VoXMeDal Fall 2023

THE VOICE OF DALHOUSIE MEDICAL ALUMNI FALL 2023

DAL NEUROSURGERY AMONG FIRST IN COUNTRY TO ATTAIN

GENDER PARITY

CLINICAL CADAVER PROGRAM INVESTING IN STUDENT SUCCESS HELP US RENAME VOX MEDAL

DALHOUSIE MEDICAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

DMNB leadership and Dal Med alum enjoy a return to in-person alumni receptions in Saint John in March

FALL 2023

DESIGN

Members at Large Dr. Annette Bell (MD ’97) Dr. Leo Fares (MD ’16) Dr. Leah Jones (MD ’18) Dr. Peggy Leighton (MD ’77) Dr. Sarah Muir (MD ’90) Dr. Kristy Newson (MD ’03) Dr. Janet Sommers (MD ’05) Dr. David Wilcox (MD ’87) Dr. Chad Williams (MD ’04)

Christin Roper

Executive Ex-Officio

PHOTOGRAPHY

Dr. David Anderson (MD ’83), Dean, Faculty of Medicine

EDITORIAL Editor: Emma Lindala, Dayna Park, Elizabeth Conrad Contributors: Dayna Park, Elizabeth Conrad, Kate Rogers, Jason Bremner, Katherine Higgins, Michelle McKinnon and Rénee Douglas

Daniel Abriel, Nick Pearce, Anita Clemens, other images contributed DMAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Executive Dr. Cindy Forbes (MD ’85), President Dr. Stephen Miller (MD ’93), Vice President Dr. Kathy O’Brien (MD ’87), Past President Dr. Kavish Chandra (MD ’18), Treasurer

Please send news, story ideas, comments, and/or address changes to: Dalhousie Medical Alumni Association  902-229-6874 envelope medical.alumni@dal.ca globe alumni.medicine.dal.ca

Cathrine Yuill, Executive Director, Advancement, Faculty of Medicine Emma Lindala, Manager, Alumni Engagement & Donor Relations, Faculty of Medicine Kenisse Trotman, DMSS Representative Jon Nam, DMNB Representative Dr. Pat Holland (MD ’20), Maritime Resident Doctors Representative

FACEBOOK-SQUARE DALHOUSIEMEDICALSCHOOL TWITTER-SQUARE DALMEDSCHOOL

FEATURES AND STORIES Welcome

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Message from Faculty of Medicine Dean Dr. David Anderson

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Message from DMAA President Dr. Cindy Forbes

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Message from DMNB Associate Dean Dr. Jennifer Hall

Convocation 2023 4

Celebrating the Class of 2023

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DMNB Launch Ceremony'

Cover Story 11

Dal neurosurgery residency attains gender parity in promising first

Alumni Profiles 14

Dr. Vikas Saini and the Hospital Index

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Dr. Ivan Silver and Medical Leadership

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Dr. Allan MacDonald and Transplantation in Atlantic Canada

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Special Features 17

A physician’s greatest teacher

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Empowering Cape Breton's Health Future

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Investing in Student Success

NEWS, EVENTS AND UPDATES 17

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New Master of Physician Assistant Studies program announced for Faculty of Medicine

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Dal alumni among medical humanities award winners

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Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick Research Celebration Dinner 2023

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Help us rename the VOX MeDal!

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Dr. Cindy Calkin (MD ’93) wins international research award

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Dal Med Alum, Dr. MengHee Tan (MD ’69), Publishes Contemporary Diabetes Resource

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Class Notes

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Events and Reunions

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In Memoriam

WELCOME MESSAGE

A New Era

By Dr. David Anderson (MD ’83) Dean, Faculty of Medicine As I prepared my remarks for this edition of Vox MedDAL, it amazed me how swiftly another year, and another summer, has passed. Much has happened since our last issue, and I am pleased with all that the Faculty of Medicine has accomplished.

In August we held the annual Dean’s Welcome Ceremony in Halifax to welcome our first-year med students to Dalhousie Medical School and to the practice of medicine. I’m so pleased to see that the Class of 2027 is the largest-ever class of talented and motivated students in the over 150-year history of Dalhousie Medical School, at a time when the need for physicians has never been greater in our region and country.

When we released our renewed strategic plan, Realizing Our Ambition, earlier this year, we expressed our desire to bring the Faculty of Medicine into a new era, while continuing the tradition of training scientists and medical professionals with a commitment to lifelong learning, excellence in patient care, high ethical standards, and accountability to communities we serve. Our work continues to focus on Education, Research, and Serving and Engaging Society, but in our new plan we added a fourth stream, Valuing People. This stream speaks to the Faculty of Medicine’s commitment to the wellness of staff, students, and faculty, and ensuring we provide every opportunity to make this the best place to study, to work, and to fulfill one’s career aspirations.

We have had much success over the last five years, and looking forward, I am certain we will continue our achievement with the strategic plan guiding our direction.

At the end of January, we announced a collaboration between Dalhousie and Cape Breton University to establish a medical school campus in Sydney, Nova Scotia. This strategic partnership will ensure more Nova Scotians will have the opportunity to receive an excellent medical education in their home province and will assist with the recruitment and retention of physicians to the Cape Breton region, and indeed to all of Nova Scotia. With a focus on family medicine and rural medicine, the Cape Breton campus will provide training that will greatly benefit the health needs of many communities of Nova Scotians.

Over the summer I was fortunate to join several classes who had gathered for their reunions. A class reunion is a great time to think back to your time at Dalhousie and the many meaningful connections with classmates, professors, mentors, and supporters that helped launch you into an amazing career in medicine. Attending these events is one of the great pleasures I get to experience in my role as dean, and I am also grateful for the words of wisdom and feedback about what we can be doing better as a medical school, that I so often receive at reunions.

On October 14, 2023, for the first time since 2019, we were pleased to host the Dal Med Gala at the Halifax Convention Centre. We hope you were able to join in on the celebration with your fellow alumni, our faculty and staff, and current students and residents.

Our alumni are graduates of one of the best medical schools in the country, and we rely on your talent and energy to preserve the health of the communities we serve. Thank you for all that you do to create a stronger and more equitable health system.

Dr. David Anderson (MD ’83) Dean of Medicine

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WELCOME MESSAGE

Looking forward

Cindy Forbes, MD, CCFP, FCFP (MD ’85) President, Dalhousie Medical Alumni Association I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits as we head into Autumn. I am excited to bring you the latest news and updates from the DMAA. Reconnecting with our alumni continues to be our priority. The DMAA had the privilege of hosting alumni receptions in partnership with DMNB in New Brunswick this past Spring, and we look forward to organizing more events in 2024 throughout the Maritimes and across Canada. Assisting with class reunion planning is also an important role that the DMAA plays in helping to foster alumni connections. Learn more about Class Reunions here and stay tuned for future event invitations.

In our commitment to continually evolve and better serve our alumni, the DMAA has adopted a new vision and mission statement.

Vision: A worldwide network of alumni engaged in fostering meaningful relationships and inspiring learners.

Mission: In close collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine, the DMAA works to develop and foster meaningful lifelong relationships among the Faculty, its learners and the alumni community through communication, engagement and contributions.

With these statements, we celebrate our long history and many strengths and accomplishments while also challenging ourselves to innovate and respond to the evolving environment in which we work.

I am thrilled to introduce and extend a warm welcome to two outstanding individuals who have joined the DMAA Board of Directors. Their expertise and dedication to our shared mission will undoubtedly enhance the strength and effectiveness of our programming and activities. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Leah Jones (MD ’18) and Dr. David Wilcox (MD ’87) to our board. We look forward to their contributions and fresh perspectives.

As we continue to enhance your alumni experience, we are seeking your input and creativity in renaming Vox MeDAL and invite you to submit your suggestions. Your ideas will help shape the future of this publication, so please share your thoughts with us by December 31st, 2023.

To our alumni, I would like to thank all of you for the contribution to the medical profession and congratulate you on your achievements. I hope that you enjoy reading this issue that brings together stories and news from past and present. As always, please feel free to reach out and share your suggestions for future articles at medical.alumni@dal.ca Warm Regards,

Cindy Forbes

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WELCOME MESSAGE

A Year in Review

Dr. Jennifer L. Hall, Associate Dean, Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick When we came to the end of the 2022-2023 academic year, we had an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable achievements at Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick. We had successfully resumed many of the in-person activities that were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing a revitalized atmosphere to our campus, and fostering a positive experience for both learners and staff.

On May 15th, the DMNB community had the pleasure of hosting our annual Launch Ceremony to celebrate the Class of 2023. It was a momentous occasion as we commemorated their accomplishments and bid them farewell as they embarked on their residency programs. This cohort marks the 10th group of graduating New Brunswick-based undergraduate medical learners. I am proud to share that more than half of the graduating cohort will be joining residency programs in the Maritimes, further providing opportunities for New Brunswickers to learn and work close to home.

Our undergraduate program for New Brunswick-based medical learners continues to thrive. In April, Dr. Robert Boulay, Assistant Dean of Clinical Education, and Craig Smith, Simulation Project Manager, organized the successful Interprofessional Simulation Event.

This pilot initiative brought together nursing, respiratory therapy, and medical students at the Fredericton LIC site.

The 2023-2024 academic year has brought many changes to our campus. The Class of 2027 has gained 10-extra seats, making it the first 40-student DMNB cohort. This expansion is a testament to the success of DMNB in producing world-class physicians who meet the evolving needs of their fellow New Brunswickers.

We are celebrating the retirement of two longstanding members of the DMNB community. In September, Dr. Robert Boulay officially concluded his term as Assistant Dean of Clinical Education, a position he has held since 2015. DMNB has since welcomed Dr. Daniel Smyth as Assistant Dean of Clerkship, who began a five-year term in August. Pamela Bourque, Chief Operating Officer, also retired in September, leaving a lasting impact on the staff, faculty, and students of DMNB. Susan Layton-Crossman will assume the role of COO on October 30th. Melissa Budd has been appointed Director of Operations after holding the position of UGME Operations Manager. We now welcome Kim Wilms as UGME Operations Manager.

Finally, I have announced my retirement as Associate Dean, DMNB, following completion of my second term in December 2023. I am pleased to welcome Dr. Julie Copeland as Senior Associate Dean, DMNB, who will begin a five-year term on January 15th, 2024.

As Dr. Copeland settles into her role, I have no doubt she will continue to develop DMNB with the ideals outlined in the strategic plan "Realizing Our Ambition: Defining a New Era in Dalhousie Medicine."

Sincerely,

Dr. Jennifer L. Hall, Associate Dean, Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick

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Celebrating the Class of 2023 The Faculty of Medicine’s Spring Convocation honoured the achievements of medical learners and recognized years of hard work and dedication as another graduating class joined the distinguished ranks of those deserving the esteemed title of 'doctor.' Here are just a few of the graduates making us proud.

Solving the mystery: Khoi Dao finds community, family, and an enriching career For many, the undergraduate education experience is an exciting opportunity to encounter new subjects and discover interests previously unknown. It is a time to further delve into areas of interest and determine what studies engage you most.

Some, like Class of 2023 graduate Khoi Dao, find a great deal of interests and have the daunting task of searching for a rewarding career that encapsulates them all.

Khoi, who discovered a love of core sciences while completing his Bachelor of Science at the University of New Brunswick in Saint John, also developed an appreciation of how societal changes like policy, movements, and the COVID pandemic, can impact an individual’s quality of life. For Khoi, medicine is the thread that links a passion for advocacy, science, and wellness together.

