Spring is finally here and with it comes news of the Atlantic Bubble 2.0 expected to begin by mid-to-late April, which is certainly something to look forward to.
While COVID-19 remains a serious concern, we are encouraged by Atlantic Canadians’ adherence to public health measures, the containment of regional outbreaks, and the progress in rolling out the vaccine. Please remember to check the Faculty of Medicine COVID-19 information page which is updated regularly and contains the relevant information for all medical learners, researchers, graduate students, faculty, and staff, and to check your emails daily for updates from Dalhousie University and Public Health directives and notifications. Thank you for all everyone is doing as we continue to navigate this exceptional year.
Special Mention for Class of 2021
As this extraordinary academic year draws to a close, I want to remind us all of the complexities and challenges faced by our students and residents as they have proceeded with their educations. Gone are many of the face-to-face sessions, both academic and social, that are so important for our learners’ education and development. Through the dedication and innovation of our faculty and staff, most class lectures, tutorials, laboratories, and research activities have continued in some form, and we must acknowledge it has not been the same educational experience.
I want to provide a special recognition to the undergraduate medical Class of 2021 who have been particularly impacted by the COVID 19 pandemic. For these students, their third-year clerkship education stopped for about 12 weeks between March and June 2020, and was ultimately shorted by about eight weeks. While not in clerkship, many of these students volunteered for COVID related activities to help keep us safe while their education was disrupted. Due to travel restrictions, all their fourth-year electives took place at Dalhousie sites and the recently completed CARMS residency matching interviews all took place virtually. I want to wish the Class of 2021 the best of luck with their matches, with graduation (which will take place virtually next month), and, ultimately, with their residencies which will begin July 1, 2021.
To all our undergraduate students, graduate students, and residents: best of luck with your exams, your projects, your thesis work, and your placements. You have all done well to have managed your affairs throughout this incredibly challenging year.
For those if you returning to Dalhousie in the fall: I am pleased to share that we are planning to safely open our campuses to students, faculty, and staff. While there are many details still to be worked out, we will continue to communicate our progress to keep you informed. Please stay well, get a COVID-19 vaccine when the opportunity becomes available, and thanks again for all you are doing.
Focusing on Racism in the Workplace
Earlier this month, one of Dalhousie’s internal medicine residents took to Twitter to bravely speak out about the racism she faced from a patient who refused her care. Her story was highlighted in a recent CBC article.
I recognize that racism exists in health care and education, and that our learners, staff, faculty, and patients experience racist behavior that impacts their learnings, their care, and their lives. I further recognize that the racial discrimination that exists within our healthcare and educational systems has negative consequences for both patients and healthcare professionals.
The Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie takes these incidents of racism and discrimination very seriously. We are committed to holding dialogues and communicating the consequences of discrimination. Likewise, we must do better to provide training for faculty and learners on how to respond to racism in the workplace and in the classroom and work collaboratively with our health authority partners to address issues in our students’ learning environments. All residents, medical students, and graduate students are encouraged to report and discuss any concerns with their work environment to Resident Affairs, Student Affairs, and your Faculty advisors, respectively, where you will be supported.
Supports Available
The tragic events that transpired one year ago in Nova Scotia have caused deep pain for those living in our province and Canadians across the country and we continue to have an immense sense of grief since those devastating days. A year later, our thoughts and condolences are still with those whose lives have been affected by this senseless act, and I offer my sincere appreciation for the emergency responders of Nova Scotia.
As the upcoming first anniversary of the Nova Scotia mass shooting fills headlines and screens, please remember to take care of yourselves and each other. Keep in touch with colleagues, family, and friends. Our priority is the safety of our students, staff, and faculty and we will continue to support you and help in any way we can at this difficult time. Many of us need help to deal with the overwhelming stress of events past and present. We want to reiterate to you that there are resources available to you:
- Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
- EFAP Crisis Line: 1-844-751-2133
- Nova Scotia Mental Health Crisis Line: 1-888-429-8167
On behalf of Dalhousie Medical School, I express our condolences to all who have lost someone close to them and we all grieve as part of the larger Nova Scotian community. If you need support during this challenging time, please reach out.
