I hope all of you have had a great summer and some free time to enjoy the fantastic maritime weather with family and friends – it’s hard to believe September is right around the corner and with it another academic year.

The return to classes looks a lot different this year, however, despite these uncertain times and changing circumstances, I am constantly impressed and proud of the Dalhousie Medical School community’s response to challenging times and our ability to adapt to meet these changes.

On August 20^th, an announcement from the Province of Nova Scotia was made on new protocols for COVID-19 testing for students arriving in Nova Scotia from outside Atlantic Canada. All students who have entered Nova Scotia from outside Atlantic Canada on or after August 20 must get three COVID-19 tests during their self-isolation period of 14 days. Students who are already in the province and self-isolating must also be tested. These measures are to enable the safe return of students as our region copes with the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic.

Return to Campus: Phase II

Thanks to everyone for all of their hard work surrounding our return to campus and return to research planning. We’re now looking ahead to later in the summer and the fall, in which we will see the return of some students to campus while most instruction will be delivered online. Phase II of our Return to Campus planning will prioritize academic continuity, student supports, and the resumption of a wider range of research operations and carefully scheduled office access, with the goal of continuing a gradual and safe return of our community to the physical campus for those that need to be on campus. While our limit of on-campus personnel (employees and students) remains at 25% in Phase II, we will work with Deans to allocate remaining space for those whose work is deemed critical and where a return to campus is possible.

I am glad to see operations are running smoothly for our researchers who have returned to the Halifax and Saint John campuses, despite significant time away from the lab. I am especially pleased to see that our Return to Research plans include new graduate students and fourth year honours students. Research is an integral part of our mission to advance the quality of health and health care in the Maritimes and beyond, and I am thrilled that our researchers may safely continue their important work.

The Faculty of Medicine will continue to provide specific updates on the COVID-19 pandemic as needed to supplement those already provided by Dalhousie University. Further details about potential increases in research activity will be announced in the coming weeks.

Dean’s Welcome Ceremony

On August 23^rd, we held our annual Dean’s Welcome Ceremony to welcome our first-year med students to Dalhousie Medical School and to the practice of medicine. In case you missed it, a video of the ceremony can be found online. To date, a total of 1083 views watched as 124 of our newest students were welcomed into the Faculty of Medicine.

This year’s ceremony mirrored our convocation ceremony and was performed virtually. I would like to thank our hard-working team in the Student Affairs office, in particular Sharon Forward, Andrew Steele Moore, and Carolyn Doyle, for putting together a successful welcome to our incoming Class of 2024.

During the live recording, we listened to the Drummers from Home and were welcomed by Elder Geri Musqua-LeBlanc before students collectively read their code of conduct and listened to the Hippocratic Oath, setting the stage for the next four years of intense medical education and the career in medicine that will follow.

To all our students, new and returning, I wish you the best of luck with your studies.

Assistant Dean of Research, Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick (DMNB)

I am pleased to announce that On July 1, Dr. Paul Atkinson became Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick’s new Assistant Dean of Research, succeeding Dr. Anthony (Tony) Reiman who inaugurated the position and helped build the now thriving research enterprise at DMNB over the past 11 years.

A leader in his field, Dr. Atkinson is a professor at Dalhousie University in the Emergency Medicine Department as well as the current Clinical Academic Head of the Saint John Regional Hospital’s Emergency Medicine Department. He is a deputy editor for the Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine and was the Chief Medical Officer for WorkSafeNB from 2016 to 2020.

As the Assistant Dean, DMNB Research, Dr. Atkinson is responsible for overseeing the human, physical, and financial infrastructure of the Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick biomedical research facility as well as the Faculty of Medicine’s clinical research activities at the DMNB campus. He will also represent Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick at the university level to both internal and external organizations as required.

New Canadian Medical Association President

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Ann Collins, a Dalhousie Medical School graduate, has been named president of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA). Dr. Collins brings a wide range of experience to the role, teaching residents in Dalhousie University’s Family Medicine Program, serving for more than two decades as medical director for a local nursing home, and working part-time in a hospital emergency department – in addition to running her family practice in Fredericton.

Dr. Collins has been a board member for the CMA for the past seven years and served as board chair for the New Brunswick Medical Society for five years. She also spent several years on the board of governors at St. Thomas University in Fredericton. In 2019, she was awarded the Honourary President’s Award by the Dalhousie Medical Alumni Association (DMAA) – and award bestowed to a senior local alumni, or past or present members of the Faculty of Medicine, who is highly respected and whose careers and services in the practice of medicine have been outstanding.

