I hope you have all been able to enjoy some summer vacation and time spent with family and friends in our beautiful part of the country. It feels good to know that many Nova Scotians have already received (or will be receiving soon) their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, allowing us to travel around more freely and regain a sense of normalcy in our everyday routines.

I would like to extend my congratulations to Premier Tim Houston and the Progressive Conservative government in Nova Scotia on a successful election campaign. With a focus on improving health care in the province, I look forward to meeting with members of government to discuss the role Dalhousie Medical School can play to address this important issue.

I am delighted to welcome our new learners to medical school and a huge “welcome back!” to our returning students. After a long time working remotely, I look forward to seeing everyone on campus. Please stop and say hello.

Many around the world celebrate Pride Month in June, but here in Nova Scotia and at Dalhousie we celebrate our LGBTQ2SIA+ communities in July and, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and health and safety, Pride Month was commemorated in Halifax in August this year. At Dalhousie Medical School, we encourage our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and administrators to pause, celebrate and reenergize. The full acceptance, safety, and practice of inclusiveness for our LGBTQ2SIA+ community is critical to all our successes.

On September 30, Dalhousie Medical School will join the Dalhousie community and the rest of the country in observing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a day for remembrance and reflection and to honour survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities.

We will share details about local community events and other opportunities to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation closer to the date. I hope all students, faculty, and staff use this time to learn and reflect on the history, culture, and lived experiences of Indigenous peoples.

Faculty of Medicine Return to Campus Update

As faculty, students, and staff prepare to return to campus, there are understandably questions on health and safety guidelines and protocols. Recently, Dalhousie University announced their plans to prioritize our collective safety and well-being as many of us return to campus. These updated requirements include:

• Students, faculty, and staff will be asked to provide proof of their vaccination status prior to accessing university campuses.
• Students, faculty, and staff who are not fully vaccinated, or choose not to provide proof of vaccination, will have to undergo COVID-19 testing twice a week and will be required to provide proof that the testing has taken place. (Testing will also continue to be encouraged for fully vaccinated individuals.)

As well, Horizon Health has shared more information regarding vaccination and testing requirements that will apply to all physicians and medical learners studying at Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick.

This is a complex issue, and the university continues to work to finalize the details of how these vaccine requirements will be implemented and operationalized. The Faculty of Medicine supports these updates to vaccination and testing. We will continue to work with Dalhousie University to ensure our faculty, students, and staff are in compliance with this directive. Dalhousie has also addressed many of the key questions being asked in their recent announcement and revised FAQ. Faculty, students, and staff are encouraged to carefully review the memo and links, the Dalhousie fall return plan, the PSE/LAE framework, and Dalhousie’s COVID-19 information page before returning to campus.

Dean’s Welcome Ceremony

On August 22nd, we held our annual Dean’s Welcome Ceremony to welcome our first-year med students to Dalhousie Medical School and to the practice of medicine. In case you missed it, a video of the ceremony can be found online. I would like to thank our hard-working team in the Student Affairs office, in particular Ms. Sharon Forward and Ms. Carolyn Doyle, for putting together a successful welcome to our incoming Class of 2025.

During ceremony, we listened to the Drummers from Home and were welcomed by Ms. Catherine Martin who greeted us with the Mi’kmaw Welcome before students collectively read their code of conduct and listened to the Hippocratic Oath, setting the stage for the next four years of intense medical education and the career in medicine that will follow.

To all our students, new and returning, I wish you the best of luck with your studies.

Welcoming New Residents

As some residents were wrapping up their training at Dalhousie, we welcomed a new group of 173 residents on July 1st. This is an exciting time for our new postgrad trainees, and I encourage them to take full advantage of their educational experiences – including getting involved in teaching of our medical students, who will benefit from their experience and wisdom. I want to thank our residents, program directors and staff at Dalhousie, as well as the Maritime health authorities, for creating a seamless start to residency training.

Emancipation Day

Earlier this year, Canada’s House of Commons voted unanimously to designate August 1, 2021, as Emancipation Day. The longstanding history of racial harassment and discrimination in the Maritime Provinces is well documented, and the COVID-19 pandemic further exposes how systemic racism has caused health inequities that are harming Black people and communities.

The Faculty of Medicine is committed to using our platform and resources to create an all-inclusive and welcoming place to work and learn. Placing the James R. Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies within the Faculty of Medicine was an important step to strengthening the Faculty of Medicine’s priority of enhancing diversity and fostering community outreach – but there is much more to be done. Focusing on diversity, equity, community representation, and disrupting racism and colonialism in all its forms will lead to improved and more inclusive health care for all. It will also result in a better educational experience for our learners.

 Strategic Planning

Carrying forward the momentum and successes of #DalMedForward, work has already begun on our new strategic plan. It is incredibly exciting to see what we can achieve as a team and I look forward to supporting further achievements in our three strategic pillars: Education, Research, and Serving and Engaging Society. This will be a collaborative effort and the engagement and support of the medical school community will be critical to the success of our planning. I encourage all faculty, staff, and students to participate. With your help, we look forward to continuing the tradition of training medical professionals with a commitment to lifelong learning, excellence in patient care, high ethical standards, and accountability to communities we serve.

Nova Scotia Standing Committee on Health

In July, I, alongside Dr. Kath Stringer, Head of the Department of Family Medicine, and Dr. Roop Conyers, Site Director of the Annapolis Valley Training site, as well as our colleagues from Nova Scotia Health, had the pleasure of speaking to Nova Scotia’s Standing Committee on Health regarding Dalhousie Medical School’s role in recruiting and training medical students in rural Nova Scotia. We rely on the excellent collaboration and support of our partners to train physicians, and this was a great opportunity to share with the committee the actions Dalhousie Medical School has undertaken to train medical students to meet the needs of rural areas, including producing physicians that reflect the diversity of our region and meeting the health care needs of the Maritimes.

2021 Clinical Research Mentorship Colloquium

I am pleased to announce the launch of the Clinical Research Mentorship Colloquium. This is a new program created to provide expertise and training support to early career clinical researchers to take a clinical question and design a research project.

Models for merging patient care and research are growing in number and sophistication around the globe and being further recognized and solidified as an integral part of the research success at research-intensive institutions. Inherent in the integrated approach to research is the need to combine clinical medical practice and clinical research. This program is a partnership between the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University, NS Health and the IWK who collectively recognize that the path to continued success in the area of clinical research is through continued collaboration.

I am excited to see the contributions to research which will be borne via this program, and I encourage all early career clinical researchers to get involved. Any questions can be directed to Sara Lavender, Director of the Medical Research Development Office at sara.lavender@dal.ca.

Appointment of Dr. Paola Marcato, Interim Assistant Dean, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

On behalf of the Faculty of Medicine, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Paola Marcato has been appointed Interim Assistant Dean, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Dr. Marcato’s appointment is effective September 1, 2021.

Dr. Marcato obtained her PhD in Medical Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Alberta in 2004. Dr. Marcato went on to complete postdoctoral training on cancer research with Dr. Patrick Lee at Dalhousie University. In 2012, Dr. Marcato joined the Department of Pathology as an Assistant Professor and started a breast cancer research laboratory. She was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018. Dr. Marcato has an active CIHR-funded cancer research program with four graduate students, three postdoctoral fellows, and a research technician. The research projects in Dr. Marcato’s laboratory have the long-term goal of developing improved therapeutic strategies for breast cancer.

Since becoming a faculty member at Dalhousie in 2012, Dr. Marcato has been actively involved in graduate student training, supervising 14 graduate students, serving on the graduate student supervisory committees of over 30 students, and serving as the Department of Pathology’s Graduate Coordinator since 2020. Dr. Marcato’s commitment to trainee mentorship was recognized in 2021 by being awarded the inaugural Faculty of Medicine Award for Excellence in Research Mentorship of Trainees. As the Interim Assistant Dean Graduate and Postdoctoral studies, Dr. Marcato will represent the interests and perspectives of graduate and postdoctoral fellows in the Faculty of Medicine.

Dr. Marcato is replacing Dr. Valerie Chappe, who has been seconded to the position of Associate Dean in the Faculty of Graduate Studies for Dalhousie University. The Faculty of Medicine thanks Dr. Chappe for her leadership in her previous role as the Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies in the Faculty of Medicine over the past three years.

Appointment of Dr. Janie Wilson, Director, School of Biomedical Engineering

On behalf of the Faculties of Engineering and Medicine, Dr. John Newhook, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, and I are pleased to announce that Dr. Janie Wilson has been appointed Director, School of Biomedical Engineering, for a five-year term. This appointment is effective September 1, 2021.

Dr. Wilson has recently returned to Dalhousie as a Professor in the School of Biomedical Engineering after three years at McMaster University (2018-2021), where she was a Professor in the Department of Surgery with cross appointments in biomedical and mechanical engineering and ran an interdisciplinary research program in translational clinical biomechanics for orthopaedic surgery and healthy mobility and aging. Dr. Wilson’s expertise is in biomechanics and statistical modeling for human movement, and the integration of technology into clinical outcomes for musculoskeletal disease and orthopaedic surgery.

She will continue to build her collaborative research program at Dalhousie in the fields of osteoarthritis biomechanics, orthopaedic surgical innovation, and mobility for healthy aging. Dr. Wilson is the current President of the Canadian Society for Biomechanics and a Past President of the Canadian Orthopaedic Research Society.

The School of Biomedical Engineering at Dalhousie University was established in 1999 as a collaborative effort of the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Engineering, and with significant assistance from the Faculty of Dentistry. We would like to thank Dr. Geoffrey Maksym for his two terms of dedicated service as Director of the School of Biomedical Engineering.

Reappointment of Dr. Sarah Wells, Assistant Dean, Medical Sciences

On behalf of the Faculties of Medicine, I, alongside of Dr. Chris Moore, Dean, Faculty of Science, am pleased to announce that Dr. Sarah Wells has been reappointed Assistant Dean, Medical Sciences, for a five-year term. This appointment is effective July 1, 2021.

