ISSUE 09 | winter 2012
MB medicine Magazine of the University of Manitoba Faculty of Medicine, Alumni and Friends
Dean’s Edition
Blood Work | Student Innovators | Visionary Alumni
Photo: Grajewski Fotograph Inc.
dean’s message When Med IV student Tito Daodu represented the University of Manitoba at this year’s We Day, held in Winnipeg on October 30, she did us all proud. Tito addressed over 18,000 youth, empowering them with her heartfelt story of how she had the desire to initiate change from a young age. Tito, who came to Winnipeg as an immigrant at age eight, is a remarkable young woman: she travelled to her native Nigeria as a medical student to conduct research on pneumonia in kids and work in a pediatric emergency; completed one of her electives in Tanzania last year; and has spent years mentoring youth at West Broadway Youth Outreach where, as a child, she herself had received encouragement to pursue her dreams. Tito has been recognized numerous times for her accomplishments; she has received the YM-YWCA Young Woman of Distinction Award in 2010 and the U of M’s Nahlah Ayed Prize for Student Leadership and Global Citizenship in 2012. As a Faculty, we strive to instill in our students aspirations to work towards health equity, cultural safety and opportunities for all to reach their potential... whether they live next door, around the province or across the globe. Social accountability, however, is not the sole responsibility of students, it extends into our roles as physicians in the community. We are continuously looking for ways in which we can give back to our neighbouring community such as supporting the United Way campaign. This spring, the Faculty of Medicine will be undertaking a Habitat for Humanity build as a faculty-wide project. The home will be constructed on the Bannatyne Campus (and then moved) for a family in the inner city. The project will require an “army” of volunteer faculty, staff, students and alumni to make it a reality; I hope you will join us in the worthwhile endeavour! We are at an exciting time of growth—and change—in the Faculty’s storied 129-year history. We have continued to implement increased enrolment across the Faculty. We are establishing, thanks to government support, new distributed residency positions in Brandon and other rural and northern areas, and we are enhancing rural educational experiences for our medical students.
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Our Faculty’s connections to our city’s core area and to Canada’s North continues to define our educational framework. In our curriculum renewal process—a vital event in the faculty’s lifecycle—we have paid close attention to creating a community-centred, fully integrated curriculum over the four years. Longitudinal courses will focus on themes like clinical reasoning; professionalism; clinical skills; community health; indigenous health and scholarly activity. Accreditation is another important and ongoing focus for quality assurance for all faculties of medicine. Following our UGME accreditation, we are now preparing for our upcoming PGME accreditation in 2014. We are also in the midst of a university-wide academic structure re-organization that will shape our Faculty in the next couple of years. The current health faculties have held discussions with the Provost over the past year and we are now considering a set of proposals to establish a new Faculty of Health Sciences that will bring together Medicine, Medical Rehabilitation, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing and potentially Human Ecology and Kinesiology. Through our discussions and through the work of three sub-committees, we have identified the many benefits of a “health cluster” including increased opportunities for multi-disciplinary research collaboration; more emphasis on inter-professional education in line with a parallel move towards inter-disciplinary teams in health-care delivery; and opportunities to augment such processes as accreditation and tenure and promotion. By enhancing our students’ experience, we will no doubt continue to attract inspiring students like Tito. Tito’s advice to a packed MTS Centre at We Day resonated with the youth: “It really just takes dedication and a little bit of courage to overcome the obstacles that may come your way. But with commitment and courage - you can realize your dreams to be a trailblazer an innovator or defender in your own way.”
Brian Postl [MD/76], Dean of Medicine Keep up-to-date with faculty news. Follow my blog at:
http://blogs.cc.umanitoba.ca/postlnotes/
editor’s message
IN this issue:
Welcome to our annual Dean’s Edition of MB Medicine. This issue will provide you with the latest news about your PHOTO: GRAJEWSKI FOTOGRAPH INC.
Faculty of Medicine as well as updates from the Deanery and an overview and financial reporting of the Faculty’s
09 C lass of 2016 Inaugural Day Medical students take Hippocratic Oath
PHOTO: Andrew Sikorsky
operation and donations for the past fiscal year.
You will meet four of our inspiring University of Manitoba medical students who have been recognized by their peers; another whose become a scientific trailblazer through her participation in the B.Sc. (Med.) program; and one of our newest Med I entrants, a Métis student who values a holistic, Indigenous approach to the practice of medicine. You will also read words of wisdom from accomplished University of Manitoba alumnus Murray Kopelow [MD/78] who gave the keynote address at our Class of 2016 Inaugural Day Exercises. We are happy to introduce you to two U of M alumni, Prabhat Jha [MD/88] and Barbara MacKalski [MD/88], and update you on pioneer Arnold Naimark [MD/57B] who has recently been named into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. Another highlight of the year was the University of Manitoba’s Homecoming. This year we welcomed back 162 Medicine alumni to seven milestone class reunions, and another 51 alumni to two reunions celebrated prior to Homecoming. Some 213 alumni returned to the University of Manitoba to reconnect with one another and their alma mater! Every year, we survey alumni about their reunion experiences. We had some gratifying responses as usual – and an impressive 45 per cent response rate. In response to the question “What makes you proud to be a University of Manitoba alumnus/alumna?” we received this comment: “I believe that I was well trained at U of M Medical College and appreciated the teachers/mentors that I was exposed to. Also, I felt privileged to have graduated from the oldest Medical College in Western Canada. So many great names in Medicine have at one time or another been affiliated with U of M Medical School.” We value feedback from alumni and annually implement survey suggestions at Homecoming and other alumni events. Please join us at next year’s Homecoming Sept. 27-29, 2013. If you are celebrating a milestone reunion in 2013 and want more information or to help plan your class reunion, please contact Darcy Routledge, Alumni Affairs and Events Officer, at: darcy.routledge@med.umanitoba.ca or call 204-977-5650. Stay in touch - follow us on Twitter @um_medicine and like us on Facebook. Ilana Simon ilana.simon@med.umanitoba.ca
10 M MSA Student award winners
Tito Daodu, Terry Colbourne, Mark Lipson, Norman McLean PHOTO: Michael Rajzman
11 B lood Mystery Solved
U of M researchers crack 40-year-old case PHOTO: Andrew Sikorsky
15 Alumni Profile: Barbara MacKalski [MD/88] 17 Donor Honour Roll 19 Alumni Profile: Prabhat Jha [MD/88] Research Strategic Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 05 Advancing Cultural Awareness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 05 Academic Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 06 Faculty’s Finance Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07 A Student’s Story of Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08 Class of 2016 Inaugural Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 09 Inspiring students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 New Thorlakson Chair in Surgical Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Message from Donor Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Donor Honour Roll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Faculty Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Check up on Alumni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 EDITOR: Ilana Simon Director of Communications & Marketing Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba Tel: 204-789-3427 E-Mail: ilana.simon@med.umanitoba.ca Design: Guppy Graphic Design Cover Photo: Andrew Sikorsky Printing: The Prolific Group
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PHOTO: DAN GWOZDZ
Congratulations to Professors Emeriti 2012 Three faculty members were conferred with the honorary title of Professor Emeritus by the University of Manitoba in 2012.
L to R: Drs. Wayne Lautt, Aubie Angel, Brian Postl, John Wade
Aubie Angel [MD/59], Faculty of Medicine
Wayne Lautt [M.Sc./70, PhD/72], Faculty of Medicine
John Wade [MD/60], Faculty of Medicine
Aubie Angel has served the University of Manitoba with distinction as professor of internal medicine and physiology (1991-2005) and as Sellers Chair (1991-1995). He is a dedicated physician-scientist and researcher in lipid metabolism, an enthusiastic mentor at the undergraduate and post-graduate levels and a creative organizer of new institutions.
Wayne Lautt completed his M.Sc. and PhD at the University of Manitoba and was recruited here as a professor to the department of pharmacology and therapeutics in 1984. He has published over 200 peer reviewed manuscripts in high impact journals and received 12 patents related to this work in areas including: cardiovascular, endocrine and hepatic physiology and pharmacology.
John Wade received his MD from the University of Manitoba. After anesthesia residency training at the University of California in San Francisco, he became a Fellow of the RCPSC in 1967.
He’s taught courses in both medicine and pharmacy at the undergraduate and graduate levels, challenging students to become independent thinkers. In 1999 he was recognized for excellence in teaching with the U of M Graduate Students Teaching Award presented by University Teaching Services. Additionally, he has received many local, national and international awards for his service to the community, teaching and research. Lautt has contributed to the reputation of the University of Manitoba as a scholar, in research and teaching, and administratively both locally as well as to the general scientific community.
He has contributed to a multitude of health care and policy roles at the provincial and national levels. He serves as chair of the board of the WRHA and is a founding chair of the Canadian Patient Safety Institute.
His interest in global health resulted in collaborations through CIDA and international conferences based in Winnipeg that focused on cardiovascular health and coronary disease prevention. As an advocate for health research and health research funding, Angel developed a number of national programs at the university including Friends of CIHR and the Henry G. Friesen International Prize in Health Research. Angel served the university and the Faculty of Medicine as an administrative leader and as an active member on Faculty Council and University Senate. He was, and continues to be, dedicated to the improvement of standards and resources to advance higher education in Canada.
He served as professor and head of the anesthesia department (1971-1979), as dean of the Faculty of Medicine (1982-1988) and later became deputy minister of health.
Wade’s perspectives, wealth of experience and mentorship were continuously appreciated by junior trainees through to senior faculty alike. His expertise in anesthesia developed at a critical primordial phase in anesthesiology when strides were made in the development of modern day safe anesthesia. His lifelong career as a physician has focused on improving the health care of all Manitobans.
A Pathway to Curriculum Renewal
By Ira Ripstein [MD/80], Associate Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education Spurred on by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education and Committee for the Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools accreditation process, the major endeavour in UGME over the past year has been in the area of Curriculum Renewal. The current curriculum was introduced in 1997 and over the years, has experienced what could be kindly called “curricular drift”. Led by Keevin Bernstein [MD/78], director of curriculum renewal, the curriculum renewal process was initiated based on the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada’s Future of Medical Education in Canada (FMEC) document which lists 10 areas for the further direction of medical education in the new millennium. Eleven task groups were established with each task group comprised of faculty members, residents, students and a librarian. Using an extensive literature search, each task group then prepared a document to move us towards a new curriculum. This year, we have been working diligently with a new framework to establish a number of exciting new principles. Those principles, in no particular order,
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include: scaffolding learning so that curriculum material is reinforced; enhancing teaching in professionalism; increasing integration within the curriculum; enhancing clinical skills; ensuring that basic science input is present throughout the curriculum; a focus on health-care systems and patient safety; work on social accountability; and an improved input and emphasis on generalism in the curriculum. Educational leaders have been appointed. Many working groups will continue their efforts towards the creation of the new curriculum. University of Manitoba alumnus Charles Prober [MD/73] Senior Associate Dean of Medical Education at Stanford School of Medicine will visit the U of M in May 2013 to review the new curriculum. We have also had fantastic input from students and have invited feedback from all stakeholders throughout the collaborative, transparent curriculum renewal process. We look forward to input into the new curriculum from all members of the faculty and physicians in Manitoba to help us move forward. Thank you to everyone for all of their hard work in making curriculum renewal a reality.
