Congratulations to Dr. Jason Chui on being awarded $250,000 in seed funding from the VGH Foundation to support the development of the PRIME (Perioperative Research in Brain Integrity, Mental Health, and Engineering) program at Vancouver General Hospital!
Since joining the UBC department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, & Therapeutics, Dr. Chui, an anesthesiologist at VGH and UBC, and recognized researcher and leader in neuroanesthesia, has been actively building new research infrastructure and expanding the department’s work in perioperative neuroscience. Building on the research initiatives and collaborations he developed during his time at Western University, Jason is now leading the development of the PRIME (Perioperative Research in Brain Integrity, Mental Health, and Engineering) program at VGH. This foundational investment will help establish the infrastructure needed to launch several cutting-edge research initiatives within the department.
The PRIME initiative is highly innovative, bringing together advanced technologies and rigorously designed clinical trials to deepen our understanding of perioperative brain health and mental health outcomes following surgery.
Dr. Jason Chui on the PRIME Program
What excites you most about the PRIME program?
I’m incredibly excited to launch the PRIME (Perioperative Research in Brain Integrity, Mental Health, and Engineering) research program at Vancouver General Hospital. This initiative is about bringing together clinical care, neuroscience, and emerging technologies to better understand and protect the brain and mental health of patients undergoing surgery.
What impact do you hope the program will have on perioperative brain and mental health research?
What motivates us most is the opportunity to close the gap between innovation and real-world patient care—developing tools and evidence that can directly improve brain function and mental health in the perioperative setting.
How do you see the program benefiting patients, trainees, or the broader research community?
Through PRIME, we hope to build a collaborative platform that not only advances research but also trains the next generation of clinicians and scientists that ultimately translates into meaningful improvements in patient experience and perioperative outcomes.
Further details about the program and upcoming projects are expected to come out later this year. In the meantime, you may notice colleagues experimenting with Apple Vision goggles or wearing gel in their hair as some of the new technologies are being piloted; indicative of the exciting signs of the advancements being made!
The Faculty & Trainee Spotlight Series shines a light on the incredible people who make up the heart of UBC Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics. Amidst the remarkable achievements and developments within the department, it is a pleasure to share the stories of the dynamic trainees and faculty who bring passion, curiosity, and insight that drive the areas of anesthesiology, pharmacology, and therapeutics forward.
Meet Dr. Katherine Bailey!
Rank: Clinical Associate Professor
Dr. Bailey is a proud graduate of the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Science, Faculty of Medicine, and the UBC Anesthesia Residency Program. During her residency, she developed an interest in the perioperative care of critically ill infants and children, which would eventually go on to define her career.
For more than two decades, Dr. Bailey has been part of the patient- and family-centred care environment at BC Children’s Hospital, where she has built not only a meaningful career but also a strong sense of community. She remains deeply grateful for the multidisciplinary colleagues who have become her work family and for the opportunity to contribute to care that supports children and their families during critical moments.
“Assisting children in undergoing procedures with less fear and discomfort, and earning the trust their families place in us, is a true privilege few people get to experience.”
How did your career path lead you to UBC and to your current position?
My fellowship training was a profoundly meaningful professional experience, which eventually led me to become the Fellowship Director at BC Children’s Hospital, a role I have held for the past 11 years. As Fellowship Director, I have been able to advance pediatric anesthesia education and training both locally and nationally.
As a co-author of the successful Royal College application, Pediatric Anesthesia was recognized as an Area of Focused Competency (AFC) on July 1, 2025—the first subspecialty to do so in anesthesia! I have also maintained strong ties with my own fellowship mentors and have helped create and organize the annual Pacific Northwest Pediatric Anesthesia Fellows Bootcamp, in collaboration with the fellowship programs at Seattle Children’s Hospital and OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, since 2021!
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
One of the most rewarding aspects of pediatric anesthesia is creating a safe, supportive environment for children experiencing life-altering illnesses and their families. Assisting children in undergoing procedures with less fear and discomfort, and earning the trust their families place in us, is a true privilege few people get to experience.
