Newswise — Vincent W.S. Chan, MD, FRCPC, received the prestigious Gaston Labat Award on Saturday, April 2nd, at the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine Meeting in New Orleans, LA.
The award is given annually to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding contributions to the development, teaching, and practice of regional anesthesia in the tradition of Gaston P. Labat, MD (1843-1908).
In front of a crowd of colleagues and family members, Dr. Chan presented the annual Gaston Labat Lectureship, with a key message focusing on work-life balance. “Without such balance, the family will be unhappy and it will become difficult for one to pursue an academic career.”
Dr. Chan, a professor of Anesthesia at the University of Toronto, is widely considered an international leader in regional anesthesia and pain medicine. His past awards have included the Gold Medal Award by the Canadian Anesthesiologists, the FRCA Fellowship by Election by the Royal College of Anaesthestists (UK), the International Anesthesia Research Society Teaching Recognition Award for Achievement in Education, and the Distinguished Service Award from the European Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Therapy. Dr. Chan is a former president of ASRA, serving from 2009-2011.
On the occasion of ASRA’s 40th Anniversary in 2015, interviewer and fellow anesthesiologist Dr. Sandra Kopp called Dr. Chan the “father of ultrasound in regional anesthesia,” although he said he refused to accept that title, and instead emphasized the collective contributions to the field.
“One thing I believe in is we need to continue to innovate,” he said, calling ultrasound “just one good tool that we’re using.” He said we must apply knowledge to better the care of patients. One such example is to use ultrasound for perioperative applications and as an extension of physical examination.
Dr. Chan received his Bachelors of Science degree and MD from McGill University in Montreal, and he obtained postgraduate training in anesthesiology at University of Toronto.
Dr. Chan also serves on the editorial board of Anesthesiology and Regional Anesthesia Pain Medicine. He has published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles, 14 book chapters, and 80 scientific abstracts. He has performed 46 visiting professorships in North America and abroad and given more than 120 international and 90 domestic lectures. In addition, he has trained more than 40 postgraduate clinical and research fellows during his academic career.
The American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine is a professional member organization of more than 4,000 physicians and healthcare providers across the United States and the world. Founded in 1975, the mission of ASRA is to advance the science and practice of regional anesthesia and pain medicine. ASRA is headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA. For more information, visit www.asra.com.
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