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January 2022

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Dean’s Blog: January 2022

We began 2022 facing the highly contagious Omicron variant of COVID-19. Thanks to the efforts of faculty, staff, and students, educational programs in the Faculty of Medicine have continued, though they may look a little different than we had planned with the transition to a virtual learning environment.

We are excited to see our students on campus in February with the impending return of in-person learning for undergraduate and graduate teaching. Medical school teaching for Med I and II will continue virtually in Nova Scotia, but we look forward to returning to more in-person activities once this wave of the pandemic begins to improve. I want to say how proud I am of the way our students, residents, faculty, and staff have responded to challenges we have faced. I would like to particularly acknowledge the front-line physicians, residents, and students who are dealing with the Omicron wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and for those who have volunteered to assist with immunization programs and other COVID activities.

I know the evolving nature of this pandemic has led to considerable levels of stress, anxiety, but please know there are supports available to you and I encourage you to reach out if you need help. I have included various links below for those requiring assistance, along with some COVID-19 protocol reminders.

I want to thank you all for your patience, leadership, and support as we navigate this pandemic. It has been a challenge and we are all weary, but we will get through this together.

Dr. David Anderson
Dean, Faculty of Medicine

African Heritage Month at Dalhousie
Each year in February we celebrate African Heritage Month, and in 2022 the provincial theme, Through Our Eyes: The Voices of African Nova Scotians, recognizes the legacies of people of African descent through first voice, lived realities, and experiences.  The theme highlights that when we listen to others’ perspectives, interpretation, and views on the world, particularly those from marginalized communities, we will gain a more meaningful understanding on how to make our world a better place.

Though it is vitally important we recognize the history of African Nova Scotians and all people of African descent more than just in February, I encourage you follow the suggestion communicated by the university on January 31 and take time this month to further engage in events, programming and learning opportunities on campus and in our broader community.

Dr. Kenneth Rockwood wins International Ryman Prize
Dr. Kenneth Rockwood, who is a geriatrician, researcher, and professor in the Division of Geriatric Medicine, is the recipient of the seventh Ryman Prize. The international award is worth $250,000 and recognizes the best global work focused on quality of life for older people. The Ryman prize is regarding as the Nobel equivalent for Geriatric research.  It is an incredible honour for Dr. Rockwood to have been recognized for his outstanding achievements in this field.

Dr. Rockwood is recognized for his more than 30 years of research, collaboration and practical clinical work for older adults living with frailty and dementia, and his long-term campaign to battle ageism in healthcare. His win was announced by the Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand on Dec. 15, 2021. Because of COVID-19 restrictions Dr. Rockwood was not able to travel to New Zealand to collect his prize and medal.

Read more on Dal Med News.

Centre of Excellence for Healthy Aging established in Dr. Rockwood’s honour
Research Nova Scotia, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Wellness and Nova Scotia Health, is providing $700,000 in funding to establish a Centre of Excellence for Healthy Aging at Cape Breton University (CBU) in honour of Dr. Kenneth Rockwood. The recent Ryman Prize recipient is also contributing $25,000 of the financial award to the research program at CBU which will promote whole-patient care for people living with frailty and/or dementia.

Read more on researchNS.

Order of Canada Inductees
Two of our faculty members are among the 135 new appointments to the order of Canada. Dr. Patricia Livingston, associate professor of anesthesia and medical director of global health in the Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management & Perioperative Medicine, and Dr. Allan S. MacDonald, a retired transplant surgeon who spent several decades with the Faculty of Medicine, have been bestowed this tremendous honour.

The Order of Canada is one of the country’s highest civilian honours, with membership denoting outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.

Dr. Livingston is recognized for “her contributions to global health and anesthesia safety, and for her commitment to improving medical education in underserved communities around the world.” Dr. MacDonald is credited for “his pioneering innovations in the field of kidney, liver and pancreas transplantation” and “positively impacting the lives of patients, notably within Atlantic Canada.”

Congratulations to both Drs. Livingston and MacDonald.

Read more on Dal Med News.

New Black Studies Research Institute (BSRI) approved
I am pleased to share that the university recently approved the creation of a Black Studies Research Institute (BSRI) at Dalhousie University.  As envisioned by the BSRI committee led by Dr. OmiSoore Dryden, Dalhousie’s James R. Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies, in the Faculty of Medicine, the Black Studies Research Institute will be a centre of excellence supporting the work of current and emerging Black researchers and scholars at the university. By establishing a robust interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research agenda, the institute will encourage Black researchers and scholars to work together across academic fields, including medicine and sciences, which often fall outside of the traditional scope of Black Studies.