The changes and improvements in technology, medications, and our understanding of pediatric anesthesia and pain management are exciting to experience firsthand. There is always something new to learn, which keeps our subspecialty interesting to practice. The appreciation we receive from parents, some of whom have had traumatic anesthetic or surgical experiences themselves as children, for helping their children have a better experience is both humbling and rewarding.
What’s one piece of advice you received early in your career that has stayed with you?
The best advice I was given as a trainee was twofold.
The first was to choose something I truly enjoyed, as I would be doing it for a very long time. Despite the sometimes heartbreaking experiences in pediatric anesthesia, the overwhelming sense of joy and positivity is one of the things I love most about our subspecialty. We are constantly striving to find a positive aspect, even in sad or difficult circumstances, and this mindset often carries over from our professional lives into our personal ones.
The second piece of advice was to embrace new experiences. Over the course of an anesthesia career, we are continually learning as medical knowledge evolves, and staying open to growth is essential.
If you weren’t in this field, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
If I hadn’t gone into medicine, I would most likely have become a travel writer. I love travelling overseas with friends and family and experiencing new countries, their people, customs, and cultures in an authentic way.
I have been very fortunate to have travelled a lot as a child, to have participated in overseas medical mission work as a trainee and junior faculty member, and now to have the opportunity to pay that forward by taking my teenage daughters all over the world as they grow up. I am always looking forward to our next adventure!
Dr. Ke completed her medical school at UBC, anesthesiology residency at Dalhousie University and received a Master of Science in Epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health. Her research interests include understanding the impact of extreme weather and climate change on perioperative outcomes, predicting and monitoring for complications after surgery at a population level, and use and evaluation of artificial intelligence in clinical research and patient care. She leads the ADAPT Lab, which studies the health impact of emerging environmental hazards, and integrates these insights to improve outcomes and strengthen health system resilience (adaptlab.med.ubc.ca).
The impact of extreme weather and climate change on perioperative outcomes (ADAPT Lab)
Predicting and monitoring for complications after surgery at a population level
Use and evaluation of artificial intelligence in clinical research and patient care
General Research Interests: Perioperative medicine, climate change, artificial intelligence, epistemology, and data science
Research Theme(s)
Clinical Outcomes and Patient Safety, Equity in Medicine, Evidence-based medicine and knowledge translation, Obstetric anesthesiology, Peri-operative technology integration
Anesthesiologist, Department of Anesthesia, Providence Health Care, Vancouver, Canada
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, the University of British Columbia
Adjunct, Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management & Perioperative Medicine, Dalhousie University
Teaching
In addition to clinical and academic teaching, Dr. Ke runs AnesEd (https://anesed.ca/), an anesthesiology learning resource for medical students and junior residents. She also regularly supervises medical students, residents, and fellows in research.
Research in Focus shines a light on the innovative studies and discoveries taking shape across the UBC Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics. Through each feature, we celebrate the minds driving meaningful change in research, education, and clinical practice across anesthesiology, pharmacology, and therapeutics.
For over two decades, Dr. Mark Ansermino has been at the forefront of transforming how data is used in medicine bridging engineering, data science, and clinical care to improve outcomes for the most vulnerable patients, particularly infants and children.
Dr. Ansermino’s work began with a focus on biosignal interpretation, pharmacodynamic modelling, and control systems, laying the foundation for a career dedicated to making complex physiological data more meaningful and actionable. With time, this foundation evolved into an internationally recognized research program spanning mobile health technologies, clinical decision-support systems, and scalable digital health platforms used around the world.
Driven by a commitment to impact at the point of care, Dr. Ansermino has led the development of predictive monitoring systems that translate real-time clinical data into insights clinicians can act on immediately. More recently, his work has expanded to address critical global health challenges, including building predictive models for sepsis and pre-eclampsia in low-resource settings, and advancing open-science initiatives that enable collaboration through shared and synthetic datasets.
Beyond his program, he has played a key role in bringing innovation into practice. To name a few, Dr. Ansermino has led the development and commercialization of technologies such as the Phone Oximeter™, Smart QI Prediction Models, pediatric sepsis prediction tools, and closed-loop anesthesia systems.
