2022 Academic Gown Ceremonies

On May 25, the Faculty of Medicine celebrated the academic achievements and distinguished careers of faculty members during the most recent Academic Gowns and Emeriti Recognition Ceremony. We would like to congratulate our newly promoted faculty members! Learn more about the careers and accomplishments of our UBC Orthopaedics honourees below.


Peter O’Brien

Associate Professor Emeritus

Dr. Peter O’Brien is an Associate Professor Emeritus in the Division of Orthopaedic Trauma. He served as the Deputy Head, Chair of the Clinical Faculty Appointment, Reappointment, and Promotion Committee, and is the co-founder of the Uganda Sustainable Trauma Orthopaedic Program, which aims to reduce human suffering, disability, and poverty caused by traumatic injuries in Uganda. The focus of his practice is primarily on acute injuries of the extremities and pelvis and the reconstruction of post-traumatic complications. He has made many valuable contributions to the Department of Orthopaedics and the Faculty of Medicine throughout his 31-year career, evidenced by his long and exemplary records of teaching, research, and service at UBC.


Christine Alvarez

Clinical Professor

Dr. Christine Alvarez is a Clinical Professor in the Division of Pediatric Orthopaedics. She has been with the Faculty for 21 years. Her clinical area of expertise is Hereditary Multiple Exostoses and Clubfoot. Dr. Alvarez created and leads the BC Children’s Hospital Clubfoot Clinic, which provides care for patients with idiopathic clubfeet, complex syndromes, and deformities. This clinic was developed with the intention to ensure the medical and surgical needs of the patients are met. Dr. Alvarez has been part of impactful committees at a local and national level, including the Teaching Faculty and Advisory Committee for the International Society of Arthrogryposis, the Steering Committee for the Canadian Botulinum Toxin Conference, the Orthopaedic Redesign Committee, and the Trauma Committee.


Danny Goel

Clinical Professor

Dr. Danny Goel is a Clinical Professor in the Division of Reconstructive Arthroscopy. He has been a Faculty member since 2012. Dr. Goel’s practice includes all aspects of arthroscopic and reconstructive shoulder surgery. His clinical area of expertise is shoulder reconstruction, with special emphasis on complex tendon transfer. He also has a special interest in patient care improvement and recently adopted a global perspective on surgical education with a software company (PrecisionOS) that is focused on democratizing access to experiential surgical education Since his last promotion, he has been heavily involved in research and has published several studies, many of which have won multiple awards.


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