New This Month
Celebrating International Women’s Day, Mar 8, 2026
Please join us as we celebrate the remarkable women who strengthen our department, uplift our teams, support our learners, and positively impact the patients and communities we serve.
This year’s theme, #GiveToGain, reminds us of the power of sharing knowledge, offering mentorship, and championing one another.
We are proud to highlight the inspiring work of Ms. Anita Chiu, Ms. Lindsay Richter, Ms. Una Spasovski, Dr. Angela Devlin, Dr. Shelina Babul, and Dr. Mia Remington—leaders whose dedication drives meaningful change every day. [View Profiles]
Join us in recognizing their contributions and in continuing the movement toward gender equity, empowerment, and collective progress.
Learn more about International Women’s Day: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/About-IWD
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2025 Distinguished Community Paediatrician Award | Dr. Eiko Waida
Congratulations to Dr. Eiko Waida on receiving the 2025 Distinguished Community Paediatrician Award from the Canadian Paediatric Society!
This peer nominated award recognizes colleague(s) who have demonstrated a significant contribution to the field of community paediatrics.
From providing rural outreach care to leading major quality improvement initiatives, Dr. Waida’s impact on children, youth, and families is truly exceptional.
Learn more about Dr. Waida’s impact in her community: https://cps.ca/en/awards-prix/distinguished-community-paediatrician-award#toc2
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Nearly $10M in new funding invested in cancer prevention and early diagnosis | Dr. Christopher Maxwell
Congratulations to Dr. Christopher Maxwell and partner Canadian Cancer Society on receiving $1.99M for their project, “Targeting breast involution for the primary prevention of breast cancer among women who inherit a pathogenic variant in BRCA1.”
This work is helping transform the future of cancer prevention for high‑risk women and their families.
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2026 HATCH Venture Builder cohort | Dr. Alexander Rauscher
Five UBC Faculty of Medicine spin‑off companies are joining the 2026 HATCH Venture Builder cohort — bringing groundbreaking health innovations one step closer to the clinic.
From precision cancer treatment to emergency care and female sexual health, these ventures are transforming ideas into real‑world solutions.
Learn more about the work of Dr. Alexander Rauscher from the Department of Pediatrics and the team from phaseLab dynamics who are developing next‑generation MRI technology for faster, artifact‑free and highly reproducible scans.
Full announcement: https://www.med.ubc.ca/news/ubc-medicine-entrepreneurs-join-hatch-builder-to-advance-innovative-health-solutions/
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Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Project Grant: Fall 2025 competition results
UBC Faculty of Medicine researchers were awarded more than $30 million in combined funding through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Project Grant: Fall 2025 competition.
The funding supports 40 projects led by Faculty of Medicine researchers. Covering a wide range of fundamental and applied research areas, the projects will address some of the most pressing health challenges facing Canadians including breast cancer, diabetes and medication access in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities.
Across the university a total of 47 projects led by UBC researchers were awarded $35 million including 38 Project Grants and nine Priority Announcement Grants.
On a national level, CIHR approved a total of 421 research grants, for a total investment of approximately $413 million. In addition, 83 priority announcement grants were funded for a total amount of $9.7 million and 17 supplemental prizes were awarded for a total of $450,000.
Faculty of Medicine-Led Project Grants from the Department of Pediatrics:
Dr. Kirk Schultz
Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease Polyomic Profiling as Predictive Biomarker Patterns to Guide Therapy
Faculty of Medicine-Led Priority Announcements:
Drs. Stuart Turvey & Catherine Biggs
Discovering new human inborn errors of immunity | Priority Announcement Area: Genetics
Dr. Bruce Vallance
Mid-Colon Goblet Cells: Primary Source of the Protective Colonic Mucus Barrier | Priority Announcement Area: Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes
Full announcement: https://www.med.ubc.ca/news/ubc-medicine-researchers-awarded-more-than-30-million-from-cihr/
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💙 MATCH DAY 2026! 💙Congratulations!
To everyone who matched to UBC Pediatrics — CONGRATULATIONS and WELCOME!