Across all of his work remains a consistent goal: to improve care quality, efficiency, and patient safety through intelligent, data-driven solutions.
“Ultimately, my goal is to contribute to more equitable health systems and better outcomes for mothers and children worldwide.”
— Dr. Mark Ansermino, Professor; UBC, Executive Medical Director for Global Health; BC Children’s Hospital, Researcher; BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute
Trained as a clinician-scientist, Dr. Mark Ansermino built his career at the intersection of clinical care, research, and global health. He completed his medical training (MBBCh) and specialization in anesthesia (MMed) at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, before pursuing an MSc in Health Informatics at City University London.
He went on to practice as a pediatric anesthesiologist at BC Children’s Hospital for over two decades, where his clinical experience deeply informed his research and innovation. Today, he serves as the Co-Executive Medical Director of Global Health at BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre, where he focuses on developing equitable, scalable solutions to improve maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes worldwide.
What drew you to this particular research question or problem?
I have always been motivated by problems where better use of data could directly improve patient safety and outcomes. Working in both high- and low-resource settings has reinforced how inequities in access to timely information drive preventable morbidity and mortality. These experiences have drawn me to develop digital tools that are not only technically rigorous, but also practical, scalable, and locally relevant.
What impact do you hope this work will have on clinical practice, education, or society in general?
I hope this work will enable clinicians to make faster, more informed decisions, improve the early detection of critical illness, and support safer, more consistent care. Beyond clinical practice, I aim to strengthen local research capacity and interdisciplinary training, and to advance open-science models that accelerate global collaboration. Ultimately, my goal is to contribute to more equitable health systems and better outcomes for mothers and children worldwide.
What’s one thing you hope people will take away from this study?
That robustly designed digital health technologies, co-created with clinicians and local partners, can meaningfully improve care, even in the most resource-constrained environments.
The Faculty & Trainee Spotlight Series shines a light on the incredible people who make up the heart of UBC Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics. Amidst the remarkable achievements and developments within the department, it is a pleasure to share the stories of the dynamic trainees and faculty who bring passion, curiosity, and insight that drive the areas of anesthesiology, pharmacology, and therapeutics forward.
Meet Ines Zuna!
Role: Anesthesia Resident, PGY-4
Site: UBC Vancouver
Ines Zuna began her journey into medicine through undergraduate and graduate training in pharmacology, where she developed a pharmacokinetics teaching model for healthcare professionals. That early work sparked a deep appreciation for both the intricacy of scientific inquiry and the challenge of translating complex evidence into meaningful clinical impact.
During her medical training, she pursued an MBA, further shaping her interest in leadership, health systems, and the design of strong clinical learning environments. Together, these experiences have come to define her approach to medicine — thoughtful, systems-aware, and grounded in education. They now inform her educational and leadership roles, including her recent service as lead resident and her contributions to national initiatives such as the Pediatric Transfusion Camp, a multidisciplinary curriculum dedicated to supporting safe and effective transfusion practice for pediatric trainees.
“Training has taught me how challenging it can be as a learner to resist the pull of comfort.”
— Ines Zuna, Anesthesia Resident PGY-4, UBC
What areas of research or practice are you most passionate about?
I am most passionate about medical education, particularly curriculum design, assessment, and knowledge translation to support safe clinical decision-making. This work has shaped my interest in patient safety, with a focus on transfusion safety in peri-operative and high-acuity settings. Clinically, I am drawn to complex physiology and collaborative environments where preparation, communication, and systems awareness influence care. I am especially interested in the perioperative setting for its dynamic teamwork and the role of education and leadership in fostering supportive learning environments and improving patient outcomes.
What has surprised you most about your training?
Training has taught me how challenging it can be as a learner to resist the pull of comfort. While it’s tempting to hope for “easy” days, my most meaningful learning experiences have come from moments where I pushed myself intentionally (or unintentionally), into uncertainty. These experiences have shown me that growth rarely happens in ease, and that sustained development requires curiosity, effort, and a willingness to engage deeply with discomfort. It remains challenging, but I believe this approach has made me a stronger, more thoughtful clinician.
