MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Call for Awards Nominations

Let's recognize the outstanding achievements of our colleagues and teams!

• Medical Education Publication Award
• J. Charles "Chuck" Morrison Award
• Career Development Awards:
  • Thomas J. Marrie Mentorship Award
  • Jonathan B. Meddings Clinical Innovation Award
  • Cooperation, Collaboration and Teamwork Award
• Research Awards
  • Basic Science Publication Award
  • Clinical Investigation Publication Award
  • Clinical Faculty Research Award
  • Paul W. Armstrong Excellence in Research Award
  • Translational Research Award

Please join us in welcoming the following new DoM members:

• Prashanth Komirishetty, DPS Research (grant application compliance)

• Naomi Maharaj, Assessment Specialist (Competence By Design, Learning Plans, one45)

• Shatha Sulaiman, MEPC for SOT Fellowships, UME Year 4 Clerkship, CIM Scheduling

Happy Retirement!

Congratulations to Linda Semper, MEPC for Infectious Diseases and Nephrology, on her retirement after 28 years with the U of A!  We also welcome Michelle Foley-Clarke as her successor.

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. Note: this event will be held in ECHA 2-490 this year.

• 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

Now Accepting Nominations:

• Basic Science Publication Award
• Clinical Investigation Publication Award
• Clinical Faculty Research Award
• Paul W. Armstrong Excellence in Research Award
• Translational Research Award

Join us in recognizing the extraordinary achievements of DoM members!

Nominations deadline: Monday, March 17 @ 5 p.m. MST.

Trainee Funding and Awards

Now Accepting Applications

Empower the next generation of medical researchers! This prestigious fellowship supports a Department of Medicine trainee, providing dedicated time and resources to pursue innovative basic and clinical research within the department.

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

For more Faculty or Trainee Funding
and Award Opportunities, see:

Members' Journal Publications

• Pereca, Jelizaveta, Adrian Wagg, Megan Kennedy, and Christopher Chapple. "Antibiotic therapy for treating overactive bladder is not supported by clinical evidence." Nature Reviews Urology (2025): 1-9.
   
• Cotterill, Nikki, Michael Samarinas, Angie Rantell, Caroline Selai, Salvador Arlandis, Kathryn Jones, Paul Abrams, D. Robinson, and Adrian Wagg. "Do We Have Sufficient Evidence to Derive Innovative Approaches to Assessing Unmet Need, Delivering Education on Bladder and Bowel Continence Health, and Providing a Better Environment for Joint Decision‐Making? ICI‐RS 2024." Neurourology and Urodynamics (2025).

See a complete listing of journal publications by DoM members.

DoM NEWS

Dr. Carrie Ye (Assistant Professor, Division of Rheumatology ) and a collaborative team of experts from different fields receive two research grants from CIHR to improve rheumatology care of patients (Folio)

Congratulations to Dr. Philip Halloran (Professor, Division of Nephrology) and Transcriptome Sciences Inc. on being named as one of the top 10 Canadian biotechnology companies of 2024 by Life Sciences Review! (Life Sciences Review)

• Dr. Sofia Ahmed (Professor, Division of Nephrology)
  • The Shocking Truth About Women's Health (Real Talk Ryan Jespersen)
     
• Dr. Monty Ghosh (Assistant Professor, Division of Cardiology)
  • Mandatory addiction treatment facility coming to Calgary: Smith (Livewire Calgary)
  • High Use of Canada's Overdose Response Hotline by Women (Medscape)
     
• Congratulations to Dr. Ross Mitchell (Professor, General Internal Medicine) on his accepted lecture abstract for the 2025 Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery conference in June in Berlin.
   
• Dr. Lynora Saxinger (Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases)
  • Alberta’s COVID-19 report is a dangerous affront to science and should be scrapped (Globe and Mail)
     
• Dr. Clarence Wong (Professor, Division of Gastroenterology)

  • March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month (Global News)

DoM ACCESS, COMMUNITY
AND BELONGING

Access, Community and Belonging (ACB):

Reframing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

The terminology for EDI has been rapidly evolving over the past few years. Across Canada, there are a variety of names/titles for EDI offices/positions in academic institutions. Over time, EDI terminology has adapted to be more inclusive (e.g., EDI-A, EDI-B, JEDI, etc.). As of January 1, 2025, the University of Alberta began with their rebrand of EDI. The new University of Alberta nomenclature, "Access, Community and Belonging" (ACB) was strategically chosen to shift the focus of the conversation onto the "why" of EDI. 

The words "Access, Community and Belonging" are the intended outcomes of EDI. The goal of equity is to ensure fair access to all by dismantling barriers. Diversity is not a goal, but a descriptor of representation that reflects the range of perceptions, views and lived experiences of all that a community, with a shared sense of purpose and connection, can develop. The goal of inclusive practices is to create an environment in which everyone feels seen, valued, supported, and experiences a sense of belonging.  

Although the name has changed, the purpose and intent have not. We will continue to work towards a university where everyone feels valued, connections are fostered, and barriers to success are removed!

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

HAPPENINGS IN DoM

Note: change of venue until June 30, 2025 
Classroom D - 2F1.04 WMC, University Hospital.

