Chipperfield, Kate
MD, FRCP
Academic Rank(s): Clinical Professor, UBC, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine | Head, Division of Hematopathology, BC Children’s Hospital
Affiliation(s): BCCH / BCCHRI
Research and Scholarly Interests: Hematology changes during pregnancy and peripartum, Pediatric and perinatal blood transfusion and hematology laboratory testing, transfusion medicine
Clinical Interests: Hematopathology, specifically within the pediatric and perinatal populations. Transfusion medicine, particularly in the context of pediatric and perinatal care. Education and quality improvement in hematology, transfusion medicine, and laboratory testing.
Academic Background
- Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Hematological Pathology. 2003
- Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Certificate of Special Competence in Hematology. 2001
- Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Internal Medicine. 2000
Awards and Recognition
- Melvyn Bernstein Resident Teaching Award, UBC Dept of Pathology Residents, 2019
- Award for Excellence in Clinical Service, UBC Dept of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, 2011
- Faculty of Medicine Clinical Excellence in Teaching Award, UBC. May 2007
- Education Award for Excellence, UBC Dept of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, May 2007
- Master Teacher Award (Hematology/Transfusion Medicine), UBC Anesthesia Residents 2006
Publications
Research Interest
- Pediatric and Perinatal blood transfusion and hematology laboratory testing
- Patient safety and quality
Current Projects In My Lab Include
Teaching Interest
- Undergraduate Medical and Post-Graduate training in Transfusion Medicine, Hematology and Hematopathology. [See teaching statement below]
- Creation, implementation and coordination of a recurring dedicated one-month Transfusion Medicine Rotation for General Pathology, Hematopathology and Hematology Residents, UBC, PATH 704 (0).
Teaching Statement
My focus in undergraduate and post-graduate medical education is Hematological Pathology and Transfusion Medicine. The majority of my teaching efforts are focused in the hematopathology, pediatric hematology/oncology, and clinical hematology residency programs. As a hematopathologist participating in sign-out duties at BC Children’s Hospital, I teach residents and medical students around the microscope whenever I am on service.
In a structured setting I teach using a combination of didactic lecture and case scenarios. Such an approach allows the physician in-training to process necessary background knowledge around a topic and then apply it in a practical manner. In this way, key points critical for effective hematology or transfusion practices are reiterated. Within the rotations I coordinate or mentor, questions, discussions, and trainee-driven literature reviews and teaching are encouraged. Whenever possible, clinical cases or teaching points are illustrated using digital photos, related blood films, bone marrow films, or serologic methods and reactions.
A major part of achieving quality in transfusion medicine and laboratory hematology is ensuring that medical students, residents, physicians and nurses understand indications for lab testing, product transfusion, correct administration of product, recognition and management of adverse transfusion events, and correct interpretation of laboratory hematology testing. To this end, I teach not only medical students and residents in organized sessions, but practicing physicians and nurses by day to day interactions, and by developing systematic education or process improvements.
I believe in guiding literature-based, and trainee-driven learning toward practical lessons applicable to everyday patient care scenarios.