September 2022

Dean’s Blog Summer 2022

Good morning,

I would like to officially welcome everyone back from summer break and the start of the new academic year.

This is always an exciting time of year, and it is great to see faculty, students, and staff returning to campus – bringing a noticeable energy that has been missed the past several months

On August 21, we held our annual Dean’s Welcome Ceremony in Halifax and on September 9 we held the First Light ceremony in Saint John to welcome our first-year med students to Dalhousie Medical School and to the practice of medicine.

The number of undergraduates we admit into the program has expanded to meet the ever-growing regional need for physicians. This year we welcomed our largest class to-date when 137 talented students began their first year of medical training.

At the Dean’s Welcome Ceremony, we were welcomed by Ms. Catherine Martin, Director, Indigenous Community Engagement, Ms. Ann Labillois, Elder In-Residence, Dr. Barb Hamilton-Hinch, Assistant Vice Provost of Equity & Inclusion, and Ms. Timi Idris, Program Manager, PLANS, before students collectively read their code of conduct, and listened to the Hippocratic Oath. It was wonderful to see the Class of 2026 and so many of their families in attendance.

As we settle into the new academic year, I would like to remind everyone of the importance of continued adherence to COVID-19 safety guidelines and restrictions. As we have done throughout the pandemic, the Faculty of Medicine will continue to follow to all Dalhousie University procedures, while adding an additional layer of measures, where appropriate, that reflect the unique intersection our faculty, students, and staff have with the health care system.

For the most up-to-date Faculty of Medicine COVID-19 guidelines, please scroll to the bottom of this memo, or visit medicine.dal.ca/news/covid.html.

What follows are highlights of activities and announcements as we begin the new academic year.

Welcome back everyone.

Kindest regards,

Dr. David Anderson
Dean, Faculty of Medicine

Two faculty bestowed one of Canada’s highest academic honours
Two members of the Faculty of Medicine were inducted as Fellows to the Royal Society of Canada on September 6, 2022. Dr. Christine Chambers (Department of Pediatrics) and Dr. John Archibald (Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Microbiology & Immunology) were among five Dalhousie scholars who received the honour in recognition of their outstanding scholarly, scientific and artistic achievements. They join 2,558 Fellows from across the country, distinguished Canadians from all branches of learning elected by their peers for contributions in the arts, humanities, and sciences, as well as in Canadian public life.

Please join us in congratulating Drs. Chambers and Archibald!

Read more on Dal Med News.

Dr. Susan Kirkland elected Fellow of Canadian Academy of Health Sciences
The Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS), which brings together Canada’s top-ranked health and biomedical scientists and scholars to make a positive impact on the urgent health concerns of Canadians, recently announced their list of individuals elected as Fellows for 2022. We are proud to say Dr. Susan Kirkland, professor and head in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, is among those named this year. Dr. Kirkland is recognized for her scholarly works on healthy aging, determinants of older adults’ physical and mental health, technology and aging, frailty, and the impacts of COVID-19 on the aging population. Election to Fellowship in the CAHS is considered one of the highest honours for those working in the Canadian health sciences community.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Kirkland on this exciting honour.

Dr. Sarah Burm among 11 Dalhousie researchers receiving grants from SSHRC
Dr. Sarah Burm, a researcher in Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education, is one of 11 Dalhousie researchers receiving part of more than $1.5 million for research in the social sciences and humanities. The Canada’s Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) grants were announced June 16 by the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. Dr. Burm’s work will explore the impact of COVID-19 on health care workers and aim to identify steps that can be taken to address this toll.

Read more on Dal Med News.

Dalhousie University Welcomes Integration of Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation
Dalhousie University and the Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation (DMRF) have shared a vision for health research excellence in the Maritimes for over 40 years.

To continue this work, and to better support research fundraising efforts at Dalhousie, the Dalhousie University and DMRF will join forces and work toward an integration date of September 29, 2022.

