Andrew Chalmers

Dr. Andrew (Andy) Chalmers M.D., Former Associate Dean, UBC Medical School. Born Jan. 12, 1947, Blantyre, Malawi. Died May 14, 2026, Vancouver Island.

Andrew had an illustrious career as a rheumatologist, researcher, and Associate Dean of undergraduate medical education at the University of British Columbia.

Growing up in Malawi, Africa, Andrew dreamed of becoming an atomic physicist but ended up in medical school in South Africa. He won a scholarship that brought him to UBC medical school in 1967 and then on to post-graduate training at the University of Toronto and the Mayo Clinic. He returned to UBC in 1978 as faculty and remained there until his retirement in 2013.

Andrew specialized in rheumatology, serving its chronic disease population. He developed deep relationships with his patients and supported many of them throughout their lives. This dedication led him to hold regular clinics in remote communities around BC including Trail, Haida Gwaii, Bella Bella and Alert Bay, eliminating the need for his patients to travel to him. Andrew further increased his support of his patients in remote communities by becoming a pioneer in telehealth.

Andrew was Principal Investigator in several studies focused on reducing pain and increasing quality of life for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other auto immune conditions. His published findings have been cited almost nine hundred times in the medical literature.

Andrew was also a trailblazer. During his long career at UBC, he made his mark as an innovator. In his decade as Head of Rheumatology, he transformed training at all levels, from undergraduate to continuing medical education. In 1994, he became Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education at the medical school, where he was able to radically redesign the M.D. program away from textbooks and labs toward direct interaction with patients. He also developed relationships with Indigenous communities in both his clinical practice and academic roles, and worked internationally to evaluate and help improve medical curricula.

Andrew received several major awards including a 2002 Killam Teaching Prize and a 2012 Canadian Rheumatology Association Teacher/Educator Award in recognition of his excellence in curricula development and teaching.

To his beloved family and large circle of friends, Andy is best remembered for his life outside of the office. He was a loving partner, a loyal friend, a supporter of the arts, and a prodigious talent. Andy loved and listened deeply to music; he painted and wrote poetry. He was a talented gourmet cook and a wonderful host together with his partner, of multi-course dinner parties. He was an informed and engaged conversationalist on a sweeping range of topics concerning art, literature, politics, history, religion, as well as the latest innovations in medicine and medical education. He also loved gardens.

Andy met his death as he lived: with a smile on his face. He died peacefully in his sleep while on a getaway on Vancouver Island.

In addition to Ray, his partner of 47 years, Andy is survived by nephews Simon (Claudia) of Dubai and lan (Geraldine) of Surrey, England, and a large circle of friends who loved him dearly. Predeceased by parents James and Lilian Chalmers, and sister Claire Bradbury.

Scholarships and bursary financial support for students who might not otherwise be able to study held a special significance for Andy. The scholarship he received early in his medical studies allowed him to have a career he loved; one in which he could be of service to others and make a broader impact. In remembering Andy, his family kindly requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Dr. Andrew Chalmers Memorial Fund at the University of British Columbia. Donations can be made online at https://give.ubc.ca/memorial/andy-chalmers/ ,by calling 604.827.4111 (toll free 1-877-717-GIVE) or by mail at 500-5950 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3.

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 27, 2026, at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney BC, commencing at 1:30 pm. Those unable to attend in person may join via Zoom at http://www.andychalmers.com/. Andy's remains will be buried with family in Duffield, England.