Highlights
Congratulations to Drs. Catherine Biggs & Edmond Chan
The Division of Allergy & Immunology is excited to announce two big awards from the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology:
Dr. Catherine Biggs was awarded The CSACI Early Career Award which is presented to a CSACI Fellow, who has been working post-fellowship for five years or less, and has shown contribution to the CSACI.
Dr. Edmond Chan was awarded the The F. Estelle R. Simons Award for Research in recognition of his exemplary research in the field of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. To even be considered for this award, the candidate’s research is to be viewed as significant and of benefit to the specialty.
Congratulations All!
Stuart Turvey MBBS DPhil FRCPC
Canada Research Chair in Pediatric Precision Health
Aubrey J. Tingle Professor of Pediatric Immunology
Professor | The University of British Columbia
Congratulations to Dr. Ian Pike!
Dr. Ian Pike was awarded the 2020 Award for Research from the Canadian Drowning Prevention Coalition for his social marketing campaign aimed at recreational boaters in BC.
The Canadian Drowning Prevention Coalition was formed in response to the call to action from the World Health Organization’s 2014 report. Drowning is a multisectoral issue that requires partnership among all stake holders. The purpose of the Coalition is to establish and implement a long-term multis ectoral plan to reduce drowning in Canada. Drowning threatens all populations, but the risks parallel many social determinants of health, disproportionally affecting Indigenous peoples, new immigrants, the elderly, and rural populations. Fatal and non-fatal drowning incidents impact not only the individual, but families and entire communities.
Congratulations to Dr. Pike and his team!
Congratulations to Dr. Quynh Doan and Dr. Stuart Turvey!
Dr. Quynh Doan has been appointed to the position of Director, Clinical Research starting Monday, October 26, 2020. Quynh is a pediatric emergency physician at BC Children’s Hospital with expertise in evaluating care at the pediatric emergency department, an investigator with the Evidence to Innovation Theme, and associate professor with UBC’s Department of Pediatrics. She has also helped transform emergency care through the development of new tools and processes, such as HEARTSMAP, to ensure that young people receive the mental health care they need.
In her new role, Quynh will advance the work of the previous Clinical Research Director, Dr. Soren Gantt, to improve the quality of clinical research and expand the specialized support services offered by the Clinical Research Support Unit. She will foster a culture of clinical research innovation, kick off a strategic planning process for clinical research and support the development of networking opportunities at the local, national and international levels.
Dr. Stuart Turvey is stepping into the lead role for our Precision Health initiative.
Precision Health is a particular area of strength for BC Children’s and an area of tremendous promise for our patients and their families. Our research institute is home to world-class expertise and innovative programs aimed at transforming outcomes for children through care tailored to their individual biological, environmental and lifestyle factors.
In this new role, Stuart will further the development of this important strategic initiative. He will work closely with Russell Bonaguro, Project Manager, and the Precision Health Advisory Committee to lead the development of a robust and cohesive support system aimed at fostering the development and testing of innovative therapies and improving access to precision health care.
Stuart is an Investigator and Pediatric Immunologist at BC Children’s and the Aubrey J. Tingle Professor of Pediatric Immunology at UBC. He holds the Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Pediatric Precision Health. From 2012-2018, Dr. Turvey served as the Director of Clinical Research at BC Children’s. In this role, he implemented initiatives to build capacity for clinical research across the site, developed specialized research support in the areas of health informatics and data management, and strengthened the Research Institute’s relationship with hospital leadership. Stuart’s experiences as a clinician drive his research; he’s led scientific discoveries that directly impact and improve care for his patients and children around the world.
One of Stuart’s initial tasks will be to recruit a new staff scientist to support this important initiative.
Cross-post from Research Communications, BC Children’s Hospital, Provincial Health Services Authority by Dr. Wyeth Wasserman, Vice-President Research, BC Children’s Hospital.
Congratulations 2020 Faculty of Medicine Award Recipients!
Each year, the Faculty of Medicine recognizes faculty and staff members for excellence in teaching, research, administration, innovation and public service.
Congratulations to our 2020 recipients!
We celebrate Drs. Sly, Meckler, Sadarangani and Brussoni for their contributions.
Congratulations All!
Dr. Allison Eddy elected into the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences
Ottawa – 18 September 2020
The Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) is pleased to unveil the list of individuals that were selected to join as Fellows for 2020.
CAHS recognizes excellence in health sciences. Fellows have demonstrated, through their careers and lives, that they are committed to their field of expertise in many ways.
In a year where the impact of health sciences has been celebrated through our struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic and its many repercussions, we were pleased to receive the largest ever number of applications for Fellowship.
Speaking to the new Fellows, the Chair of the Fellowship Committee, Dr. Proton Rahman, said, “Congratulations on being elected as a Fellow in the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. Your induction is a reflection of your vision, innovation and sustained excellence in your field and, undoubtedly, your expertise will further enrich our Academy. We are looking forward to your engagement in CAHS’ activities.”