This partnership will see our two entities combine efforts to create an expert team with a vision of raising even more funds for research at Dalhousie for the benefit of our shared community.

We look forward to growing the health research portfolio at Dalhousie University, which means better funding opportunities and support for our faculty and students, for the benefit of improving health outcomes of the communities we serve.

Read more about this important integration on Dal News.

Strategic Planning Update
Over the past several months, the Faculty of Medicine has undergone an extensive consultation process with faculty, students, staff, residents, and external stakeholders, to gain insight into your unique perspectives and understand of how we can better support you leading into the development of our new strategic plan.

We have learned a great deal from this process, and we are eager to share the results of our consultation for final feedback in a town hall setting before moving to the development phase of the strategic planning. Four focus group sessions are being planned around the four major pillars of work: Education, Research, Serving and Engaging Society, and Valuing Our People.

Stay tuned, these will be scheduled for October. All faculty, staff, and students are welcome to participate.

Wije’winen Health Centre opens its doors
The Faculty of Medicine is excited to learn that on July 8, 2022, the Wije’winen Health Centre opened its doors to the urban Indigenous community in Halifax, providing future opportunities for medical learners interested in Indigenous health.

An initiative of the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, the new health centre will boast a full-time academic physician position, becoming the first of its kind in Nova Scotia to host learners formally. Medical students and residents will be offered a comprehensive experience in Indigenous health — something that has not previously existed in the central zone.

Read more on Dal Med News.

Faculty members honoured with Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal
Five members of the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University are among 60 Nova Scotians who were awarded the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal in recognition of significant service to the province. The inaugural investiture ceremony took place at the Westin Nova Scotian in Halifax. The recipients represent a broad cross-section of Nova Scotians who have contributed to diverse fields and organizations, with many having significant contributions during the pandemic.

Congratulations to:

Lisa Barrett
Sultan Darvesh
Judy Kazimirski
Shelly McNeil
Ronald Stewart

Approved by the Queen in June, the Platinum Jubilee Medal will be presented to 5,000 Nova Scotians in the coming months.

Read more on Dal Med News.

Medical and engineering students partner to help kids breathe easier
Third year medical student David Hodgson and his partner (and spouse) Sara Fedullo (BEng ’21) are breathing new life into the asthma inhaler market through their start-up, HOLLO Medical.

When you see someone take a puff on an asthma inhaler there’s a good chance the medication isn’t getting to their lungs. HOLLO Medical has created a prototype that makes it easier for kids to get the lifesaving medication they need.

Read more on Dal Med News.

Division of Orthopaedic Surgery resident headed to Harvard
Dr. Bernard Burgesson, who is a fourth-year surgery resident in the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, has won a fellowship position at Harvard University. Dr. Burgesson, who relocated to Port Hawkesbury from Ghana when he was 13, will begin his orthopaedic surgery fellowship at Harvard in August 2023. He will work mainly at Massachusetts General hospital, doing foot and ankle reconstruction, ankle replacements, full foot deformities and correction, and some trauma. After his training he hopes to return to Nova Scotia to work.

Read more about Dr. Burgesson’s fellowship here.

Medical Mini-MBA developed by Dalhousie team
A team of medical students and faculty at Dalhousie, including Dr. Ketan Kulkarni, Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, have developed a Medical Mini-MBA to target gaps in financial literacy among medical students and residents.

The six-week course included topics such as personal finance, investing, real estate and mortgage, physician billing and payment models, income and tax, and choosing a medical specialty.

Learn more about their work here.

CIHR awards four Faculty of Medicine researchers Project grants
Dalhousie researchers are set to pursue life-changing health innovations with $4.8 million in new Project Grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Provided to health-focused scholars across the country, CIHR Project Grant funding supports studies with the greatest potential to advance fundamental and applied research, and the health outcomes of Canadians.

Among the recipients are four Faculty of Medicine researchers. Congratulations to Drs. Jeremy Brown, James Fawcett, John Frampton, and Ivan Wong.

