David Langelier | Top 40 Under 40 2025

Age: 37

Occupation: Assistant Professor, University of Calgary; Medical Lead, Alberta Cancer Physiatry Program

Albertans who are dealing with side effects from cancer treatment are finding help through an innovative program, thanks to David Langelier. Langelier specializes in cancer physiatry, an emerging medical specialty focused on managing the physical, mental and functional consequences of cancer treatment.

“We typically help people become more independent, and that’s pretty profound,” says Langelier. When he was in medical school in Calgary, a few mentors suggested he look into physiatry. He instantly loved it.

After his residency in Calgary, Langelier moved to Toronto for specialized training with cancer patients, becoming only the third cancer physiatrist in Canada. In 2023, after returning to his hometown, he co-founded the Alberta Cancer Physiatry Program.

Langelier helps patients manage problems like pain, fatigue and nerve damage caused by cancer-treatment side-effects. He diagnoses, prescribes treatments (like injections for pain and topical treatments) and works with physiotherapists to come up with a care plan.

“Some patients believe these are just expected consequences of treatment and they should just be thankful to be alive,” says Langelier. “That’s not true. They should be thriving.”

The Alberta Cancer Physiatry Program has grown from one to three physicians, operates across all Calgary hospitals, and offers virtual care services throughout Alberta. It is Western Canada’s largest inpatient cancer-rehabilitation program, and also trains specialists in cancer physiatry.

Langelier says he is often deeply affected by his patients, many of whom are young adults with metastatic cancer.

Cancer physiatry is in its early days. So, Langelier is working to build the evidence base for this specialty through research and enrolling patients across the country in one of the world’s first trials of exercise and rehabilitation in patients with metastatic breast and colorectal cancer. “It sounds corny, but I just want to leave the world a better place,” he says.

Thank yous
“Rob Luini, Everly Luini, Judy and Doug Langelier, Tim & Karen Luini, George Francis, Arjun Ghuman, Lisa Pascal, Eugene Chang, Lauren Thompson, Jenn Litzenberger, Nicole Culos-Reed, Lauren Capozzi.”