Inaugural Appointment: Dr. Ahtsham Niazi Named Vincent and Anne Chan Professor in Faculty Leadership
Faculty News
Dear Colleagues,
The Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine is thrilled to announce Dr. Ahtsham Niazi as the inaugural holder of the Dr. Vincent and Anne Chan Professorship in Faculty Leadership, effective July 1, 2025. This prestigious professorship honours Dr. Vincent Chan's remarkable legacy as a global leader in anesthesiology and pain medicine and his dedication to nurturing academic excellence.
Dr. Niazi is an exceptional academic and clinical leader renowned for his contributions to regional anesthesia, acute pain medicine, and medical education. As our current Vice Chair of Education, he has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and a commitment to fostering excellence in teaching, mentorship, and innovation.
About Dr. Ahtsham Niazi
Dr. Niazi's career reflects a deep commitment to advancing education and leadership in anesthesiology:
Academic Leadership
As the former Director of the Undergraduate Medical Education Program, he has transformed the curriculum with cutting-edge methods, earning multiple teaching awards.
Successfully guided multiple department residency programs through the Royal College Accreditation programs through the review process as Vice Chair of Education.
Developed a leadership philosophy focused on empowering program directors to innovate while providing strategic guidance.
Global Impact and Innovation
Focused research on ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia education, including simulation-based training and initiatives supporting under-resourced countries.
Developed the widely accessed "Virtual Spine" model, receiving approximately 25,000 visitors annually.
Led workshops globally, establishing himself as a respected educator.
Leadership Development
Dr. Niazi is an alumnus of the New and Emerging Academic Leadership Program at the Centre for Faculty Development, enhancing his leadership skills and self-awareness.
Advocates for a leadership approach that amplifies every faculty member's potential, creating a "collective symphony" of talent.
Vision for the Professorship
As the inaugural holder of the Vincent and Anne Chan Professorship, Dr. Niazi aims to create transformative faculty development programs that:
Pioneering innovative coaching and mentoring initiatives to accelerate the growth of new faculty members.
Design cutting-edge leadership programs that set new standards in faculty development within anesthesiology and pain medicine.
Cultivate a community of emerging leaders, nurturing their potential to drive institutional excellence.
Develop high-impact clinician-teacher and educator programs that bridge the gap between clinical practice and academic leadership.
This professorship embodies Dr. Vincent Chan's belief in investing in people to amplify collective impact. It will serve as a cornerstone for advancing leadership education in anesthesiology and pain medicine, ensuring that faculty members are empowered as educators, researchers, and leaders.
Dr. Niazi's appointment to this role is a testament to his exceptional contributions to our department and his potential to shape the future of academic leadership in our field. His vision aligns perfectly with the goals of this prestigious professorship, promising to elevate our department's standing and influence in the global anesthesiology community.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Ahtsham Niazi on this well-deserved honour and in celebrating this significant milestone for our department!
