on vaccination strategies and the effects of COVID-19 on paramedics. He is one of only two recipients on campus and will receive a $5,000 award. His work includes analyzing data from the COVID-19 Occupational Risks, Seroprevalence and Immunity among Paramedics (CORSIP) study and the BC Cardiac Arrest Registry, leading to several publications in respected journals.
Dr. Brian Grunau, DEM Assistant Professor and the supervisor of Dr. Asamoah-Boaheng, commends, “It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Michael during his postdoctoral fellowship. He is a brilliant epidemiologist who takes the time to understand the key clinical gaps in knowledge and employs innovative statistical models to effectively address clinically relevant questions that impact patient care.”
A total of 23 Research Excellence Clusters at UBC Vancouver have received funding support for the 2025/26 academic year, and Dr. Kendall Ho and Dr. Corinne Hohl have both been awarded funding for their new research clusters. The Research Excellence Clusters are interdisciplinary networks of researchers who address societal and cultural problems by collaborating to […]
Congratulations to Drs. Kendall Ho and Corinne Hohl: GCRC funding awarded for new Research Excellence Clusters
April 25, 2025
A total of 23 Research Excellence Clusters at UBC Vancouver have received funding support for the 2025/26 academic year, and Dr. Kendall Ho and Dr. Corinne Hohl have both been awarded funding for their new research clusters.
The Research Excellence Clusters are interdisciplinary networks of researchers who address societal and cultural problems by collaborating to solve challenges that transcend the traditional boundaries of departments, institutions, and funding agencies. Funding for clusters at UBC Vancouver is awarded through the Grants for Catalyzing Research Clusters (GCRC).
Dr. Kendall Ho’s research initiative, Artificial Intelligence and Technology-Enhanced Emergency Care Collaboration Centre (ATECCC), brings together researchers, healthcare professionals, and technology experts to explore how “Digital Health” (DH) can improve patient care. With challenges like long emergency room waits and rural service closures, ATECCC investigates if DH options, such as telemedicine and AI-assisted health decision-making, are effective and safe for patients, aiming to alleviate overcrowding and enhance doctors’ availability.
Dr. Corinne Hohl’s research cluster, Implementing a Learning Health System in Emergency Addictions Care, focuses on the urgent need for emergency department (ED) interventions to address the ongoing toxic drug crisis. Many overdose victims visit EDs before fatal outcomes, yet there is limited evidence on how to engage high-risk individuals, prevent harm, and provide effective treatments. To tackle the lack of infrastructure and resources for research in EDs, the initiative will establish a provincial learning health system that fosters collaboration among clinicians, researchers, decision-makers, and individuals with lived experience, creating a culture of shared learning and accountability.
Congratulations to Dr. Kendall Ho and Dr. Corinne Hohl!
On April 9th, the Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM) hosted its 16th Annual Emergency Medicine Research Day at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. The event brought together DEM and Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) faculty and trainees to present their research in the field of emergency medicine. This year, we welcomed over 157 participants, both […]
Reflections on the 16th Annual Emergency Medicine Research Day
April 25, 2025
On April 9th, the Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM) hosted its 16th Annual Emergency Medicine Research Day at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. The event brought together DEM and Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) faculty and trainees to present their research in the field of emergency medicine.
This year, we welcomed over 157 participants, both in-person and virtually, including faculty, staff, researchers, residents, fellows, and students, making it one of our most attended events yet. The day was facilitated by Dr. Frank Scheuermeyer and Dr. Vikram Sabhaney, and featured compelling presentations and robust Q&A sessions, with a total of 29 presentations. Topics included opioid use disorder, COVID-19 challenges, equitable virtual care, pediatric emergency medicine, and more.
In addition, two insightful program presentations were featured. Dr. Corinne Hohl shared Emergency Care BC‘s initiative on “Improving ED Care through a Learning Health System,” while Dr. Sonya Cressman presented “Coordinating ED and Primary Care Using Predictive Analytics” from Digital Emergency Medicine.
We had the honour to host a special plenary presentation from our Visiting Professor Dr. Kerstin de Wit, a leading expert in Emergency Venous Thromboembolism and a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair at Queen’s University. Her insights on pulmonary embolism testing were well received by attendees and sparked an engaging Q&A session.
