DoM Monthly Newsletter – March 2023 | |
Editor's note: The April and May edition will be combined. Please check out our next newsletter in May 2023. | |
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April 2023
April 6 – DoM Quality Day abstract submission deadline
April 18 – 21 – DoM Research Week 2023
April 24 – 28 – Administrative Professionals’ Week
May 2023
May 1 – DoM Award nominations due
May 1 – National Physicians’ Day
May 1 – 5 – Resident Wellness Week
May 30 – DoM Grand Rounds (8am feature: Quality)
May 30 – DoM Quality Day (afternoon)
June 2023
June 6 – Anderson Dickson Lecture at DoM Grand Rounds (Zoom; 8-9am)
June 6 – Annual Faculty of Medicine Meeting (Theatre A Tupper / Teams; 5-6pm)
June 27 – DoM Awards Extravaganza (Zoom; 8-9am)
DoM Grand Rounds
Monthly poster on DoM website
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Hiyam Gedalia is starting a new role with the core education team as the undergraduate coordinator. Hiyam was previously the program administrator for the Hematology Residency Program.
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Dr. Lesley Adcock has joined the Department as a locum hospitalist from March 13 - July 28, 2023.
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Devangi Patel has joined the Division of Nephrology as administrative assistant.
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Dr. Wasan Wahab is doing a locum in the Division of Neurology from March 1 to May 26, 2023.
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Dr. Roger McKelvey retired from the Division of Neurology on December 31, 2022. Originally from New Brunswick, Dr. McKelvey attended Dalhousie medical school and then worked as a family physician in New Brunswick for several years. He then did his neurology training, followed by a behavioral neurology fellowship, both at McGill University. He worked as a community neurologist for many years in Fredericton and subsequently in Dartmouth. Dr. McKelvey joined the Division of Neurology as a hospital-based neurologist in 2018. He served as director of the MS clinic, and made important contributions to care in movement disorders and behavioral neurology. He now gets to indulge in artistic pursuits and sailing on the Saint John river. Big shoes to fill--we wish him the best in his retirement.
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Dr. Martin Gardner is retiring from the Division of Cardiology on March 31, 2023. He will be keeping a post-retirement appointment to do some teaching. Dr. Gardner joined the Department of Medicine in 1981. He was born in England and grew up in Cape Breton, where he met and married Dominica, and came to Halifax for medical school, residency in Internal Medicine and Cardiology before traveling to Philadelphia to UPenn to train with Dr. Mark Josephson, one of the founders of the specialty of Cardiac Electrophysiology. He returned to Halifax to establish a laboratory and program in Cardiac Electrophysiology. During this period of explosive growth in knowledge, technology and interventional capability, Martin grew the service, recruited colleagues, and brought the new technique of radiofrequency catheter ablation to the Maritimes in 1991. Martin played a key role in several of the seminal randomized clinical trial which still inform our therapy for atrial fibrillation, prevention of sudden death and defibrillator management. In 2002, he went on sabbatical to learn the new field of inherited cardiac arrhythmias and came back to establish one of the first inherited arrhythmia disease clinics in Canada—now viewed as an integral part of tertiary arrhythmia care. A full Professor of Medicine since 1995, Martin carried out an ambitious research program and was recipient of numerous research grants from MRC, Heart and Stroke and others, and was recognized with research awards from the department. He also served as a dedicated teacher, recognized with the coveted Teacher of the Year Award in Cardiology, and the Brian M. Chandler Award for Lifetime Achievement in Medical Education, as well as Mentor of the Year Award from the Royal College. He played key roles in Cardiology residency training, undergraduate training, and served 10 years as associate dean of postgraduate medicine for the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie. He has been closely involved with the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, the College of Physicians, and was a key inspiration to the formation of the Canadian Heart Rhythm Society, which he led as president 2006-2008. Martin is retiring from clinical practice this year after 42 years, leaving behind a legacy of exemplary patient care and academic dedication.