Dr. Paul Allison, CAHS’ President, congratulated the new Fellows and mentioned, “Your dedication to health sciences is what is recognized today. Our Fellows understand that being elected to the Academy carries with it a covenant to serve the Academy and the future wellbeing of the health sciences, irrespective of the Fellow’s specific discipline.”
Click here for the list of 2020 Fellows.
Serge A. Buy
Chief Executive Officer / Président directeur général
Canadian Academy of Health Sciences / Académie canadienne des sciences de la santé
www.cahs-acss.ca
Ottawa, Canada
A CME Event: Virtual Rett Syndrome Family Symposium | October 2-3, 2020 | 8:00am to 3:00pm
You are invited to the first Symposium on Rett Syndrome in BC, a virtual meeting for professionals and families, featuring two international guest speakers, who are world experts in this condition. There will be plenty of break-rooms in the afternoon for families to ask questions from the speakers and to meet other families. Rett Symposium Poster & Agenda
To find out more please contact: Janet Espino
Please RSVP by September 25, 2020
Intentional WellBEing: Launching Sept 25 2020 | All of the activities free of charge.
Our university is not just a place, it is our people – their success is UBC’s success. By promoting their wellbeing, we promote their excellence.
– Santa J. Ono, President and Vice-Chancellor
In June 2020, the UBC Department of Pediatrics (DoP) and the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR) were awarded a Special COVID-19 Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) from the UBC Faculty of Medicine to launch a health and wellness program to support psychological and physical wellbeing and to create social connections and shared experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Ian Pike | Understanding your market for effective injury prevention
In this month’s BMJ Injury Prevention talk medicine podcast, we bring you an orderly walk through the life of a senior in the field. It moves from childhood drivers through private, to not profit, to public sector experiences and how it all comes together in the current job of Professor Ian Pike, University of British Columbia, Canada.
Ian Pike, PhD, MSc
Investigator, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute
Co-Lead, Evidence to Innovation Research Theme, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute
Director, BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit (BCIRPU)
Co-Executive Director, The Community Against Preventable Injuries
AWARDED PROJECTS FROM THE COVID-19 STRATEGIC INVESTMENT FUND
The Special COVID-19 Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) was made available for strategic projects related to COVID-19 and the ways in which the Faculty of Medicine’s education, research, organization, and partnerships have changed, are changing, or could change in response.
There were two rounds of funding with nearly 50 submissions of proposals. As a result, 20 proposals were awarded funding with a total allocation of $1.5m. [MORE]
The Department of Pediatrics was awarded 4 out of 20 proposals funded!
Research-related projects
COVID-19 Immunology Consortium-BC
Lead: Manish Sadarangani, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics; Director, Vaccine Evaluation Centre, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute
Education-related projects
Optimization of Practice for Medical Trainees through Simulation
Lead: Vi Ean Tan, Clinical Instructor, Department of Pediatrics
Virtual Health Pediatric Residency Engagement Initiative
Lead: James Lee, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Organization-related projects
Deepening Our Collective Roots through Intentional WellBEing
Lead:Michelle Man, Communications Coordinator, Department of Pediatrics
Congratulations All!
Congratulations Dr. Vi Ean Tan!
To date, four out of out of 27 funded projects were from the Department of Pediatrics under the Special COVID-19 SIF funding available for strategic projects related to COVID-19 and the ways in which the Faculty of Medicine’s education, research, organization, and partnerships have changed, are changing, or could change in response.
Congratulations Dr. Kyla Hildebrand!
The Royal College National Awards program honours the exceptional personal achievements of specialist physicians and surgeons, and other medical professionals across Canada and internationally. These awards recognize contributions to the specialty medical field, the Royal College mission, and to the health care of citizens, both in Canada and globally.
The selection of award recipients is based on a rigorous nomination and review process, overseen by the Royal College’s Awards Committee. Dr. Kyla Hildebrand was awarded the 2020 Royal College AMS Donald Richards Wilson Award for CanMEDS integration. [MORE]
Congratulations to Dr. Srinivas Murthy!
Dr. Srivnas Murthy
Farewell to Dr. John Wu
The Division of Hem/Onc/BMT would like to thank Dr. John Wu for his years of dedication and service to the Division and Department. John has retired from practice but will continue with his research.
His medical knowledge, advocacy for his patients and his holistic care will be missed. We have all learnt so much from John, he has trained many in the Division, and we will certainly miss him.
COVID hasn’t allowed us to say farewell and thank him in a way that he deserves so a humble THANK YOU from all of us!
~ Dr. Caron Strahlendorf, Division Head, Oncology/Hematology/BMT
Three projects funded under Special COVID-19 Strategic Investment Fund (SIF)
COVID-19 has disrupted nearly every aspect of our lives. We greatly appreciate the enormous efforts that the Faculty of Medicine community continues to make in response, whether in clinical settings, laboratories, virtual learning environments, or home offices.
Three out of 15 funded projects were from the Department of Pediatrics!
