News & Events
Dalhousie anesthesiologist Dr. Patricia Livingston named Officer of the Order of Canada
By Sarah Zwaan
A few words at the right time can change the course of one's life. Dr. Patricia Livingston knows this to be true.
It all began in 2007 when Dr. Livingston attended grand rounds at Dalhousie University where Dr. Franco Carli was presenting about the Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society International Education Foundation (CASIEF) program in Rwanda. He was charismatic, warm and inviting," Dr. Livingston recalled. "I had no experience whatsoever working in this context." Inspired by Dr. Carli's words, she signed up for the first Anesthesia Global Outreach Course. And her career in Global Health was launched.
Dr. Livingston has been named an Officer of the Order of Canada by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada. Dr. Livingston is an Associate Professor of Anesthesia and Medical Director of Global Health in the Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management & Perioperative Medicine at Dalhousie University. She is also a well-respected anesthesiologist at the QEII Health Sciences Centre at Nova Scotia Health.
Dr. Livingston had just finished her day working in the pain management unit at the QEII when she received an email asking her to call the Governor General's office. "My first reaction was shock and also that there had been a mistake. Once the reality set in, I felt enormously honoured and grateful."
This honour, however, does not come as a surprise to colleagues who know and love Dr. Livingston.
"I can't even begin to imagine how many patients' lives have been saved in countries like Rwanda thanks to Dr. Livingston's work," said Dr. Janice Chisholm, Head of the Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management & Perioperative Medicine at Dalhousie University. "We are proud of all that she has accomplished."
In 2008, Dr. Livingston travelled to Rwanda to assist with teaching local residents on safe anesthesia practices. Once there, she quickly realized the curriculum of the program needed development. Dr. Livingston wasted no time and enrolled in a Master of Education program at Acadia University and worked with Rwandan partners to design a curriculum for anesthesia residency. Within a year, Dr. Livingston established the Anesthesia Global Health Office at Dalhousie University and became the lead for CASIEF's program in Rwanda. In 2013 Dr. Livingston successfully opened the Faculty of Medicine Skills and Simulation Centre in Kigali, Rwanda. Currently, Dr. Livingston is working with partners to bring simulation-based education to resource-limited and remote locations globally.
Thanks to her work, many Dalhousie University and Nova Scotia Health staff, fellows and residents have travelled to Rwanda to teach. The training and retention of even one skilled anesthesiologist in countries like Rwanda has had a lasting impact on thousands of lives. And, in turn, Rwandan residents have had the opportunity to come to Dalhousie for electives ranging from 3 to 6 months. It has been an opportunity of a lifetime for all involved.
Dr. Livingston credits her many mentors with shaping her career along the way. "These people often give you a little push or say just the right thing to change your perspective. A few words at the right time can be life changing."
And now she hopes she can inspire young anesthesiologists to follow in her footsteps.
"There are few joys in life as great as seeing keen learners learning. Some of my happiest days have been spent teaching residents in Rwanda. My greatest goal now is to mentor and empower younger people to continue with what our team has developed."