Dalhousie Faculty featured as “Changemakers” regarding systemic racism

I am pleased to share that the medical school’s Dr. OmiSoore Dryden, along with Dalhousie faculty members Dr. Afua Cooper and Dr. Ingrid Waldron, is among the outstanding leaders being recognized by Chatelaine magazine this month in their feature story, “Keep Listening: 33 Black Canadians Making Change Now.”

Dr. Dryden is leading #GotBlood2Give, a research project exploring how anti-Black racism, colonialism, homophobia and transphobia shape Canada’s blood donor system. She is also the James R. Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies at Dalhousie University.

You can read the full story online.

Manager, Indigenous Health Programs

I am happy to welcome Ms. Hannah Asprey to the Global Health office as the new permanent Manager for our Indigenous Health Programs. For the past year, Ms. Asprey has been working as the Director of Education for the Millbrook First Nation.  Throughout this role, she collaborated with the school board, community, counsellors, and Indigenous youth to support their academic paths.

Before her work with the Millbrook First Nation, Ms. Asprey spent three years working with CIBC in a variety of roles from case management to team leader.  In addition to her project management and team spirit, her entrepreneurial talents were put into practice when she established her own ice cream business in Sheet Harbour. She has a wealth of experience volunteering within the community and will be a tremendous asset to the Global Health Office at Dalhousie Medical School.

COVID‑19 Vaccine Task Force

I am very proud to share that Dr. Joanne Langley, Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Community Health and Epidemiology at Dalhousie University and Head of Infectious Diseases at the IWK Health Centre, has been named Co-Lead of the recently announced COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force.

On August 5^th, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development) unveiled the members of the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force, which will advise the Government on how best to support vaccine research in Canada and help ensure Canadian leadership in vaccine development, related bio-manufacturing, and international partnerships to secure access for Canadians to safe and effective products.

A full story can be found on our Dal Med News website.

Dr. John Savage Memorial Award for Faculty Leadership in Global Health Recipient

I am pleased to congratulate Dr. Lisa Barrett who has been named the recipient of the 2020 Dr. John Savage Memorial Award for Faculty Leadership in Global Health. This annual award recognizes outstanding humanitarian contribution to global health by a Dalhousie Medical School faculty member.

As Assistant Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases Dr. Barrett has had tremendous impact with marginalized populations in our communities. She is a mentor, researcher, educator, clinician and health advocate who inspires students, residents and her colleagues.  This award will be presented as part of RIM Research Day held virtually on Friday, September 11^th, 2020.

Dr. TJ (Jock) Murray Resident Award for Leadership in Global Health Recipient

It is with great pleasure that I congratulate Dr. Brendan Morgan who has been name the recipient of the 2020 Dr. TJ (Jock) Murray Resident Award for Leadership in Global Health.

This annual award was established to recognize excellence within residents at Dalhousie Medical School. Recipients demonstrate commitment to global health as they advocate for marginalized populations and explore new ways to engage in clinical service, education and research in underserviced populations in Canada and abroad. As a resident in the Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine Dr. Morgan focuses on pain management and marginalized populations locally and globally.

Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Award

I am pleased to announce that Mr. Freddy Lee has been named the 2020 recipient of the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF) Award. The award celebrates second year medical students across the country who demonstrate an established track record of community leadership, superior communication skills and a demonstrated interest in advancing knowledge.

Congratulations to Freddy on this tremendous honour, which was highlighted in a recent Dal Med News article.

Maritime SPOR SUPPORT Unit (MSSU) Student Awards

The MSSU Student Awards provide financial support to research trainees pursuing patient-oriented health research. These awards are an important part of the MSSU’s commitment to developing capacity for patient-oriented research. This year’s competition represents a total investment of $160,000 in the next generation of high-caliber researchers here in the Maritimes.

I am pleased to announce that five of the eight Dalhousie University recipients of the 2020-2021 MSSU Student Awards were from the Faculty of Medicine:

• David Allsop​ (Psychology and Neuroscience)
• Sarah Marie Dickieson (Community Health and Epidemiology)
• Meghan Rossi​ (Clinical Psychology)
• Kathleen Scott (Psychiatry)
• Sareen Singh (Community Health and Epidemiology)

Congratulations on your hard work and success.

Studentships

Each year, the Faculty of Medicine and Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation award graduate studentships to students who show exceptional potential. The competitions this year were strong and I am delighted to congratulate the following students on their accomplishments.

