Role: Clinical Professor
Department: Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery
Location: Vancouver
Dr. Erin Brown initially joined UBC to pursue his PhD in neuroscience. As this was nearing completion, he embarked on a new challenge: enrolling in medical school, followed by a residency in plastic surgery at UBC, and a fellowship at UCLA. He then returned to UBC, where he has served as a dedicated clinical faculty member ever since.
Throughout his tenure as a clinical faculty member, Dr. Brown has undertaken various roles, including Research and Fellowship Director in Plastic Surgery. He was most recently appointed Head of the UBC Division of Plastic Surgery, providing leadership and support to division members.
Over the course of his career at UBC, Dr. Brown has been a devoted mentor to training the next generation of UBC medical students and residents. In addition, he has directed the Hand and Microsurgery Fellowship, which offers postdoctoral trainees exposure to adult elective and trauma hand wrist surgery. In recognition of his exceptional commitment to teaching, Dr. Brown was honoured with the Faculty’s 2023 Excellence in Clinical Teaching (mid-career) award.
Beyond UBC, he is an active clinician in hand and microsurgery and involved in national and provincial initiatives, including Chair of the Royal College of Physician and Surgeons of Canada Examination in Plastic Surgery, Deputy Editor of the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery and Editor for HANDe. Notably, he collaborates with clinical instructor Dr. Elliott Weiss and assistant professor Dr. Kathryn Isaac in developing the Provincial Lymphedema Program, aimed at providing care for individuals affected by this incurable disease.
What do you enjoy most about teaching and mentoring?
Sharing my enthusiasm with any engaged learner is invigorating. What continues to surprise me is the feedback from grateful learners who comment on events and experiences that didn’t register to me as particularly salient. To me, that is the magic of teaching and learning. If you try and create a space for growth, it will occur through the unique lens of each individual learner.
How does the Faculty’s vision Transforming Health for Everyone guide your approach to teaching?
These values all fall within my beliefs as a scientific humanist. My commitment extends beyond the classroom, as I continue to volunteer my time with activities locally and abroad. I strongly support the ethos contained within the book, The Expanding Circle by Peter Singer: We can’t make water flow uphill. As we try to gradually improve society, we should acknowledge the innate features of human nature and work with these tendencies, not against them.
What is the best piece of teaching advice you received from a fellow clinical faculty member?
The BEST piece of advice I have ever received during my 18 years of training is to “Date your theories, never marry them.” This advice is a call to embrace epistemic humility. I try to live this every day, although not always as successfully as I’d like.
Describe one of your favourite hidden gems in your local community?
One of my favourite local hidden gems is the trails on the North Shore. The trails are serene and beautiful, and fantastic for runs in the pitch dark with a headlight.