“Although complex, medicine is one of the careers where I can integrate all these interests into a career. It is a rewarding challenge to be able to use my passions to help improve others’ well-being.”

Choosing this career path seemed like a natural decision for Khoi, though he did find inspiration from a classic literary character.

“As a kid, I loved Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,” says Khoi. “I read it in Vietnamese and then, later, in English. I loved the character’s ability of observational skills, critical thinking, as well as problem solving; all thanks to Doyle’s crafty ways."

As Khoi learned more about the titular character’s famed methods of observation and deduction, he noticed the iconic methodology of Sherlock was parallel to the diagnostic process studied by both he and Doyle.

Khoi’s inspired journey to medicine has not been without challenges. Like many recent graduates, he has faced the unknown and unexpected landscape of healthcare in a global pandemic.

With much of the in-person curriculum disrupted, Khoi and the Class of 2023 learned to adapt and accept the educational norms remarking with “new problems come with new solutions.” It is with this cheery determination that Khoi tackled the challenges of clerkship and fatherhood throughout a pandemic.

When reflecting on the ups and downs of the last four years Khoi joked, “It takes a village to raise a child, but it takes villages to ‘raise’ a doctor.” Both phrases uniquely apply to Khoi and his wife Dr. Grace Dao, graduate of the Class of 2021 and second year family medicine resident. The pair welcomed Ernest shortly after Dr. Dao’s graduation in 2021 and Howard in the Fall of 2022.

Though there were lots of bumps in the road Khoi is grateful for the support of his family, DMNB faculty, and peers.

Looking to the future, Khoi is excited to begin a family medicine residency in Saint John where he will be a co-resident with his wife. The pair hope to pursue family medicine practice in Grace’s hometown of Sussex, New Brunswick.

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2023 GRADUATE PROFILES

From introverted to inspiring: Kristin Ko opens up to medicine Kristin Ko didn’t always want to be a doctor.

Introverted and shy as a teenager, she was content to operate behind the scenes. She planned a career in neuroscience as a basic researcher, following her undergraduate degree, and her subsequent master’s in biomedical engineering. But with more than seven years of lab work under her belt Kristin felt that something was missing.

“I started exploring more around my community, stumbling into things that felt interesting, simply by chance,” recalls Kristin. “I came to learn I actually really like working with people and helping others.”

Despite her introversion, Kristin volunteered extensively throughout her undergraduate training. She was a board member at the Loaded Ladle at Dalhousie, where she advocated for food security and community care; a volunteer at the Veteran’s Memorial Hospital; a vision mate through the Canadian Institute for the Blind (CNIB); and a high school math tutor for students completing their GED. Though she admits no single experience motivated her decision to apply to medical school, her realization that she enjoys helping others, combined with her volunteering and interest in neuroscience and physiology, ignited her curiosity for a career in medicine.

If she had any doubt she had made the wrong career choice, that was eliminated on her first day of pre-clerkship elective in neurology in Med 1.

“There is something so interesting and fulfilling about interacting with patients, synthesizing all the information you obtain, and troubleshooting through diagnoses and management with the ultimate goal of doing your best for another person,” she says. “At that point, I knew I made the right decision pursing medicine and am so happy I gave this path a chance.”

And not only did Kristin give it a chance—she gave it her all.

She got involved in the student society; worked on projects such as the Atlantic Task Force, where she co-led research into physician recruitment and retention efforts in the Atlantic Provinces

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across different stages of a physician’s path to practice; and was class treasurer. What she’s most proud of however, is her work with the Dal Students for Healthcare Providers (DSHP) initiative.

“We essentially organized a volunteer organization in NS in the span of one week, which was quickly spread to NB through fellow med student Kathleen MacMillan, and then expanded to PEI by collaborating with the nursing student leaders there.”

During the early days of the pandemic, as the demand for healthcare professionals increased, so did the need for childcare and other supports for these frontline workers. Student volunteers working with DSHP volunteered to alleviate pressure by offering anything from childcare, walking pets, to running errands and picking up grocery orders. Long after the DSHP ceased operations, Kristin learned just how impactful the work had been.

“Around two years after everything happened, I had a conversation with a healthcare provider,” she recalls. “They spoke of the isolation and difficulty of COVID-19 but said knowing DSHP was there for support was uplifting and made them feel less alone.”

In July, Kristin entered her residency in anesthesiology here at Dalhousie. The specialty, like a career in medicine, wasn’t where she expected to land. In her early medical school years, she applied for a pre-clerkship elective, and to her surprise, was swept away.

“I was very lucky to have an amazing attending, so I at first attributed my interests to simply having a good teacher,” says Kristin.

“However, I had to re-evaluate when I willingly walked 1.5 hours through a blizzard that closed the entire city just to avoid missing a half day of a pre-clerk elective.”

What solidified her decision to pursue the specialty came not in the clinical environment however, but while out running errands.

When someone suddenly collapsed right in front of her, she performed a quick assessment, obtained a history, and completed an abbreviated physical exam, determining the patient was fine.

Kristin, however, was forever changed.

“I couldn’t help but think of what would have happened if the patient was more acutely and critically ill, and in all the futures I envisioned for myself, anesthesiology came to the forefront,” she says. “I essentially really wanted to be the doctor who would be helpful on a plane.”

Kristin plans to explore all facets of anesthesiology and notes she will remain openminded to all paths given how her career aspirations changed over the course of her training.

“You never know where life may take you.”

2023 GRADUATE PROFILES

Inspiring advocate: Maisoon Yousif empowers peers and patients When Maisoon Yousif began medical school at Dalhousie, she was looking for a way to make a positive change for her Black medical student peers, and those who would follow in her footsteps.

Born in Sudan, but raised in Ontario, Maisoon is one of two students who founded the Black Medical Students’ Association (BMSA) at Dalhousie. From a modest five trainees four years ago, the BMSA has grown to more than 30 members and was recently awarded the President’s Award for the Advancement of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) recognizing their work to promote an inclusive campus community and their understanding of EDIA. The group, founded along with Adrianna Broussard and Ola Sobodu, was borne from a goal to create a space for Black students to build community and a group to advocate on Black medical students’ interests within the institution.

“Coming into medical school, Adrianna and I were excited to make positive change for present and future Black medical students,” recalls Maisoon. “It’s been a beautiful space for peers to connect, and authentic exchange of knowledge and support to occur.”

BMSA members now sit on various committees, representing the Black medical student voice.

In addition to co-founding and serving as an executive member of the BMSA, Maisoon was also co-chair of the Muslim Medical Students’ Association and sat on the Student Diversity and Inclusion Committee. And while these positions provided her with the opportunity to advocate for her peers, she believes she has had the most impact as a mentor to students from minoritized backgrounds that are underrepresented in the medical student and physician populations.

“Each year of medical school I had at least five mentees who I helped with some part of the medical school admission process,” says Maisoon. “I shared my experience with them, helped plan and prepare their applications, practiced for interviews, and provided a safe place for them to share their highs and lows and learn from others’ experiences.”

Her role as a mentor is not Maisoon’s only foray into medical school admissions assistance. She co-founded Price of Dream (PoD), a group of medical students, residents, and staff across Canada and the United States who are passionate about eliminating the financial barriers to medical school admissions. Today, medical students are facing upwards of $150,000 in debt upon completion of their medical education. PoD received funding from the Council of Ontario Faculties of Medicine (COFM) to advise and support the implementation of a national strategy, which included the new fee waiver. In the two years since it was implemented, the Ontario Medical School Application Fee Waiver has saved applicants to Ontario medical schools approximately $100,000 annually.

“My idea of a legacy is creating positive change that will benefit others far beyond my involvement,” says Maisoon. “The Ontario Medical School Application Fee Waiver is the perfect example of that.”

Maisoon will begin her Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ObGyn) residency at Western University this summer, having previously completed both her undergraduate and master’s degrees at the university. She has had a longstanding interest in reproductive health, from both a surgical and advocacy perspective.

“Reproductive health has long been used as a tool of oppression,” says Maisoon. “Turning that around to empower my patients is part of what attracts me to the field. And I’ve always loved working with my hands and learning new skills.”

Unsure where her career will take her after training, Maisoon is keeping an open mind. Motivated to be both a strong surgeon and passionate advocate, she is poised to make a difference for both her patients and the communities she serves.

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2023 GRADUATE PROFILES

Shifting Perspectives: how Victoria Mercer reprioritized an identity outside of medicine Over the last five years the term burnout became as common as unprecedented and new normal.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic a cultural shift has started which prioritizes lifestyle, wellness, and balance. In the field of healthcare this wellness initiative has ushered in a new approach to medical education. The idea of building health for the healer has been advocated for by both Canadian and American Medical Associations to equip leaners and protect them from the symptoms of burnout.

For many, the pandemic necessitated a perspective shift. For Victoria Mercer, Class of 2023 graduate, that meant rediscovering a life outside school.

Like countless other first-year medical students, Victoria began her journey in medicine with incredibly high expectations of herself and rather ambitiously thought: “I can’t wait to work 60-80 hours a week.”

After working so hard to be accepted and being surrounded by likeminded peers, this excitement is natural. Unfortunately for Victoria and others in her cohort, the transition to online learning dampened the enthusiasm. For the Class of 2023, lockdowns occurred during the difficult Med 2 year. This meant that not only were students tackling a heavy workload, but they were unable to take part in stress-relieving leisure activities.

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“Like nearly everyone else on this planet, I missed many activities that bring joy into my life,” remarks Victoria. “Activities such as travelling, hiking with friends, trips to the ski hill, among many others were set aside. It was an entire year of very hard work and absolutely no play, and my mental health had never been in a worse condition.”

The prioritization of medicine as a lifestyle without incorporating other interests can be extremely isolating and negatively impact a learner’s career satisfaction.

“The contrast between my second and third year was enormous.”

Once in-person learning began to safely resume, Victoria was able to rediscover the people, places and activities that resulted in a complete shift of priorities.

“I could no longer imagine a life where all I did was work. Medicine shifted from a lifestyle to a career in my perspective. COVID showed me that although I love working in the medical field and I am incredibly excited for my career, there is nothing more important in my life than my family, my friends and the parts of my life that make life worth living.”

With this realization, Victoria has joined a growing movement in the medical community to mitigate chronic stress in physicians.

As she begins her family residency program in Halifax, she does so with a new perspective.

“There is no world in which one person can know it all, and that is okay when you are working with a well-functioning team,” she says. “The most important lesson outside of the classroom that I have learned is that medicine is a team effort and utilizing and appreciating each member of your team and their scope of knowledge will always produce the best outcome for your patient.

Use your team members, learn from them, laugh with them and the medicine will come easier.

CONVOCATION 2023

THE MD CLASS OF 1965 SILVER SHOVEL AWARD: Dr. Wendy Stewart and Dr. Gordon Gubitz The Silver Shovel Award was established by the MD Class of 1965 to recognize a medical school professor who has shown dedication, compassion, and true commitment to medical students.

THE MD CLASS OF 1995 RESIDENT TEACHING AWARD: Dr. Scott Fenwick The Resident Teaching Award was established by the MD Class of 1995 to recognize the important role residents play in teaching undergraduate medical students. .

HONORARY MEMBER OF THE GRADUATING CLASS: Sean Redmond The Honorary Classmate recipient is chosen by the graduating class to honour a non-faculty member who has made a significant impact throughout the four years of their undergraduate medical education.