Dr. Wells has served as Assistant Dean, overseeing the Medical Sciences BSc program since 2016. The Medical Sciences program at Dalhousie is unique, and the first of its kind in Atlantic Canada. It connects the Faculties of Medicine, Science, and Arts & Social Sciences, offering graduates the opportunity to explore a wide range of subjects and builds the foundation that medical schools, and many other health-related professional programs across Canada require.

Dr. Wells is an Associate Professor at Dalhousie University in the School of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Physics & Atmospheric Science with a cross-appointment in the Department of Physiology & Biophysics.

President’s Research Excellence Awards

Established in 2018, these awards recognize the research achievements of Dalhousie faculty members. The award for Emerging Investigators recognizes early-career researchers (within seven years of their first academic appointment) who have demonstrated a high level of achievement in their field, while the award for Impact celebrates researchers at any career stage who are having substantial, current impact on their field of research. Congratulations to the follow individuals from the Faculty of Medicine:

•  Dr. Jeanette Boudreau, Emerging Investigator Award
•  Dr. Leah Cahill, Emerging Investigator Award
•  Dr. Shashi Gujar, Emerging Investigator Award
•  Dr. David Kelvin, Research Impact Award

For more information on individual award winners, please click here.

Faculty of Medicine Resident Research Awards

The Resident Research Awards are presented to residents who have demonstrated excellence in research and to honor and publicly recognize their achievements. Presentation of these awards also aims to encourage participation in research activities. Each department submitted a nominee based on the Best Resident Research project winner(s) from their departmental research days. The abstracts were then being reviewed by a panel of expert researchers who determined this year’s award winners:

• Dr. Jasmine Mah, Best Overall Award
• Dr. Abraham Nunes, Best Work in Clinical Research
• Dr. Erdit Celo, Best Work in Fundamental Science
• Dr. Ahmed Mokhtar, Best Research Award for a senior resident (PGY3 or PGY4+)
• Dr. Robert Dunfield, Best Research Award for a junior resident (PGY1 or PGY2)

Congratulations to all the 2021 award recipients.

College of Physicians & Surgeons of Nova Scotia Gold-Headed Cane Award

The recipient of the 2021 Dr. G.W. Archibald Gold-headed Cane award in the Humanities is Dr. Thomas F. Baskett, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Individuals are nominated for their notable combination of scholarly attainments in the humanities, humanism, integration of the humanities into their life and profession, and service as an effective role model for others in the medical humanities. Dr. Baskett clearly exemplifies the criteria for the award. He demonstrates evidence of humanistic care and mentorship and has worked in different ways to integrate the humanities into his professional life and has made significant contributions to the literature.

Congratulations to Dr. Baskett!

Canadian Cardiovascular Society Recognition Awards

I am pleased to share that Dr. Martin Gardner, Professor, Division of Cardiology, was recently selected as the 2021 Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) Distinguished Teacher/Mentor Award recipient. This award was created to acknowledge an individual’s excellence in teaching over the long term in any of the cardiovascular fields and recognition of a deep commitment to fostering the professional development of CCS Members or Members-in-Training. A panel of peers selected Dr. Gardner from amongst several worthy nominees to recognize his outstanding contribution to Canadian cardiovascular health and care.

Congratulations, Dr. Gardner!

2021 Meritas Tabaret Award for Alumni Achievement

Congratulations to former Dean of Dalhousie Medical School, Dr. Noni MacDonald, for receiving the 2021 Meritas Tabaret Award for Alumni Achievement from the University of Ottawa. The 2021 Meritas Tabaret Award for Alumni Achievement recognizes an alumna who has distinguished herself professionally, demonstrated leadership in her field and career, contributed to the promotion of the University of Ottawa and exercised a strong positive influence in the community.

An international leader in pediatric infectious disease, development of children’s vaccines and global health research, Dr. Noni MacDonald (MSc ’71, MD ’75) has been a pioneer in the medical community. She was the very first pediatrician to be certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in the emerging field of pediatric infectious disease, in 1983. Dr. MacDonald has over 400 research publications to her name, and her contributions have been recognized through a myriad of prestigious honours. In 2019, she was named an officer of the Order of Canada and a member of the Order of Nova Scotia.

Congratulations, Dr. MacDonald!

Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Award

I am pleased to announce that Ms. Kathleen MacMillan (MD Candidate, Class of 2023) is this year’s CMHF Award recipient from Dalhousie University. 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, 2021, with the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF) Award.

Ms. MacMillan serves as Co-President of the Dalhousie Medicine Class of 2023. A licensed pharmacist who obtained her degree from Dalhousie University, Ms. MacMillan received several awards during pharmacy school, including the Canadian Pharmacists Association Centennial Leadership Award. She currently juggles several responsibilities from leading the Canadian Federation of Medical Students Atlantic Task Force to serving on the Dalhousie Medicine Admissions Committee –as well as positions with the Canadian Association of Radiologists Medical Student Network and various networks within the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada. You can read more about the award and Ms. MacMillan’s accomplishments in Dal Med News.

Dalhousie Professional & Managerial Group (DPMG) Awards

I am very pleased that several Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine members have been recognized by Dalhousie University for their achievements at the Dalhousie Professional & Managerial Group (DPMG) Awards. The DPMG Awards recognize employees who belong to the DPMG for their exemplary contributions to the university. In addition to the regular awards, this year included an award to honour those who have shown excellence in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Congratulations to Mr. Paul Bourgeois (COVID-19 Pandemic Award), Ms. Alexandra Fournier (Early Career Award), and the family of the late Mr. Ryan Clow who was awarded posthumously for the 2021 Career Award.

For a list of recipients and their considerable accomplishments, please visit the DPMG Awards website.

DMRF’S 4th Annual Impact Reception

On Tuesday, July 29, the Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation hosted its fourth annual Impact Reception – a celebration of our donors and the health research they support. Once again, because of the limitations placed on in-person gatherings due to the ongoing pandemic, this year’s event took place virtually. The online event was hosted by Dr. Christine Chambers (Canada Research Chair in Children’s Pain and Professor in the departments of Psychology & Neuroscience and Pediatrics) and featured some fascinating presentations and conversations featuring Dr. Daniel Boyd (Associate Professor in the School of Biomedical Engineering), Dr. OmiSoore Dryden (James R. Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies and Associate Professor in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology), and Dr. Gabriela Ilie (Endowed Soillse Research Scientist in Prostate Cancer Quality of Life Research and Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology.) In case you missed it, you can view a recording of the virtual event here.

Dal Med Human Body Donation Program Memorial

On June 25, 2021, the Department of Medical Neuroscience hosted a virtual annual memorial and interment service for Dalhousie University’s Human Body Donation Program, honouring those who contributed to medical education. This emotional yet inspirational service provides an opportunity for Dalhousie students from many health disciplines who work in the anatomical laboratory to express their gratitude for the gift of knowledge bestowed by the donors and their families.

As a graduate of Dalhousie Medical School, I have experienced first-hand the benefit of working with and learning from the human body. The gift of the human body transcends being an educational aid. What is learned in the anatomy lab has a direct impact on patient care in our hospitals and clinics throughout the Maritimes. In this way, a donation becomes, quite literally, the gift of life.

In Memoriam: Dr. Brian Hennen

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Dr. Brian Hennen, a retired faculty member, passed away on August 30, 2021.

Dr. Hennen earned his medical degree in 1962 from Queen’s University and his master’s degree in educational psychology from Michigan State University in 1969. In 1969, he was one of the first 12 physicians to receive the Certification in the College of Family Physicians (CCFP) designation.

Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Hennen served as president of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) and as chair of the board of the Canadian Council of Health Accreditation. He was the first chair of the Section of Teachers for the College in 1978, and the first recipient of the D.I. Rice Fellowship. During his practice career, Dr. Hennen was a member of the Independent Living Nova Scotia Board and the Eastern representative of CFPC’s national committee on developmental disabilities – one of his key areas of expertise and advocacy.

Dr. Hennen was an influential family physician and academic who made significant contributions to Dalhousie University as professor and head of the family medicine department at Dalhousie University from 1974 to 1987, then professor and chair of family medicine at Western University from 1987 to 1999, before joining the University of Manitoba as dean of medicine. Dr. Hennen sat on the boards of St. Boniface Hospital and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba.

He felt strongly that medical schools should be responsive to the concerns of students, residents, and graduate students. “They need to have influence on their learning programs,” he said. “They need to be able to provide feedback . . . and it needs to be listened to.”

In 2014, Dr. Hennen received a Lifetime Achievement in Family Medicine Research Award from the CFPC. The award honours individuals who are trailblazers and leaders, and who have made a significant career contribution to family medicine research.

He will be remembered in the hearts of many who have been helped by his skills, kindness, and selflessness. The Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine and the entire Dalhousie University community extend condolences to Dr. Hennen’s family.

In Memoriam: Dr. Scott Murray

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Dr. Scott Murray, a retired faculty member at Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine, passed away on August 28^th, 2021.

After graduating in 1980 from Dalhousie Medical School, Dr. Murray went on to practice family medicine in Elora, Ontario. He then returned to Dalhousie to pursue the specialty of Dermatology and completed his studies in 1987 from the University of Ottawa. He practiced Dermatology in Halifax for 34 years and was an Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Clinical Dermatology and Cutaneous Science at Dalhousie University, throughout which he spent many fulfilling years imparting his knowledge and experience. He was an accomplished and astute physician but was best known for his caring approach, his genuine interest in the lives of his patients, his quick wit, and ability to find the humour and joy in all situations.

Dr. Murray was also known for his musical skills, in particular his ability as a pianist. His natural ear and eclectic taste in music led him from classical studies to rock and roll as a member of the doctor group MD5 with whom he took great pleasure in performing for several decades. Unprompted and in great testament to his skill, he often delighted his children with farcical renditions of well-known songs, adding to the incessant rollicks of the household, with him leading the way.

