New This Month
Curiosity to Discovery: Research and Mentorship in our pediatric residency training program
Did you know that research is a core part of our Pediatric Residency Program?
R1 residents connect with mentors, explore ongoing research, and build projects that shape their training and future careers.
The sessions provide a direct contact with many Divisions in the Department of Pediatrics and allow R1 residents to know who to contact for research and other scholarly activities, and to meet potential mentors.
By the end of Block 12, R1 residents need to find a mentor, determine their research project during residency, and sign a Mentorship Agreement form with their mentor.
Visit our faculty showcase and learn more about our amazing research mentors and project supervisors.
All about research in our Pediatric Residency Program: https://pediatrics.med.ubc.ca/research-passport/
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Lapu Lapu Day of Togetherness: One Year After the Tragedy
One year has passed since a devastating tragedy deeply impacted the Filipino community in Vancouver and touched people around the world, including members of our own Department of Pediatrics community.
Today, we pause to remember the lives lost, to acknowledge the grief that continues, and to stand with those who are still healing. We extend our heartfelt condolences to all who have been affected.
For those who feel ready to gather, this year’s Lapu Lapu Day event will be held on April 19 at the Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre and will be renamed Lapu Lapu Day of Togetherness. Memorial gatherings will follow on the one‑year anniversary weekend.
We recognize that this remembrance may bring forward difficult emotions. Please know that support is available, and that you are not alone.
Link to resources and full announcement
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Celebrate Research Day 2026!
The Department of Pediatrics Celebrate Research Day 2026 is our annual event showcasing the exceptional research achievements of our trainees over the past year.
Clinical research plays a vital role in academic medicine within a tertiary care teaching hospital. As one of the three core pillars of academic health centres—alongside education and clinical care—research is fundamental to the Department of Pediatrics’ mission to advance high‑quality, evidence‑based care.
Celebrate Research Day reflects our strong commitment to fostering scholarly inquiry and supporting trainee success. We gratefully acknowledge everyone who contributed to making this event possible, including the Pediatric Residency Research Committee, the Celebrate Research Day judges, and the many staff and faculty members who continue to champion trainee research.
Celebrate Research Day
Friday, April 10, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Chan Centre for Family Health Education
938 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4
Learn more about our 2026 judges and the faculty mentors who support trainee research below.
Vishal Avinashi MPH, BSc, MD
https://www.bcchr.ca/research/find-a-researcher/vishal-avinashi/
Orlee Guttman MD, FRCPC
https://bcchr.ca/GIdivision/our-team
Joseph Lam MD, FRCPC
https://www.bcchr.ca/research/find-a-researcher/joseph-lam/
Jacob Rozmus BSc, PhD, MD
https://www.bcchr.ca/research/find-a-researcher/jacob-rozmus/
Simone Nicol MD, FRCPC
https://pediatrics.med.ubc.ca/divisions-centres/gastroenterology-hepatology-nutrition/
Department of Pediatrics Faculty Mentor Showcase
https://vimeo.com/showcase/9077024
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Dr. Shazhan Amed Selected to Present at Innovation UBC’s 2026 Investor Showcase
Dr. Amed will be presenting at the Investor Showcase which is Innovation UBC’s flagship annual event, spotlighting high-potential UBC ventures raising Seed to Series A rounds. Twelve companies, selected by an external evaluation committee from Innovation UBC’s Venture Founder and HATCH Venture Builder programs, will present to a curated audience of investors and ecosystem stakeholders.
Event: Innovation UBC’s 2026 Investor Showcase
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Doors open at 4:00 PM.
Location: UBC Robson Square Theatre (C300), 800 Robson St, Vancouver, BC
Registration: https://innovation.ubc.ca/events/2026-investor-showcase
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LEADERSHIP UPDATE: Dr. Sara Jassemi, Associate Program Director, Pediatrics Residency Program
We’re excited to welcome Dr. Sara Jassemi as our new Associate Program Director, joining the Pediatrics Residency Program on May 4! A respected clinician educator, mentor, and leader, Dr. Jassemi brings deep expertise in adolescent medicine, social pediatrics, and equity-focused medical education. She’ll be working alongside Program Director Dr. Melissa Chan to support our residents and program. Please join us in giving her a warm welcome!
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Mia Remington for her outstanding leadership and dedication as Program Director. Her steady guidance, advocacy, and commitment to resident education have left a lasting impact. We’re grateful for all she’s done and are glad she’ll continue her clinical work with the General Pediatrics CTU.
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LEADERSHIP UPDATE: Dr. Jared Rubenstein, Head and Medical Director of the Division of Palliative Medicine and Medical Director of Canuck Place Children’s Hospice
We’re delighted to welcome Dr. Jared Rubenstein as Clinical Associate Professor, UBC & BCCH; Head & Medical Director of the Division of Palliative Medicine; and Medical Director at Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, effective April 1, 2026.
Dr. Rubenstein joins us from Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, where he has been a transformative leader in pediatric palliative care, education, and communication. His work in fellowship training, medical education, and global advocacy has impacted learners and clinicians worldwide.
Welcome, Dr. Rubenstein — we look forward to your vision and leadership!
A big thank‑you as well to Dr. Marie‑Claude Grégoire for her outstanding leadership as Interim Head and for her continued contributions to the Division.
