In a dynamic step towards enhancing our Department’s impact across diverse communities, we are thrilled to introduce two exceptional individuals who will spearhead orthopaedic excellence in key provincial regions. Dr. Peter Dryden and Dr. Dave Cruickshank are set to assume the roles of Vancouver Island Regional Head and Interior Regional Head, respectively, ushering in a new era of leadership dedicated to advancing mobility and orthopaedic healthcare for all.
Dr. Peter Dryden, Regional Head, Vancouver Island
“I would like to thank the Department of orthopaedics at UBC for the opportunity to promote orthopaedics on Vancouver Island. The island has a tremendous group of surgeons offering quality orthopedic care. As the regional head, I hope to improve the coordination of patient care between smaller and larger sites. I hope to engage all members strengths to improve care for our patients.”
Dr. Dave Cruickshank, Regional Head, Interior
“Having worked in the Interior of BC for the last 6 years, I am proud of the work and accomplishments that have been made by the Orthopaedics groups throughout our region. In taking on this new role of Regional Head of Orthopaedics, Interior, I am excited to continue the development of strong ties and networks with the rest of the UBC Department of Orthopaedics in promoting our work and supporting our surgeons, residents and medical students.”
The appointment of Dr. Peter Dryden and Dr. Dave Cruickshank to the roles of Vancouver Island Regional Head and Interior Regional Head represents a strategic move towards amplifying our Department’s impact within key regional spheres. With a shared dedication to fostering inclusivity and advancing orthopaedic healthcare, both Dr. Dryden and Dr. Cruickshank bring a wealth of expertise and passion to their respective roles.
Dr. Peter Dryden, our incoming Vancouver Island Regional Head, brings a wealth of experience in orthopaedic surgery and medical education, coupled with a deep commitment to serving diverse patient populations. As he assumes leadership in representing our faculty members at Island Health Authority, Dr. Dryden’s vision aligns seamlessly with our Department’s mission of maximizing mobility and function for all individuals. His collaborative approach and unwavering dedication to equity and inclusion make him a formidable advocate for advancing orthopaedic healthcare on Vancouver Island.
Similarly, Dr. Dave Cruickshank, stepping into the role of Interior Regional Head, embodies the spirit of excellence and innovation that defines our Department’s ethos. With a focus on driving research initiatives, supporting education leadership, and advocating for faculty needs within the Interior Health Authority, Dr. Cruickshank’s leadership promises to elevate our Department’s presence and impact across regional boundaries. His commitment to fostering a culture of collaboration and discovery resonates deeply with our Department’s values, further solidifying our position as a global centre of orthopaedic excellence.
As we welcome Dr. Dryden and Dr. Cruickshank into their new roles, we also extend our heartfelt gratitude to outgoing leaders Dr. Colin Landells and Dr. John Oliver for their invaluable contributions to our Department. Their dedication and leadership have laid the groundwork for continued success, and we are immensely grateful for their service.
“To my knowledge I believe that I was the first orthopaedic surgeon to be privileged to hold this appointment for The Island, which was established at the end of 2018. For me the highlight has been witnessing the increased engagement and collaboration between our local orthopaedic group, the Island Medical Program, the University of Victoria Department of Biomedical Engineering, and the province-wide UBC Department of Orthopaedics. This has resulted in enhanced research and educational opportunities that has allowed us to stretch beyond our traditional regional silos like never before. Now that the University of Victoria will also be opening a physiotherapy school as part of the distributed UBC physiotherapy training program, there will be further exciting opportunities on the horizon. Dr. John Oliver has been my Regional Head counterpart in the Interior, and Jack has established a regional Zoom rounds within the Interior Orthopaedic community. This has worked well to regularly engage all of the Interior Orthopaedic Surgical communities in discussing matters of common clinical and academic interest. I believe this could also work well here on Vancouver Island, bringing together all of our distributed Orthopaedic Surgeons on The Island even more than our annual Juan de Fuca meeting held in Victoria has been doing for more than 40 years. As I pass the torch to our next Regional Head for Vancouver Island, I feel excited about the direction that our Department is going. We are now more than ever before united as a provincial Department of Orthopaedics with more academic engagement within all of our regions. I look forward to watching our Department continue to evolve as we grow stronger together.” – Dr. Colin Landells, Outgoing Head, Vancouver Island
“In my role as the Interior Regional Head, my primary mission has been fostering connection and collaboration among the six orthopaedic surgery groups scattered across the Interior Health Authority. It’s been a journey filled with challenges, but also deeply rewarding moments of progress. Through initiatives like our Zoom meetings and the Annual Schatzker Trauma Meeting in Kelowna, I’ve witnessed firsthand how communication can transform the landscape of care. Looking ahead, I see endless possibilities. From offering rotations for budding orthopedic residents to creating fellowship experiences, our region holds vast potential for growth and learning. But beyond the professional milestones, what truly fuels me is the sense of community we’ve built.” – Dr. John Oliver, Outgoing Head, Interior
This new chapter in our Department’s journey aligns seamlessly with our strategic goals of establishing exemplary orthopaedic teaching and learning experiences, driving insightful discovery through groundbreaking research, and providing outstanding orthopaedic healthcare outcomes. By fostering regional leadership that champions equity, diversity, and inclusion, we reaffirm our commitment to realizing our vision of pain-free mobility for all. We invite our faculty, staff, trainees, students, and community stakeholders to join us in celebrating this exciting milestone and embracing the opportunities that lie ahead. Together, we will continue to inspire our profession and transform patient outcomes, one step at a time.
