DOM MONTHLY NEWSLETTER |
JUNE 15, 2022
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- May 30 - Katie Martin was promoted from Administrative Assistant to Team Lead in the Division of General Internal Medicine. Katie supports Drs. Tran, McLeod, Shetty, Wahab, Rebello and Connors.
- June 13 - Anee Mendoza is returning to the Division of General Internal Medicine as Administrative Assistant.
- June 13 - Emike Ibeagboade will switch positions in the Central Internal Medicine Education Office from Interim Undergraduate Coordinator to Education Coordinator (full-time) with a focus on Competence by Design for postgrad. A coverage plan will be in place to bridge the gap for Undergraduate items. Nina Nedic returns from her maternity leave July 6, 2022 to the role of Undergraduate Coordinator. Thank you to Isha Seth who has moved (but not far!) within the Department to Project Manager, Strategic Planning & Communications and wish her all the best in her exciting new portfolio.
- June 20 - Lynn Bystrom is returning to the Division of Hematology as Administrative Assistant.
- A warm welcome to Jillian Vandenbrand joining our team the end of June as the Research Program Administrative Coordinator. Jillian has worked with Alberta Health Services since 2016 as a Research and Education Coordinator and most recently as a Research Administration Coordinator with experience in all aspects of the research administration process including industry, QI, and academic study design! Jillian can be reached at the end of June at jillian.vandenbrand@nshealth.ca or 902-473-2255.
- July 1 - Dr. Karam Al Jumaily has completed subspecialty residency training and starts a locum with the Division of Respirology
- July 1 - Dr. Alexandra Legge recently completed a UIMRF Research Fellowship and will join the Division of Rheumatology on a full-time basis.
- July 1 - Dr. Margaret Sheridan has completed subspecialty residency training and will join the Divisions of Medical Oncology for a locum and fellowship.
- July 11 - Dr. Andrew Caddell has completed subspecialty residency training and will join the Division of Cardiology as well as Cardiovascular Surgery.
- July 11 - Dr. Alex Rogers has completed subspecialty residency training and will join the Division of Geriatric Medicine.
- August 1 - Dr. Shannon Murphy recently completed subspecialty residency training and is returning to the Department of Medicine and Division of Hematology.
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- May 30 - Melissa Chaffey has left her position as GIM Team Lead and moved to another opportunity at Nova Scotia Health.
- In May, Drs. Mary & A. Daniel Malebranche left the Divisions of General Internal Medicine and Cardiology for opportunities outside Nova Scotia Health.
- June 30 - Dr. Tallal Younis, Researcher and Medical Oncologist, has moved to a new opportunity with United Arab Emirates University.
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Interim Heads for the Division of General Internal Medicine
~ a message from Dr. Simon Jackson, Executive Medical Director (interim) and Dr. Christine Short, Head, Department of Medicine ~
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Drs. Magnus McLeod and Allen Tran as the interim Heads for the Division of General Internal Medicine as of April 1, 2022. We would like to thank Dr. Nabha Shetty for her leadership of the division over the last 2 years.
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Dr. Magnus McLeod is a specialist of General Internal Medicine and Hepatology at the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Originally from Merritt, BC, he obtained his medical degree from St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies in 2011. He came to Halifax, Nova Scotia for his Internal Medicine as well as General Internal Medicine fellowship training. He received his Royal College Diploma in Hepatology in 2021. He has been on the Faculty of Dalhousie since 2015, currently appointed as an Assistant Professor. He is a member of the Atlantic Multi-Organ Transplant Program (MOTP) with academic and clinical interests including Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), Autoimmune Liver Disease, and Liver Transplant. From 2017-2020 he was the Associate Program Director for Core Internal Medicine at Dalhousie University as well as the Chair of the Competence Committee for Internal Medicine. He has been an active member of a number of regional and national committees most notably the Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver (CASL) and since 2020 has been on the CASL Research Committee and CASL Guidelines Committee.