On behalf of Dalhousie University, we extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to Dr. Murray’s family.

A full obituary can be read here.

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I wish all of you a wonderful beginning to the new academic year. I look forward to seeing you, virtually or in person, back on campus.

We just finished a busy time of year with convocation and virtual grad celebrations wrapping up but taking the time to look back at our faculty’s accomplishments makes me extremely proud.

Before I get into recent highlights, I would be remiss if I did not mention the tremendous grief our nation is experiencing over the deaths of the 215 Indigenous children from the Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc First Nations at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia. On behalf of the medical school, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to all whose anguish has been caused by residential school violence against Indigenous peoples.

June is National Indigenous History Month. For generations, Indigenous peoples in Canada have been activists and advocates for their communities and loved ones. We all have something we can do to honour the lives impacted by the violence of colonization and to support our Indigenous community partners in respectful ways.

The past two weeks have been especially difficult for Canadians. The horrific aftermath the recent attack on a Muslim family in London, Ontario compounds this hardship and is felt deeply by our learners, staff, faculty, and patients. For many of our peers, especially those who have experienced racism here in Nova Scotia, this attack has hit close to home and has had an enormous impact on our learners, staff, faculty, and patients.

While we make gains to diversify our medical school community and celebrate our successes, we must remember that racism and oppression still exist, and we all need to work together to eradicate these forms of hatred. I hope you will join me in taking the time to pause, reflect, and better education ourselves on this unimaginable loss experienced by the families and communities who have been targeted and directly affected by racism.

Congratulations to the Class of 2021

On Friday, May 14, 2021, Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick held its Virtual Launch Ceremony, which recognized the completion of four years of undergraduate medical education for medical students in their home province of New Brunswick. One week later, we celebrated the accomplishments of the entire graduating class with a live stream of the Virtual Convocation and Awards Ceremony and, despite celebrating remotely, cheered loudly as 106 graduates received their medical degrees from Dalhousie Medical School.

These two events would not have been possible without the hard work of Ms. Sharon Forward and the Student Affairs Office for the Virtual Convocation, and Ms. Alexandra Fournier at DMNB for the Launch Ceremony. Thank you and well done to you all!

As we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates and wish them well as they begin their residencies on July 1st, work within the Faculty of Medicine continues. To all our undergraduate students, graduate students, and residents, you have all done exceptionally well to have managed your affairs throughout this incredibly challenging year and I would like to commend all of our students for the encouragement and support they have been providing to one another. As we move through these uncertain times, it is especially encouraging to see everyone working so well together.

Convocation Honours and Awards

The Class of 2021 was an outstanding class. Many students were recognized for academic achievement this year. You can see the complete list of awards here.

This year’s recipient of the DMAA Silver Shovel Award is Ms. Wanda White. Ms. White is a Registered Nurse and coordinator of the DMNS procedural skills program who is known for her great compassion and sensitivity as a clinician and a mentor. The silver shovel is given each year to that very special educator whom the students select as most influential in their undergraduate medical training.

The Resident Teaching Award is awarded annually by the graduating class in recognition of teaching excellence from among the residents of the Faculty of Medicine. This year’s winner, as voted by the class of 2021, is Dr. Jessica Pinkham.

The Faculty of Medicine Convocation also saw the graduation of nine students receiving Masters’ degrees and eight students receiving their PhDs. Congratulations to all our graduating students.

Honorary Member of the Graduating Class

This award was established to recognize an individual who has gone above and beyond their duties and in doing so has contributed significantly to various aspects of student life at Dalhousie Medical School. By a landslide, the Class of 2021 voted the late Mr. Ryan Clow and the MedIT Department as honorary members of the graduating class. As some of you may know, Ryan tragically passed away very suddenly on February 5, 2021. He was the Director of MedIT and an integral part of students’ education across both campuses. On behalf of the entire medical school community, I am grateful to the Class of 2021 for selecting Ryan for this honour.

Annual Faculty Meeting

At our Annual Faculty Meeting on June 8, 2021, I had to opportunity to speak to how, throughout the ups and downs of this year, we have made the most of unforeseen opportunities. Dalhousie’s Faculty of Medicine has demonstrated a sustained resolve to serve and engage society and inspire and enable excellence in health and healthcare through medical education and research programs. You can read about some of the highlights over the past year in my annual report. For more details, I refer you to the Faculty Council webpage.

2021 marks the completion of the strategic plan of the Faculty of Medicine #DalMedForward. I want to acknowledge the leadership of our executive sponsors on the implementation of #DalMedForward: Dr. Jennifer Hall, Associate Dean, Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick, who has lead Education; Dr. Roger McLeod, Associate Dean, Research, who has lead Research; and Senior Associate Dean, Dr. Darrell White, and more recently Dr. Gaynor Watson Creed, who have led Serving and Engaging Society.

This plan has paved the way to fulfilling our vision to be internationally leading in medical education and research and being responsive to the health needs across the Maritimes. You can learn more about highlights and details of our strategic plan goals, success stories, and updates on how things have proceeded with our priority initiatives in our progress updates.

2021 Faculty of Medicine Awards

During our Annual Faculty Meeting, we recognized a number of faculty members with our annual Faculty of Medicine awards for education, research, clinical practice, and community service. We also recognized our leaders at all levels in the Faculty of Medicine for their continued commitment in supporting our departments, divisions, and units across the Maritimes in achieving the faculty’s academic mission.

The nominees chosen for these awards demonstrated significant accomplishments in their work directly related to Dalhousie’s leadership competencies, both as a team member or team leader. Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients. For a full list of awardees, click the links below.

• Faculty of Medicine Awards of Excellence [PDF]
• Faculty of Medicine Awards of Excellence in Medical Research [PDF]
• Promotions [PDF]

A special thank you to our 2021 selection committee, and those that took the time to recognize and nominate your colleagues.

Appointment of Dr. Eileen Denovan-Wright, Associate Dean, Research

On behalf of the Faculty of Medicine, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Eileen Denovan-Wright has been appointed Associate Dean, Research, for a five-year term. This appointment is effective July 1, 2021. Dr. Denovan-Wright joined the Department of Pharmacology as a scholarship-funded postdoctoral fellow in 1995 and was appointed as an Assistant Professor in 2000 and as a Professor of Pharmacology in 2010.

In announcing Dr. Denovan-Wright’s appointment, I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Dr. Roger McLeod for his tireless efforts and dedication to the research community over the past four years. Dr. McLeod has been instrumental in managing the successful operation of the Faculty of Medicine’s research programs throughout the COVID-19 outbreak and we wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.

Dr. Andrew Lynk reappointed as Head/Chief of the Department of Pediatrics

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Andrew Lynk has been reappointed as the Department Head for the Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, and Chief of Pediatrics at the IWK Health Centre. In this joint appointment, Dr. Lynk will continue to direct and manage the clinical and academic affairs in the department, be responsible for administering and developing the clinical, teaching, and research programs, and will be a key member of the senior leadership team. This appointment is effective July 1, 2021, for a five-year term.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Lynk on his reappointment.

Resident Match

Another very successful residency match took place last month. We are pleased that 100% of our new entry-level residency positions have matched and will be ready to go for July 1st, 2021, and that 63% of our graduating students are choosing to stay at Dalhousie for their residencies.

We are also pleased that the number of students matching to family medicine increased this year from 37% in 2020 to 46% in 2021.  As many of you are aware, under the leadership of our Department of Family Medicine, increased emphasis throughout our undergraduate medicine curriculum has been put into place to make our students aware of the importance of (and great career opportunities available to) family physicians.

Virtual Graduate Student Research Days

Congratulations to all those involved in planning the 2021 Virtual Graduate Student Research Day held on June 1, 2021. I would like to acknowledge that this event would not have been possible without the extraordinary ingenuity and collaboration between the Medical Research Development Office, MedIT, the various departments throughout Dalhousie, and the students and presenters, who have all stepped up to make this event a success.

Special mention to Prathyusha Konda, from the Department of Microbiology & Immunology, who was the recipient of the 2021 Faculty of Medicine Excellence in Research Award. This major award is given to the graduate student within the Faculty of Medicine who has demonstrated excellence in research. Each department within the Faculty of Medicine nominates one student, who is then evaluated on the basis of scientific merit by a review committee.

A wrap on Euphoria! Through the Ages

Thank you to everyone who helped support this year’s virtual production of Euphoria! Through the Ages. The Dalhousie Medical Students’ Society is proud to announce that it has raised a grand total of $20,465.49 and counting for this year’s chosen charity, Brunswick Street Mission. The DMSS will be offering a long term digital access/DVD option which will continue to increase their fundraising total over the coming weeks. For more information, please contact dmss@dal.ca.

Dalhousie IMPACT Awards

Every year at the Dalhousie IMPACT Awards, dozens of different awards are presented by the university and the Dalhousie Student Union to recognize the many ways individual students and student groups improve our communities every day.

Congratulations to the Individual Award winners, Mr. Eric Poon, MD Candidate, Class of 2023 (Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award), Ms. Emma McDermott, MD Candidate, Class of 2023 (Green Award), and Mr. Keegan O’Shea, Master’s Student, Department of Medical Neuroscience (Intramurals & Sports Club Award). Congratulations as well to the Faculty Leadership Award winners, Mr. Bright Huo, MD Candidate, Class of 2023, and Mr. Brett Ells, MD Candidate, Class of 2023. These students have exemplified the highest level of passion for their discipline, take initiative in creating new opportunities and encourage their peers to engage in faculty initiatives.

Read more about their work and the work of other IMPACT award recipients here.

2021 Doctors Nova Scotia Award Winners

Congratulations to the faculty members whose work was recently recognized by Doctors Nova Scotia with their 2021 annual achievement awards. The awards celebrate the dedication of Doctors Nova Scotia’s members, physicians who go beyond the call of duty, but are rarely acknowledged for their hard work. This year, Doctors Nova Scotia honoured eight physicians for exemplary achievement.

