Symptomatic testing for Nova Scotia Health workers – 1-833-750-0632
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DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE UPDATE | APRIL 13, 2021 |
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The SHORT Report
Feature Story
- Nova Scotian dermatologist improves access to skin cancer care in Nova Scotia by establishing the first Mohs surgery Clinic in the Province
Welcome, Kudos & Farewell
Recognition & Awards
- Administrative Professionals' Week
- National Physicians' Day
- Nominate a deserving colleague
Important Matters
- Medical resident speaking out about racism
Research
- Can UV-C light reduce infections in long-term care facilities?
- Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) used world-wide during pandemic
- How artificial intelligence might change treatment of kidney transplant patients
Dalhousie University
- One year later - Dr. David Anderson reflects
- Dal's first Mental Health Awareness Week
- Living Laboratory Research Fund
Nova Scotia Health
- Masking changes to come for patients and visitors
- New - MOVEit Transfer
- New - LMS Module - Code Silver
- Quick reference for SHARE & DIS access requests
- People Strategy launched March 11
- Appointment of Senior Medical Directors of Corporate Services and Clinical Service Networks
- Dr. Paige Moorhouse - Episodic and Integrated Acute Care Network
- Dr. Kenneth Rockwood - Frailty Network
Did you know?
- AEDs in all public schools
Upcoming Events
- COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness
- April 26 – 30: DoM Research Week
- Euphoria 2021! Through the Ages Virtual Event
- Medical Assistance in Dying: Where are We Now?
COVID-19
- Nova Scotia Cases
- Monthly timeline
Quick Reference / Recurring Content
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FEATURE STORY - MOHS SURGERY |
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Nova Scotian dermatologist improves access to skin cancer care in Nova Scotia by establishing the first Mohs surgery Clinic in the Province |
Patients with the two most common cancers in Canada can now have access to the highest standard of treatment in Nova Scotia thanks to a campaign in the medical community led by dermatologist and Mohs surgeon, Dr. Michael Stevens.
Mohs surgery is a micrographic surgery that uses a microscope to detect basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma. It achieves this by cutting out the cancerous tissue, creating a map and dividing it into sections, then dying thin, shaved layers so that the cancer is detectable under a microscope. This all takes place while the patient is in the clinic to ensure all the cancer is removed in one visit.
Dr. Stevens, originally from Nova Scotia, was first introduced to the treatment during rotations in Saint John, New Brunswick while he studied at Dalhousie Medical School. He then completed his Mohs surgery fellowship during his dermatology residency at the University of Toronto.
“For about 15 years, Dr. Robert Hayes in New Brunswick was the only doctor performing Mohs treatment in the Atlantic provinces,” said Dr. Stevens. “That’s when a lightbulb went off for me. I realized people were driving out of Nova Scotia to get it, but that it should be available to patients in their own province.”
One of those patients is Norma MacLean, who had skin cancer on the side of her face painlessly removed by Dr. Stevens in early 2021, after two previous surgeries, before Mohs was available to her.
“The experience was terrific as far as getting rid of cancer goes. When something like that happens, you just don’t know what to expect – it’s frightening. But Dr. Stevens and his staff are excellent, very nice, professional, and calming. He made it so much better,” said Norma. “I’m so grateful that we have this practice in Nova Scotia.”
Dr. Stevens explains that Mohs surgery is much less invasive than other skin cancer treatments, because its precision requires the removal of only minimal healthy tissue, with cure rates of about 99 percent for basal cell carcinoma, and about 97 percent for squamous cell carcinoma.
Because these skin cancers often appear in cosmetically sensitive sites like the nose, eyes, and ears, Dr. Kerri Purdy, Interim Division Head of Clinical Dermatology & Cutaneous Science for Dalhousie’s Department of Medicine, says having this surgery available to Nova Scotians is a great benefit to patients, both cosmetically and functionally.
“Patients can feel confident that they have had tumour clearance when the procedure is completed. We are happy to support Mohs surgery as an important pillar in providing excellent dermatologic care to Nova Scotians,” says Dr. Purdy.
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After a nearly five-year journey collaborating with Nova Scotia Health, the Department of Health and Wellness, Doctors Nova Scotia and MSI, Dr. Stevens received approval to open his clinic, which is a collaborative partnership with Nova Scotia Health, in November 2020.
He estimates that about 1,200 to 1,600 Nova Scotians will require Mohs surgery each year, and that he’ll be able to operate on at least 1,000 patients.
