HIGHLIGHTS
The 2023 Fall Senior Luncheon
Thanks to everyone that came out last week for our lovely luncheon hosted by Dr. David Smith!
Happy holidays to all. We will see you in the new year.
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Expanding the Impact of 3D Printing and Virtualization on Orthopedics Surgery across BC
Surgical wait times in B.C. are a recognized challenge, particularly given the backlog from the pandemic. Advanced surgical planning and patient-specific instrumentation can improve both the efficiency and quality of care in myriad of ways – and emerging technologies are accelerating the transformation.
Congratulations to the Digital Lab at BC Children’s Hospital!
The Digital Lab was one of two teams, that received funding through the provincial Ministry of Health’s Innovation Pathway Program as part of a second intake for 2023.
The Digital Lab utilizes medical imaging data to create precise digital replicas of a patient’s unique anatomy. [Full story on POD]
More about the Digital Lab:
https://www.bcchdigital.ca/
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2023 AAP – BC Chapter Special Achievement Award
On Oct 25 2023, at the BC Pediatrics Society Annual AGM, The American Academy of Pediatrics, BC Chapter, awarded Dr. Matt Carwana with the ‘2023 AAP – BC Chapter Special Achievement Award’ for his exceptional work and advocacy for children’s health and wellness in BC.
The mission of the American Academy of Pediatrics is to attain optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. To accomplish this mission, the Academy supports the professional needs of its members.
We congratulate Dr. Carwana on his award!
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2023 BC Pediatric Society awards
Last night, the BC Pediatric Society had the honour of presenting the 2023 Dr. Parminder Singh Award to Dr. Wingfield Rehmus, the 2023 Dr. Judith Hall Award to Dr. Paul Thiessen, and the 2023 AAP – BC Chapter Special Achievement Awards to Dr. Richard Stanwick and Dr. Matthew Carwana. Congratulations to all of the deserving award winners!
Cross-posted with permission.
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New provincial funding supports research to improve pain management for B.C. children
Dr. Catrina Loucks is among the recipients of new funding from the B.C. government for her research aimed at improving pain management for vulnerable B.C. children, including those with cancer and other conditions.
Dr. Loucks, assistant professor in the Faculty of Medicine’s department of pediatrics and department of anesthesiology, pharmacology and therapeutics, is the principal investigator at the Loucks Pain Management Pharmacogenomics Lab at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. The lab aims to help guide clinical decision-making for pain management, improve patient outcomes at the BC Children’s Hospital and lessen the burden of pain for children in B.C. [MORE]
Congratulations Dr. Loucks!
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The 2023 Department of Pediatrics Annual Professional Development Day
We had fantastic presentations from faculty, staff and industry experts for our 2023 annual professional development day!
A big thanks to our speakers Drs. Saleem Razack, Ralph Rothstein, Mary Bennett, Anas Manouzi, Ms. Marisa Mae, Chantelle Lam, Zara Dureno and Christine Veloso.
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The Royal College of Canada James H. Graham Award of Merit
This past week, the Royal College of Canada celebrated the leaders and innovators in health care at their 2023 Royal College Awards ceremony.
In recognition of his contributions as a clinician, researcher, innovator and mentor in the field, Royal College Fellow Steven Miller, FRCPC, is the 2023 recipient of the James H. Graham Award of Merit.
Congratulations all!
More: https://newsroom.royalcollege.ca/bringing-innovation-and-vision-to-pediatric-neurology/
Cross-posted with permission.
Image property of the Royal College of Canada.
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2023 UBC Faculty of Medicine Awards
Congratulations to all of the recipients from the 2023 UBC Faculty of Medicine awards!
From the Department of Pediatrics, we celebrate: Drs. Bruce Vallance, Mona Patel, Odion Kalaci, Quynh Doan, Shelina Babul and Ms. Michelle Man.
Full list: https://bit.ly/3LII4aL
Award Program: https://issuu.com/fomrecognition/docs/01_-_2023_awards_reception_booklet_-_issuu
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Commemorate Orange Shirt Day – September 30
Orange Shirt Day, September 30, is a day to honour and uphold Survivors and Intergenerational Survivors of the Indian Residential School system, and to commemorate those who didn’t return home.