PGME: Countdown to Accreditation
By Cliff Yaffe [MD/76], Associate Dean, Postgraduate Medical Education The Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) Office is vastly different than it was one year ago. A new team is involved including PGME program manager Geeta Raichura, administrative assistants Wendi Charette and Gail Tomczuk, and office assistant Donna Coulis. The PGME team is responsible for overseeing all of the residency programs, coordinating post-residency fellowships and other programs such as clinical psychology, clinical biochemistry, clinical microbiology, molecular genetics and oral surgery. It is the mission of the PGME team “to become a trustworthy and reliable source of information, support and guidance to PGME programs and residents.” The PGME “countdown to accreditation” of our programs in February 2014 by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and by the College of Family Physicians of Canada is in full swing. Internal reviews were held of all of the programs documenting areas of strength and weakness in preparation for external reviews in 2014. The majority of our programs are doing very well with respect to meeting RCPSC and CFPC standards. Thanks to all individuals responsible for coordinating, completing and documenting the internal reviews. The PGME Executive Committee has been reviewing the internal review reports and helping to update PGME policies. The next phase in our “countdown” involves a series of faculty development workshops and educational sessions to engage and prepare all stakeholders for 2014. Director of faculty development Joanne Hamilton will be assisting us in this endeavour. Furthermore, the PGME Accreditation Steering and
Working Committees are working in an advisory capacity to help ensure successful accreditation. Wendi Charette has redeveloped the PGME website as a user-friendly and helpful resource for program directors, coordinators and residents. The faculty-wide curriculum management system, VENTIS, has been chosen through a competitive process based on the specific requirements of the PGME programs. This system will be a welcome addition to all of the PGME programs and will help to streamline resident and faculty evaluations and other PGME activities. The annual CaRMS match process is an important activity for PGME. A major challenge has been the ability of PGME to provide sufficient residency positions commensurate with the increased UGME enrollment, coupled with the increased number of IMG applications for residency positions. Other important considerations include predicting the physician job prospects when determining residency position distribution and the repatriation of Manitoba graduates to postgraduate positions. In light of the above, for the 2013 CaRMS match, there will be parallel Canadian graduate and IMG streams for the first CaRMS iteration. Furthermore, emphasis has been placed on increasing the number of family medicine positions and recruiting and retaining University of Manitoba grads and Manitoba residents to our U of M postgrad residency positions. Thanks to everyone who has helped to support the PGME accreditation effort.
New Secretariat to Drive Health-care Workforce, Training Planning By Brock Wright [MD/84], Associate Dean, Clinical Affairs Over the past year, there have been exciting developments in the Faculty of Medicine’s relationships with key stakeholders in the health-care system. The Faculty of Medicine and Winnipeg Regional Health Authority worked for several years through a “joint operating division” to integrate and coordinate recruitment and contracting processes to better support academic clinicians. These efforts have now extended to include Manitoba Health through a new “secretariat” led by Beth Beaupre, assistant deputy minister of health. The new Secretariat is responsible for all health related negotiations and health workforce planning, and will work with the Faculty of Medicine, Regional Health Authorities (RHAs), Diagnostic Services of Manitoba (DSM) and CancerCare Manitoba (CCMB) to support recruitment, contracting and credentialing processes. A new Provincial Medical Leadership Council has been formed that includes representatives from the RHAs, DSM and CCMB, as well as
the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba and the Secretariat. The council is chaired by myself as associate dean, clinical affairs and is responsible to the deputy minister and CEOs for provincial planning in key clinical areas. These provincial plans will help inform how clinical services can be better integrated and coordinated provincially, including number of health-care providers and skills required. This information will be used by the Secretariat to develop health human resource plans that will help inform decisions by the Faculty of Medicine regarding the assignment of residency positions and the content of educational programs. Efforts to build a closer relationship between the Faculty of Medicine and its many partners in the health-care system are very important, and reflect the Faculty’s commitment to educate health professionals who can meet the current and future needs of Manitobans across the province.
FACULTY NEWS
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Faculty of Medicine’s
Research Strategic Plan Set in Motion By Peter Nickerson [MD/86], Associate Dean, Research
In 2012 the Faculty of Medicine launched its Research Strategic Plan for the next five years, following extensive consultation with stakeholders. The vision is that by 2017, the University of Manitoba Faculty of Medicine is a leader among the top five integrated Academic Health Sciences Networks that are meeting the health needs of Canadians. This will serve as the standard against which we will evaluate our success.
To achieve our vision, we are focused on four key strategic themes: 1. Sustain capacity and infrastructure 2. Provide leading-edge research education 3. Pursue innovation and discovery 4. Deliver operational excellence and accountability
To deliver on this strategy the four themes are supported by 16 strategic objectives equally distributed across each theme to ensure a balanced approach. Within this framework there are targets set for performance over the course of the next five years. To ensure the plan is a living document an implementation strategy has been developed consisting of an implementation taskforce; project management support; and a communication strategy to reach all stakeholders within the Academic Health Sciences Network. With committed financial support from Dean of Medicine Dr. Brian Postl and Dr. Digvir Jayas, Univerity of Manitoba Vice-President (Research and International), the Faculty is already moving towards implementation. For example, investing in basic science core platforms to facilitate biomedical research; expanded investment in our MD/PhD program; upgrading our animal care facilities to expand capacity; launch of a SUPPORT Unit for patient oriented research within the George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation; recruitment of bioinformatics specialists to support translational research and analysis of high complexity datasets; and recruitment of a grant facilitator to enhance our competitive advantage. While the Faculty of Medicine launches all of these new endeavours, the research office is committed to maintaining our existing programs, such as the internal grant review panel, grant writing workshops and more. The research office continues to welcome feedback as we move towards implementation. Visit: umanitoba.ca/medicine/research
First Nations, Métis and Inuit Health Advancing Cultural Awareness By Catherine Cook [MD/87] Associate Dean, First Nations, Métis and Inuit Health
Over the last year, much activity has occurred consistent with the four strategic goals for the portfolio of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Health (FNMIH). In furthering the strategic priorities of the University of Manitoba, the portfolio has been pleased to collaborate with Deborah Young, executive lead of Indigenous achievement, to raise awareness of the issues that have impacted the health of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples. The strategic goals of the Faculty of Medicine are aligned with those of the executive lead and we have collaborated on public presentations and planning. At a leadership level, the portfolio has established an Advisory Committee to the Faculty of Medicine with representation from organizations in the province (the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, the Manitoba Métis Federation, the Manitoba Inuit Association and the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg); the departments of family medicine and community health sciences (including the section of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Health); as well as Manitoba Health and the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch. This fosters engagement within and between organizations to focus on addressing those issues that are relevant to communities in the areas of education, research and service delivery.
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We have moved forward within the Faculty in promoting knowledge and capacity in Indigenous health. Through the Indigenous health lecture series, we provide knowledge and awareness on current issues in FNMIH. Curriculum Renewal has provided the FNMIH opportunity to establish a longitudinal program throughout the four years of medical school in Indigenous Health, and I am working in conjunction with the Section of FNMIH to establish a process for collaboration with the Associate Deans of UGME, Student Affairs, and the Director of Curriculum Renewal to ensure a successful implementation of the curriculum in this area. Efforts to establish a framework for cultural proficiency and diversity within the health region will be supported by the Faculty for consistent messaging on the principles and practices of cultural proficiency and diversity training and awareness. At the departmental level, the community health sciences and the FNMIH section portfolio has engaged in strategic planning, curriculum renewal planning, and reviewing options for enhancement of Aboriginal student supports in the Faculty. With an Indigenous lens, efforts have focused on establishing process linkages between current and existing systems for medical learners.
Academic Affairs Building Leaders, Promoting Innovation By Terry Klassen [MD/82] Associate Dean, Academic and Dr. Heather Dean, Assistant Dean, Academic
George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation
Academic Affairs Recruitment
The George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation (CHI) continues to evolve and grow. Our role will be increasingly pivotal in the research landscape of Manitoba.
Our Faculty continues to have a broad recruitment strategy to train, recruit and maintain the brightest and best faculty. Our Faculty has proposed to continue the use of Lecturer rank for first academic appointment for clinical faculty and to maintain the current criteria for promotion; however, the promotion process to assistant professor will now be at the departmental level, rather than through the more formal Faculty process.
The centre is positioned to facilitate the Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) through the development of a SUPPORT Unit within CHI. We will also continue to build our resources to enhance services and improve our long-term competitive advantage by appointing forward-thinking individuals to lead CHI programs, including: Eric Bohm, lead, System Performance; Frank Krupka, regional director, CHI project management office; Kristy Wittmeier, lead, Knowledge Translation; Lisa Lix, director, Data Sciences; and Ryan Zarychanski, lead, Knowledge Synthesis.
The departmental promotion advisory committees will be charged to maintain the same rigor of meeting the promotion criteria at this level. Faculty members widely support this change in process. Promotion at the departmental level will now be aligned with the use of the lecturer rank in the UMFA contract.
Knowledge Synthesis course offering
Academic Promotion
Starting this winter, Knowledge Synthesis leaders Ryan Zarychanski and Ahmed Abou-Setta will teach a new course offered through CHI, “Systematic reviews and meta-analyses.” The course will guide participants through the process of completing their own publication quality systematic review and meta-analysis, providing participants with the knowledge and skill set necessary to plan, conduct, analyze and report a high-quality systematic review and meta-analysis.
Promotion continues to be the foundation for recognition of academic achievements. A new promotions guideline for our faculty was approved in 2012. The decision to maintain a single, unifying professorial stream within our faculty was widely supported.
Academic Health Sciences Leadership Program 2012/2013 CHI has launched the second Academic Health Sciences Leadership Program with the goal of identifying and developing future leaders within the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Manitoba and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. The focus is on developing skills to assist individuals prepare for leadership roles while understanding the dynamics of the health-care system and academic environment.
LEADS in a Caring Environment Workshop Dr. Graham Dickson, Professor Emeritus, Royal Roads University and former director and founder of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research presented a one-day workshop on the “LEADS in a Caring Environment” framework for leaders in the Faculty of Medicine on October 2, 2012. Over 40 participants from the Dean’s Council, as well as the first and second Leadership Programs attended the workshop which highlighted the key skills, abilities and knowledge required to lead at all levels of an organization, and how to successfully contribute to an effective and efficient Canadian health system.