2020 Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine Graduate Studentship

• Cole Bowerman (Community Health & Epidemiology)
• Jillian Doyle (Physiology & Biophysics)
• Sajjad Fanaee (Biomedical Engineering)
• Lucy MacLeod (Psychiatry)
• Animamalar Mayavannan (Microbiology & Immunology)
• Robyn Novorolsky (Pharmacology)
• Marie-Claire Wasson (Pathology)

2020 DMRF DeWolfe Graduate Studentship Award

• Shelby Williams (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)

2020 DMRF MacDonald Graduate Studentship Award in Cardiovascular or Diabetes Research

• Shubham Banga (Pharmacology)
• Abhishek Mishra (Pharmacology)

2020 DMRF MacQuarrie Graduate Studentship Award in Neuroscience

• Dylan Deska-Gauthier (Medical Neuroscience)

2020 DMRF I3V Graduate Studentship Award

• Taylor Caddell (Microbiology & Immunology)
• Stacey Lee (Microbiology & Immunology)
• Jordan Lukacs (Microbiology & Immunology)
• Daniel Medina-Luna (Microbiology & Immunology)
• Adam Nelson (Microbiology & Immunology)
• Sarah Savoy (Microbiology & Immunology)
• Patrick Slaine (Microbiology & Immunology)
• Monica Surette (Microbiology & Immunology)

In Memoriam: Dr. Dennis Richard Klassen

I am deeply saddened by the news that Dr. Dennis Klassen passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, surrounded by his loving family.  Dr. Klassen was recruited to Dalhousie in 2002 as the first fellowship trained minimally invasive surgeon in Atlantic Canada. Over the subsequent 18 years, he had a major role in advancing minimally invasive surgery in the Maritimes.

Dr. Klassen was an outstanding trainee educator and was recognized for his excellence in teaching of General Surgery residents, receiving the Silver Dever award five times throughout his 18-year career. He has been the Program Director for the General Surgery Resident Training Program, as well as the undergraduate Clerkship coordinator for General Surgery. He was instrumental in the initiation of the Dalhousie Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship Program in 2008 and has been a cornerstone in that program over the subsequent 12 years.

Last month, we awarded Dr. Klassen with the Wayne Putnam award for outstanding contributions to the continuing education of Maritime physicians. Although regarded as an outstanding clinician and teacher, Dennis was perhaps best-known for his collegial, supportive, and kind approach to his work. Thus, the annual Dr. Dennis Klassen Award is being established to recognize a physician within the Division of General Surgery at Dalhousie University/QEII Health Sciences Centre, who best displays the characteristics of professional kindness.

The University flags will be lowered to half-mast to honor Dr. Klassen who only recently retired from Dalhousie Medical School due to illness. A full obituary can be found online here.

In Memoriam: Dr. Dora Ann Stinson

It is with great sadness that I share the news that Dr. Dora Ann Stinson, a retired faculty member, passed away on Saturday, July 25, 2020, in the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, surrounded by her loving family. Dr. Stinson was Associate Professor [post retirement] of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dalhousie University and a Neonatalist at the IWK.

Dr. Stinson graduated in medicine from the University of Western Ontario and was a resident at the Montreal General Hospital. She was a Research Fellow in neonatology at the University of Pittsburgh and Magee Women’s Hospital. After 15 years in Pittsburgh, Dr. Stinson came to Halifax and joined the staff at The Grace Maternity Hospital and, at the time of her death, was an active neonatologist at the IWK Hospital. Thousands of children and their families have known her skills and wonderful caring ways.

A full obituary can be found online here.

Use of N95 masks by medical students

As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, an announcement was made in March indicating that students would not be engaged in activities requiring the use of N95 masks. This was due to a need to conserve supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE). As a result, medical students were not to be involved in any aerosol-generating medical procedures (AGMPs).

Health authorities in both New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have been closely monitoring the use and supply of PPE. Current conditions have been met that now permit the use of N95 masks by medical students, where it is appropriate and provided they have undergone appropriate training.

The involvement of students in AGMPs is at the discretion of the supervising preceptor, and there is no obligation to utilize students in procedures requiring N95 masks. Students will be expected to utilize PPE for other activities, such as contact with patients under droplet precautions, as per the current guidelines.

VoxMeDAL Summer 2020

The latest issue of VoxMeDAL is now available online. This is the first time that we have done a full electronic version. There is a lot of great information related to what the medical school has been doing related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to providing information on new innovations in medicine and highlighting upcoming events, the magazine features inspirational stories about medical students, faculty, and alumni who are making an impact in our communities.

 

On that note, I wish all of you a great remainder of the summer. I look forward to hearing from you, virtually or in person, as we welcome in a new academic year apart – together.