CAS world anesthesia day webinar
October 16, 2025
8 PM ET - 90 minute duration
Register
This event is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification program of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and approved by the Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society. You may claim a maximum of 1.5 hours (credits are automatically calculated).
To mark World Anesthesia Day, we are delighted to host this special webinar celebrating the incredible contributions of anesthesia professionals worldwide. This session will highlight the evolution of our specialty, discuss current challenges, and inspire us to continue advancing safe, equitable perioperative care for patients everywhere. Join us as we honor the past, reflect on the present, and look toward the future of anesthesia.
After participating in this activity, participants will be able to:
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Appreciate the history and milestones of anesthesia as a specialty and its global impact.
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Recognize the contributions of anesthesia professionals in advancing patient safety and perioperative care worldwide.
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Discuss current challenges in global anesthesia access and workforce development.
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Share innovative solutions and collaborative initiatives improving perioperative care in diverse settings.
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Be inspired to engage in advocacy, education, and research to strengthen anesthesia services globally.
Presenter: Dr Vincent Chan
University of Toronto
Talk title: Beyond the Mask: Lessons from a Life in Anesthesia
Learning Objectives:
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Apply curiosity as a driver of lifelong learning and better patient care.
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Challenge dogma respectfully to advance evidence-based practice.
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Use research and innovation as everyday tools to improve patient outcomes.
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Learn across disciplines and build strong teams for lasting impact.
Dr Vincent Chan received a Bachelor of Science degree (Biochemistry, Honors) in 1976 and his MD degree in 1980 from McGill University, Montreal. He obtained postgraduate training in Anesthesiology at University of Toronto, Toronto and board certification (FRCPC, Anesthesia) in 1986. Dr. Chan is acknowledged by his colleagues as an international leader in the fields of regional anesthesia and pain medicine. In 2009, he was awarded the Gold Medal Award by the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society, the highest personal award in recognition of his contribution to anesthesia in Canada through excellence in teaching, research, professional practice in the field of ultrasound guided regional anesthesia.
He was President of the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine from 2009 to 2011. In 2011, he was conferred with the award of the FRCA Fellowship by Election by the Royal College of Anaesthetists (UK). In May 2013, he received the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS) Teaching Recognition Award for Achievement in Education. In October 2013, he received the Distinguished Service Award from European Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Therapy (Spain) for outstanding clinical, educational and scientific achievements in anesthesiology, and for contributions to the increased knowledge and practice of regional anesthesia.
Dr Chan also serves on the editorial board of the Anesthesia Analgesia Journal and Regional Anesthesia Pain Medicine Journal. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles, 14 book chapters and over 80 scientific abstracts. Dr. Chan has performed 46 visiting professorships in North America and abroad and given over 120 international and 90 domestic lectures. He has trained more than 40 postgraduate clinical and research fellows during his academic career.
Presenter: Dr Don Miller
University of Ottawa
Talk title: Early Canadian Contributions to Anesthesiology and Career Life Lessons Learned
Lecture Objectives:
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To identify the purpose of celebrating October 16th World Anesthesia Day
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To list five pivotal early Canadian contributions to the advancement of world-wide perioperative patient care
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To share professional lessons learned from a career in anesthesiology
Dr Miller obtained his Medical Degree at Queen’s University in Kingston (1980). Following residency (Ottawa) and fellowship training (Toronto), Dr Miller was appointed to The Ottawa Hospital medical staff and the University of Ottawa (1985). Advancing through the ranks to Full Professor, Dr Miller’s career spanned 40 years of clinical practice, teaching and research in anesthesiology and pain medicine. Throughout his career, Dr Miller served in many administrative, mentorship, and leadership roles including Research Director of the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine and the Research Committee Chair of the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society.
He is a former Anesthesiology Site Chief, former Interim Head and Chair of Anesthesiology, and past Chair of Credentials at The Ottawa Hospital. Dr. Miller proudly served as Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Journal of Anesthesia (2005-13). His contributions were recognized when he received the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society Gold Medal (2016).
Moderator: Dr Wesley Rajaleelan
Chair, Archives and Artifacts Committee
University of Ottawa
Dr Wesley Rajaleelan is a staff anesthesiologist at The Ottawa Hospital and holds a faculty appointment as an Assistant Professor at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine. He currently serves as the global and rural health representative from the University of Ottawa on the ACUDA board and chairs the GSOGAC (Global Surgery, OBGYN, Anesthesiology Committee) at The Ottawa Hospital.
Dr Rajaleelan is the Director for Global Health within the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at the University of Ottawa and actively contributes to national initiatives as a member-at-large on both the Abstracts Subcommittee and the Annual Meeting Scientific Program Committee of the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society (CAS). He was recently appointed as the co-lead for the Ethiopia mission under the educational mandate of CASIEF and serves as the Chair of the Archives and Artifacts Committee of the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society.