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Dr. Allen Tran graduated from the University of Alberta’s medical school in 2012. He then completed his core internal medicine residency training and his general internal medicine subspecialty training at Dalhousie University. During his GIM training, he developed a clinical focus in thrombosis. Additionally, he was awarded a postgraduate diploma in medical education from Dundee University’s medical education program in 2020. He joined the division of GIM at Dalhousie University in 2017 as an assistant professor. Medical education has been another interest of Allen’s, and he has been the program director for the GIM residency program since 2019. He has been recognized with various medical education awards at the local and national levels for teaching and educational programs. He was a recipient of a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Medical Education Research Grant in 2021 for an ongoing study on learner handover. He is also an advocate for incorporating point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to augment the clinical impression. Allen has been involved in the implementation of POCUS training for both the core internal medicine and GIM programs.
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Dr. Babar Haroon Appointed Associate Dean,
Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME)
Congratulations. Dr. Haroon! We look forward to seeing you flourish in your new role. Learn more about Dr. Haroon’s appointment in this message from Dr. Dean Anderson, Dean, Faculty of Medicine.
On behalf of the Faculty of Medicine, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Babar Haroon has been appointed Associate Dean, Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME), for a five-year term, effective July 1, 2022.
Dr. Haroon is an Associate Professor cross-appointed in the Department of Critical Care and the Division of General Internal Medicine at Dalhousie University. He completed a Master’s in Education at Acadia University and has a strong interest in medical education, formerly holding the position of Program Director of the Adult Critical Care Subspecialty Training Program. He developed the simulation education program in the Department of Medicine, and as the Medical Director of Learning for the QEII Simulation Program, guided simulation delivery at the QEII with an interprofessional lens in a distributed environment.
Nationally, Dr. Haroon serves as the education director for the Canadian Critical Care Society and as a member on the education committee for the Canadian Society of Internal Medicine. At the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada he serves as a national examiner in Internal Medicine and in his role as a surveyor, has been part of numerous postgraduate accreditation visits.
Dr. Haroon has been recognized for his excellence in teaching by numerous awards at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in both Internal Medicine and Critical Care.
As Associate Dean, PGME, Dr. Haroon will provide strategic and administrative leadership in the Faculty of Medicine for postgraduate (residency) programs of the College of Family Physicians of Canada, and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He will provide academic leadership and management oversight of the development and delivery of the curriculum, assessment, and evaluation of all residency programs.
In announcing Dr. Haroon’s appointment, we would like to thank Dr. Andrew Warren for his outstanding contributions to the Faculty of Medicine as Associate Dean, PGME, over his two terms. He has been an exceptional leader and trusted teacher, and we are so grateful to have had him serve in the position for 10 years.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Haroon on his appointment.
Dr. David Anderson
Dean, Faculty of Medicine
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Dr. Nicholas Forward appointed DoM Clerkship Director
Congratulations to Dr. Nicholas Forward, DoM Clerkship Director (effective June 2022). Dr. Forward comes to the position with past experience as Assistant Clerkship Director. The Education Office is excited to continue working with Dr. Forward on the undergraduate curriculum portfolio!
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The DoM Human Resources team is located on the fourth floor of the Bethune. The knowledgeable team is available to help you with any questions you may have. Learn more about the team members and how to reach them. | |
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Lesley Dagley, Manager
Lesley is one of the HR Managers and works with the divisions of Digestive Care & Endoscopy, Endocrinology, General Internal Medicine, Hematology, Infectious Diseases, Neurology and Palliative Medicine. Lesley holds a BA and a Human Resources Management Post Diploma. Lesley’s HR experience spans the private sector, working at Nova Scotia Health (formerly Capital Health) and the IWK. She has been with the DoM for 5 years. One of her favourite aspects about her job is learning about her team members’ future aspirations and providing support to help people achieve their professional goals. She admits that even through the performance appraisals can be nerve-wracking for staff, she finds this is the best way to learn about how to help her team move forward and grow. Lesley currently lives in Chester Basin with her husband, 2 children and cat. While she was in university, Lesley worked on a production line building car tires!
