There are many great things about my job as Dean of Medicine here at Dalhousie, and it starts with the fantastic students, staff, faculty and partners I work with every day. At this time of year I really welcome the chance to reflect and enjoy this amazing Maritime summer.
I wish all of you a great summer and hope you find time for family, friends and sunshine! First, though, I want to take this opportunity to send you off with some additional positive news to enhance your summer vacation. Read on!
Long Service Staff and Faculty Awards
Congratulations to our Faculty of Medicine staff and faculty members who accepted long-service awards at a recognition event held last month. The university hosts an annual recognition event for those who reach 25, 35 and 45 years of service, celebrating individuals who’ve made a significant impact throughout their Dal careers. They span the university’s many faculties, departments and units. This year one employee — Donna Shunamon, from Microbiology and Immunology — was celebrated for reaching 50 years of service! Congratulations Donna.
For a full list of recipients, please visit Dal News.
Faculty of Medicine Awards of Excellence
Each year Dalhousie’s Faculty of Medicine recognizes individuals in the areas of Research, Education, and Serving and Engaging, the key components of our strategic plan, #DalMedForward and I’d like to congratulate a few of my peers on their exceptional performances this year:
- Jennifer Corcoran (Early Career Award for Excellence in Education)
- David Lovas (Early Career Award for Excellence in Education)
- Trudy Taylor (Award of Excellence in Education)
- Jason Morrison (Award of Excellence in Clinical Practice)
- Selene Etches (Early Career Award for Excellence in Clinical Practice)
- Daniel Smyth (Community Teacher of the Year)
The Faculty of Medicine Awards for Excellence in Medical Research are made in tribute to Dr. J. Donald Hatcher whose vision as Dean of Medicine led to the establishment of Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation. In partnership with the DMRF, the following three awards have been created to acknowledge research excellence among our faculty members and to encourage their continued efforts in medical research:
- Xianping Dong, Physiology and Biophysics (Excellence in Basic Research)
- John Sapp, Division of Cardiology (Excellence in Patient-Oriented Research)
- Zhenyu Cheng, Department of Microbiology & Immunology (Early Career Investigator Award)
DMRF Max Forman Award
The Max Forman award is to recognize excellence in medical research with the aim of promoting and encouraging its pursuit in the Medical School. The Max Forman is awarded annually to a faculty member more than 10 years from their first appointment. This year, the award was presented to Dr. Paul Linsdell.
Paul Linsdell is a world leader in the structure and function of CFTR, the protein that is dysfunctional cystic fibrosis. He was the first to define the normal anion selectivity of the channel and the first to identify the selectivity filter in the channel at which discrimination between different anions takes place.
The Linsdell lab has received continuous research funding from both Cystic Fibrosis Canada and MRC (now CIHR) since Paul established his independent research program at Dal in 1999. He continues to attract top scholars, many of whom are recipients of studentship.
Administrative Awards
Last month we held a reception in recognition of leadership across all types of administrative roles within the medical school. Congratulations to the following recipients:
- Simon Jackson – Academic Leadership
- Christine Silver Smith – Professional & Managerial Leadership
- David Urquhart- Leadership in Administrative, Clerical & Technical Support
- David Maley – Emerging Leader
Dalhousie Legacy Awards
The first annual Dalhousie Legacy Awards was held on June 20, 2018, celebrating and recognizing faculty and staff across the university who have gone above and beyond in their work and in the community. The Legacy Awards, introduced in 2018 as part of the university’s 200th anniversary celebrations, assists in helping Dalhousie create a culture of respect and recognition for employees at all levels. I’m happy to share that the Faculty of Medicine was well represented on the podium:
The Dr. Allan Cohen Memorial Award for Community Service honors the late Dr. Allan Cohen, a distinguished member of Dalhousie Medical School. This award recognizes faculty, staff, and students who work to fulfill the mission of the Medical School by displaying outstanding community service with health-related organizations and causes. I’m proud to say that the recipient of this year’s award went to our faculty’s own Dr. Sonia Chehil (Psychiatry). Congratulations, Sonia!
The DPMG Award recognizes employees who belong to the Dalhousie Professional and Managerial Group (DPMG) for their exemplary contributions to the university. This year, Said Msabaha from the Global Health Office was one of four recipients of this award. Congratulations, Said!
New Assistant Dean
I am pleased to welcome Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed as the new Assistant Dean, Serving and Engaging Society. The five-year appointment is effective August 1, 2018. A newly established position, the Assistant Dean of Serving and Engaging Society will co-lead Dalhousie’s efforts in the development, implementation and outcome assessment of one of the three interdependent pillars of the Faculty of Medicine’s Strategic Plan (#DalMedForward): Serving and Engaging Society.
Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed is a Public Health and Preventive Medicine specialist physician, having completed her Royal College fellowship in PHPM in 2005 at McMaster University. Prior to that she received a BSc in Chemistry from UPEI, an MSc in Biochemistry from University of Guelph, an MD from Dalhousie, and her CCFP from McMaster University.
Appointment of Clerkship Director (Miramichi Site)
I am happy to announce the appointment of Dr. Paula Keating, Clerkship Director (Miramichi Site) took effect earlier this month. Dr. Keating will be responsible for the implementation and delivery of the Med 3 & Med 4 curriculum at the site ensuring the infrastructure, resources and educational requirements for the delivery of the program are in place.
Appointment of Clerkship Director, Department of Pediatrics (Saint John Site)
Further adding to the roster, I’m pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Cecil Ojah to Clerkship Director in the Department of Pediatrics (Saint John Site). Dr. Ojah will be responsible for the implementation and delivery of the Med 3 & Med 4 Pediatric curriculum at the site ensuring the infrastructure, resources and educational requirements for the delivery of the program are in place.
North Nova Family Medicine Teaching Site
Communities across the northern region of Nova Scotia will soon have access to more family physicians-in-training in just over a year, when Dalhousie Medical School’s newest family medicine teaching site opens on July 1, 2019.
Earlier this month, representatives from the Faculty of Medicine teamed up with members of the Nova Scotia Health Authority and Department of Health and Wellness to announce the addition of ten new family medicine residency training spaces in Nova Scotia.
This is a very important development for Dalhousie Medical School and the province. Training physicians in these communities will help meet the immediate health care needs of Nova Scotians, while paving the way to better primary health care access in the future.
Special thanks to Dr. Deanna Field the inaugural Site Director for this program and Dr. Karlyne Dufour, the Department of Family Medicine program director for their leadership and key roles in getting the North Nova Site ready for 2019 residents.
Remembering Human Body Donation Program donors
A few weeks ago, the Annual Interment and Memorial service was held in recognition of the ultimate contribution that is made to our teaching and research programs and to pay thanks and gratitude to the families and friends of the individuals who have donated their bodies for the Advancement of Medical Education and Research at Dalhousie University.
For centuries, anatomy has been the foundation for medical advances and improvements in patient care. This continues today. Despite the innovative simulation technology available now, nothing can replace the fundamental knowledge offered by a real body. What’s learned in the anatomy lab has a direct impact on patient care in our hospitals and clinics around the Maritimes. And because of this, I know we’re all very grateful to the donors and their families.
July’s Dal Med Innovator
Our July Dal Med Innovator was an individual who revolutionized maternity care and women’s health care not just in Nova Scotia but all across Canada. Dr. Atlee was appointed to head Dalhousie’s brand new Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology in 1923—and in fact played a pivotal role in the recognition of obstetrics and gynecology as their own disciplines. He pioneered minimally invasive surgical techniques and launched what were, at the time, radical innovations in maternity care—such as allowing men to support their wives during the first stage of labour, urging women to get up and walking as soon as they were able after delivery, and inviting older children into the hospital to meet their new baby brothers and sisters.
Read more about Dr. Atlee and our Dal Med Innovators here.
150th celebrations
Our anniversary celebrations continue to liven up our classrooms and hallways throughout the summer months. The most recent events include last month’s signature lectures, keynote presentations and a faculty development weekend – hosted by the Department of Family Medicine, with a focus on wellness.
Dr. Vivian McAlister spoke at the Department of Surgery Grand Rounds Lecture, held mid-month, looked comparatively at the medical response to the Halifax Explosion and disaster response planning today and was very well attended. The Department of Radiation Oncology held their annual Atlantic Radiotherapy Conference and the Department of Anesthesia hosted its grand rounds lecture, The Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action for Health, presented by Dr. Alika Lafontaine, president of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada.
There are no Med150 anniversary events scheduled for August, but stay tuned because in September we’ll be back in action and ready to hit the ground running with Med150 events hosted by the Departments of Emergency Medicine and Psychiatry. As well, the much anticipated Global Health Day, hosted by the Global Health Office, will take place late September.
Online Gala tickets now available!
As we reach the mid-way point through summer, we grow closer to the much-anticipated 150th Gala Weekend, November 2 to 4. Plans for the weekend are coming together and it promises to be a fantastic time. We will kick off on November 2 with a full-day symposium on meeting the health care needs of the future, along with guided tours of our research and education labs and facilities. These will be followed by a host of alumni gatherings, a luncheon to honour our Dal Med Innovators, and our gala dinner and dance on November 3. The weekend will wind down with a breakfast hosted by Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation and even more alumni events.
Mark your calendars, gather your family and friends and don’t forget to purchase your gala tickets here! For those of you looking to purchase tables, please contact Anne Weeden at Anne.Weeden@Dal.Ca.
From the Dean’s desk to yours, I wish you all a safe and happy summer. Remember to take the time to enjoy the great outdoors this season with family and friends!
See you in August!