Claire Temple-Oberle

Claire Temple-Oberle

BA, MD, MSc, FRCSC

Positions

Professor

Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Oncology

Professor

Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Surgery

Member

Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute

Contact information

Email

cftemple@ucalgary.ca
claire.temple-oberle@ahs.ca

Phone number

Office: 403.521.3012

Preferred method of communication

Admin Assistant

Sangita Parmar-Sedhev

Email: sangita.parmar-sehdev@ahs.ca

Office: 403.521.3012

Background

Educational Background

B.A. Economics, Yale University, 1992

Doctor of Medicine Medicine, Queen's University, 1996

M.S. Epidemiology, Harvard University, 2009

Biography

Dr. Temple-Oberle joined the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary as a Professor in the Departments of Oncology and Surgery, with a special interest in reconstructive plastic surgery. She completed her MD at Queen’s University, a plastic surgery residency at the University of Western Ontario, and then undertook fellowships at MD Anderson Cancer Center in reconstructive microsurgery and surgical oncology at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre. Dr. Temple-Oberle worked in the Departments of Surgery and Oncology at University of Western Ontario from 2003 to 2011. During this time, she completed an MSc in Epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Medical Education at the University of Dundee.

Research

Areas of Research

Area of Focus
  • Breast reconstruction
  • Melanoma
Summary of Research

Dr. Temple-Oberle’s research primarily focuses on two areas: breast reconstruction and intransit melanoma. In the area of breast reconstruction, she has developed a validated quality of life instrument, the BRECON-31, led an international team to develop a globally recognized Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol for breast reconstruction. She has lead or co-lead a number of studies and clinical trials surrounding new techniques in breast reconstruction, epidemiology of breast reconstruction rates in Alberta, and decision support for patients contemplating breast reconstruction. She has also led efforts to evaluate the efficacy of Interleukin-2 and has worked to have the therapy approved for intransit melanoma patients. Her research also extends to microsurgical skills training for plastic surgery residents. She developed the UWOMSA (University of Western Ontario Microsurgical Skills Acquisition/Assessment) instrument and currently holds the Royal College Maudsley Fellowship for Studies in Medical Education wherein she is developing teaching tools to enhance plastic surgeon residency competency in microsurgical skills.

  • 2017 – Principal Investigator – Investigator Initiated Trail, Tom Baker Cancer Centre - $150,000, A Protocol for Mobile App Postoperative Home Monitoring after Enhanced Recovery Oncologic Surgery
  • 2015-2017 – Principal Investigator – Alberta Cancer Foundation - $92,000 - Improving Quality of Recovery: A Same Day Discharge Pathway for Women Undergoing Lumpectomy, Mastectomy and Mastectomy with Implant Reconstruction
  • 2015-2020 – Co-investigator – CIHR - $860,000 – Development of a National Quality Improvement Program in Postmastectomy Breast Reconstruction to Optimize Patient-Centred Experience
  • 2015 – Principal Investigator – Breast Cancer Society of Canada - $40,000 - Piloting a Breast Reconstruction Online Interactive Decision Aid in Alberta: A Quality Improvement Research Initiative
  • 2014 – Studentship Supervisor – Hannah St.Denis-Katz (University of Saskatchewan) – Alberta Cancer Foundation – Richard R. Singleton Summer Studentship - $5,200 - Breast Reconstruction in Aboriginal Women: Perceptions and Barriers
  • 2014-2015 – Principal Investigator – Allergan - $10,000 – ABRA Investigates Breast Reconstruction Programs in Western Canada: A Step Toward Alberta’s Breast Reconstruction Program
  • 2012-2015 – Co-investigator – Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation: Ontario Chapter - $50,000.00 -  The Use of Human Acellular Dermal Matrix in One-Stage Implant Breast Reconstruction: A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Trial

Awards

  • award, 2017
  • Nomination, Alberta Health Services. 2017
  • award, 2015
  • Nomination, 2013
  • award, University of Western Ontario. 2012
  • award, University of Western Ontario. 2011
  • award, University of Western Ontario. 2009
  • award, University of Western Ontario. 2004
  • award, University of Western Ontario. 2001
  • scholarship, 2001
  • award, University of Western Ontario. 2000
  • award, 1999
  • award, 1998
  • award, Queen's University. 1996
  • scholarship, Queen's University. 1994
  • award, Queen's University. 1992
  • scholarship, Yale University. 1992
  • commendation, Yale University. 1991
  • scholarship, Yale University. 1990