“Having this standard of care in Nova Scotia allows better access to care, shorter wait times, higher cure rates, reduced recurrences and is cost effective for the healthcare system,” says Dr. Stevens. “And the initial patient feedback has been very positive; people really appreciate having Mohs available right here at home.”
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WELCOME, KUDOS & FAREWELL |
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We welcome the following members to their new positions:
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Ruth Ampi Kanakam will join the Division of Geriatric Medicine on May 3 as Education Program Assistant supporting Drs. Von Maltzahn and Darvesh.
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Lindsay Anderson will join the Division of Neurology as Education Program Assistant supporting Drs. Gubitz and Woodroffe while Ashley Doucette is on leave.
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Shelley Melanson joined the Division of Neurology on March 22 as Administrative Assistant.
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Dr. Joffre Munro joined the Division of General Internal Medicine on April 1 as a 1.00 FTE at the rank of Assistant Professor.
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Tina Neath joined the Division of Digestive Care & Endoscopy and is covering for Rachael Tucker who is on leave until June 2022.
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Breanna Riley will be joining the Division of Cardiology and supporting Drs. Parkash and Gardner.
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Seneade Smith moved from Digestive Care & Endoscopy to the Sleep Disorders Clinic & Laboratory.
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Dr. Michael Thorne joined the Division of Neurology on April 1 as a 0.10 FTE locum at the rank of Assistant Professor. His locum term will end on September 30.
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Dr. Chadwick Williams is the Interim Internal Medicine Chief of Service - Dartmouth General Hospital, effective April 2021. Dr. Colin Van Zoost previously held this role until January 1, 2021.
Kudos to:
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Leah Cahill, RD/PDt, PhD, has been reappointed as the Howard Webster Department of Medicine Research Chair for a five-year term.
We are grateful for having these team members in our department. We say farewell and best wishes to:
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Teresa Doran retired on March 31 and was assistant to Drs. Debra Morrison and Alex Nelson in the Sleep Disorders Clinic & Laboratory.
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Dr. Chris Gallivan, Division of General Internal Medicine, is leaving the Department in April. He also stepped down as DoM Clerkship Director.
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Dr. Wanda Hasegawa retired from the Division of Hematology at the end of March.
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Mc'Edward (Eddie) Jones, Accounts Payable / Payroll, has left for a new opportunity.
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Dr. Chris MacKnight is retiring on April 30, 2021 from the Division of Geriatric Medicine. Dr. MacKnight was Division Head until January 2021.
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Chad Shearer, DoM Manager, has left for a new opportunity.
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Connie Tone, Billing Manager, DoM Physician Services, retired on March 31. Kim Pritchard is the new Billing Manager, starting in January 2021.
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Ashley Tynes, Administrative Assistant, Endocrinology, has left for a new opportunity.
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JOIN OUR TEAM
The Department of Medicine has the following job opportunities:
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Closing: April 16, 2021 [PDF - 150 kB]
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Closing: April 23, 2021 [PDF - 150 kB]
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Happy Administrative Professionals' Week |
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Thank you to each and every one of our 115 department administrative professionals for the hard work you do every day. Thank you for keeping us on track and on time. Thank you for putting up with our crazy ever changing schedules. Thank you for all your support. You are valued and appreciated!
Recognition activities will be held during Administrative Professionals Week (Week of April 26 in Canada).
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Always remember how awesome you are! |
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Happy National Physicians' Day |
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National Physicians' Day is coming May 1st. To all our physicians and physicians-in-training - THANK YOU!
“We are proud that our work makes positive and impactful differences in the lives of patients, learners, professional colleagues and others who benefit from our education, research and clinical care."
- Dr. Christine Short
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Dr. Emily Stowe one of the most influential individuals in Canadian medical history. Born May 1, 1831, Dr. Stowe was the first female to practise medicine in Canada, and a founder of the country’s women’s movement.
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Nominate a deserving colleague
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Medical resident speaking out about racism |
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Dr. Hayam Hamodat, PGY1 Core Internal Medicine Resident, spoke out about her experience with racism in the workplace on Twitter, March 2.
The Department supports and applauds Dr. Hamodat in her professional conduct of this incident and encourages open conversations about racism in the workplace.
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Hayam Hamodat on Twitter: "Recently had an admitted...
Recently had an admitted patient refuse to let me examine him, asking for a “white physician” instead, someone who is “English”. I brought this up to my team, as I couldn’t finish my assessment. How do you think my attending should’ve handled this?