What’s a fun fact about you that most people wouldn’t guess?
I was quite shy growing up, and my parents encouraged me to pursue theatre to help me come out of my shell. This sparked a lasting interest in the arts and creative expression, which has had a profound impact on how I communicate and relate to others. I continue to create art and engage in reflective writing to process challenging experiences and reflect on my growth throughout training. Recently, I began exploring poetry, and one of my pieces was accepted into an online medical arts magazine.
What do you enjoy doing outside of the hospital or lab?
Outside of work, I love spending time with my husband, family, and friends. I enjoy traveling and seeking off-the-beaten-path destinations where you can experience a different world away from the crowds. I love hiking and spending time outdoors, and have recently enjoyed hitting up the pickleball courts at Queen Elizabeth Park!
The Faculty & Trainee Spotlight Series shines a light on the incredible people who make up the heart of UBC Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics. Amidst the remarkable achievements and developments within the department, it is a pleasure to share the stories of the dynamic trainees and faculty who bring passion, curiosity, and insight that drive the areas of anesthesiology, pharmacology, and therapeutics forward.
Meet Dr. Brenda Lau!
Rank: Medical Director, Clinical Associate Professor
Brenda Lau completed her anesthesiology residency at UBC in 2004 before traveling to Sydney for a three-year interventional pain fellowship and a Master of Medicine under the mentorship of Professor Michael Cousins. Her thesis, “Future of Multidisciplinary Pain Clinics: Change or Die,” proved to be more than an academic exercise, it became a vision that shaped the trajectory of her career.
After returning to British Columbia, she pursued advanced certification in interventional pain sonology, Gunn IMS, clinical hypnotherapy, and physician quality improvement, continually expanding the scope of her expertise. Today, she serves as Medical Director of Changepain, an 80-member interdisciplinary pain clinic, and has played a pivotal role in shaping the field nationally. Her contributions include helping to establish Canada’s Pain Medicine subspecialty, UBC’s Pain Medicine Residency program, multiple training initiatives, three multidisciplinary clinics, and provincial standards that advance equitable and safe pain care.
“Teaching becomes a shared journey of problem-solving, where breaking through clinical, personal, and system challenges together deepens insight and capacity for meaningful change. ”
— Brenda Lau, Medical Director & Clinical Associate Professor, UBC
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
What I find most rewarding is witnessing breakthroughs in long-standing health gaps, such as women’s health as patients move from feeling dismissed or stuck, to empowered and hopeful. Seeing tangible improvements in brain and body performance confirms the impact of whole-person care. I’m equally driven by helping clinicians overcome regulatory and administrative barriers, reducing burnout, and restoring purpose. Creating innovative solutions that integrate science, creativity, and choice to simplify complex care energizes me. Teaching and learning are constant sources of inspiration, and bringing whole-person care into daily practice—while sharing laughter with patients and teams—makes my work deeply meaningful.
What’s one piece of advice you received early in your career that has stayed with you?
An early piece of advice that stayed with me was simple but profound: words change biology. Neuroscience shows that how we think and speak—before seeing a patient—shapes brain states, and our internal regulation which directly impacts trust, connection and clinical approach. I teach this to clinicians, patients, and leaders. For providers, intentional language restores agency and reduces burnout. For patients, it reduces overwhelm and builds confidence—the true healing stimulus beyond medications or procedures. Health begins with mind mastery, informed by neuroscience and whole-person care, delivered at the point of care—not outsourced—enabling self-regulation, and better outcomes.
What drew you to anesthesiology/pharmacology/therapeutics as a specialty or area of research?
I was drawn to anesthesiology from my very first clinical rotation in medical school. The operating room’s high-stakes environment combining physiology, intensive care, procedures, and real-time leadership felt like home. Anesthesiology’s residency uniquely includes chronic pain training, which proved formative. Mentors across St. Paul’s Hospital (SPH), Royal Columbian Hospital (RCH), Surrey Memorial Hospital (SMH), and Prince George Regional Hospital (PGRH) crystallized my lifelong mission that began at the age of 7 to change pain. When I graduated, pain medicine had just emerged as a specialty in Australia. Training there allowed me to integrate clinical, administrative, systems change and health-economic insights, which I brought back to Canada and shaped into my life’s work.