Our promotions criteria recognize a broad definition of scholarship in discovery, education, integration, and application.
New Faculty Orientation The academic affairs office continues to hold monthly small group luncheons for new faculty to discuss weighting, academic rank, academic dossiers, the promotions process, and faculty and university resources for career advancement. These luncheons are one component of orientation for our new faculty, including the Dean’s Welcome Reception held in the fall, and a series of academic career advancement workshops.
Inter-professional Education (IPE) The Faculty of Medicine continues to actively participate in the University of Manitoba IPE initiative. We are involved at the local, national, and international level in the development of accreditation standards for health sciences faculties including institutional commitment, academic program, student, faculty and resources. The LCME accreditation process for medical schools in North America has recently adopted a new standard ED19A, which requires medical students to train in team work in health-care. The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the College of Family Physicians of Canada will also be adopting appropriate standards to align with the undergraduate standards. The implementation of this standard continues to be a priority of our office.
faculty NEWS
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Transparency of Faculty Resources by Keith McConnell, Director of Operations
In 2011/12 fiscal year we created and supported new planning processes to increase the transparency of faculty resource allocations. The Faculty is currently undertaking three significant capital projects: • The expansion and construction of Phase 2 of the Clinical Learning and Simulation Facility. This 6,000 square-foot renovation of the old Theatre D to a state-of-the-art clinical skills lab is well underway with a completion in early 2013. • The faculty has also recently finalized a tender process for a new Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) learning management system. The PGME LMS will standardize core functions for residents and provide a system for the approximate 50 subspecialty programs that provide resident training in sites throughout the province of Manitoba. • The faculty is also tendering and renovating the third floor of the medical rehabilitation building (pathology labs) for the future home of the Biomedical Youth Program. These faculty-led projects are significant and when combined with the continuation of other campus upgrades to windows and ventilation systems virtually all areas will see the impact of construction.
Faculty of Medicine Budget Allocation as at March 31, 2012 Capital 6.0% ($12,128,063) Core Operating / COPSE 18.6% ($42,482,677) Sales & Service Revenue 9.3% ($21,527,504) Trust & Endowment Investment Income 2.0% ($5,101,910) Research 63.9% ($133,386,524) Total Budget: $214,626,678
The Faculty of Medicine overall budget allocation is down slightly since March of 2011 ($472,594). It is important to note the allocation includes carry over. The allocation in research fluctuates year-to-year as the activities correlate to experiments. The primary area of reduction is in research allocations from granting agencies. The increase to the sales and service revenue is $1,469,077. In addition the continued growth in our operating related to tuition grant of $1,000,000 and the allocation for new programs and contractual increases accounted for $966,668. The Associate Dean Research has initiated a detailed strategic planning process to help address and support research.
Redesigning CPD to meet changing needs By Dr. José François, Associate Dean, Continuing Professional Development To be most effective, health professionals at every stage of their careers must continue learning about advances in research and treatment in their fields in order to provide the best care for their patients. The Division of Continuing Professional Development is introducing a number of changes to ensure that its activities continue to be relevant and responsive to learner needs. Increasingly we are moving beyond the traditional large group lecture-based methods, towards smaller more personalized learning. Simulation is playing a greater role and this winter the Faculty of Medicine will be completing construction on a 3,500 square-foot procedural skills lab. This space will provide a state-of-art area for teaching of procedures in health sciences. With this expansion, the Clinical Learning and Simulation Facility will occupy over 12,000 square-feet of space, making it one of the country’s largest. Today’s patient care is the result of the collaborative efforts between different health-care professionals, often across varied and diverse
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practice settings. Considering this reality, our continuing education professionals have been engaged in a number of initiatives to promote the concept of inter-professional continuing education in the health sciences – a multidisciplinary approach to learning where several professions come together to exchange ideas about various health issues. A concrete example of this is the U of M Faculties of Medicine and Dentistry’s collaborative efforts to promote oral systemic health. As the oral systemic connection is more clearly understood, dentists will play a greater role in the overall health of their patients. Conversely, physicians will screen at-risk patients for the common signs of periodontal disease. As a new paradigm between dentistry and medicine emerges, both faculties have been taking an active role in preparing health professionals for the future. We can expect that over the next few years, similar projects will continue to emerge, presenting health professionals with more opportunities for team-based learning.
Faculty of Medicine
Advances Accommodation of Learners with Disabilities By Dr. Bruce Martin, Associate Dean, Students Over the past five years, the Faculty of Medicine has undertaken a review of the essential skills and abilities in the MD program and how learners with disabilities can be accommodated to manifest those skills and abilities while providing safe and appropriate care. As more individuals across the spectrum achieve success in post-secondary education, it is inevitable that more people living with disabilities will meet the eligibility requirements for careers in the health professions. As we know, disabilities may not be evident and some disabilities may require more thoughtful assessment and evaluation. However, as an academic institution it is incumbent upon us to look at individuals for their abilities that will make them successful physicians who can contribute to quality health-care delivery. All students admitted in to the MD program must have the required skills and abilities (technical standards) including: observation/perception, communication, motor/tactile function, cognition and professionalism. Medical learners with disabilities may require accommodation and there are circumstances in which an intermediary may be appropriate. For example, the Faculty of Medicine’s first deaf student, admitted in 2009, has been accommodated with the provision of an American Sign Language interpreter.
However, no disability can be accommodated if the intermediary has to provide cognitive support, substitute for cognitive skills, perform a physical examination and/or in any way supplement clinical and ethical judgment. The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Manitoba balances accommodating individuals with disabilities and its responsibility to society to graduate MDs with the knowledge, skills, professional behaviours, and attitudes necessary to provide comprehensive and compassionate care to patients across the health-care system. The Faculty of Medicine’s policies on accommodation of learners with disabilities have been created to support students from pre-admission to postgraduate medical education. I lead the Faculty of Medicine Accommodations Committee which was structured to address requests for accommodation and monitor outcomes. The approach taken by the Faculty has been commended by the University of Manitoba Senate Committee on accommodation and has been pointed to as an appropriate model. Similar initiatives have followed in health professional programs at the University of Manitoba and other faculties of medicine have shown interest in the policy.
PHOTO: DAN GWOZDZ
A Student’s Story of Success By Ilana Simon
Susan Batten [MD/09] was admitted to the University of Manitoba Faculty of Medicine in 2005 as a mature student, embarking on a second career in medicine. She was married and had children when she entered the Faculty of Medicine. Batten was well-regarded by her peers and she was identified in her clinical rotations as caring and compassionate. However, she struggled with examinations, particularly multiple choice format. The Faculty of Medicine failed to recognize that an underlying learning disability was a contributing factor and hence there were delays in providing her with reasonable and timely accommodation. Fortunately, external evaluations disclosed that barriers to her successful completion of examinations were due to a specific learning disability. Once appropriate accommodations were instituted, Batten displayed no difficulty in completing her required curriculum. The Medical Council of Canada acknowledged her disability and she was successful in her first writing of the MCC Qualifying Examination Part 1.
Susan Batten [MD/09] received the Nehra Award in Family Medicine from Clayton Dyck [MD/88]at Convocation.
Batten was also successful in achieving her goal of a postgraduate position in rural family medicine and is currently in her second year of residency. The Faculty of Medicine congratulates her on this achievement. Furthermore, Batten was selected by the department of family medicine for displaying excellence in family medicine. She was awarded the Dr. Paul Nehra Prize Award in family medicine at Convocation illustrating her competency, compassion, suitability and excellence in primary care medicine. As a result of Batten’s journey, the Faculty of Medicine has a greater understanding of the need for timely evaluation for learners who face challenges with the curriculum and accommodating students with disabilities. These changes undertaken by the Faculty will substantially benefit future learners with disabilities.
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PHOTO: ANDREW SIKORKSY
PHOTO: DAN GWOZDZ
PHOTO: ANDREW SIKORKSY
‘ P ractice Medicine with Conscience and Dignity’
Medical students take Hippocratic Oath
Armed with tissues, cameras, camcorders, and a sense of pride, friends and family gathered to watch as loved ones took their first-steps towards becoming physicians. The Inaugural Day Exercises and White Coat Ceremony for the 110 members of the Class of 2016 were held at the U of M’s Bannatyne campus. Brian Postl [MD/76], Dean of Medicine, tried to take an edge off the nerves that filled the room. “You’re all sitting here a little nervous that the person beside you is a whole bunch smarter than you are,” he joked. Ending his address on more serious note, Postl reassured students that they each have the capacity to be fine physicians: “Becoming a physician isn’t about you. I think that as a profession, we have slipped a little bit into a sense that it’s about us. It’s about your patients, about service to others; it’s about treating people equitably, honouring the profession and giving back to the community.” Alise Gaiser, now a Med I student, said the ceremony gave her a better insight, and more of an emotional connection, to the career, than she previously had. She and her classmates heard from guest speakers about their supporting views on the Faculty of Medicine’s focus on health inequities—faced by too many of our province’s citizens. It’s an issue that’s closely aligned with her personal beliefs. “The university teaches us how to treat the Aboriginal population as patients, and that’s definitely important to me. In other medical schools you are taught to diagnose and treat with medicine, but the Aboriginal approach is not just for the organs or the cells you’re trying to treat. It’s the whole body; it’s spiritual, and it’s every aspect of the person you are treating,” said the 22-year-old, adding that it was important for her to self-declare and apply under the Aboriginal stream.
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STUDENT NEWS
By Melni Ghattora
“I’ve always been a part of the Aboriginal community,” she said. “I’m Métis, and it’s important for me to try and share my values with everyone else, and find out more about [other] values as well.” Like Gaiser, David Chartrand also has a strong connection to his Aboriginal community. Speaking on their behalf, he shared an inspiring message. “My people, we’re very, very proud of you. You are entering the most prized profession in the world and I truly will say openly that you are our future. As we say in our families, in our culture, you’re the healers of tomorrow,” said Chartrand, President of the Manitoba Métis Federation. Before the medical students recited the Hippocratic Oath (a vow to practice ethical medicine throughout their education and careers), they heard from keynote speaker and alumnus Murray Kopelow [MD/78], chief executive with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education in Chicago, Ill. He stressed the importance of balancing professional duties and family life as a physician. “Yes, you need to care for your patients, and you will care for your patients,” said Kopelow. Looking to his wife Catherine Bachman [MD/75], an anesthesiologist, he continued, “My personal opinion is that you should not ever let your spouse, your children, or your family, tell you that your patients are more important to you than they are. It’s a dance that you’re going to have to dance your entire life.” The class of 2016 is comprised of 106 Manitobans (96 per cent) and four out-of-province residents. Four students, including Alise Gaiser (pictured above, left) are self-declared Aboriginal (3.6 per cent) and 44 (40 per cent) have rural attributes which include rural roots; rural work or volunteer experience.