For the full list, and a description of achievements, please visit the Doctors Nova Scotia website.

Dr. Sarah Manos named 2020-2021 RDoC Award recipient

Dr. Sarah Manos, Director of Postgraduate Medical Education and Associate Professor at the Department of Pediatrics at Dalhousie University, is being honoured nationally for her contributions to improving the wellness of resident doctors in Canada. Dr. Manos is receiving the Resident Doctors of Canada Puddester Award for Resident Wellness, staff category.

Dr. Christine Chambers named 2021 Dennis Drotar Distinguished Research Award recipient

Dr. Christine Chambers, a Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology and Neuroscience, and Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Pain and Child Health has been named the recipient of the 2021 Dennis Drotar Distinguished Research Award by the Society of Pediatric Psychology Division 54 of the American Psychological Association. Formerly known as the Logan Wright Distinguished Research Award, this award recognizes excellence and significant contributions in establishing the scientific base of pediatric psychology.

Dr. Sharon Clarke receives CAR Young Investigator Award

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Sharon Clarke for winning the CAR Young Investigator Award from the Canadian Association of Radiologists. This award is presented to a CAR member in the early stages of their career and recognizes exceptional contributions to medical imaging-related research. Dr. Clarke is the first woman to receive the award in Canada and faculty members of Dalhousie University have won the award more than any other university.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation’s 2021 Scholars

Congratulations to Dr. Jasmine Mah, who has been selected as one of fifteen leading doctoral researchers from across Canada and around the world who have been selected for the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation’s leadership program as 2021 Scholars.

Dr. Mah is a resident doctor who is passionate about caring for older adults. She holds an MD from the University of Ottawa and an MSc from the London School of Economics and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. As part of the Clinician Investigator and Internal Medicine Programs at Dalhousie University, Dr. Mah’s doctoral research uses epidemiology and statistics to better understand how social vulnerability and frailty influence health outcomes, use of healthcare resources, and long-term care placement.

Dr. Amanda Caissie Appointed Interim Head, Department of Radiation Oncology

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Amanda Caissie has been appointed Interim Head of the Department of Radiation Oncology. Dr. Caissie is a radiation oncologist and assistant professor in Dalhousie’s Department of Radiation Oncology. Dr. Caissie’s contributions to national and international radiotherapy QI initiatives include Chair of the Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology (CARO) Quality and Standards Committee and Steering Committee member of the Canadian Partnership for Quality Radiotherapy (CPQR) including working groups of Big Data and Patient Reported Outcomes.

In announcing Dr. Caissie’s interim appointment, I would like to thank Dr. Jean‑Philippe Pignol for his strong leadership in the Department of Radiation Oncology over the past three years. He recruited additional specialists, co-supervised graduate students, advanced capacity for original and translational research as well as clinical trials, directly impacting clinical care.

On-campus asymptomatic COVID-19 rapid testing clinic

COVID-19 testing is an important part of stopping the spread of COVID-19 and keeping one another safe. As Nova Scotia’s reopening strategy gets underway, and as more faculty, staff and students prepare to return to campus, regular testing becomes even more important. To make access to testing even more convenient for the Dal community, Dalhousie University has collaborated with Nova Scotia Public Health to launch a self-swab COVID-19 rapid screening program for faculty, staff, and students on the Carleton campus. For more information on hours and location, and to book your appointment, please visit Dalhousie’s COVID‑19 information and updates website.

Volunteers will play a key role in this important public health initiative.  I know that the medical school community is caring and engaged, and I encourage anyone who is able to consider whether this is something that they can do to assist the province. For information about available positions, please check out these volunteer activities.

In Memoriam: Dr. Arnold Mitnitski

It is with great sadness that I share the news that Dr. Arnold Mitnitski, a retired faculty member and Professor Emeritus of Medicine, passed away on May 26, 2021, after a brief illness. Dr. Mitnitski joined the Geriatric Medicine Research team at Dalhousie Medical School as Assistant Professor in 2002 and devoted his work to the mathematical aspects of aging. As part of a longstanding collaboration with Dr. Kenneth Rockwood (Department of Medicine), he developed an integrated measure of human health known as the Frailty Index, which now has numerous applications in a variety of areas, including epidemiology, clinical medicine, biology, and most recently even in macro-economics.

Dr. Mitnitski was honoured to have been acknowledged as Professor Emeritus of Medicine. He had a special love for Dalhousie, and especially the opportunities afforded to him by the Department of Medicine. Donations in his memory can be made to the QEII Research Foundation, or the Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation, both long-time supporters of his outstanding contributions to science and to health care.

In Memoriam: Dr. Bernard (Bernie) Badley 

It is with deep sorrow that I share the news that Dr. Bernard (Bernie) Badley, a retired faculty member, passed away on April 30, 2021, at the age of 87, surrounded by his loving family. Dr. Badley began his career with Dalhousie Medical School and the (now) Nova Scotia Health Authority in 1965 – a journey that would continue for the next 50 years. As one of the first gastroenterologists in Atlantic Canada, Dr. Badley revelled in his role as teacher to generations of medical students and postgraduates who trained under his tutelage. Dr. Badley held several administrative roles within Dalhousie’s Faculty of Medicine (including Vice-Dean) and the Royal College of Canada where, for several years, he served as Chief Examiner of Gastroenterology. Dr. Badley was the founder and Medical Director of Nova Scotia’s Colon Cancer Prevention Program, the most comprehensive in Canada, in 2009. Under his supervision, the novel program ultimately decreased the number of Nova Scotians being diagnosed with and dying from colon cancer.

Dr. Badley’s commitment to the Tupper Band was a role he held for over 40 years serving as the band’s conductor. As part of the Tupper Band’s 30th Anniversary Spring Concert that took place in April 2010, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, then Dr. Thomas Marrie, presented the first ever Dr. Bernard Badley Music in Medicine Scholarship. This was to honour both Dr. Badley and his dedication over many years as a faculty member of Dalhousie University and 30 years as the conductor of the Tupper Concert Band. A full obituary can be found online here.

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As this extraordinary academic year draws to a close, I want to remind us all of the complexities and challenges faced by our students and residents as they have proceeded with their educations, and those of our staff and faculty as they continue to work remotely in a consistently changing environment. All faculty, staff, and students should feel incredibly proud of the way you have navigated your way through these unprecedented times together.

For those if you returning to Dalhousie in the fall, please stay well, get a COVID-19 vaccine when the opportunity becomes available, and thanks again for all you are doing. I look forward to welcoming you back in September.

Best wishes to all and take care of yourselves and your families.

Spring is finally here and with it comes news of the Atlantic Bubble 2.0 expected to begin by mid-to-late April, which is certainly something to look forward to.

While COVID-19 remains a serious concern, we are encouraged by Atlantic Canadians’ adherence to public health measures, the containment of regional outbreaks, and the progress in rolling out the vaccine. Please remember to check the Faculty of Medicine COVID-19 information page which is updated regularly and contains the relevant information for all medical learners, researchers, graduate students, faculty, and staff, and to check your emails daily for updates from Dalhousie University and Public Health directives and notifications. Thank you for all everyone is doing as we continue to navigate this exceptional year.

Special Mention for Class of 2021

As this extraordinary academic year draws to a close, I want to remind us all of the complexities and challenges faced by our students and residents as they have proceeded with their educations.  Gone are many of the face-to-face sessions, both academic and social, that are so important for our learners’ education and development.  Through the dedication and innovation of our faculty and staff, most class lectures, tutorials, laboratories, and research activities have continued in some form, and we must acknowledge it has not been the same educational experience.

I want to provide a special recognition to the undergraduate medical Class of 2021 who have been particularly impacted by the COVID 19 pandemic.  For these students, their third-year clerkship education stopped for about 12 weeks between March and June 2020, and was ultimately shorted by about eight weeks.  While not in clerkship, many of these students volunteered for COVID related activities to help keep us safe while their education was disrupted.  Due to travel restrictions, all their fourth-year electives took place at Dalhousie sites and the recently completed CARMS residency matching interviews all took place virtually.  I want to wish the Class of 2021 the best of luck with their matches, with graduation (which will take place virtually next month), and, ultimately, with their residencies which will begin July 1, 2021.

To all our undergraduate students, graduate students, and residents: best of luck with your exams, your projects, your thesis work, and your placements.  You have all done well to have managed your affairs throughout this incredibly challenging year.

For those if you returning to Dalhousie in the fall: I am pleased to share that we are planning to safely open our campuses to students, faculty, and staff. While there are many details still to be worked out, we will continue to communicate our progress to keep you informed. Please stay well, get a COVID-19 vaccine when the opportunity becomes available, and thanks again for all you are doing.

Focusing on Racism in the Workplace

Earlier this month, one of Dalhousie’s internal medicine residents took to Twitter to bravely speak out about the racism she faced from a patient who refused her care. Her story was highlighted in a recent CBC article.

I recognize that racism exists in health care and education, and that our learners, staff, faculty, and patients experience racist behavior that impacts their learnings, their care, and their lives. I further recognize that the racial discrimination that exists within our healthcare and educational systems has negative consequences for both patients and healthcare professionals.

The Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie takes these incidents of racism and discrimination very seriously. We are committed to holding dialogues and communicating the consequences of discrimination. Likewise, we must do better to provide training for faculty and learners on how to respond to racism in the workplace and in the classroom and work collaboratively with our health authority partners to address issues in our students’ learning environments. All residents, medical students, and graduate students are encouraged to report and discuss any concerns with their work environment to Resident Affairs, Student Affairs, and your Faculty advisors, respectively, where you will be supported.

Supports Available

The tragic events that transpired one year ago in Nova Scotia have caused deep pain for those living in our province and Canadians across the country and we continue to have an immense sense of grief since those devastating days. A year later, our thoughts and condolences are still with those whose lives have been affected by this senseless act, and I offer my sincere appreciation for the emergency responders of Nova Scotia.