What have you learned from working with residents and students that has surprised or inspired you?
Working with residents and students continually inspires me. They are deeply motivated to improve patient care, themselves, and the systems they work within, yet are rarely taught how to do this. Addressing their internal state is often pivotal. Presence, regulation, and psychological safety unlock curiosity, confidence, and clinical reasoning. Teaching also makes me hyperaware of how my own internal state shapes learning. Simple practices, from breathwork to honest conversations, help learners feel grounded and seen. Teaching becomes a shared journey of problem-solving, where breaking through clinical, personal, and system challenges together deepens insight and capacity for meaningful change.
The Faculty & Trainee Spotlight Series shines a light on the incredible people who make up the heart of UBC Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics. Amidst the remarkable achievements and developments within the department, it is a pleasure to share the stories of the dynamic trainees and faculty who bring passion, curiosity, and insight that drive the areas of anesthesiology, pharmacology, and therapeutics forward.
Meet Dr. Khaled Abdelrahman!
Rank: Assistant Professor
Dr. Abdelrahman began his academic journey training as a pharmacist, where an early curiosity about how drugs act at the mechanistic level sparked a deeper interest in pharmacology. This curiosity led him to pursue an MSc in Pharmacology, followed by a PhD at the University of Calgary, where his research focused on vascular and metabolic disease. He then completed postdoctoral training at the University of Ottawa, shifting his focus toward neurodegenerative disease. Over the past decade, Dr. Abdelrahman’s growing fascination with the brain and its complexity has shaped the direction of his research program toward neuropharmacology.
“Watching them [trainees] develop their skills, tackle challenges, and achieve their goals brings me genuine satisfaction. Their growth and success are a constant reminder of the value of mentorship and the importance of supporting the next generation of scientists.”
— Dr. Khaled Abdelrahman, Assistant Professor, UBC
How did your career path lead you to UBC and to your current position?
During my graduate training, I became deeply interested in understanding the interactions between the brain and its blood vessels and how their function becomes dysregulated in disease conditions. This later expanded into a broader interest in brain biology and neurodegeneration, which descended into the focus of my postdoctoral fellowship.
These experiences shaped my current research program, which integrates both areas to investigate how impaired brain blood flow contributes to the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. This integrated perspective makes my research program at UBC unique and positions it well for collaboration with researchers interested in approaching brain disease from a similar angle.
What drew you to anesthesiology/pharmacology/therapeutics as a specialty or area of research?
I was drawn to pharmacology out of the curiosity to understand how drugs work, how existing therapies can be improved, and how novel and effective therapeutics can be developed. I became particularly interested in G protein–coupled receptors because of their wide distribution throughout the body and their essential roles across nearly all aspects of human biology, as well as their strong druggability, with at least 35% of approved drugs targeting G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). In my laboratory, I leverage this versatility by integrating GPCR physiological importance with therapeutic potential to identify novel targets and strategies aimed at slowing the progression of neurodegenerative disease.
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
What I find most rewarding about my work is the process of discovery, particularly the creativity involved in designing experiments to address complex research questions and the unexpected results that often lead us in new and unanticipated directions. This process makes the work deeply fulfilling. Equally rewarding is mentoring talented trainees. Watching them develop their skills, tackle challenges, and achieve their goals brings me genuine satisfaction. Their growth and success are a constant reminder of the value of mentorship and the importance of supporting the next generation of scientists.
What’s one piece of advice you received early in your career that has stayed with you?
One piece of advice I received early in my career from my supervisor was, “Data is data — no matter what it looks like, it’s telling you something.” I learned not to try to make results fit a preconceived hypothesis, but instead to let the science guide the next question. That perspective helped me view unexpected or negative findings as exciting opportunities rather than disappointments. This mindset continues to shape how I approach research and mentor trainees, encouraging them to stay curious, think critically, and follow the evidence wherever it leads — which is often the key to groundbreaking discoveries.