To find a wide range of Orange Shirt Day programming and information, please explore the hub page curated by the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre. You can access information about events, educational resources, and wellness support initiatives available at UBC. Learn more on the hub page: https://irshdc.ubc.ca/orange-shirt-day/
Artwork by xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) artist təlnaq̓ə, Alec Guerin.
#OrangeShirtDay
Reposted with permission.
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Congratulations Dr. Catrina Loucks and the PMP Lab!
Sadly, the opioid crisis continues to devastate the lives of Canadians, and unfortunately, it has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Increased movement toward opioid-sparing pain management strategies means that we are at risk of undertreating serious pain. This can be particularly devastating in children with high burdens of pain, where ongoing pain can interfere with brain development, disrupt behaviour, and increase the risk of chronic pain.
Safe and effective pain management is influenced by individual genetic differences that dictate both the likelihood of pain and whether medications will be safe and effective. Dr. Loucks is using pharmacogenomics to identify genetic factors that can help predict an individual’s need for, and subsequent response to, opioid and non-opioid pain relievers.
Congratulations to Dr. Catrina Loucks and her team at the Loucks Pain Management Pharmacogenomics (PMP) Lab for at their recent award from the Canada Foundation for Innovation John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF).
More:
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Forty-eight new Fellows elected into the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences
On September 20 2023, The Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) shared their distinguished list of Fellows that represent excellence in health sciences.
Election to Fellowship in the Academy is considered one of the highest honours for individuals in the Canadian health sciences community.
The nomination carries with it a covenant to serve the Academy and the future well-being of the health sciences irrespective of the Fellow’s specific discipline.
Congratulations to Dr. Steven Miller and all the nominees for this highest honour.
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4th Provincial Pediatric Pain Symposium | November 16, 2023
Join us for the upcoming Provincial Pediatric Pain Symposium on Thursday, November 16, 2023 at the BC Children’s Chan Auditorium.
Several Department of Pediatrics faculty, learners and staff will be presenting.
Registration link:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/partnering-for-pediatric-pain-4th-provincial-pediatric-pain-symposium-tickets-663265062657
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Congratulations Michelle Man!
Congratulations to Michelle Man recipient of the 2023 President’s Staff Award for Wellbeing.
This award is presented to staff who promote the social, physical, and/or mental health and wellbeing for those who study, work, and live at UBC. They develop welcoming and inclusive physical and virtual spaces to nurture community and connection. They take initiative to lead activities, embed wellbeing practices, and create opportunities for others. This award honours those who inspire community members to foster connections and create networks of care for themselves and each other.
Congratulations all!
Full list of 2023 recipients:
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BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute | Year in Review 2022-2023
Read about some of the exciting discoveries and progress our researchers have made in the last year!
Faculty spotlights from the Dept of Pediatrics include:
Dr. Bruce Carleton
Dr. Bruce Verchere
Dr. Christopher Maxwell
Dr. Gregor Reid
Dr. James Lim
Dr. Mehul Sharma
Dr. Philipp Lange
Dr. Shazhan Amed
Dr. Shubhayan Sanatani
Dr. Stuart Turvey
Learn about the impact of providing precision care to kids with cancer and how bhangra dance classes improved South Asian children’s heart health.
Link to report:
https://www.bcchr.ca/news/bc-childrens-hospital-research-institute-year-innovation-and-breakthroughs
**Cross-posted with permission**
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Breathr 3.0 shows you easy and fun ways to practice mindfulness
The app was developed by experts at BC Children’s Hospital Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre and Centre for Mindfulness, and has been updated to include new content, functionality and features. Breathr was originally created for young people, but has been expanded for everyone to give it a try!
Begin to explore and experience practices of mindfulness and self-compassion, choosing from a variety of practices.
Download the app today at:
https://keltymentalhealth.ca/breathr
Full video:
https://buff.ly/3KE5Jc1
**Cross-posted with permission.**
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The Vancouver Summer Program in Medicine
Kudos to the exemplary leadership, staff, instructors, and volunteers that made this year’s Vancouver Summer Program a smashing success.