We know this day represents years of hard work, dedication, and dreaming about your future in medicine. We are honoured that you’ve chosen UBC Pediatrics, and we can’t wait to support you every step of the way.
You matched to one of Canada’s most comprehensive pediatric training programs, where you’ll:
– Train across distributed sites from Vancouver to the Yukon
– Learn from world-class faculty and mentors
– Join a supportive, collaborative community
Congratulations all!
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Remembering Dr. Ariane Alimenti (June 12, 1960 – Feb 8, 2026)
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Ariane Alimenti — a beloved colleague, gifted clinician, inspiring teacher, and leader who transformed care for women and children living with HIV.
Since joining us in 1999, Dr. Alimenti dedicated her career to compassionate, pioneering care at the Oak Tree Clinic and contributed nationally to perinatal HIV research and education. She championed programs like Camp Moomba and supported countless families with unwavering commitment.
We will remember her elegance, warmth, love of travel and salsa dancing, and the balance she brought to life.
Our hearts are with her husband, Dr. Jean‑Pierre Chanoine, her daughters Manuelle and Camille, and her grandchildren.
Her legacy lives on in the communities she uplifted. She will be profoundly missed.
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Celebrating Resident Doctors Appreciation Week | Feb 9 – 13, 2026
Happy 2026 Resident Doctors Appreciation Week to our amazing UBC Pediatric residents and fellows!
You are an essential part of our pediatric community — learning, growing, and providing exceptional care across our distributed sites across the province.
Thank you for the late nights, the early mornings, the difficult conversations, and the countless moments of care that make all the difference. 
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2025 John McNeill Excellence in Health Research Mentorship Award | Dr. Bruce Vallance
Congratulations to Dr. Bruce Vallance on receiving the 2025 John McNeill Excellence in Health Research Mentorship Award from UBC!
This prestigious award recognizes Dr. Vallance’s deep commitment to fostering the professional and personal development of early-career researchers — shaping the next generation of leaders in health research.
Dr. Vallance’s research on microbe-host interactions and the gut microbiome is advancing our understanding of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. He is the lead of Gut4Health and holds the CHILD Foundation Chair in Pediatric Gastroenterology, he’s not just conducting groundbreaking research — he’s inspiring and mentoring the researchers who will continue this vital work.
Congratulations, Dr. Vallance!
The Vallance Lab:
https://www.bcchr.ca/vallance-lab
The John McNeill Excellence in Health Research Mentorship Award:
https://health.ubc.ca/awards-scholarships/john-mcneill-excellence-health-research-mentorship-award
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INTERNATIONAL CONSENSUS: A Statement on Referral and Selection for Pediatric Lung Transplantation
A landmark international consensus published in The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation (JHLT) is shaping the future of pediatric lung transplantation by establishing the first global criteria for referral and candidate selection. It is supported by the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT).
Led by Dr. Nicholas Avdimiretz of BC Children’s Hospital and Dr. Don Hayes of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, this work brings together the expertise of 25 specialists worldwide to help pediatric providers identify transplant candidates earlier, optimize referral timing, and standardize evaluation for children with advanced lung disease.
Discover how these new guidelines are advancing pediatric care around the world.
Read the full article: https://www.jhltonline.org/article/S1053-2498(25)02199-0/fulltext
Published: December 2025
New ISHLT Document on Referral and Selection of Pediatric Lung Transplant Candidates
https://www.ishlt.org/about/news-detail/2025/10/08/new-ishlt-document-on-referral-and-selection-of-pediatric-lung-transplant-candidates
ISHLT Consensus Statement on the Referral and Selection of Pediatric Lung Transplant Candidates
https://www.ishlt.org/education-and-publications/standards-guidelines-detail/ishlt-consensus-statement-on-the-referral-and-selection-of-pediatric-lung-transplant-candidates
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LEADERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT: Dr. Emilie Jean-St-Michel, Head, Division of Cardiology | Department of Pediatrics, UBC & BCCH
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Emilie Jean‑St‑Michel has assumed the role of Head, Division of Cardiology, effective February 2, 2026.
