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. Michael van der Westhuizen!
Rank: Clinical Instructor
Dr. Mike van der Westhuizen completed a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Life Sciences with a minor in Psychology at Queen’s University, before moving west to attend medical school and residency at UBC. Having grown up in Victoria, he always felt a strong pull back to the west coast. His current role at UBC is driven by a clear sense of purpose — shaped by vivid memories of the challenges of residency. Motivated by those experiences, Dr. van der Westhuizen expresses that, “if I can make residency even a little better through my work as coordinator, I consider that a success.”
“A fast-paced, dynamic environment pushes you to grow, and being surrounded by talented residents and colleagues inspires continuous improvement.”
— Michael van der Westhuizen, Clinical Instructor, UBC
Responses have been edited for flow, clarity, and style.
What’s one piece of advice you received early in your career that has stayed with you?
Working hard through difficult times builds resilience and strength, while choosing the easy path ultimately makes life harder. Enjoy simple pleasures and maintain a healthy lifestyle, but don’t avoid meaningful challenges. Embrace demanding social and career experiences that help you grow, strengthen your character, and become a better person.
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
A fast-paced, dynamic environment pushes you to grow, and being surrounded by talented residents and colleagues inspires continuous improvement. At Victoria and UBC, we are privileged to work alongside world-class surgeons, nurses, anesthetic assistants, and perioperative staff whose personalities make each day rewarding. This dedicated team works tirelessly to enhance patient care, supporting people during some of their most vulnerable and stressful moments—work that never grows old.
What have you learned from working with residents and students that has surprised or inspired you?
People come from diverse backgrounds, each bringing unique social and professional challenges as well as valuable perspectives. Everyone has something distinctive to offer, and discovering how to bring out the best in individuals based on their differences is both inspiring and continually surprising.
If you weren’t in this field, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
I guess we’ll never know!