As the upcoming first anniversary of the Nova Scotia mass shooting fills headlines and screens, please remember to take care of yourselves and each other. Keep in touch with colleagues, family, and friends. Our priority is the safety of our students, staff, and faculty and we will continue to support you and help in any way we can at this difficult time. Many of us need help to deal with the overwhelming stress of events past and present. We want to reiterate to you that there are resources available to you:

• Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
• EFAP Crisis Line: 1-844-751-2133
• Nova Scotia Mental Health Crisis Line: 1-888-429-8167

On behalf of Dalhousie Medical School, I express our condolences to all who have lost someone close to them and we all grieve as part of the larger Nova Scotian community. If you need support during this challenging time, please reach out.

The Dalhousie Medical Students’ Society announces Euphoria! Through the Ages

Every year since 1969, the student-run variety show extravaganza Euphoria! is put on by Dalhousie Medical School students. The cast of the show chooses a Maritime charity to support and pits all four classes against one another to do two things: raise money and put together a half-hour show that will win them the coveted Euphoria! trophy.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s live show has been cancelled. However, our students invite you to join them on Saturday, May 1, 2021, as they virtually air Euphoria! The Throwback Special featuring highlights of past shows which we can enjoy from the comfort of our own homes, while still raising funds for the 2021 recipient charity: Brunswick Street Mission. This year, in lieu of traditional ticket sales, the DMSS will be providing each contribution to the Euphoria! fundraising campaign with a complimentary link to enjoy the show. A special promo video can be seen here.

For more information or to purchase your virtual tickets, please visit the DMSS website.

Full-time Appointment of Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed, Assistant Dean, Serving and Engaging Society

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed will be joining Dalhousie’s Faculty of Medicine on a full-time basis beginning April 15, 2021. Dr. Watson-Creed is the former Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health for the province of Nova Scotia and the first Assistant Dean of Serving and Engaging Society, a five-year appointment effective as of August 2018.

In her increased role, Dr. Watson-Creed will continue to lead the medical school in our societal role of Serving and Engaging Society. Dr. Watson-Creed will also lead our efforts in community engagement, equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism.  Her other major area of focus in this pillar of activity is health system change.  Dr. Watson-Creed will be working with the faculty’s Department of Community Health and Epidemiology to establish a greater focus in educational opportunities and research in public health.

Dr. Watson-Creed is deeply involved in broad-based efforts to improve Nova Scotia’s standing in Canada and the world. Earlier this month, she was named as a member of the Task Force on Women in the Economy – a newly minted federal task force designed to advise the government on a feminist, intersectional action plan that addresses issues of gender equality in the wake of the pandemic. She was also the 2017 recipient of the Dr. William Grigor Award for mid-career excellence, from Doctors Nova Scotia, and received the 2018 President’s Award from Public Health Physicians of Canada for her dedication to improving public health systems in Canada. She is a former member of the One Nova Scotia Coalition and now chairs the board of Engage Nova Scotia, a non-profit citizen-led organization that involves Nova Scotians in creating a better future for everyone in the province.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Watson-Creed and welcoming her to her new, expanded roles.

Appointment of Dr. Vincent Agyapong, Head, Department of Psychiatry

I am pleased to announce Dr. Vincent Agyapong has been appointed Head, Department of Psychiatry, for a five-year term effective August 1, 2021. This position also serves as the Central Zone Department Head of Psychiatry at Nova Scotia Health. In his previous roles, Dr. Agyapong was a Clinical Professor and Inaugural Director of the Division of Community Psychiatry at the University of Alberta. He was also Alberta Health Services’ Edmonton Zone Clinical Section Chief for Community Mental Health.

Dr. Agyapong has won numerous awards related to his work, including Alberta Health Services’ Spirit of Excellence Award in 2016, the Edmonton Zone Medical Staff Association Physician Innovator of the Year Award in 2018, Champion of Mental Health from the Edmonton Mental Health Foundation in 2018, the Momentum Mental Health Clinician/Researcher Award in 2019 and the Alberta Medical Association’s Award for Compassionate Service in 2019. In February 2019, he was honoured by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada as one of six Extraordinary Fellows of the College.

In announcing Dr. Agyapong’s appointment, I would like to thank Interim Head, Dr. Jason Morrison, for his outstanding work and contributions over the past year. Dr. Morrison will stay in this role until Dr. Agyapong’s arrival.

Executive Director, Advancement for the Faculty of Medicine

We are thrilled to announce that Ms. Cathrine Yuill has been appointed to the role of Executive Director, Advancement for the Faculty of Medicine, beginning April 1st. In this role, Ms. Yuill will have leadership responsibility for the Faculty’s Development, Alumni Relations and Faculty-based Marketing & Communications functions.

Ms. Yuill has been an outstanding member of Dal’s Advancement team since she joined the university in June of 2013 as Development Officer for the Faculty of Agriculture. In this role, she led the campaign for the Faculty’s transformation following the Dal/Nova Scotia Agricultural College merger. Since 2018, Ms. Yuill has been Director of Development for STEM faculties and Legacy Giving. Prior to joining the Dalhousie Advancement team, Ms. Yuill spent 10 years in the role of Executive Director for two health related charities, gaining solid leadership experience and a strong understanding of the full range of fund development activities necessary for success.

Please join me in welcoming Ms. Yuill to the Faculty of Medicine.

Dr. OmiSoore Dryden named to Nova Scotia Health Authority Board of Directors

Recently, Health and Wellness Minister Zach Churchill announced new appointments to the Nova Scotia Health Authority Board of Directors, including Dr. OmiSoore Dryden, an associate professor in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology and the James R. Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies at Dalhousie University. Dr. Dryden is the first Black person to be appointed to the Board – an important and crucial step towards improving the diversity and inclusivity of decision makers whose job is to ensure that public issues and concerns are recognized and understood.

Dr. Dryden earned her PhD in Social Justice Education from the Ontario Institute for the Study of Education and the University of Toronto, where her dissertation examined how blood donation rules discriminate against certain populations. She has served as an assistant professor and Chair of the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department at Thorneloe University (Ontario) and as a visiting professor in the Faculty of Community Services at Ryerson University.

Dr. Dryden leads Black health education and research initiatives within the Faculty of Medicine.  She has implemented a mentorship program and hosts monthly “Chair Chats” for Black students in the Faculty of Medicine. Dr. Dryden has strengthened Dalhousie’s institutional priorities to enhance diversity, foster community outreach, and build a Black health research mandate that is collaborative, interdisciplinary, and nationally recognized.

For more information, you can visit the NSHA Board of Directors website.

CIHR Project Grant Fall 2020 competition

On March 12, 2021, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Canada’s Minister of Health, announced an investment of approximately $25.2 million in 52 research projects to further improve our understanding of COVID-19 and tackle persistent evidence gaps linked to this disease. I was proud to see that two researchers affiliated with Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine, Nova Scotia Health, and the IWK received COVID-19 funding, while five others received funding through by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Project Grant program.

You can read more about this important work on Dal Med News.

Nova Scotia Health Research Fund
Congratulations to the 12 Faculty of Medicine scientists and clinicians who received funding through the Nova Scotia Health Research Fund. This funding will be used to study chronic disease management, aging and continuing care, mental health and addictions, and populations with vulnerabilities.

For a full list of the recipients, click here.

OpenThink
Each month, PhD researchers from across Dalhousie University draw on their studies to publish articles that provide context for the world’s toughest challenges and highlight important and often controversial topics. Offered by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, the OpenThink Initiative empowers PhD researchers to engage with communities beyond the university. This year, from the Faculty of Medicine, I am pleased to congratulate graduate students Ms. Hilary Ferguson, Ms. Jee In Kim, and Mr. Michael Giacomantonio who were named to the 2021 cohort of OpenThink. I know they will be well equipped with the communication skills and platforms necessary to inform public discourse and influence policy.

You can learn more about their research on the OpenThink website.

Dr. Janet Curran appointed first of its kind Quality and Patient Safety Research Chair
A new Quality and Patient Safety (QPS) Applied Research Chair position has been created through an initiative of the Department of Health and Wellness, in collaboration with IWK Foundation, IWK Health, Nova Scotia Health, Dalhousie University’s Faculties of Health and Medicine. The first of its kind in Canada, this role will integrate research into the delivery of patient safety to ensure the highest quality of care for Nova Scotians while also building capacity for health system improvement. Following an international search, the appointee of the inaugural QPS Applied Research Chair is Dr. Janet Curran, PhD, RN, Professor, School of Nursing, Dalhousie, and Clinician Scientist at IWK Health. I invite you to read more at Dal Med News.

Dr. Melanie Kelly named to 2021 Cannabis Scientist Power List
Congratulations to Dr. Melanie Kelly, Professor of Pharmacology, Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Anesthesia, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management, for being named to the 2021 Cannabis Scientist Power List. This list was established to acknowledge and celebrate individuals who make outstanding contributions to advancing cannabis science through their research and mentorship activities. Dr. Kelly was recognized in particular for her contributions to research and development of novel cannabinoid-based therapeutics. For more information on Dr. Kelly’s research can be found here.

2021 New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF) Emerging Project Fund Recipient
Congratulations to Dr. Keith Brunt for receiving funding from NBIF to continue his project research. Dr, Brunt is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at Dal Med New Brunswick. His research focuses on translational medicine, with a major interest in understanding how cells adapt to stress in order to develop innovative therapeutic strategies to treat disease. Currently, Dr. Brunt is developing an online health screening tool to investigate the mental health status and resiliencies of frontline community pharmacy workers in a shifting practice intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. The NBIF awards funding to projects that have the potential to grow into larger collaborative projects or technology and knowledge transfer opportunities that will have a positive economic or social impact in New Brunswick.