Originally from northern Quebec, Dr. Jean‑St‑Michel brings extensive clinical, academic, and leadership experience to this role. Her background includes a Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology and Health Care Research from the University of Toronto, a medical degree from McGill University, and advanced fellowship training in pediatric cardiology and pediatric heart failure/transplantation at SickKids, where she later served as a staff pediatric cardiologist for eight years.
During her time at SickKids, she held key leadership roles—including Chair of the Labatt Family Heart Centre Innovation Fund Project Selection Committee and Chair of the Competence Committee—while contributing to education, mentorship, and CIHR‑funded research initiatives.
Since relocating to British Columbia in 2022, Dr. Jean‑St‑Michel has expanded pediatric cardiology services in northern B.C. at UHNBC and supported inpatient care at BC Children’s Hospital as a locum cardiologist. Most recently, she served as Deputy Head of Pediatrics at UHNBC.
We also extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Martin Hosking for his dedicated leadership as Interim Head since May 2025, and to Dr. Shubhayan Sanatani, who led the Division from 2015 to 2025 with remarkable vision and commitment.
We are grateful for the continued partnership of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation and the generosity of its donors, whose support strengthens child health care, research, and training.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Jean‑St‑Michel to her new role as she leads the next chapter in exceptional pediatric cardiac care.
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Congratulations to Dr. Saleem Razack on His Appointment as Dean
A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Saleem Razack, Professor in the Division of Critical Care, as he prepares to begin his new role as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University this fall.
Since joining us in 2023, Dr. Razack has made a significant impact as a pediatric intensivist, educator, researcher, and Strategic Plan Pillar Three Co‑Lead. He also served as a Ches Scholar and Senior Faculty Advisor for REDI with the Faculty of Medicine. In 2025, he was recognized nationally with the AFMC President’s Award for Exemplary National Leadership.
We are deeply grateful for his mentorship, leadership, and commitment to equity and transformative change.
Congratulations, Saleem — we wish you every success in this next chapter.
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Inspiring the Next Generation of Scientists: Women+ in Science 2026
Grade 11–12 students across BC and the Yukon now have two exciting ways to take part in Women+ in Science 2026!
Join the presentations in‑person on February 11th at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, or virtually on February 12th for inspiring science, discovery, and career exploration.
Dr. Genelle Lunken is featured as one of the virtual session keynote presenters, where she will share her insights as a leader in pediatric research and dietetics.
A heartfelt thank you to all participating research teams, trainees and mentors who generously invest their time and passion to support and guide future scientists. Your leadership helps spark curiosity and opens new pathways for young learners across our province and the Yukon.
Learn more and register: https://bcchr.ca/women-in-science
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Dr. Magdalena Janus, Sunny Hill BC Leadership Chair in Child Development
We’re pleased to welcome Dr. Magdalena Janus to UBC as the Sunny Hill BC Leadership Chair in Child Development!
An internationally recognized developmental scientist, Dr. Janus brings expertise in early childhood development and is best known for co-developing the globally used Early Development Instrument (EDI).
Her appointment is made possible through a partnership between UBC Faculty of Medicine, Sunny Hill Health Centre, and UBC HELP, with support from BC Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Leading Edge Endowment Fund (LEEF).
Learn more about her groundbreaking work and what this means for child development research in BC.
Link to full post: https://www.med.ubc.ca/news/dr-magdalena-janus-named-sunny-hill-bc-leadership-chair-in-child-development
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Welcome Dr. Mia Sethna!
We’re excited to welcome Dr. Mia Sethna as our new Undergraduate Program Director in Pediatrics!
Dr. Sethna brings extensive experience in medical education, mentorship, and pediatric hospital medicine.
A heartfelt thank‑you to Dr. Erin Peebles for her leadership and dedication to strengthening undergraduate pediatric education. Wishing her all the best in her new role at UBC CHES!
