WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

100-Year Legacy Report: Extended Version

On November 1, 2024 we celebrated 100 years of the Department of Medicine by showcasing remarkable achievements and milestones over the century. From groundbreaking research to educational innovations to transformative patient-care initiatives, we honoured the collective contributions that have shaped our department's legacy of excellence.

Celebrating 35 Years of Dedication and Leadership

JOIN US on Saturday, January 18 as we honour Doris Kurtz for her incredible 35+ years of service to the Department of Medicine's Medical Education. Doris has been a cornerstone of the medical education program, mentoring generations of residents and contributing to the growth and success of countless individuals. Ticket sales end this Friday.

SUBMIT A VIDEO CLIP (30 seconds) to create a lasting tribute, reflecting on her impact or offering your congratulations.

Please join us in welcoming the following new academic DoM member:

• Dr. Jalal Moolji, Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary Medicine

Welcome to the DEC Library: Take a Book, Leave a Book!
Do you love books? Great! We’ve created this little book nook just for you. Share what you’ve already read and discover something new. Read more about it here! 

DoM RESEARCH

Research News

• 2025 Me2 Majumdar Research and Quality Improvement Day: May 15. This flagship event of the Department of Medicine highlights the outstanding research conducted over the past year by more than 90 graduate students, 30 postdoctoral fellows, and 290 residents. Abstract submissions will open on March 1.
   
• The 2025 FoMD Undergraduate Summer Students’ Research Projects Database is NOW OPEN. Post your summer research positions of two, three or four months between May to August. Questions? Email Nicole Kosturic.

Faculty Funding and Awards

1. CIHR Project Grant: Spring 2025. Registration Deadline: Feb. 5
   RAS Full Application Deadline: Feb. 21; Sponsor: Mar. 5

For more Research events, awards, and funding opportunities, see:

1. DoM Research Events calendar (postings in green)

2. RAS Calendar

Trainee Funding and Awards

1. 2025 Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Postdoctoral Fellowships and Grant Notley Memorial Postdoctoral Fellowship 
   Internal DoM: Jan 19 to domreas@ualberta.ca. Value: Killam $45,000 per year (up to two years); Notley $46,000 per year (up to two years)

2. TD Bank Financial Group Grant for Health Sciences Interdisciplinary Research Fund Awards: Feb.7. Value: four (4) $10,000 awards.

3. Heart and Stroke Personnel Awards for Black and Indigenous Scholar: Mar. 20. Value: Masters up to $54,000 (over two years); PhD up to $120,000 (over 3 years).

DoM NEWS

Congratulations to RaeAnne Barkhouse (Academic Divisional Administrator, DoM) for receiving the U of A's Support Staff Recognition Award at the 2024 Celebration of Service and Recognition Awards, held in November 2024. 

Thank you to our 14 DoM members for their many years of service. 

Each year, the university hosts the Celebration of Service to recognize faculty and staff.

This year, we congratulate the above DoM members on attaining significant milestones of 25, 30, and 35 years of service.

• Dr. Lynora Saxinger (Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases)
  • How concerned should I be about avian flu? - Transcript (CBC Radio) 
  • H5N1. Ozempic. Toxic drugs. Here are the health stories we're watching in 2025 (CBC News)
• Congratulations to DoM resident Jaclyn Shelton for receiving the Mant Award for Hematology for 2024 (The Hematology Resident Research Award) for her paper: Predictors of diagnostic delays and loss to follow-up in women with von Willebrand disease: a single-centre retrospective cohort study. Her supervisor was Dr. Linda Sun (Associate Professor, Division of Hematology).
   
• Dr. Ameeta Singh (Clinical Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases)
  • MedMira receives Health Canada approval for its Multiplo(R) Rapid (TP/HIV) Test for Syphilis and HIV (MedMira)
• Dr. Carrie Ye (Assistant Professor, Division of Rheumatology)
  • Fractures occurring at any time in adulthood tied to risk for future fractures (Healio)
• Interested in crossword puzzles? The Department of Medicine is in The Quad's A year in review: 2024 U of A crossword.

DoM EQUITY, DIVERSITY
AND INCLUSION

Microaggressions:

What are they and why do they matter?

Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional comments, behaviours or actions that convey discriminatory or negative attitudes against historically marginalized groups (e.g., women, people living with disabilities, racialized individuals, trans/queer people). Although microaggressions typically stem from unconscious or subconscious thought, they are designed to take power away from the target group or to maintain the power of the person who is represented in the dominant culture. 

The prefix "micro" implies that microaggressions are small and insignificant. It minimizes the significant harm that microaggressions cause. In addition,  microaggressions reinforce social inequalities and perpetuate stereotypes and biases. Over time, microaggressions affect the mental health and well being of individuals from marginalized groups. 

