MD, MBChB, DA(SA), FRCPC, FIPP, CIPS
Originally from South Africa and trained in Cape Town and Pretoria, Dr. Berkman moved to Canada in 1990. Initially he worked as a rural GP Anaesthetist, then completed training at the University of British Columbia. He obtained his Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Anesthesia in 1995. He moved with his young family to Nanaimo, BC where after 3 years as a staff anesthesiologist with a keen interest in regional anesthesia, he was drawn into helping people with chronic pain. In 1998 he initiated the Interventional Pain Program at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. In collaboration with other stakeholders in 2004, he also developed a region wide Vancouver Island Multidisciplinary Pain Program. Dr. Berkman has developed numerous protocols and guidelines for the management of various chronic pain conditions and the management of palliative care patients. He is a life long learner and teacher and continues to treat every day as another opportunity to learn something new. He recently completed the Fellowship in Interventional Pain Practice as part of that commitment. Dr. Berkman has held various leadership positions including Head of Department, Anesthesia NRGH, Regional Chief of Anesthesia, Central Island, Site Director Anesthesia Residency Training and Medical Student Training, NRGH, Director VIHA Pain Program, Nanaimo Site, Site Director Pain Residency Training Program and recently elected as Secretary, Canada Section, World Institute of Pain. In 2016, Dr. Berkman qualified as a Certified Interventional Pain Sonologist (CIPS) with the World Institute of Pain Board of Examiners, one of the few people in the world with this qualification.His interests in pain management included optimising treatment for CRPS, promoting interventional treatments for palliative patients, spinal cord and peripheral nerve stimulation and the use of ultrasound in pain management. Alan’s outside interests include family time, kayaking, hiking, learning about wine and trying to stay fit.