Dr. Vincent W. S. Chan, MD, FRCPC, FRCA

Vincent W. S. Chan, MD, FRCPC, FRCA is an anesthesiologist affiliated with University of Toronto and Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, specialising in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia and pain medicine. Dr. Vincent Chan holds the post of Professor Emeritus of Anesthesia and Head of the Regional Anesthesia and Pain Program.

Work in this area concentrates on ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks, perioperative point-of-care ultrasound for gastric, airway and lung imaging and regional anesthetic techniques and postoperative outcomes.

Physician anesthesiologists plan and deliver anaesthesia, manage pain and monitor vital functions throughout surgery and recovery. Dr. Vincent Chan contributes to this specialty through ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia and pain medicine.

Who Dr. Vincent Chan Is

• Full Name And Credentials: Vincent W. S. Chan, MD, FRCPC, FRCA
• Specialty: Anesthesiology
• Subspecialty Focus: Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia and pain medicine
• Current Position: Professor Emeritus of Anesthesia and Head of the Regional Anesthesia and Pain Program
• Institution: University of Toronto and Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network
• Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Dr. Vincent Chan Education History

The training record below is drawn from the institutional and society sources listed at the end of this profile.

• Undergraduate: BSc in biochemistry with honours, McGill University, 1976
• Medical Degree: MD, McGill University, Montreal, 1980
• Internship: Mixed internship, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, 1980 to 1981
• Residency: Internal medicine, Toronto General Hospital, 1981 to 1982
• Residency: Anesthesia, University of Toronto, 1983 to 1986
• Fellowship: Anesthesia, Toronto Western Hospital, 1986 to 1987
• Fellowship: Pain management and regional anesthesia, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 1987 to 1988
• Specialist Certification: Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in anesthesia, 1986, and Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, United Kingdom, 2011

Clinical And Research Interests Of Dr. Vincent Chan

Published professional sources describe the clinical and academic work of Dr. Vincent Chan as centred on:

• Ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks
• Perioperative point-of-care ultrasound for gastric, airway and lung imaging
• Regional anesthetic techniques and postoperative outcomes
• Acute pain management
• Teaching methods in regional anesthesia

Dr. Vincent Chan Professional Appointments

• Professor Emeritus, Department of Anesthesia, University of Toronto
• Staff Anesthesiologist, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network
• Head, Regional Anesthesia and Pain Program, Department of Anesthesia, University Health Network
• Past President, American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, 2009 to 2011
• Chair of the Scientific and Educational Planning Team for the 2018 World Congress on Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
• Editorial board member, Anesthesia and Analgesia and Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
• Founder of educational resources for ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia used worldwide

Notable Achievements Of Dr. Vincent Chan

• Gaston Labat Award, American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, 2016
• Carl Koller Award, European Society of Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Therapy, 2016
• Distinguished Service Award, ASRA Pain Medicine, 2017
• Distinguished Service Award, European Society of Regional Anaesthesia, 2013
• Teaching Recognition Award for Achievement in Education, International Anesthesia Research Society, 2013
• Gold Medal Award, Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society, 2009
• Colin Woolf Award for Long-Term Contributions to Continuing Education, University of Toronto, 2016
• Has led more than 150 ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia workshops across five continents

Location And Contact Details For Dr. Vincent Chan

University of Toronto and Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network

Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Clinical commitments at this institution are arranged through its departments and preoperative services. Confirm the current street address, department and telephone number with the institution before travelling, because academic appointments and clinic sites change.

Background On Regional Anesthesia

Regional anesthesia uses targeted injections of local anaesthetic near nerves to numb a specific part of the body, often instead of or alongside general anaesthesia. Ultrasound guidance lets the anesthesiologist see the nerve and the needle in real time, which has made these blocks more precise. For patients this can mean less pain after surgery, lower opioid requirements, less nausea and in many cases a faster return home.

Related Regional Anesthesia Profiles

If you are comparing specialists, these anesthesiologists work in closely related areas:

• Dr. Xavier Capdevila, regional anesthesia at University of Montpellier and Lapeyronie University Hospital
• Dr. Admir Hadzic, regional anesthesia at NYSORA, The New York School of Regional Anesthesia, and Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg
• Dr. Alain Borgeat, regional anesthesia at University of Zurich and Balgrist University Hospital
• Dr. Ban Tsui, regional anesthesia at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen; Adjunct Clinical Professor at Stanford University

Browse the full anesthesiologist directory for more specialists.

Appointments And Insurance For Dr. Vincent Chan

Anesthesiologists are usually brought into a patient’s care by a surgeon, a hospital preoperative clinic or a pain service rather than through direct booking. Insurance participation varies by hospital and by plan, and it changes over time. Check coverage with both the institution and your insurer before scheduling, and ask whether the named anesthesiologist will personally be involved in your care.

Key Questions About Dr. Vincent Chan

What does Dr. Vincent Chan specialise in?

Dr. Vincent Chan is an anesthesiologist whose work centres on ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia and pain medicine. Particular areas of focus include ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks and perioperative point-of-care ultrasound for gastric, airway and lung imaging.

Where does Dr. Vincent Chan practise?

Dr. Vincent Chan is based at University of Toronto and Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Where did Dr. Vincent Chan go to medical school?

MD, McGill University, Montreal, 1980. Full training details appear in the education section above.

What are the qualifications of Dr. Vincent Chan?

Vincent W. S. Chan, MD, FRCPC, FRCA. Specialist training in Anesthesia, University of Toronto, 1983 to 1986. Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in anesthesia, 1986, and Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, United Kingdom, 2011.

Is Dr. Vincent Chan board certified?

Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in anesthesia, 1986, and Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, United Kingdom, 2011. Patients and referring clinicians should confirm current licensure and certification status directly with the relevant medical board or hospital.

What position does Dr. Vincent Chan hold?

Dr. Vincent Chan is Professor Emeritus of Anesthesia and Head of the Regional Anesthesia and Pain Program, based at University of Toronto and Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network.

Information Sources For Dr. Vincent Chan

• University of Toronto Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine faculty profile
• University Health Network research profile
• International Anesthesia Research Society Teaching Recognition Award

Accuracy, Sourcing And Review Date For Dr. Vincent Chan

This profile was compiled from the public professional sources listed above, including institutional faculty pages, hospital provider directories and specialty society records. Credentials, appointments and awards were checked against at least two independent sources where available. Last reviewed on 30 October 2026.

Found something out of date? Contact the Find MD Health editorial team and we will review the entry.

Medical Disclaimer For The Dr. Vincent Chan Profile

Information only, not medical advice. Location, specialty, insurance and availability change, so confirm details with University of Toronto and Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network.