Read more on Dal Med News.

Dr. T. Jock Murray inducted to Giants of Multiple Sclerosis recognition program
NeurologyLive, in partnership with the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC), recently announced the inaugural class of inductees for the Giants of Multiple Sclerosis recognition program. The premier neuroscience award that recognizes and celebrates the pioneers, innovators, and difference makers who have achieved landmark successes and have significantly contributed to the betterment of care for people with multiple sclerosis.

Dr. T. Jock Murray, Professor in the Division of Neurology in the Department of Medicine, was the recipient in the Neurology category and was recognized with the other winners at an awards ceremony on June 2, 2022 at the Gaylord National Hotel and Conference Center in National Harbor, MD, during the 2022 CMSC Annual Meeting.

Read more about the Giants of Multiple Sclerosis recognition program here.

Dr. Robin Urquhart received Canadian Cancer Society Award
Congratulations to Dr. Robin Urquhart who was awarded the Canadian Cancer Society’s William E. Rawls Prize. Dr. Urquhart, who is an associate professor in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, as well as the Canadian Cancer Society (Nova Scotia Division) Endowed Chair in Population Cancer Research, is recognized as a national leader in cancer health services. Her research has directly impacted how cancer care is delivered and improved the experiences of patients and their families.

The William E. Rawls Prize is presented to an early career investigator whose outstanding contributions have the potential to lead to, or have already led to important advances in cancer control.

Learn more about Dr. Urquhart’s award.

Dr. Susan Howlett receives Canadian Society for Pharmacology and Therapeutics Award
Each year the Canadian Society for Pharmacology and Therapeutics (CSPT) offers several awards to recognize society members who have made outstanding contributions to pharmacology and therapeutics research, service, and education. Candidates are nominated by society members and selected annually by an elected awards committee. We are pleased to announce that Dr. Susan Howlett is the recipient of the 2021/2022 Senior Investigator Award. This award recognizes individuals that have made outstanding contributions to the advancement and extension of knowledge in their field of research. Dr. Howlett, a professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Division of Geriatric Medicine, is well known for her work on cardiac contraction and its regulation in health and disease. She has discovered profound differences in the way male and female heart cells function and how these changes are affected by age and overall health (frailty). She also pioneered the measurement of frailty in aging animals with a “frailty index,” a major advance that will help translate scientific discoveries in aging research into meaningful clinical interventions.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Howlett on this tremendous honour.

Dr. Patricia Lingley-Pottie receives Arum Award
Dr. Patricia Lingley-Pottie, who is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry, was one of five Dalhousie faculty receiving Arum Awards from Dalhousie University. The Aurum Awards celebrate outstanding Dalhousie alumni who are making a difference in their communities and around the world.

Dr. Lingley Pottie, who began her career in nursing, co-founded the Strongest Families Institute to deliver telephone and online mental wellness services, with a goal of ensuring all Canadians, particularly those in underserviced areas, have access to mental health services.

Read more about Dr. Lingley-Pottie’s important work.

Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Award: Qendresa Sahiti
Second year medical students with an established track record of community leadership, superior communication skills and demonstrated interest in advancing knowledge were recognized on August 25, 2022, with the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF) Award. Congratulations to this year’s Dalhousie recipient, Ms. Qendresa Sahiti. Born in Prishtina, Kosovo, Qendresa is passionate about health equity, community involvement and advocacy, and improving the post-secondary environment. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Neuroscience and a Certificate in Science Leadership & Communication from Dalhousie University. She has published and presented research in trauma and antecedents to mental illness, medical education and the learning environment, and the intersection of art and science. As an immigrant and former refugee, she is particularly interested in newcomer health, and has been heavily involved in organizations that advocate for the wellbeing of marginalized populations.

Read more about the CMHF Award on Dal Med News.

