As the new Regional Co-Director of the soon-to-open cardiac catheterization labs at Surrey Memorial Hospital, Dr. Dwayne Conway brings more than 25 years of global experience in interventional cardiology, a passion for innovation and a remarkable excitement to help shape the future of cardiac services across the Fraser Health region.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Dr. Conway studied medicine at the University of Birmingham and discovered his love for cardiology early on. Over the course of his career, Dr. Conway has worked in several of the UK’s leading cardiac centres, including Derriford Hospital Plymouth, City Hospital Birmingham, Charing Cross and Hammersmith Hospitals London, Leeds General Infirmary, Sheffield Northern General Hospital, Freeman Hospital Newcastle and Pinderfields Hospital Wakefield, where he helped establish a new interventional cardiology service in 2010. He previously completed an Interventional Cardiology fellowship at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 2005-2006.
Why Surrey, why now ?
When Dr. Conway learned of the opportunity in Surrey, it was like fate. “This job came around when I wasn’t even looking for it,” he said. “It almost looked like they were looking for me. Someone with my background and experience, and it’s worked so well. The people I’ve met involved in the service have just been fantastic.”
He recognized in Surrey the same challenge, and the same potential, that inspired his work in the UK, which was the chance to meet a growing need for acute cardiac care while building a service from the ground up. The new cardiac cath labs at Surrey Memorial Hospital will ensure patients can receive life-saving procedures close to home, reducing the need to travel long distances for care.
Dr. Conway views the new program as a benefit not only for Surrey residents but for the entire Fraser Health cardiac network, creating a balanced, collaborative system where expertise is shared and patients have greater access to timely care.
Building the next chapter of cardiac care in Surrey
Even before officially arriving in Canada, Dr. Conway has been working closely with the team leading the cath lab development. He describes them as a driven and collaborative team, proud of what they are accomplishing, and united by a shared commitment to excellence.
Together, they have also recruited top international talent, appointing 3 additional new interventional cardiologists from more than 30 global applicants. “It will be a place that looks after the staff and looks after the patients,” Dr. Conway shared, noting that the program is being built on a culture of compassion, teamwork and innovation.
Powered by donors, built for Surrey
The new cath labs were made possible through the generosity of donors, and for Dr. Conway, that local investment is deeply meaningful.
“They’re part of building something that’s needed,” he said. “That’s what we’re all trying to do with this project – give back. It’s an honour to be able to work on something that has such strong buy-in from the community for something that’s long overdue.”
The launch of Surrey’s first cardiac catheterization labs marks a transformative step forward for heart health south of the Fraser. With Dr. Conway’s leadership, the future of cardiac care across the Fraser Health region has never looked stronger.
Want to read more about the opening of the cardiac cath labs in Surrey? Click here.
