Andrew Cave named Alberta’s top family physician

Andrew Cave, Department of Family Medicine, received the Reg. L Perkin Award from the College of Family Physicians of Canada

The College of Family Physicians of Canada has announced that Department of Family Medicine professor and family physician Andrew Cave is the Alberta recipient of the Reg L. Perkin Award and the province’s top family physician of the year. This award is given annually to nine family physicians across Canada who exemplify the guiding principles of family medicine: to be a skilled, community-based physician, a resource to the practice population and to recognize the central importance of the doctor-patient relationship. While Cave has received a number of awards over the course of his medical career, this recognition speaks not only to his skills as a physician and an academic, but also to how his curiosity, persistence and positive attitude have made a significant positive impact.

Cave began his medical career as a surgical resident in his native U.K., but became more interested in family medicine after working as a locum. After seven years in rural practice, he took a sabbatical and moved to Canada to pursue a master’s degree in family medicine at Western University in London, Ont. While in the program, he discovered an interest in research, which stayed with him when he joined the University of Alberta’s Department of Family Medicine in 1992. He would go on to become chair of the department’s research committee in 1994 and, eventually, director of research for the department from 2000 until 2006.
He is known throughout the department for his inquisitive nature and positive outlook, both of which have been of benefit to him and his colleagues. Neil Drummond, Cave’s fellow researcher and AHS Chair of Primary Care Research, can attest to this. 

“Andrew is an optimist and an enthusiast. He approaches research from a position of believing there is something useful to learn about almost any issue and he's persistent,” said Drummond. “These qualities make him difficult to turn away when he comes up with an idea. I've sometimes thought I should, but I don't think I ever have. And he'll take findings and promote them on an international stage, which is gutsy and effective.” 

Although he has varied research interests, Cave has contributed significantly to the research and treatment of respiratory illness, including being involved in the Respiratory Health Strategic Clinical Network (RSCN). The RSCN  has developed electronic medical records tools for physicians and parents in Alberta to more easily access patient information in order to appropriately manage asthma.

He implements his research as part of the care team at the Kaye Family Medicine Clinic, where alongside a respiratory therapist he holds a weekly clinic treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. He also collaborates with other clinic team members, including pharmacist Hoan Linh Banh. 

“He is one of the few family physicians who works alongside a pharmacist to provide patient care,” said Banh. “With each of our specialties combined, we are able to optimize patient care while minimizing potential adverse drug side-effects.”  

“He is a wise and caring clinician, which I know from the praise I hear for him from my patients he sees when I am away,” added Kaye Family Medicine Clinic colleague and department chair Lee Green.

In addition to his work with patients and colleagues, Cave has successfully collaborated with communities outside the university to implement research. Over the last three years, he has supervised and mentored summer research students in the research and development of resources to equip coaches in minor soccer, and other sports, with the knowledge and tools to recognize and respond when young athletes are struggling with asthma. This initiative began because Cave took the time to respond to an email from a U of A biology student, who also happened to be a coach with the Edmonton Soccer Association,  looking for resources to help players he works with.