As we approach the holiday season, it is exciting to reflect on all that has happened over the last few months.
In early November we hosted the Dalhousie Med Gala at the Westin Nova Scotian Hotel. It was great to see so many alumni gathered with current faculty and staff for an evening of celebration. We were excited to announce the recipients of a $2.5-million gift from the River Philip Foundation. Congratulations to Drs. Ken Rockwood, Susan Howlett, Leah Cahill and Scott Grandy who were awarded a Transformational Grant to support their work testing the effects of protein, blueberries and strength training on reducing frailty and improving heart health in adults aged 65-85, and to Drs. Tobias Kollmann who was also awarded a Transformational Grant for his work to assess the results of a remote monitoring system against traditional pregnancy monitoring that involves blood sampling and other more invasive methods. You can learn more about their exciting work and this generous gift here.
The gala weekend also included an awards dinner for the Dalhousie Medical Alumni Association where we recognized six worthy recipients, and the Dr. Fred Barton Visiting Scholar & Lecture in Ethics in Medicine. Thanks to the organizers and all who attended the weekend’s events.
Each year I have the pleasure of travelling to our teaching sites with our medical education and family medicine teams to meet with our students, residents, and faculty who are teaching and training around the Maritime provinces. This fall, we visited our teaching sites across the Martimes and it was a great opportunity to get feedback and discover innovations and opportunities in our teaching programs around the Maritimes and to meet and renew acquaintances with those who give so much to our Faculty.
Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season. I hope you have the opportunity to rest, recharge and enjoy the company of family and friends. Thank you all for your contributions to the Faculty of Medicine.
Feed Nova Scotia
During this season of celebration, we must not forget those who are facing the incredible challenge of food insecurity. Our support is needed now more than ever. As in previous years, we have partnered with Feed Nova Scotia for a holiday food drive. Feed Nova Scotia distributes almost two million kilograms of food each year, with current economic conditions only increasing the demand on food banks.
From now until December 16, there will be a Feed Nova Scotia box at the main reception desk on the second floor of the Clinical Research Centre (5849 University Avenue) where you can place your donations for the food drive.
Feed Nova Scotia would especially appreciate nutritious food donations that help make up part of a main meal. Click here for donation suggestions. If you are unable to donate in person, please consider making a donation online or by calling 902-457-1900 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Undergraduate Medical Education Accreditation
Dalhousie Medical School has been busy preparing for its next full accreditation of its undergraduate medical program. We look forward to welcoming a panel of national peers and medical education experts from the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS) on February 17-20 and March 24-25, 2025, as part of this process. When CACMS representatives join us on campus, they will engage with faculty, students, administrators, and clinical affiliates to gather and verify information collected in advance of the visit.
Thanks to our students, staff and faculty as we work through the accreditation process. We welcome CACMS feedback on how we can improve our medical education program. Please reach out if you have suggestions or questions. You can learn more about the accreditation process here.
Annual Report
The Faculty of Medicine is excited to share its latest annual report, which highlights the incredible work of all those who contribute to its success. This report illustrates collective efforts and progress in addressing the healthcare needs of the diverse communities within our region.
The 2023 – 2024 academic year has been an inspiring chapter for the Faculty of Medicine, celebrating significant strides in medical research, continued transformation of admissions processes, and strengthening of our connections with communities across the Maritimes.
Click here to read the 2023 – 2024 Faculty of Medicine annual report.
Dean’s Retreat
I was happy to host the annual Dean’s Retreat on November 14 and 15 at the Hotel Halifax, where leaders from across the Faculty of Medicine gathered for strategic planning sessions. Our focus was on Valuing People, underscoring our commitment to creating an inclusive, supportive, and engaging environment for everyone in the Faculty of Medicine. Introduced as part of our strategic plan, Realizing Our Ambition, this stream of work emphasizes the importance of showing respect and appreciation for all who contribute to our collective success. Over the past year, the Valuing People Advisory Committee and its staff sub-committee have guided this effort, endorsing five priority actions aimed at enhancing the workplace experience. From improvements to shared spaces like the Tupper foyer to strengthening collaborative processes, our goal is to make the Faculty of Medicine a truly exceptional place to work and study. We thank all those who attended the Dean’s Retreat for their valuable contributions.