Dr. Francesca Di Cara receives President’s Research Excellence Award for Emerging Investigators
Dr. Francesca Di Cara, a PhD researcher and assistant professor in the Departments of Microbiology & Immunology and Pediatrics, is a recipient of the 2022 President’s Research Excellence Awards for Emerging Investigators. The award honours those who, early in their careers, have made noteworthy contributions to Dalhousie’s research culture. Dr. Di Cara will receive a $2000 prize to be used to support her research.

Dr. Tareq Yousef receives university-wide teaching award
Dalhousie University recently celebrated their outstanding educators with its annual University-wide Teaching Awards. These awards recognize recipients exemplify excellence in teaching, and innovation in curriculum and academic programs.

Among the 2022 recipients is Dr. Tareq Yousef, who is a recent PhD graduate in Medical Neuroscience under the supervision of Dr. William Baldridge. He has been a teaching assistant at Dal for years and has received his Certificate in Science Leadership and Communication.

Congratulations to all the winners! Read more on Dal News.

Resident Research Awards
On June 15, during an event hosted in the Collaborative Health Education Building, awards were presented in honour of resident research. Congratulations to:

Luke Edgar – Best Research Award for a junior resident (PGY1 or PGY2) who has incorporated research into their primary training program. Sponsor: Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation ($1000.00)
Alison Greene – Best Research Award for a senior resident (PGY3 or PGY4+) who has incorporated research into their primary training program. Sponsor: Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation ($1000.00)
Shahriar Seddigh – Best Work in Fundamental Science Research for resident who has incorporated research into their primary training program. Sponsor: Dalhousie Medical Alumni Association ($1000.00)
Rachel Sullivan – Best Work in Clinical Research for a resident who has incorporated research into their primary training program. Sponsor: Dalhousie Medical Alumni Association ($1000.00)
Thomas Brothers – Best Overall Award – 2022. The best overall winner will receive CSCI 2-year membership and letter from the President of CSCI Sponsors: CSCI/CIHR ($1500.00)

2022 RIM Excellence in Mentoring Award winners
The Research in Medicine program at Dalhousie University allows medical students to develop and refine their skills to interpret and be critical consumers of research evidence, and provides them the opportunity to design and execute their own research project. Thanks to our faculty mentors, students can conduct research that has the potential to impact health care in their own communities.

Each year, one faculty member in Nova Scotia and one in New Brunswick are recognized for their excellence in mentoring. This year, congratulations to Dr. Beata Derfalvi, Division Head of Pediatric Immunology and associate professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Microbiology & Immunology in Nova Scotia, and in New Brunswick, Dr. André le Roux, neurosurgeon in the Division of Neurosurgery in Saint John.

Thank you for your exceptional ability to guide the next generation of researchers here at Dalhousie.

Faculty of Medicine staff take home DPMG Awards
Dalhousie’s Professional and Managerial Group (DPMG), the association that includes the university’s managers and professional employees — announced the 10 winners of their annual DPMG Awards in June, and among them were two Faculty of Medicine staff. The awards recognize exemplary contributions to the university.

Congratulations to Mr. Ian Taylor, director of MedIT (Medical Information Technology) in the Faculty of Medicine, who received the Outstanding Achievement Award for his consistently high performance and collaborative and inclusive leadership, and to Mr. Said Msabaha, former associate director of community engagement and diversity programs and immigration advisor with the Office of Community Partnerships & Global Health, who received the COVID-19 Outstanding Achievement Award. Said was recognized for his leadership and guidance to international students who traveling back to Halifax during the pandemic.

The awards were presented at a luncheon in Halifax in June. Congratulations to all the winners.

Read more on Dal Med News.

Gold-Headed Cane Award presented to Dalhousie faculty
The College of Physicians and Surgeon’s of Nova Scotia has recognized four Dalhousie faculty with the Gold-Headed Cane Award. The award recognizes outstanding Nova Scotia physicians who exemplifies professionalism in service to patients, the profession, and the community. It is presented at a co-sponsored Gold-Headed Cane ceremony in partnership with the Humanities in Medicine Program at Dalhousie Medical School.

