About Us
The Canberra Hospital (TCH) is a modern 672 bed hospital and the major tertiary referral and trauma teaching hospital for the Australian Capital Territory and surrounding New South Wales region serving a population of 0.5 million, with an annual caseload of over 19,000.
TCH is a teaching hospital of the Australian National University (ANU) Medical School and has strong research links to the John Curtin School of Medical Research at the ANU as well as to the University of Canberra.​ The Hospital plays a major role in the Capital Region Retrieval Service and in its' ACT SouthCare Rescue Helicopter.
​
The Hospital is an accredited training site of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA), with over 30 ANZCA trainees and up to 4 provisional fellows employed at any time. Training opportunities are comprehensive, with trainees able to complete their entire Fellowship requirements while employed within our training network.
The Department of Anaesthesia, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management (DoAPMPM) at TCH provides a comprehensive anaesthetic service to 22 operating theatres, including a dedicated MRI neuroanaesthesia theatre, and hybrid vascular and interventional radiology suites. The Department provides services to "out-of-areas" locations for general anaesthesia or sedation, such as gastroenterology, interventional cardiology, medical imaging, electroconvulsive therapy and brachytherapy, along with an active preadmission clinic, a post-anaesthesia care unit and an acute and chronic pain management service.
Surgical subspecialties include; cardiothoracic, neurosurgery (including Intraoperative MRI), colorectal, endocrine, ear nose & throat, dental, eye, head and neck, hepatobiliary, orthopaedic (2 to 3 theatres daily), plastic and reconstructive surgery, respiratory medicine (bronchoscopy, endobronchial ultrasound, tracheal stenting), upper gastrointestinal, urology, vascular, paediatric, obstetric and gynaecology.
Members Area
Click the link below to access the Members Only Area
Our Management Team
Associate Professor Lance Lasersohn
Director
​
Dr Jennifer Hartley
Education and Training Portfolio Manager
Jennifer is a staff anaesthetist with subspeciality qualifications in paediatric anaesthesia, having completed her initial training at Canberra Hospital and paediatric fellowship at Westmead Hospital.
​
In addition to her Education and Training Portfolio, Jennifer is an ANZCA Supervisor of Training and the Department's clinical lead for paediatric anaesthesia.
Mr Jeremy Crane
Office Manager
Jeremy joined our Department in 2016 after a couple of stints of acting to cover the leave of our former Office Manager.
He works full-time and, together with our Administration Support Officer, he has the the busy task of ensuring the Department meets all of its administrative requirements and runs smoothly.
Dr Andrew Hehir
Deputy Director
Andrew completed his undergraduate training at Sydney University, residency at Westmead Hospital and anaesthetic training through Royal North Shore Hospital. He completed a year of training at Guys, St Thomas’ and Evelina Children’s’ Hospitals in London.
Andrew has worked as a specialist anaesthetist in Canberra since 2008. His areas of clinical interest include: ENT, faciomaxillary, gastrointestinal and general surgery, neurosurgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, orthopaedic, plastic/ reconstructive and vascular anaesthesia.
​
Andrew maintains a busy non-clinical schedule as he has been the Co-Deputy Director of this Department since 2019.
Andrew's other areas of advocacy and involvement include; ANZCA ACT regional committee 2014-2018 (Chair 2014-2017), ASA regional committee 2009-2017 (Deputy Chair 2011-2014), VMOA committee 2014-2016 (Vice President 2015-2016). Director ACT Anaesthesia 2010 - Present (Chair 2017-2018).
Andrew is also involved in education and teaching as a EMAC and CICO instructor. He has previously been a Scholar Role Tutor and SSU Supervisor for Vascular Surgery and Interventional Radiology TCH.
Dr Nicole Somi
Human Resources Portfolio Manager
Nicole Somi is staff anaesthetist with a keen interest in medical administration. She obtained her fellowship 2022 after completing the majority of her training at Canberra Hospital, and a neuroanaesthesia fellowship in Western Australia.
​
Ms Monjolaoluwa "Monjola" Kolajo
Administration Support
.
Dr Adam Eslick
Deputy Director
.
Dr Manasi Rai
Quality and Safety Portfolio Manager
Manasi is a senior staff anaesthetist with an interest in perioperative and pain medicine.
In addition to her portfolio role, Manasi is also the ANZCA ACT Regional Committee officer for safety and quality.
Manasi is a co-lead for the Department's acute pain service and is a member of the Acute Pain SIG of the Anaesthesia Continuing Education (ACE) group.
Manasi is also a co-lead for the Department's perioperative medicine service, is a graduate of the Chapter of Perioperative Medicine and a supervisor for candidates pursing qualifications in perioperative medicine, an ANZCA initiative.
Ms Tracie Scarlett
Administration Support
Since joining us in 2011, Tracie has become one of the lifebloods of our Department.
Tracie works part-time, trading time with us to spend time with her two passions - her 13 year old son and training for marathons.
Tracie has run nearly 40 half marathons, 27 full marathons and a 50km ultra marathon! She enjoys watching tennis and walking her dog. As a Sydney Swans fan she clearly has great taste in football teams.
Clinical Leads
About Canberra
‘Canberra’ means ‘meeting place’ (derived from Kambera or Canberry) in the local Aboriginal language of Ngunnawal.
​
Canberra is the Nation's capital and home of the Australian Commonwealth Government. Voted the best city to live in by the OECD in 2014, it is Australia's safest, most diverse, most highly educated and well connected city. It is home to vibrant cultural and historical institutions such as the National Gallery of Australia, Australian War Memorial, National Museum of Australia, National Portrait Gallery and Questacon.
Hover your mouse over the photographs below to learn more about what makes Canberra a great place to call home.
Contact Us
Department of Anaesthesia, Perioperative Medicine & Pain Management
The Canberra Hospital
Yamba Drive, Garran ACT 2605
02 5124 3245
If you're a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (or are soon to be) and interested in joining us, please contact us for further information.
Creating exceptional healthcare together
Reliable - Progressive - Respectful - Kind