MMSA Recognizes Student Leaders, Activists The Manitoba Medical Students’ Association (MMSA) is a student government body that represents all Faculty of Medicine students. Formed in 1921, it’s one of oldest student associations at the University of Manitoba. This year, the MMSA presented the following awards to four trailblazers from the Faculty of Medicine. Each of them is recognized for his or her individual contributions in the areas of: social advocacy, volunteer work, leadership qualities, and contributions to the social and academic well-being of fellow medical students.
“ I strongly believe that maintaining a vibrant connection to community has made me a better physician, a more effective interdisciplinary team member, and a more knowledgeable medical expert.” - Norman McLean Katherine Anne Klassen Memorial Community Service Award PHOTO: DAN GWOZDZ
Raised in Winnipeg’s inner-city, Norman McLean [MD/12] was acquainted with the many challenges common to core-area families from a young age. Through the support of various community-based agencies, he was given the chance to realize his dreams. It was when he began to succeed academically, that Norman decided that he wanted to give back to his community.
“ An administrator who mentored me once explained that he got involved with his leadership capacities because he wanted to impact the change that is inevitable in medical education. That is something that has stuck with me. I’ve tried to bring integrity and actively contribute to each of my roles, while still maintaining the academic standards I’ve set for myself.” - Terry Colbourne PHOTO: DAN GWOZDZ
MMSA Citizenship Award Born and raised in Thompson, Manitoba, Terry Colbourne, Class of 2014, recognizes a deficit in the health-care profession; doctors and nurses serving in rural communities don’t necessarily match the population they care for. He identifies his rural exposure as the guiding force behind his initiatives to implement a peer mentorship program aimed at mentoring undergraduate students from disadvantaged backgrounds into health-care professions.
“ I have always been available as a resource and advocate for my classmates and peers. Students who have questions or are having difficulty seek me out for advice and support. They know that I am ready to listen and will support them and work with them to achieve their goals and resolve challenges they face.” - MARK LIPSON PHOTO: DAN GWOZDZ
MMSA Leadership Award Embarking on a career path similar to that of his late physician father Allen Harvey Lipson [MD/81], Mark Lipson [MD/12] was determined to set his own bar and then raise it a few times over. As he navigated through medical school, Mark grew the “Leadership Activities” section on his CV with his ongoing leadership efforts and initiatives.
“ The majority of the work that I have done in my life has been centered on assistance and advocacy for those members of our society, both locally and globally, for whom the social safety net has failed to support. I intend to continue to work in global and public health as I progress in my career and build on my skills in social and political advocacy.” - Tito Daodu PHOTO: Michael Rajzman
MMSA Global Health Award Born in Nigeria, Oluwatomilayo (Tito) Daodu, Class of 2013, lived on three different continents, in four different countries, before her family settled in Winnipeg’s inner city. Her first-hand experiences of the many inequities that exist in today’s world fostered her keen perception to injustice and sparked her dedication to work towards change in any small way. STUDENT NEWS
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PHOTO: ANDREW SIKORSKY
L to R: Dr. Ryan Zarychanski, Brett Houston and Dr. Donald Houston.
Student Sleuth Helps Solve Blood Mystery By Melni Ghattora
This past fall, a group of researchers from the University of Manitoba Faculty of Medicine solved a 40-year-old Manitoba mystery. They were able to pinpoint the exact genetic mutation responsible for a blood disease called hereditary xerocytosis. The innovative discovery made the cover of Blood, the world’s top medical journal for blood disorders. But little is known about the persistent young researcher who took the reins to organize a reunion and coordinate over 130 family members to come out to a small rural community. U of M medical student Brett Houston played a significant role in why this decades-old case — surrounding four generations of a Western Manitoba family — was revisited and solved. “I didn’t have research experience [as a first-year medical student] and it was something that I was interested in,” says the 24-year-old, who applied into the Faculty of Medicine’s B.Sc. (Med.) program and approached Dr. Ryan Zarychanski, a prominent clinician-scientist, to be her supervisor on the yet to be determined project. The Assistant Professor, in the department of internal medicine agreed to take on Brett as his B.Sc. (Med.) student and told her, “We have this blood disorder for which the cause is not known. From there we assembled a first-rate research team, made a scientific plan and Brett just took off with it.” In addition to Brett and Zarychanski, the research team included U of M researchers: Dr. Donald Houston (no relation), Sara Israels [MD/79], Teresa Zelinski [M.Sc./81, PhD/84], Bernie Chodirker [MD/80], and Gail Coghlan.
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They knew that the family had an inherited form of hemolytic anemia but they weren’t sure of how the disease presented clinically, the pattern of inheritance, or the exact cause of the disease. “The disorder is not common and only a handful of families around the world have been recognized to have similar conditions. We were fortunate in that here, in Manitoba, we had a family that was generous with their time and enthusiastic to work with us,” says Brett. In order to figure out how the disease presents, the research team took structured medical histories, performed focused physical exams, and collected blood samples for hematological and biochemical testing from each family member. The blood-work was processed in a mobile lab and immediately transferred to Winnipeg where laboratory technologists (from the Health Sciences Centre) were on standby, waiting to analyze the samples. To take a closer look, and hopefully find out what part of the DNA is associated with the disease, the researchers performed DNA genetic linkage analysis in the Faculty of Medicine’s Rh Laboratory.
“We figured out that the disease mapped to chromosome 16,” Brett explains. “Out of 23 chromosomes, and billions of DNA base pairs, we found the disease associated with a 2-million base pair region at the very end of one of these chromosomes.” The third and final stage of the project involved a trip to New Haven Connecticut, where Brett collaborated with researchers at Yale University School of Medicine. Using sophisticated technology, Brett and the team were able to pinpoint the exact genetic cause of the disorder to a DNA mutation in a gene called FAM38A. They solved the mystery and, in the process, described the first human disorder due to a defect in a mechanosensitive channel. It’s been four decades since the first Manitoba patient was recognized to have this red blood cell disorder. The late Lyonel Israels [MD/49, M.Sc./50], clinician-scientist at CancerCare Manitoba (CCMB), saw this first family member. Despite extensive investigations at the time, no cause for the patient’s symptoms could be identified. The patient was eventually referred to Houston, an associate professor of internal medicine and the director of the hematology subspecialty training program at the University of Manitoba. Additional family members went on to receive treatment from Zarychanski, a hematologist at CCMB and critical care physician; and Lyonel Israels’ daughter, Sara Israels, professor in pediatrics and child health and a senior investigator at the Manitoba Institute of Cell Biology. “Somehow we compared notes and realized we were seeing different members of the same family. Then we started to think maybe somebody’s got to figure this thing out,” says Houston, co-supervisor on the project. Zarychanski admits that the team “Initially set our sights a little bit lower and didn’t plan to find the cause in the context of one B.Sc. (Med.) project, but Brett worked really hard.” The response has been pretty overwhelming for Brett since the team cracked the case. She’s presented her work at conferences across North America and has received national and international awards; winning second prize at the U.S. National Student Research Forum and appointed winner (in the oral presentation category), at the Canadian National Medical Student Research Symposium.
“I wanted her to have every opportunity she could to learn about research and to be engaged and become excited about academic medicine. Lessons were not just about learning how to pipette in a lab either,” says Zarychanski. adding that Brett has learned how to write scientific proposals, submit a funding application, and effectively engage and interact in a medical team. She also mastered the ability to present her work to others so that they would understand and put her results into context. The soon-to-be med school graduate feels she took more from the B.Sc. (Med.) program than what she actually contributed; it even helped shape her decision to apply for a residency position in the Faculty’s department of internal medicine. Taking the program isn’t the only thing she has in common with her project supervisor. Like Brett, Zarychanski also scouted a potential supervisor; funny thing is he wasn’t even a medical student at the U of M. “I found my supervisor Frank Plummer [MD/76], on the basis of an interest in infectious diseases at that time, his proven ability to conduct high quality research and his willingness to take on students,” says Zarychanski, who obtained a B.Sc. (Med.) from U of M in 2000 while studying medicine at the University of Ottawa. What ties this story together even more is that Houston had a pivotal role in mentoring Zarychanski as a hematologist. “It’s gratifying for me to pay-forward to Brett the principles and practice of committed mentorship that Don Houston consistently offers to me” says Zarychanski. For Houston, that’s been a great thing to watch. “Ryan completed his Hematology fellowship here at the U of M,” says Houston. “It’s very rewarding to see him come back as faculty and take on the mentor role. He’s really made that a part of what he does, to encourage trainees.” As Zarychanski jokes “Brett was a very intense student and now I need some down time,” to which Brett whispers, “That’s not exactly a joke,” one might conclude this marks the end for the collaborative team. Turns out his mentor duties will continue; the pair are currently working on another high-profile research project.
PHOTO: ANDREW SIKORSKY
Cultivating Clinician Scientists When it comes to early research exposure, the Faculty of Medicine’s goal is to ensure that when a student develops an interest, there are pathways available. It’s important that each student tailors his or her own academic career and so the Faculty strives to offer a number of research programs that not only suit individuals, but can potentially shape their career as a physician.
“By engaging people in research, when they are ready, we hope to launch them on a lifelong pursuit of new knowledge. It is these individuals who will be the academic leaders of tomorrow and bring new and innovative solutions to improve health for all Manitoban,” says Peter Nickerson, [MD/86, B.Sc. Med/86], Associate Dean (Research).
This is why programs like the B.Sc. (Med.) Degree Program, Med II Summer Research and MD/PhD are available to medical students. The successes of these existing courses have led to the development of a formal Clinical Investigator Program that will soon be offered to residents.
Does this strategy work? According to Nickerson, we don’t need to look far for the answer. “Look at the richness of the history of Manitoba medical students who were so engaged during their training and who now lead major academic programs both here in Manitoba and around the world.”
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Photo courtesy of FortWhyte Alive
Nurturing in nature Writing course fosters creative talents among doctors A 20-minute walk down a tree lined path leads you further into the wilderness, towards an angular building full of windows and a wraparound patio. It sits on a peak overlooking a lake, offering a breathtaking view from pretty much every room. And the fact that you can’t get to it by car is deliberate; it gives you a chance to relax and take in some fresh air before you reach the Siobhan Richardson Field Station, located at FortWhyte Alive.
By Melni Ghattora
The tranquil vibe that surrounds the lakeside facility is a contrast to the high-energy, fast-paced and often stressful work-environment most doctors are familiar with, and it’s why the scenic backdrop is home to a new innovative course. This is where 15 physicians, some community-based, others with appointments in the Faculty of Medicine, meet once a month for a doctors-only creative writing class.