Johnston Chair closing ceremony
On November 28, 2024, we recognized the enormous contributions of Dr. OmiSoore Dryden, who will soon complete her tenure as the James R. Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies. She has profoundly impacted the Faculty of Medicine through in this role, advancing research and community engagement on Black health equity, challenging systemic racism and creating spaces like Chair Chats for Black students across faculties to connect and thrive. Dr. Dryden’s leadership, notably as interim director of the Black Studies Research Institute and co-founder of the Black Health Education Collaborative, has strengthened Dalhousie’s commitment to diversity and anti-oppressive health education, leaving an inspiring legacy as she transitions to her next role within the Faculty of Health.
Please join me in showing my immense gratitude to Dr. Dryden for all she has done for the Faculty of Medicine.
Dr. John Sapp published in New England Journal of Medicine
Dr. John Sapp, the assistant dean for clinical research here in the Faculty of Medicine, is the second lead author on a recently published study in the New England Journal of Medicine. Catheter Ablation or Antiarrhythmic Drugs for Ventricular Tachycardia reveals that catheter ablation is a safer and more effective initial treatment than antiarrhythmic drugs for patients with ventricular tachycardia and a history of heart attack. The study followed 416 patients for over four years and found that those who underwent catheter ablation had a 25 per cent lower risk of serious complications or death compared to those treated with drugs.
Read more here.
New Brunswick Medical Society awards faculty, students
On Oct. 5, 2024, the New Brunswick Medical Society (NBMS) hosted their 2024 Celebration of Medicine awards in Miramichi, NB. They presented awards to physicians, resident physicians, and students who have made positive contributions to patient care and the medical profession. Among the recipients were Dr. Robert Boulay, former assistant dean clinical education, Dr. Paul Atkinson, assistant dean research, and Class of 2024 grad, Dr. Daniel Hanscom.
To learn more about their awards, and the other recipients click here.
Faculty of Medicine student triumphs at international Falling Walls competition
Dalhousie graduate student Dina Rogers recently claimed first place in the Science Breakthrough of the Year in the Emerging Talents category at the 2024 Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin on November 7, which challenges participants to propose innovative solutions to global issues. A MSc student in biochemistry and molecular biology and Killam Predoctoral Scholar, Dina impressed the judges with her innovative bioengineered approach to degrade plastic waste. Her pitch, likened to Pac-Man munching plastics, offers a promising biological solution for recycling. Dina had previously won the people’s choice award at Dalhousie’s 3MT competition and is the second Dalhousie student in two years to win the top prize at Falling Walls Lab in Berlin.
Dina’s win comes after she, along with Faculty of Medicine students Alexa Wilson, and Melina Marketjohn took the top three prizes at the Atlantic Canada Falling Walls Lab competition. Dina won first place and the People’s Choice Award. Alexa, a PhD candidate in microbiology, presented a novel antiviral target in cancer-causing herpesviruses, while Melina, a second-year medical student, introduced a concept to enhance hearing aids by integrating them with the post-auricular muscle for directional sound detection.
Learn more about her work here.
Dr. Ruth Lavergne awarded at Family Physician Forum 2024
Dr. Ruth Lavergne was awarded the 2024 Family Physician Best Original Research Article Award at the Family Medicine Forum (FMF) held in Vancouver from November 6-9. Hosted by the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC), FMF is the nation’s largest conference dedicated to family physicians, offering a robust program of professional development, cutting-edge research presentations, and networking opportunities. Dr. Lavergne’s winning paper, titled Changes in Comprehensiveness of Services Delivered by Canadian Family Physicians: Analysis of Population-Based Linked Data in 4 Provinces, investigates the evolving scope of services provided by family physicians across various service settings and specialties in four Canadian provinces. Her research aims to highlight the areas where service comprehensiveness has shifted the most and examines how these changes vary based on physician characteristics, providing valuable insights for policymakers and health professionals seeking to strengthen primary care in Canada.