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Celebrating Commitment and Service in the Department of Pediatrics
Congratulations to the 173 staff and faculty from the Department of Pediatrics, UBC & BCCH who celebrated a service milestone in 2024.
We are deeply grateful for your years of dedication, hard work, and commitment to supporting children, families, and our community.
Long Service Recognition for 2025 milestones kicks off in March this year at the Staff Appreciation Breakfast at C&W.
Image: Dr. Zaneta Lim (left) and Ms. Myomi Chu (right) celebrated their 10-year service milestones with the Department of Pediatrics, UBC & BCCH.
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Important update on HIV prevention in Canada
New HIV infections continue to occur each year, and updated guidance is now available to support effective prevention. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Pan-Canadian Network for HIV/AIDS and the sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI) Clinical Trials Research group have released revised guidelines on pre‑exposure (PrEP) and post‑exposure (PEP) prophylaxis.
These new guidelines update the 2017 clinical indications and recommended drug regimens, reflecting the latest evidence in HIV prevention.
Notably, this is the first set of PrEP guidelines to include a dedicated youth perspective. Dr. Tatiana Sotindjo from BC Children’s Hospital was the only pediatric and youth‑focused provider involved in the working group and her contributions were essential to ensure the recommendations address the unique needs of young people.
Read the full guidelines: https://www.cmaj.ca/content/197/41/E1374
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New Canadian Paediatric Society Guidelines: Blood Transfusion Strategies for Preterm & Critically Ill Newborns
Did you know that minimizing blood loss in preterm and critically ill newborns starts at birth?
A new position statement led by Drs. Souvik Mitra, Emer Finan and Deepak Manhas provides evidence-based guidance on reducing blood loss and transfusions in preterm and critically ill newborns.
Full statement: https://cps.ca/en/documents/position/minimizing-blood-loss-in-newborns
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Celebrating 2025: A Year of Growth, Achievement, and Progress
As 2025 draws to a close, members from the Department of Pediatrics have much to celebrate.
This year, together, we achieved remarkable milestones:
– Welcomed 63 new faculty members (3 Academic, 60 Clinical)
– Celebrated 15 faculty promotions (4 Academic, 11 Clinical)
– Honoured 173 long-service milestones across the department
– Increased research funding by 59% over the past five years
– Maintained strong CaRMS matches across all program sites
– Expanded medical student rotation opportunities
We also made significant progress toward our Vision 2028 priorities, see: https://pediatrics.med.ubc.ca/about/our-strategic-direction/
Thank you for an inspiring year. I look forward to continued growth and collaboration in 2026.
Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a happy new year!
Steven Paul Miller, MDCM FRCPC FRSC FCAHS
Head, Department of Pediatrics, UBC & BCCH
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UBC Honours Dr. Judith Hall Among Trailblazing Women in Medicine
As part of UBC FoM’s Year in Review, Dr. Judith Hall was featured as part of their spotlight on Celebrating changemaking women in the Faculty of Medicine.
Professor Emerita Dr. Judith Hall joined UBC in 1981 as professor of medical genetics in charge of the clinical unit, helping to develop standards for clinical genetic services locally and around the world. Dr. Hall has identified a number of previously unrecognized syndromes, and her research into congenital anomalies has helped to clarify medical understanding of how folic acid helps reduce birth defects and to define Arthrogryposis. She was Head of the Department of Pediatrics at UBC and BC Children’s Hospital from 1990 to 2000 and served as president of the American Pediatric Society and on the council of International Pediatric Association. Dr. Hall was a founding member of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and served on the United Nation’s Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, the management committee of the Canadian Genome and BC Genome programs, and the American National Center for Human Genome Research. Her many awards and recognition include induction as an Officer of the Order of Canada, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, a member of the Royal Society of Medicine. Dr. Hall was inducted into the Canadian medical Hall of Fame in 2015.
Learn more about the incredible women featured in the changemaking series.
Original post: https://www.med.ubc.ca/news/celebrating-changemaking-women-in-the-faculty-of-medicine
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We respectfully acknowledge that we live, learn, and care on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
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Contact: pedcomm@cw.bc.ca