GOLD AND SILVER DS The Gold and Silver Ds have been awarded annually since early in the medical school’s history. The DMAA continues to fund these awards which recognize outstanding leadership, class spirit and participation as chosen by members of the graduating class.

Convocation 2023 Congratulations to the Dalhousie Medical School Class of 2023! The DMAA was proud to present the following awards during the Convocation Gala held in May.

GOLD D AWARDS

SILVER D AWARDS

Brett Ells Kathleen MacMillan Emma McDermott

Maisoon Yousif Michael Coldwell Gavin Lifman Nardeen Grace Olaoluwa Sobodu Adrienne Borrie Daniel Muller Chao-Yu Loung Kalpesh Hathi

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CONVOCATION 2023

2023 Convocation Awards and Scholarships DR. LEO HOROWITZ PRIZE IN DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY: David Hodgson DR. EDWIN F. ROSS PRIZE IN PEDIATRIC SURGERY: Ellen Parker DR. ROBERT F. SCHARF AWARD IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE: Casey Jones THE EMERSON AMOS MOFFITT RESEARCH PRIZE FOR UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH IN ANAESTHESIA: Nicole Atkins UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT AWARD IN ANAESTHESIA: Bridgette Chan JAMES WALKER WOOD AWARD IN MEDICINE: Eric Plant, Sina Sedighi DR. S. G. BURKE FULLERTON AWARD: Michael Coldwell DR. LEONARD, KAY AND SIMON LEVINE SCHOLARSHIP: Claudia Cullinan, Jonathan Lazarev DR. MABEL E. GOUDGE PRIZE: Erin Samson DR. CLARA OLDING PRIZE: Lily Barton THE ALBERT A. SCHWARTZ PRIZE IN ORTHOPEDICS: Daniel Muller THE LOURDES I. EMBIL AWARD FOR CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH: David Hodgson DR. RICHARD B. GOLDBLOOM AWARD IN PEDIATRICS: Lara Westhaver DR. LAWRENCE MAX GREEN MEMORIAL AWARD: Paul Bissonnette SOCIETY FOR ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE AWARD: Regan McKeough DR. N. N. ISA ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Kalpesh Hathi

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DR. JOHN M. EMBIL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES: Nardeen Grace ANDREW JAMES COWIE MD MEMORIAL MEDAL: Marianna Saunders POULENC PRIZE IN PSYCHIATRY: Lily Barton DR. R. O. JONES PRIZE IN PSYCHIATRY: Nicholas Robichaud DR. ROBERT & MRS. DOROTHY FORSYTHE PRIZE: Katharine Birkness DR. J. DONALD HATCHER AWARD FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH: Sunil Ruparelia DR. CARL PEARLMAN PRIZE IN UROLOGY: Liam Power DR. FRANK G. MACK PRIZE: Martha Foley THE BARBARA L. BLAUVELT CARDIOLOGY PRIZE: Olivia Mckee-Muir DR. J. C. WICKWIRE PRIZE: Romy Segall DR. W. H. HATTIE PRIZE: Mark O'Reilly DALHOUSIE RESEARCH IN MEDICINE AWARD: Ellen Parker EARLE FAMILY PRIZE: Kathleen MacMillan DR. J. W. MERRITT PRIZE: Micaela Sabean DR. MICHAEL BROTHERS PRIZE IN NEUROSCIENCES: Ellen Parker DR. ROBERT C. DICKSON PRIZE IN MEDICINE: Micaela Sabean DR. GRAHAM GWYN MEMORIAL PRIZE IN NEUROLOGY: Erin Samson KIDNEY FOUNDATION OF CANADA, DR. ALLAN COHEN MEMORIAL PRIZE

IN NEPHROLOGY: Sage Dixon DR. I. M. SZULER AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE INTERNAL MEDICINE: Regan McKeough HUNTER HUMANITIES AWARD: Anna Scheidler MEDICAL ONCOLOGY UNDERGRADUATE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Adrienne Borrie DR. THOMAS ARNASON PATHOLOGY PRIZE: Christopher Liwski DR. ARNOLD AND PATRICIA HILL PRIZE IN ADDICTION MEDICINE: Morgan Martin DR. JUAN A. EMBIL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES RESEARCH: Siena Davis MD CLASS OF 1969 SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH PRIZE: Kathleen MacMillan DR. C.B. STEWART UNIVERSITY MEDAL IN MEDICINE: Erin Samson MDs WITH DISTINCTION: Lily Barton Alyssa Dickinson Kalpesh Hathi Christopher Liwski Beth MacDonald Regan McKeough Mark O'Reilly Nicholas Robichaud Samantha Rogers Micaela Sabean Erin Samso

DMNB Launch Ceremony On May 15th, Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick held the tenth annual Launch Ceremony. Like a newly built ship being launched into the waters of its sailing career, the launch of the DMNB ship symbolizes the completion of the Class of 2023’s undergraduate medical education in New Brunswick and recognizes this significant step in the next phase of their journey. Volunteer patients Gerry Keith and Max Budd ceremoniously broke the champagne bottle of the DMNB ship bow to officially launch the Class of 2023.

Longtime Volunteer Patient, Gerry Keith and newcomer Max Budd launching the Class of 2023

Launch Ceremony Awards 2022 Anchor Award: Dr. Lisa Sutherland Builder’s Award: Kathleen MacMillan Director’s Choice Clinical Skills Award: Eric Plant Resident Teaching Award: Dr. Scott Fenwick and Dr. Grace Dao Best in Class Award: Dr. Wendy Stewart Dr. John Steeves RIM Award: Jeremy Slayter Award for Excellence in Geriatric Medicine: Claudia Cullian Award for Excellence in Internal Medicine: Kalpesh Hathi Award for Excellence in Emergency Medicine: Eric Plant Dr. Paul Handa Excellence in Nephrology Award: Khoi Dao Humanities Award: Jenny Wang Humanities Award for Fostering Professional Identity: Anna Scheidler Dr. Mahesh Raju Award: Nicholas Robichaud The Ryan Buyting Prize in Medicine: Khoi Dao and Magumi Gates Family Medicine Award: Samantha Rogers Award of Excellence in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Jeremy Slayter and Anna Scheidler Surgery Award: Kalpesh Hathi Dr. Kersti Covert Memorial Scholarship in Psychiatry: Kalpesh Hathi LICD Highest Academic Standing Award: Samantha Rogers LICD Community Outreach Champion Award: Kathleen MacMillan

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Dal neurosurgery residency attains gender parity A program at Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine is among the first in the country to achieve gender parity among trainees.

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The Division of Neurosurgery’s six-year postgraduate training program, one of the most competitive programs for residents, has achieved an equal distribution of males and females among learners. In fact, with six of the 11 trainees in the program identifying as female, they have actually surpassed it.

Neurosurgery is externally acknowledged as a very difficult speciality, with long, complicated cases, and high stakes. Operative decisions can mean removing a tumor and saving a life, but also risking the language or personality centre of the brain.

So why is it that a speciality that requires a surgeon to give so much of themselves both physically and emotionally has an increasing number of female trainees?

“Mentorship has a trailblazing effect,” says Dr. Gwynedd Pickett (MD ’98), director of the neurosurgery postgraduate training program. “If you get one or two women in it helps open the door for others, and it allows for role modeling. If you can see it, you can be it.”

When Dr. Pickett became program director in 2019, gender parity was not on her radar. What was, was providing an environment that was welcoming and inclusive for all learners.

COVER STORY

Dr. Gwynedd Pickett reviews brain scans with a group of female neurosurgery residents.

“I made a concerted effort when I was reviewing our selection criteria for residents, and when advertising what we’re looking for in applicants, to have language that reflected our values of diversity and inclusivity,” says. Dr. Pickett. “There was a thoughtful attempt at recognizing intrinsic bias.”

Dr. Pickett notes there is also a change in the expectations around the practice of medicine, and the practice of surgery. The unpredictable hours will remain, but it’s no longer expected that surgery is the only thing a physician has in their life.

“Working with Dr. Pickett as a medical student was one of the main reasons that I chose a career in neurosurgery,” says Dr. Erika Leck, the program’s chief resident. “I saw the way she was able to balance the many demands of this job, and the way she championed and prioritized the learning environment for medical students and residents alike.”

An inclusive environment The Division of Neurosurgery is made up of 10 faculty members, two of whom are women, which is above average for the country. According to 2019 statistics, there were about 333 practicing neurosurgeons in Canada, and only 10 per cent of them women.

(L-R) Drs. Suna Jung, Katherine Tourigny, Gwynedd Pickett, Jenna Smith-Forrester, and Balgees Ajlan

Each year the Division of Neurosurgery receives on average 20-28 applications and takes one to two residents. In the last few years there has been an overall increase in female applicants to the program, with nearly half of all applicants in 2022 being women—a drastic shift from when Dr. Pickett was applying.

“When I went through CaRMS (Canadian Residency Matching Service) 25 years ago I was the only woman applying to neurosurgery out of a couple of dozen applicants,” she recalls. “Last year, half of the applicants were women, which was really surprising.”

With an influx of female residents, the program recently reached another milestone. For two consecutive months, the resident call schedule was managed completely by women. Though Dr. Pickett admits this happened, in part, by fluke, it is also reflective of the growing number of females in the division and is something that is rare.

“For a surgical service an entirely female resident call schedule is uncommon and definitely hasn't happened before for us.”

Female role models Dr. Suna Jung is a first-year resident in the program and says the strong female presence was one of the reasons she wanted to train at Dalhousie.

“It is important for learners to have role models they can

(L-R) Drs. Jenna Smith-Forrester, Balgees Ajlan, and Dr. Gwynedd Pickett in the operating room.

identify with. In a traditionally male-dominated field, it was inspiring to see Dr. Pickett as program director and a strong female representation within the resident group during our interviews and information sessions.”

The growing trend of women in neurosurgery is not specific to Dalhousie, with other programs in the country also reaching or approaching gender parity. At Dalhousie however, this milestone was reached in the summer of 2022.

“I knew we were approaching it,” recalls Dr. Pickett. “But I blinked and realized we were majority female, which has been almost unprecedented in Canada, and across North America.”

She admits it is hard to fact check, not having residency lists internationally, but she is confident in being among the first programs to reach gender parity in the country, something Dr. Jung admits she is grateful to share in.

“I am honoured to be part of the program that reached this milestone, and I hope this encourages even more women to consider neurosurgery as their career,” she says. “It is an exciting step towards gender parity in neurosurgery faculty and achieving diversity in other domains.”

Women supporting women Being among the first programs in Canada to achieve gender parity is certainly worth bragging rights. But what program director Dr. Pickett is most proud of is that both her female and male colleagues have cultivated a welcoming, inclusive environment where learners feel supported, and where women want to come.

“Women are choosing to come here because they see it as a place that can support their career and can recognize and develop their potential,” says Dr. Pickett. “When I think about us being majority female, I’m filled with such a warm feeling—we have built a place where that is possible.”

Dr. Leck, who is nearing the end of her residency training, and who was the only woman in the program when she started, is

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excited to see more females entering into neurosurgery and says it highlights the supportive nature of the program.

“I picked this program because I loved the specialty, and I had a lot of respect for the program and the way that they treated their residents,” she says. “As the program has come to include more female residents, this has never changed, and the program has remained as inclusive and supportive as it ever was, without gender ever feeling like it was a significant card on the table.”