The rhythmic soundtrack to this setting is that of birds chirping, rather than patients coughing; here you see the occasional deer cruise by, versus a group of residents and nurses scurrying past you.
“Burnout is common among physicians, so we wanted to give doctors a vehicle, or another way, to experience the intense, sometimes overwhelming stories they often hear in their line of work,” says course creator Dr. Jillian Horton. The call for registration went out last summer and Horton quickly learned that there is an appetite for this kind of creative outlet. Horton, assistant professor in the department of internal medicine and assistant director of clinician assessment programs in CPD, has been a practicing physician for over 10 years. But it’s her background in humanities that made her wonder if there are physicians out there who, like her, had interests in creative endeavors before medical school. Prior to pursuing a medical education, she was awarded a full scholarship to the University of Western Ontario, where she studied English and drama. Horton pitched the concept to Associate Dean, CPD Dr. Jose Francois, who embraced the idea and worked with Horton to develop a conceptual framework. They then approached Warren Cariou, an associate professor in the university’s arts faculty and Canada Research Chair in Narrative, Community and Indigenous Cultures. Cariou was immediately on-board and scouted local author Dave Williamson as course instructor.
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PHOTO: DAN GWOZDZ
Writer MD: A Creative Writing Course for Physicians is delivered in partnership with the Faculty of Medicine’s Division of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and the University of Manitoba’s Centre for Creative Writing and Oral Culture. It’s the first time the faculty has offered a joint project with the department of English, film, and theatre.
L to R: David Williamson, course participant Margaret Burnett [MD/81]and Dr. Jose Francois.
Williamson has over 10 published works including several novels, a memoir, and a collection of short stories. No stranger to teaching writing, he was still flattered by the offer. “To become a doctor you have a pretty concentrated academic preparation. In order to get there, you’re going through a lot of preliminary thinking and writing, and understanding concepts. So to be able to work with somebody like that, in talking about writing, I thought would be both a challenge and interesting for me,” says Williamson, who adds this is the first time he’s taught physicians. “In the past, lots of doctors have become best-selling writers and I think it can be both a diversion but also there will be some [physicians], and I assume most of the ones in this class would fit in this category, who want either to record their experiences or use writing as a way of getting away from the pressure of being a doctor,” he says. Horton and Francois hope that the course becomes a model for further humanities programming in CPD. To learn more about Writer MD, or other courses offered by CPD. To learn more about Writer MD, or other courses offered by CPD, visit: umanitoba.ca/medicine/education/cpd.
PHOTO: DAN GWOZDZ
Arnold Naimark L to R: Dr. Jack MacPherson, Dr. Brian Postl, Dr. Richard Keizjer, Dr. Ken Thorlakson and Dr. Digvir Jayas at Thorlakson accouncement.
NEW RESEARCH CHAIR
TO PROMOTE SURGICAL INNOVATION The University of Manitoba’s first-ever chair in surgical research will improve surgical outcomes for patients and promote innovation thanks to the generosity of a prominent family’s foundation fund and the department of surgery in the Faculty of Medicine. The $3-million Thorlakson Chair in Surgical Research, announced in September 2012, was supported by a $1.5-million donation by the Dr. Paul H.T. Thorlakson Foundation Fund, and $1.5-million in matching funds contributed by faculty members in the university’s department of surgery. Dr. Richard Keijzer, assistant professor of pediatric general surgery in the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Medicine, and principal investigator at the Manitoba Institute of Child Health, was named as the inaugural Thorlakson Chair in Surgical Research. This new endowed research Chair will help Keijzer to further establish his independent research program and promote and strengthen the research pillar within the department of surgery. Ken Thorlakson [MD/49], former associate professor of surgery at the University of Manitoba, and son of the late Dr. Paul H.T. Thorlakson, said his father would have been very pleased that a Chair in surgical research has been named in his honour. “During his long lifetime he was a catalyst for change and development in many diverse fields, none more important or close to his heart than the advancement of medical education and research. These two, were inseparable in his mind, his advocacy, and in his endeavours.” He added, “Our family is keenly mindful of the generosity of the current members of the Faculty of Medicine’s department of surgery that made the establishment of this Chair in honour of our father a reality. We also appreciate that the Advisory Board of University’s Dr. Paul. H.T. Thorlakson Foundation Fund encouraged the creation of the Chair and partnered in its funding support.” Established in 1978 to honour the late Paul H.T. Thorlakson [MD/19], the primary purposes of the Dr. Paul H.T. Thorlakson Foundation Fund are to assist persons and organizations in: advancing scientific, medical and surgical knowledge through education and research; and developing new or improved methods or programs of health administration or organization, health delivery systems, health education and patient care. Funds have been administered by the University of Manitoba since 1993.
to be Inducted into CMHF University of Manitoba President Emeritus Arnold Naimark [MD/57], professor of physiology and medicine and also Dean Emeritus in the Faculty of Medicine, will be inducted into the prestigious Canadian Medical Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Halifax in May 2013. Naimark has played a major role in building health education and research in Canada through the institutes he has led and the programs he has been key in developing. The Winnipeg-born-and-raised doctor, is the seventh U of M scientist honoured and follows laureates from previous years, such as Bruce Chown[MD/22], Henry Friesen [MD/58], Allan Ronald [MD/61]and classmate John Dirks [MD/57]. Naimark, who is also director of the Centre for the Advancement of Medicine at the U of M, was selected in the builder (innovative leadership) category. The hall recognizes individuals whose contributions to medicine and health sciences have led to extraordinary improvements in human health. After joining the department of physiology in the 1960s, Naimark co-developed a leading laboratory for the investigation of respiratory disease and the first clinical unit in the world devoted exclusively to intensive respiratory care. He served as Dean of Medicine from 1971-81 and became the university’s President and Vice-Chancellor in 1981. During his 15-year tenure the university’s endowment increased nearly six-fold and included major developments at the health science campuses. Considered one of the country’s foremost educational administrators, Naimark’s lifetime achievements include lending his leadership toward the development of institutions and organizations –such as the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation, Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Council and Manitoba Health Research Council- that impact health sciences research at the local, provincial and national levels. His advice is routinely sought by a long list of health sciences and educational bodies across Canada.
DONOR NEWS/alumni news
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“I love my work,” she says. “In fact I do not consider the practise of medicine work at all.”
Barbara MacKalski [MD/88] Brandon Booster by Sharon Chisvin
Gastroenterologist Barbara MacKalski is quick to acknowledge that both her parents and the small city of Brandon, Manitoba, have been major influences on her life choices. These life choices, to pursue a career in medicine and to do so in Brandon, where she spent her latter childhood years, have given MacKalski tremendous satisfaction. “I love my work,” she says. “In fact I do not consider the practise of medicine work at all.” MacKalski was born in Winnipeg, moving with her parents and siblings to Brandon, her father’s hometown, in 1973. After graduating from Brandon University with a B.Sc. in chemistry, she entered the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Medicine, Class of 1988. “My years at medical school were happy and challenging,” she says. “I had many friends and my classmates were collegial. In fact, the school stressed collegiality and team work rather than competition.” The lack of competition however did not mean that medical school was undemanding “Standards were high,” MacKalski says. “When I eventually specialized at the Mayo Clinic I realized how well prepared I was and how superior our undergraduate education was.” MacKalski had made the decision to pursue a career in medicine many years before when her mother, who had already taught her that a life of service brings fulfilment, gave her a book about Mother Teresa’s work with the sick and poor. After reading the book, MacKalski recalls, “I was determined to serve the sick… From that day I never wavered from my goal.” That determination was commended by her father, a World War II veteran, who also emphasized to her the importance of giving back to society. Following a rotating internship and encouraged by her U of M professors, Craig Campbell [MD/78] and Dr. Peter Warren, MacKalski began a residency in internal medicine at the Mayo Clinics in Rochester and Scottsdale. She was attracted to internal medicine for its complexity and variety, and for the opportunities it provided to problem-solve and play sleuth. In 1993, MacKalski returned to Brandon and set up practice as a general internist. Eleven years later, influenced by her mentor and friend, Charles Bernstein [MD/85] she came back to the University of Manitoba for a one-year Fellowship in Gastroenterology.
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“I had accumulated an immense patient population with Inflammatory Bowel Disease,” she explains, “(and) I was fascinated with the immunology and the rapid advances in this field. My goal was to gain knowledge in Gastroenterology and excellence in endoscopy.” MacKalski has been back in Brandon now for six years, and has no further plans to leave. “My family has been in Brandon since 1908,” she says. “I love the city and the relaxed pace of life.” Although being a specialist in a rural community certainly poses unique challenges, including sometimes a lack of other specialists with which to consult, MacKalski has learned to adapt by being flexible and multi-tasking. Amid this multi-tasking, she managed to find the time to serve as president of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba from 2008 to 2009 and as Faculty of Medicine Assistant Dean of admission from 2008 to 2010. These experiences reinforced her appreciation of the need for equal access to health-care for all, regardless of where people live, as well as the need to recruit and properly train medical students interested in practicing in rural areas. “It is a social justice issue and a matter of fairness that all Canadians have access to timely and up-to-date medical care,” she says. “I believe also that the University of Manitoba medical school should reflect the population of Manitoba.” “Students with a connection to rural Manitoba,” she adds, “are more likely to return to the rural areas as practitioners.” MacKalski herself of course is proof of that. She left Brandon to pursue her dream of becoming a physician, and she returned to Brandon because it was the place she loved. Although she often works up to 80 hours a week, there is nowhere else she would rather be and nothing else that she would rather do. “I have never looked back on my decision to become a doctor,” she says. “I have never been disappointed.”
MESSAGE FROM Donor Relations by Danielle Dunbar, Director, Faculties, Schools and Departments Philanthropy Homecoming 2012 was a fantastic occasion in the Faculty of Medicine. This is a time of celebration, when alumni can reconnect with one another and their alma mater. Many Medicine classes have taken the opportunity to mark their milestone reunion year by embarking on a class campaign. We have had a total of 22 classes that have taken part in a class campaign. Following homecoming this year, five classes continued or started a new campaign.
DONATIONS TO THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE
Class campaigns play an important role in the Faculty of Medicine as they support a broad range of priorities. A number of classes have chosen to support students in the B.Sc. (Med) Program. This program has a long history within the Faculty of Medicine. Established in 1926, the program is one of the oldest formal research programs in Canada for undergraduate medical students. The funding provided by alumni and stakeholders has helped many students fulfill their goals of understanding the concepts of basic and clinical research as well as having served as the platform for others to proceed to careers in research. By providing students with increased access to this high-quality research program, we hope to increase and strengthen the next generation of clinician scientists.