This year, the 2021 Gold-Headed Cane Award was presented to:

Volodko Bakowsky Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine
Lisa Barrett Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine
Heather Scott Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Deborah Straub, Family Medicine

Congratulations to the winners on this tremendous honour!

Dr. Abraham Rudnick named Distinguished Fellow of the Canadian Psychiatric Association
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Abraham Rudnick, professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Bioethics, on being named a Distinguished Fellow of the Canadian Psychiatric Association (DFCPA). This honour rewards outstanding CPA members for excellence in their specialty. Dr. Rudnick is a dedicated member of both the psychiatry and bioethics faculty. He is head of the section of community psychiatry, and clinical director of the Nova Scotia Operational Stress Injury Clinic and Community Mental Health and Addictions Program. Congratulations, Dr. Rudnick!

VoxMeDal
The summer 2022 issue of our alumni magazine, VOXMeDAL was distributed to the alumni community in late July. In this issue you will read about exciting activities happening at the medical school like the new Indigenous Admissions Pathway, the enthusiasm and success of some of our most recent grads, and drive to give back that has led our alumni on missions abroad. Congratulations to our advancement team on a fantastic issue.

Read the summer 2022 issue of VoxMeDAL here.

Faculty Wellness Podcast
The Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education team, and Assistant Dean, Faculty Wellness, Dr. Angela Cooper, have released their first faculty wellness podcast. Created to supplement the PD Seminar Series, the CPDME Podcasts offers real life stories from local faculty members and tackles issues that impact wellness, burnout and mental health whilst aiming to increase our sense of humanity and shared development of a psychologically safe culture. In this episode, Dr. Cooper speaks to Dr. David Saunders about his recovery from alcohol use disorder.

Listen to the podcast.

Future episodes will be shared here and on Dal Medix.

Dr. Victor Rafuse Appointed Head, Department of Medical Neuroscience
On behalf of the Faculty of Medicine, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Victor Rafuse has been appointed Head of the Department of Medical Neuroscience for a five-year term. Dr. Rafuse’s appointment is effective July 1, 2022. Dr. Rafuse is a professor in the Department of Medical Neuroscience and director of the Brain Repair Centre at Dalhousie.

He is co-founder of the Atlantic Mobility Action Project (AMAP) and sits on the steering committee for the Canadian Brain Research Strategy (CBRS), a national initiative to seek greater investment from the government in collaborative neuroscience research across Canada.

In announcing Dr. Rafuse’s appointment, I would like to acknowledge Dr. William Baldridge, who has held the headship position for the last 10 years. We recognize Dr. Baldridge’s tremendous leadership in guiding the Department of Medical Neuroscience.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Rafuse on his appointment.

Dr. Barbara Karten Appointed Head, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
On behalf of the Faculty of Medicine, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Barbara Karten has been appointed Head of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology for a five-year term. Dr. Karten’s appointment is effective July 1, 2022.

Dr. Karten, a professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology has been invested in education, research, and administrative activities since joining the Department in 2005.

In announcing Dr. Karten’s appointment, I would like to acknowledge Dr. Stephen Bearne, who has led the Department since 2012. We are grateful for his tremendous leadership in guiding the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology over the last 10 years.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Karten on her appointment.

Dr. Sarah Cook appointed Chief, IWK Department of Family Medicine – Maternal Newborn Care
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Sarah Cook has been appointed as Chief, IWK Department of Family Medicine – Maternal Newborn Care, a shared position with Dalhousie Department of Family Medicine (DFM), for a five-year term, effective November 1, 2022, pending final approval from the IWK Board of Directors.

Dr. Cook, a family physician and experienced healthcare leader, will later also take on the role of a clinical faculty member at the DFM Halifax Site, the newly opened Wije’winen Health Centre, and begin her involvement in teaching the Family Medicine undergraduate and postgraduate curricula.

