Dr. Christa Aubrey was drawn to work that was both hands-on and meaningful. Raised by a nurse and a carpenter, she grew up valuing practical skills, problem-solving and a sense of responsibility. “I liked to work with my hands and loved to be ‘in control,’” she says. While she never imagined herself in surgery at first, that changed early in medical school. “In first year, I realized I loved the OR because of the technical aspect of it.”
What ultimately anchored her to Obstetrics and Gynecology was the depth of connection the specialty allows. Her interest in pathology of the female reproductive tract and a commitment to women’s health globally further shaped her decision to pursue gynecologic oncology. Dr. Aubrey values being able to support patients across the full arc of their care, from surgery through systemic treatment and, when needed, into palliative care. That continuity, she says, brings “a deep sense of fulfillment.
Although her training took her beyond the University of Alberta for fellowship, returning to Edmonton felt inevitable. Family played a role, but so did the professional environment she returned to. “The cohesion of our group is amazing,” she says of her colleagues. “I could not think of a better group to be a part of.” The strength of that team has been a defining influence on her career and daily practice.
Like many physicians, Dr. Aubrey’s training years came with significant challenges. Having children during residency required careful balance, support and adaptation. She credits her husband and family with making it possible and notes that parenthood had an unexpected benefit. “It created boundaries for me during my training to protect time at home,” she says. Those lessons have stayed with her into staff life, where balancing clinical work, research, teaching, administrative responsibilities and personal goals requires intention. She manages this by carving out focused time for specific tasks and being equally deliberate about protecting time away from work.
Her training at the University of Alberta’s busy OBGYN program laid a strong foundation. “The efficiency and triage and array of case presentations I was exposed to enabled me to have the tools to be successful,” she says. A fellowship at the University of Calgary further prepared her for independent practice, offering both autonomy and significant administrative responsibility. That experience, she notes, made the transition to staff life far smoother.
Looking back, Dr. Aubrey points to her first year of residency as especially formative. Time spent on off-service rotations helped her build a broad clinical base and refine her approach to ward management and patient care. “R1 is a crucial year,” she says. “You will learn so much for ward management and knowledge development.”
Dr. Aubrey sees resident physicians as central to how medicine in Alberta will continue to evolve. “Residents are our future,” she says. She believes the next generation will challenge long-standing norms and bring fresh perspectives to how medicine is practiced and taught. Embracing new approaches to training, sustainability and career longevity, she adds, will be essential to setting physicians up for long-term success.
One of Dr. Aubrey’s proudest accomplishments has been realizing her long-held goal of working in academia. Two years into practice, she successfully secured an academic position at the University of Alberta. “This is a dream realized for me,” she says. Teaching, mentoring and contributing to academic medicine remain central to her professional identity.
That commitment to growth and balance also shapes how she mentors others. Drawing from a wide range of role models throughout her training, Dr. Aubrey emphasizes technical excellence, thoughtful communication and the importance of life outside medicine. She brings her passion for movement, health and wellness into residency education, hoping to model sustainable practices for trainees navigating a demanding environment.
As PARA celebrates its 50th Anniversary, her message to the next generation of physicians is clear and energizing: “You are the future - we don’t need to just keep doing things the way we have done them.” She encourages resident physicians to think creatively, look beyond medicine for inspiration and remain grounded in why they chose the profession in the first place. “Above it all,” she says, “let us not forget that we are here to provide care for patients - this is the most rewarding part of the job.”