Lesley can be reached at lesley.dagley@nshealth.ca or cell: 902-717-7189.
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Crystal Leverman, Manager
Crystal joined the DoM in January, and most recently was the Manager of Performance and Oversight at the NS Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) where she was responsible for the operational work related to Physician and AFP Master Agreements. Over her 7 years with DHW, she led strategic physician initiatives such as the Return of Service Programs and was responsible for managing 12 AFPs. Crystal will have departmental responsibility for the divisions of Cardiology, Dermatology, Geriatric Medicine, Medical Oncology, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Respirology and Rheumatology. When she’s not hard at work, Crystal enjoys spending time outdoors: taking long early morning walks, biking, and gardening.
Crystal can be reached at crystal.leverman@nshealth.ca or cell: 902-223-5687.
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Cara Yee, Assistant Manager
We welcome Cara back to the Department of Medicine! Cara started working at Nova Scotia Health (formerly Capital Health) in 1998 and has held various administrative positions. From 2007-2017, Cara was the Team Lead in Cardiology, and for the past 6 years, was a Credentialing Office with the Medical Affairs team. In March Cara “returned home” in a new role as Assistant Manager. Cara works closely with Lesley and Crystal to meet the HR needs and support the strategic plan of the department. Cara was born and raised in Halifax and currently lives in Clayton Park. She has been married to her husband, Elroy, for 19 years and they have two beautiful children together: Jack, 17, and Amelia, 9. She also has a 13-year-old cantankerous chihuahua named Portia. Her hobbies include spending time with her family, traveling (when COVID allows), and shopping! Cara loves Chinese food, is a Disney addict, and was a figure skater in her younger years.
Cara can be reached at Cara.Yee@nshealth.ca or cell: 902-430-0110.
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DoM Members, Dr. Strang honoured with
Platinum Jubilee Medal
Lt.-Gov. Arthur J. LeBlanc announced June 2 that the Queen has approved the design of the Platinum Jubilee Medal. Over the coming months, it will be awarded to 5,000 Nova Scotians in recognition of significant contributions and service to the province.
We congratulate all of the recipients for this well-deserved honour. Your commitment and dedication to the profession and our province is a continuous source of pride.
Dr. Lisa Barrett, Infectious Diseases
For services to Health and COVID/Pandemic Relief, Halifax
Dr. Sultan Darvesh, Neurology
For service to Science, Halifax
Dr. Shelly McNeil, Infectious Diseases
For services to Health and COVID/Pandemic Relief, Halifax
Dr. Robert Strang
For services to Health and COVID/Pandemic Relief, Fall River
Read the full news release here: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20220602001
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Dr. John Hanly recognized by the Canadian Rheumatology Association | |
Congratulations to Dr. John Hanly for being named 2022 CRA Distinguished Rheumatologist from the Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA). Dr. Hanly is a Master of both the Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA) and American College of Rheumatology (ACR). Dr. Hanly joined the DoM in 1987 and is currently a Professor of Medicine and Pathology. A former Head of the Division of Rheumatology, Dr. Hanly currently serves as the Rheumatology Division’s Research Director and is the Director of the Dalhousie University Lupus Clinic. Dr. Hanly has received acclaim as a clinician, teacher, and clinical investigator. His focus has been the study of pathogenic mechanisms of systemic lupus erythematosus and their clinical outcomes. The CRA cites his most significant contributions to be related to the effects of lupus on the brain and other parts of the nervous system.
https://rheum.ca/awards/2022-award-recipients/dr-john-hanly/
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Inaugural Quality Day - May 31, 2022
On Tuesday, May 31, 2022, the Quality Improvement Steering Committee (QISC) hosted its first annual Quality Day on Zoom Events. Dr. Siddiqi, Quality Director and QISC Chair was the emcee and led attendees through the half-day event featuring a keynote presentation by Dr. Dick Zoutman of Queen’s University, podium presentations, and an expo hall featuring 15 posters focusing on quality initiatives.
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Dr. Zoutman, whose primary focus of his academic research has been the use of Quality Improvement Science in advancing health care quality and infectious disease, gave two presentations throughout the day.
