About

Dr. Rachel Liu Hennessey, MD, MSc, FRCSC
General Surgeon, Complex Hernia & Robotic Surgery Specialist
Vancouver General Hospital & University of British Columbia

Dr. Liu Hennessey is a General Surgeon at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC). She specializes in abdominal wall reconstruction for patients living with complex hernias with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques including robotic-assisted surgery.

Clinical Expertise

• Complex Hernias & Abdominal Wall Reconstruction
  
  Dr. Liu Hennessey’s clinical practice is centred on advanced surgical management for abdominal wall, groin, diaphragmatic, and recurrent hernias using open, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted techniques. As VGH serves as the primary quaternary referral centre for British Columbia and the Yukon, she regularly manages complex patients referred from throughout this region.
  
  
• Acute Care Surgery
  
  As a member of the Acute Care Surgery team at VGH, Dr. Liu Hennessey manages surgical emergencies and post-operative complications, providing timely, expert care in high-acuity settings.
  
  
• Endoscopy
  
  Dr. Liu Hennessey performs esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD, also known as gastroscopy or upper endoscopy) and colonoscopy procedures for a range of gastrointestinal conditions.

Academic Leadership

As a UBC clinical faculty member, Dr. Liu Hennessey is actively involved in surgical education for surgical residents and medical students. She plays a key role in curriculum development, with a focus on technical skills training. She is also a contributing faculty for the Fellowship Council accredited Advanced Gastrointestinal and Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship Program at VGH.

Dr. Liu Hennessey is passionate about value-based and outcomes-driven research in hernia surgery, and advocates for evidence-based practices. She is engaged in national and international surgery societies as an executive member and regularly participates in conferences world-wide to ensure the integration of current best practices into patient care.