Today@Dal

The Faculty of Medicine and Dalhousie University are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Dr. Charles Edward Hope, anesthesiologist and former professor and Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at Dalhousie University, on April 3, 2022, at the age of 83 from complications from Alzheimer’s Disease. 

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Dr. Hope graduated from the University of Edinburgh with his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in 1962. He developed an interest in anesthesiology while completing his general medical residency and began his postgraduate research training in the field in 1968 at the Royal College of Surgeons of London. He was recruited by the University of Saskatchewan as a research professor in 1973, and soon after his arrival in Canada was asked to chair the University Hospital’s Department of Anesthesia. He relocated to Halifax and Dalhousie University in 1978 upon accepting a research professorship. A shortage in critical care physicians in the city at the time led Dr. Hope to self-train in critical care and neurological specialization, as well as undertaking his research and general anesthesia. When his mentor, Dr. Emerson Moffit resigned, Dr. Hope assumed the position of Chair of the Department of Anesthesia. 

While at Dalhousie Dr. Hope founded a neurosurgical anesthesia subspecialty, consolidated critical care, and arranged research and clinical fellowships for many physicians who would go on to have internationally recognized careers. He recruited Dr. Jose Rosales for the development of pediatric anesthesia in Halifax, and Dr. Colin Davies for the development of an academic department at the Saint John Regional Hospital in New Brunswick. 

During his 13 years as Chair of the Department of Anesthesia at Dalhousie, Dr. Hope was an effective leader and champion for anesthesia, well-known for taking exceptional care of his patients. He was involved in developing computerization and linking the Departments of Radiology, Anesthesiology, and Cardiology to the Dalhousie ethernet. 

After retiring from his position as Chair in 1998, Dr. Hope undertook two research sabbaticals before fully retiring. He moved with his wife to Peterborough, Ontario in 2018 when his Alzheimer’s Disease was no longer manageable.

Dr. Hope was a respected leader and inspiration to many. He will be profoundly missed. 

For the full obituary, click here.