He delivered his first talk, “Quality Improvement: Out of the Crisis Again” during Grand Rounds. His second talk, “Towards a Unified Theory of Things” kicked off Quality Day. Thank you for everyone who presented and participated in this event.
See a full list of abstracts [PDF] presented at Quality Day.
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Congratulations to the Quality Day Award Winners! | |
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Dr. Parkash and Dr. Tennankore featured for
2021 Making Waves Awards
In December, Nova Scotia Health announced the recipients of the Making Waves Awards which recognizes the exemplary efforts and contributions that advance NSH’s vision, mission, values and strategic directions. Learn more about award recipients Dr. Ratika Parkash and Dr. Karthik Tennankore who are featured on the NSH website this month.
Outstanding Researcher Award
Dr. Ratika Parkash, Division of Cardiology
Read article on nshealth.ca (June 3, 2022)
Early Career/Emerging Researcher Award
Dr. Karthik Tennankore, Division of Nephrology
Read article on nshealth.ca (June 3, 2022)
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Dr. Ratika Parkash spotlight in QEII Times COVID-19 Health Heroes
Dr. Ratika Parkash, Cardiologist and Director of Research and Hearth Rhythm, was featured in the June 10 edition of QEII Times for her team’s research funded by the Nova Scotia COVID-19 Health Research Coalition.
https://www.qe2times.ca/new-thank-you---qeii-covid-19-health-heroes-384
June 9, 2022
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Q&A with Michelle Morrison, Health Services Manager, CCU | |
QEII Foundation Comfort & Care grants creating big impact in the QEII’s CCU
Michelle Morrison, health services manager (far right), with members of the QEII’s Coronary Care Unit team, who are proud past recipients of several QEII Foundation Comfort & Care grants. These grants are 100 per cent donor-funded. QEII Foundation
June 9, 2022
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New study discovers correlation between insulin resistance and treatment-resistant bipolar depression
Dr. Cynthia Calkin (right), QEII psychiatrist, led the world-leading research connecting treatment-resistant bipolar depression and insulin resistance. Working with colleague Dr. Thomas Ransom (left), QEII endocrinologist, Dr. Calkin’s published research shows patients had significant improvement in depression, anxiety, and overall functioning when treated with metformin, a drug used for decades to treat type 2 diabetes. (Photo taken prior to COVID-19 pandemic) QEII Foundation
June 9, 2022
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A life's work - Prestigious Ryman Prize | |
Renowned QEII geriatrician, Dr. Ken Rockwood, receives Ryman Prize
In December, Dr. Kenneth Rockwood, QEII geriatrician, was awarded the 2021 Ryman Prize, recognizing his more than 30 years of research, collaboration, and practical clinical work with older adults. Presented to Dr. Rockwood in a virtual ceremony by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, the Ryman Prize is for the world’s best discovery, development, advancement or achievement that enhances the quality of life for older people.
June 9, 2022
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Dr. Kenneth Rockwood: Use of UVC light as an additional disinfectant in LTC facilities
In this webinar, watch Dr. Kenneth Rockwood, Senior Director of the Frailty and Elder Care Network, Nova Scotia Health, and the Kathryn Allen Weldon Professor of Alzheimer Research at Dalhousie University, discuss his most recent study, which is examining the use of Far-UVC light as an additional disinfectant in long-term care facilities.
Watch: Clinical Trials Day Lunch and Learn with Dr. Kenneth Rockwood
https://www.canva.com/design/DAFBy586baw/UAmWziBG-4zFI_1Zy2czlg/watch
Recording: May 20, 2022
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N.S. woman opens up about living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome to bring awareness to disorder | |
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, or EDS, is a connective tissue disorder that often goes undiagnosed. Dr. Gabrielle Horne, the lead of the Maritime Connective Tissue Clinic at the QEII Health Sciences Centre, says there are 13 or 14 different types of EDS.
May 18, 2022
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Dr. Robert Strang Mayflower Award for Healthcare Professionals - NEW!
Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, was honored for his dedication and leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a new award in his name. Dr. Strang is the first recipient of the award which is a nod to Nova Scotia’s official flower. In 2023, the award will be given annually to up to 5 healthcare professionals, including nurses, doctors, paramedics, continuing care assistants and pharmacists. More information about the 2023 nomination process will be posted later this year. Congratulations, Dr. Strang!
Read full release here: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20220531006
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Care Coordination Centre (C3) Goes Live on June 29
The Care Coordination Centre (C3) will officially go live on June 29, 2022, at the QEII Health Sciences Centre. C3 will be located in the current space of the Executive Offices at the Halifax Infirmary site, on the second floor of the Summer Street entrance.
The C3 will improve how the organization coordinates the movement of patients throughout their healthcare journey. It will use artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and patient status to provide a real-time view of access to care, patient flow, and health system resources to support decision-making. It will also generate actionable insights to drive continuous improvements in how healthcare is delivered to improve the quality of patient care. The C3 will support teams to identify issues and find solutions together, using real-time data. This will translate into improved patient access and flow, efficient bed management and discharge planning, better scheduling of staff, and more collaboration across health zones across the province.
The first Tile to go live is the Capacity Expeditor Tile, with the remaining five Tiles being implemented at the QEII in this fiscal year.
To stay up to date with the launch and progress of C3, please visit the C3 Intranet here: https://intra.nshealth.ca/C3/SitePages/Home.aspx
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Call for Stories: 2021-2022 DoM Annual Report
The DoM Annual Report (April 1, 2021 - March 31, 2022) is underway and we welcome ideas for features and stories highlighting the work of the divisions, department members, and staff.
- What new initiatives, programs, ideas have you and your team been working on?
- How has this work helped support the department strategic plan in the areas of education, clinical systems, research, and administration?
Please email your ideas to Isha Seth, Project Manager, Strategic Planning and Communications: isha.seth@nshealth.ca by June 30, 2022.
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Faculty of Medicine Wellness Survey
The Faculty of Medicine has been developing a framework around wellness for all faculty, which began with welcoming our Assistant Dean of Wellness, Dr. Angela Cooper. Engaging wellness leads from clinical departments and divisions, as well as laying a new foundation in wellness with our basic science faculty, has been no small task and has included the development of faculty wellness leaders, a peer mentoring program and scholarly activity, and promoting bespoke wellness educational sessions.
As part of this engagement, Dr. Cooper has led the development of our first Faculty of Medicine Wellness Survey, aimed at providing crucial information forming the foundation of our wellness strategy. In completing the survey, you will not only get a deeper sense of your own levels of stress and burnout along with recommendations of support, but you will also contribute to a wider understanding of our clinical faculty's wellness needs across the Maritime Provinces.
With information obtained from responses, we can begin to target the systemic, cultural, and individual factors that you identify as contributors to stress and burnout. As such, I strongly encourage you to use the link below and take the time needed to complete this survey and help us move forward in our wellness efforts.
https://transform.mindgarden.com/survey/38451/261
Thank you,
David Anderson
Dean, Faculty of Medicine
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Enroll in Halifax Transit’s SmartTrip program by July 11
Nova Scotia Health has partnered with Halifax Transit’s SmartTrip program to offer reduced-cost bus passes for all employees at Nova Scotia Health within HRM.
The program launches August 1, 2022.
Enrollment is open until July 11.
Learn more: https://intra.nshealth.ca/smarttrip/SitePages/Home.aspx
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65.6%
Three or more doses (18+)
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3,118 Positive PCR May 3 - 9
2,513 Positive PCR May 10 - 16
1,584 Positive PCR May 17 - 23
1,563 Positive PCR May 24 - 30
1,474 Positive PCR May 31 - June 9
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421
Total deaths
(Omicron deaths: 309)
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36 people currently admitted due to COVID-19 including 5 people in ICU | |
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QUICK REFERENCE /
RECURRING CONTENT
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Mental Health & Well-Being | |
When you take care of yourself, you take care of others. | | | | |