Read more
twitter.com
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Hayam Hamodat on Twitter: "One of my white colleagues...
One of my white colleagues ended up seeing the patient the next day so I didn't have to. How do we better support trainees in the workplace? 2/2 #MedTwitter
Read more
twitter.com
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Muslim medical resident speaking out about racist incident
A Muslim doctor's patient refused her care and asked for a "white doctor" who is "English" at a hospital in Halifax. She tells Information Morning how she would like to see that kind of situation addressed in the future.
Duration: 00:09:02
Read more
tunein.com
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Halifax doctor speaks out about racism on the job after...
A Halifax doctor is speaking out about the racism she faced recently from a patient who refused her care and demanded to be treated by a white physician. Dr. Hayam Hamodat, an internal medicine resident, took to Twitter...
Read more
www.cbc.ca
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Can UV-C light reduce infections in long-term care facilities? |
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Research Nova Scotia is funding a project valued at $1.7 million to determine if UV-C light can reduce infections in Long-Term Care facilities. Dr. Kenneth Rockwood, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Nova Scotia Health, is leading the project and hopes to build on preliminary data that suggests that exposure of lower dose UV-C light can inactivate influenza and coronaviruses. Participating sites include Northwood’s Halifax campus and Windsor Elms Village in Falmouth.
Posted February 17, 2021
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A research team, led by Dr. Kenneth Rockwood, will determine if UV-C light can reduce infections in Long-Term Care facilities. |
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Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) used world-wide during pandemic |
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Nova Scotia’s Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) used world-wide when making decisions about treating frail patients with COVID-19
Posted March 23, 2021
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Dr. Ken Rockwood, geriatrician and leading expert in frailty at Nova Scotia Health |
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How artificial intelligence might change treatment of kidney transplant patients |
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Dr. Karthik Tennankore wants to predict how long a transplant will last. He has teamed up with computer scientists at Dalhousie University to use artificial intelligence to estimate how long a kidney transplant will last.
Transplants are life-changing for patients, but over time, Dr. Karthik Tennankore says some patients end up back on dialysis when their new kidneys start to fail. His goal is to predict when that will happen.
Posted: April 5, 2021
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Dr. Karthik Tennankore says his preliminary work using machine learning is showing 80 per cent accuracy in determining how long a kidney transplant will last. (CBC) |
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One year later - Dr. David Anderson reflects |
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"As Dal marks a year of living with COVID-19's impacts, we check in with Dr. David Anderson to learn how his Faculty overcame obstacles and rallied together in service to the community at a time of great challenges."
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Dr. David Anderson
Dean of Medicine and Hematologist
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Dal's first Mental Health Awareness Week |
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Dalhousie's first ever Mental Health Awareness Week was held March 15 to March 21, 2021.
Mental Health Awareness Week at Dal is an annual event that aims to bring together the university community to raise awareness on mental health and the resources available to support students.
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Living Laboratory Research Fund |
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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
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Babar Haroon and Andrea Davenport, Critical Care and Internal Medicine
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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.
From
Dean of Medicine Blog - Spring 2021
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Masking changes to come for patients and visitors |
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Patients and visitors entering Nova Scotia Health facilities including those with long-term care beds will be asked to remove their personal mask and replace it with a medical mask when they are screened at the entrance.
This change is in response to the presence of variant strains of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia, and evidence of the effectiveness of proper medical masks over some cloth/personal varieties.
Work is underway to make sure an appropriate supply of medical masks is available. Nova Scotia Health will be working with zone and site leadership to implement this change in a way that is operationally feasible for each site.
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COMING SOON
New masking policy for patients and visitors
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MOVEit Transfer, a secure email service, is now available and will replace SEND.nshealth.ca effective April 30, 2021.
You can:
- securely share sensitive/confidential information with partners or clients external to the Health network. Messages/attachments can only be opened by the intended recipient.
- transfer files that exceed the size limits for standard email attachments.
- Go to https://sfts1.gov.ns.ca
- Login with your email address / password.
Need help?
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SEND.nshealth.ca to be replaced by MOVEit Transfer April 30. |
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NEW - LMS Module - Code Silver
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Code Silver is the Emergency Colour Code used throughout Nova Scotia Health for Person With A Weapon.
Code Silver refers to a mass harm incident and was approved for use within Nova Scotia Health in 2018.
Depending on your role, you may have a minimum of eleven (11) annual mandatory courses to do.
Login to complete:
Please note:
You must use Internet Explorer to obtain credit.