The Dalhousie Medical Students’ Society announces Euphoria! Through the Ages
Every year since 1969, the student-run variety show extravaganza Euphoria! is put on by Dalhousie Medical School students. The cast of the show chooses a Maritime charity to support and pits all four classes against one another to do two things: raise money and put together a half-hour show that will win them the coveted Euphoria! trophy.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s live show has been cancelled. However, our students invite you to join them on Saturday, May 1, 2021, as they virtually air Euphoria! The Throwback Special featuring highlights of past shows which we can enjoy from the comfort of our own homes, while still raising funds for the 2021 recipient charity: Brunswick Street Mission. This year, in lieu of traditional ticket sales, the DMSS will be providing each contribution to the Euphoria! fundraising campaign with a complimentary link to enjoy the show. A special promo video can be seen here.
For more information or to purchase your virtual tickets, please visit the DMSS website.
Full-time Appointment of Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed, Assistant Dean, Serving and Engaging Society
I am pleased to announce that Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed will be joining Dalhousie’s Faculty of Medicine on a full-time basis beginning April 15, 2021. Dr. Watson-Creed is the former Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health for the province of Nova Scotia and the first Assistant Dean of Serving and Engaging Society, a five-year appointment effective as of August 2018.
In her increased role, Dr. Watson-Creed will continue to lead the medical school in our societal role of Serving and Engaging Society. Dr. Watson-Creed will also lead our efforts in community engagement, equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism. Her other major area of focus in this pillar of activity is health system change. Dr. Watson-Creed will be working with the faculty’s Department of Community Health and Epidemiology to establish a greater focus in educational opportunities and research in public health.
Dr. Watson-Creed is deeply involved in broad-based efforts to improve Nova Scotia’s standing in Canada and the world. Earlier this month, she was named as a member of the Task Force on Women in the Economy – a newly minted federal task force designed to advise the government on a feminist, intersectional action plan that addresses issues of gender equality in the wake of the pandemic. She was also the 2017 recipient of the Dr. William Grigor Award for mid-career excellence, from Doctors Nova Scotia, and received the 2018 President’s Award from Public Health Physicians of Canada for her dedication to improving public health systems in Canada. She is a former member of the One Nova Scotia Coalition and now chairs the board of Engage Nova Scotia, a non-profit citizen-led organization that involves Nova Scotians in creating a better future for everyone in the province.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Watson-Creed and welcoming her to her new, expanded roles.
Appointment of Dr. Vincent Agyapong, Head, Department of Psychiatry
I am pleased to announce Dr. Vincent Agyapong has been appointed Head, Department of Psychiatry, for a five-year term effective August 1, 2021. This position also serves as the Central Zone Department Head of Psychiatry at Nova Scotia Health. In his previous roles, Dr. Agyapong was a Clinical Professor and Inaugural Director of the Division of Community Psychiatry at the University of Alberta. He was also Alberta Health Services’ Edmonton Zone Clinical Section Chief for Community Mental Health.
Dr. Agyapong has won numerous awards related to his work, including Alberta Health Services’ Spirit of Excellence Award in 2016, the Edmonton Zone Medical Staff Association Physician Innovator of the Year Award in 2018, Champion of Mental Health from the Edmonton Mental Health Foundation in 2018, the Momentum Mental Health Clinician/Researcher Award in 2019 and the Alberta Medical Association’s Award for Compassionate Service in 2019. In February 2019, he was honoured by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada as one of six Extraordinary Fellows of the College.
In announcing Dr. Agyapong’s appointment, I would like to thank Interim Head, Dr. Jason Morrison, for his outstanding work and contributions over the past year. Dr. Morrison will stay in this role until Dr. Agyapong’s arrival.
Executive Director, Advancement for the Faculty of Medicine
We are thrilled to announce that Ms. Cathrine Yuill has been appointed to the role of Executive Director, Advancement for the Faculty of Medicine, beginning April 1st. In this role, Ms. Yuill will have leadership responsibility for the Faculty’s Development, Alumni Relations and Faculty-based Marketing & Communications functions.
Ms. Yuill has been an outstanding member of Dal’s Advancement team since she joined the university in June of 2013 as Development Officer for the Faculty of Agriculture. In this role, she led the campaign for the Faculty’s transformation following the Dal/Nova Scotia Agricultural College merger. Since 2018, Ms. Yuill has been Director of Development for STEM faculties and Legacy Giving. Prior to joining the Dalhousie Advancement team, Ms. Yuill spent 10 years in the role of Executive Director for two health related charities, gaining solid leadership experience and a strong understanding of the full range of fund development activities necessary for success.
Please join me in welcoming Ms. Yuill to the Faculty of Medicine.