Dr. Pickett intends to keep building on that inclusivity. She and her surgical colleagues are committed to addressing all resident education with more than just a gender lens. Using an equity lens, Dr. Pickett intends to address representation of African Nova Scotian and Indigenous students, two groups she notes have historically been under-represented among applicants to the program.

“I don't want to say, ‘oh, we've got 50 per cent women and now we're done,’” says Dr. Pickett. “Medicine, and surgery in general, is still not fully representative of the communities that we practice in and serve. And that's something that I think we can continue to work on.”

2023 Alumni Profiles Improving the Standard of Care in Hospital Settings Dr. Vikas Saini (MD ’80), President of the Lown Institute, has created the Lown Hospital Index, a way to quantitatively rank the most socially responsible hospitals in the US. The Lown Institute Hospitals Index is the first ranking system to identify measurable standards for social responsibility in hospitals. Rankings consider the full range of what hospitals do as care providers, employers, and partners, such as pay equity and racial inclusivity, and sets benchmarks for exceptional patient care and commitment to community betterment.

Launched in 2020 during the surge of the pandemic, the goal of Dr. Saini’s Hospital Index is to enhance patient experience through improved outcomes, value, and equity in care through ensuring health facilities are held accountable for their performance.

The Index acts as a measurement tool that can identify success rates in patient care and as a way to further understand the gap between a hospital’s current working systems and the contemporary needs of patient care.

Asking the Important Questions Dr. Saini recognizes that patient needs are not uniform from one region to another. “By comparing traditional metrics that have been used across cultures and regions to measure the standard of care over centuries, we can better understand how to make a difference in patients’ health and well-being,” he explains.

To build more equitable, patient-centred health systems, we must first learn what factors are contributing to existing injustices and inequalities. Dr. Saini draws on his experience in the United States, where privatization plays a big factor in this imbalance.

“The polarization between private and public healthcare is wide,” says Dr. Saini, “and the demographics that it impacts most include marginalized and rural populations.”

Application of the Index The Hospital Index has started to have positive impact In Ohio, many community organizations for several years had been calling upon the Cleveland Clinic to support community investment and funding to remove all lead paint from all the houses in the neighborhoods around the hospital. As a result of publicity brought about by the Index, the Cleveland Clinic finally announced $50 million to support the initiative. “We're prompting people to make a change, and to actually see these changes happen is very gratifying,” reflects Dr. Saini.

In the context of Atlantic Canada, Dr. Saini would like to see if the Hospital Index can provide insights into the state of our healthcare system. Dr. Saini admits there is no easy answer or quick solution to the access-to-care challenges and physician and nursing shortages currently being faced, however, he identifies one truth he has come to learn. “When it comes to social responsibility, the highest performing healthcare systems have high levels of community engagement,” he says. “The role of the Hospital Index is to ask key questions and generate conversation that can lead to change; its about the journey of getting healthcare to encompass quality, value, and equity for our patients.”

Fond Memories Before attending medical school, Dr. Saini had to decide between Yale and Dalhousie, which was not such a difficult choice in the end. Growing up in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Dr. Saini enjoyed the tightly knit community that Dalhousie offered, which, when combined with the superb clinical traditions in Halifax, made the choice an easy one.

Dr. Saini enjoyed the exceptional clinical education Dalhousie offered and would go on to train in internal medicine at Johns Hopkins, and then to specialize in cardiology at Harvard. After cofounding an anesthesia device company that developed a consciousness monitor, he went on to practice cardiology in the small community of Cape Cod for nearly 15 years. He remembers his many classmates of the Class of ‘80 with warmth and fondness and recalls meeting with them frequently in a student-initiated seminar series to discuss the social aspects of medicine, social epidemiology, and global intersections of healthcare.

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ALUMNI PROFILES

Paving the way in Geriatric Mental Health and Medical Education Dr. Ivan Silver (MD ’75) remembers waking up two days before his wedding to the sight of his father holding an envelope. It was a letter he had been waiting for from Dalhousie’s Medical School—news of his acceptance that would change his life forever.

Growing up in a family of physicians in Saint John, New Brunswick, Dr. Silver was greatly inspired by his father, an ophthalmologist, and from his mother, a dietitian. While passionate about music, he also found great interest in the study of psychology during his undergraduate degree at McGill University, yet it wasn’t until his third year that he made the decision to apply to medical school.

During Dr. Silver’s residency program in Toronto, he began working in one of the first inpatient units with designated bed for geriatric patients in Canada. He saw great potential need in this growing field and became the first Canadian-trained fellow in geriatric psychiatry.

Over the next 42 years, Dr. Silver worked primarily in outpatient settings in different hospital settings and led the faculty development and continuing professional development programs at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine. He also had a lot of fun along the way. Dr. Silver developed new ways of engaging students by using games to facilitate learning.

He developed several teaching games early in his career based on gaming technology called “frame games” and used them to teach medical students, residents, and faculty.

Dr. Silver’s most recent leadership role ended in 2018 as the inaugural Vice President of Education at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, Canada's largest mental health hospital. There, he has worked

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alongside educators and administrators to establish a Student Centre, a program of research in education, and the first Simulation Center for Mental Health in Canada.

Dr. Silver retired from CAMH this past June, but he plans to continue coaching and guiding academic work. “I was going to retire before the pandemic and I'm sure glad I didn't. I never worked so hard clinically as I did during the pandemic, and that’s when I realized I can't retire because the need was so great,” Dr. Silver reflects.

Over the years, Dr. Silver’s connection to Dalhousie has remained strong. “It really did feel like I was home when I began my medical journey at Dalhousie,” remembers Dr. Silver. “My time at Dal wasn’t just about launching my career, it was really about the high quality teaching that I received as a medical student and the wish to pay this forward in my career.”

Throughout his career, Dr. Silver supported local artists and musicians, and was even a composer of Hebrew liturgical music for many years. In the same way, his passion for medicine and education will live on, even in retirement. He will always fondly recall that day his father handed him his acceptance letter to Dalhousie, “And just like that, medicine, in a way, chose me.”

ALUMNI PROFILES

Dr. Allan MacDonald: A Legacy of Revolutionizing Medicine In 1958 when Dr. Allan MacDonald (MD ’63) entered Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine, it was on the cusp of major changes both in medical education and practice. Insured health services legislation had been enacted and coverage for physician services was promised. Enrollment was small, only 54 learners in the graduating class, among them only one woman. In the 1960’s a steady stream of Dalhousie graduates sent away to the world’s great academic centres began to return and brought new ideas and perspectives. They and their trainees would transform Dalhousie into the respected medical school it remains today.

In 1964, in advance of the initiation of open-heart surgery, a surgery laboratory was opened in the Clinical Research Centre (CRC)--the Tupper was not yet completed--and as a second-year resident, Dr. MacDonald was introduced to the excitement and pitfalls of research and became the first resident in the clinical program.

In 1964, a boyhood friend (then a 3rd year medical student) was admitted with major gastric bleeding secondary to chronic kidney failure. Unfortunately, Halifax did not yet have a dialysis program and Boston’s Peter Bent Brigham Hospital (PBBH) was the only centre in North America still offering kidney transplantation. Though Dr. MacDonald tried to make a case for his friend to receive treatment in Boston, the logistics of transfer were excessively complex, and he passed away in Halifax. This tragedy induced Dr. MacDonald, with the help of Dr. Don Hill, to develop techniques for vascular access which led to the start of a dialysis program. Dr. MacDonald went to see the then Professor of Surgery about starting transplantation in Halifax and arrangements were made for a fellowship in Boston at the conclusion of his surgery training. In 1967 he began a 2-year traineeship at the PBBH and Harvard University under the tutelage of Dr. Joseph Murray (Nobel Prize 1990). By late Spring of 1969, a transplantation program was established at the Victoria General Hospital (VGH) in Halifax.

Bringing new ideas to Nova Scotia In 1966, after hearing a lecture on ‘Treatment of Shock,’ Dr. MacDonald approached the speaker, Dr. Lloyd MacLean, about the possibility of spending a few months with the McGill ‘Shock Team’ in Montreal. The physician team would travel to the bedside of a patient in shock at any of the McGill hospitals, but there were no nurse members. Upon his return to the VGH, Dr. MacDonald approached the Surgery Department to instigate a similar unit with the addition of full-time nursing staff—an intensive care unit. There were none in Canada and only a few in the US so the concept was novel and initially resisted, but it went from novelty to necessity and grew to encompass other specialties and recruit a full-time anaesthetist as director in 1976.

With colleagues, Dr. MacDonald initiated clinical trial programs in both cancer and transplantation, added liver and pancreas transplantation, and developed many of what are now standard drug protocols in the field. With two fellow Cape Bretoners, Mahmoud Naqvi and Carl MacDonald, Dr. MacDonald introduced laparoscopic general surgery to Eastern Canada in 1989. They trained their colleagues and changed forever how gall bladder disease, appendicitis, colonic disease, and other conditions are treated. Dr. MacDonald’s additional procedural and program developments include total parenteral nutrition, immunotherapy of cancer, H2 blockers and proton inhibitors in peptic ulcer, anti-gastric reflux operations, surgical treatment of morbid obesity, and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography.

Stay Curious “The best care anywhere should be the best care everywhere,” shares Dr. MacDonald. He believes physicians should not only apply this motto in their own practices but encourage this for all of health care, and that important innovations from elsewhere should be rapidly adapted locally. “Persistent curiosity about why things work or don’t work is an essential attribute in physicians and a distinguishing characteristic of those who advance their fields,” says Dr. MacDonald. “Fortunately, today’s medical students seem to have this in abundance.”

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A physician’s greatest teacher Clinical cadaver program at Dalhousie allows safe, realistic surgical simulation.

A cardiac surgery and emergency medicine trainee prepare a body for teaching emergency heart and lung bypass (ECMO). (photo: Dr. George Kovacs)

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In a lab on the 14th floor of the Sir Charles Tupper Medical Building at Dalhousie University, four neatly prepared hospital beds await their next patients. These patients will not communicate what’s ailing them, nor react to a scalpel’s cut, or a needle’s prick. They can’t see, or breath. But because of them, countless lives will be saved.

These patients are clinical cadavers.

Not unlike a living, breathing, human, cadavers have a story.

Etched on their faces are traces of a life full of laughter, or in some cases, pain and illness. Though their hearts no longer beat, you cannot remove the traces of humanity.

In existence for more than 150 years, the Dalhousie University Human Body Donation Program accepts bodies from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. These donations are critical to providing future healthcare practitioners with the knowledge they need to be successful in their careers.

SPECIAL FEATURE

Trainees learn to perform a potentially lifesaving rare emergency department procedure to manage a traumatic injury to the heart. (photo: Dr. George Kovacs)

Filling the gap In 2006 while on a trip to Baltimore with colleague Dr. Adam Law, Dr. George Kovacs (MD ’89), current director of the Clinical Cadaver Program and emergency medicine physician, witnessed something that would forever change the way learners and physicians practiced on cadavers. In the basement of a hospital at the University of Maryland, he met Ron Wade, a Vietnam Vet and Director of the State Anatomy Board of Maryland. Each year in Maryland they prepare thousands of bodies to teach procedural skills. When Ron wheeled out the first cadaver, Dr. Kovacs was speechless.

“We were just so blown away by the fidelity of these cadavers,” he recalls. “All I could think about was the gap that's out there in terms of procedural learning.”