The institute will develop and disseminate publications, host symposia and lecture series and facilitate applications for large scale research grants. It will also facilitate the development of research clusters, related to variety of topics focused on African Nova Scotian and Black Studies.

Dalhousie has led the way for Canadian universities in Black Studies leadership, with the first national senior research chair in Black Studies in Canada, currently held by Dr. Dryden, created here in the 1990s. In 2016 the university launched its interdisciplinary Black and African Diaspora Studies minor program. The BSRI allows Dalhousie to continue its leadership in Black Studies by establishing a strong and diverse research institute that stands apart nationally and internationally for its interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach.

Thank you to all involved who are allowing Dalhousie to continue to advance Black Studies research and education.

Strategic Planning
In my last update I discussed the Faculty of Medicine’s strategic planning process, and our journey to fulfill our vision of becoming an international leader in medical education and research, and being responsive to the health needs across the Maritimes.

Though the pandemic has understandably monopolized our focus recently, we plan to continue with the strategic planning process by consulting with all areas of the Faculty of Medicine once we get through this current wave of COVID-19.

We will be looking for feedback and participation from our students, staff, and faculty to better understand your unique perspectives and understand of how we can better support you. Further details will be communicated soon.

Research NS New Health Investigator Grant
Nine new programs of health research are to begin at Dalhousie after funding was announced through Research Nova Scotia’s New Health Investigator Grant in December 2021. Congratulations to Faculty of Medicine Members: Drs. Tobias Karakach, Abraham Nunes, Sanja Stanojavic, and Alison Wallace who will each receive two years of support up to $100,000.

The New Investigator Grant supports researchers who are engaged in work that aligns with the Province of Nova Scotia’s health priorities. I am pleased to say that Dalhousie researchers won nine of the 15 grants awarded during the 2021-2022 academic year.

Read more on Dal Med News.

CAME announces 2022 Certificate of Merit Recipients
The Canadian Association for Medical Education recently announced the 2022 recipients of the Certificate of Merit, an award that promotes, recognizes and rewards faculty committed to medical education in Canadian medical schools.  Congratulations to Dalhousie winners Drs. Sarah Gander and Andrew Warren.

Dr. Gander is a general pediatrician in Saint John New Brunswick. Her clinical practice focuses on both general and social pediatrics, and she is also co-founder of the New Brunswick Social Pediatrics Research Program and Clinical Program. She is also host of the Fac Dev Lounge, a medical education podcast hosted by Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick.

Dr. Warren is a pediatric cardiologist at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He is also the associate dean of postgraduate medical education at Dalhousie University. In this role he represents the interests of postgraduate medical education and its programs. He is an active member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, as well as current chair of the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada Committee on Postgraduate Medical Education.

Congratulations to both Dr. Gander and Dr. Warren on this well-deserved honour.

CIHR names Dalhousie scholar Applied Public Health Chair
Dalhousie is now home to another research chair. Matthew Herder, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology, jointly appointed in the Schulich School of Law, and director of the Health Law Institute, is one of seven newly appointed Applied Public Health Chairs announced today by the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR). The program will provide $8.05 million in support to be shared among the chairs to build capacity and strengthen a range of research disciplines and sectors.

Developed in partnership with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), CIHR’s Institute of Population and Public Health first developed the Applied Public Health Chair program in 2003 in response to the challenges that emerged following the SARS epidemic. Revived in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the program provides mid-career researchers with an opportunity to collaborate with decision makers to help support innovative public health-oriented research. The goal is improved health outcomes for both those in Canada and around the world.

Read more on Dal Med News.

Fighting Blindness Canada announces winners of 2021 grant competition
Fighting Blindness Canada recently announced the recipients of their 2021 grant competition, among them, our own Dr. Balwantray Chauhan. Dr. Chauhan, a professor in the Departments of Ophthalmology and Physiology and Bioethics, is among eight Canadian researchers receiving funding. He has developed a novel advanced imaging technique to improve our understanding of how retinal ganglion cells in the optic nerve degenerate during glaucoma. He and his research team will test if the imaging technique can measure optic nerve health in response to new neuroprotective agents, with the goal of identifying new biomarkers of glaucoma that doctors can use to develop new therapies and better manage the disease. I look forward to hearing more about Dr. Chauhan’s exciting work.