The short video below describes how microaggressions are like mosquito bites. Mosquito bites are small, but if you start to experience them often, they can become annoying, painful and distressing.   

Next month, we will share more examples of microaggressions and explore ways to address them. Stay tuned!

Dr. Lindsay Bridgland, Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, DoM

Read other EDI definitions and topics on the DoM EDI site.

HAPPENINGS IN DoM

Join us for a one-day educational event tailored to primary care physicians seeking to enhance their understanding of obstetric medicine.

This one-day event will provide physicians and healthcare professionals with the latest in Diabetes and an approach to common Endocrine problems. 

Join us in person for a one-day event that is an unparalleled opportunity to elevate your practice through cutting-edge insights and networking with healthcare leaders.

Join us for coffee in person at 2-191 Clinical Sciences Building.

Or click on the links below to register on Zoom.

• Jan. 10  - Department of Medicine Strategic Plan Update, Dr. Narmin Kassam, Professor and Chair, Department of Medicine, U of A
• Jan. 17 - Research Grand Rounds, Dr. Lara Mahal, Professor of Chemistry, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Glycomics, Founding Director of the Glycomics Institute of Alberta
• Jan. 24 - Topic: Opioid use disorder and new policies. Dr. Jessica Kirkwood, Assistant Professor, University of Alberta, Family Physician, Radius Community Health and Healing​; and Dr. Tally Mogus, Addiction Recovery and Community Health (ARCH)
• Jan. 31  - Topic TBA, Dr. Saumya Jayakumar, Associate Professor, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, U of A
• Feb. 7 - FoMD Chair's Review Vision Presentation for the Department of Medicine, Dr. Narmin Kassam, Professor and Chair, Department of Medicine

Missed the Resident Skits at the Holiday MGR in December? Watch the video here. 

Want to see more events?  Visit the DoM Events web page to see what else is upcoming.

Anything to share?

If you have news or information to share with the department, submit your announcement below, and we'll help spread the word!

FACULTY OF MEDICINE & DENTISTRY

• Connect Care for Research Workshop: Maximizing Health Date
  January 28 | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Lister Hall
  Learn how to best leverage Alberta's health data for research at this day-long workshop hosted by the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry. Speakers include Connect Care experts from Alberta Health Services, ABSPORU and the University of Alberta. This is an opportunity to explore successful research projects, data customizations, and more.
  See the agenda and speaker list here! 
  Space is limited, registration required. 

• Global Health Rounds: Advancing Health Research and Care in Urabá, Colombia-Strengthening Capacities in Mental Health, Infectious Diseases, Sexual and Reproductive Health, and Trauma 
  Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, 12 - 12:50 pm MST, Zoom
  More info & register here
  This presentation builds on the foundational work conducted by Dr. Amanda Maestre and Dr. Stephanie Yanow on gestational malaria in Córdoba, highlighting its significance in advancing health research and care in northern Colombia.

UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA NEWS

• University of Alberta ranks among world's top 60 according to the 2025 QS Sustainability Rankings released Dec. 11, for its efforts toward sustainability — both on our campuses and around the world. We ranked 58th globally and fifth in Canada, with especially strong showings in the categories of environmental education (25th worldwide), environmental research (tied for 30th) and social impact (tied for 33rd). 

• The U of A is initiating a project to replace the Universiade Pavilion Envelope, commonly known as the Butterdome. The renewal will transform the facility to be more energy efficient and resilient, while addressing issues of leaking and rust and eliminate the risk of falling snow and ice during the winter.

• Launch of "Using Artificial Intelligence at the U of A" webpage - The site's goal is to provide a central area for sharing AI-related information and resources for the U of A community, including the draft Framework for Responsible & Ethical Use of AI at the U of A.

• Reduce your Google Workspace storage: by Jan. 31. All Google Workspace users must reduce their storage across Gmail, Drive and Photos by Jan. 31 due to the discontinuation of unlimited storage by Google.

ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES NEWS

• Novel therapy uses viruses to combat resistant infection. A 75-year-old, Calgary-area man has become the first in Western Canada to have an antimicrobial-resistant infection in his prosthetic hip joint treated with bacteriophages – using viruses to kill bacteria.

HELPFUL SUPPORT & TIPS

• New Year, New Free Trial Classes: Jan. 6-10. Always wanted to sample salsa? Thinking about taking tai chi? New Year Trial week is your chance to try a campus trial class at no cost. 
   
• Fun events with Campus & Community Recreation: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tournament, Pond Hockey Tournament, Intro to Circus Arts (juggling, trapeze, aerial loops).
   
• One Year Free Membership at University Club for alumni. Did you know U of A alumni get a free one-year membership at the University Club? Sign up and start enjoying nights out in the bar or dining in the restaurant.