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. Danielle Lessor!
Danielle’s journey into medicine began early. As a youth, she volunteered as a candy-striper at her rural hospital for six years, where she developed a deep sense of compassion and presence with others. This experience inspired her to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, leading to a six-year career across a variety of practice settings where she discovered a particular passion for clinical education. Drawn toward medicine, Danielle completed an Associate of Science degree while working, and in 2014, was accepted into the UBC MD program (Northern Medical Program). Her path has since led her to her current role as an Anesthesia Resident.
“The breadth of knowledge required in anesthesia is immense, which constantly challenges me to expand my capacity and understanding. Within that expansion, there are moments of landing where I can appreciate the journey and reconnect with my purpose.”
– Danielle Lessor, Anesthesia Resident, UBC
What has surprised you most about your training?
What has surprised me in training is the way it has revealed layers of myself as I evolve as a trainee and person. The breadth of knowledge required in anesthesia is immense, which constantly challenges me to expand my capacity and understanding. Within that expansion, there are moments of landing where I can appreciate the journey and reconnect with my purpose. Our training is intended to be iterative with longitudinal clinical exposure and ongoing reflexive praxis. What has most pleasantly surprised me is the personal growth that has unfolded serendipitously along this professional pathway.
What areas of research or practice are you most passionate about?
First, Trauma-Informed Peri-operative Practice – With the guidance of esteemed mentors, our goal is to advance education and develop practice recommendations for anesthesiologists acknowledging the profound impact adverse childhood experiences and other traumas can have on patients as they present. It offers a compassionate, human-centered approach supporting a regulated nervous system, fostering safety and trust while minimizing unintended harm.
Secondly, Transdiagnostic Potential of Psychedelic Medicine – Psilocybin or MDMA Assisted Therapies for chronic pain. Our UBC team is partnered with UofT to study MDMA with psychotherapy for chronic neuropathic pain through the “EASE Pain Trial” – a double-blind, active placebo-controlled pilot RCT with Health Canada approval and $1 Million CIHR funding.
What do you enjoy doing outside of the hospital or lab?
Although I derive deep purpose and motivation through work, the most meaningful moments of my life happen outside of the hospital. I am a mother of two sweet AND wild boys – Mykhailo, 6 and Nikolai, 3. Experiencing the journey of life alongside these beautiful souls has been my greatest joy. I am captivated by each stage of their growth, yet profoundly cherish their earliest days. For each child I took the maximum leave and started our journey together in the forest near the ocean on Vancouver Island forming a crucible within which to start their lives off with peace and presence.
What’s a fun fact about you that most people wouldn’t guess?
My fun facts are about wandering the world. I grew up in a remote floating cabin up the Sunshine Coast where swimming in the lake, foraging mushrooms with dad and learning to identify plants and trees by features were my favourite pastimes. Now, my boys are also lake children! I have backpacked through Southeast Asia, Indonesia and Costa Rica over multiple adventures. I am also a yoga teacher who completed teacher training in Bali and have enjoyed many retreats. Unbelievable fact (if you know me), I’ve been completely silent for days at a time over several Vipassana (Buddhist insight meditation) experiences.