The UBC Department of Anesthesia, Pharmacology & Therapeutics is proud to welcome our 2026 incoming R1 residents to the APT community following this year’s residency match. After years of dedication, perseverance, and academic excellence, these outstanding trainees have reached an exciting milestone in their medical journeys. We are honoured that they have chosen to begin their anesthesia training with us at the University of British Columbia!
Our incoming residents bring diverse experiences, perspectives, and academic backgrounds from across Canada. We look forward to supporting them as they begin their training this July in the Anesthesiology Residency Program.
Meet our Incoming 2026 R1 Residents:
Mena Burr – University of British Columbia
Dalraj Dhillon – McMaster University
Adam Dorner – University of British Columbia
Salma Farag – University of Alberta
Sarah Griffin – University of British Columbia
Avery Hart – McMaster University
Cheyanne Head – University of British Columbia
Faisal Khaleel – McMaster University
Jordan Kozak – University of Manitoba
Kai Leong – University of British Columbia
Tegan McGraw – University of Calgary
Alisiya Petrushkevich – Western University
Mark Robertson – University of British Columbia
Kayla Sage – University of Alberta
Ivjot Samra – University of British Columbia
Michael Smith – University of British Columbia
Valerie Swanston – University of British Columbia
Desiree Tugwell – McMaster University
Chenille Wong – University of British Columbia
Yilin Zhang – McGill University
We look forward to welcoming this exceptional cohort to our APT community!
Research in Focus shines a light on the innovative studies and discoveries taking shape across the UBC Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics. Through each feature, we celebrate the minds driving meaningful change in research, education, and clinical practice across anesthesiology, pharmacology, and therapeutics.
For Dr. Ilana Sebbag, improving the safety and experience of childbirth through evidence is both a clinical responsibility and a research calling. Most recently, her contributions to a recent trial that determined hydromorphone is noninferior to morphine for post-cesarean analgesia is helping translate clinical evidence into safer maternal care.
Her work centers on advancing evidence-based obstetric anesthesia, with a particular emphasis on maternal–fetal health, neuraxial techniques, and perioperative recovery.
Dr. Sebbag has led and collaborated on randomized trials and observational studies evaluating intrathecal opioid strategies, quality of recovery after cesarean delivery, and predictors of post-cesarean pain. Her research also explores the optimization of neuraxial ultrasound, patient positioning, and procedural techniques to enhance both safety and patient experience.
In parallel, she has contributed to national and international guidelines on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and anesthesia care, helping translate evolving evidence into clinical practice and ensuring that research meaningfully informs care at the bedside.
“In clinical settings where morphine is unavailable or subject to supply constraints, hydromorphone represents a safe, effective, and appropriate alternative for intrathecal use in cesarean delivery. ”
Ilana Sebbag began her medical training at the University of São Paulo, where she earned her MD and completed her residency in Anesthesiology. Early on, she embraced leadership, serving not only as an anesthesiologist and ACLS instructor, but also as a military physician in the Brazilian Air Force. These formative roles instilled in her a deep sense of responsibility, precision, and service.
Motivated by a growing commitment to maternal health, Dr. Sebbag pursued subspecialty fellowship training in Obstetric and Regional Anesthesia at the University of British Columbia. It was there that her academic focus in obstetric anesthesia truly took shape. She went on to build her academic career at Western University before returning to UBC, where she continues to integrate clinical excellence with research leadership and medical education. Strengthened by graduate training in Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, her work reflects a thoughtful commitment to advancing evidence-based care for mothers and families.
What drew you to this particular research question or problem?
I chose to compare these two medications primarily due to concerns regarding supply chain vulnerability. Drugs such as morphine, which are off patent and generate limited profit, are often manufactured by a small number of producers globally, rendering them particularly susceptible to shortages.
In Canada, for instance, there have been three shortages of injectable morphine within the past year, including preservative-free morphine—the formulation commonly used for intrathecal administration.