Dalhousie Medical Education ‘Living Laboratory’ Fund

Congratulations to the successful applicants of the Dalhousie Medical Education ‘Living Laboratory’ Fund. The Dalhousie Medical Education Living Lab Scholarship Fund was established to build capacity and accelerate partnerships focused on addressing priority medical education needs and research questions. The focus for this round of Living Lab funding is Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Medical Education. Congratulations to the following grant recipients:

• Emma Burns and Ashley Martin, Emergency Medicine
• Babar Haroon and Andrea Davenport, Critical Care and Internal Medicine
• Lori Connors, Medicine
• Joanna Zed, Family Medicine
• Helena Piccinini-Vallis, Family Medicine
• David Bowes, Postgraduate Medical Education
• James Gould and David Hung, Emergency Medicine
• Angela Cooper, Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine

I wish our successful grant recipients and their teams all the best with their medical education endeavours.

Maritime Resident Doctors 2020 Excellence in Teaching Award

Congratulations to Dr. Ross Morton, who was awarded the Maritime Resident Doctors 2020 Excellence in Teaching Award. This award is presented annually to a deserving team leader who exemplifies skill in patient care, teaching, and interactions with residents. Dr. Morton was nominated by the Internal Medicine residents in Saint John. Beyond providing teaching opportunities, Dr. Morton is also praised for his work providing feedback to the residents and helping them grow throughout their residency.

Congratulations Dr. Morton!

Dr. Wendy Stewart Receives SSHRC Partnership Engage Grant

Congratulations to Dr. Wendy Stewart, who recently received a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Partnership Engage Grant for her study, Prescribing Art: An Innovative Partnership to Positively Impact Individuals Diagnosed with Depression. In this novel project, Dr. Stewart will partner with the Saint John Arts Centre to facilitate opportunities for student participants to view art and reflect on how it impacts them. The results will be used to engage other galleries in New Brunswick and around the Maritime provinces, to raise awareness of the impact of art, and how it can be used to improve mental health. Medical learners will also have the chance to participate in this project.

Best of luck on this exciting work, Dr. Stewart!

2021 Annual Faculty Meeting

Save the date! The 2021 Annual Faculty Meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at 5 p.m. An agenda with background information including written reports will be circulated closer to the date.

If you have any questions regarding the format of the Annual Meeting, please contact the Chair of Faculty Council, Dr. Karim Mukhida or Ms. Anne Weeden.

In Memoriam: Dr. David Gass

I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of our great friend and colleague, Dr. David Gass.

Dr. Gass was born April 29, 1945, in London, Ontario. He graduated from Mount Allison University in 1967 and attended Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar in 1969. Dr. Gass graduated cum laude from Dalhousie Medical School in 1973.

Dr. Gass started his practice in family medicine in Fredericton in 1973 and joined the Department of Family Medicine at Dalhousie in 1978, where her began his illustrious career as a leader and educator. Dr. Gass served as the Head of Department of Family Medicine from 1987-1995 and was responsible for the leadership and management of a large department with over 150 members.

Cheerful and indefatigable, Dr. Gass came out from retirement to become Interim Head of the Department of Family Medicine on two occasions between 2017-2020, where he continued to advocate for the expansion of distributed family medicine educational programming. He led the opening of the North Nova Family Medicine residency training site in 2019.

In 1998, Dr. Gass was awarded the Donald I. Rice Merit Award from the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) in recognition of his outstanding work and contributions to teaching, vision and leadership in the discipline of family medicine. He was Chair, and a member of, numerous CFPC and other committees, including Chair of the Canadian Medical Association Committee on Ethics.

Dr. Gass was a wonderful leader and physician who was highly respected and admired by his colleagues and friends. He was a mentor to countless learners and physicians, who became better doctors because of his positive influence. He was passionate about family medicine.  “Family physicians are specialists, and they are special,” he would say. No one embodied this attitude more than Dr. Gass himself – he was special.

Dr. Gass will be remembered for his compassion, kindness, sense of humour, humility, and sincerity and as a person who was always there to help. He will be missed.

Dr. Gass’ full obituary can be read here.

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I hope you are all staying well and good luck to everyone writing exams. I know many of you will be working as hard as ever, but I hope all of you have an opportunity to enjoy some sunshine now that spring is here.

 

It is hard to believe winter will be winding its way to an end soon and spring is right around the corner. I hope everyone is doing well and that between February reading week, March break or other holidays, you get some downtime to enjoy family, friends, and catch up on rest.  Thanks for all everyone is doing as we continue to navigate this exceptional year.

I do want to thank you all and Dalhousie University for giving me the privilege and opportunity to serve a second term as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine beginning July 1, 2021.  I have greatly enjoyed the challenges and rewards of leading this incredible faculty, collaborating with our partner organizations and working at Dalhousie. We have achieved much together, and I recognize there is much more to be done. I look forward to working and communicating with you all in this second term.

Town Halls: Refresh of the UGME Curriculum

A major focus of Dr. Evelyn Sutton, the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, and her team has been a review and refresh of our undergraduate medical school curriculum. The Curriculum Refresh Committee (CRC) continues to host a series of virtual town hall feedback sessions that will address each of the key themes that have been identified as part of the curriculum refresh. The working groups dedicated to each theme have been reviewing current objectives, course content, and student evaluations; conducting environmental scans and literature reviews; and consulting with groups/individuals. The input of the medical school community into the curriculum refresh process will be critical to its success and I encourage you to participate. With your help, we look forward to continuing the tradition of training medical professionals with a commitment to lifelong learning, excellence in patient care, high ethical standards, and accountability to society for the responsibilities entrusted to them.

More information about the town hall feedback sessions, including dates and summaries of each working group’s work to date and previously recorded town halls, can be found on the Dal Med website.

COVID-19 Updates
The Faculty of Medicine COVID-19 information page is updated regularly and contains the relevant information for all medical learners, researchers, graduate students, faculty, and staff. Remember to check your emails daily for updates from Dalhousie University, and Public Health directives/health authority notifications.

Currently, Public Health encourages all Nova Scotians to get tested regularly as one of the ways to live safely with COVID-19 and protect your community. Getting tested is important whether you have no symptoms, a few symptoms or even just one. Asymptomatic testing is available at pop-up sites and mobile units throughout the province. For a list of upcoming rapid testing dates and locations, click here.

We appreciate the complexities of having a medical school operating in three provinces, each with their own protocols and travel restrictions.  Your continued patience and understanding in this evolving situation are deeply appreciated. With vaccines now being available, I look forward to the day when we can all safely return to campus.

Dalhousie plays key role in Nova Scotian vaccination efforts
I would like to extend my thanks to Dr. Roger McLeod, Associate Dean, Research, and Mr. Paul Bourgeois, Building Services Manager, for their tireless work to assist Nova Scotian vaccination efforts by securing the first cold storage location for the COVID-19 vaccine in Nova Scotia. Both have been instrumental in securing a site to oversee the logistics of effective storage and continuous temperature monitoring of the vaccine.

Details of their efforts were highlighted in a recent Dal Med News article.

2021 AFMC Award for Outstanding Contribution to Faculty Development in Canada

I would like to recognize Dr. Lara Hazelton was recently selected as the recipient of the 2021 AFMC Award for Outstanding Contribution to Faculty Development in Canada. Dr. Lara Hazelton is an Associate Professor and Director of Continuing Professional Development with the Department of Psychiatry and the Director of Academic Faculty Development. Dr. Hazelton completed a Master of Education in Curriculum from Acadia University in 2012. Her scholarly work focuses on topics in continuing education for physicians, including leadership development, teaching skills, and online course development/implementation. Her publications have appeared in Academic Psychiatry, Teaching and Learning in Medicine, The Canadian Journal of Physician Leadership, and The Canadian Medical Association Journal, to name a few.

Congratulations, Dr. Hazelton!

Dr. Robin Urquhart name Scientific Director of Atlantic Path
Earlier this month, the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (CanPath), a national study investigating how genetics, environment, lifestyle, and behaviour contribute to the development of chronic disease and cancer, named Dr. Robin Urquhart the new Scientific Director of the Atlantic regional cohort – the Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health Study (Atlantic PATH). Dr. Urquhart, an Associate Professor and Canadian Cancer Society Endowed Chair in Population Cancer Research in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, and Senior Scientist with the Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute and the Nova Scotia Lead for the Terry Fox Research Institute Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network, brings credible and practical experience to her new role with Atlantic PATH.

Congratulations, Dr. Urquhart and best of luck in your new role. More details about Dr. Urquhart’s appointment can be found on Dal Med News.

Government of Canada invests in first‑of‑its‑kind research study on the health impacts of inactivity
Congratulations to Dr. Olga Theou, a Canada Research Chair, and an Assistant Professor in Physiotherapy and Geriatric Medicine, whose research team was one of eight to receive an investment of $3.34 million to understand the health impacts of extended periods of inactivity and the effectiveness of preventative measures to mitigate the impact of inactivity on our health.

More information about Dr. Theou’s research can be found on Dal Med News.

National platform on aging awarded $1M to address undiagnosed dementia gap

Congratulations to the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), which received nearly $1 million in federal funding to address undiagnosed dementia gaps from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) earlier this month. The CLSA research platform, which has 11 sites across Canada, is co-led by Dr. Susan Kirkland, Department of Community Health and Epidemiology.

More information about the study can be found on Dal Med News.

2021 New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF) Emerging Project Fund Recipient

Congratulations to Dr. Keith Brunt for receiving funding from NBIF to continue his project research. Dr, Brunt is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at Dal Med New Brunswick. His research focuses on translational medicine, with a major interest in understanding how cells adapt to stress in order to develop innovative therapeutic strategies to treat disease. Currently, Dr. Brunt is developing an online health screening tool to investigate the mental health status and resiliencies of frontline community pharmacy workers in a shifting practice intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. The NBIF awards funding to projects that have the potential to grow into larger collaborative projects or technology and knowledge transfer opportunities that will have a positive economic or social impact in New Brunswick.

Congrats Dr. Brunt, we look forward to hearing about the results at the end of the project period.