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Mariana Zhekova, Executive Assistant to Department Head Dr. Christine Short, is pursuing a new opportunity with the provincial government. Her last day was Friday, March 3. We wish her all the best!
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Chacity Grady, Administrative Assistant, Division of Nephrology, has left for another opportunity with Nova Scotia Health. We wish Chacity all the best.
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Dr. Charles Richard “Tim” Dean
June 6, 1940 - March 7, 2023
Our condolences go to the family, friends and colleagues of Dr. Tim Dean.
Dr. Dean was a well-respected and compassionate member of the Department and Division of General Internal Medicine with interests in education and hypertension. From 1979 to 1996, he held a community-based appointment followed by an institution-based appointment until his retirement in 2006.
Dr. Tim Dean (left) received the Brian M. Chandler Lifetime Achievement in Medical Education Award in 2006, presented by Dr. R. Allan Purdy (right), Interim Department Head, at the DoM Annual Spring Party (pictured here).
Read obituary on saltwire.com
View Dr. Dean's tribute wall
(Harbourside Regional Crematorium)
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Emike Ibeagboade,
Postgraduate Education Coordinator, Internal Medicine Residency Program
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Emike is the Postgraduate Education Coordinator for the Internal Medicine Residency Program. Emike celebrated her one-year anniversary with the department in February 2023, and as she says, “time flies when you enjoy what you do!”
Originally from Lagos, Nigeria, Emike came to Canada for school. After completing her undergraduate degree from Cape Breton University, she moved to Halifax and worked as a care coordinator at Lifemark Physiotherapy clinic before joining the Department of Medicine as the interim undergraduate coordinator.
In her current role as education coordinator, Emike is the primary point of contact for Competence by Design, evaluations, and assessments for the core residency program. She enjoys helping residents and working closely with other members of the education team.
Outside of work, Emike loves to sing and dance. During COVID, she picked up different hobbies such as canvas painting, acrylic nail design and baking. An avid purse and bag afficionado, Emike enjoys shopping to add to her growing collection! If you would like to reach Emike, please email her at: DomEducation@nshealth.ca.
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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. | |
Diagnosing Conflict Part 2:
Social undermining & Organizational mobbing
Part 1 of the Diagnosing Conflict series noted that discerning exactly what kind of conflict is impacting an organization is vital, since different kinds of conflicts are dealt with in different ways. That last tip focused on two types of conflict, incivility and aggression. Part two, the final installment, provides information on two more types: social undermining and organizational mobbing.
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Social undermining is the process of expressing negative emotions and judgements with the intent of damaging relationships or impeding others from reaching their goals. In a work environment, this damages reputations and hinders a person’s ability to form strong social connections. Social undermining often involves competing for status, attempts to delay another’s work and sharing misleading information. Social undermining takes place over time and is done with intention, unlike incivility. It impacts a person’s mental health and can lead to depression; it also leads to counterproductive work behaviours, retaliatory undermining and decreased job satisfaction. Research has shown that focusing on compassionate goals rather than selfish ones can reduce social undermining.
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Organizational mobbing tends to be more extreme. It is a form of group bullying and emotional assault where one individual is a target of many. It tends to involve negative gossip, innuendo, shunning, sabotage, and attempts to publicly discredit another person. Research has shown that mobbing is more common in organizations that have tenure or union protections, since the ultimate goal of mobbing is to drive someone out of an institution. Studies have shown that people are more at risk of mobbing if they are an outsider of some variety, because of their gender, country of origin, or because they are an object of envy. Mobs are often organized by a leader who motivates others to be a part of the bullying. Targets of organizational mobbing suffer trauma, PTSD, depression, and sometimes even suicide; this treatment also tends to impact an employee’s larger social circle, including family and friends. One way to counteract mobbing is to recognize it, name it, and understand the depths of its impact on people and organizations. Specific and targeted policies can also help reduce the corrosive impacts of organizational mobbing.