For the last 14 years, Dr. Cook practiced in Yellowknife with a focus on community-based primary care (with both in-person and remote support to a remote indigenous community), GP oncology, reproductive health services and maternity care.

We would also extend our joint heartfelt thanks to Dr. Lynn Bussey, who has successfully led the Department of Family Medicine – Maternal Newborn Care for the past four years.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Cook to her new role.

New Administrative roles
On behalf of the Faculty of Medicine, we are pleased to welcome Mr. Victor Madiera as Department Administrator in the Department of Medical Neuroscience. Victor began his new role on July 4. In announcing Victor’s appointment, we would like to recognize Ms. Catherine Currell for her 40 years of dedicated service to the University. Catherine spent 14 years with the Faculty of Medicine, and we wish her all the best.

As of October 11, we will welcome Mr. Tyler Hall as the new Director, Student & Resident Affairs. We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the tremendous work accomplished over the years by outgoing director, Ms. Sharon Forward.

We are pleased to announce that Ms. Bobbie Lee Grant joined the Faculty of Medicine on July 18, 2022, as the new Director of Finance and Ms. Courtney Dillman has joined the Faculty of Medicine as the new Director of Human Resources.

Please join me in welcoming these four talented individuals to the Faculty of Medicine.

Updated Mask Guidance
Nova Scotia:

In alignment with provincial health authority mandates, medical grade masks will continue to be mandatory while in Dalhousie Medical School buildings on Dalhousie Campus, for all medical students, residents, and physician faculty who are directly involved in medical education activities and training.
Faculty, students, and staff conducting work in Nova Scotia Health, and IWK facilities will continue to follow all safety procedures and guidelines of those institutions.
Training in the C3LR will continue to follow Nova Scotia Health PPE requirements.
For all others in Dalhousie Campus in Nova Scotia, masks will be required in classrooms and other instructional spaces, supported by the high-quality ventilation standards set throughout the pandemic. Masks continue to be welcome in all other indoor spaces and are strongly recommended in gathering spaces where physical distancing may be difficult (for example, hallways, lobbies and elevators).
All are expected to stay home when sick, with Dalhousie putting procedures in place to support students, faculty, and staff in doing so.

New Brunswick:

Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick will continue to follow UNB guidelines. UNB requires face masks to be worn on campus, regardless of vaccination status, in all indoor public buildings, including the DMNB building. For more information on UNB’s face mask requirements, please visit: https://www.unb.ca/coronavirus/students/returning/community-masks.html
In all areas of the DMNB building, you must wear the orange/pink surgical masks provided on-site. You may also choose to wear either a KN95 or fit-tested N95 mask, but these will not be provided by DMNB.
Faculty, students, and staff conducting work in Horizon Health facilities will continue to follow all safety procedures and guidelines from Horizon Health.
Medical grade masks are required on entry to Horizon Health facilities, physician offices, and clinics.
All are expected to stay home when sick, with Dalhousie putting procedures in place to support students, faculty and staff in doing so.

Self-Isolation Requirements for those with COVID-19 Infection
Nova Scotia:

Faculty and staff conducting work in Nova Scotia Health, and IWK facilities will continue to follow the self-isolation guidelines of those institutions.
1. Nova Scotia Health Nova Scotia Health COVID-19 Status or Reason for Work Absence
2. IWK: Pulse – COVID-19 – Health care worker guidelines
All others working in Nova Scotia are expected to follow the updated Dalhousie University isolation requirements.

New Brunswick:

Faculty, students, and staff conducting work in Horizon Health facilities will continue to follow testing, reporting and self-isolation guidelines from Horizon Health as noted in the link below.
1. Horizon Health self-isolation guidelines for medical learners
All others working on UNB campus are to follow the UNB guidelines.

As our Public Health officials have emphasize, we continue to be in the midst of a pandemic and many health care workers and students continue to be infected. Please follow public health guidelines to protect yourselves and each other from infection.

Be kind and take care of yourselves. Reach out if you have questions or concerns.

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