Congratulations Dr. Lavergne!
Dalhousie Medicine faculty receive Discovery Awards
The 2024 Discovery Awards, hosted by the Discovery Centre on November 14 at the Halifax Convention Centre, saw two outstanding innovators from Dalhousie University whose achievements are shaping science and technology in Nova Scotia receive awards. Dr. Finlay Maguire, assistant professor in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, received the Emerging Professional Award for his research excellence, innovative thinking, and potential for ongoing impact early in his career. Dr. Gabriela Ilie, associate professor in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, was honoured with the Public Impact Award for her groundbreaking work addressing societal needs and delivering tangible benefits to Nova Scotians, including advancements in healthcare and community well-being.
Congratulations to all the winners!
Dalhousie presents Legacy awards to Faculty of Medicine members
Dalhousie will present the annual Legacy Awards on Tuesday, December 17 at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium. The Legacy Awards, which inaugurated in 2018 during the university’s bicentennial celebrations, recognize individuals and groups for their exceptional achievements. The event showcases the outstanding contributions of Dalhousie’s faculty and staff, highlighting the university’s vibrant community and shared commitment to excellence. This year, the Faculty of Medicine proudly celebrates three of its members: Dr. Nikhil Thomas, professor in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology, is the recipient of a 2024 University Teaching Award; Tyler Hall, director of Student Affairs, is the recipient of the 2024 Dalhousie Professional and Managerial Group (DPMG) Award; and Dr. Aruna Dhara, assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine, is the recipient of the 2024 Dr. Allan Cohen Memorial Award for Community Service. Congratulations to these exceptional individuals on their well-deserved recognition!
Learn more about the 2024 Legacy Awards here.
Cape Breton Medical Campus: Leadership Appointments
Dr. Jennifer Hall has been appointed senior associate Dean, and Dr. Arlene Kelly-Wiggins as assistant dean, pre-clerkship, of the Cape Breton Medical Campus, marking a key milestone for the new campus, set to welcome its inaugural class of 30 students in August 2025.
Dr. Hall brings significant experience from her role as associate dean at Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick, where she advanced longitudinal clerkship sites and increased family medicine interest among students. As a former College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) president and current chair of its Residency Accreditation Committee, she is well-positioned to lead this transformative effort in medical education for Nova Scotia.
Dr. Kelly-Wiggins, a native of Glace Bay, earned her MD from Dalhousie in 2015. She has since enhanced geriatrics services at Cape Breton Regional Hospital and will now oversee pre-clerkship curriculum delivery for first- and second-year students, collaborating with pre-clerkship deans at Dalhousie’s Halifax and Saint John campuses.
Thanks are extended to the Cape Breton Medical Campus planning committee, especially Dr. Kevin Orrell, who will continue as Special Advisor to the President of Cape Breton University on health-related matters.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Jennifer Hall and Dr. Arlene Kelly-Wiggins to their exciting new roles at the Cape Breton Medical Campus.
Dr. Carman Giacomantonio appointed QEII Ramia Chair in Surgical Oncology
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Carman Giacomantonio has been appointed the Gibran & Jamile Ramia Endowed Chair in Surgical Oncology Research, effective July 1, 2024, for a five-year term. A surgical oncologist at the QEII Health Sciences Centre, professor of surgery and pathology at Dalhousie University, and senior clinician scientist with the Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Dr. Giacomantonio has a distinguished career that includes pioneering intra-tumoral immunotherapy, establishing innovative cancer immunotherapy research with Dr. Paola Marcato, and collaborating with Sona NanoTech Inc. to explore Gold NanoRod-based hyperthermia for cancers like melanoma and breast cancer. As Ramia Chair, he will lead a world-class cancer research program, secure funding for innovative studies, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, mentor emerging investigators, and advance regional and global cancer research initiatives. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Giacomantonio on this well-deserved appointment.
