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DoM Monthly Newsletter – September 2023

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Nova Scotia Health logo

In this update:

View previous updates

The SHORT Report

Events

September 18 - DoM Welcome Lunch

October 3 - NSH Quality Summit (Central Zone)

November 17 - Medicine Matters

November 23 - DoM Research Evening

December 31 - Mandatory LMS modules to be completed

Member Updates

Welcome / Farewell

In Memoriam

Leadership and Range

Communication tip in the conflict and culture series

Kudos

Congratulations to Dr. Thomas!

Congratulations to Dr. Purdy!

Clinical Systems and Innovation

CSI Call for Proposals - deadline extended to September 15

Research

DoM Research Google Site - new URL

DoM Research Week 2024 - Call for Abstracts

DoM Research Awards 2023-24 - Call for Award Nominations

DoM UIMRF Funding Opportunities 2023-24

Quick Reference / Recurring Content

GET TO KNOW

DoM Welcome Lunch

DoM Welcome Lunch


Please join us for lunch to welcome our colleagues - residents, physicians, and administrative staff!


Date

Monday, September 18


Time:

12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m.


Location:

Outside at the Tupper Building Quad, Dalhousie University

Map of Tupper Building (dal.ca)


Rain location:

Bethune Ballroom, VG Site


Contact: Tammy.Zoccole@nshealth.ca

THE SHORT REPORT

Hi everyone,

September is here and summer is drawing to a close. I would like to welcome everyone back to our new academic year. We have had so many new people join our department over the summer. As a way to welcome all of our new learners, physicians and administrative staff, we are hosting a welcome lunch on Monday, September 18th. Please try to drop by, say hi and grab some lunch on us (see details below).


I hope you all found some time away from work over the summer to recharge. I am taking a course with the Faculty of Medicine and read a very interesting wellness blog about balance last week. Dr. Christy Stephenson, who wrote the blog, is a former gymnast and she used a wonderful analogy comparing physical balance to creating balance in our lives (https://cmajblogs.com/the-fallacy-of-balance-in-medicine/).


Our physical balance depends on our base of support. This rings very true to me as a physiatrist. We deal with balance and falls all of the time; and we work with our patients to do things to increase their base of support. When you stand on one foot, your base of support is smaller than when you stand on two feet and you are more likely to fall. Adding a cane or a set of ski poles provides additional support. Dr. Stephenson pointed out that when you lean on someone else, your base of support increases by more than two times. This synergy offers you more than your original investment. We continue to face huge challenges in health care especially in acute care. When we are faced with these challenges, our general tendency is often to lean out or away when what we really need to do is lean on someone else. Trust your colleagues. We need to lean on each other more than ever right now and if we trust each other, assume good faith, be kind and do this together we will find ourselves in a better work environment for everyone, including our patients and our learners.


There are a number of health promotion days in September. You can see full list on the calendar of health promotions days on canada.ca. I want to put a shout out for World Alzheimer’s Month | Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) (alzint.org) occurring in September. September 10th was also World Suicide Prevention Day. Too many of us have been touched by or know someone who has been touched by suicide. It is the fourth leading cause of death in people between the age of 15-29 and physicians have a higher risk of suicide then the general population (Suicide Prevention Canada - https://suicideprevention.ca/). This is why self-care and our wellness is so important. We need to be well in order to take good care of the people in our charge.


September 30 marks the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. This is a great time to reflect on what we have done over the last year in our lives and in our department to promote equity and diversity. Equity in healthcare is a place we can really contribute and excel through engaging in indigenous health initiatives. Please let us know if you are interested in participating on our EDIA committee.


Lastly, I want to mention that we lost a long-time and valued member of our Department in August. Dr. Rajender Parkash practiced medicine for over 50 years in India, the UK, Yarmouth and finally Halifax with the Department in the Faculty of Medicine. I encourage you to take some time to read about his life and career. He received several recognitions for his contributions and the many messages left for his family are a tribute to the person he was. We send our deepest sympathies to his family, including Dr. Ratika Parkash in our Division of Cardiology, and colleagues in the Division of General Internal Medicine.


I hope you enjoy this edition of our newsletter. Don’t forget to send us any stories or things you want to share with the department and our stakeholders in our next edition.

Take care,


Christine



Christine Short, MD, FRCP(C), FACP

Associate Professor & Head/Chief, Department of Medicine

Dalhousie University / Central Zone, Nova Scotia Health

Dr. Christine Short

Short

Photo by: Nick Pearce

DATES / DEADLINES

hand waving

Monday, September 18, 2023 - DoM Welcome Lunch


Please join us for lunch to welcome our new colleagues - residents, physicians, and administrative staff!