Until this point, cadavers were prepared traditionally with formaldehyde. The result was an extremely fixed material that does not move well. Traditional cadavers cannot be used to teach procedures and have typically been used for teaching relative anatomy.

It wasn’t long before Rob Sandeski, manager of Dalhousie’s

Human Body Donation Program, was heading to Baltimore to learn the embalming techniques used by the Baltimore team. Trained as a funeral director and embalmer, Rob has now been caring for the deceased for more than 30 years. Upon his return to Halifax, he prepared the first donor, and with a few adjustments to the formula to allow for longevity, the Halifax Clinical Cadaver Preparation (Halifax Prep) was born.

The Halifax Prep The first of its kind in Canada, and only the second place in North America to utilize this method of preparing cadavers, the Halifax Prep allows the cadaver to be utilized for approximately eight weeks. Since developed, schools across Canada and in the United States have approached Dalhousie with requests to study and emulate the process. Despite this, Dalhousie remains one of the only places in the country using this method of cadaver preparation.

With the updated method came the need for a place to practice. An old ambulance bay at the Halifax Infirmary was turned into

a simulated resuscitation area, and with approval from the dean of the medical school, the Dalhousie Clinical Cadaver Program was formalized.

“It really was filling a gap and it did allow you to approach what scares you,” says Dr. Kovacs. “It allowed learners to do procedures that they just otherwise weren't going to have that opportunity to do unless they were lucky enough to have some sort of educational experience.”

Meaningful educational experiences Dr. Anna MacLeod is Director of Education Research and Unit Head for Research in Medicine (RIM). She has been a social sciences researcher for over a decade, with the last five years spent researching the clinical cadaver program. She says of all the projects she’s ever worked on, nothing has captured her attention and interest from both an academic and personal perspective like this one.

“What was most striking was how deliberate, careful, and respectful the people are who work in the program,” she says.

“And how committed they are not just to making sure that people's loved ones are treated with care and compassion, but also to make sure to offer a deeply engaging and meaningful educational experience.”

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There is a movement towards using high fidelity mannequins in the realm of education for simulation. These mannequins have been developed to reproduce humanness. What Dr. MacLeod and her research team have observed however, is that you simply cannot simulate the same reaction as with a clinical preparation.

“There's something irreplaceable about the humanity of the body that's there in front of you, whether it's a living body or not,” she says. “The fact that we've all had the shared experience of being alive, it does change how people respond to the task at hand.”

Dr. MacLeod has witnessed learners hold the hand of a cadaver during a difficult intubation, or ensure the draping remains over the body, showing respect the same way they would for a living patient.

“It's very touching to be in that space and observe how cadavers change the way that people practice.”

Transforming the Tupper Since the first clinical preparation, the program has increased to accepting approximately 170 donors a year—a more than a 115 per cent increase from 2006, with 60-70 per cent utilized for clinical procedural learning. A recently renovated lab in the Tupper Building is now the first in-house space designed specifically to accommodate clinical cadavers.

“This space has been a big piece of Dal taking ownership of a space that's theirs because the cadaver program is theirs, the

SPECIAL FEATURE Learners practice procedures including intubation and open wound management on clinical cadavers. (photo: Dr. George Kovacs)

human body donation program is theirs,” says Dr. Kovacs. “This allows increased access for this type of programming that's in demand for every type of user.”

The new lab provides further opportunities for learning for undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as for faculty and external groups.

Rob says in any given week there might be paramedic students, specialized RCMP, residents, surgeons and other health care providers, all utilizing the new space, all practicing to save lives.

“An orthopedic surgeon who came in recently had a patient with a pelvic tumour,” recalls Rob. “He and another surgeon came to review and perform that surgery on our donor before they were to perform it on the living patient. This gave them the ability to discuss the location of the tumor and anatomy of this area before going into the operating room. It is these opportunities in which improve patient safety, whoever that patient is, they’re going to benefit from that practice.”

Saving lives Eighteen years after the inception of the Halifax Preparation, more than 2100 donations have been made to the Human Body Donation Program, providing learning opportunities for countless undergraduate, postgraduate, continuing medical education, and other groups.

Dr. Kovacs, who has been involved in the program since its inception, continues to remark of the humbling experience it is working with cadavers.

“It is such a privilege to interact with them,” he says.

“They have been, and continue to be, my greatest teachers.

These people have saved more lives than I ever will as an emergency physician.”

The new lab space on the 14th floor of the Tupper Medical Building (photo: Michelle Charlton).

Empowering Cape Breton's Health Future Dalhousie's new medical campus aims to address physician shortage in region

David C. Dingwall, President and Vice Chancellor of Cape Breton University, and Dr. David Anderson, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University sign the MOU that will govern the development of the Cape Breton Medical Campus.

Photo credit: Anita Clemens

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On January 27, 2023 as part of his State of the Province address in Cape Breton, Premier Tim Houston announced the historic partnership between Cape Breton University and Dalhousie University to establish the Cape Breton Medical Campus.

The campus, the province’s second and the third campus for Dalhousie Medical School, will offer students the chance to complete their medical studies in their home region of Cape Breton/ rural Nova Scotia, and aims to inspire them to stay and practice in the communities that shaped them.

Dalhousie Medical School has a longstanding history of providing medical education in Cape Breton, most prominently in Family Medicine residencies and Longitudinal Integrated Clerkships in North Sydney and New Waterford. The launch of the Cape Breton medical campus, and partnership with Cape Breton University, is the natural progression and important next step in fulfilling the Faculty of Medicine’s mission of healthier communities.

“Dalhousie Medical School has a proven track record of providing excellent medical education opportunities throughout the Maritimes,” says Dr. David Anderson, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie. “We look forward to partnering with Cape Breton University to train the next generation of physicians to further address the healthcare needs of the Cape Breton community.”

SPECIAL FEATURE

Leading the Way Dr. Kevin Orrell (BSc '76, MD '81) is the Interim Associate Dean of the Cape Breton Medical Campus and one of the leaders tasked with establishing the medical campus. Dr. Orrell believes the campus will have an astounding impact on Nova Scotia, helping to address the shortage of human health resources across the province. With a focus on family and rural medicine, the goal is to ensure more doctors choose family medicine as their specialty.

“The campus will produce competent family medicine physicians and therefore will help to improve access and outcomes,” says Dr. Orrell. “Family medicine is a critical and important specialty, and we are proud to open up this world of possibilities for our future students.”

He believes solutions can be found through new approaches, and creative thinking, which is why the new medical campus in Cape Breton is so important. “In days gone by, problem solving happened in silos, and therefore the focus wasn’t on the bigger picture,” says Dr. Orrell. “Today, we see significant benefits in

looking at the issues from a provincial perspective, and finding solutions that work on a broader scale.”

Data has shown that physicians are more likely to work in communities where they’ve had an educational experience. It is why Dalhousie Medical School residency programs outside Halifax have been so successful for recruitment of physicians to work in Nova Scotia.

Dr. Orrell says the campus will offer a chance for some very qualified students to study here at home. “So many students have had to study in other areas of the country or abroad to obtain their medical degree,” says Dr. Orrell. “This provides another very welcome alternative.”

The campus will open no later than the fall of 2025 and will train up to 30 students each year. There will be a focus on the health priorities of Cape Breton, which will create opportunities in education and research. The campus will train much needed physicians for rural practice. The students will have an opportunity to study in culturally safe care, learning from clinicians who practice in rural areas across the province.

Leave a lasting mark for the next generation,

TOGETHER

Whether you’re celebrating a milestone anniversary, coming together for a reunion or just want to pay it forward, we can help make it happen.

Find out more about Class Giving Projects at 902.494.6862 or dalhousie.fund@dal.ca. giving.dal.ca

SPECIAL FEATURE

Investing in Student Success Student debt creates barriers in healthcare

Supporting students leads to better healthcare

Physicians and medical researchers are greatly needed in Canada, particularly in the Maritimes. According to Nova Scotia Health, over 140,000 Nova Scotians are on a wait list for a family doctor.

One of the many factors affecting these statistics is the cost of medical school in Canada and how much debt students will incur while studying.

In the pursuit of delivering world-class medical education and research, Dalhousie Medical School sets the standard for high-quality and equitable approaches to medial education. However, graduates are joining the workforce with one of the highest debt loads of medical students across the country. According to the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada, 78% of medical students graduate with debts over $100,000 and 31% finish their residencies with a debt load of over $200,000. Such a high level of debt not only intimidates prospective students from applying, but also prevents many outstanding students from pursuing careers in the potentially less lucrative fields of Family Medicine, or even remaining in the Maritimes to practice.

Medical school tuition across the country has increased with the cost of delivering a robust program where technology is advanced, and innovation is fast paced. Dalhousie’s focus on delivering a medical education that is responsive to the needs of the Maritimes is no exception. Meanwhile, the cost of living has skyrocketed, and available student scholarships and bursaries are not keeping pace, creating a perfect storm of barriers for students working to complete their studies.

“The Faculty of Medicine is embarking on a new era, one defined by our commitment to impact and building healthier communities,” says Dr. David Anderson, Dean of Medicine at Dalhousie University. “We cannot achieve impact without prioritizing the critical need of attracting and retaining the next generation of the best and brightest students—and to attract and retain, we must support them.”

With this urgent need to increase the financial support available to medical students the role of donors and the power of philanthropy are taking centre stage. Have you ever wondered, what compels a donor to support students?

Meet Dr. Jean Gray, MD ’67: “Without financial assistance as a student myself, I wouldn’t have been able to afford my medical education,” says Dr. Gray. Later, as a professor, Dr. Gray saw her own students struggle to manage the costs of medical school. One student in particular, stood out. “He kept losing weight and we wondered why,” she recalls. “It turned out he could afford only one meal a day.”

“I think that’s the moment I realized we must invest in these students,” says Dr. Gray. So, in her estate, she is creating a permanent source of support for future medical students.

Receiving student support allows a learner to focus on their studies, instead of worrying about where they’ll get their next meal or how they’ll pay their rent. Financial assistance in the form of scholarships and bursaries also allows for a more diverse student population, opening doors for a greater variety of socioeconomic backgrounds and ancestry to consider an education and career in medicine. The perspectives and talent these students bring to the Dalhousie community and the medical profession are critical to ensuring that health equity is a cornerstone of both.

Donors who establish scholarships, bursaries, and awards are filling a critical gap for our students. Donors can establish a fund with a single gift or pledge to grow their fund over multiple years.

Many also include a bequest in their will to grow their fund, having a bigger student impact as a part of their personal legacy.

If you have ever thought of establishing an award for a student or would like to add to existing scholarship or bursary funds, contact the Medicine Advancement team at medadvancement@dal.ca or by calling 902-494-3502.

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Legacy Donor

“Without financial assistance, I wouldn’t have been able to afford my education”

JEAN GRAY Faculty of Medicine

Visit dal.ca/donors/gray to read more about Jean’s story.

Leader. Advocate. Mentor. Inspiration. Dr. Jean Gray, CM (LLD’05), Professor Emeritus, Medical Education, Medicine, and Pharmacology at Dalhousie University, is renowned worldwide for her pioneering work in clinical pharmacology, women’s health and the promotion of women in medicine.

Yet Jean’s stellar career might have taken an entirely different trajectory, had it not been for the financial support that funded her university education.

After the death of her Canadian Army father in 1956, money was tight. Jean’s mother fought long and hard for her to qualify for educational benefits from Veterans’ Affairs.

Meanwhile, the top student applied for every scholarship available.