We are grateful to BC Children’s Hospital Foundation and Canuck Place Children’s Hospice for their continued partnership and support, which remains vital to advancing care.
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SIQIPS Team Earns Top Poster Award at International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare
Members of the SIQIPS Working Group—Drs. Mona Patel and Tiffany Wong—proudly presented the Department of Pediatrics’ Systems Innovation, Quality Improvement, and Patient Safety (SIQIPS) initiative at the International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare on March 9, 2026. This project was developed by Drs. Mona Patel, Tiffany Wong and Sandesh Shivananda.
The SIQIPS Working Group by has a threefold mandate:
– provide structured format for documentation of physician’s SIQIPS scholarly activities.
– offer educational opportunities on how SIQIPS activities would be reviewed by a promotion committee for career advancement.
– ensure that applicants and promotion committee members have a shared understanding of qualified SIQIPS activities and the merit criteria.
We are excited to share that SIQIPS was awarded Top Poster in the “Change” stream—selected from more than 120 posters in the stream and over 400 posters overall, among more than 3,000 participants.
This achievement reflects the team’s creativity, leadership, and commitment to driving meaningful improvement in the recognition of academic productivity in the Quality Improvement sphere.
Congratulations all!
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Join the 2026 BC Rural Health Conference in Prince George!
The 2026 BC Rural Health Conference (BC RHC) will take place in Prince George, BC, from May 29 to 31, 2026.
This annual gathering goes beyond professional development—it’s about building connections and celebrating the spirit of rural healthcare. Connect with colleagues and leave the BC Rural Health Conference feeling enriched, empowered, and energized.
Organized by the Rural Coordination Centre of BC (RCCbc), the conference is supported by a network led by rural physicians committed to improving health in communities across rural BC.
Drs. Danielle Olmstead and Kirsten Miller from the Department of Pediatrics will be presenting.
Registration and program details are available at: https://www.bcrhc.ca
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Honouring Innovation and Impact: Pediatric Researchers Recognized by YWCA BC | Drs. Shelina Babul & Mariana Brussoni
YWCA BC has announced the 97 nominees across 12 categories for the 2026 YWCA Women of Distinction Awards—and we are pleased to share that two of them are from the Department of Pediatrics!
In the Health & Wellness category, Dr. Shelina Babul has been honoured with a nomination. In the Research, Sciences & Technology category, Dr. Mariana Brussoni has also been recognized.
Dr. Shelina Babul is the Director of the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit, specializing in sport and recreational injury research with a focus on concussion and traumatic brain injury. She created the Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) and also leads BC Children’s Hospital Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (BC CHIRPP). Dr. Babul is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and an Investigator with BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute and the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health. Her work has been recognized with several awards, including honours from the Brain Injury Association of Canada, BC Hockey, and UBC’s Faculty of Medicine.
More: https://www.injuryresearch.bc.ca/about/our-team
Dr. Mariana Brussoni is a Professor in Pediatrics and the School of Population and Public Health at UBC, and the Director of the Human Early Learning Partnership. An investigator with the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute and the BC Injury Research & Prevention Unit, she is also a founding member of Outdoor Play Canada. Her research examines child injury prevention, children’s risky play, and the design of equitable, outdoor play‑friendly environments. Widely published and featured internationally, she collaborates across education, health, and urban planning to support environments where all children can thrive.
More: https://earlylearning.ubc.ca/team/mariana-brussoni/
See the full list of nominees: https://ywcabc.org/women-distinction-awards
And, don’t forget to cast your vote!
Each YWCA Women of Distinction nominee is eligible to win the Connecting the Community Award. The recipient is selected by public vote, and the winner chooses a YWCA cause that is important to her, donating $10,000, courtesy of Scotiabank, to the YWCA program of her choice. Voting link: https://ywcabc.org/CCA-vote
Join us in celebrating these outstanding leaders whose work continues to make a powerful impact in our communities!
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Training the Next Generation: Dr. Shreya Moodley Featured in Pathways
The newest issue of Pathways is now out, and we are excited to share the feature on Dr. Shreya Moodley, a clinical assistant professor in the Division of Cardiology.
Did you know that every day, more than 5,000 learners—including medical and health professions students, resident doctors and researchers—train at over 145 sites in urban, rural, remote and Indigenous communities spanning an area comparable to Western Europe?
Explore the latest issue of Pathways: https://pathwaysmagazine.med.ubc.ca/training-the-doctors-health-professionals-and-scientists-of-the-future/
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Celebrating Canadian Women Physicians Day!
As we carry forward the spirit of International Women’s Day, we’re proud to recognize Canadian Women Physicians Day on March 11—marking the 1875 licensing of Dr. Jennie Trout, the first woman legally permitted to practice medicine in Canada.
Her determination opened doors for generations of women in medicine, and today we honour the immense impact of our women physician colleagues across our department and beyond.
To mark the day, we’re spotlighting two outstanding physicians from the department nominated by their peers for their excellence and dedication: Dr. Caron Strahlendorf and Dr. Kirsten Miller.
Learn more about each of these inspirational women! VIEW SPOTLIGHTS
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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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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.
©2026 Department of Pediatrics. All rights reserved.
Contact: pedcomm@cw.bc.ca