President's Profile
2012-2013 President of the New Brunswick Medical Society
Dr. Robert Desjardins, MD, FRCPC
Anaesthesiologist
Bathurst
A graduate of the Université de Montreal Medical School, Dr. Robert Desjardins of Bathurst has over 35 years experience leading medical, administrative, and research initiatives in both Québec and New Brunswick.
Dr. Desjardins pursued advanced studies in anaesthesiology at the Université de Montreal and McGill University, obtaining his fellowship with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons and specialist certification with the Province of Québec in 1981, and certification with the American Board of Anesthesiology in 1985. He completed post-graduate training in clinical pharmacology at the Royal Post-Graduate Medical School, based at Hammersmith Hospital at London University in 1984.
Dr. Desjardins returned to Montreal in 1984 as an anesthesiologist at the Hotel Dieu Montreal, taking on increasing responsibilities as assistant professor of anaesthesiology at the Université de Montreal and Anaesthesiology Chief of Staff. In 1993, he transferred to the Chaleur Regional Hospital serving as anaesthesia chief of staff. He was president (1991-1992) and an examiner for the oral examination board in anaesthesia for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada between 1987 and 1993.
Since 1993, Dr. Desjardins has contributed to the improvement and expansion of tertiary care services in Northern New Brunswick, serving on committees to improve surgical suites, intensive care capabilities, pharmacology, and therapeutic services. He has advised the province’s health administrative leaders in a number of capacities, including as a member of the Medical Advisory Committee, the Professional Resources Management Committee, and as Chief of Staff of the Chaleur Regional Hospital.
Dr. Desjardins has been actively involved in organized medicine through the NBMS since 2001, when he served as president of the Acadie Bathurst District Medical Society. He has served on the NBMS Board of Directors since 2004.
Dr. Desjardins and his wife Noella have three children, Guillaume, Dustin and Frederic and six grandchildren.