DoM Monthly Newsletter – January 2023 | |
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Drs. Karthik Tennankore and Steven Soroka became interim co-division heads for Division of Nephrology. Thank you to Dr. Neil Finkle for being interim division head over the past year.
- We welcome Cara Yee to her new role as Manager effective January 3. Cara has been working as an Assistant Manager with the department over the past year. Cara will continue to work with Denise Hatchette and Crystal Leverman.
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Cynthia Kendell joined the DoM as the new Research Implementation Scientist this month. She will be booking time to meet with divisions and looks forward to meeting DoM members and discussing potential collaborations. You can contact Cynthia at cynthia.kendell@nshealth.ca.
- We welcomed Beatriz Ynfante on January 3 to the Division of Endocrinology as a Booking and Registration Clerk in a permanent part-time role.
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Raleigh Brophy joined the Division of Medical Oncology on January 9 as a Secretary D where she will be supporting several physicians.
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Dr. Lynn Johnston, Division of Infectious Diseases, officially retired on December 31, 2022. Dr. Johnston’s wisdom and leadership will be missed in the Department. We wish you a happy and healthy retirement.
- We said goodbye to Kalisa Ganzeveld who was helping in several divisions, most recently in Digestive Care and Endoscopy. Kalisa has returned home to BC.
- We also said goodbye to Victoria Gilks, Education Program Coordinator in General Internal Medicine. She has left for a position outside of Nova Scotia Health.
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Internal Medicine Residency Program Director
Dr. Lori Connors, Allergist and Immunologist, has been selected as the new Program Director for the core Internal Medicine Residency Program effective January 1, 2023.
As of January 1, we officially welcomed Dr. Connors as our new Program Director. At this time, Dr. Connors is away from work due to an emergency. We would like to take this opportunity to extend best wishes to her and her family.
For all education related questions, please contact DOMEducation@nshealth.ca.
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Dr. Lori Connors
Photo credit: Studio Umlah
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Isha Seth had a chance to chat with Dr. Connors on November 14, 2022 to learn more about her background and what’s she’s most excited about as she starts her new position.
IS: Where did you grow up?
LC: I am from Nova Scotia. I grew up in Lower Sackville and currently live in Bedford.
IS: Please tell me a bit about your educational background.
LC: I did my undergrad at St. Francis Xavier University and Dalhousie University for medical school. I stayed at Dal for my Internal Medicine Residency. As you know, Dal doesn’t offer an Allergy and Immunology Fellowship, so I went to McMaster University for my Fellowship. I completed a Master of Education in Curriculum Studies from Acadia University. The program was a hybrid model of in-person and online classes. I really liked how the students in my class were from different health care disciplines, not just medicine.
IS: How long have you been with the Department of Medicine?
LC: After I finished my Fellowship, like many Maritimers, I came back to Halifax as soon as I could! I have been with the Department of Medicine since October 2010. My practice has always been a mix of community-based medicine and academic medicine. I work at Halifax Allergy and Asthma Associates and have a drug allergy clinic at the QEII (Dickson building). I also did attend on the MTU until a few years ago. I am a member of the Division of General Internal Medicine.
IS: What drew you to apply for the Program Director role?
LC: I always knew I wanted to be involved with teaching. My Dad is a teacher, my sister is a teacher, and my husband is a Vice Principal. There’s an assumption that all physicians know how to teach and I wanted to formally learn how to teach and best practices in curriculum development. Over the years I have been involved with various Med Ed roles: Skilled Clinician unit in UGME, Assistant Clerkship Director and I served as the Program Director for the Pediatric Allergy and Immunology program based out of the IWK. I also am Communications Skills Lead with PGME. This is where I really expanded my teaching role with residents. Although I had experience working with residents in the MTU and as a rotation supervisor for the allergy and immunology rotation, I was always interested in becoming more involved with resident education.
IS: What are you most excited about in starting your new role?
LC: I am most excited to get to know the residents and learn about their current experiences. It’s been a while since I was a resident. It will be great to get in there and to help the residents. Ian has done a fantastic job as PD and with helping me transition into the role. It’s an interesting time to be in internal medicine in that there are system issues and unique challenges in health care.
IS: Tell me 1-2 things that department members may not know about you. For example: family, hobbies, pets, interests outside of work?
LC: I own a cow bell! I am a hockey Mom and a cheer Mom. My son plays hockey and my daughter is a competitive cheerleader. You’ll see me at the gym and at the rink. I can make some serious noise with the cow bell, believe me! I also developed an interest in cookie decorating during the pandemic. Another physician mom offered an online class during COVID and a few of us from Halifax enrolled. I got into from there and try to make a new set every couple of months or so.
IS: What is your favourite movie?
LC: My favourite movie goes along with my favourite book from childhood: Little Women. I like the original version of the movie the best.
IS: What is/are your favourite food(s)?
LC: I’d have to say dessert. If I had to pick one dessert, it would be cheesecake.
IS: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
LC: I am really excited to take on the role. I think that it will be fun and challenging.
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To help further the work of the strategic plan, we are focusing on strengthening our toolkit to improve culture and conflict in our workplace. Content submitted by Diane LeBlanc, Basia Solarz and Brennan Dempsey.
How can we be certain about what we hear?
When receiving feedback, and when communicating in general, it is sometimes difficult to discern exactly what someone means. This is often a barrier to effective feedback, since people might leave a conversation with the wrong message.
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One technique that can create clearer communication is paraphrasing.
This is simply expressing to another your understanding of what they have said, in your own words.
Firstly, paraphrasing is a chance to fully comprehend what you have been told, and a way to clear up the misunderstandings that can derail feedback conversations. The person you are speaking with can take this chance to clarify and refine the feedback they are offering.