*includes organization/group
I would like to thank all alumni and friends who have contributed to the University of Manitoba Faculty of Medicine in 2012. In this issue you will find the donor honour roll and legacy donor listing. These alumni and friends have generously given over $10,000 in support of the Faculty of Medicine and recognized the faculty in their legacy planning. As always, we love to hear from you. Please contact us anytime if you have questions or want to talk about what’s new at the faculty at: Ext_Rel_Bannatyne@umanitoba.ca or 204-789-3884.
Leaving a Legacy
Total $4,305,645.25 Corporation 12.5% ($538,772.03) Foundation 41% ($1,763,632.12) Friend 1% ($43,756.68) Graduate 15.8% ($680,770.79) non-Graduate 0% ($250) organization/group 15.2% ($653,779.33) Staff 14.5% ($624,684.30)
DONATIONS BY TYPE OF GIFT Includes gifts from July 2004 to March 2010
Total $4,305,645.25 Student Support 35.3% ($1,520,868.52) Faculty/Department/ school/college Support 18% ($775,027.04) Capital funds 0.6% ($27,091.94) Chairs, Professorships and Research 42.7% ($1,837,307.75) Lectureships 1.1% ($49,500) Libraries/galleries/museums 2.2% ($95,850)
The Faculty of Medicine gratefully acknowledges the following Medicine graduates and friends who have generously remembered the Univeristy of Manitoba and/or the Faculty of Medicine in their wills:
Miss Joyce Aitken
Mr. William F. Falk Dr. Paul A. Galbraith Family
Dr. John A. MacDonell* & Dr. Josefina Asa MacDonell
Dr. Eva N. Rado Balazs
Dr. Judith A. Barefoot Dr. Jaroslaw & Mrs. Mary Barwinsky
Sandra* & David Goodwin
Dr. Douglas W. MacEwan
Dr. Gregory W. Rose
Mrs. Robert E. Beamish
Dr. Theodore A. Harris
Ms. Beatrice Mangin
Dr. R. T. Ross
Dr. Norman J. Bell
Mr. Gerald C. & Dr. Pamela G. Hawranik
Dr. Jacque G. Mar*& Mrs. Pamela Mar
Dr. Kenneth L. Schellenberg
Dr. David S. Bloom
Dr. R. Donald McBane & Mrs. Isabel L. McBane
Dr. H. K. Stinson
Dr. David M. Bowman
Dr. M. Harry Janzen & Mrs. Martha Janzen
Mr. James W. Breakey
Dr. Miriam Katz
Dr. H. Keith Merrick
Dr. T. Kenneth Thorlakson & Mrs. Lorna Thorlakson
Dr. Jennifer Burton
Dr. Neil Kippen
Dr. William G. Merrick
Dr. Craig Troop & Mrs. Rozlyn Troop
Dr. William G. L. Carr
Dr. Daniel J. Klass
Dr. Hiro Nishioka
Dr. James A. Turner
Dr. William B. Chodirker
Dr. Allan Klein
Dr. Colleen J. Northcott
Dr. Phillip Unger
Dr. Juliette Cooper
Dr. Wilhelm J. Kreyes
Dr. Carolyn D. O’Hara
Mrs. Pearl Yaffe
Dr. John A. Downey
Dr. Richard E. Larson
Dr. Bill Pope/Dr. Elizabeth Tippett-Pope
Dr. Donald R. Dyck
Dr. Patricia L. Ling
Alex Pue M.D.
Dr. Kenneth E. Robinson
*indicates donor has passed away
We make every effort to ensure that donors are properly recognized. Please contact the Donor Relations Bannatyne Campus office at 204-977-5615 or Ext_Rel_Bannatyne@unmanitoba.ca regarding any errors or omissions. DONOR NEWS
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donor honour roll $1-Million+
Dr. Jennifer Burton
AstraZeneca Canada Inc.
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
CMA/MMA/MD Management
Dr. John Bingham
Victor Colcleugh
Marjorie & Morley Blankstein
James & Mary Connacher
Marion Brodie
Caroline Cope
Robert Cameron
Department of Family Medicine
Department of Internal Medicine
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Clinical Pharmacology
Donner Canadian Foundation
support of alumni, faculty, staff, corporate partners and friends who have generously given $10,000 or more to the Faculty of Medicine during their lifetime as of March 31, 2012.
$50,000 - $99,999
$25,000 - $49,999
Abbott Laboratories Ltd.
AMI Partners Inc.
Bert & Lee Friesen Foundation
Anda Toporeck Medical Research Foundation
Dr. Diane Biehl BMO Financial Group Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. H. G. Bohnet Dr. E. H. & Margaret Botterell Gloria Brown Mary Dobush
Dr. Gail Asper & Dr. Michael Paterson Associated Medical Services Inc. Astra Canada Inc. Dr. Robert & Mary Beamish Lynne & Dr. Allan Becker Dr. David & Rosalind Bloom
Department of Surgery, University of Manitoba
Dr. Alfred E. Deacon Medical Research Foundation Inc.
Douglas & Allyson Flynn
The Dr. Paul H.T. Thorlakson Foundation
Flynn Canada Ltd.
Lois Erickson
Dr. Brian & Margaret Hennen
Dr. Marion Ferguson Globe General Agencies
Hudson’s Bay Company /HBC Foundation
Rae Lilian Grant
Dr. John Hunkin & Susan Crocker
Merck
Emil & Lynette Hain
Frank & Margaret Hutton
Mindel & Thomas Olenick
Dr. James Hartman
Investors Group
Rady Family Foundation
Health Sciences Centre
Marguerit Jerome
Flora Ross
Health Sciences Centre - Department of Nephrology
Dr. Ellen Judd
Dr. Gordon Fahrni
Dr. William Locke
Dr. John Foerster
Manulife Financial
Thomas Frohlinger & Heather Pullan
Dr. I. J. & Renee Matas
Gerry Gray
David McGoey
Dr. Monty & Marilyn Hall
John McGoey
Peggy Iverach
McLean Budden Limited
J.R. Senecal & Associates
Robert McRae
George Keates
Moffat Communications Limited
Dr. Marcel Blanchaer & Audrey Kerr
James Morden
Knight Bain Seath & Holbrook Capital Management
GlaxoSmithKline Inc. Husky Energy Inc. Li Ka-shing Foundation (Hong Kong) Manitoba Medical Service Foundation
The Winnipeg Foundation Dr. George & Fay Yee
$500,000 - $999,999
Hoffmann-La Roche Limited Dr. C. Stuart & Mary Houston Imasco Ltd. Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences
Thelma Fast Health Sciences Centre Foundation
Dr. Frances Booth Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada Inc. Dr. Kenneth & Marcia Brookler Dr. Martin & Farron Brotman Phyllis Brown Canada Life Assurance Company Dr. David Charlesworth & Dr. Sybil Henteleff Dr. John & Janis Downey Dr. John & Nicolle Embil F. K. Morrow Foundation
Bassett/Falk Cancer Research Foundation
The Jewish Foundation of Manitoba
Dr. James Burns
Dr. Arni Laxdal
Diabetes Foundation of Manitoba
Dr. George & Georgia Leroux
Inge & Frederic Gaspard
London Life Insurance Company
Great-West Life The Lupina Foundation
Manitoba Medical College Foundation
Manitoba Paraplegia Foundation Inc.
H. H. McCain
Dr. Hiro Nishioka
R. Samuel McLaughlin Foundation
The Murphy Foundation Incorporated
Princess Auto Ltd.
D. R. Mussallem
Rick Hansen Institute
Nycomed Canada
Dr. Arnold & Erica Rogers
The Tolkien Trust
The Pash Family
John L. Ross
McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited
The Winnipeg RH Institute Foundation Inc.
Dr. Angus & Margaret Reid
Dr. Charles Schom
Clarence McLean
Scotiabank - Toronto
MDS Capital Corporation
Barry & Rena Shenkarow The Shankarow Family
Dr. William Pope & Dr. Elizabeth Tippett-Pope
TD Bank Financial Group
Gretna Purvis
RBC Foundation Searle Canada Inc. Dr. Margaret Sellers
The Kidney Foundation of Canada
The Paterson Foundation Dr. Winifred Ross
$100,000 - $499,999
Dr. Evelyn Shapiro
AAOW Anaesthesia Medical Corporation
Sun Life Financial
Archer Daniels Midland Foundation
University Medical Group
The Arthritis Society Leonard & Susan Asper
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The Faculty of Medicine acknowledges the generosity and
Dr. Hugh & Dr. Aynsley Smith Dawn Swartz Vale Canada Limited
Astellas Pharma Canada
The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company
Axcan Pharma Inc.
Martin & Michelle Weinberg
Edward Bennett
Maurine Wester
ISSUE 09 | winter 2012
DONOR NEWS
Dr. Arnold & Dr. Barbara Naimark Betty Nicks
Procter & Gamble Inc. (Canada)
Ruth Thomas The Vidda Foundation Kenneth & Elizabeth Walton Anna Widiner Dr. Young Woo
Dr. Robert Krause Dr. Randall Law & Dr. Gisele Bourgeois-Law Donald MacDiarmid Dr. Sharon Macdonald Dr. Phyllis McAlpine
The Rockefeller Foundation Dr. James & Joyce Ross Schwartz Family Foundation Donna Shaw Norman & Joanna Sher Phoeme Simkin
Dr. Daniel & Maureen Sitar
Foundation
Lupus Society of Manitoba Inc.
Dr. Roger Philipp
Helen Smith
Edward Drewry
Dr. Edward & Harriet Lyons
The Pollard Family Foundation
Speyer Family Foundation, Inc.
Dr. Glen Drobot
Dr. Campbell & Leah MacArthur
Dr. Brian & Dr. Sharon Postl
St. Boniface General Hospital
Dr. Donald Dunlop
Dr. John & Marilyn Potoski
Tembec Paper Group-Pine Falls Operations
Dr. Richard Edwards
Dr. Andrew MacDiarmid & Dr. Leanne Docking
Dr. Carl Eisener
Dr. Brendan MacDougall
Dr. Ton Quong
Dr. G. Les E. Ullyot
Eli Lilly Canada Inc.
Dr. Alan & Penny Macklem
Dr. Robert & Dr. Norma Ramsay
Ulysses Wagner
Dr. Alvin & Phyllis Elliott
Catherine Maclean
RBC Dominion Securities Inc.