“Without financial assistance, I wouldn’t have been able to afford my education,” says Jean. Later, as a professor, Jean saw her own students struggle to manage the costs of medical school.

So in her estate, Jean is creating a permanent source of support for future medical students. Through a life insurance policy that names Dalhousie as the owner and beneficiary, she has established a scholarship, named for a beloved aunt.

“My financial advisor pointed out that any gift left in my will would be taxed off the top once it goes through probate,” she explains. “The proceeds of the life insurance policy, however, will go directly to Dalhousie, meaning the funds can be put to work for the students right away.”

“And by saving on taxes, I’ll be leaving a larger gift,” adds Jean.

New Master of Physician Assistant Studies program announced for Faculty of Medicine A new program at Dalhousie University is poised to increase access to health care and make a significant contribution to the health and wellbeing of Nova Scotians.

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On August 3, 2023, at Dalhousie’s Collaborative Health Education Building (CHEB), the Province of Nova Scotia, represented by Minister of Health and Wellness, The Honourable Michelle Thompson, and Minister of Advanced Education, The Honourable Brian Wong, along with Dr. David Anderson, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, announced the development and funding of a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program in the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University.

The first of its kind in the Maritime provinces and only the fourth in the country, the MPAS will provide graduates with the competencies needed to provide compassionate, evidence-based care and significantly contribute to interprofessional healthcare teams.

"The establishment of a Master of Physician Assistant Program represents a critical step towards improving access to quality healthcare services for Nova Scotians,” says Dr. Anderson, who spoke at the announcement. “By training physician assistants, we can help alleviate some of the burden faced by physicians and provide a pathway to meet the healthcare needs of our communities."

NEWS The Honourable Brian Wong, Minister of Advanced Education, speaks to the media

Providing collaborative care Physician assistants are highly skilled health care professionals who work collaboratively with physicians and other members of the health care team to provide high-quality patient care. Dalhousie’s MPAS training is a condensed, two-year medical curriculum preparing students for direct entry into the profession. They will receive comprehensive training in various areas such as clinical medicine, patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, pharmacology, and surgical procedures. Students will also gain practical experience through clinical rotations in various healthcare settings, including primary care, surgical services, medical services, psychiatric services, and emergency departments.

Physician Assistants have been providing safe, competent, and efficient health care under the supervision of physicians since the 1960’s in the United States and in the Canadian Military. More recently, they have been identified as a valuable resource within the Canadian health care system with significant uptake and role integration in Ontario, Manitoba, and Alberta.

“We heard from doctors that having more physician assistants would free up time, allowing them to focus on more complex is-

sues or things that only physicians can do,” said Michelle Thompson, Minister responsible for the Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment. “We know we need more healthcare providers, and physician assistants can help provide Nova Scotians faster access to care. We are proud to be able to train physician assistants right here in Nova Scotia.”

Inaugural Assistant Dean Supporting the program at Dalhousie is the newly appointed Assistant Dean, Physician Assistant Studies, Dr. Michael Clory (MBA ’83.) An emergency medicine physician, Dr. Clory has been a faculty member at Dalhousie for more than 20 years, with many years of senior administrative experience. As Assistant Dean, he will provide ongoing leadership, oversight, curricular innovation, and evaluation of the Physician Assistant Program and will be responsible for ensuring that the program meets accreditation standards.

To learn more about the program, or to apply, please visit: https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/PAStudies.html

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NEWS

Dal alumni among medical humanities award winners When the arts and medicine collide, something magical happens.

The Gold Headed Cane Awards The Gold Headed Cane Award is presented annually as part of the Humanities HEALS Program at Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine to recognize an outstanding Maritime physician who integrates the humanities into their professional life, demonstrates a humanistic approach to clinical care, and acts as a role model in the humanities.

On April 1, 2023, at the Marriot Harbourfront Hotel, the Annual Dr. G.W. Archibald Gold Headed Cane Award Dinner Gala was back in person after a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19. Since it wasn’t possible to celebrate the 2020 to 2022 recipients in person at the time, this year’s event lauded this year’s recipient as well as those from the past three years, selected from a worthy group of maritime physicians.

The inspiration for the Gold Headed Cane award is thought to have been taken from a highly respected practice which began in London in the 17th century. A gold headed cane was carried by a series of distinguished physicians, beginning with Dr. John Rad-

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NEWS Ms. Carolyn Archibald, her husband Mr. David Noyes, and Dr. Jock Murray pose with portraits of Ms. Archibald's parents, Dr. Gerald (MD ’55) and Mrs. Gail Archibald

cliffe from 1689 to 1714, who was known by royalty for his skills and was considered an exceptional practitioner. Dr. Radcliffe was said to have passed the cane along to a successor and the tradition was continued for more than a century after Dr. Radcliffe’s death. The cane passed successively to five prominent doctors, before it was presented to the Royal College of Physicians in London in 1825, where it remains on display today. The Gold-Headed Cane Award is a tradition used today by many medical schools and societies to acknowledge a physician who embodies the highest standards of excellence and integrity in the medical profession.

The recipients of Dr. G.W. Archibald Gold-headed Cane Award in the Humanities celebrated on April 1st included two Dalhousie Medical School Alumni. For 2020, Dr. Andrew Lynk (MD ’90) and for 2023, Dr. Liz Brennan (MD ’83).

In addition to brief inspiring talks by the award recipients and their nominators, the event was filled with music and interactive activities. They also had the exciting opportunity to celebrate the humanities more broadly by congratulating and hearing from the winners of the Cynthia Davis Creative Writing Award for undergraduate and post graduate trainees in medicine. Dr. Deborah Ocholi (MD Candidate Class of 2024) read from her winning piece, An Enduring Eulogy, and runners up Matthew Sinclair (PGY1, Family Medicine, Dalhousie University) and Anna Scheidler (MD ’23) read excerpts from their works as well.

What are Medical Humanities?

Medical Humanities is a unique and growing interdisciplinary field that fuses together arts and humanities with healthcare.

Research shows that physicians who participate in humanities are better performing clinicians with improved observation skills, critical and creative thinking, and empathy.

In 1992 the Medical Humanities Program was launched at Dalhousie by Dr. Jock Murray and has been a successful addition to the academic calendar at the University, with one of the leading programs in North America. Medical students, Faculty members, and the community are encouraged to get involved in medical humanities, with many avenues and opportunities to do so.

Dr. Wendy Stewart (PGM ’02) is the Director of Humanities, Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick (DMNB) and seeks to provide students and practitioners with opportunities to engage with the humanities to enhance critical thinking, collaboration, and wellness. “Through arts and humanities, we can deepen our understanding of ourselves as people, as learners, and as professionals,” Dr. Stewart says.

We often think of physicians and researchers’ skills as entirely academic and scientifically applied, when, key competencies in

these professions like patient advocacy, communication, and collaboration are challenging skills that can be difficult to teach and measure. Dr. Stewart believes arts and humanities offer unique and innovative ways for learners to experience these skills, “arts and humanities find a way for us to see things from a different lens.”

The History of Humanities at Dal Dr. Gerald (MD ’55) and Mrs. Gail Archibald developed and maintained an active interest in the Arts and Humanities since their university years. In the 1990's they began to philanthropically support the efforts of Dr. Murray to establish a Medical Humanities program at the Dalhousie Medical School. Eventually, Dr. and Mrs. Archibald also became interested in supporting an annual award for a Medical School faculty member, recognizing either humanitarianism or an active involvement in the Humanities Program. After doing some extensive research, Dr. Murray discovered a centuries-old tradition in England of recognizing an outstanding physician with the presentation of a "gold headed cane." So, the Gold Headed Cane award was created, thanks to the generosity of the Archibald’s, whose contribution will assist in maintaining an active Medical Humanities program at the Dalhousie Medical School for years to come.

As a tribute to her parents and a nod to continuing a philanthropic tradition, at the 2023 Award Gala, Dr. and Mrs. Archibald’s daughter Carolyn generously donated and unveiled stunning portraits of her parents to the Dalhousie Medical School, which will be proudly displayed within the Faculty of Medicine. When Ms. Archibald presented the portraits, she got to speak about her parents’ legacy, “when my parents were looking for a way to give back to Dalhousie Medical School and Dr. Murray suggested the Gold Headed Cane Award for excellence in humanities, it was a natural fit. As the Award blossomed and the people and projects it supported grew in scope, it became my parents’ crowning achievement. They would be so thrilled to see me here presenting these portraits of them and to know how they were being recognized, and their contribution appreciated.” Ms. Archibald is proud to see her parents’ legacy continue.

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Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick Research Celebration Dinner 2023 The 2023 DMNB Celebration of Research was held Tuesday May 16th, at the Riverside Golf & Country Club.

The celebration was titled “A Taste of Research” and offered guests a sampling of the many successes earned by the DMNB Research Unit throughout the 20222023 academic year.

In addition to a wonderful dinner, exceptional guest speakers, and award acknowledgements, the celebration also included an afternoon of student presentations. Medical residents, graduate students, and current undergraduate medical learners delivered impressive overviews of their current research pursuits to the crowd.

Chelsey Family Research Award Winners 2023 Awarded to encourage and grow research activities among faculty based in New Brunswick who hold a current appointment with the Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University.

Dr. Jean-François Legaré and his team for “Identification of novel diagnostic biomarkers for at-risk transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) patients in New Brunswick” Dr. Shane Journeay for “The Occupational Health of the New Brunswick Nursing Workforce”

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SPECIAL FEATURE

YOUR NAME: Ethan Fogarty DEPARTMENT: Med Student - Research through Emergency Department WHAT IS YOUR RESEARCH ABOUT? The use of venous blood gas biomarkers in predicting morbidity and mortality in undifferentiated hypotensive patients presenting to the emergency department.

WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT YOUR RESEARCH? it could be a starting point for better care of this patient population WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME FOR FUN? In my spare time I spend a lot of time rock climbing and bouldering.

Dalhousie University Advancement Award Winners 2023 An annual grant of $100,000 awarded to support research and research teaching efforts of the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick.

DR. COLLEEN O’CONNELL and team for their support of the comparison of Virtual Reality to Standard of Care therapy DR. NAILA RAMJI for “High-risk versus isolated obesity impact on stillbirth: A retrospective cohort study to determine timing of delivery”

DR. KIMBERLEY BARKER for her “Improving Sexual Health Dialogue: Qualitative Assessment of Sex Working Patient Experience” project DR. THOMAS PULINILKUNNIL for his support the DMNB researchers and clinician-scientists from the IMPART group that spans across FoM Dalhousie University, DMNB, Horizon, and NBHC DRS. NEIL MANSON, ED ABRAHAM, and NAJ ATTABIB, ERIN BIGNEY and team for Canada East Spine Centre’s participation in the Canadian Spine Outcomes and Research Network registry DR. DANIEL DUTTON for his “Population health research and government priority setting: how can changes in spending influence cardiovascular disease in Canada?”

DR. SARAH GANDER for her “Exposed: Examining the Generational Impact of Maternal Substance and AlcoholUse on Family Health and Social Outcomes” DRS. MARTIN MACKINNON and ABHISHEK SHRESTHA for their “Direct Admissions to Hospital for Long-Term-Care Residents” DRS. TRACY MEYER, JANESKE VONKEMAN and PAUL ATKINSON and the Social Emergency Medicine Research Team for their “Awareness of social determinants of health among acute healthcare workers; a mixed methods study”

MSc Students Victoria Nelson and Anu Jose with Dr. Paul Atkinson

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SPECIAL FEATURE

Maggie Pickard and Dr. Paul Atkinson (Assistant Dean, DMNB Research)

DMNB Graduate Studentship/ Postdoctoral Fellowships 2023 Awarded to a Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick graduate student or postdoctoral fellow.