Time: 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m.

Location: Outside at the Tupper Building Quad, Dalhousie University

Map of Tupper Building (dal.ca)


Rain location: Bethune Ballroom, VG Site


Contact: Tammy.Zoccole@nshealth.ca

classroom

Nova Scotia Health Quality Summit


2023 Theme:

Improve, Inspire, Transform


Call for presentations - Due September 15


Central Zone event - Tuesday, October 3

Eastern Zone event - Friday, October 13

Northern Zone event - Tuesday, October 17

Western Zone event - Wednesday, October 25


Info: https://intra.nshealth.ca/summit/

classroom

Friday, November 17, 2023 - Medicine Matters


On behalf of Dr. Trudy Taylor and the Continuing Professional Development Committee, we look forward to your participation in Medicine Matters on Friday, November 17, 2023. Itinerary to follow closer to the date. Hope to see you there.


Time: 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Location: Collaborative Health Education Building (CHEB)


Contact: Tammy.Zoccole@nshealth.ca

microscope

Thursday, November 23, 2023 - DoM Research Evening


Please join us for Research Evening on November 23, 2023. This event will include dinner and presentations.


The Commons Room has a maximum capacity of 120, so please RSVP early to ensure you have a seat! Please let Dariush know (domresearch@nshealth.ca) if you have any food restrictions or allergies.


Time: 6 - 9 p.m.

Location: Commons Room at the Atlantica Hotel (1980 Robie St., Halifax, NS B3H 3G5)


RSVP: domresearch@nshealth.ca

classroom

December 31 - Learning Management System (LMS)


Mandatory learning courses to be completed annually online through Nova Scotia Health.


https://elearning.nshealth.ca/

(Login to view your course list; complete by December 31 annually)

MEMBER UPDATES

welcome

Monday, September 18, 2023

DoM Welcome Lunch

hand-waving

Please join us for lunch to welcome our colleagues - residents, physicians, and administrative staff!


Time:

12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m.


Location:

Outside at the Tupper Building Quad, Dalhousie University

Map of Tupper Building (dal.ca)


Rain location:

Bethune Ballroom, VG Site


Contact:

Tammy.Zoccole@nshealth.ca

WELCOME

We welcome the following members to their new positions:

July

  • Carole Bruce, joined the Division of Geriatric Medicine as Team Lead replacing Elissa Hughes.


August

  • Tracy Smardon, has joined the Division of Endocrinology as Administrative Assistant.


  • Lauren Boyce joined the Division of Neurology as a casual clerk.


  • Patty Zhong, Administrative Assistant, joined the Division of Digestive Care & Endoscopy on August 10.


  • Raelene Kucyk, in the Education Program Assistant role, became the new Team Lead in Division of General Internal Medicine on August 22 replacing Katie Martin.


  • Dr. Michael MacGillivary joins the Division of Clinical Dermatology & Cutaneous Science in a locum position from August 28, 2023 to March 31, 2024.


  • Dr. Sowmya Sharma joins the Division of Digestive Care & Endoscopy in a locum position from August 28 to November 1, 2023.


  • Alyssa Mercer, Administrative Assistant for Drs. Crowell and Beydoun, Division of Cardiology, began on August 28.


  • Jennifer Duggan, Administrative Assistant for Dr. Gabrielle Horne and the Connective Tissue Clinic, Division of Cardiology, began on August 28.


  • Hannah Smith became the new Division Assistant in the Division of Clinical Dermatology & Cutaneous Science in late August.


  • Dr. Shruthi Peechara joins the Division of Hematology with an academic appointment (Saint John, NB).


  • Dr. Andrew Baird joins the Division of Respirology with an academic appointment (Fredericton, NB).


  • Dr. Baroudi Fashir joins the Division of Digestive Care & Endoscopy with an academic appointment (Sydney, NS).


  • Dr. Erin Westby joins the Division of Clinical Dermatology & Cutaneous Science with an academic appointment (Kentville, NS).


  • Dr. Eslam Abdellah joins the Division of Neurology with an academic appointment (Moncton, NB).


  • Dr. Jason MacDonald joins the Division of Geriatric Medicine with an academic appointment (Moncton, NB).


  • Dr. Najala Orrell joins the Division of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation with an academic appointment (Sydney, NS).


  • Remigius Agu, PhD, joins the Division of Endocrinology, as a cross appointed member from the Department of Pharmacology.


September

  • Dr. Luke Chen joins Hematology in the AFP on September 1.


  • Dr. Nicole Drost joins the DGH Respirology group on September 1.