Dr. Sybella Wahl
Dr. Christopher Engel
Dr. Neil Maclean
Marnie Reynolds
Dr. Michael & Lydia West
Dr. Margaret Fast
Manitoba Health
Dr. George & Dr. Tannis Richardson
William & Marlene West
The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation
Dr. Claudio Rigatto & Dr. Lisa Bryski
Winnipeg Free Press
Federated Insurance Companies of Canada
Dr. Clifford Yaffe & Dr. Heather Levin
Dr. Frank Friesen
Manitoba X-Ray Clinic Medical Corporation
Dr. Allan & Myrna Ronald
$10,000 - $24,999 Dr. John Agostino P. Joyce Aitken Robert & Joy Antenbring Dr. Fred & Grace Aoki Dr. Richard & Dr. Dawna Armstrong Earl & Cheryl Barish Dr. Gary & Elizabeth Beazley Dr. James & Doreen Beckstead Dr. Dean Bell & Dr. Sandra Marles Ben Moss Jewellers Dr. Lionel & Dr. Anne Bercovitch Dr. Barry & Audrey Bermack
Friesen Tokar Architects Friesens Corporation Dr. Alison Froese Dr. Ian Gilmour Dr. Lorna Grant & Dr. Frederick Orr Dr. Clair & Isabelle Hall Health Sciences Staff Dr. Grant Hoe Dr. Walter & Viola Hoeppner Dr. Robert & M. Hoeschen Dr. Charles Hollenberg Dr. William Howden Dr. Farrukh Hussain The ILLAHIE Foundation
Dr. Jacque & Pamela Mar Dr. Neil & Elaine Margolis Mason Steele Partnership Dr. Jean McFarlane
Dr. Alexander Pue
Alice Robertson Dr. Leslie & Dr. Noralou Roos The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Sanofi-Aventis Canada Inc. Dr. Michael & Elsie Sasynuik
Muriel McKenty Alan & Erica McLaughlin Dr. Donald McLean
Dr. Brent Schacter & Dr. Sora Ludwig Dr. Marlis Schroeder Dr. Stanley Seah
Joan McNeely Dr. James & Winifred McPhee MDS Inc.
Dr. Satyendra Sharma Charles Shore Robert Silver
Dr. Keith Meloff
Hilda Simmons
Dr. Fred J. Mensink
Dr. Estelle & Dr. Keith Simons
Dr. Robert Menzies Dr. Murray & Susanne Miller
Dr. Robert & Leslie Smith Sobeys Inc.
Annie Beynon
Industrial Alliance Insurance & Financial Services Inc.
Bingo Palace
Dr. Esther Israels
Dr. Michael & Sharon Moffatt
BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc.
Dr. Michael Janusz
Dr. Doreen Moggey
Mary Boreskie
Dr. Thomas Joas
Monarch Industries Limited
Dr. Gordon Boroditsky
Dr. Alfred & Susan Jones
Dr. Philip & Lynda Murray
Dr. Paul & Lois Bowman
Dr. Kwan Kao
Palma Nagy
Dr. Robert Bracken
Dr. Shirley Katz
National Trust Co.
Catherine Brown
Dr. Chris & Janice Kehler
Michael Nozick & Cheryl Ashley
Dora Brown
James & Gloria Keleher
Organon Canada Ltd.
Helen Bruce
Dr. Wayne & Leslie Kepron
The Oshawa Group Limited
Daniel Bubis & Jennifer Blumenthal
Khartum Ladies Auxiliary
Dr. Brian Ostrow
Dr. Robert & Claire Burns
Dr. Bryan Kirk
Dr. David & Pat Ostrow
Canadian Association of Clinical Surgeons West
Dr. Alan Klass
Dr. Richard & Patricia Palahniuk
Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation
Serena Kraayeveld
Murray Palay & Ivy F. Kopstein
Dr. William Carr
Dr. Peter & F. P. Warren
Dr. Robert Langdon
Dr. Peter Pang
Dr. Reginald Whetter
Dr. Leonard & Pamela LeBoldus
Dr. R. Wayne & Linda Paquin
Dr. Cornelius & Betty Wiens
Dr. Albert Lecot
Dr. Yashesh Patel
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
Dr. David & Linda Lee
Dr. Janet & Dr. Ed Pavlin
Dr. John & Janet Wright
Dr. Trevor Lee
Dr. Erwin & Anna Penner
Dr. Klaus & Dorit Wrogemann
Dr. Philippe & Dea L’Heureux
Pfizer Global Pharmaceuticals
Dr. Gerald Yu
Henry Cheng Mark Chipman Dr. Gordon Chipperfield Dr. Douglas & Carole Craig Kenneth & Joan Crowshaw CryoLife Inc.
Dr. Kunal Minhas
Elaine & Alex Sommer Dr. John & Eva Sutherland Dr. Peter Taylor Terry Gray Agencies Ltd. Dr. Kenneth & Lorna Thorlakson Dr. Wilfred Thorleifson United Molgen Limited Dr. Helmut Unruh Vancouver Foundation Doris Waite Walker Wood Foundation
Steve Dawyduk Gilda De Bonis Department of Psychiatry, Health Sciences Centre Don Mazankowski Scholarship
The University of Manitoba makes every effort to ensure that donors are properly recognized. Please contact the Donor Relations – Bannatyne Campus office at 204 977-5615 or Ext_Rel_Bannatyne@umanitoba.ca regarding any errors or omissions.
DONOR NEWS
MB medicine | winter 2012
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“ The University of Manitoba Medical School was a busy and a good place to learn and provided a good clinical education”
Prabhat Jha [MD/88]
Epidemiologist Extraordinaire by Sharon Chisvin
In a medical career replete with myriad accomplishments, including recently being named an officer of the Order of Canada, Prabhat Jha claims that his proudest one is being named ‘Best Actor’ at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Medicine Beer and Skits back in 1988. This sense of humour, no doubt, has helped Jha maintain a sense of balance and positivism in his life, in spite of the fact that he has devoted decades of it to the study of death and disease. Jha is the founder of the Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR) and lead investigator of its Million Death Study. The mandate of the CGHR, which is sponsored by St. Michael’s Hospital and the University of Toronto, is to conduct large scale public health studies on the causes, distributions and control of diseases in third world countries. The Million Death study examines the roots of premature mortality in India and its contributing risk factors. Although based in Toronto, Jha frequently travels to India, where he was born, to conduct research. He also regularly returns to Winnipeg, where he was raised, to visit family and colleagues at his alma mater. “The University of Manitoba Medical School was a busy and a good place to learn and provided a good clinical education,” he says. “You saw diseases and populations that you wouldn’t at most other North American schools.” The U of M also boasted some very fine teachers, Jha adds. For him these included Allan Ronald, [MD/61] “who was already a world guru on sexually transmitted infections,” John Wade, [MD/60] who was Dean at the time, Dr. Daniel Klass who was “one of the best educators around” and Dr. Nick Anthonisen who was “a fearless researcher.” Following graduation, Jha completed an internship at St. Boniface Hospital, earning the moniker ‘Dr. Discharge’ for getting patients healthier and home as quickly as possible. This experience directly led to his interest in epidemiology, preventive medicine and global health. “As Winnipeg is a small place, I’d see many of the patients’ names in the Winnipeg Free Press obituaries a few months later,” he says. This led me to think about wider determinants of disease, and I became hooked on epidemiology.”
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ISSUE 09 | winter 2012
ALUMNI PROFILE
This interest led Jha to Winnipeg’s Health Science Centre, Toronto’s Sick Kids and, with a Rhodes scholarship, to England’s Oxford University for a PhD in epidemiology. It then took him to McMaster University, the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Services in Toronto and to the World Bank, where he researched tobacco control and paved the way for the world’s first global treaty on public health. During this time, Jha also studied malaria and HIV/AIDS control in India, the latter under the mentorship of fellow U of M alumnus Frank Plummer [MD/76]. Jha’s next career stop was the World Health Organization, where he continued to probe the relationship between health and poverty. In the fall of 2002 he landed back in Toronto, establishing the CGHR and embarking on the Million Death study. “Most deaths in India and other low-income countries occur at home and without medical certification, so we don’t know what diseases are really killing people,” Jha explains. “To fill this gap, we study all the deaths that occur in about one million homes that have been selected as a random snapshot of India.” The monitoring of these premature deaths will, ideally, eventually lead to changes in public health policy. While the study in India is ongoing until 2014, preliminary results already indicate that a vast number of these premature deaths, about one million annually, are a result of tobacco use. This is a factor that Jha is confident can be changed. “A lot of the countries I have worked with are taking smoking more seriously,” he says. “If we can continue to report on global hazards and the benefits of cessation, we can move forward the time when many smokers will quit, and that will substantially reduce 21st century premature deaths.”
FACULTY AWARDS & HONOURS Compiled by Melni Ghattora
Charles Bernstein [MD/85] (1), professor, section of gastroenterology, internal medicine, university of Manitoba Bingham Chair in Gastroenterology has been recognized by the Royal Society of Canada, the country’s top association of scholars and scientists. A renowned expert on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Bernstein has been elected as a Fellow of the Society, which is considered the highest honour an academic can achieve in the arts, humanities and sciences. Sharon Bruce [PhD/99]. associate professor, community health sciences, received the 2012 Ed Kroeger Mentorship Award. Nominated by her students, the award acknowledges a current professor who exemplifies excellence in graduate and professional teaching. Tamara Buchel [MD/92], assistant professor, family medicine, was appointed executive director of the Manitoba College of Family Physicians; a chapter of the College of Family Physicians of Canada, the professional, non-profit organization represents family physicians across Canada. The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) presented Harvey Max Chochinov [MD/83, PhD/98] (2) Canada Research Chair in Palliative Care and distinguished professor of psychiatry with the 2012 CMA Frederic Newton Gisborne (FNG) Starr Award. This award represents the highest honour that the CMA can bestow upon one of its members. It recognizes Chochinov’s global contribution to palliative care and to raising the profile of personhood throughout all of health-care. Juliette (Archie) Cooper [BOT/79, M.Sc./82, PhD/87] (3), professor emeritus, was awarded the Peter D. Curry Chancellor’s Award for outstanding contributions and governance of the University of Manitoba, at this year’s Fall Convocation. Dr. Naranjan S. Dhalla, distinguished professor and director of cardiovascular development, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences at St-Boniface Hospital Research, received an honourary prefessorship form the Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania. Cynthia Ellison [PhD/99], assistant professor, pathology (cross appointee; immunology), received the 2012 Dr. Kenneth Hughes Young Investigator Award. Dr. Ellison’s research involves the study of immunological mechanisms underlying the development of pathological changes associated with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Ian Jones, program director of the physician assistant education program, was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by MEDEX Northwest and the Washington Association of Physician Assistants (WAPA) for his roles as leader, role model, clinician and mentor.
