We are nearly through spring, and soon we will welcome the long, sunny days of summer. It’s been an exciting time in the Faculty of Medicine, as things began to resemble our pre-pandemic days.
For the first time since 2019, we were able to celebrate our graduating students with in-person convocation activities for the Class of 2022, beginning on May 20, in Saint John, with the Launch Ceremony celebrating the achievements of our Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick (DMNB) graduating students. This was followed by the 2022 class of Dalhousie Medical School walking across the stage at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium for convocation on May 24, 2022. I offer my sincere congratulations to the students and all you have achieved. We can’t wait to see what you do next! Read about the medical school journey for some of our graduates here.
Special recognition must be given to the faculty and staff who not only made convocation a success, but who have been dedicated stewards of these students over their four years of training. Without you, the day would not have been possible.
Despite the challenges we have faced over the last several years, I am continually impressed by the people within the Faculty of Medicine who have gone above and beyond to continue their work, teaching, mentoring, research, leadership, patient care, and volunteer efforts. I wish everyone a well-deserved summer break.
Dr. David Anderson
Dean, Faculty of Medicine
Class of 2022 graduation gala
On the afternoon of May 24, 2022, following convocation, a Scholarships and Awards Ceremony was held in Ondaatje Hall. Several awards were presented during the event including our Gold and Silver Ds, recognizing the commitment of exemplary medical students, and one of the highest honours upon graduation.
Congratulations to:
Gold D Awards
Miranda Lees (DMNB)
Freddy Lee
Tammy Selman
Silver D Awards
Michael O’Leary
Jeana MacLeod
Adele Orovec
Angela Morris (DMNB)
Claire Bullock
Rumana Rafiq
Lydia Li
Margaret Sun
Clara Long
Morgan Burgoyne (DMNB)
Read more about the awards here.
Dr. Bonnie Henry receives honorary degree from Dalhousie University
British Columbia’s Provincial Officer of Health and Dalhousie alum Dr. Bonnie Henry (MD’90) was one of Dalhousie’s eight honorary degree recipients for Spring Convocation 2022. Honorary degrees are presented to individuals who have shown inspirational leadership; outstanding contributions to a field or discipline of study or a non-academic area of achievement; and/or achievement at/or contributions to Dalhousie. Dr. Henry was recognized for her good judgment, confident professionalism, and compassionate empathy during the COVID-19 pandemic. She received her award on May 24, 2022, at the Faculty of Medicine convocation, where she also delivered the convocation address.
Read more on Dal News.
Annual Faculty Meeting
On June 6, 2022, we gathered, both in-person and virtually, for the annual faculty meeting where I was able to share some of the many highlights and achievements realized by our talented and dedicated faculty, students, and staff.
I provided updates on our strategic plan, and the Faculty of Medicine’s sustained effort to serve and engage society and inspire and enable excellence in health and healthcare through medical education and research programs. It was an opportunity to reflect on our accomplishments and recognize the people in the Medical School who have made the last year a success. We also announced the winners of the annual faculty awards. Congratulations to:
- Faculty of Medicine Award for Excellence in Education: Dr. Stephanie Langley
- Faculty of Medicine Award for Excellence in Education (early career): Dr. Adam Harris
- Faculty of Medicine Award for Excellence in Clinical Practice: Conrad Fernandez
- Faculty of Medicine Award for Excellence in Clinical Practice (early career): Jack Rasmussen
- Allan Cohen Memorial Award in Community Service: Dr. Selene Etches
- Faculty of Medicine Community Teacher of the Year Award: Hanni Bouma
- Wayne Putnam Award: Dr. Sue Zinck
- Faculty Award for Leadership in Global Health: Dr. David Haase
I also offer my congratulations to the faculty members who will be promoted as of July 1, 2022. This is not an exhaustive list of promotions, but we would like to recognize our faculty for their unwavering support of the Faculty of Medicine. We are very grateful for your dedication.
For more details, I refer you to the reports from our Assistant and Associate Deans on our Faculty Council webpage.
10th annual Thomas Fear and Alice Morgans Fear Family Memorial Conference.