  • Dr. Gaeth Al-Zaneen, Division of Nephrology, completed a Home Dialysis Fellowship with Drs. Tennankore and Clark and begins a locum position from September 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.


  • Dr. Sonya Swift joins the Division of Palliative Medicine in a locum position (Sep 4 - Dec 31, 2023).


  • Alicia Whiting joins the Division of Cardiology as Administrative Assistant on September 11.


  • Dr. Ceilidh MacPhail joins the Division of Medical Oncology on September 18, 2023.


  • Raelean Stevenson joins the Division of Geriatric Medicine as Education Program Assistant on September 20; replacing Ruth Ampi Kanakam.


  • Natalie Burns and Sharon Dunn will be the new Team Leads in the Division of Cardiology (start date TBA).


October

  • Jan Blackmore will begin as Administrative Assistant in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation on October 2.


  • Kelly Watson will become the Education Program Assistant in the Division of Rheumatology on October 16.

FAREWELL

We say farewell and best wishes to:

  • Crystal Leverman, DoM Manager, left the Department on September 8 for another opportunity within Nova Scotia Health.


  • Madison Saulnier, Administrative Assistant, Division of Digestive Care & Endoscopy, has left as of September 1 and is training to become a Radiation Technologist.


  • Hyen Rosen, Education Program Assistant, Clinical Dermatology & Cutaneous Science, accepted a position outside of Nova Scotia Health as of September 1.


  • Katie Crosby, Division Assistant, Clinical Dermatology & Cutaneous Science left on August 25 for another opportunity within Nova Scotia Health.


  • Sandy Porter, Team Lead, Division of Digestive Care & Endoscopy, retires as of August 30 and will return in September, casually, until a replacement is identified for the Team Lead role.


  • Jessica Burchell, Education Program Assistant in the Division of Rheumatology, has moved to another position within NSH.


  • Lana Hutchinson, Education Program Assistant, Division of Endocrinology, has left the organization.


  • Harpreet Kaur, Administrative Assistant, has left the Division of Endocrinology.


  • Carmen Arsenault retired from the Division of Cardiology in July.

IN MEMORIAM

Dr. Rajender Parkash

1936-2023

Dr. Parkash

Former department member, Dr. Rajender Parkash, passed away on August 21, 2023, at the age of 87. Born in India, Dr. Parkash completed his medical training in Punjab and worked in Delhi for two years before moving to the United Kingdom in 1961. He spent 10 years working in England and Ireland before moving to Halifax in 1971, and eventually settled in Yarmouth, NS, where he would practice for the next 36 years. He moved to Halifax in 2008 and was a member of the Division of General Internal Medicine for an additional 10 years before retiring in 2018 after more than 55 years in practice.


A passionate and dedicated physician, Dr. Parkash was the Chief of Internal Medicine at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital for 20 years and Chief of Staff for 3 years. He was very involved with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia, serving on countless committees including member of the Council, Executive, Investigation and Registration committees.


His interests included diabetes, cardiovascular disease and renal disease. While in Yarmouth he also took a major role in the intensive care unit and stroke project. Dr. Parkash was a devoted patient advocate and professional role model and widely respected for his exceptional selflessness and dedication to patients.


His dedication to his patients, the medical community, and the Yarmouth Regional Hospital resulted in him being the recipient of numerous awards and honours including the Doctors Nova Scotia Senior Membership Award (2006), Canadian Medical Association Honorary Membership Award (2006) and Outstanding Service Award from the Diabetes Care Program (2011). Dr. Parkash received the 2012 College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia (CPSNS) Gold-Headed Cane Award which recognizes an outstanding Nova Scotia physician who exemplified professionalism in service to their patients and the profession in the best interest of the public. (pictured here)


In Spring 2011, the Yarmouth Regional Hospital Renal Dialysis Unit was dedicated in his honour for his 30 years of service as an Internist.


Drs. Asha and Rajender Parkash also established a $50,000 scholarship endowment fund for first year students entering the Dalhousie University Bachelor of Science Nursing Program (Yarmouth Site). The Drs. Rajender and Asha Parkash Scholarship valued at $1,500 is awarded annually by the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation.


Obituary on Saltwire.com


Memories on DignityMemorial.com

CONFLICT AND CULTURE

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.

Leadership and Range


To succeed in our professional lives, some amount of specialization is necessary. As academics, we focus on discrete issues to build a broader knowledge base. And of course, many medical careers and medical procedures are built on specialized knowledge and information. Without these vital, specialized skills, it would not be possible to meet patient and student needs. 


