Dr. Kerryn Carter appointed department head, Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine

The Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) and Alberta Health Services (AHS) are pleased to announce the joint appointment of Dr. Kerryn Carter, FANZCA, as department head, Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, CSM, and zone clinical department head, Calgary Zone, AHS. The appointment took effect Jan. 1, 2025.

Dr. Carter is a pediatric anesthesiologist, acute and complex pain physician at the Alberta Children’s Hospital (ACH), and an associate professor at the CSM. She replaces Dr. Gary Dobson, MDCM, whom we thank for his 10 years of service in the role.

Dr. Carter is a respected anesthesiologist who was section chief of Pediatric Anesthesia at the ACH for nine years. She was most recently the department’s deputy head with responsibilities including zone medical lead for the Anesthesia Care Team, Anesthesia Fellowship director and Search and Selection committee chair. 

Dr. Carter obtained her medical degree from Otago University, New Zealand, and is a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (FANZCA). She received a postgraduate certificate in Medical Education from Peninsula Medical School, Plymouth University, UK, and completed a fellowship in Pediatric Anesthesia at the University of Calgary. She completed the CSM Leadership Program offered jointly with UCalgary’s Haskayne School of Business, in 2017.

Dr. Carter looks forward to working with members of AHS and the CSM communities together, to seek smart solutions to everyday problems and innovations to improve future health-care outcomes for patients, while strengthening the Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine department’s clinical, quality, research, education and administrative responsibilities. She recognizes the importance of our health-care workforce and teams, and the need to lead change and adapt to new realities.

In her leadership position, Dr. Carter plans to work hard and smart, to support the incredible members of the department to meet the challenges ahead and to communicate clearly and kindly as she does so.  She recognizes that the success of the department will require contributions from all members of our community and thanks everyone for their ongoing work.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Carter on her new appointment.

Todd Anderson, MD                                                                    Mark Anselmo, MD                                       
Dean, Cumming School of Medicine                                         Calgary Zone Medical Director                   
University of Calgary                                                                   Alberta Health Services