Home – 2017

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

The post UBC Honours Dr. Judith Hall Among Trailblazing Women in Medicine appeared first on Department of Pediatrics.

From breakthroughs in organ transplantation to raising awareness about the risks of space junk, UBC researchers and partners captured global attention and sparked important conversations this year.

Earlier this month, UBC Today featured 15 research highlights—including contributions from Drs. James Lim, Rebecca Deyell and Laura Sly—showcasing how knowledge, technology, and real-world solutions advanced in 2025.

Explore the 15 highlights:
https://ubctoday.ubc.ca/news/december-12-2025/15-ways-ubc-researchers-broke-new-ground-2025

Drs. James Lim, Rebecca Deyell –
Researchers develop new way to match young cancer patients with the right drugs:
https://news.ubc.ca/2025/04/proteomics-reveals-helpful-drug-for-rare-pediatric-cancer/

Dr. Laura Sly –
A digestive ‘treasure chest’ shows promise for targeted drug treatment in the gut:
https://news.ubc.ca/2025/05/inflammatory-bowel-disease-treatments-glycocaging/

The post UBC Researchers Make Global Impact: 15 Breakthroughs Highlighted in 2025 appeared first on Department of Pediatrics.

On Dec 4, 2025, he was awarded the inaugural Leveling Up: Women’s and Newborn Health Research Action Grant from the Women’s Health Research Institute (WHRI) to study Neonatal interventions to prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia (NIP-BPD).

Babies born extremely early — before 29 weeks of pregnancy — are among the most delicate patients in the hospital. Nearly six in ten either die or develop a serious chronic lung condition called bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

This grant competition is intended to fund the next phase in the research discovery pipeline and provides support for a previously pilot-tested women’s and/or newborn’s health research project involving a) screening or diagnostic tools; or b) treatment interventions. These tools/interventions must have proof-of-concept pilot data and be ready to advance to the next stage of empirical testing, or a larger-scale trial, or scale-up, or implementation.

Congratulations Dr. Shivananda!

MORE: https://whri.org/announcing-the-2025-womens-health-research-institute-leveling-up-womens-and-newborn-health-research-action-grant-recipient/

The post Driving Innovation in NICU Care: WHRI Awards Dr. Sandesh Shivananda for BPD Prevention Research appeared first on Department of Pediatrics.

Dr. Shelina Babul, was recently featured on Global News and she discussed ways to reduce the risk for concussions, concussion care and she also breaks down some common myths.

Dr. Babul is a Clinical Professor in UBC’s Department of Pediatrics and Director of the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit and her work focuses on concussion and traumatic brain injury prevention, recognition, and management, especially in sports and recreation.

See: https://globalnews.ca/video/11531659/winter-sports-and-concussion-prevention/amp/

Learn more about Dr. Babul’s work:
https://www.injuryresearch.bc.ca/

The post Reducing Risks and Myths: Dr. Shelina Babul Discusses Concussion Safety on Global News appeared first on Department of Pediatrics.

Congratulations to Ms. Lindsay Richter and Dr. Souvik Mitra on receiving a CIHR Planning and Dissemination Grant to advance innovation and knowledge-sharing in the care of Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)—a heart condition affecting premature babies.

This work will help improve outcomes for the tiniest patients by shaping evidence-based treatment and family-centered care.

Thank you for driving progress in neonatal health!

Learn more: https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/54554.html

The post Advancing Neonatal Care: Ms. Lindsay Richter and Dr. Souvik Mitra Awarded CIHR Grant for PDA Innovation appeared first on Department of Pediatrics.

Big thanks to the C&W Halloween Working Group and Patient Experience team!

You created another fantastic Halloween experience at BC Children’s Hospital—bringing joy, comfort, and community spirit.

A special shout-out to the My Animal Books publishing group for the generous donation! We shared these gifts with our Brighter Smiles team as they made their way to Hartley Bay to provide high-quality pediatric care for children and families.