However, leadership is somewhat different. As leaders, we need to have a broad base of skills and abilities, to ensure we can reach everyone in turn. Leaders need to learn what kind of person they are working with, understand a broad range of conflict styles, and develop diverse tools for solving difficult issues. Oftentimes, what works for one person is counterproductive for another; this is also true of the situations we encounter as leaders. This is what makes Range by David Epstein such a valuable book.

puzzle pieces

David Epstein argues that we need both specialists and generalists, working together, to solve the toughest problems we face. Sometimes we are so deep in our trenches, we miss what is generalizable.


Range argues that things like metaphors can help others understand important issues, and even lead to innovative solutions to complex problems. It suggests that many of us became expert specialists in “kind” learning environments that gave logical feedback, like schools, but we are working in “wicked” learning environments with muddied signals and muddled feedback, further complicating matters. It also argues that we reach the best solutions when we collaborate, and that a key aspect of high-level collaboration is wide-ranging people and leadership skills.

expanding arrow

A truism about people is that they contain multitudes. As such, leadership requires a multitude of methods. Range offers a convincing argument about how we can broaden our scopes and skills to become even better leaders.

KUDOS

Thomas

Congratulations Dr. Thomas!


Congratulations to Dr. Nikhil Thomas who received the 2023 Faculty of Medicine Award for Excellence in Research Mentorship of Trainees from the Faculty of Medicine.


Dr. Nik Thomas is joint appointed with the Department of Microbiology & Immunology (major appointment) and the Division of Infectious Diseases in the Department of Medicine.


We sincerely apologize for not including Dr. Thomas's recognition when the Faculty of Medicine awards were shared in the August 2023 newsletter.

Congratulations to Dr. Purdy!

Kerri Purdy, MD, FRCPC, is the recipient of the 2023 Royal College AMS Donald Richards Wilson Award for CanMEDS Integration. Dr. Purdy is associate professor of medicine and head of the Division of Clinical Dermatology & Cutaneous Science at Dalhousie University.


This award recognizes a medical educator or an individual leader of a team, program or department who has demonstrated excellence in integrating the CanMEDS roles into a Royal College or other health-related training program.

See all recipients on RoyalCollege.ca

CLINICAL SYSTEMS AND INNOVATION (CSI)

CSI Call for Proposals

- deadline extended


I am writing you to make you aware that the Clinical Systems and Innovation Committee (CSI) is extending the call for project proposals.


These projects should be in alignment with the DoM Clinical Strategic Plan priorities and propose interventions that have shown promise or have the potential to improve relevant specialty healthcare delivery and access challenges. The scope of the project may range from small to larger scale projects. However, feasibility and sustainability is critical. 

 

The CSI committee has in-house expertise (computer sciences, implementation science, research, QI, research and innovation, health systems experience and knowledge) to help you move your project idea to the next level. Small amounts of funding for proof of concept may also be available.

 

CSI has recently onboarded an Implementation Scientist who many of you have met, Dr. Cynthia Kendell. Dr. Kendell will consult with and advise, along with CSI Chair and committee members, CSI supported projects. We are working to onboard project support for project leads/ teams that may require help with things like proposal development, stakeholder engagement, logic models, data collection strategies, implementation and evaluation plans, among other things. The spirit of this process is to support project leads to perform the preimplementation, implementation and evaluation, adaptation, scale and spread, and knowledge translation and mobilization work that is needed to maximize the likelihood of health system uptake and impact of any project intervention or process change.  

 

The submission process will be as follows:

 

  • Sept 15, 2023: Submission deadline for project proposals


  • Sept 18, 2023 at 4:30pm: Project presentation with CSI committee. Team lead will be asked to do a brief presentation to the CSI committee to discuss their project.


  • October-November, 2023: Constructive feedback and recommendations + project launch meetings.


In your application, please specify what aspects of your project you believe CSI can help with the most.


Please submit your completed application to DoMResearch@nshealth.ca by Friday, September 15.

 

Thank you, 

 

Dr. Jennifer Jones

Chair, DoM Clinical Systems and Innovation Committee


Dr. Cynthia Kendell

DoM Research Implementation Scientist

RESEARCH

DoM Research Google Site


NEW - https://sites.google.com/view/domresearch - URL updated


OLD - https://sites.google.com/view/domresidentresearch


The google site was initially developed for the resident group but it’s also useful to faculty and their research teams. DoM Research wants to ensure that the link is easily accessible to anyone in the department.

DoM Research Week 2024 - Call for Abstracts


Open to all DoM Faculty, Residents, Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Research Fellows, and Research Staff


The DoM Research Committee invites you to submit an abstract for consideration for DoM Research Week 2024. Please share with your trainees and research groups as needed. 