Students from around the world were mentored by leaders that provide exemplary pediatric clinical care and research at our state-of-the-art teaching, clinical and research facilities. See you next summer!
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Back-to-School Student Spotlight: Mckenna Laing

Left Image: Mckenna and with her father, Jay Laing before her first surgery, BC Children’s Hospital, 2013. Center Image: Mckenna Laing, First Day of Work, BC Children’s Hospital, May 8, 2023. Right Image: (Left to Right): Dr. Dzung Vo, and Mckenna Laing practicing Mindfulness. Source: Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre Blog, 2019.
As summer draws to a close, and preparations begin for Back-to-School, we celebrate Mckenna Laing, a former long-term patient at BC Children’s Hospital, who is wrapping up her first Co-Op placement with the Department of Pediatrics, UBC & BCCH (DoP).
Mckenna is entering her third year at the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business. Since May, she has worked as a Student Assistant in Communications & Engagement for DoP. In her own words, the experience was very powerful, “Reflecting back, the physicians and staff that helped me when I was a child being treated at the hospital have positively transformed my life. The experience has inspired me to want to give back and impact the lives of other young patients in a similar way.”
Mckenna’s journey at BC Children’s started over ten years ago, after being diagnosed with Perthes Disease and Chronic Neuropathic pain stemming from stress and trauma. She underwent various treatments at the Complex Pain Clinic, finding success with the MARS-A Mindfulness Program. Empowered by the program, she joined the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), where she has been active for five years. As part of her desire to make a difference, Mckenna spearheaded the “YACtivity” Book Project, which is an activity book for young patients that included mental health resources and mindfulness techniques.
As Mckenna nears the end of her first Co-Op, her time spent with the staff, physicians and patients at BC Children’s has fueled her interest to keep working in the healthcare industry where she can impact the lives of others and share her story with young patients for optimal motivation, strength, and care. “It is such an honor to be able to work for an organization that I had been so connected to in my childhood,” says Mckenna. “Recognizing that I have a role in this community to help improve healthcare for youth makes me extremely proud. I’m very grateful to be a part of this amazing community and continue to follow this path.”
We wish you well and all the success in your next chapter!
Learn more about the MARS-A Mindfulness Program and the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC):
https://pediatrics.med.ubc.ca/divisions-centres/adolescent-medicine/
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BC Pediatric Children Health Today 2023 Conference
This year, the 2023 BC Pediatric Children Health Today Conference will take place on November 3-4, 2023, at UBC Robson Square in Vancouver, BC.
The conference will cover a wide range of topics related to pediatrics. Distinguished experts will be presenting their latest research findings and best practices. Attendees, will have the opportunity to learn from world-class speakers, engage in interactive discussions, and network with other professionals in the field.
This year’s event is being held in collaboration with BC Children’s Hospital and BC Pediatric Society, two of the leading healthcare institutions in the province of British Columbia.
Several Department of Pediatrics faculty will be presenting, Drs. Brett Schrewe, Mark Belletrutti and Sanjukta Basak to name a few.
REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/47goJqI
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The 2023 Residents & Fellows Welcome Summer Garden Party

Left Image: Education team. Center Image: Drs. Dzung Vo, Edmond Chan and his family and Dr. Laura Sauve. Right Image: Dr. Mary Bennett and trainees.
Another beautiful Vancouver evening to welcome our incoming residents and fellows. Thank you to the organizers for a lovely event!
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Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death among B.C. youth ages 10 to 18 yrs

Matthew Carwana MD, MPH, FRCPC
Clinical Instructor, Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, UBC
Director, Social Pediatrics Program, BC Children’s Hospital
Investigator, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute
Faculty Member, The Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP)
Matthew Carwana, a pediatrician and University of British Columbia researcher who studies substance use disorders in young people, said the numbers represent the most severe outcomes. The true number of young people who are struggling with addiction is likely much higher, he said.
Read the full article in the Globe & Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-drug-overdoses-children-bc/
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