Or click on the links below to register on Zoom.

• Mar. 7 - Research Grand Rounds, A Framework for the Fair Pricing of Medicines, Dr. Mike Paulden, Associate Professor, School of Public Health, U of A
• Mar. 14 - Topic: Insight into MAID in our region, with Dr. Fraulein Morales, Clinical Professor, and Dr. Darren Lau, Assistant Professor, Division of General Internal Medicine, DoM, and Dr. Sunil Sookram,  Clinical Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, U of A
• Mar. 21 - MASLD: Importance of pathway to care and multidisciplinary management. Dr. Mang Ma, Professor, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, U of A
• Mar. 28 - Dr. Atul Malhotra, Vice-Chair of Medicine for Research and Research Chief, University of California San Diego.
• Apr. 4 - New Professor Series. Dr. Karen Kroeker, Professor, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, U of A

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

Join us for an inspiring and thought-provoking half-day discussion, where leading experts, researchers, and healthcare professionals come together to explore the latest breakthroughs in Alzheimer's care, treatment, and research.

Immerse yourself in a dynamic environment featuring experts in general internal medicine in adult medicine. Explore diverse topics that impact daily medical practice.

The Division of Infectious Diseases is excited to have Dr. Susan Huang speak at ID Research Day in conjunction with the Dr. Geoffrey Taylor Lectureship on Thursday, May 29.

Are you passionate about improving the lives of older adults? Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with experts, enhance your skills, and stay updated on the latest advancements in geriatric care.

Save the Date

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

• Henry G. Friesen International Prize in Health Research presentation by Dr. Gordon Guyatt, 2024 recipient: The Past, Present and Future of Evidence-Based Medicine.

  • Student lecture | Mar. 10 | 3 - 4 p.m. | ECHA L1-190 | RSVP

  • Faculty and staff lecture | Mar. 11 |12 - 1 p.m. | Corbett Hall | RSVP

• Global Health Rounds: Engaging Knowledge Users in Public Health Research Across Different Contexts -- Insights from China and Zambia
  Mar. 18 | 12 -1 p.m. | Zoom

UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA NEWS

• The Student Service Centre (SSC) is now located in University Common. The SSC provides essential services like course registration, application updates and financial support. 
   
• Emergency Preparedness. Does everyone in your office know what to do in an emergency? Have a Unit Action Plan to address active aggressors, hazardous materials spills, or evacuations.

ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES NEWS

• Virtual Town Hall with Andre Tremblay, Interim AHS President and CEO | Tuesday, Mar. 4 | 11:00 a.m. – Noon | Online (microsoft teams). A recording will be available afterwards on Insite. Staff and physicians are encouraged to send questions in advance to Info@ahs.ca.
   

• Life as a Physician: Exploring Our Experience Through Narrative Medicine | Mar. 18 | 5-7 p.m. | Online. Well Doc is offering this weekly virtual series for physician wellness hosted by Dr. Melanie Hnatiuk. A growing body of literature supports narrative-based medicine as a tool to share experiences and express emotion. In these sessions, you will be introduced to key concepts in narrative-based medicine and experience writing prose, poetry and graphic medicine. March 4 and 11 are full; however, to register for March 18, visit Eventbrite.
   

• Upcoming Medical Staff Bylaws vote information sessions. The following sessions will provide information about the proposed amendments. These are available both online and in person. The virtual sessions are:

  • Tuesday, Mar. 11, 12– 1 p.m.

  • Wednesday, Mar. 12, 12– 1 p.m.

  • Thursday, Mar. 13, 12– 1 p.m.
    
    For more information and resources, visit the AHS Medical Staff Bylaws & Rules page on Insite.
     

• Delay in Provincial Enterprise Imaging (PEI) implementation in Edmonton Zone. The PEI implementation in the Central Zone has revealed new issues in the system. Therefore, to ensure patient safety and support clinical workflows, the planned implementation of PEI in Edmonton Zone, scheduled for March 4, 2025, will be delayed. Thank you to the North and Central Zone users in advance for their continued patience as the vendor, Agfa, and AHS technical teams work to resolve these issues. 

HELPFUL SUPPORT & TIPS

• Human Resource Development Fund for Support Staff | Opens Mar. 1 for courses from Apr. 1 to Jun. 30. The HRDF allows eligible support staff to access learning opportunities (courses, workshops, seminars, in-school apprenticeship training or programs) that will:
  • enhance their capacity to perform work.
  • prepare for an expanded or different role.
     
• Puzzle Palooza | Mar. 20 | Van Vliet Centre 1-220. Socialize with a fun night of puzzle building. Teams of four will go head-to-head to see who can assemble a 1000-piece puzzle the quickest. 
   
• Plant Night | Mar. 26 | 6 - 7:30 p.m. | VVC 2-227. Escape the hustle and bustle by planting and decorating your own planter.
   
• Lifesaving Society's Intermediate First Aid with CPR-C and AED
  Apr. 12-13 | 9 - 5 p.m. | VVC 3-205
   
• Language Matters: "healthcare" or "health-care". 
  • "health care" = noun  |   "health-care" = adjective
    For example: “protecting Canadians’ health care” (noun) and
    “our health-care system” (adjective).