VICTORIA NELSON, MSc Student, Dr. Keith Brunt ANU JOSE, MSc Student, Dr. Petra Kienesberger

DMNB MSc Completion 2023 DMNB has the largest ever cohort of graduate students, many will complete their studies in the coming months.

Maggie Pickard, under the supervision of Dr. Thomas Pulinilkunnil, successfully defended her thesis examining “The role of Secretion associated RAS GTPase 1B in muscle insulin signaling and metabolism.” in April.

MAGGIE PICKARD, MSc STUDENT NAME OF SUPERVISOR & DEPARTMENT: Thomas Pulinilkunnil, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology NAME OF CO-SUPERVISORS: N/A CAREER STAGE: Prepping for MSc Defence/ Graduating MSc in October WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE COMING TO DMNB?: I’m originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia and then before coming to DMNB, I got my honours degree in Biochemistry from Mount Allison University. That’s where I started doing scientific research!

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO DMNB? Coming from a small school like Mount A, I was intrigued by attending a smaller campus where I thought I’d get a good chance to make connections and really get into research. I also was impressed by what I’d read about the core research facility and the connections between the school and the hospital that would give me the chance to make real progress in health-focused research.

WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH? I’ve always been interested in medicine, but after studying science in undergrad, I became more and more intrigued by learning the underlying intricacies of what contributes to the health & disease that I would be working close to in medicine.

I became interested in scientific research because I wanted to uncover and put the pieces together about what causes disease;

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I guess I’d say I was interested in learning more about the why and the how, before I could focus on the medicine itself.

WHAT IS YOUR RESEARCH ABOUT? My research is focused on the role of a small protein called Sar1b and uncovering how it impacts insulin signaling in the skeletal muscle. In the big picture, skeletal muscle insulin signaling is heavily impacted in the onset of obesity and type II diabetes, so that is the greater focus of my research.

WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT YOUR RESEARCH? What’s exciting to me about research is the idea that by doing what at this point, I consider day to day work, I might be building a small piece toward what could be a big discovery that could really help people.

What I mean by this is that even if I myself am not making giant breakthroughs, but every result is a step forward that could really become something. I just think that’s really special and exciting!

WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE A TRAINEE AT DMNB? To me, DMNB is all about the people. What’s so unique about being a trainee here is that you get to work with so many other intelligent, focused researchers and trainees, technicians, and great PIs. It’s really interesting that even though we all share common interests, there’s so many different areas of research happening in one small building. It’s also such a great place to be a trainee because we get to use state of the art equipment, and are just in general exposed to a lot of cool research techniques and science.

s u p Hel e h t e m a n re !

L A D e M VOX tent. n o c t a e r Same g hed name. es r f . e r e n w i e z a N g a m i n m u l a r u o Y

The Dalhousie Medical Alumni Association has a long and proud history of fostering meaningful relationships and inspiring learners through our network of engaged alumni around the world. We need a new name that can reflect our refreshed vision and values, including a continuous drive for improvement and forward thinking.

Submit your proposed magazine name by December 31, 2023 online for a chance to win a Dal SWAG bag!

DALHOUSIE MEDICAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

NEWS

Dr. Cindy Calkin (MD ’93) wins international research award

A novel link between insulin resistance and bipolar has been discovered—bringing about incredible patient impact.

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Dalhousie alumni and faculty researcher Dr. Cindy Calkin (MD ’93) is making waves in the global medical community. Her paper titled, "Treating Insulin Resistance with Metformin as a Strategy to Improve Clinical Outcomes in Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression (the TRIO-BD Study): A Randomized, Quadruple-Masked, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial" has been chosen by the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology (ASCP) Awards Committee to receive the 2023 Paul Wender Best Paper in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry award.

Dr. Calkin is a graduate from Dalhousie’s Faculty of Medicine, where she has become a clinical researcher and Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Medical Neuroscience. She is also the medical director of the unique multidisciplinary clinical research Mood and Metabolism Program that includes psychiatry, endocrinology and metabolism, health physics, biomedical engineering, neuroradiology, and medical neuroscience. Her innovation and discovery research focuses on mechanisms underlying Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Disorder (TRBD) and novel mechanism-based targeted treatments.

In 2021, Dr. Calkin competed for what was formerly the Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation (DMRF) Influencers for Health Research Grant to help fund her mechanism-based research. The grant process called for a 10-minute pitch of her work to a group of local philanthropists who would then choose the researcher they wanted to fund; she won this competition and received a $50,000 award toward her research project.

Thanks to funding like that, Dr. Calkin and her team’s research progressed and today has led to a new approach focused on identifying pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying treatment resistance in bipolar depression. They were the first to find that insulin resistance exists at high rates in people with BD—32 per cent of patients with bipolar depression were insulin resistant while 22 per cent were type 2 diabetic, which is three times higher than the general population. Further, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes are independently linked to worse bipolar disorder outcomes. Her team’s TRIO-BD study (funded by a 1.3 million dollar grant from the Stanley Medical Research Institute) showed that reversing insulin resistance improved psychiatric outcomes in TRBD. For the approximately 20,000 people in Nova Scotia living with bipolar disorder, these findings are helping to change their lives by treating what was considered until now, an unrelated and undiagnosed condition.

NEWS

As a result of this incredible research study, the Canadian Diabetes Association updated their guidelines to include bipolar depression as an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

Dr. Calkin and her colleagues now also recommend all bipolar patients be tested for insulin resistance. As a result of Dr. Calkin’s work, there are now new treatment options available to target underlying mechanisms of bipolar depression—options that have been shown to work when psychotropic drugs no longer do.

From treatment guidelines to the approach to clinical care for patients, this work has had extensive positive influence on those with treatment resistant bipolar disorder. Dr. Calkin is hearing from patients and their families that it has given even the sickest of those affected renewed hope. “I have learned through patients emailing me that our research has been featured on YouTube and TikTok as well” Dr. Calkin says, “so we are also reaching the public who need to know there is a completely new and successful way

of treating treatment resistant bipolar disorder.” Not only has this research gained recognition in the medical community and media, but she has been asked to speak at several conferences, as well as on podcasts.

Each year, the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology (ASCP) presents the Paul Wender Best Paper in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry Award to a recipient who has been published in the past year for The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. Dr. Calkin is honoured to receive this distinguished international award, “on behalf of my research team, I would like to thank all of you who have supported our research.”

Learn more about Dr. Calkin’s research at Dal here.

FACULTY OF MEDICINE

MICRO MENTORSHIP Program

Calling all Dal Med Alumni!

Interested in mentoring current medical school learners? The Faculty of Medicine Micro Mentorship Program helps students build a meaningful professional relationship with an experienced physician.

Learn more about the exciting volunteer opportunity and register today.

For more information:

medical.alumni@dal.ca

Thank You to the PRESENTING SPONSOR of Dal Med Gala

www.bluteaucaseley.com

National Bank Financial – Wealth Management (NBFWM) is a division of National Bank Financial Inc. (NBF), as well as a trademark owned by National Bank of Canada (NBC) that is used under licence by NBF. NBF is a member of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) and the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF), and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NBC, a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: NA).

NEWS

Dal Med Alum, Dr. MengHee Tan (MD ’69), Publishes Contemporary Diabetes Resource

The DMAA would like to congratulate Dr. MengHee Tan (MD ’69) on the recent publication Innovations in Diabetes, a comprehensive diabetes resource written for a wideranging audience, from patients and their families to individuals at risk of diabetes, and professionals in healthcare and research.

Dr. Meng Tan graduated from Dalhousie Medical School cum laude in 1969. After his internal medicine residency at Dal, he became a research fellow at Joslin Diabetes Center at Harvard, after which he completed a postdoctoral fellowship in lipid disorders at the Cardiovascular Research Institute at the University of California in San Francisco. Upon returning to Dalhousie Medical School, he held a series of academic, administrative, and clinical appointments over 20 years, including head of the Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism.

From 1999 to 2007, Dr. Tan worked with Eli Lilly as a medical director and distinguished medical fellow and initiated the Dollar a Day campaign, which raised thousands of dollars for insulin and diabetes clinics in many countries, including India, Congo, Rwanda, and Tanzania.

Closer to home and earlier in his career, Dr. Tan was founding editor of Canadian Diabetes, which kept Canadian family doctors informed about developments in diabetes for more than two decades. As president of the Canadian Diabetes Association, he worked with the association’s London and District Branch to create the Flame of Hope, which was lit by the Queen Mother on July 9, 1989. This will continue to burn outside the home of insulin co-discoverer Sir Frederick Banting until a cure for diabetes is found.

Innovations in Diabetes is structured in four parts: the heterogeneity of diabetes and its dreaded complications, the multipronged management plan, diabetes and the COVID-19 pandemic, and prevention and remission of type 2 diabetes, including prevention of microvascular and macrovascular complications.

It documents the fulsome history of the disease and highlights the advancements in research and care, especially over the last 50 years, that have not only improved our understanding of diabetes but have also translated into better patient care, emphasizing evidence-based practices and patient-centered care, which promotes collaboration between patients and healthcare providers in managing diabetes effectively.

Dr. Tan is currently Professor Emeritus of Internal Medicine at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. If you are interested in purchasing a copy of Innovations in Diabetes or to learn more, please contact medical.alumni@dal.ca, or visit mengheetanmd.com

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NEWS

Class Notes 1960s

DR. PETER HOUSE (MD ’68) retired in Vancouver after 55 years in Family Practice.

DR. ALLEN EAVES (MD ’69) was appointed to the Order of Canada.

1970s

DR. KEN MURRAY (MD ’72) recently retired from practicing Family Medicine in Neil’s Harbour, Nova Scotia, for fifty years.

DR. JAMES RAFFERTY (MD ’74) recently retired after nearly fifty years as a Family Physician, the last 24 having been in North Queens, Nova Scotia.

DR. GERALD REARDON (MD ’74) announced his retirement from his Orthopaedic Surgical Practice effective June 30, 2023.

DR. SHELAGH LEAHEY (MD ’75) received an honorary diploma from NSCC. Dr. Leahey is the founding site director of the South West Nova location of Dalhousie’s Family Medicine Residency Training program. A graduate of Dalhousie Medical School, she has been a physician in the province for over four decades, practicing family medicine in Yarmouth following her training.

DR. MINOLI AMIT (MD ’77) was given Life Membership from the Canadian Paedatric Society (CPS), an honour reserved for members who have made a significant contribution to the CPS. Life members have demonstrated tremendous dedication to advancing the health of children by supporting the work of the CPS. DR. EDWARD CAIN (PGM ’78) received an Honourary Degree at this year’s Faculty of Medicine convocation. Among Dr. Cain’s numerous achievements are his contribution to the creation of the Paramedic Act, a piece of legislation that provided the groundwork and legal authority for paramedicine to become a self-regulating profession.