Both of these behaviours are relatively extreme and can have serious impacts on organizations. Learning to recognize them for what they are is an important part of reducing their severity. Reach out to Basia, Brennan, or Diane if we can help!
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Teach the Teachers 2023
By Dr. Trudy Taylor, Chair, Continuing Professional Development Committee
Department members were treated to an excellent Grand Rounds presentation on "The Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback Effectively" by M.J. Clark, VP and executive coach for Integrated Leadership Systems, at our annual DoM Education Grand Rounds on February 21. Grand Round was followed in the afternoon by our annual Teach the Teachers CPD activity, which had a theme of "Assessment and Feedback in the Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) Era."
The afternoon began with a plenary talk by M.J. Clark that built on the Grand Rounds discussion, this time focusing on "Mastering Performance Reviews and Structured Feedback."
The remainder of the afternoon was spent in small group interactive sessions, including:
- R2C2 in the Moment Feedback and Coaching Model, facilitated by Drs. Ian Epstein and Joan Sargeant;
- Tips for Delivering Feedback to the Learner in Difficulty, facilitated by Dr. Connie LeBlanc; and
- CBME: Implications and Implementation in Undergraduate Medical Education, facilitated by Dr. Simon Field.
The event was held virtually, which allowed members from across the province as well as colleagues from New Brunswick to participate. We had a great group of teachers and educators in attendance who were very engaged and enthusiastic to learn about our topics. Thank you to all who participated and to our speakers!
In case you missed the event, you can still check out the recording of M.J.’s plenary:
Teach the Teachers 2023 – Plenary
Presenter: M.J. Clark
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/-m7iTfTVXrpF1e9drPDIxBqKCZU3hC6S9-cQuATypcLdsJM0ksl36SkP36Xv8oLC.1zOgkZ_RMMaS0fP-
Passcode: 7gZ=wUS7
Link expires: May 31, 2023
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DoM Research Week 2023
The Department of Medicine will hold its annual Research Week from April 18 – 21. This will be a hybrid event with virtual presentations on Zoom and in-person presentations held in Room C170, Collaborative Health Education Building. Presentations are grouped and judged by category on Tuesday and Thursday.
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Tuesday, April 18
- 8 – 9 am (Zoom only)
- Podium presentations: Research Fellows, Research Staff and Undergraduate Medical Students.
Thursday April 20
- 12 - 5 pm (In-person; Room C170 CHEB Building)
- Podium presentations: Case Reports, Core Residents, Subspecialty Residents, Graduate Students and Faculty
- Poster presentations
- Keynote speaker: Dr. Robin Urquhart
- Award presentations
Further details will be shared in the coming weeks.
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Want to be a judge?
You will be asked to score and provide feedback to authors.
Scores will determine final award winners.
If you are interested in judging posters and podium presentations, please contact Anne at domresearch@nshealth.ca.
We look forward to hearing from you.
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Public Impact Award 2023
The Public Impact Award, presented by Research Nova Scotia, recognizes a Nova Scotian researcher in academia, a public research institution, government, or the private sector, whose research has benefited Nova Scotians by tangibly improving the economy, environment, healthcare system, or society. The recipient’s work was developed in response to the needs of society, and is solving a problem, managing a risk, or creating an opportunity for Nova Scotians.
We're accepting nominations until May 31, 2023 at 1p.m.
https://researchns.ca/public-impact-award/
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Quality Day
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Call for Submissions - Deadline: Thursday, April 6
Open to all DoM Faculty, Residents, Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Research Fellows/Staff and Allied Health Professionals.
The DoM Quality Improvement Steering Committee (QISC) invites you to submit an abstract for consideration for DoM Quality Day that will take place on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. The event will provide an exciting opportunity for DoM faculty/teams, including allied health professionals and residents/trainees, to showcase their Quality Improvement (QI) initiatives and share their project successes with other attendees. More details about the event will be shared in the coming weeks.
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Please complete the attached Abstract Submission Form (.docx) and return it to isha.seth@nshealth.ca by Thursday, April 6, 2023.
