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Registration now open for Medicine Matters – Friday, November 4, 2022

You are invited to attend the 2022 Medicine Matters conference that will take place from 8:15 – 4:30 pm on Friday, November 4, 2022 at the Atlantica Hotel in Halifax.

Medicine Matters is a continuing professional development activity organized by the Department of Medicine at Dalhousie for Department members.

This year, the morning sessions will focus on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion considerations in clinical medicine. The focus of the afternoon sessions will be approaches to common undifferentiated clinical symptoms for internal medicine specialists/subspecialists.

Medicine Matters 2022 is "educationally approved/co-sponsored by Dalhousie University Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education.

As an accredited provider, Dalhousie University Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education, designates this continuing professional development activity for up to 6.75 credit hours as an accredited group learning Section 1 activity as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Through an agreement between the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the American Medical Association, physicians may convert Royal College MOC credits to AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Information on the process to convert Royal College MOC credit to AMA credit can be found at: www.ama-assn.org/go/internationalcme.

In keeping with CMA Guidelines, program content and selection of speakers are the responsibility of the planning committee. Support is directed toward the costs of the course and not to individual speakers.”

To register, please complete the online form: 

http://surveys.novascotia.ca/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=MedicineMatters2022

OR

Use the camera on your phone

Bring the QR code into focus

Tap on message "go to website" to complete form.

Questions?



Please contact Dr. Trudy Taylor, Chair of the Continuing Professional Development Committee (Trudy.Taylor@nshealth.ca) or Isha Seth (Isha.Seth@nshealth.ca).

Staff Physicians:

• Dr. Rob Horton, Division of Palliative Medicine, for a locum position, September 19, 2022 to March 31, 2023.

• Dr. Bryce Kiberd, Division of Nephrology, for a locum position which has been extended until September 2023.

• Dr. Rachelle Blackman, Division of Hematology & Hematologic Oncology, for a locum position, September 6 - December 31, 2022.

• Dr. Erica Kelly, Division of Hematology & Hematologic Oncology, joined the AFP as of September 1, 2022.

• Dr. Mary Ellen Macdonald, Division of Palliative Medicine, is the newly appointed J & W Murphy Foundation Endowed Chair in Palliative Care beginning September 1, 2022.

• Dr. Kristyna Cleminson, Division of Clinical Dermatology & Cutaneous Science, for a locum position, August 15 to December 31.

• Dr. Erin Maguire joined the Division of Clinical Dermatology & Cutaneous Science in a community-based position August 1.

• Dr. Mariah Hughes, Division of Infectious Diseases, joined the AFP on August 1.

• Dr. Shannon Murphy, Division of Hematology & Hematologic Oncology, joined the AFP (focus on CAR-T) on August 1.

• Dr. Caitlin Tarlton, Division of Neurology, joined the AFP on July 18.

• Dr. Alex Rogers, Division of Geriatric Medicine, joined the AFP on July 11.

• Dr. Andrew Caddell, Division of Cardiology, joined the AFP on July 11.

• Dr. Ashley Davidson, Division of Medical Oncology, began a 1-year locum on July 11.

• Dr. Alexandra Legge, Division of Rheumatology, joined the AFP on July 1.

• Dr. Alia Cloutier-Bosworth, joined the Division of Clinical Dermatology & Cutaneous Science in a community based position on July 1.

• Dr. Karam Al Jumaily joined the Division of Respirology for a locum position in July until March 31, 2023.

• Dr. Margaret Sheridan joined the Division of Medical Oncology for a locum and fellowship position on July 1.

• Dr. Nicolas Berbenetz joined the Division of Cardiology for a 6-month locum.

• Dr. Tahmina Wahab, Division of General Internal Medicine, joined the AFP on July 1.

• Dr. Ziran Meng, joined the Division of General Internal Medicine in a locum position until March 31, 2023 on July 1, 2022.

Administrative Assistants

• Jocelyn Jacques has joined the Division of Geriatric Medicine as Administrative Assistant.

• Kaitlyn Henderson has joined the Division of Geriatric Medicine as Administrative Assistant.

• Cheryl Burton-Myles has transitioned from the Division of Digestive Care & Endoscopy to the Division of Infectious Diseases.

• Makaylah Farrell joined the Division of Respirology as Administrative Assistant on August 29 replacing Shelley Sani. Shelley accepted the Team Lead position in June.

• Kalisa Ganzeveld joined the Division of Digestive Care & Endoscopy as Administrative Assistant for Referral Line and Dr. Gruchy on August 2.

• Dhrumi Kansara joined the Division of Hematology & Hematologic Oncology as Administrative Assistant in August; moving from the Division of Infectious Diseases.

• Haley Lively joined the Division of General Internal Medicine as Administrative Assistant on July 25.

• Vicky Triantafyllou joined with Division of Cardiology as Administrative Assistant to Drs. Caddell / Merrick / Cox on July 7.

Fellowships

• Dr. Elizabeth (Lizzy) Blundon, Division of Palliative Medicine, for a fellowship starting September 2022.