Secondly, and importantly, paraphrasing tells the other person they have been heard, and thus makes them more likely to listen as well. Phrases like “I’m hearing that you are concerned about meeting the next deadline on time, and worried that I’m not pulling my weight - is that right?” can help clarify feedback, build trust, and enhance communication.
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Introducing the 2023 Internal Medicine Chief Residents
Congratulations to the newest Internal Medicine Chief Residents! These leaders will be in their roles from January 1 – December 31, 2023.
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Dr. Josh Kandiah, Co-Chief Resident, Halifax
Where did you grow up?
Ottawa, Ontario
Where did you complete medical school?
University of British Columbia, Vancouver
What is your favourite aspect of residency so far?
The long-lasting friendships I have made along the way.
What are your hobbies or interests outside of medicine?
Surfing, trivia, and all things basketball.
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Dr. Gabrielle Melanson, Co-Chief Resident, Halifax
Where did you grow up?
Moncton, New Brunswick
Where did you complete medical school?
Université de Sherbrooke, Moncton campus
What is your favourite aspect of residency so far?
To build friendships with my co-residents from all over the country, while also being in the privileged position to learn from seniors and staff as well as to teach more junior learners.
What are your hobbies or interests outside of medicine?
I love to bake desserts, especially around Christmas time. I also love travelling, trying new foods, and spending time with friends and family.
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Dr. Philip Hillier, MTU Chief, Halifax
Where did you grow up?
Originally from Corner Brook, Newfoundland
Where did you complete medical school?
Memorial University of Newfoundland
What is your favourite aspect of residency so far?
Experiencing the rural and community sites throughout Nova Scotia. I'm trying my best to check off all the community teaching sites from my list (and more)!
What are your hobbies or interests outside of medicine?
Outside of medicine, I enjoy playing tennis with my coresidents, golfing, and ski trips!
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Dr. Karen Cholmondeley, Chief Resident, Saint John
Where did you grow up?
Kingston, Ontario
Where did you complete medical school?
University of Western Ontario
What is your favourite aspect of residency so far?
Solving diagnostic puzzles – there are a lot of interesting cases here and so many amazing colleagues to learn from in the course of treating a complex patient.
What are your hobbies or interests outside of medicine?
I had only ever been to the Maritimes once before moving here for residency! I am loving exploring the region by hiking and camping throughout NB, NS and PEI.
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Dr. Kayla Chubbs, MTU Chief, Saint John
Where did you grow up?
Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador
Where did you complete medical school?
Memorial University of Newfoundland
What is your favourite aspect of residency so far?
My colleagues, working with great people and learning something new each day!
What are your hobbies or interests outside of medicine?
Fitness classes, cooking and trying new recipes, and reading. I am also a big Taylor Swift fan.
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Deadline for DoM Research Awards Extended to January 23, 2023
Please see attached guidelines and nomination information for the Department of Medicine Research Awards:
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The deadline for nominations for these awards is noon on Monday, January 23, 2023.
Please submit nominations to DoMResearch@nshealth.ca .
Note: Nominations are now closed for the DoM Faculty (primary appointment) Research Excellence Awards.
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Call for Abstracts - Research Week 2023 | |
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Open to all DoM Faculty, Residents, Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Research Fellows, and Research Staff.
DoM Research Week will take place the week of April 18-21, 2023. It is anticipated the event will include in-person and virtual components.
The DoM Research Committee invites you to submit an abstract for consideration for DoM Research Week 2023. Please share with your trainees and research groups as needed.
Late submissions will not be accepted. As noted on the form, please keep the body of the abstract no more than 20 lines of text (Times New Roman, size 10, within the form margins), as this is the maximum amount that will be displayed in the abstract booklet.
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DoM Research Staff Excellence Award (.DOCX)
Please complete the attached abstract submission form and return it to DoMResearch@nshealth.ca by
Monday, February 6, 2023.
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Dr. Strang Appointed to the Order of Nova Scotia
On December 12, five Nova Scotians who have made significant contributions to the province in a diverse range of fields, from public health to business mentorship, were appointed to the Order of Nova Scotia.
We would like to express congratulations to Dr. Robert Strang, Fall River: Nova Scotia's Chief Medical Officer of Health; recognized for leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and contributions to the health field.
In early 2023, an investiture ceremony will be held at Government House where Lt-Gov. LeBlanc will present the new members with their insignia and appointment scroll.
| Dr. Gabrielle Horne leads Books by Heart | |
Dr. Jasmine Mah studies the global rise of ER “social admissions” | Dal researcher Jasmine Mah, an internal medicine resident and PhD candidate, is leading a study examining the global rise of "social admissions" to emergency rooms — which is when typically older patients, often struggling with dementia, are dropped off by family members or friends struggling to care for them. | | |
Infectious disease specialist, Dr. Lisa Barrett, discusses 'Kraken,' the new COVID-19 subvariant | |
Dr. Lisa Barrett said the Omicron offshoot appears to be 'very, very transmittable'.
It's being called Kraken. The XBB 1.5 subvariant has been quickly spreading in other countries, including the United States where it's thought to now make up more than 40 per cent of COVID-19 cases. The Omicron offshoot has also been detected here in Canada with the Public Health Agency of Canada saying on Wednesday it is aware of 21 cases in our country.
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Provide Your Feedback for the Health Equity Framework
The Department of Health and Wellness and health-system partners seek feedback for the province’s Health Equity Framework.
The framework will be used to make decisions about priorities and areas of action that will help make our health system one where all Nova Scotians feel safe.
You are invited to share your perspectives before January 27, 2023.
Complete this confidential survey:
https://www.engage4health.ca/dhw-health-equity-framework
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QUICK REFERENCE /
RECURRING CONTENT
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COVID-19 Protocols at Nova Scotia Health | |
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