March 2020 | Pour accéder à la version française de ce bulletin, cliquez ici .
Message from the Interim Chair
 
Thank you to all for the smooth transition to going virtual and to adapting so quickly to these circumstances. I am thankful to those involved in making it happen and sincerely appreciate the positive energy you've brought forward. Your hard work, flexibility and dedication during this time does not go unnoticed.

We continue to work diligently with university, faculty, affiliated hospitals & research institutes to develop practical measures for our learners. I echo the Dean's message from earlier this week; every one of us has a role to play in combatting this pandemic. Together, we will rise to the challenge.

As the COVID-19 situation is evolving, please check the uOttawa and Faculty of Medicine websites regularly for the latest updates. Don't forget that your Postgraduate Director, your Unit Directors and myself are always available to hear your perspective and concerns.
CALL OUT: The QCH is proactively seeking physician staffing for the opening of a new clinic. The West COVID-19 Care Clinic on Moodie drive in Ottawa will only be seeing patients with mild-moderate URI symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat). Interested applicants are to contact Kristian Gundersen at kgundersen@qch.on.ca with the following: CPSO number, CMPA coverage documentation and a signed pledge of confidentiality form .

Apart from following the steps that have been recommended to reduce the risk of Coronavirus infection, please don’t forget to tend to your emotional wellness . Eat well. Sleep well. Practice Mindfulness. Meditate. Take a walk in the fresh air. Observe social distancing, however, continue to check in with your friends and neighbours. In this day of self-isolation, people can start to feel isolated. You are not alone.

The OMA Physician Health Program 's Medical Director, Dr. Joy Albuquerque, is offering free services to support family physicians from Monday to Friday via Zoom from noon to 1pm. Access the MD-led virtual chats here. There is no expectation to attend with any frequency; the intention is support, gathering together physicians to feel less isolated, and more.
Earlier this month, the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, announced  21 new appointments to the Order of Ontario .  Join me in congratulating  Dr. Lyne Pitre, an appointee named to the province's highest honour!  She has trained more than 200 family physicians in her career, and through her clinic brought French-language health care to Francophones across Ontario.  Find her interview here!
Lastly, congratulations to our medical students who had their CaRMS Match Day on March 3, 2020! 99.4% of students have matched from the 2020 MD Class of the University of Ottawa. Thank you to all who have helped with the short window for review for the second round of CaRMS applicants!
Messages of Hope:
“Perseverance, Persian Style”

By:   Dr. Parisa Rezaiefar
   
I feel compelled to share with you a message of hope in this very difficult time from the perspective of someone who has seen a crisis or two in life. Please see my e-cards accompanied by a couple of messages of hope. They are from my reflections as I prepare an art exhibit in collaboration with my nephew, an artist who lives in Iran, called "Perseverance, Persian Style" for our Bruyère art gallery in April. What better time than now to share some of these reflections with you in advance at a time most needed. 
uOttawa research at the heart of Canada’s response to COVID-19
 
As the number of reported cases and countries affected by the coronavirus keep increasing, the entire research community is engaged in a race against the clock to develop an effective vaccine. Five University of Ottawa researchers have received funding to participate in Canada’s rapid research response to fight the coronavirus.
Medical Officer Dr. Vera Etches guides Ottawa through the unknown

Her down-to-earth manner and calm intelligence have steadied Ottawa through a ground-shifting few weeks. Medical Officer of Health Dr. Vera Etches has become an instant household name and the most trusted local voice through the COVID-19 pandemic. But many watching the regular updates on television know little about the person behind the lab coat.
Comments from uOttawa experts in the media

As we work from home during this coronavirus crisis, media outlets across the country are avidly seeking expert opinions from University of Ottawa researchers and professors. Here are 11 comments from our experts this week that will keep you well informed, in either official language.
Update on upcoming events

All incoming and outgoing electives for medical students and residents have been cancelled in addition to clerkship rotations, community preceptor programs and observerships. Medical school exams will be converted to online. Lastly, The Ottawa Hospital has cancelled all Research Grand Rounds until the end of June.