On June 9 and 10 the Department of Community Heath and Epidemiology, in partnership with Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education, hosted the 10th annual Thomas Fear and Alice Morgans Fear Family Memorial Conference. This year’s theme was Planetary Health and the Climate Crisis: Our Planet, Our Health, Our Responsibility, and we were treated to excellent presentations on topics such as climate change, politically active youth experiences with climate grief in Mi’kma’ki, mental health as it relates to climate change, and ecological grief. Climate change is impacting us in many ways, not the least of which is how it effects our health. We are grateful to Drs. Stephen Miller and Susan Kirkland for organizing such a fantastic event.
Nova Scotia Tour
During the first week of April, I had the pleasure of visiting several of our Nova Scotia distributed medical education sites to connect with the individuals in these areas who play an important role in delivering or supporting medical education. It is vital the Faculty of Medicine understands the unique perspectives of those working across Nova Scotia and learns how we can better support them in their mission. Over four days we met with community members, leaders, physician navigators, and representatives from hospital foundations who play a critical role in the Faculty of Medicine meeting its mandate in being responsive to health needs across the Maritimes. Thank you to all who participated, we look forward to making this trip an annual occasion.
Deputy Prime Minister visits the Faculty of Medicine
On April 12, we were honoured to host the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and several other Nova Scotian members of parliament, as they unveiled their government’s plan to offer loan forgiveness for doctors and nurses working in rural or remote communities. Ms. Freeland toured simulation labs in the Collaborative Health Education Building and took time to chat with Dal medical students about the new measures to support them and the government’s goal of ensuring Canadians in rural communities get the high-quality health care they deserve.
You can read more about her visit here.
Dalhousie and Cape Breton University to pilot undergraduate medical education partnership
A new partnership was announced May 12 between Dalhousie Medical School and Cape Breton University (CBU) and aims to create solutions to alleviate family physician shortages in rural Nova Scotia.
The program, beginning in September 2022, will see CBU sponsor five seats at Dalhousie’s Faculty of Medicine MD Program for qualified rural Nova Scotian applicants.
We are pleased to be entering into this strategic partnership with Cape Breton University and the province of Nova Scotia that will aim to address the primary care needs of our province and ensure that our physician graduates reflect the communities we serve.
Read more on Dal Med News.
Indigenous Admissions Pathway
A new Indigenous Admissions Pathway will welcome more Indigenous students to Dalhousie Medical School to meet the needs and improve health and health care for the Indigenous and Maritime communities we serve. Led by Dr. Brent Young, Academic Director for Indigenous Health, and supported by former Keknu’tmasiek Welo’ltimk (pronounced: gag-new-d-muss-seeg well-oh-l-dim-k, a Mi’kmaw phrase that translates to “We Learn Healing”) Program Manager, Ms. Hannah Asprey, this new admissions pathway will minimize the barriers that have prevented Indigenous applicants from entering medical school at Dalhousie. Under this pathway, applications received from Indigenous students will be assessed using a holistic file review.
Read more on Dal Med News.
Faculty of Medicine invites visiting scholars to guide anti‑oppressive practice
At the Faculty of Medicine we are changing the way we address racism in our programs and practices to ensure we run a medical school where our policies and practices are designed with an anti-oppression lens. Thanks in large part to the efforts of Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed, the Faculty’s Associate Dean of Serving and Engaging Society, and her recruitment of visiting scholars, we are making progress in this area.
Read more on Dal Med News.
Two Faculty of Medicine Canada Research Chairs Canada Research Chairs
On June 2, Dr. Gregory Fairn (Pathology) was announced as a Tier 1 Canada Research Chairs (CRC) and Dr. Javeria Hashmi (Anesthesia, Pain Management & Perioperative Medicine) was renewed for a second term as a Tier 2 CRC. The CRC program provides the funding necessary for Canada’s post-secondary institutions to attract and retain the world’s best research talent. Their individual work focuses on what causes tissues to chronically swell and pain to strike without reprieve.
Read more about their research on Dal Med News.
Faculty of Medicine students shine in 3 Minute Thesis Competition
Three Faculty of Medicine students were among the six finalists in the Faculty of Graduate Studies 3 Minute Thesis Competition on April 21, and all three were winners.
