When he isn’t hiking the many trails on the West Coast or skiing the slopes in Whistler, Dr. Gordon Finlayson is saving lives as an anesthesiologist at Vancouver General Hospital’s (VGH) ICU.

Where did you grow up?

I was born in Victoria and raised in Vancouver.

How long have you worked at VGH?

I’ve worked as an attending physician at VGH since 2008, but have been hanging around since I was a third-year medical student in 1999.

Why are you so passionate about working in intensive medicine?

I’m passionate about working in critical care because we have the privilege of caring for the sickest and most complex patients and their families, all the while collaborating with an incredible group of colleagues and a team of dedicated nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacologists, dietitians, physiotherapists and social workers. I do it every day because the work is so impactful.

How do you spend your down time?

The little time I have, I spend with my wife (a surgeon at VGH) and two daughters. We love hiking as a family and adventure travelling. We recently returned from a trip to Patagonia. On the rare day I have to myself, I’m usually pointing my skis downhill.

What are three things you always have in your fridge?

My refrigerator always has salsa, ice cream and club soda.