  1. Please complete the Abstract Submission Form
  2. Return it to DoMResearch@nshealth.ca by Monday, January 15, 2024.


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. Late submissions will not be accepted.


DoM Research Week will be taking place in the week of April 8 - 12, 2024.

It is anticipated that this event will have in-person and virtual components.


Kindest regards, 


Dariush Bakhtiari, PhD

Research Program Administrative Coordinator | Department of Medicine

DoM Research Awards 2023-24 - Call for Award Nominations

Please see the guidelines and nomination information for the Department of Medicine Research Awards:


DoM Faculty (primary appointment) Research Excellence Awards – up to 3 awards may be presented


DoM Cross-Appointed Faculty Research Excellence Award – up to 1 award may be presented


The deadline for award nominations is Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at noon. 


Nominations are to be submitted electronically to DoMResearch@nshealth.ca.


Kindest regards,


Dariush Bakhtiari, PhD

Research Program Administrative Coordinator | Department of Medicine

DoM UIMRF Funding Opportunities 2023-2024

UIMRF is currently accepting applications for grant and fellowship funding:

Deadline

UIMRF Opportunity

Monday, October 2, 2023

Research Fellowships

(Internal / External, and CIP Sponsorship)

Monday, October 16, 2023

Junior Dept Member and Bridge/Pilot Funding

4 weeks prior to application deadline

Matching Research Funds

Please contact DoMResearch@nshealth.ca for information and application forms. 

QUICK REFERENCE /

RECURRING CONTENT

Mental Health & Well-Being


Doctors Nova Scotia: Professional Support Program


Employee Assistance Program (EAP)


Mental Health and Wellness, Government of Nova Scotia


Nova Scotia Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line

  • 1-888-429-8167

Nova Scotia Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Program (MHAP) has free e-Mental Health and Addictions tools available to all Nova Scotians including health care workers and physicians. These tools include:


  • Mindwell U - free online support that takes just five minutes a day, and can be accessed anywhere and on any device. This service is available in English and French. https://app.mindwellu.com/novascotia


  • Therapy Assistance Online (TAO) – free and private online resource that includes interactive activities and videos for people having challenges with their mental health. This service is available in English and French. https://www.taoconnect.org/


  • Wellness Together Canada – mental health and substance abuse support that contains free online resources, tools, apps and connections to trained volunteers and qualified mental health professionals when needed. https://wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA


  • Togetherall – free and safe online peer-to-peer mental health community that empowers individuals to anonymously seek and provide support 24/7. It is available to all youth and young adults aged 16-29, providing an inclusive and supportive place to connect with others with real lived experience with common mental health concerns. To sign up go to togetherall.com and use your Nova Scotia postal code to register. https://togetherall.com/en-ca/


For more online tools and how to register, visit MHAhelpNS.ca/tools.


NSH Library - Healthy Living

Department of Medicine

DoM Grand Rounds

YouTube Playlists



DoM Grand Rounds Sept 2023 - June 2024

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlLxbpWu5dHGQDU5yf-ly5JzVjB4eHESO


Summer Grand Rounds 2023

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlLxbpWu5dHHRPY01UxsmLR5ieTrLLGbo


DoM Grand Rounds Sept 2022 - June 2023

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlLxbpWu5dHES-kHHYhxYG-rX3IIEoLSN


Videos are unlisted on the Department of Medicine YouTube channel, so you must have the link to view. All recordings are copyright.

DoM Research

https://sites.google.com/view/domresearch - URL revised


The page was initially developed for the resident group but it’s also useful to faculty and their research teams. DoM Research wants to ensure that the link is easily accessible to anyone in the department.

Nova Scotia Health

COVID-19 Hub

https://covid19hub.nshealth.ca/new

Shows major changes effective July 17, 2023 for visitation and masking.

Firstline Antimicrobial Stewardship App

https://firstline.org/antimicrobial-stewardship/

https://firstline.org/nsha/


NSH logo needs to be visible in the upper left corner of the home screen to ensure you are accessing local content.

Media Relations Guidelines

The Nova Scotia Health Media Relations Team, led by John Gillis, has shared guidelines for physicians or staff who receive media requests. All media requests should be vetted through the NSH media relations office.

Additional Links

Dalhousie University

Faculty of Medicine

medicine.dal.ca

Doctors Nova Scotia

doctorsns.com

Nova Scotia.ca

novascotia.ca/news

Personal Directive - Legal Info Nova Scotia

https://www.legalinfo.org/personaldirective

Fill out online then download/email; once signed and witnessed, it's valid.

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