Congratulations to Dr. Jasmine Mah (PhD in Medical Research Program) who took home first place with her presentation “Social Vulnerability: What It Is, How to Measure It, and Why It Matters”; to third place finisher Adam Sunavasky (MSc in Medical Neuroscience) for his presentation “Pleasure and Pain: Two Sides of the Same Coin”; and to Alex Stirling (MSc in Epidemiology and Applied Health Science) who received the People’s Choice Award for his presentation “Prehospital Airway Management Association with 30-day Survival, and Prehospital Hypoxi; 5 Year Retrospective Cohort Study.” We are proud to have had such wonderful representation of the Faculty of Medicine. Dr. Mah will participate in the finals on June 16 at 7:00. Sign up to cheer her on!
Read more about the winner’s research on Dal Med News.
Euphoria! raises funds for Autism Resources Miramichi
Our medical school students put on a great performance showcasing their talents at this year’s Euphoria’s Got Talent Show. Every year since 1969, this student-run variety show extravaganza put on by Dalhousie Medical School students 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. This year the event raised over $22,000 for Autism Resources Miramichi. Congratulations to the Class of 2022 for taking home the Euphoria! 2022 trophy.
IMPACT Awards
This spring Dalhousie celebrated their student leaders with the 11th annual IMPACT awards. Though the event was held virtually, 28 individual students and four student societies were recognized for their contributions to the Dalhousie student experience. Among the winners were medical students Claire Bolluck and Ben Callaghan who shared The Student Wellness Award. This award is presented to the “student who best demonstrates leadership in promoting and contributing to a healthy campus.” Also recognized with a Rising Star Award was Claire Carruthers, a student in the Medical Sciences Program. Rising Star Awards are presented to “first, second, and third-year students who have demonstrated an outstanding level of commitment, leadership, creativity, and initiative to the DSU, as well as to the campus and community at large.” Congratulations to each of you, and to all the IMPACT award winners.
Read more on Dal News.
Doctors Nova Scotia Achievement Awards
The Doctors Nova Scotia awards honouring exemplary achievement were formally awarded at an event on June 4. Please join me in congratulating the faculty and learners who were selected to receive an award:
- Michael Vincer (Department of Pediatrics) – Distinguished Service Award
- Karthik Tennankore (Department of Medicine) – Dr. William Grigor Award
- Brian Moses (Department of Medicine) – Community Specialist of the Year
- Emma McDermott (third year medical student) – Outstanding Medical Student Award
- Hayam Hamodat (Core Internal Medicine Co-Chief Resident) – Outstanding Resident Award
- John Hanly (Department of Medicine) – DNS Senior Membership Award
- John Fraser (Department of Psychiatry) – CMA Honorary Membership Award
Read more on DoctorsNS.
Dr. Gail Darling receives Lavina Lickley Lifetime Achievement Award
Head of the Department of Surgery at Dalhousie University, Dr. Gail Darling, is the recipient of the 2022 Lavina Lickley Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of Toronto (UofT). This award recognizes faculty members who have demonstrated significant contributions to the department of surgery throughout their careers at UofT. Dr. Darling was formally a professor of Surgery in the Division of Thoracic Surgery and in the Department of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation at the University of Toronto. She held the Kress Family Chair in Esophageal Cancer at the University of Toronto and University Health Network and was also an affiliate scientist at the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute.
Read more about the award here.
Drs. Andrew Warren and Sarah Gander recognized by CAME
Two Dalhousie faculty have been awarded the Certificate of Merit by the Canadian Association for Medical Education (CAME) Congratulations to Dr. Andrew Warren, pediatric oncologist, Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, and Associate Dean of Postgraduate Educations, and to Dr. Sarah Gander, pediatrician working in Saint John New Brunswick and host of the Fac Dev podcast for Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick. The CAME Certificate of Merit promotes, recognizes and rewards faculty who are committed to medical education in Canadian Medical Schools. Both Drs. Warren and Gander will be afforded the opportunity to write an article for the CAME Voice, the organizations weekly, Canadian medical education community blog.