CANCELLED March 26: Research Grand Rounds
CANCELLED March 27: Academic Half-Day
CANCELLED March 27: Meredith Marks Day
VIRTUAL INTERVIEWS March: CaRMS second iteration
CANCELLED April: Community Journal Club
VIRTUAL SESSION April 3: Faculty Development Half Day
VIRTUAL SESSION April 14 avril: Manuscript Writing Series 4
TBD April 23: Research Grand Rounds
VIRTUAL SESSION TBD April 24: Academic Half-Day
CANCELLED April 24: DFM Support Staff Retreat
TBD June 4: RIO Day
POSTPONED June 12: DFM New Faculty Welcome and Faculty Development Half-Day
TBD June 19: Community Resident Graduation Dinner
Helpful resources for those working remotely

In order to minimize the spread of Coronavirus, most uOttawa staff, students and Faculty members are working from home. Setting up a home workspace is often easier said than done, especially when it comes to IT. Here are a few resources to get you off to a productive start.
uOttawa VPN network

It's nice to feel connected to the University when working from home... and we understand that sometimes our VPN might feel like a warm, digital hug. But we kindly ask that when you don't need to access the uOttawa server, please disconnect!
Join us for the FIRST VIRTUAL Faculty 
Development Half Day!
 
Join us on Friday, April 3, 2020 (12:30pm to 5:30pm) for the FIRST VIRTUAL Faculty Development Half-Day! We've added a new session: Tips for flipping your teaching online (without flipping out) . This afternoon session offers hands-on, practical tips for faculty on teaching online, promotion, helping learners in difficulty, and learning the difference between mentorship and coaching.
DFM STAFF UPDATE

We would like to extend a sincere congratulations to the following team members on their new positions this year:

  • Rebecca Celestin on her temporary assignment in the role of Faculty Development, Curriculum and Global Health Coordinator.

  • Welcome back to Renelle Trepanier on her temporary assignment in the role of Finance Officer.

  • Renelle Trepanier will also be assuming the role of Postgraduate Montfort Coordinator for the next 6 weeks to replace Diane Lachapelle who has retired. We wish her the best and thank her for the great work during her years of service!

  • Asiya Rolson on her temporary assignment in the role of Faculty and Departmental Affairs Coordinator during Stephanie Mantha's maternity leave.

  • Welcome to Yasmine Robinson, the new Communications Intern, who's joined the team as part of the uOttawa work-study program!
 
  • It is with great sadness that we bid farewell to Pascal Laliberté in his role as Postgraduate Civic Coordinator. Pascal has been with our Department for over 15 years and will be missed by all his colleagues. We wish him the best of luck in his new role at The Ottawa Hospital! 

  • Ashley Mautbur will be moving from the Riverside site to assume Pascal's position as Postgraduate Civic Coordinator.

  • Chandra Landry will be leaving the PGY2 Coordinator position and moving to the Riverside to assume Ashley's position as Postgraduate Riverside Coordinator.

  • As we prepare for Chandra Landry's maternity leave in April, Julia Testa will be leaving her role as Postgraduate Program Coordinator to fill the Postgraduate Riverside Coordinator position as a temporary assignment.

  • Stefan Maksimovic will be moving to Peter Morand to assume Julia's position as Postgraduate Program Coordinator as a temporary assignment.

  • Marisa Duval on her temporary assignment of the PGY2 Coordinator position.
Joining the DFM virtually!

By: Stefan Maksimovic
 
"The last week or so has certainly been a whirlwind - for everyone. I've been very warmly, and virtually, welcomed by my new team. At this point, I think it would be wasteful not to write a book on how to jump into a brand new job virtually for other positions similar to mine, right? Looking forward to the future here at the DFM!"
Welcome from your new Program Chief!

                                                          By: Julia Buthmann

"My name is Dr. Julia Buthmann and I am very excited to have been selected as uOttawa’s next Family Medicine Program Chief Resident! I am currently a first year resident, based at the Civic Family Health Team (...) What excites me the most about becoming Program Chief Resident is the opportunity to give back to the community of faculty and residents, to develop my leadership skills and to advocate for the well-being of our residents. I have a great interest in teaching and mentorship and have had the opportunity to be involved in various student-run support and interest groups..."
uOttawa Medical students for HCP

uOttawa medical students are generously mobilizing to help health care providers (HCP) on the front line of COVID-19. As most of them have had their classes and rotations canceled, they would love to show their support by donating their time in assisting you with childcare/babysitting, pet care, and grocery runs - whatever they can do to best help you. 

Services will occur off-campus and has no affiliation with the university. A huge thanks to the medical students for this thoughtful student-run initiative!