Faculty Wellness
The Faculty Wellness Office is looking for clinical faculty to help with a new Peer Support Program. If you have experience that could help other faculty they would like to hear from you. We value diversity, and we encourage people from equity-deserving groups to apply. As a volunteer, you will receive peer support training, ongoing training in coaching skills, and opportunities to seek help and support from the Faculty Wellness Office.

All volunteers will receive:

  • Support your faculty peers by offering a safe listening environment
  • Assist them in processing the challenges they are facing, (professional and/or personal concerns, including distress and burnout)
  • Help them to identify additional resources

For more information, please contact: Roberta.preston@dal.ca

CIHR launches “Ask a Scientist” videos featuring Dr. Christine Chambers
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Ask a Scientist program highlights research to combat COVID-19. In their most recent promotion Dr. Christine Chambers, who is affiliated with the Departments of Pediatrics, Psychology and Neuroscience, and Psychiatry, as well as holding a Canada Research Chair in Children’s Pain, is the featured expert to address dealing with needle pain and fear. In a series of four videos, Dr. Chambers discusses:

To learn more visit CIHR’s Ask a Scientist page.

Executive Director of Operations
We are pleased to announce that Janice Godin has accepted role of Executive Director of Operations in the Faculty of Medicine, effective mid-February. Janice has been the Director of Human Resources in the Faculty of Medicine for the last number of years and brings extensive experience and great skills into her new position. She will replace Anne Weeden who moves into retirement after 29 years with the Faculty of Medicine. Please join us in both congratulating Janice on her new role, and wishing Anne well in her retirement.

In Memoriam: Dr. Michael Scott Ramsey
The Faculty of Medicine and Dalhousie University are saddened to announce the passing of Dr. Michael Scott Ramsey, Professor Emeritus in Ophthalmology, on January 22, 2022, at the age of 85.

Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Dr. Ramsey had an illustrious career in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS) and the Department of Pathology over his 44 years as a faculty member of Dalhousie University. Dr. Ramsey joined the DOVS in July of 1971, after completing his ophthalmic pathology fellowship with the legendary Dr. Lorenz Zimmerman at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, DC.

Promoted to Associate Professor in 1974 and to Full Professor in 1991, Dr. Ramsey was the first full time hospital-based academic ophthalmologist in the DOVS, a group that has now grown to 13 physicians. He served as Acting Head of the DOVS between 1976-1979.

Dr. Ramsey was a dedicated physician and superb surgeon, but his contributions to the ophthalmology residency program were undoubtedly the highlight of his career. He taught ocular pathology and coached generations of residents in achieving competency in ocular surgery. Dr. Ramsey was Program Director from 1981 to 1996 and was responsible for shaping the DOVS residency program into one of the best in the country. After his retirement in 2010, he was appointed Professor Emeritus and until recently, continued to teach in the resident’s clinic at the Eye Care Centre.

Dr. Ramsey appreciated his friends, patients, colleagues, and staff. He leaves behind a loving family here in Nova Scotia and in Northern Ireland. He will be profoundly missed.

For the full obituary, click here.

COVID-19 Protocols and Reminders
As we know, the Omicron variant is highly contagious and spreads very rapidly. We have a shared responsibility to do all that we can to support the health of our Dalhousie community, and our colleagues and patients in the various health care settings, including NSH and the IWK.

To that end, we want to remind the Faculty of Medicine community of our collective responsibilities:

  • Strict adherence to masking protocols is critical and one of the most important steps we can take to support your health and the health of those around you.
  • Please reduce your risk of transmission by always wearing a well-fitting medical mask.
  • Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) has identified that there is a major risk for COVID transmission when masks are removed. For this reason, eating and drinking in Dalhousie buildings is only permitted while alone or properly physical distanced from others in designated areas.
  • Faculty, students, and staff conducting work in Nova Scotia Health and IWK facilities will follow all safety procedures and guidelines of those institutions.
  • Keep your social group small and consistent.
  • While we are confident that we have implemented and are following effective health and safety protocols while on campus, collectively we also need to be mindful of our actions when we are not on campus.
    • Public Health has identified that there are higher risks of infection when congregating with people outside our immediate social group without wearing well-fitting medical masks.   Where possible try to minimize these occasions during this very challenging wave of the pandemic.
  • As always, please follow all Public Health guidelines and regularly check for updates as guidelines change regularly — and stay at home if you’re feeling even slightly unwell.

COVID-19 Supports

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