Read more on CAME-ACEM.ca
Pediatric oncologist receives prestigious ‘Jewel of India’ award
Dr. Ketan Kulkarni, clinician researcher and Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Pathology, Medicine and Pharmacy in the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology and Department of Pediatrics at the IWK Health Center and Dalhousie University has received the prestigious Hind Rattan Award. The Hind Rattan, translated into English as “Jewel of India,” is the highest awards granted annually to non-resident persons of Indian origin in recognition of their outstanding services, achievements, and contributions in their respective fields. It is awarded by the NRI Welfare Society of India at the Society’s annual congress.
Awarded to only a handful on Canadians in the past, the Hind Rattan is presented to approximately 25-30 members of the worldwide Indian Diaspora (global persons of Indian origin and non-resident Indians) annually. With more than 40 million people estimated to be part of the Indian Diaspora, receiving the award is a tremendous honour.
The Hind Rattan award was presented on April 14, 2022, during the 41st International Convention of Non-Resident Indians (NRI’s) at the Constitution Club in New Delhi. Dr. Kulkarni’s parents were in attendance to receive the award on his behalf.
Marie-Claire Wasson, a Dalhousie University graduate student in Pathology, is the inaugural winner of the Jen Johnston Prize
Congratulations to Ms. Marie-Claire Wasson, who is the inaugural recipient of the Jen Johnston Prize for Research Excellence from the Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute (BHCRI). The award is named in honour of the late daughter of BHCRI scientific director Dr. Gerry Johnston and created from memorial donations to celebrate her life. Marie-Claire’s research focuses on discovering new treatments to improve the survival of triple-negative breast cancer patients. This involves researching new classes of molecules, termed long non-coding RNAs, that have been minimally studied but are proving to be potentially important in cancer treatment. In the future, drugs that inhibit these cancer-promoting molecules could be developed to stop the growth and spread of cancer.
Read more on Dal Med News.
Dalhousie researcher receives grant from the Arthritis Society
Dr. Jason McDougall, who is a professor in the Departments of Pharmacology and Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, is one of three researchers receiving an Ignite Research Grant from the Arthritis Society, presented to innovative researchers for their out-of-the-box thinking.
In Dr. McDougall’s first-of-its-kind-project, he will examine the effect of green light therapy on osteoarthritis pain. Recent research shows illuminating a room with dim, green light can produce long-lasting pain reduction in people with chronic pain from fibromyalgia or migraines, and Dr. McDougall will be the first to test this on osteoarthritis pain. This could have tremendous benefits as almost two-thirds of people with osteoarthritis do not experience adequate pain relief.
Read more the Ignite Research Grants here.
DMRF Molly Appeal supports Dalhousie virtual care researchers
A research team led by Dr. Leslie Anne Campbell, Sobey Family Child & Adolescent Mental Health Outcomes Chair, and assistant professor in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, will be supported by the Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation (DMRF) Molly Appeal, an annual campaign created to raise critical funds throughout the year in support of local health research excellence. Supporting Shared Decision-Making for Virtual Care in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, aims to develop evidence-informed guidance to support shared decision-making regarding the virtual delivery of IWK Mental Health and Addictions services and ensure optimal care for young clients, families, and caregivers.
Learn more about the Molly Appeal.
Dr. Sarah Burm awarded SSHRC Knowledge Synthesis grant; education award
Dr. Sarah Burm, assistant professor and education research scientist in the Faculty of Medicine, and her team, were recently awarded a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Knowledge Synthesis grant to conduct a scoping review to identify how health professionals, specifically physicians and nurses who work directly with patients, are experiencing and processing grief and loss during the pandemic.
Learn more about Dr. Burm’s grant here.
Dr. Burm has also been awarded the Early Career Medical Educators (ECME) Champion Award. This award recognizes someone who gives their time, spirit, and energy to the growth, success, and recognition of early career medical educators. Dr. Burm is a member-at-large with ECME, a nation-wide community of engaged and collaborative scholars in medical education. Dr. Burm was presented with her award at a ceremony on April 25.
Read more about ECME here.
Creating an environment for research to thrive
To attract the world’s best researchers, Dalhousie must provide the tools and spaces they require to meet their goals. To build labs, purchase technical equipment and acquire leading-edge soft- and hardware, the university received substantial support from the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund and Research Nova Scotia, which together have contributed $3.7 million in new funding for infrastructure. Of the 10 Dalhousie researchers receiving infrastructure funding, we are thrilled to say five reside in the Faculty of Medicine. Congratulations to:
- Melina Agosto, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
- Ketul Chaudary, Department of Physiology and Biophysics
- Gregory Fairn, Department of Pathology
- Jan Rainey, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Engineering
- Rudolf Uher, Department of Psychiatry
Read more on Dal News.
