Highlights
Women+ and Children’s Health Sciences Graduate Program (WACH) Fall 2022
The Departments of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Pediatrics are collaborating on the development of an umbrella program for graduate student training in Women+ and Children’s Health Sciences (WACH). The term Women+ embraces women, transgender, and non-binary individuals.
The WACH Program will offer new academic training opportunities for future Scientists including allied health care professionals, and will create meaningful clinically-based learning experiences for our research trainees. Together, these initiatives will train scientists to work together effectively to meet current career requirements. Our overarching educational goal aligns with the Faculty of Medicine’s Strategic Initiative for Education: “Teaching, development, and mentoring of practitioners and scientists who can work together effectively in an evolving system.” [MORE]
Congratulations to our Provincial Mental Health Metabolic Team!
Our Provincial Mental Health Metabolic Team at BC Children’s Hospital is this year’s recipient of the PHSA 2020 Interprofessional Collaborative Practice & Nursing Awards.
This multi-disciplinary team provides specialized management for children and youth with mental health and endocrinology or metabolism complications such as weight gain, elevated insulin and blood sugar levels, high blood pressure and or high cholesterol.
Team members work together to provide screening, education, medical assessment, monitoring, follow up, and lifestyle counselling including healthy eating, physical activity, good sleep habits, and stress management.
Congratulations all!
Clinical Care for Homeless, Runaway and Refugee Youth: Intervention Approaches, Education and Research Directions
Clinical Care for Homeless, Runaway and Refugee Youth: Intervention Approaches, Education and Research Directions by Curren Warf (Author, Editor), Grant Charles (Author, Editor) is now available!
Adolescent homelessness is a growing problem that results in a variety of health challenges. This text is a practical resource designed to promote effective interdisciplinary health and social care interventions targeting adolescents who are homeless or at risk for homelessness. It is based on extensive interdisciplinary experience, reviews of pertinent research and insights and contributions of leading professionals who are directly involved in the care of these young people.
Written by experts from a variety of disciplines, Clinical Care for Homeless, Runaway and Refugee Youth is a first of its kind text for physicians, social workers, public health workers and any other individual that works directly with these vulnerable populations.
About the Authors:
Curren Warf is the former Division Head of Adolescent Health and Medicine at BC Children’s Hospital and Grant Charles is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work and an affiliated faculty with the Division of Adolescent Health and Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics with the Faculty of Medicine.
Congratulations to Dr. Niranjan “Tex” Kissoon
On November 10th, 2020, the Board of the Global Sepsis Alliance elected Niranjan ‘Tex’ Kissoon as the new President of the Global Sepsis Alliance. Tex succeeds Konrad Reinhart, who co-founded and successfully led the GSA since its inception in 2010.
Dr. Kissoon’s international work has included many areas of the world with limited resources and vulnerable critically ill children. He is fully committed to improving the health care of children nationally and internationally. Part of this commitment has enabled him to assist colleagues worldwide in quality and safety projects and search for new knowledge as well as enabling them to access resources they would not otherwise have.
Congratulations Dr. Kissoon!
Pediatric Chairs of Canada (PCC) honors Dr. Laura Sauvé!
Dr. Laura Sauvé is the recipient of the PCC 2020 COVID LEADERSHIP AWARD in honor her outstanding work during the pandemic. PCC wanted to acknowledge the deep appreciation they have for the priceless role that she played during these trying times.
This year, the Pediatric Chairs of Canada (PCC) provided a unique opportunity to honor those who have responded in a heroic way to the COVID-19 pandemic, including individuals and teams that are part of the healthcare workforce. As part of its 2020 Annual Awards Celebration, to be held virtually, PCC will be honoring these leaders from across the country.
These heroes have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to patient safety amidst the COVID-19 crisis. Healthcare workers and facility leadership are the fiber of the Canadian healthcare system, which has never been more evident than now. The pandemic reminds us all how much we depend on their courage and caring at our most vulnerable moments.
Congratulations Dr. Sauvé!
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]
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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