Lorrie Kirshenbaum [PhD/92] (4), Canada Research Chair in Molecular Cardiology; professor in departments of pharmacology & therapeutics and physiology; director of research development, Faculty of Medicine; principal investigator, cardiac gene biology, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St-Boniface Hospital Research is this year’s recipient of the 2012 Dr. R.E. Beamish Memorial Award. Presented by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, Kirshenbaum was recognized for his breakthrough study of a gene that could save the lives of heart patients. He received $10,000 in support of his groundbreaking research. Lisa Lix [PhD/95] (5), professor, community health sciences, was appointed Manitoba Research Chair, by the Manitoba Health Research Council. Lix’s five-year research program will develop, validate, apply and disseminate methods to measure and improve the quality of administrative health databases for chronic disease research and surveillance. Dr. Pawan Singal (6), professor of physiology and director of the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manitoba and St-Boniface Hospital Research, received a lifetime/Outstanding Achievement award from the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Singal was cited for his international recognition in the field of “oxidative stress and heart failure” as well as for his leadership role in community projects.
Trailblazing health researchers inducted Canadian Academy of Health Sciences Dr. Heather Dean, Lorrie Kirshenbaum [PhD/92], and Peter Nickerson [MD/86] were inducted into the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) this past September, at a ceremony held in Ottawa. The three Faculty of Medicine professors have transformed how we care for people with diabetes, heart failure and organ rejection, and they’ve been recognized for their pioneering efforts. Elected by their peers, each one has demonstrated leadership, creativity, distinctive competencies and commitment to advancing academic health sciences in their respective research interests. Membership into the CAHS is considered one of the highest honours for the Canadian health sciences community. Heather Dean (7), (pediatrics, Manitoba Institute of Child Health) was the first pediatrician to report type 2 diabetes in children in Canada. Nearly 30 years ago she founded the first provincial, inter-professional, comprehensive program for children with diabetes in Canada: the Manitoba Pediatric Diabetes Education Resource for Children and Adolescents. Her major research activities focus on the epidemiology, care, education, support and prevention of type 2 diabetes in children. Dean serves as Assistant Dean, Academic in the Faculty of Medicine. Lorrie Kirshenbaum (4), Canada Research Chair in Molecular Cardiology, (pharmacology & therapeutics and physiology, St-Boniface Hospital Research) is best known for his groundbreaking work on viral gene therapy and the regulation of both cell cycle and cell death proteins in the heart. His research has revolutionized the field by providing a means to genetically modify non-functional proteins in cells that cause human disease. Groundbreaking discoveries have paved the way for novel therapies for heart failure, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Peter Nickerson (8) (internal medicine and immunology) is a leader in transplantation science. He and his colleagues have been at the forefront in identifying subclinical inflammation as a cause of organ rejection, particularly relating to the kidneys. He has also been instrumental in developing a new, national strategy for organ donation and transplantation, which is now being rolled out by Canadian Blood Services and is improving the odds that transplants will be available for people facing organ failure. Nickerson serves as Associate Dean, Research, Faculty of Medicine.
FACULTY NEWS
MB medicine | winter 2012
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check up on alumni Norman Hill [MD/52] (1) trained in neurosurgery at the Mayo Clinic. He returned to Winnipeg, Man., in 1958 and formed the Manitoba Neurosciences Program; he served as Head, section of neurosurgery at the U of M for 10 years and retired in 1998.
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Albert Rosenberg [MD/52] (3) received an Angel Award from Misericordia Hospital, in 2012, for 50 years of service. Alvin Zipursky [MD/53] (4) was appointed to the Order of Canada, in December 2011, for his contributions to pediatrics in Canada and in developing countries. The Order of Canada is one of the country’s highest civilian honours. Stefan Carter [MD/54, M.Sc./56] (5) published a book titled From Warsaw to Winnipeg: A Tale of Two Cities (2012). He served as professor in the U of M’s Faculty of Medicine; retiring in 2003. Cornelius Derksen [MD/57A] retired from primary general practice in 1999; retired from assisting surgeons for major surgery in August 31, 2011. All of his children are married, and he has 14 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Ihor I. Mayba [MD/57A] (6) wrote an article “The Grandfathers of Medicine” for the Ukrainian Voice Newspaper in (2012). He continues his orthopaedic practice at the Manitoba Clinic in Winnipeg; this has been ongoing for over 45 years.
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ISSUE 09 | winter 2012
John Dirks [MD/57B] (7) is President and scientific director of the Gairdner Foundation, Senior Fellow of Massey College and Professor Emeritus of Medicine at the University of Toronto. John was recognized as one of six of Canada’s most distinguished medical leaders and inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame in April 2012. He was honoured for his gifted intellect, passionate commitment to global health, and inspired leadership that elevated Canadian and international science and education to new heights. He was cited
Compiled by Angela Peloquin
for transforming the Gairdner Foundation International Awards into “Canada’s Nobel Prizes.” In a career now spanning five decades, Dirks has made huge impacts in every field he has touched, from scientific and academic achievements in nephrology to the promotion and advancement of excellence in medical research in Canada and around the globe. Ehor W. Gauk [MD/58] received a medal from President of Ukraine, Victor Yuschenko, for “work and heroic deeds in Ukraine in the medical field.” He was recognized for his work on the Children of Chernobyl Project and OSVITA Project. Neil Margolis [MD/60] (8) retired from his decadeslong practice as a pediatrician, at the Manitoba Clinic in Winnipeg, in May 2012. Allan Ronald [MD/61] (9) was the first keynote speaker for the Dr. W. Grant Beaton Memorial Lecture Series at Balmoral Hall School (Winnipeg, Man.) in March 2012. William Hryniuk [MD /61] (10) medical director of CAREpath Inc., the cancer assistance program. Martin Sodomsky [MD /61] (11) has two new grandchildren, Ari and Sam; wrote a book called How to Slay the Worry Monster; moved to San Diego, Calif. five years ago. Martin Brotman [MD/62] (12) received the Humanitarian Award from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People for service to African American Community and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the San Francisco Business Times. Willis G. McMillan [MD/62] (13) is retired and lives in Naples, Fla. Raymond C. Penner [MD/62] (14) has had a general practice for 48 years in North Vancouver, B.C.; the past 11 years in partnership with his daughter. R. Patricia Strachan [MD/62] (15) lives in Okanagan Valley, B.C.; teaches line dancing; has four children including: a journalist, MD, computer engineer and a diesel mechanic.
Please send us an update for inclusion in MB Medicine’s Check Up on Alumni section and attach a photo if possible. Include your name, year of graduation, and any news you’d like to share about work, family, travel or career accomplishments to communications@med.umanitoba.ca
Gordon Douglas [MD/66] LMCC, B.Sc. lives in Calgary,Alta., and has practiced in glaucoma; he is a volunteer with Orbis International and on the International Paralympic Committee.
Donald J Peters [MD/67] (22) retired in 2010 after 38 years in the marvelous specialty of anaesthesiology at St. Boniface General Hospital, Winnipeg, Man. He gives all credit to his wonderful wife Margaret.
Joe Bocklage [MD/67] (16) is semi-retired from practice as an orthopedic surgeon (total joint speciality & arthroscopist); and is a health volunteer overseas in: Bhutan, Cambodia, China, South Vietnam and Costa Rica.
Walter Hoeppner [MD/70] was named a 2012 Honorary Member of the Canadian Medical Association. He was nominated by Doctors Manitoba after a decades-long practice as a family physician in Winkler, Man.; followed by service delivery for Health Canada as a fly in doctor to northern and remote communities.
Richard Boroditsky [MD/67] (17) is a professor in the department of OB-GYN at U of M; medical director of the Mature Women’s Centre at Victoria General Hospital (Winnipeg, Man.); involved in three canadian contraception studies; has three sons (two MDs) and five grandchildren. Anthony W. Chow [MD/67] (18) is retired from clinical practice in infectious diseases; currently a professor emeritus at UBC. His most recent publication (April 2012), is the first clinical practice guideline for acute sinusitis for the Infectious Disease Society of America. Allen Ciastko [MD/67] (19) is a pediatrician in Dhulikhel, Kavrepalanchowk, Nepal. Allan Fung Hing Lim [MD/67] (20) retired in November 2011; locum two days a month; moved to Las Vegas, Nev. Ron Monson [MD/67] (21) Co-authored “A New Closed Reduction Technique for the Treatment of Radial Neck Fractures in Children” published in the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics (2009); volunteer in pediatric orthopedic surgery in 2012 at Kijabe CURE Hospital in Kenya. David J. Novak [MD/67] still in private practice in Penticton, B.C.; primary interest in developing emergency treatment of stroke in the veterans of British Columbia.
Michael Rachlis [MD /75] M.Sc. FRCPC LLD (23) practices as a private consultant in health policy analysis. He has consulted to the federal government, all 10 provincial governments, and two Royal Commissions. He is also an associate professor with the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. Lesley Ruggles [MD /86] is working as a family physician in Antigonish, N.S. Corrie Krahn [MD/87] lives in Vancouver, B.C.; is a clinical assistant professor in the department of urological sciences at UBC; married to Heather Krahn (U of M Faculty of Dentistry grad, 1989); and has two children Spencer, 17 and Alana, 14.
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David Naimark [MD/87] (24) published the “Kidney Failure Risk Equation” in The Journal of the American Medical Association (2011). Michael Routledge [MD/98] (25) was appointed the new chief provincial public health officer for Manitoba by Manitoba Health.
MED in the city
130th anniversary gala SAVE THE DATE
NOV. 2, 2013 | THE FAIRMONT WINNIPEG MB medicine | winter 2012
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homecoming
2012
PHOTO BY DAN GWOZDZ
PHOTO BY DAN GWOZDZ
Faculty of Medicine 2012 Class Reunions
Med Class of 1952, celebrating 60th Class Reunion (L to R): Doctors Oscar Domke, Norman Hill, Paul Adams, Brian Postl [MD/76], Fortunat Champagne, Brad Houston, Albert Rosenberg.
Med Class of 2002, celebrating 10th Class Reunion (L to R): Doctors Jodi Jones, Jason Gambrel, Trevor Rudge, Steve Grass, Doug Henry, Nicolle Choquette.
PHOTO BY DAN GWOZDZ
PHOTO BY DAN GWOZDZ
Med Class of 1957A, celebrating 55th Class Reunion (L to R): Doctors Cornelius Derksen, Sandy Fleming, Ingrida Strautmanis.
The School of Medical Rehabilitation celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a Gala Homecoming dinner attended by 200 alumni.
For Faculty of Medicine Homecoming 2012 photo gallery and other alumni news, visit www.umanitoba.ca/medicine/alumni
2013 University of Manitoba Homecoming Reconnect with fellow classmates, old friends and your alma mater at a Medicine class reunion. Many Faculty of Medicine milestone class reunions will take place over the University of Manitoba Homecoming weekend September 27-29, 2013.
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For more information about participating in any of the 2013 Medicine reunions, Dean’s Homecoming Breakfast or becoming involved in organizing your own class reunions in 2013, please contact Darcy Routledge, Alumni Affairs & Events Officer at 204-977-5650 or darcy.routledge@med.umanitoba.ca.