• Myles O'Brien, Division of Geriatric Medicine, for a fellowship starting September 2022.

• Lesley Dagley, DoM Manager, left the Department of Medicine on August 26 for another opportunity at Nova Scotia Health.

• Angela Anderson, Administrative Assistant, left the Division of Hematology & Hematologic Oncology on August 13 for another opportunity.

• Tina Neath, Administrative Assistant, left the Division of Digestive Care & Endoscopy for another opportunity at Nova Scotia Health.

• Heather LeBlanc, Administrative Assistant, left the Division of Geriatric Medicine on July 29 for another opportunity.

• Valerie Orgar, Administrative Assistant to Senior Leadership and Continuing Professional Development, left the Department on July 22 for another opportunity.

• Lynn Hines, Administrative Assistant, left the Division of Hematology on July 15 for another opportunity.

Dr. Mary Ellen Macdonald appointed J & W Murphy Foundation Endowed Chair in Palliative Care

A warm welcome to Dr. Mary Ellen Macdonald who joined the Department of Medicine and the Division of Palliative Medicine on September 1, 2022.

Dr. Macdonald is the newly appointed J & W Murphy Foundation Endowed Chair in Palliative Care. Previously based in Montreal, Dr. Macdonald was the Program Head of Pediatric Palliative Care Research at the Montreal Children’s Hospital and Chair of the McGill Qualitative Health Research Group.

Dr. Macdonald is a medical anthropologist who has been researching death, dying and bereavement for two decades. Examples of her research interests include palliative oral health care, the development of palliative care and bereavement services with Indigenous communities, the ethics of assisted dying, parental bereavement, and social conceptions of grief and memorialization. She is currently drawing on her training in public health to advance a community-based approach to palliative care, including through her concept of ‘Grief Literacy.’ Her main research approaches include participatory qualitative and mixed methods methodologies.

CBC News also featured Dr. Mary Ellen Macdonald on September 7, 2022.

cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/research-chair-examine-palliative-care-1.6575025

Jake Salcedo joined the Department of Medicine in April of this year as the IT Data Manager/Senior Systems Analyst.

His primary role is overseeing the development and maintenance of the department’s billing system. He also plays an integral role in the development of reports and reporting infrastructure (data warehouse and ETL processes). Jake brings a wealth of IT education and experience to the role. Prior to joining DoM, he was the Business Intelligence Developer with the IWK for eleven years. Jake holds a Master of Science in Information Technology and has completed Masters-level coursework in Electronic Commerce from Dalhousie University.

Jake enjoys the lasting efforts of his work – he says providing a high level of accuracy and integrity in data collection and distribution can make a significant impact in years to come.

Originally from The Philippines, Jake grew up in the small town of Surallah, South Cotabato. Home to the T’boli tribe, the province is known as the “land of dream weavers”; an homage to the local weavers whose art depicts patterns based on dreams. Prior to moving to Canada in 2007, Jake had a career in education serving as a University Dean. Jake maintains a close connection to his Filipino heritage. He is an active community leader and is currently serving his second term as President of the Filipino Association of Nova Scotia. Jake is married to Frances Scarlet Salcedo, a nurse at Dartmouth General Hospital, and they have one son.

Dr. Ferhan Siddiqi recognized by Newcomer Health Clinic

Dr. Ferhan Siddiqi, Division of Endocrinology, was recently highlighted in the September 2022 issue of the doctorsNS magazine for his work with the Newcomer Health Clinic in Halifax.

"Quick Reads"

https://www.flipsnack.com/doctorsnovascotia/doctorsns-sept2022/full-view.html?p=9.html

Note: click "full screen" to view and increase "zoom" to desired size

Credit: doctorsNS magazine, September 2022

Initiative provides culturally specific approach

COVID-19 initiative provides culturally specific approach to combat the virus in Black and African Nova Scotian Communities

Dr. David Haase, retired Infectious Diseases Physician and the Past President of the Health Association of African Canadians, is quoted in this article.

https://www.nshealth.ca/news/covid-19-initiative-provides-culturally-specific-approach-combat-virus-black-and-african-nova

From: Nova Scotia Health, August 19, 2022

Nova Scotia Health awards $1.9 million to 28 researchers

Congratulations to DoM members who received an award through the Nova Scotia Health Research Fund in 2022. Held once a year, this fund aims to build the capacity of Nova Scotia Health’s researchers and students and helps to catalyze new research opportunities. 