We’re also grateful to our staff and faculty for their creativity decorating our booth, and community spirit handing out candy, toys, and books:

• Carleton Lab
• Lunken Lab
• Respiratory Medicine Lab
• Samuel Laboratory
• Boerner Laboratory

Thank you to everyone who helped make this day memorable!

The post Thank You for Making Halloween at BC Children’s Hospital a Spooktacular Success! appeared first on Department of Pediatrics.

We are excited to celebrate Dr. Souvik Mitra’s AFC recognition from Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Neonatal Hemodynamics & Targeted Neonatal Echocardiography! A milestone for standardized training that will improve care for critically ill NICU babies.

The post Advancing NICU Care: Dr. Souvik Mitra Achieves AFC Credential in Neonatal Hemodynamics appeared first on Department of Pediatrics.

A new co-designed digital health platform is transforming Type 1 Diabetes care by giving patients, families, and healthcare teams shared access to diabetes data, clinical recommendations, and resources.

Led by Dr. Shazhan Amed, the platform empowered caregivers, improved preparedness, and fostered a collaborative care experience. Learn more about how digital innovation is supporting T1D management!

Published: October 31, 2025

See: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pdig.0000861

The post 26-Year Study Reveals Stable Type 1 Diabetes Trends in BC Youth | Dr. Shazhan Amed appeared first on Department of Pediatrics.

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Dr. David Dix, who died peacefully at home on Thursday, December 11th, surrounded by loved ones.

Dr. Dix was an exceptional hematologist-oncologist, clinician, researcher, and educator whose impact was felt around the world. His greatest impact was his involvement in the Children’s Oncology Group, where he served on the Renal Tumor Committee and as the Site Principal Investigator for BC Children’s. Dr. Dix changed the standard of care for children with Wilms tumor — work that continues to benefit young patients globally.

As Program Director for over a decade at BCCH, David was a beloved mentor and “Work Dad” to countless trainees.

Dr. Dix’s passion for service and teaching earned him the Royal College Specialty Committee Chair Service Award in 2013 and most recently, the 2025 UBC Postgraduate Medical Education Outstanding Contribution Award.

David is survived by his beloved wife Susan, daughters Olivia and Hayley, son-in-law Teague, and cherished pup Phoebe.

See the full heartfelt tribute prepared by his colleagues and friends in the Division of Hematology/Oncology/BMT.

May we remember the wonderful life he lived, the lessons he taught, and the support he so selflessly gave.

With sympathy,

Steven P. Miller, MDCM FRCPC FRSC FCAHS
and
Caron Strahlendorf, MBBCh, FCP, FRCPC, D. Health

Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, and BC Children’s Hospital

The post In Memory of Dr. David Dix (June 8, 1961 – Dec 11, 2025) appeared first on Department of Pediatrics.

I am delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Sarah Alexander as the new Head of the Division of Hematology/Oncology & Bone Marrow Transplant, and the Team Nicky Hospital Chair in Hematology, Oncology and BMT at BC Children’s Hospital effective Oct 27, 2025.

Dr. Alexander brings extensive experience in pediatric leukemia and lymphoma, with training at Harvard Medical School, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. She joined SickKids in 2007 and has served as Clinical Director since 2012, as well as Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Toronto. Her contributions to patient care and clinical research have earned her numerous accolades, including the Richard Rowe Award for excellence in clinical care.

We also extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Caron Strahlendorf for her outstanding leadership since 2014. Her vision and dedication have shaped the Division into a global leader in pediatric oncology and hematology. Dr. Strahlendorf has held several key roles and led transformative initiatives that strengthened clinical care, research, and team culture.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Alexander and thanking Dr. Strahlendorf for her remarkable service.

Link to full announcement

The post LEADERSHIP UPDATE: Dr. Sarah Alexander, Head, Division of Hematology/Oncology & Bone Marrow Transplant, Department of Pediatrics, UBC & BCCH appeared first on Department of Pediatrics.