Questions? Please contact  Heidi Li  (MD 2021) or   Simran Aggarwal  (MD 2022).
Please note, Research Grant Rounds scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2020, has been cancelled . We are exploring the possibility of hosting the RGR of April 23 online via Zoom only.
Perth doctor rigs up solution to feared ventilator shortage

By: CBC Ottawa

A doctor in eastern Ontario has improvised a way to double his small hospital's ventilator capacity in preparation for a possible COVID-19 outbreak. Anesthetist Dr. Alain Gauthier , who has a PhD in respiratory mechanics and works in Perth, west of Ottawa, spotted the idea in a YouTube video...
Nominations: Ontario College of Family Physicians Awards 2020

The 2020 OCFP Awards are coming up! Recognize the outstanding work that your colleagues contribute to Ontario patients and communities. The OCFP is accepting nominations for:

  1. Regional Family Physician of the Year
  2. Leaders for a Healthy Ontario Award - System Changers
  3. Community Educator Award
  4. The Early Years Award
  5. Family Medicine Resident of the Year - Ontario's Rising Star
  6. Medical Student of the Year
  7. Awards of Excellence

Nomination deadline has been extended to May.
Clinical guideline for homeless, vulnerably housed people and people with lived homelessness experience

By: Kevin Pottie, Claire E. Kendall, David Ponka & more

Homeless and vulnerably housed populations are heterogeneous and continue to grow in numbers in urban and rural settings as forces of urbanization collide with gentrification and austerity policies. Collectively, they face dangerous living conditions and marginalization within health care systems. However, providers can improve the health of people who are homeless or vulnerably housed, most powerfully by following evidence-based initial steps, and working with communities and adopting anti-oppressive practices.
What our experts are saying about social distancing

Perhaps you’ve seen the meme. A row of matches catching fire one after another, until one is removed. It stops the fire from spreading to the rest of the matches next in line.
This image best illustrates social distancing, one of the best public health measures available to stem the rapid spread of the coronavirus. Sure, you might feel great, but you could be carrying this virus for up to 14 days without showing symptoms.
Nominations: 2020 President’s Awards for Service Excellence

uOttawa invites you to recognize the work of support staff who consistently demonstrate creativity and initiative in meeting client needs and in improving the university experience. Four individual prizes of $1000 are awarded , along with two team awards .

To nominate someone, log into  My Info , confirm your employee group, select Awards and Recognition and then President’s Awards for Service Excellence. The deadline for nominations is March 30.
Ottawa River Psychology Group events
 
Given the network of physician wellness leads at each partner hospital in Ottawa, the Ottawa River Psychology Group is inviting international trainers to build networks and practice community in the NCR region. We hope this will be of benefit to the professionals and patients we all serve! Faculty members will receive a 10% discount on any of the events below by using code ‘Sangha’ upon checkout.

The Ottawa River Psychology Group is co-hosting professional training events in Ottawa this year. We hope that psychologists, psychotherapists and other health professionals with an interest in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, and Mindful Self Compassion will join us.

Virtual First Annual Meeting of the Canadian Network for Compassion Focused Therapy at uOttawa, May 15, 2020. Register here.
Two Day Professional Training on The Therapeutic Relationship in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with ACT Founder Dr. Kelly Wilson The Deepest Kindness at University of Ottawa September 4-5 , 2020. Register here.
Virtual One Day Professional Training in Fierce Compassion with Mindful Self Compassion Researcher, Professor and Author Dr. Kristin Neff at Gatineau Golf & Country Club November 7, 2020. Register here.

Virtual Mindful self-compassion for front line healthcare professionals . Course will be offered to physicians and nurses online in June and July (covered by health insurance). More information: info@ottawariverpsychology.com
Read more for updates from the Undergraduate Program, Postgraduate Program and Faculty Development.
Did you read our first issue of INNOVATION? We hope you enjoyed it -  Please share your feedback. All issues will be posted to our website.
DFM Job Board

Visit our website  for part-time and full-time positions available for physicians at external and affiliated clinics, as well as locum opportunities in Ottawa and across Canada. 
For details on each event, please access the Virtual Campus .

Friday, April 3: Faculty Development Half-Day (virtual)

Friday, April 3: Nomination deadline -  Program Director of the Year Award
 
Friday, April 3: Nomination deadline - International Resident Leadership Award

Friday, April 3: Nomination deadline Resident Kristin Sivertz Award

Friday, April 3: Nomination deadline International Medical Educator of the Year Award

Tuesday, April 14: Manuscript Writing Series 4 (virtual)

Sunday, April 19 to Monday, April 20:

Thursday, April 23: Research Grand Rounds (virtual)



Monday, February 15, 2021: