Biography
Dr. André Bernard is an Associate Professor and anesthesiologist who also serves on Dalhousie University’s Senate. As Associate Head of the Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management & Perioperative Medicine, he helps lead a department comprising over 100 local clinical faculty members and nearly 200 faculty members across the Maritimes. He currently chairs both the department’s Executive and the Central Zone Operating Room Executive Committee. Dr. Bernard is passionate about governance in healthcare, drawing on extensive experience from his roles as Board Chair of Doctors Nova Scotia (2016–2024) and as a former representative to the World Medical Association. He completed his medical education and residency at Dalhousie and earned a Master of Science in Health Policy, Planning and Financing from the London School of Economics and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. A proud alumnus of Mount Allison University (BSc), Dr. Bernard combines his dedication to clinical care with a commitment to leadership, teaching, and advancing health policy.
Research interests
Dr. André Bernard has contributed to research in perioperative care, global health, and health policy as part of collaborative efforts to improve patient outcomes. His primary focus, however, lies in leadership, administration, and education, where he strives to support innovation, mentorship, and capacity building in healthcare. Dr. Bernard is committed to fostering equity and strengthening health systems through teamwork and shared learning.
Administrative Roles
- Associate Department Head: Provides clinical and academic leadership for the department.
- Chair, Executive, Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management & Perioperative Medicine: Oversees departmental operations and strategic planning.
- Physician Advisor, One Person One Record (NSH/IWK): Represents physician perspectives and priorities to ensure the system supports effective clinical workflows, decision-making, and patient care across Nova Scotia.
- Chair, Central Zone Operating Room Executive Committee: Leads collaborative efforts to optimize operating room resources and improve surgical access.
- Former Medical Director, Preoperative Clinics, QEII Health Sciences Centre (2014–2018): Managed preoperative assessment services for patient optimization.
- Anesthesia Lead, National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Roll-Out (2018–2023): Supported the implementation of NSQIP from the perspective of anesthesia.
- Interim Anesthesia Site Chief, VG Site, QEII Health Sciences Centre (January–April 2020)
- Pharmacoeconomics Advisor, Provincial Drugs and Therapeutics Committee (2013–2020): Advised on drug formulary decisions and cost-effectiveness assessments.
- Governance Leadership: Chair and member of multiple committees, including the Governance Committee of the Canadian Medical Association and Doctors Nova Scotia Board Chair.
Education
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biopsychology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB (2000)
- Doctor of Medicine (MD), Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS (2006)
- Master of Science (MSc) in Health Policy, Planning & Financing, London School of Economics & London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK (2010)
- Directors Education Program (ICD.D), Institute of Corporate Directors, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto (2018)
Selected publications
- Bernard AM. Anesthesia Outside the Operating Room, 2nd ed. Book Review. Anesthesia & Analgesia, May 3, 2019. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000004189.
- Buckley JB, Bernard A, Gruenwoldt E, Bensimon CM, Blackmer J. Medical professionalism and physician leadership: the time for action is now. Can J Physician Leadership, 2017;3(5):85-90.
- The International Surgical Outcomes Study group [including George RB, Bernard A]. Global patient outcomes after elective surgery: prospective cohort study in 27 low-, middle-, and high-income countries. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 2016;117(5):601-609. PubMed ID: 27799174.
- Langille M, Bernard A, Rodger C, Hughes C, Leddin D, Veldhuyzen van Zanten S. Systematic review of the quality of patient information on the internet regarding inflammatory bowel disease treatments. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2010;8(4):322-8.
- Bernard A, Langille M, Hughes S, Rose C, Leddin D, Veldhuyzen van Zanten S. A systematic review of patient inflammatory bowel disease information resources on the World Wide Web. American Journal of Gastroenterology, 2007;102(9):2070-7.
Selected awards and honours
- Tom Marrie Leadership Award (2023) – Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management & Perioperative Medicine.
- Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (2023).
- Mentor/Role Model of the Year – Dalhousie University Anesthesia Residency Program (2013, 2018).
- Clinical Teacher of the Year Award – Dalhousie University Anesthesia Residency Program (2017).
- Canadian Medical Association Leadership Award – Early Career (2016).
- Dr. T.J. Murray Award in Global Health (2010) – Dalhousie University.
- Killam Scholarship (2009–2010) – Killam Trust, Dalhousie University.
- Neil Black Scholarship/Goodenough Scholar (2009–2010) – London Goodenough Association of Canada.
- Mackenzie King Traveling Scholarship (2009–2010) – Mackenzie King Scholarship Trust.
- Gil Latter Memorial Award – Mount Allison University (2000).