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Nova Scotia Health and IWK recently welcomed 10 new anesthesiologists to enhance patient care in the region. These specialists are essential for ensuring safe surgical experiences, effective pain management, and high-quality critical care, playing a crucial role in our healthcare system. Among the new additions is Dr. Oliver “Ollie” Poole, who specializes in cardiac anesthesia and critical care.
Dr. Poole didn’t always plan on a career in medicine. "Growing up, my dream was to be a musician," he said. With classical training in piano, trumpet and voice, he imagined a life built around music. However, over time, he decided he didn’t want the joy of music to become overshadowed by the pressure of paying the bills. “My parents were pretty shocked when I told them I wanted to be a doctor. I used to skip science class to go play piano.”
Dr. Poole was born in Germany and raised in England. He moved to Canada in 2008, and by 2010, Halifax had become his home as he pursued studies in Respiratory Therapy at Dalhousie University, earning a Bachelor of Health Sciences.
After working briefly as a respiratory therapist, Dr. Poole felt the pull toward medicine and enrolled in medical school. He completed his residency in Anesthesiology in Halifax, followed by a fellowship in Cardiac Anesthesia and Critical Care at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre in Toronto. Today, he practices as an anesthesiologist in Nova Scotia Health’s Central Zone.
Dr. Poole enjoys the challenge of managing critically ill patients, a passion that drew him to cardiac anesthesia and critical care. “Some of the people I care for don’t have much room for error in their anesthetic management,” he explained. “It’s incredibly fulfilling to solve complex problems and see how good outcomes can come from serious conditions, especially when working alongside a great surgeon.”
He appreciates the precision required in his field, noting, “Each case presents a unique set of physiological problems to solve, and integrating the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate these complexities is what I enjoy most about anesthesia.”
When he’s not in the operating room, Dr. Poole still finds time to play the piano, though most of his spare moments are spent chasing after his toddler. He and his wife, Emily, also share their home with a lovable but grumpy poodle named Pimms.
Welcome to Dr. Poole and all new anesthesiologists who have recently joined us in the Central Zone! We are thrilled that you have chosen to practice in Nova Scotia. The Nova Scotia Health Physician Recruitment Team collaborated closely with the Dalhousie Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management, and Perioperative Medicine to successfully recruit these new physicians. Their joint efforts included personalized site visits, welcome events, and dedicated support to ensure physicians experienced a smooth relocation to the province.