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Quick reference for SHARE & DIS access requests |
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Need to request SHARE Clinical Portal and/or Drug Information System (DIS) access and aren’t sure how to fill in each field?
Revised: March 2, 2021
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People Strategy launched March 11 |
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Nova Scotia Health launched its People Strategy on March 11, 2021. The strategy is intended to strengthen efforts to support health, wellness and safety of staff, physicians, learners, researchers and volunteers and support a healthy, high-performing workforce. |
The People Strategy is one of the most important goals of the Nova Scotia Health strategic plan, Healthier Together 2019-22.
Learn more about this strategy:
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Appointment of Senior Medical Directors |
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Appointment of senior medical directors of corporate services and clinical service networks and announcement of network co-leads
From:
Dr. Nicole Boutilier, Vice President of Medicine
Colin Stevenson, Vice President of Quality and System Performance
Date:
April 9, 2021
Last week we announced our new clinical service network leads. As we move towards the next phase of medical leadership restructuring, we are pleased to announce the next group of senior medical directors of Corporate services and Clinical Service Networks, their initial network assignments and operational co-leads for the networks. The corporate assignments for senior medical directors will be announced at a later time.
Senior Medical Director, Corporate Services and Clinical Service Networks
In co-leadership with the assigned Senior Director of Corporate Service and/or the Network Director, and reporting to the Vice President of Medicine, the Senior Medical Director provides Nova Scotia Health with strategic medical leadership. Each Senior Medical Director position is assigned to provide medical leadership to a corporate service, a clinical services network, or some combination of both based on individual interest and corporate need.
- Dr. Maria Alexiadis, Primary Health Care and Chronic Disease Management Network in co-leadership with Erin Christian
- Dr. Tim Mailman, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services Network in co-leadership with Lewis Bedford
- Dr. Paige Moorhouse, Episodic and Integrated Acute Care Network in co-leadership with Kate Melvin
- Dr. Tanya Munroe, Access and Flow Network, in co-leadership with Lynn Edwards
- Dr. Kenneth Rockwood, Frailty Network, in co-leadership with Lynn Edwards
Please join us in congratulating our new leaders and welcoming them to their new roles.
Over the coming weeks we will be implementing new structures and processes to address our new approach to communications, decision making, planning and performance as a result of the move towards provincial networks and zone operational functions. We will continue to provide updates on changes within the organization and thank you in advance for your support to these changes.
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AEDs in all public schools |
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Announced on March 16, all public schools in Nova Scotia will receive automated external defibrillators – a $700,000 investment by the Nova Scotia Government. |
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COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness - April 26, 2021 |
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Featuring:
Dr. Jeff Kwong - Interim Director, Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases, University of Toronto; Professor, Department of Family & Community Medicine and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
Dr. Nicole Basta – Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University
Dr. Melissa Andrew – Professor, Division of Geriatric Medicine , Department of Medicine , Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University
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Date:
Monday, April 26, 2021
Time
12:00 – 1:00pm EDT
RSVP on Eventbrite as spots are limited. You will receive the link for the webinar two hours before the event.
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DoM Research Week - April 26 - 30, 2021 |
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Keynote Speaker:
Joanne M. Langley MD, MSc, FRCPC
Professor of Pediatrics & Community Health and Epidemiology; CIHR-GSK Chair in Pediatric Vaccinology, Dalhousie University; Head, Division of Infectious Diseases, IWK Health
Presentation: “COVID-19 vaccines – the Canadian story so far”
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ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Zoom Meeting ID: 626 4418 5927
Zoom Password: 999 999
Tuesday, April 27
8 – 9:30 a.m.
AND
Thursday, April 29
12:30 – 3 p.m.
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POSTER PRESENTATIONS & MORE
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Throwback special promo video (5 mins) |
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Euphoria 2021! Through the Ages Virtual Event |
For more information:
When:
Saturday, May 1
7pm ADT livestream; tickets required
Presented by:
Dalhousie Medical Students' Society (DMSS)
In Support of:
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Medical Assistance in Dying: Where are We Now |
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Change to Criminal Code
Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) - Bill C-7
The Government of Canada announced on March 17, 2021, that Bill C-7, an Act to Amend the Criminal Code of Canada (Medical Assistance in Dying - MAID), became law.
Don't miss the special lunch and learn zoom event presented by Dr. Gord Gubitz, Division of Neurology
Medical Assistance in Dying: Where are We Now?