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1980s

DR. ELLEN WOOD (MD ’80) was given Life Membership from the Canadian Paedatric Society (CPS), an honour reserved for members who have made a significant contribution to the CPS. Life members have demonstrated tremendous dedication to advancing the health of children by supporting the work of the CPS. DR. SHARON BUREY (MD ’83), an Ontario pediatrician and Dalhousie Medical School graduate was recently appointed to the Senate of Canada. Dr. Burey, who emigrated from Jamaica in 1976, and has practised as a behavioural pediatrician in Ontario for over 30 years. She has dedicated her career to equality, and to justice for those living in poverty, visible minorities, and other marginalized communities.

DR. ALISON BRAND (MD ’84) was recently elevated to full professor in the Discipline of Medicine at University of Sydney, Australia.

She is the first female Gynaecological Oncologist in Australia to become a full professor.

1990s

DR. SEEMA DOSAJ (MD ’90) is looking forward to semi-retirement in Halifax. She practices family medicine in Toronto, is a clinical associate in the UHN Occupational Health Assessment Program and is also the vice chair for the Ontario Medical Association’s Solo Family Practice Medical Interest Group.

DR. RICHARD LANGLEY (MD ’90), professor in the Division of Clinical Dermatology & Cutaneous Science, Department of Medicine, who along with his research team, had their article selected as the best article in the JAAD Game Changers competition by the American Academy of Dermatology.

DR. CHRIS VAILLANCOURT (PGM ’92) has been named the recipient of the 2023 Dr. Garfield Moffatt Award from the New Brunswick Medical Society, recognizing his commitment of excellence in patient care, medical education, the community-at-large, and quality of life.

NEWS

DR. SUSAN MOFFATT-BRUCE (MD ’94) has been named as the president of Lahey Hospital & Medical Centre in Burlington, MA. She is a cardiothoracic surgeon and research scientist with an extensive background in healthcare leadership.

DR. HAISSAM HADDAD (PGM ’95) has been named Officer of the Order of Canada for his dedication to the field of medicine.

DR. DAVID MACDONALD (PGM ’16) received the 2023 Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management, and Perioperative Medicine’s Dr. Tom Marrie Award. The award recognizes the individual who best exemplifies Dr. Marrie, Dalhousie University’s former dean of medicine’s leadership qualities of vision, integrity, patience, humility, and compassion.

DR. RUTH ANN MARRIE (MD ’96), a neurologist and researcher at the University of Manitoba is this year’s winner of the Barancik Prize for Innovation in MS Research. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (US) awarded Marrie for “watershed discoveries that deepen the understanding of how and when Multiple Sclerosis evolves, paving the way to more personalized medicine to stop and even prevent MS.”

DR. KAVISH CHANDRA (MD ’18) has received a four-year Clinical Research Scholarship in Emergency Medicine from the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation (ResearchNB). During his scholarship, Dr. Chandra plans to collaborate with emergency medicine colleagues in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to develop an observational airway registry to study critically ill patients who have presented to Atlantic Canadian emergency departments.

DR. GAYNOR WATSON-CREED (MD ’99), Associate Dean, Serving and Engaging Society in the Faculty of Medicine, received an honorary degree from the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) during graduation proceedings for the Faculty of Science. A graduate of UPEI, Dr. Watson-Creed is recognized for her advocacy for high-quality public health services in Canada.

DR. BRENT YOUNG (MD ’19) was the recipient of the Canadian Medical Association’s (CMA) Award for Young Leaders, recognizing his exemplary dedication, commitment, and leadership. In a few short years, Dr. Young has had an incredible impact on Indigenous health outcomes in Halifax.

2000s

DR. DAVID HODGSON (MD ’23) recently took home a $50,000 first-place prize competing in the Global Student Entrepreneurship Awards (GSEA) for his business Hollo Medical’s Bre-Z Chamber, a unique pocket-size asthma inhaler chamber that ‘enables portability and optimal drug deposition’ at a fraction of the size of a conventional one.

DR. COLIN AUDAIN (MD’02), a Halifax-based general anesthesiologist, was sworn in as DNS’s new president at the association’s annual conference on June 10.

2010s

DR. RAFAELA ANDRADE (PHD ’15) was awarded the Mitacs Outstanding Entrepreneur Award for the ground-breaking technology behind her fast-growing company Myomar Molecular Inc. that identifies unique and specific molecular changes in urine that are associated with muscle degeneration.

2020s

Have a professional accomplishment you’d like to share with the alumni community?

Please contact medical.alumni@dal.ca.

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NEWS

Reunion Updates

MD Class ’70 Reunion A most successful belated 50th year reunion (due to Covid) – actually our 53rd – was held in Halifax from 28th to 30th May 2023.

Centered at the Prince George Hotel upwards of 60% of the Class attended. We began with a Meet and Greet Cocktail Reception where, for the most part, we still recognized each other; some of whom had not seen one another in over several decades. After all, over 50 years of medical practice does alter such things as hairline, hair color and perfect posture. The evening concluded with a rousing singsong with Mike Banks at the keyboard.

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The second day we assembled for a seminar which featured several most interesting and insightful presentations by various classmates. These presentations were preceded by a short time of Remembrance for the 15 classmates who are no longer with us.

Special welcome was also made to 2charming widows who joined us as part of the Class of ’70 family.

Dean David Anderson as well gave an excellent presentation on current and future activities at our alma mater. In addition, Emma Lindala of the DMAA staff outlined various features of alumni activities.

We also learned that our 2 Class Endowment Funds which support the Research in Medicine Program for medical students have

NEWS

MD Class of 1982

surpassed a total of $236 thousand. In fact, a very lovely thank you letter from one of the RIM award recipients, Marie Charles, was shared with the Class. These research activities for medical students were, in fact, begun under the Deanship of Tom Marrie, another of our classmates.

After exploring the new look Halifax during an afternoon of free time- many out-of-town members (from as far away as Belgium, British Columbia, New Hampshire and “Upper Canada”) remarked how much our seaport city had so dramatically changed since we began our studies in 1965.

We assembled that evening to a gala Class Dinner. Many memories and gales of laughter were shared as each and every classmate spoke throughout the evening. Even song erupted by two of our very talented classmates – thanks to the MacElwains.

The following morning saw several classmates attend the Medical School Convocation at the Rebecca Cohn, where their presence was duly noted. There also classmate Ron Stewart delivered the address on behalf of the honorary doctor recipient Dr. Ed Cain. Ron had been his mentor in the Emergency Medicine field over many years.

The final evening most members again attended a rather informal Farewell Supper at the hotel. All left with the sentiment that this was our “best ever” Class Reunion. Quite a statement in that we have met every 5 years for a reunion ever since 1970; often in very special resorts and locations.

The Class President agreed to organize our 55th for 2025; and will communicate with all via the “Speculum” a class newsletter published annually – if not more often – over the past 53 years.

Lastly all were reminded to continue support of our alma mater through annual giving to the Class Endowment Funds. In fact, a small surplus of funds from the Reunion will be donated to the Class ’70 Fund.

Submitted by: Dr. Dan Reid (MD ’70), Life Class President

MD Class ’82 Reunion The Class of 1982 held a 41st year reunion the weekend of September 29th-October1,2023 at Fox Harb’r Resort, Fox Harbour, Nova Scotia.

Twenty classmates and numerous partners attended a successful and fun gathering. Talks were given after dinner on Friday evening by Raju Hajela, Rob Tremaine and John Grantmyre, and after Saturday nights dinner the group enjoyed the musical talents of classmate Patti Dauphinee and her husband Rob Bentley.

Plans are already underway for our 45th year reunion to be held in Halifax in 2027.

Submitted by Joan MacVicar (MD ’82)

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NEWS

In Memoriam The DMAA acknowledges the passing of our alumni and faculty with sincere sympathy and gratitude for their contributions to medicine. If you know of anyone to note in this section, please contact medical.alumni@dal.ca.

BRIAN O’BRIEN (MSC ’97) passed away December 14, 2022

DR. BRYAN QUINN (MD ’75) passed away March 5, 2023

DR. FRANCES CRAWLEY (MD ’83) passed away June 20, 2023

DR. JOHN WILLIAMS (MD ’73) passed away December 19, 2022

DR. TIM DEAN (MD ’75) passed away March 7, 2023

DR. PETER MACNEIL (MD ’90) passed away June 30, 2023

DR. EVERETT SMITH (MD ’56) passed away December 29, 2022

DR. JANICE TOWNSON (MD ’13) passed away March 21, 2023

DR. PHILIP BAGNELL (MD ’68) passed away July 15, 2023

DR. LEON WISNIOWSKI (MD ’91) passed away January 7, 2023

DR. JOHN O’CONNOR (MD ’69) passed away March 21, 2023

DR. JAMES OXNER (MD ’70) passed away July 28, 2023

DR. IRENE O’KANE (PGM ’77) passed away January 8, 2023

DR. ROBERT SHAPTER (MD ’58) passed away March 21, 2023

DR. CHARLES TRAINOR (MD ’70) passed away January 29, 2023

DR. KRYSTIAN SZCZESNY (PGM ’92) passed away April 16, 2023

DR. GERALD ESMOND STILES (MD ’68) passed away August 5, 2023

DR. JACOBO ASUNCION (PGM ’69) passed away January 31, 2023 DR. GORDON MAHANEY (MD ’72) passed away February 7, 2023 DR. JAMES CAMERON (MD ’71) passed away February 18, 2023 DR. ANIL KAPOOR (MD ’91) passed away February 28, 2023

DR. JOHN STEELE (MD ’58) passed away August 14, 2023

DR. EILEEN HALDANE (PGM ’73) passed away April 19, 2023 DR. ELEANOR MCKENNA (MD ’74) passed away April 20, 2023 DR. GEORGE SAPP (MD ’66) passed away April 29, 2023

DR. RAJENDER PARKASH (PGM ’72) passed away August 21, 2023 DR. DENIS FALVEY (MD ’77) passed away September 14, 2023

2024 REUNIONS Plans are already underway for many 2024 reunions – if you are celebrating a milestone reunion (grad years ending in 4 and 9), reach out to medical.alumni@dal.ca and we can help support your event!

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MD ‘59

MD ‘74

MD ‘89

MD ‘04

MD ‘14

MD ‘64

MD ‘79

MD ‘94

MD ‘09

MD ‘19

MD ‘69

MD ‘84

MD ‘99

DAL MED ALUMNI, WE NEED YOUR HELP! Promoting Leadership in health for African Nova Scotians (PLANS) aims to increase representation of African Nova Scotians in the health professions – including medicine. This initiative is strongly supported by our dean and faculty, but we need the support of Dalhousie’s Black medical alumni to truly make an impact.

If you are a Dal Med alum who self-identifies as Black or of African descent, please provide your information here and send this link to other Dal Med Alumni who self-identify as Black or of African descent.

Timi Idris, Program Manager PLANS Dr. David Haase, Co-Chair PLANS Advisory Committee Email: plans@dal.ca Phone: 902-494-7831

It is important to have black and African Nova Scotian representation in healthcare so that our healthcare system can better reflect the diversity of the population it serves.

"Being from North Preston, the largest black community in Canada, I know firsthand, that mental illness does not exclude the black community.

However, as I near the end of my 5-year residency training in psychiatry, I cannot help but reflect on the small number of Black patients I have had the honour to help and/or treat over the years.

My hope for the future of medicine in Nova Scotia is that I will one day be "one of many" black physicians working in Nova Scotia as opposed to "one of few" and that this may translate to enhanced medical education that acknowledges diverse perspectives and the contributions of diverse leaders and scholars in the field, the rebuilding of trust between the healthcare system and black community, improved access to care, and improvement in health outcomes."

— Dr. Cinera States MD ’17