The purpose of this Special COVID-19 SIF Round is to make funding available for strategic projects related to COVID-19 and the ways in which the Faculty of Medicine’s education, research, organization, and partnerships have changed, are changing, or could change in response.
Organization-related projects
Deepening Our Collective Roots through Intentional WellBEing
Lead: Michelle Man, Communications Coordinator, Department of Pediatrics
Summary: Mitigate the psychological, social, and health impacts of COVID-19 through transformative programming that cultivates wellness and leadership.
Strategic Plan Objective(s): Primary: O5
and
Education-related projects
Virtual Health Pediatric Residency Engagement Initiative
Lead: James Lee, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Summary: Advance inclusion of pediatric residents at BC Children’s Hospital and affiliated sites in virtual health by providing clinical exposure that is lacking due to COVID-19 restrictions, while also building proficiency in virtual health that will benefit future practice.
Strategic Plan Objective(s): Primary: E3, E2 / Secondary: P1
and
Partnership-related projects
Pediatric Sepsis Data CoLaboratory
Lead: Niranjan Kissoon, Professor, Department of Pediatrics; VP Medical Affairs, BC Children’s Hospital
Summary: Create a network of health care workers, policy makers, researchers, and advocacy partners focused on addressing pediatric sepsis mortality and morbidity globally, and a platform for high-quality data collection and sharing. The intended result is better modelling and analytics, quality improvement in clinical care, and the ability to share best practices for advocacy globally.
Strategic Plan Objective(s): Primary: P5, R4
“Having mothers take DHA supplements during the newborn period to prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia in their very preterm infants cannot be recommended at this point,”
Consumption of DHA supplements, an omega-3 fatty acid, by breastfeeding mothers is ineffective in preventing bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants born before the 29th week of pregnancy. This is the main conclusion of a Canada-wide study published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
“Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that affects half of preterm infants, causing significant breathing difficulties that can make them become dependent on ventilators and oxygen for months,” explained the study’s lead author, Dr. Isabelle Marc, pediatrician, professor at the Université Laval Faculty of Medicine and researcher at the CHU de Québec–Université Laval Research Centre. “Babies with bronchopulmonary dysplasia are at greater risk for neurodevelopmental disabilities, respiratory issues, and, in rare cases, death.” [MORE]
“The changing dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic present a unique challenge for evaluating vaccines for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.”
Dr. Manish Sadarangani
With more than 140 SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in development, the race is on for a successful candidate to help prevent COVID-19. But—according to a new paper published today in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ)—there are challenges in evaluating the efficacy of these vaccines during the pandemic. [MORE]
Congratulations Drs. Stuart Turvey, Hind Sbihi and Tobias Kollmann!
Congratulations to Drs. Stuart Turvey, Hind Sbihi and Tobias Kollmann for their CIHR Operating Grant: COVID-19 Rapid Research Funding Opportunity – Social Policy and Public Health Responses for the project entitled, “Rapid research in the CHILD Cohort to inform Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic: investigating the prevalence and predictors of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the health and psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Canadian families”.
Congratulations Drs. Soren Gantt and Manish Sadarangani!
Dr. Soren Gantt and Dr. Manish Sadarangani are recipients of a CIHR COVID-19 Rapid Research grant which will look at “Household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a well-characterized African cohort.”
Congratulations all!
Congratulations to Constantin Popescu!
Constantin is the recipient of the 2020 Sue Carruthers Graduate Studentship for the project “Improving the diagnosis of severe infections in newborns.”
Supervisor: Dr. Pascal Lavoie
Congratulations Dr. Kirsten Miller!
Medical Lead Child and Youth Health Program, University Hospital of Northern BC
Congratulations to Dr. Kirsten Miller, the recipient of the 2019 Outstanding Health Care Professional Award in the BC-Yukon Region awarded by Diabetes Canada.
The Regional Outstanding HealthCare Professional Award is presented to a health care professionals who have made a difference in improving the lives in individuals living with diabetes in a specific region. This award focuses on the work of a healthcare professional within his/her own medical field.
Dr. Miller worked as a consultant general pediatrician in Prince George since 2005. She teaches medical students from UBC’s Northern Medical Program, Prince George and UBC Pediatric residents who come up to Prince George for community pediatric electives.
While she sees children and adolescents with all ranges of pediatric health problems, her areas of particular interest are child maltreatment and diabetes. As well as running private consulting practice and sharing in the on-call duties at our hospital (UHNBC), she works at Northern Health Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Clinic and she has a regular multi-disciplinary diabetes clinics (with the nurses and dietician from the UHNBC Diabetes Education Centre).
Congratulations Dr. Miller!
Mandate
To foster discovery through progressive research while advancing knowledge to the highest standards of health education, scholarship and innovation. We transform pediatric health by strengthening and sustaining our partnerships with key stakeholders through promoting ‘best health’ prevention and clinical excellence while ensuring high quality pediatric health care for the Province.
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