Academic All-Canadian

Congratulations to Ms. Michaela Sabean, a second-year medical student and star volleyball player, who was recently recognized as one of 136 Dalhousie varsity student-athletes who achieved U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian status during the 2019-20 school year. To qualify as an Academic All-Canadian, student-athletes must maintain a GPA of at least 3.50 over the academic year while competing in a varsity sport. Hard work, dedication, sacrifice, and support are crucial in these students’ lives.

Congratulations, Michaela!

White Fragility Clinic

The White Fragility Clinic is a safe and non-judgmental space for faculty and staff members of the Faculty of Medicine to explore the concept of whiteness and its role in racism, build racial resilience, and develop competency in engaging issues related to the public health and societal challenges arising from race in their daily practices and interactions. I would encourage anyone who is interested to consider attending the upcoming sessions hosted by Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed, Associate Dean, Serving and Engaging Society, and Dr. Ajay Parasram, Assistant Professor in the Departments of International Development Studies:

• Wednesday, March 3, 2:00-3:00 pm
• Monday, March 15 10:00-11:00 am
• Thursday, April 1 9:30-10:30 am

Fore more information and to register, please email: megan.dixon@dal.ca.

2021 Annual Faculty Meeting

Save the date! The 2021 Annual Faculty Meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at 5 p.m. An agenda with background information including written reports will be circulated closer to the date.

If you have any questions regarding the format of the Annual Meeting, please contact the Chair of Faculty Council, Dr. Karim Mukhida (kmukhida@dal.ca) or Anne Weeden (anne.weeden@dal.ca).

In Memoriam: Mr. Ryan Clow

It is with profound sadness that I share with you the news that Mr. Ryan Clow passed suddenly on February 5^th, 2021.  Ryan was a well-known, well-liked, and highly respected member of the Dalhousie community. Born and raised on Prince Edward Island, Ryan received his Bachelor in Business Administration degree from the University of PEI in 2000 and went on to complete his MBA from Saint Mary’s University in 2009. Ryan began his career at Dalhousie University as a Project Manager and Business Analyst with Information Technology Services (ITS) in 2012 before becoming the Manager of Distributed Education Technologies (MedIT) at the medical school in 2014. Not long after, Ryan joined the leadership team as the Director of MedIT Enterprise Systems and Projects, a position he held for the past four years.

In addition to being an outstanding colleague, Ryan was a loving husband to Julie and a great father to his two young children.  I have fond memories of seeing Ryan playing tennis with his young sons and observing their mutual joy of enjoying each successful shot. Ryan touched so many lives at Dalhousie and through his many friends and acquaintances.  He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Ryan was admired by many colleagues-turned-friends at Dalhousie and we will remember him for his calm, dedicated leadership, and friendly, always-helpful approach. Details concerning the medical school’s celebration of Ryan’s life will be arranged by the Faculty of Medicine and shared at a later date. Those who wish to can share memories and messages to the family through an online book of condolences. Additionally, a GoFundMe page has been organized by Ryan’s friends in support of the Clow family.

In Memoriam: Dr. John Gray

It is with great sadness that the Faculty of Medicine shares news that former faculty member, Dr. John Gray, has died. Dr. Gray will be remembered for his lead in the development of a new geriatric division at Camp Hill Hospital in Halifax Nova Scotia and as co-founder of the Alzheimer’s Society of N.S. Dr. Gray was the last of a core team of physicians who helped to establish rural medicine in Newfoundland and Labrador and known for his work with the Grenfell Mission as one of the first groups to provide much needed medical services to northern areas of the province. When Dr. Gray eventually moved from Newfoundland to take up a teaching position at Dalhousie University, he was in the middle of organizing a residential project for seniors in the community. The institution, the St. Anthony Interfaith home, opened in 1981 and was later replaced in 1998 by a long-term care centre named after Dr. Gray.

A full obituary celebrating Dr. Gray’s life can be found here.

In Memoriam: Dr. David Murphy

I am deeply saddened by the news that Dr. David Murphy died on February 23, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. Dr. Murphy began his professional career as a veterinarian. Before long, he was back in school at McGill University to study medicine where he met his future wife, Dr. Sonia Salisbury. In 1973, they moved with their three kids to Nova Scotia where Dr. Murphy took a position as a cardiac surgeon at the IWK. He had a profound impact on the way cardiac surgery is practiced in the Maritimes – founding the Maritime Heart Centre, which continues to provide clinical and material support for cardiac patients.

Dr. Murphy served on more than 20 provincial and national committees including the Canadian Heart Foundation and the Executive Council of Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and received numerous research grants and publications. He was awarded a Senior membership with Doctors NS and a Distinguished Service Award from the Canadian Medical Association.

Dr. Murphy’s full obituary can be read here.

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Please reach out if you need help during what is surely a challenging time. Supports are available through our Employee and Family Assistance Program, which can be accessed at workhealthlife.com, or through the enhanced mental health benefit from Blue Cross, or contact Accessible Employment at accessible.employment@dal.ca for additional support or resources.

Be well and please provide feedback about the topics mentioned above, or other matters that are of interest to you.

Welcome back to all our faculty, staff, and students. Although it seems like a distant memory now, I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday break and was able to share time with family and friends (while following all public health guidelines).

Even though the COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to dominate the world and our local agenda, 2021 is beginning with promise.  In the Maritimes, rates of COVID-19 are among the lowest in the world due to the work of our government and public health officials. Although New Brunswick has seen a second wave surge of cases in January 2021, thanks to aggressive public health measures these rates are not escalating.  Concerns about new virus variants must keep us vigilant to respect the need for continued aggressive public health measures to keep us safe.

The promise of effective COVID-19 vaccines offers hope that the holidays in 2021 could allow for many more social engagements than this past season. In the Faculty of Medicine, we are proud that the initial Nova Scotian vaccination site has been hosted at the Life Sciences Research Institute (LSRI). I would like to thank Dr. Roger McLeod, our Associate Dean for Research, Innovacore, and the faculty, staff, and students of the LSRI for sharing their space in enabling vaccinations to go forward. It has been here, on campus, where thousands of Nova Scotia’s health care workers have received their vaccines.

Recognizing that there are many complexities in vaccine roll outs, we are pleased that residents and senior medical students who are at the face of health care delivery in the Maritimes have been recognized as health care workers to be vaccinated in the first phase of provincial vaccine delivery plans over the next several months.  Similar consideration has been given for other students training to be health professionals and dentists and who are providing front line health care.

Again, our thanks to all faculty, residents, staff, and students who are working so hard to keep the public safe in these challenging times Thank you to everyone for your patience, leadership, and support as we begin a new year together.  Below is an update of some of the many things happening in our Faculty.

Celebrating African Heritage Month

African Heritage Month begins on February 1, 2021, and I encourage everyone to use this month to further engage in events, programming and learning opportunities on campus and in our broader community. This year’s African Heritage Month provincial theme, Black History Matters: Listen, Learn, Share and Act, recognizes the important legacy of people of African Descent and the long-standing history in the development of Canada.

There are many ways to participate in African Heritage Month. Dr. OmiSoore Dryden, the James R. Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies, launched the inaugural Black Analysis Lecture Series last November. The next lecture in the series will take place on February 23^rd, featuring Dr. Delia Douglas. Details for the lecture are still being finalized, please visit the James R. Johnston Chair website for the most up-to-date details and information on this and other events. As well, the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness Diversity Committee is hosting series of virtual discussions that celebrate the important legacy of people of African Descent and the long-standing history in the development of Nova Scotia.

Town Halls: Refresh of the UGME Curriculum

In August 2020, the Curriculum Refresh Committee was formed to assess the strengths and gaps/areas of improvement of the pre-clerkship and clerkship years of the undergraduate medical education program. Over the past six months, the Curriculum Refresh Committee and its working groups have been exploring aspects related to their respective themes through a variety of methods including reviewing current objectives, course content, and student evaluations; conducting environmental scans and literature reviews; and consulting with groups/individuals.

The next step of the curriculum renewal process is to gather feedback from the medical school community on the work to date. The Curriculum Refresh Committee will be hosting a series of virtual town hall feedback sessions that will address each of the key themes that have been identified as part of the curriculum refresh. More information about the town hall feedback sessions, including dates and summaries of each working group’s work to date, can be found on the Dal Med website.

The input of the medical school community into the curriculum refresh process will be critical to its success and I encourage you to participate. With your help, we look forward to continuing the tradition of training medical professionals with a commitment to lifelong learning, excellence in patient care, high ethical standards, and accountability to society for the responsibilities entrusted to them. 

COVID-19 Updates

The Faculty of Medicine COVID-19 information page is updated regularly and contains the relevant information for all medical learners, researchers, graduate students, faculty, and staff. Remember to check your emails daily for updates from Dalhousie University, and Public Health directives/health authority notifications. Your continued patience and understanding in this evolving situation are deeply appreciated, and with vaccines now being available, I look forward to the day when we can all safely return to campus.

Return to Campus

In a recent email from Dalhousie University, a number of general updates on Return to Campus and Dalhousie’s ongoing response to COVID-19 are outlined, including planning for spring/summer and fall terms, returns to campus and research, events and gatherings, and travel.

Based on Canada’s current vaccine timeline, we are optimistic Dalhousie will be able to offer an expansion of on-campus learning this fall, followed by a winter term that looks more like our normal academic experience. Several important factors will continue to affect any decisions related to our academic offerings. These include vaccine production and distribution, expanding testing regimens, ongoing public health restrictions, and the state of domestic and international travel.

Voice of the Resident Survey Results

The Postgraduate Medical Education office has released selected results of their 2020 Voice of the Resident (VotR) survey, which is undertaken each year as part of their educational Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) efforts. Dalhousie Medical School is proud of our residency training programs, and pleased to see that on this year’s questionnaire, over 90% of Dalhousie residents rated their training experience as being good to excellent. The survey also revealed some areas for improvement, particularly relating to resident wellness and under-representation of minority groups. In collaboration with our healthcare and community partners in all three Maritime provinces, we are making concerted efforts to address these concerns.