Late submissions will not be accepted.
There will be prizes awarded each for best presentation and best poster.
| Quality Improvement (QI) projects involve data measurement and systematic changes to processes in order to improve clinical care delivery, patient safety or quality of programs/services. | |
Examples:
- Developing a standardized order set to reduce catheter-associated line infections
- Determining guidelines adherence for the assessment of adrenal incidentalomas
- Reducing medication-related adverse events using a visual point-of-care education tool
- Improving access to endoscopy services using a telemedicine-based assessment
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Nova Scotia Health Quality Improvement
Need help deciding whether your project is Quality Improvement or Research?
The NS Health Quality Improvement & Safety Portfolio provides a navigation tool to help inform whether you require submission to the NS Health Research Ethics Board by evaluating your responses to a series of questions about your project.
NSH Quality Improvement and Research Navigation Tool
https://quality-improvement.nshealth.ca/surveys/?s=TRA34A8E8J
Quality Improvement 101 By Nova Scotia Health (5 min video)
https://stream2.nshealth.ca/2023/02-03-QI-101-Final/
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Dr. Thomas Brothers
Dr. Brothers received the 2022 AFMC Learner Changemaker Award. Congratulations!
Thomas (Tommy) Brothers, MD CISAM is a subspecialty resident in General Internal Medicine and the Clinician Investigator Program at Dalhousie University.
He is also a PhD student in Epidemiology and Public Health at University College London (UK).
His clinical and research work focuses on improving health care for people with substance use disorders, including integrating addiction treatment and harm reduction into general medical settings. Tommy helped to organize and lead an unofficial, trainee-run hospital inpatient addiction medicine consultation service and Halifax’s first supervised injection site. With community partners (including people with lived experience), he contributes to many clinical, educational, and research initiatives to improve health care for people with substance use disorders.
“Dr. Tommy Brothers has an incredible ability to inspire others. He does so with his fellow residents, his mentors, and other colleagues, and he does so with his patients. He truly wants to make a difference and has already done so through his research, outreach, and volunteer efforts.”
Dr. David Anderson, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University
https://www.afmc.ca/awards/
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Resident doctors discuss future of medicine in the Maritimes - Halifax | Globalnews.ca | |
More than 550 Dalhousie University resident physicians are working in hospitals, clinics and health care centres throughout Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. These young doctors represent the future of health care for the Maritimes - if they choose to stay.
Featuring:
Dr. Patrick Holland, Maritime Resident Doctors president; PGY3 internal medicine resident
Dr. Todd Dow, Maritime Resident Doctors vice-president; PGY3 plastic surgery resident
Last updated February 8, 2023
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Being 'socially frail' comes with health risks for older adults | CNN | |
Social frailty assumes that each factor contributes to an older person’s vulnerability and that they interact with and build upon each other.
“It’s a more complete picture of older adults’ circumstances than any one factor alone,” said Dr. Melissa Andrew, a professor of geriatric medicine at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, who published one of the first social vulnerability indices for older adults in 2008.
Last updated March 21, 2023
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DoM Committee Membership 2023-2024
A call for nominations regarding DoM Committee membership vacancies for 2023-2024 will be shared in the coming weeks via email.
Contact: anne.veinotte@nshealth.ca.
| Dalhousie University Logo Refresh - Action Requested | |
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The Department of Medicine has updated the Dalhousie logo on departmental letterhead, memorandum, PowerPoint and email templates. The process of updating divisional letterhead is ongoing. So far, we have received logo files for three divisions. As we receive further divisional letterhead templates, we will add it to the shared file.
The documents are saved in departmental shared drive in a folder named:
“DoM logo letterhead templates 2023.”
All DoM physicians and staff are encouraged to download and save these pre-approved templates to maintain consistency with the Dalhousie University brand. Please archive files with the former Dalhousie logo.
Questions, please contact Isha.Seth@nshealth.ca or Anne.Veinotte@nshealth.ca.