From a pharmacologic perspective, hydromorphone is a compelling alternative. It is both more potent and more lipophilic than morphine, characteristics that facilitate more rapid diffusion through the cerebrospinal fluid and likely contribute to a faster onset of action.
Additionally, hydromorphone exhibits greater affinity for the μ-opioid receptor, a property that may enhance its effectiveness in opioid-tolerant patients.
What’s one thing you hope people will take away from this study?
The principal objective of a non-inferiority study is to demonstrate that an alternative intervention is not clinically worse than the established standard of care. Our findings support this objective.
Hydromorphone provided analgesia equivalent to that of morphine, without an associated increase in adverse effects or complications.
Accordingly, in clinical settings where morphine is unavailable or subject to supply constraints, hydromorphone represents a safe, effective, and appropriate alternative for intrathecal use in cesarean delivery.
Outside of work, what do you enjoy the most?
Outside of work, I most enjoy most spending time with my children and being present for the everyday moments with them. I also value staying active through movement and fitness, and I enjoy exploring wellness practices that support long-term health. Cooking and baking are creative outlets for me, and I appreciate opportunities to connect with friends and family.
Dr. Juliana Kruthof, MD, MSc, FRCPC is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia and a Staff Obstetric Anesthesiologist at BC Women’s Hospital. She serves as Associate Director of the Obstetric Anesthesia Fellowship, is the Clinical Lead for Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) within the Department of Obstetric Anesthesia at BC Women’s Hospital and is a Researcher with the Women’s Health Research Institute (WHRI).
She completed an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc), followed by a Master of Science (MSc) in Human Kinetics with a specialization in thermoregulation, and then earned her Doctor of Medicine (MD) at the University of Ottawa. She subsequently completed her Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine residency at Western University, followed by an Obstetric Anesthesia Clinical Fellowship at UBC. She further strengthened her research training by completing a Certificate in Foundations of Clinical Research from Harvard University.
Social Media / Lab or Research Website
Website (or Lab):
Research Interests
A central theme of her research program is intraoperative pain during cesarean delivery, including patient experiences of sensory and pain-related phenomena under neuraxial anesthesia and strategies to better prevent, identify, and manage inadequate anesthesia in real time. She also has a strong interest in the innovation and implementation of POCUS, including gastric ultrasound applications that support individualized perioperative decision-making, alongside broader quality improvement and education initiatives in obstetric anesthesia.
Meade, R., Barrera-Ramirez, J., Paull, G., et al. (2015). The Influence of thermal factors on postexercise haemodynamics in trained and untrained men. The FAEB J. 29: 950.4.
Obstetric anesthesia for labor analgesia and cesarean delivery, including complex maternal comorbidity; Prevention and management of inadequate neuraxial anesthesia and intraoperative pain during cesarean delivery; POCUS-guided assessment and perioperative decision-making (including gastric ultrasound); Multidisciplinary perioperative care pathways and enhanced recovery principles in obstetrics.
Services
As Associate Director, Obstetric Anesthesia Fellowship, Dr. Kruthof, provides longitudinal mentorship and program leadership supporting fellows’ research development, professional growth, and transition to independent consultant practice.
Dr. Kruthof is committed to departmental leadership for the integration of Point-of-Care Ultrasound into obstetric anesthesia practice, supporting practice standards, quality initiatives, and sustainable adoption across clinical teams.
Dr. Kruthof is a Junior Editorial Fellow with the International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia (IJOA). She contributes to editorial workflows and peer-review processes while advancing rigorous research dissemination in obstetric anesthesia.
Teaching
Obstetric anesthesia teaching across training levels: Teaches and mentors medical students, residents, and fellows through clinical supervision, case-based teaching, and structured education with an emphasis patient-centered care.
Point-of-Care Ultrasound education and faculty development: Develops and delivers hands-on ultrasound teaching for learners and faculty, including workshops and course instruction that build competency and confidence in bedside ultrasound applications relevant to obstetric anesthesia practice.
Workshop instruction and simulation-based education: Leads and participates in national and international workshops focused on POCUS, and obstetric anesthesia emergencies.