Faculty of Medicine researchers received CIHR funding
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is providing $1,479,972 in operating grants to Dalhousie scholars focused on ensuring we don’t lose sight of issues revealed during the pandemic in how we serve and protect vulnerable populations. Among those receiving funding are Faculty of Medicine researchers Dr. Alexa Yakubovich, whose focus is on counteracting violence against women during health emergencies, and Dr. Janice Graham, who is research is on building a more resilient and equitable pandemic response.
Read more on Dal Med News.
Two faculty members among five Dal researchers sharing $1.1 million in research funding
On April 4 the Government of Canada shared the winners of the New Frontiers in Research Fund’s “2021 Exploration” and “Special Call on Innovative Approaches to Research in the Pandemic Context” grant competitions. Among them, five Dalhousie researchers including Dr. Alex Quinn from the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, and Dr. Zhenyu Cheng from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. A total of $45 million was dispersed to institutions across the country with $1.1 million received by Dalhousie.
Read more about Dr. Quinn’s and Dr. Cheng’s research on Dal News.
Trainee funding wins big at Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick (DMNB)
On March 31, 2022, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) announced the results of the Health Research Training Platforms (HRTP) pilot funding opportunity, an innovative, pan-national initiative that will embed early career researchers and trainees in collaborative health research teams with the goal of setting them up for success in careers that span academia and beyond. With this funding, 13 interdisciplinary teams will be set up across the country, where researchers will receive training and development opportunities to build Canada’s research capacity in a wide range of areas.
Among these interdisciplinary teams is MyROaD (Maximize your Research on Obesity and Diabetes): a training and mentoring platform focused on diabetes, obesity, and cardiometabolic health that includes Dr. Keith Brunt, Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at DMNB, as one of the team’s principal applicants and mentors.
Read more on Dal Med News.
Wellness Survey for clinical faculty
The Faculty of Medicine has been developing a framework around wellness for all faculty, which began with welcoming our Assistant Dean of Wellness, Dr. Angela Cooper. Engaging wellness leads from clinical departments and divisions, as well as laying a new foundation in wellness with our basic science faculty, has been no small task and has included the development of faculty wellness leaders, a peer mentoring program and scholarly activity, and promoting bespoke wellness educational sessions.
As part of this engagement, Dr. Cooper has led the development of our first Faculty of Medicine Wellness Survey, aimed at providing crucial information forming the foundation of our wellness strategy. In completing the survey, you will not only get a deeper sense of your own levels of stress and burnout along with recommendations of support, but you will also contribute to a wider understanding of our clinical faculty’s wellness needs across the Maritime Provinces.
With information obtained from responses, we can begin to target the systemic, cultural, and individual factors that you identify as contributors to stress and burnout. As such, clinical faculty are strongly encouraged to use the link below and take the time needed to complete this survey and help us move forward in our wellness efforts.
Survey link
*Please note this survey is intended for clinical faculty members only
Global Health Office Blog
Have you read the latest blog from the Global Health Office? It features their Community-Engaged Service Learning Program and the year-end celebration that happened in May. Check it out here.
You can read more about the Community-Engaged Service Learning Program on Dal Med News.
Appointment of Dr. Shashi Gujar, Executive Director, Cancer Immunotherapy, Innovation & Global Partnerships
I am pleased pleased to announce that Dr. Shashi Gujar has been appointed as Executive Director, Cancer Immunotherapy, Innovation and Global Partnerships.
Dr. Gujar, who is an internationally recognized immunotherapy expert and Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology here at Dalhousie, leads a team of researchers poised to drive innovation in cancer diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. The innovative immunotherapies akin to those developed by Dr. Gujar are already successful in treating advanced cancers without producing any of the harmful side effects caused by traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation.