Dr. OmiSoore Dryden named to Nova Scotia Health Authority Board of Directors
Recently, Health and Wellness Minister Zach Churchill announced new appointments to the Nova Scotia Health Authority Board of Directors, including Dr. OmiSoore Dryden, an associate professor in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology and the James R. Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies at Dalhousie University. Dr. Dryden is the first Black person to be appointed to the Board – an important and crucial step towards improving the diversity and inclusivity of decision makers whose job is to ensure that public issues and concerns are recognized and understood.
Dr. Dryden earned her PhD in Social Justice Education from the Ontario Institute for the Study of Education and the University of Toronto, where her dissertation examined how blood donation rules discriminate against certain populations. She has served as an assistant professor and Chair of the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department at Thorneloe University (Ontario) and as a visiting professor in the Faculty of Community Services at Ryerson University.
Dr. Dryden leads Black health education and research initiatives within the Faculty of Medicine. She has implemented a mentorship program and hosts monthly “Chair Chats” for Black students in the Faculty of Medicine. Dr. Dryden has strengthened Dalhousie’s institutional priorities to enhance diversity, foster community outreach, and build a Black health research mandate that is collaborative, interdisciplinary, and nationally recognized.
For more information, you can visit the NSHA Board of Directors website.
CIHR Project Grant Fall 2020 competition
On March 12, 2021, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Canada’s Minister of Health, announced an investment of approximately $25.2 million in 52 research projects to further improve our understanding of COVID-19 and tackle persistent evidence gaps linked to this disease. I was proud to see that two researchers affiliated with Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine, Nova Scotia Health, and the IWK received COVID-19 funding, while five others received funding through by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Project Grant program.
You can read more about this important work on Dal Med News.
Nova Scotia Health Research Fund
Congratulations to the 12 Faculty of Medicine scientists and clinicians who received funding through the Nova Scotia Health Research Fund. This funding will be used to study chronic disease management, aging and continuing care, mental health and addictions, and populations with vulnerabilities.
For a full list of the recipients, click here.
OpenThink
Each month, PhD researchers from across Dalhousie University draw on their studies to publish articles that provide context for the world’s toughest challenges and highlight important and often controversial topics. Offered by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, the OpenThink Initiative empowers PhD researchers to engage with communities beyond the university. This year, from the Faculty of Medicine, I am pleased to congratulate graduate students Ms. Hilary Ferguson, Ms. Jee In Kim, and Mr. Michael Giacomantonio who were named to the 2021 cohort of OpenThink. I know they will be well equipped with the communication skills and platforms necessary to inform public discourse and influence policy.
You can learn more about their research on the OpenThink website.
Dr. Janet Curran appointed first of its kind Quality and Patient Safety Research Chair
A new Quality and Patient Safety (QPS) Applied Research Chair position has been created through an initiative of the Department of Health and Wellness, in collaboration with IWK Foundation, IWK Health, Nova Scotia Health, Dalhousie University’s Faculties of Health and Medicine. The first of its kind in Canada, this role will integrate research into the delivery of patient safety to ensure the highest quality of care for Nova Scotians while also building capacity for health system improvement. Following an international search, the appointee of the inaugural QPS Applied Research Chair is Dr. Janet Curran, PhD, RN, Professor, School of Nursing, Dalhousie, and Clinician Scientist at IWK Health. I invite you to read more at Dal Med News.
Dr. Melanie Kelly named to 2021 Cannabis Scientist Power List
Congratulations to Dr. Melanie Kelly, Professor of Pharmacology, Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Anesthesia, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management, for being named to the 2021 Cannabis Scientist Power List. This list was established to acknowledge and celebrate individuals who make outstanding contributions to advancing cannabis science through their research and mentorship activities. Dr. Kelly was recognized in particular for her contributions to research and development of novel cannabinoid-based therapeutics. For more information on Dr. Kelly’s research can be found here.
2021 New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF) Emerging Project Fund Recipient
Congratulations to Dr. Keith Brunt for receiving funding from NBIF to continue his project research. Dr, Brunt is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at Dal Med New Brunswick. His research focuses on translational medicine, with a major interest in understanding how cells adapt to stress in order to develop innovative therapeutic strategies to treat disease. Currently, Dr. Brunt is developing an online health screening tool to investigate the mental health status and resiliencies of frontline community pharmacy workers in a shifting practice intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. The NBIF awards funding to projects that have the potential to grow into larger collaborative projects or technology and knowledge transfer opportunities that will have a positive economic or social impact in New Brunswick.
Dalhousie Medical Education ‘Living Laboratory’ Fund
Congratulations to the successful applicants of the Dalhousie Medical Education ‘Living Laboratory’ Fund. The Dalhousie Medical Education Living Lab Scholarship Fund was established to build capacity and accelerate partnerships focused on addressing priority medical education needs and research questions. The focus for this round of Living Lab funding is Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Medical Education. Congratulations to the following grant recipients:
- Emma Burns and Ashley Martin, Emergency Medicine
- Babar Haroon and Andrea Davenport, Critical Care and Internal Medicine
- Lori Connors, Medicine
- Joanna Zed, Family Medicine
- Helena Piccinini-Vallis, Family Medicine
- David Bowes, Postgraduate Medical Education
- James Gould and David Hung, Emergency Medicine
- Angela Cooper, Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine
I wish our successful grant recipients and their teams all the best with their medical education endeavours.
Maritime Resident Doctors 2020 Excellence in Teaching Award
Congratulations to Dr. Ross Morton, who was awarded the Maritime Resident Doctors 2020 Excellence in Teaching Award. This award is presented annually to a deserving team leader who exemplifies skill in patient care, teaching, and interactions with residents. Dr. Morton was nominated by the Internal Medicine residents in Saint John. Beyond providing teaching opportunities, Dr. Morton is also praised for his work providing feedback to the residents and helping them grow throughout their residency.
Congratulations Dr. Morton!
Dr. Wendy Stewart Receives SSHRC Partnership Engage Grant
Congratulations to Dr. Wendy Stewart, who recently received a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Partnership Engage Grant for her study, Prescribing Art: An Innovative Partnership to Positively Impact Individuals Diagnosed with Depression. In this novel project, Dr. Stewart will partner with the Saint John Arts Centre to facilitate opportunities for student participants to view art and reflect on how it impacts them. The results will be used to engage other galleries in New Brunswick and around the Maritime provinces, to raise awareness of the impact of art, and how it can be used to improve mental health. Medical learners will also have the chance to participate in this project.
Best of luck on this exciting work, Dr. Stewart!
2021 Annual Faculty Meeting
Save the date! The 2021 Annual Faculty Meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at 5 p.m. An agenda with background information including written reports will be circulated closer to the date.
If you have any questions regarding the format of the Annual Meeting, please contact the Chair of Faculty Council, Dr. Karim Mukhida or Ms. Anne Weeden.
In Memoriam: Dr. David Gass
I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of our great friend and colleague, Dr. David Gass.
Dr. Gass was born April 29, 1945, in London, Ontario. He graduated from Mount Allison University in 1967 and attended Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar in 1969. Dr. Gass graduated cum laude from Dalhousie Medical School in 1973.
Dr. Gass started his practice in family medicine in Fredericton in 1973 and joined the Department of Family Medicine at Dalhousie in 1978, where her began his illustrious career as a leader and educator. Dr. Gass served as the Head of Department of Family Medicine from 1987-1995 and was responsible for the leadership and management of a large department with over 150 members.
Cheerful and indefatigable, Dr. Gass came out from retirement to become Interim Head of the Department of Family Medicine on two occasions between 2017-2020, where he continued to advocate for the expansion of distributed family medicine educational programming. He led the opening of the North Nova Family Medicine residency training site in 2019.
In 1998, Dr. Gass was awarded the Donald I. Rice Merit Award from the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) in recognition of his outstanding work and contributions to teaching, vision and leadership in the discipline of family medicine. He was Chair, and a member of, numerous CFPC and other committees, including Chair of the Canadian Medical Association Committee on Ethics.
Dr. Gass was a wonderful leader and physician who was highly respected and admired by his colleagues and friends. He was a mentor to countless learners and physicians, who became better doctors because of his positive influence. He was passionate about family medicine. “Family physicians are specialists, and they are special,” he would say. No one embodied this attitude more than Dr. Gass himself – he was special.
Dr. Gass will be remembered for his compassion, kindness, sense of humour, humility, and sincerity and as a person who was always there to help. He will be missed.
Dr. Gass’ full obituary can be read here.
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I hope you are all staying well and good luck to everyone writing exams. I know many of you will be working as hard as ever, but I hope all of you have an opportunity to enjoy some sunshine now that spring is here.