Thursday, May 6
12 – 1 p.m.
- Review the recent changes to the MAID legislation (Bill C-7)
- Understand how MAID assessment and provisions will occur
- Discuss the potential impact of these changes on clinical practice
Resources:
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Medical Assistance in Dying: Where are We Now?
Thursday, May 6
12 – 1 p.m.
To join: use Zoom link in email invitation from Mary Synette, sent April 7.
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3
currently in hospital due to COVID-19;
49 total patient admissions
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0
currently in ICU due to COVID-19;
13 total patient admissions
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455,070
total completed tests
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30,728
Rapid tests at pop-up locations
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157,590
Total vaccine doses administered
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31,294
People who have received second dose
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23
UK variant confirmed
(formerly known B.1.1.7)
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10
South African variant confirmed
(formerly known as B.1.351)
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As of April 13, 2021
Nova Scotia Health staff and physicians experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, contact Occupational Health: 1-833-750-0632
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After getting a COVID-19 vaccine... |
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You must continue to follow all public health guidelines (eg. wearing a mask/PPE, washing your hands and physical distancing).
If you are symptomatic (fever, cough, etc.), you must contact Occupational Health for testing. All COVID-related symptoms need to be reported to Occupational Health, even if you think it's a side effect of the vaccine.
After getting the vaccine, you could still be infectious to others, so it is important to report symptoms to Occupational Health.
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Nova Scotia to Receive AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine
Nova Scotia will receive an initial 13,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine next week. It is the third COVID-19 vaccine approved for use by Health Canada.
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Health Canada approves Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose COVID-19 vaccine, officials announced Friday, March 5, 2021. “Canada is the first major regulator to approve four vaccines,” said Dr. Supriya Sharma, Health Canada’s chief medical advisor.
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New Brunswick border is opening and remaining restrictions in parts of Halifax Regional Municipality and surrounding communities will be lifted.
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AstraZeneca Vaccine to Roll Out
Nova Scotians ages 63 and 64 will be the first group eligible to access the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine starting Saturday, March 20.
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Province is on track to give every person who wants a COVID-19 vaccine in Nova Scotia their first dose by the end of June.
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Gathering limits increase from 10 to 20 at Nova Scotia Health |
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MILESTONE
- Canada surpasses 1 million confirmed COVID-19 cases
Currently, there are three main well-defined COVID-19 virus variants of concern that are circulating globally:
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B.1.1.7 variant first identified in the United Kingdom,
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B.1.351 variant originating in South Africa, and
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P.1 variant originating in Brazil.
Important to note:
B.1.427 and B.1.429: These two variants were first identified in California in February 2021 and were classified as VOCs in March 2021. ( from cdc.gov)
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Newfoundland and Labrador border is opening
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Public health mobile units start vaccinating at homeless shelters in Halifax.
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Return of Atlantic Bubble |
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Extended through March 2022 |
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Government Extends Virtual Care Until March 31, 2022
On March 30, 2021, the provincial government announced that virtual care options, such as telephone and videoconferencing, will be extended in order for health professionals to connect with patients. More than 1.5 million health-care services were provided virtually during the pandemic in 2020.
The Province of Nova Scotia is partnering with the Government of Canada to expand the province’s virtual care services. Through a bilateral agreement, Nova Scotia will receive about $5.9 million from the federal government.
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QUICK REFERENCE /
RECURRING CONTENT
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Nova Scotia Health / Dr. Lynn Johnston
Uploaded: March 13, 2020
Video: 10 min
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Nova Scotia Health / Dr. Glenn Patriquin
Uploaded: April 3, 2020
Video: 3 min
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Canada.ca
Uploaded: June 15, 2020
Video: 1 min 25 seconds
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Canada.ca
Uploaded: July 20, 2020
PDF – 8.5" x 14" poster
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Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia
Complete online then download or email document. Once signed and witnessed, it is valid.
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Spectrum MD
(Antimicrobial Stewardship)
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Nova Scotia Health logo needs to be visible in the upper left corner of the home screen to ensure you are accessing local content.
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Helping Healthcare Heroes |
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Nova Scotia Health COVID-19 Resources |
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COVID-19 Hub
COVID-19 Testing
https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting
List of Potential COVID exposures
Return to work dates for NS Health workers at COVID-19 exposure locations
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Nova Scotia Health staff and physicians experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, contact Occupational Health:
1-833-750-0632
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Government of Nova Scotia |
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When you take care of yourself, you take care of others. |
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