2020 Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration

Congratulations to Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, and an Adjunct Assistant Professor, in the Department of Health Care and Epidemiology, for being named the recipient of the 2020 Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration. The medal is awarded annually to a person who works in public administration and exhibits the highest standard of excellence, dedication, and accomplishment.

I was extremely pleased to see Dr. Strang recognized for his many years of service guiding Nova Scotia’s public health and health promotion policies at the highest levels. Long before the current pandemic, Dr. Strang was taking strong leadership and advocacy positions on such vitally important health issues as vaping, alcohol and other substance use, tobacco, immunization, physical activity, poverty reduction, healthy eating, and food security. He has long stood for the health of Nova Scotians and Canadians and has been a trustworthy source of clear, accurate, and helpful leader for Nova Scotians then and now.

Arthur B. McDonald Chair of Research Excellence

Congratulations to Dr. John Archibald, Dal’s newest Arthur B. McDonald Chair of Research Excellence. He joins fellow researchers Dr. Randall Martin and Dr. Jean Marshall, who were the inaugural chairholders in 2016, and Dr. Mark Stradiotto, who became chair in 2020. The Arthur B. McDonald Chair of Research Excellence was established as a way to honour Dr. McDonald, a Dalhousie alumnus and Nobel laureate, and to recognize and retain high-calibre professors at the university.

Born in Quebec and raised in Nova Scotia, Dr. Archibald completed his Ph.D. in the laboratory of Dal’s own Ford Doolittle. He then carried out postdoctoral studies with Dr. Patrick Keeling at the University of British Columbia. He returned to Dal as a faculty member in 2003 and is director of Dalhousie’s Centre for Comparative Genomics & Evolutionary Bioinformatics. We are pleased to celebrate the incredible impact Dr. Archibald’s work is having in his field and his role in training the next generation of molecular biologists.

Read more in Dal Med News.

Dr. Charles J.A. Hayes Lifetime Contribution Award

Dr. David Pilon was recently recognized by the Association of Psychologists of Nova Scotia (APNS) with a lifetime contribution award for his extensive advocacy, mentorship, and leadership in psychological services in the province and beyond. Dr. Pilon, director of counselling and psychological services at Dal’s Student Health & Wellness Centre and an assistant professor of psychiatry in Dal’s Faculty of Medicine, is the first recipient of the Dr. Charles J.A. Hayes Lifetime Contribution Award, which is named after a well-respected psychologist and long-time APNS member and pioneer. APNS says the award serves to recognize depth and engagement of long-term service, honouring those psychologists who have spent a significant part of their professional lifetime actively participating in the APNS mentoring and supporting individual psychologists and students, as well as advocating for the profession of psychology at the provincial, national, and international level.

Read more about Dr. Pilon’s well-deserved recognition in Dal Med News.

Arthritis Society Top 10 Research Advances of 2020

Congratulations to Dr. Jason McDougall, whose research was recently featured by the Arthritis Society of Canada on their Top 10 Research Advances of 2020. Dr. McDougall’s research identified a natural cannabinoid system in animal joints that is effective in relieving neuropathic and inflammatory pain associated with osteoarthritis. He also discovered new cannabis constituents that may help patients better manage their pain.

 

 

 

SKIP’s First Annual Report to the Community & Video

Congratulations to Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP), a national knowledge mobilization network, on the release of their inaugural annual report to the community. With cross-Canadian collaboration and a singular vision to improve pain management for children, SKIP has achieved many significant milestones over the past year. To read their annual report, click here.

 

Music in Medicine

I was heartened to read in a CBC article earlier this month, that Dr. Andrew Lynk, chief of pediatrics at Dalhousie and the IWK Health Centre, was highlighted for composing songs to help cope with the stresses related to being a physician. Physician wellness is of the utmost importance, and Dr. Lynk’s message to students and other health care workers to have an outlet to deal with the weight of helping families through some of their most difficult moments is an admirable one. To read the full CBC article, click here.

 

Global Health Awards

Congratulations to the 2020 Global Health Award winners: Ms. Rachel Ollivier, Dr. Brendan Morgan & Dr. Lisa Barrett. The Global Health Awards were established to recognize the outstanding contribution made to the global health community by our medical faculty and residents as well as students in Medicine, Health and Dentistry. For more information about the Global Health Awards, please visit the Global Health Office website.

 

2021 Nova Scotia Health Quality Award Winners

Congratulations to all Faculty of Medicine faculty and staff who were recently recognized by the 2021 Nova Scotia Health Quality Awards. The Nova Scotia Health Quality Awards are a celebration of the incredible work taking place across the organization in support of quality improvement, patient safety, patient experience, diversity and inclusion and teamwork. To view this year’s winners in each category, click here.

 

Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute Cancer Research Training Program Awardees

Congratulations to Mr. Nick Dawe, Dr. Smitha George, Ms. Kateryna Kratzer, Mr. Vishnu Kumar and Dr. Sina Mazinani, for being named the newest recipients of the Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute Cancer Research Training Program (CRTP) awards. To date, the Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute has awarded over $4.9M in stipend support to 136 Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and residents. Through the CRTP, trainees have access to a program designed to expose them to all aspects of cancer research. Stipend support for the five newest CRTP trainees is provided by the Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation through their Rosetti, Sawyer and C. MacDougall endowments, as well as funds provided through DMRF from the Telus Motorcycle Ride for Dad and an anonymous gift to support a breast cancer research project.

To learn more about these projects please visit the BHCRI website.

DRMF Capital Grant competition

I am pleased to announce that the following researchers were the successful recipients of the DRMF Capital Grant competition. Applications for research equipment from investigators in the Faculty of Medicine were judged on the basis of scientific merit, impact on the research program and perceived need.

• Deniz Top (Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Pharmacology)
• Sandra Meier (Department of Psychiatry)
• David Langelaan (Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)
• Zhenyu Cheng (Department of Microbiology & Immunology)
• Ketul Chaudhary (Department of Physiology and Biophysics)
• Cheryl Kozey (School of Biomedical Engineering, School of Health and Human Performance)
• Kerry Goralski (College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics)
• Eileen Denovan-Wright (Department of Pharmacology)
• Rebecca Moyer (School of Physiotherapy)

Congratulations to all!

CAME Wooster Family Grant in Medical Education

Congratulations to Dr. Andrew Glennie, an orthopedic surgeon and assistant professor at in Dalhousie’s Department of Surgery. Dr. Glennie is the principal investigator of the project, Exploring Faculty Perceptions of Medical Student Mistreatment in Surgical Clerkship. He is the 2021 recipient of the grant, which is awarded to recognize excellence in medical education. Dr. Glennie is the head of surgical clerkship and a member of the simulation advisory committee for both undergraduate and post-graduate medicine. He is also a member of the post-graduate training program in the Division of Orthopedics and focuses significant effort on unique competency assessments.

Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition

Congratulations to Medical Neuroscience PhD student, Tareq Yousef, on finishing third in Monday’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Eastern Regional competition! The third-place medalist competed virtually against six other grad students from Atlantic Canadian and Quebec universities. He was also the winner of Dal’s 2020 3MT competition. The annual event, organized by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, challenges master’s and doctoral students to share the complexities of their research in front of an audience and a panel of judges with only one PowerPoint slide and three minutes to make their point. You can watch Tareq’s presentation on YouTube and learn more about the competition and past winners on Dal Med News.

CMA Foundation COVID-19 Support for Medical Learners Bursary

The Canadian Medical Association Foundation is introducing a second round of a bursaries for medical students and residents experiencing extraneous or unanticipated expenses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The bursary is designed to provide immediate relief for unexpected financial needs such as the inability to meet essential living expenses due specifically to COVID-19. While it is not intended to be a source of long-term funding or to replace lost income or to support discretionary expenses, students and residents at Dalhousie Medical School are able to apply for short-term assistance to support anyone who may be experiencing financial hardship as a direct result of COVID-19. The deadline to apply is February 12 by 5PM. To learn more about the CMA Foundation COVID-19 Support for Medical Learners Bursary and its application process, please visit the Dal Med News website.

Mini Medical School 2021

The 15th year of Mini Medical School launched on January 13^th with a fully virtual delivery of presentations. Mini Med School is a great example of the way the Faculty of Medicine gives back to the community, with faculty members sharing some of the same material medical students learn, to the public. Those who attend can hear from leading physicians in their field on a wide range of topics in a virtual setting. The program is set to run Wednesday evenings from January 13, 2021 – February 24, 2021, and there will be no cost to attend. To view the full program, click here. 

Dal.ca Web Renewal Project Survey

As you have likely already heard, Dalhousie is embarking on a multi-year project to deliver a new university website. The Web Renewal Project Team wants to hear more from you on how we can build a better dal.ca to meet the communication needs of our community. Their team is currently in the planning phase of the project and are seeking feedback in this early phase to identify key considerations, challenge assumptions, and inform the path forward. If you haven not already done so, please share your perspective by completing a 5-minute Dal.ca user survey. The survey will be open until January 31.

2021 Annual Faculty Meeting

Save the date! The 2021 Annual Faculty Meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at 5 p.m. An agenda with background information including written reports will be circulated closer to the date.

If you have any questions regarding the format of the Annual Meeting, please contact the Chair of Faculty Council, Dr. Karim Mukhida (kmukhida@dal.ca) or Anne Weeden (anne.weeden@dal.ca).

Mental Health Supports

For faculty, staff and students, I encourage those who need it to reach out and find support through Dalhousie’s Student Health & Wellness Centre, committed to providing quality primary and mental health care services. Appointments may be booked online or by calling 902-494-2171. Employee and Family Assistance is also available for confidential support at 1-800-387-4765 or http://workhealthlife.com.

 

As we begin 2021, I want to take a moment to reflect on 2020. Despite uncertain times, I took great pride and satisfaction in seeing the Dal Med community adapt quickly change based on the circumstances that surround us. Your efforts contribute to realizing the promise of better days to come, here at Dalhousie and throughout the world.