Overview
The PHC Department of Anesthesiology has an active and vibrant Research Program. From Investigator-led RCTs to Quality Improvement Initiatives and participation in multi-site trials, our clinician researchers are passionate about conducting rigorous patient-centred research. Approximately 20 of our Anesthesiologists are Principal or Co-Investigators on active research projects. Our Research Program centres around the following research themes: Perioperative Medicine, including Brain Health and Patient Centred Outcomes, Regional Anesthesia, Acute and Chronic Pain Medicine and Cardiac Anesthesiology.
Leadership
Alana Flexman MD FRCPC MBA
Research Director and Anesthesiologist, PHC Department of Anesthesiology,
Clinical Associate Professor, UBC Department of APT
Vice Chair of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, UBC Department of APT
Affiliated Scientist, Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes
Perioperative Team Member
Dr. Flexman’s research is focused on neuroanesthesia, including perioperative stroke and brain health. After finishing anesthesia residency at UBC, she completed a fellowship in neuroanesthesia at the University of California San Francisco and specializes in the effects of anesthesia and surgery on the brain. Dr. Flexman also serves as president-elect for the Society for Neuroscience in Anesthesiology and Critical Care (SNACC), and the past-chair of the Neuroanesthesia Section of the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society.
Dr. Anton Chau MD FRCPC MMSc
Associate Research Director, PHC Department of Anesthesiology,
Physician Lead, Obstetric Anesthesia
Director, Obstetric Anesthesia
Perioperative Team Member
Dr. Chau is an Obstetric Anesthesiologist and Physician-Scientist with joint appointments at St. Paul’s and BC Women’s Hospitals. Following his Anesthesiology Residency at UBC, he pursued a combined Clinical and Research Fellowship in Obstetric Anesthesiology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital under the mentorship of Dr. Lawrence Tsen, MD, completed the UBC Clinician Investigator Program and obtained a Masters of Medical Sciences degree in Clinical and Translational Research at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Chau conducts clinical and translational investigations with a focus on the impact of anesthesia on maternal and fetal outcomes. His research interests include neuraxial analgesia and anesthesia techniques, obstetric general anesthesia, peri-delivery optimization and patient safety.
Dr. Trina Montemurro MD FRCPC
Associate Director, Quality Improvement and EDI
Regional Anesthesia Team Member
Dr. Montemurro is an anesthesiologist specializing in regional anesthesia. Dr. Montemurro has advanced training in Quality Improvement, and is an active participant in the Physician-led Quality Improvement Initiative, the past safety chair of the BC Anesthesiologists’ Society, and a member of the Provincial Surgical Executive Committee (PSEC). Her most recent QI projects include improving the perioperative administration of sub-cutaneous heparin, creating a multi-disciplinary hip fracture surgery optimization program, and implementation of cognitive aids in anesthesiology.
Nicola Edwards MHA
Senior Research Program Manager, PHC Department of Anesthesiology
Nicola has a background in Health Sciences and a Masters in Health Administration. She oversees and guides the Anesthesia research program at St. Paul’s Hospital. Nicola facilitates collaboration between clinician researchers, institutions and industry sponsors. She manages research finance and supervises multiple Research Coordinators and Research Assistants.