The winners of the Dr. Jim Berbee Award and the Dr. Riyad Abu-Laban Resident Abstract Award were announced at our event. The Dr. Jim Berbee Award provides funding for research by UBC emergency medicine residents, covering expenses for equipment, materials, student support, statistical assistance, and travel for presentations. Congratulations to the award recipients listed below!
Dr. Jim Berbee Award 2025 Recipients
Dr. Sarah Douglas, Acute Aeromedical Transport Services in Nunavut: An Analysis of Trends over the Last Six Years
Dr. Max Moor-Smith, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for Acute Back Pain in the Emergency Department Waiting Room: Randomized Control Trial
Dr. Jade Zhong, Factors Predicting First-Pass Success of ED Intubations by Novice Operators: A Multicenter Retrospective Study
Dr. Frances Clayton, Incidence and Predictors of Missed Craniofacial Fractures in Trauma Patients
Dr. Ryan Kohler, Access to CT imaging and reporting overnight in BC Emergency Departments
The Dr. Riyad Abu-Laban Resident Abstract Award honours the top three resident abstracts submitted for Research Day, providing prizes for the winners. Congratulations to Dr. Paul Clerc for winning first prize, Dr. Emily Lostchuck for second prize, and Dr. Damian Feldman-Kiss for third prize!
A recording of our day is now available online. You can also visit our Instagram page to catch glimpses of our day.
For those who attended, we would appreciate your feedback to help us improve our future events. Please take a moment to complete our post-event survey. Your input is invaluable to us!
In collaboration with Emergency Care BC (ECBC), the Department of Emergency Medicine is inviting applications for a full-time faculty position as Assistant Professor or Associate Professor. The successful candidate will become the Scientific Director at ECBC for a five-year, renewable term based on performance and funding. We are seeking a dedicated individual who is passionate […]
We Are Hiring: Assistant Professor or Associate Professor and Scientific Director at Emergency Care BC
April 23, 2025
In collaboration with Emergency Care BC (ECBC), the Department of Emergency Medicine is inviting applications for a full-time faculty position as Assistant Professor or Associate Professor. The successful candidate will become the Scientific Director at ECBC for a five-year, renewable term based on performance and funding.
We are seeking a dedicated individual who is passionate about enhancing emergency care through clinical leadership, research, and education. The position involves developing and implementing a Learning Health System to improve emergency care across the province. The successful candidate will mentor undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate learners while contributing to the academic community. Experience in high-quality scientific research, securing funding, and managing research teams is required, along with a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Leadership experience and familiarity with Quality Improvement and Knowledge Translation methodologies are considered valuable assets.
Key Responsibilities:
Develop and support a scientific program aligned with the goals of Emergency Care BC.
Enhance emergency care through data analytics, research dissemination, and evidence-based practices.
Participate in teaching and mentorship of undergraduate and postgraduate learners.
Contribute to departmental initiatives promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion.
The successful candidate will hold a PhD in Health Research, Epidemiology or Statistics, or MD with at minimum Masters-level training in Epidemiology, Implementation Science Statistics or equivalent.
Assistant Professor, Grant-Tenure Track: The successful candidate will have demonstrated evidence of ability in teaching and scholarly activity.
Associate Professor, Grant-Tenure: The successful candidate will have demonstrated evidence of successful teaching and ability to direct graduate students, a growing body of productive scholarly activity, and must be willing to participate in the affairs of the Department of Emergency Medicine and the University.
Applications will be reviewed starting on May 15, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date for this position is July 1, 2025, or on a mutually agreed date. For more information and to submit your application, please contact Dr. Corinne Hohl.
Congratulations to Dr. Shari Li, DEM Clinical Instructor, on her recent publication in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ). Dr. Li sought to ascertain whether rates of in-hospital mortality, hospital admission, critical care admission, and mechanical ventilation differed between people experiencing homelessness (PEH) and housed people with symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. This raises the question of […]
Outcomes for people experiencing homelessness with COVID-19 presenting to emergency departments in Canada, compared with housed patients
March 25, 2025
Congratulations to Dr. Shari Li, DEM Clinical Instructor, on her recent publication in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ).
Dr. Li sought to ascertain whether rates of in-hospital mortality, hospital admission, critical care admission, and mechanical ventilation differed between people experiencing homelessness (PEH) and housed people with symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection.
This raises the question of whether there may have been differential treatment for reasons unrelated to matched clinical characteristics.
Future research could explore inequities in health care resource allocation, especially in times of scarcity, as well as interventions targeting transmission among PEH.
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.