Through strategic international partnerships, he will work to overcome the challenges and limitations faced in Atlantic Canada in order to drive innovation and accelerate the translation of exciting medical discoveries in patients. Dr. Gujar will leverage the resources needed for his ground-breaking research enterprise to rapidly advance cancer immunotherapy discoveries and save lives sooner.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Gujar on his appointment. Read more about his exciting work on Dal Med News.
Reappointment of Dr. Carolyn Thomson, Assistant Dean, Resident Affairs
On behalf of the Faculty of Medicine, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Carolyn Thomson has been reappointed as Assistant Dean, Resident Affairs, for a five-year term effective July 1, 2022.
In her role as Assistant Dean, Dr. Thomson is responsible for providing leadership in resident affairs and for ensuring a high level of support to residents regarding personal, social, financial, career planning and academic matters. This includes facilitating access to care and support for residents in need. In 2020 she received the Resident Wellness Advocate of the Year Award, and the following year she was presented with the Resident Wellness Preceptor of the Year Award. Dr. Thomson is a leader and advocate for the health and well-being of physicians and learners, and we are fortunate to have her continuing in her role as Assistant Dean of Resident Affairs.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Thomson on her reappointment.
Appointment of Dr. OmiSoore Dryden, Interim Director, Black Studies Research Institute
On behalf of the Faculty of Medicine, I am pleased to announce that Dr. OmiSoore Dryden has been appointed Interim Director of the Black Studies Research Institute at Dalhousie University. Dr. Dryden’s appointment is effective April 1, 2022 – June 30, 2025.
Dr. Dryden, a Black queer femme, is Dalhousie’s fourth James R. Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies. She is engaged in interdisciplinary scholarship and research that focuses on Black LGBTQI communities, blood donation systems in Canada, anti-Black racism in health care, medical education, and Black health curricular content development.
Dr. Dryden is a content expert and Associate Scientist with the Maritime Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) SUPPORT Unit (MSSU) where she provides guidance on Canadian Black Health metrics needed to inform the development of health policies and improve the health care system. Dr. Dryden is the co-lead of the new national organization – The Black Health Education Collaborative (BHEC), Dr. Dryden is the past co-president of the Black Canadian Studies Association (2019-2021) and is a board member of the Health Association of African Canadians.
The Black Studies Research Institute (BSRI) advances research (basic and applied) and connects and supports researchers in the areas of Black Studies. The BSRI energizes and informs ideas, debates, and public policy in Canada and abroad and provides an intellectual environment that brings researchers and scholars together to explore the various issues addressed in Black Studies.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Dryden on her appointment.
Dr. Irene Sadek reappointed Head, Department of Pathology
I am pleased to announce that Dr. Irene Sadek has been reappointed as Department Head in the Department of Pathology, for a five-year term effective July 1, 2022.
Under Dr. Sadek’s excellent leadership, the Department of Pathology has increased its academic productivity and grant capture and implemented new and innovative clinical service pathways. Most importantly, the department worked collaboratively to rise to the challenge of providing the necessary COVID-19 testing to fight the pandemic over the last two years.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Sadek on her reappointment.
Dr. Tim Holland Appointed Head, Department of Bioethics
I am pleased to announce that Dr. Tim Holland has been appointed Head of the Department of Bioethics for a five-year term. Dr. Holland’s appointment is effective September 1, 2022.
Dr. Holland, is an assistant professor in the Departments of Family Medicine and Bioethics. He graduated from Dalhousie Medical School in 2011 and completed his family medicine residency in Halifax in 2013. In 2014, he co-founded the Newcomer Health Clinic where he is the current medical lead. He also co-founded the Canadian Refugee Health Network and remains actively involved as a member of the organization’s steering committee. He has been a medical assistance in dying (MAID) provider since 2016 when MAID first became legal in Canada, and he sits on the Nova Scotia Health MAID Steering Committee and the steering committee for the Canadian MAID Curriculum Development Project.
In 2016 Dr. Holland was elected as chair of the Ethics Committee for the Canadian Medical Association (CMA). In this role he has overseen many important CMA bioethics initiatives, including the Guidelines for Physician Interactions with Industry, Medical Assistance in Dying and, most notably, the 2018 major revision of the Code of Ethics and Professionalism. Dr. Holland was also President of Doctors Nova Scotia from 2018 to 2019, and he co-founded Doctors for Decriminalization in 2019 where he is currently a co-chair.