Dr. Ratika Parkash appointed Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Outcomes Research
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Ratika Parkash has been appointed the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Outcomes Research, effective July 1, 2024, for a five-year term. A professor of cardiology at Dalhousie University and attending physician at the QEII Health Sciences Centre, Dr. Parkash is an accomplished researcher specializing in atrial fibrillation and cardiac implantable electronic devices, with a focus on improving management strategies, outcomes, and quality of life for patients. As chair, she will lead a program in cardiovascular outcomes research, foster collaborations, mentor researchers, and strengthen partnerships while advancing cardiovascular health locally and nationally. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Parkash on this appointment.
Dr. Lori Wozney appointed Sun Life Chair in Youth Mental Health
Dr. Lori Wozney has been appointed the Sun Life Chair in Youth Mental Health in the Department of Psychiatry at Dalhousie University, effective October 15, 2024. In this role, she will lead research to identify and improve mental health programs and supports that best meet the needs of youth, working closely with clinicians and youth with lived experience. Her work will inform the development of integrated youth hubs in Nova Scotia, offering comprehensive services such as mental health, addictions, and housing supports in a single location. The Chair enables Dr. Wozney to collaborate across disciplines, pursue long-term partnerships, and translate research findings to enhance mental health practices, ensuring culturally safe, equitable, and holistic care for youth. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Wozney on this appointment.
In Memoriam: Dr. Ron Stewart
The Faculty of Medicine was saddened to hear of the passing of professor emeritus in the Department of Emergency Medicine and pioneer of emergency and paramedicine, Dr. Ron Stewart, on Oct. 21, 2024, at the age of 82.
Born in Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia in 1942, Dr. Stewart’s journey in medicine was one of groundbreaking innovation and tireless service, beginning in the small community of Neil’s Harbour, Cape Breton, where he practiced family medicine. His contributions over the course of more than 50 years have left an indelible mark on the field of emergency medicine, both in Nova Scotia and across North America, and beyond.
Graduating from Dalhousie Medical School in 1970, Dr. Stewart’s career quickly moved into uncharted territories. His work as the first medical director of the Los Angeles paramedic program laid the foundation for what would become a lifelong passion for transforming emergency care. Dr. Stewart’s leadership in the field flourished when he became the founding head of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, where he turned challenges into opportunities for innovation in trauma care and pre-hospital services.
His career was marked by a keen understanding that healthcare is an ever-evolving field shaped by societal needs, and he remained committed to driving that transformation. As Nova Scotia’s Minister of Health from 1993 to 1996, Dr. Stewart helped establish Emergency Health Services (EHS), revolutionizing paramedic services across the province, and introduced stronger tobacco control. His visionary leadership earned him numerous accolades, including being honoured as a “Hero of Emergency Medicine” by the American College of Emergency Physicians and receiving an honorary degree from Dalhousie in 2017. In November 2023, he was elevated to the highest tier, Companion level, of the Order of Canada, having previously being inducted in 1993. He was invested as a Companion of the Order of Canada on March 14, 2024.
Despite these honours, Dr. Stewart always credited the mentors and colleagues who shaped his career, notably his early mentor, Dr. Robert Scharf. Dr. Scharf’s influence extended from Halifax to Los Angeles, where the two continued their work together, shaping the future of emergency care through education and mentorship.
Dr. Stewart believed deeply in the power of education and devoted his later years to training future healthcare professionals, ensuring his impact would be felt for generations to come. He served as Director of Medical Humanities from 2004 to 2009. In that role, he integrated the arts and history into medical study to promote creativity and empathy in the medical profession, through the Music-in-Medicine initiative.
Dr. Stewart’s legacy lives on through his philanthropic work, including a $1.3 million pledge to support emergency medicine research at Dalhousie University, inspired by his mother’s dedication to medical research through the Molly Appeal.
Physician, teacher, advocate, and change-maker, Dr. Ron Stewart was a pioneer whose legacy will continue to inspire a brighter future in healthcare. He will be remembered for his boundless energy, his transformative ideas, and his unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of others.