Experienced Researcher Category

• Dr. Janice Keefe, Division of Geriatric Medicine
• Dr. Ratika Parkash, Division of Cardiology
• Dr. Olga Theou, Faculty of Graduate Studies

Early Career Researchers

• Dr. Judith Godin, Geriatric Medicine Research
• Courtney Heisler, MSc, team member, Nova Scotia Collaborative IBD Program
• Dr. Michael Stewart, Division of Digestive Care & Endoscopy
• Dr. Amy Trottier, Division of Hematology
• Dr. Amanda Vinson, Division of Nephrology

Research Students and Trainees

• Dr. Jasmine Mah, Internal Medicine Resident, Clinical Investigators Program

A complete list of recipients is available online on the Nova Scotia Health Research Fund webpage at http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/discovery-innovation/research-fund

Dr. Ravi Ramjeesingh appointed Medical Director for

Atlantic Clinical Cancer Research Unit 

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Ravi Ramjeesingh as the new Medical Director for the Atlantic Clinical Cancer Research Unit (ACCRU), effective September 1^st, 2022. ACCRU is currently responsible for all solid tumour clinical trials in the central zone, while supporting broader provincial initiatives aligned with the Cancer Care Program. The team also supports investigator-driven/non-interventional trials. 

Dr. Ramjeesingh graduated with his PhD in cancer research in 2004, and his Doctor of Medicine in 2008 at the University of Toronto. He completed his Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology residencies at Queen’s University before completing a clinical trials methodology fellowship at the Canadian Cancer Trials Group in Kingston, Ontario. He joined the Division of Medical Oncology at Dalhousie University in May 2015 as a staff physician and Assistant Professor and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2020. 

His main clinical expertise is in the areas of hepatobiliary cancers, including pancreatic cholangiocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma, and breast cancer. His research activities and interests are in the fields of health service delivery, and translational research in oncology.

Dr. Ramjeesingh is currently the chair of the HPB Disease site group in Nova Scotia and is the Director of Research in the Division of Medical Oncology. Nationally, he is the chair of the Atlantic Canada HPB annual meeting, a founding member of the Canadian GI Oncology Evidence Network and is a board member of Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society. 

With Nova Scotia having the third highest incidence of cancer in Canada, Nova Scotia Health’s Clinical Trials Unit (part of the Innovation Hub) is working towards becoming a centre of excellence in oncology. This includes making significant changes to how ACCRU is structured and positioning the team at the forefront of clinical trial excellence. As a clinical champion, Dr. Ramjeesingh will help build our capacity to scale clinical trials across the Cancer Care Program and provide our patients with access to cutting-edge treatment options.

September is Arthritis Awareness Month

Did you notice Halifax City Hall illuminated in a blue light on September 2?

The Arthritis Society of Canada has coordinated a campaign for national landmarks to be lit up in blue at the beginning of September to help raise awareness and recognize the start of Arthritis Awareness Month.

According to Arthritis Society Canada, 1 in 5 Canadians live with arthritis every day.

To learn more about arthritis and access tools and resources, visit the Arthritis Society Canada website: https://arthritis.ca/

Picture above of Halifax City Hall from Arthritis.ca

Rheumatology Update

• Dr. Alex Legge has returned to the division following a one-year research fellowship at UBC under the supervision of Dr. Diane Lacaille. She has a major research position and has big shoes to fill as the replacement for Dr. John Hanly.

• Dr. Janet Roberts is now back from maternity leave. She has enrolled in the MPH program at Harvard in addition to carrying out her clinical and teaching duties.

• The Research Chair in Rheumatology is fully funded at 4 million dollars. A search for a Chair will start this fall.

DoM Education Office Updates

• Congratulations to Dr. Jason MacDonald, inaugural Program Director for the new Moncton, NB Internal Medicine Residency regional stream. Dr. MacDonald will be working with Dr. Sherief Kamel, Medical Education Director – Moncton Site, to launch the new program.

• Congratulations to Dr. Aaron LeBlanc, Associate Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program and Respirologist at Dartmouth General Hospital, for being selected as the new Site Director for the Internal Medicine Residency Training program in Saint John, NB. Dr. LeBlanc will be taking over the role from Dr. Alexa Smith, Rheumatologist in Saint John, effective January 1, 2023. Thank you, Dr. Smith, for everything you have contributed to the IM Residency Program. Call for applications for the Associate Program Director in Halifax (replacing Dr. Aaron LeBlanc) will be posted in the coming months.

• Many divisions within the department are going through Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada accreditation internal review in November. Thank you to the education team, education leaders, program administrators and managers for your hard work.

Core Internal Medicine Program Director - Call for Applications

8^th Annual Research in Medicine (RIM) Research Day

Health Law Institute Seminar Series 2022-2023

QEII Patient Essentials Grant Program 2022

UMIRF applications due October 1 & 15

Clinical Fellowship Award applications due October 11

Guidelines and Application [PDF]

Application Form [PDF]

Checklist [PDF]

Reminder: New MSI Physician's Manual (2022)

New MSI Physician’s Manual (2022) was released in August. To download the updated manual, go to:

https://msi.medavie.bluecross.ca/physicians-manual/

Call for Submissions! Get to Know Feature Articles

Do you have an interesting hobby or past time outside of work? We’d love to hear from you and learn more about what keeps you inspired.

If you’d like to be featured, please contact Isha Seth at isha.seth@nshealth.ca or 902-473-3251.

COVID-19 Protocols at Nova Scotia Health

Mental Health & Well-Being

Department of Medicine

Nova Scotia Health

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