Dr. Holland shares a family practice at the Sipekne’katik Health Centre and is currently completing a master’s thesis in Philosophy at Dalhousie.
In announcing Dr. Holland’s appointment, we would like to acknowledge Dr. Christy Simpson, who has dutifully held the headship position for more than 11 years. We are so grateful for her tremendous leadership in guiding the Department of Bioethics.
Please join me congratulating Dr. Holland on his appointment.
Appointment of Dr. Babar Haroon, Associate Dean, Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME)
On behalf of the Faculty of Medicine, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Babar Haroon has been appointed Associate Dean, Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME), for a five-year term, effective July 1, 2022.
Dr. Haroon is an Associate Professor cross-appointed in the Department of Critical Care and the Division of General Internal Medicine at Dalhousie University. He completed a Master’s in Education at Acadia University and has a strong interest in medical education, formerly holding the position of Program Director of the Adult Critical Care Subspecialty Training Program. He developed the simulation education program in the Department of Medicine, and as the Medical Director of Learning for the QEII Simulation Program, guided simulation delivery at the QEII with an interprofessional lens in a distributed environment.
Nationally, Dr. Haroon serves as the education director for the Canadian Critical Care Society and as a member on the education committee for the Canadian Society of Internal Medicine. At the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada he serves as a national examiner in Internal Medicine and in his role as a surveyor, has been part of numerous postgraduate accreditation visits. Dr. Haroon has been recognized for his excellence in teaching by numerous awards at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in both Internal Medicine and Critical Care.
As Associate Dean, PGME, Dr. Haroon will provide strategic and administrative leadership in the Faculty of Medicine for postgraduate (residency) programs of the College of Family Physicians of Canada, and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He will provide academic leadership and management oversight of the development and delivery of the curriculum, assessment, and evaluation of all residency programs.
In announcing Dr. Haroon’s appointment, we would like to thank Dr. Andrew Warren for his outstanding contributions to the Faculty of Medicine as Associate Dean, PGME, over his two terms. He has been an exceptional leader and trusted teacher, and we are so grateful to have had him serve in the position for 10 years.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Haroon on his appointment.
In Memoriam: Dr. Charles Edward Hope
The Faculty of Medicine and Dalhousie University are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Dr. Charles Edward Hope, anesthesiologist and former professor and Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at Dalhousie University, on April 3, 2022.
While at Dalhousie Dr. Hope founded a neurosurgical anesthesia subspecialty, consolidated critical care, and arranged research and clinical fellowships for many physicians who would go on to have internationally recognized careers.
Dr. Hope was a respected leader and inspiration to many. He will be profoundly missed.For the full obituary, click here.
In Memoriam: Dr. Donald Brown
The Faculty of Medicine and Dalhousie University are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Dr. Donald Brown, family physician and former Director of Residency Training in the Department of Family Medicine at Dalhousie University, on May 18, 2022.
Born in Shubenacadie, NS, Dr. Brown began practicing at the Moncton Hospital in 1958. He practiced throughout rural Nova Scotia before settling in Halifax in 1968, where he joined Dalhousie Medical School as the first full-time faculty teacher and became the first Director of Residency Training in what would be come the Department of Family Medicine. In 1996 Dr. Brown left Dalhousie to focus on medical hypnosis, and he worked in this field until his retirement in 2016.
Dr. Brown was a trusted leader, teacher, and award-winning physician who will be greatly missed.
For the full obituary, click here.
In Memoriam: Dr. William “Stuart” Huestis
The Faculty of Medicine and Dalhousie University are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Dr. William “Stuart” Huestis, neurosurgeon and former professor and Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at Dalhousie University, on May 23, 2022.
Dr. Huestis was a Professor and Head of Department of Neurosurgery Dalhousie University from 1974-1982 and was instrumental in setting up the Neuro Pediatric Unit at the IWK. He had many accolades, but what he aspired to was providing the best care for his patients. Apart from being skilled technically, he had a caring bedside manner and was always available to referring family doctors.
Dr. Huestis was a respected leader and inspiration to many. He will be profoundly missed.For the full obituary, click here.
###