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Surgical Access and Quality Improvement Strategy | Nova Scotia, like other provinces and countries, has been challenged by long wait lists and wait times for surgical consults and surgeries. These issues are difficult for patients, families, and providers and have grown with the pandemic, creating the urgency for action, investments and change. | | | |
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Department of Medicine Awards 2023: Call for Nominations
Deadline: May 1 (annually)
The DoM Awards & Recognition Committee is seeking nominations for the following awards. Starting in 2023, the annual deadline for these awards will become May 1. A list of DoM awards where the awardee is selected by a defined process is available at the link below.
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Faculty of Medicine Awards 2023: Call for Nominations
The Faculty of Medicine invites nominations for awards that recognize outstanding contributions to education and teaching, administrative leadership, community service, medical research, and continuing medication education.
https://medicine.dal.ca/for-faculty-staff/awards.html
Please contact the Dean's Office at awards.medicine@dal.ca if you have questions.
March 31, 2023 award submission deadlines:
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Faculty Awards of Excellence in Education recognizes outstanding contributions in education and teaching, excellence in the delivery of clinical care and community service. (Submission deadline March 31, 2023)
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Community Teacher of the Year Award recognizes excellence in community-based teaching outside of a major academic centre (Halifax, NS and Saint John, NB). (Submission deadline March 31, 2023)
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Faculty of Medicine Awards for Excellence in Medical Research acknowledge the considerable efforts and accomplishments of our faculty in the field of medical research. (Deadline extended to March 31, 2023)
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Faculty of Medicine Awards for Excellence in Research Mentorship acknowledge the considerable efforts and accomplishments of our faculty who consistently serve as exemplary mentors of trainees and other faculty members. (Deadline extended to March 31, 2023)
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Faculty of Medicine Wayne Putnam Award recognizes contributions to the continuing education of Maritime physicians. (Submission deadline March 31, 2023)
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Excellence in Clinical Practice Award recognizes physician faculty members who serve as exemplary role models in delivering patient care of exceptionally high quality. (Submission deadline March 31, 2023)
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Allan Cohen Memorial Award in Community Service recognizes faculty, staff, and students who work to fulfill the mission of the Medical School by displaying outstanding community service with health-related organizations and causes. (Submission deadline March 31, 2023)
April 15, 2023 award submission deadline:
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Faculty of Medicine Awards of Excellence in Leadership acknowledge excellence and recognize the importance of administrative leadership in the medical school setting.
May 15, 2023 award submission deadline:
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**NEW** Faculty of Medicine Award of Excellence in Teaching (PhD Faculty) recognizes excellence in teaching by PhD faculty in undergraduate or graduate programs offered in the Faculty of Medicine.
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NSH Making Waves Awards 2023: Call for Nominations
Nomation deadline: May 31 at 4 p.m.
The Nova Scotia Health Making Waves Awards are designed to recognize exemplary efforts and outstanding contributions by employees, physicians, researchers and volunteers that advance our vision, mission, values and strategic directions.
http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/making-waves
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Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Laureate Induction Ceremony | |
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Dalhousie University is hosting the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF) Laureate Induction Ceremony held on June 22, 2023 at the Halifax Convention Centre. The Department of Medicine has signed up as a silver sponsor for this event.
The CMHF will honour six outstanding Canadians who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, integrity, and contributions to medicine and the health sciences in Canada or abroad, that have led to extraordinary improvements in human health.
https://cdnmedhall.ca/induction
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Department of Medicine's CMHF Laureates:
Dr. TJ Murray – 2014, Professor Emeritus
Dr. Jean Gray – 2020, Professor Emeritus
Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Award for Medical Students
Dr. Braydon Connell – 2017, current PGY4 Neurology Resident
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The Department will have a table with 8 seats.
June 22, 2023
Halifax Convention Centre
Reception: 5 PM
Program: 6PM
Formal attire
If you would like to attend the event, please email denise.hatchette@nshealth.ca.
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QUICK REFERENCE /
RECURRING CONTENT
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