Welcome back to our Faculty Spotlight series following a brief end of Academic Year/beginning of Academic Year hiatus. We’re excited to introduce you to Dr. Sue Burgess. I was really excited to get to know her a bit better. Keep reading to learn more about this inspiring colleague!

Dr. Sue Burgess leaning on a railing with a backpack on with a sharps containing in the water bottle holder.
Site:
- Pender AOA- Inner City – Vancouver elsewhere re patients with structural vulnerabilities/addictions. May’s and Cottage hospices. Kilalalelum and DCHC Clinics
What’s the best part of your job?
- The people I am privileged to meet. The patients are beautiful and constantly call for adaptation; innovation and re thinking on my part and that of my colleagues. Rarely are any folks ‘lying down’ and they have taught me a bit about what ‘Dying with your Boots on’ might mean for so many people. Moment to moment awareness and dropping my assumptions… Amazingly creative and compassionate nursing colleagues also.
Favourite Song:
- Cymbeline / Prospero’s Lament – as sung by Loreena McKennitt
Favourite Past-Time Activity:
- Singing in a choir!!
Favourite restaurant in your community:
- Wild Sushi – very quiet!
A Book You Would Recommend:
- The Book of Joy

Dr. Sue Burgess and a patient hugging and smiling for the camera.
What are you creating in the world right now?
- Less stuff – more climate care – working for a world hospitable for all young things – including my grandson. Working to create space for an Inner City Indigenous Palliative Care Navigator to help us all!
Best piece of advice for new physicians:
- If you think you know everything, beware!. If we think we do , we’re dangerous!