Chair's Blog

Imposter syndrome among women often stems from societal pressures and gender biases, leading to self-doubt despite achievements. Women may downplay their abilities, fearing exposure as frauds.

Overcoming imposter syndrome involves recognizing accomplishments, challenging negative thoughts, and fostering supportive environments to empower women in their pursuits. For those of us already in leadership roles, it also involves supporting outstanding colleagues and tapping them on the shoulder to consider applying for positions. 

Read what Dr. Verna Yiu, Provost and Vice-President (Academic) at the University of Alberta (and my personal hero) has to say about Women and Leadership.

Narmin Kassam, MD, MHPE, FRCPC, FACP
Professor and Chair, Department of Medicine

We invite you to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Department of Medicine by joining our Working Groups dedicated to each of the strategic objectives outlined in our 2024 Strategic Plan. Your insights and expertise are invaluable. Join one or more of the following Working Groups:

• Leadership Development

• Technology and Research Enhancement 

• Community Connections Enhancement (External)

• Medical Education Innovations

• Faculty Administrative Services Expectations 

• Engagement and Collaboration Culture

Research Funding and Grants Deadlines

DoM Translational Research Implementation Fund

The Department of Medicine Translational Research Implementation Fund is designed to support research to generate preliminary data or pilot data with the expectation that it would be used for future applications, particularly Tri-Council (CIHR). 

Deadline: Sunday, June 9, 2024.

Canadian Heart Function Alliance 2024 grants and awards (Mar 28). Early Career Investigator Grants Competition - supports early career investigators who are conducting unfunded research in the field of heart failure (HF) and who are members of the CHF Alliance with a grant of $25,000.

Trainee Opportunities and Awards

Now accepting abstracts 

The 2024 Me2 Majumdar Research and Quality Improvement Collaborative Day is one of the department's largest events, which showcases the research of over 90 graduate students, 30 postdoctoral fellows, and 292 residents conducted over the past year. 

Abstract deadline: Sunday, April 14, 2024

• Canadian Heart Function Alliance 2024 grants and awards (Mar 28). The Trainee Awards Competition supports students and MDs enrolled in a research fellowship who are conducting research in the field of heart failure (HF) with a supervisor who is a member of the CHF Alliance.
  ▪️ $20,000 awards for Master’s or PhD students
  ▪️ $30,000 awards for Postdoctoral students or MD enrolled in a research fellowship

• 2024 Alberta Innovates Postdoctoral Fellowships (AI PDF) Program (Mar 20).
  ▪️ $70,000 per year for up to two years
   
• WCHRI 2024 Graduate Studentship Grant (Mar 15).
  ▪️ $18,000 per year for up to two years

Many more grants and sources of funding opportunities are listed on the Research News and Funding web page.  

Members' Research Publications

• Gramlich, Leah (co-author), Feb-24. Development of the Pediatric Integrated Nutrition Pathway for Acute Care (P-INPAC) using a modified Delphi technique. APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY NUTRITION AND METABOLISM. Journal Article
   
• Lazarescu, Adriana (co-author), Jan-24. Quality Indicator Development for the Approach to Ineffective Esophageal Motility: A Modified Delphi Study. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL GASTROENTEROLOGY. Journal Article
   
• Madsen, Karen (corresponding author), Feb-24. Effects of dietary fibre on metabolic health and obesity. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology. Review Article

See DoM Publications for a complete list of all our division members' research in peer-reviewed journals.

• Congratulations to Dr. Vince Bain (Professor, Division of Gastroenterology) on receiving the 2024 Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver Education Excellence Award. 
   
• During the pandemic, healthcare workers have been at an increased risk for mental distress such as anxiety and depression, as well as the SARS-CoV-2 infection, according to new research by Dr. Nicola Cherry (Professor Emeritus, Division of Preventive Medicine). (Medscape Medical News)
   
• A team led by Dr. Joel Dacks (Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases) identified a protein named ArlX3 that is critical in the formation of micronemes and rhoptries, unique organelles in the parasite. This finding could pave the way for new therapeutic strategies against toxoplasmosis. (Medriva) 
   
• Donor generosity and the Cardiovascular Research Institute (CVRI) are reducing the number of in-person appointments needed for children with heart conditions living in remote locations. Dr. Justin Ezekowitz (Professor, Division of Cardiology and CVRI Director) says it will also improve access for all people wanting to improve their heart health. (Give to the U of A) 
   
• Dr. Giovanni Ferrara (Professor, Division of Pulmonary Medicine) is leveraging Health Gauge's Phoenix smart watch to generate health biometrics for patients with various respiratory diseases to improve their outcomes. (Stockhouse News)
   
• Congratulations to Dr. Constantine (Dean) Karvellas (Professor, Division of Gastroenterology) on receiving the 2024 Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver Visiting Professorship Award.
   
• Congratulations to Dr. Walter Maksymowych (Professor, Division of Rheumatology) on receiving $750,000 from the Alberta Innovates Accelerating Innovations into CarE (AICE) – Concepts for his research, "Metabolomics precision diagnostics and prognostics for chronic inflammatory arthritis". (Folio)
   
• Congratulations to Dr. Mo Osman, whose research is named among the top by the Arthritis Society Canada.
   
• For a variety of reasons, home blood pressure testing may be more reflective of your ordinary day. Dr. Raj Padwal (Professor, Division of General Internal Medicine) says that he generally doesn’t ask for in-clinic blood pressure readings for his patients “because 50 percent of the time they’re inaccurate.” (Washington Post)
   
• Dr. Lynora Saxinger (Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases) notes that this flu season, Alberta is seeing a high hospital burden, high number of deaths, and a lot of cases among the 18 to 65 years group. (CTV News)
   
• Congratulations to Dr. Dalton Sholter (Associate Clinical Professor, Division of Rheumatology) on receiving the 2024 Canadian Association for Medicine Education Certificate of Merit Award.

On Being an Ally

Being an ally requires commitment and work. To be an ally is to acknowledge one’s privilege and to advocate for those with less privilege. The goal is to break down systems that challenge the values of equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism. Allyship is not passive — it is an active process that involves intentional learning, unlearning, and re-evaluation. It is the recognition of social and cultural injustice and the active pursuit of social justice. 

Being an ally can be uncomfortable. An ally will surely make mistakes, but they acknowledge their mistakes, apologize, and vow to do better next time. Allies promote their colleagues, foster trust, and seek out ways to transfer their power and privilege to those who lack it. 

Dr. Aimee Bouka says it best: to be an ally is to “look for the most oppressed and marginalized in the room. Guaranteeing their voice and freedom benefits everyone.”  

Dr. Lindsay Bridgland, Director of EDI Working Group, DoM

Register before March 10 to be entered into a draw!

Enhance your practice with Dr. Cheryl Laratta's insights on the approach to sleep apnea. Join Dr. Ling Ling to explore common allergy presentations in primary care. Or dive into clinical pearls on movement disorders with Dr. Richard Camicioli. Read about the many more sessions being offered.

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

• FoMD Impact Report 2022-2023:
  • FoMD is ranked 5th in Canada.
  • U of A is ranked 91st in the world and 4th in Canada.
  • FoMD has been featured in over 2,000 news articles with a potential reach of 186 million people.
     
• Alberta Transplant Institute Research Day (May 15). This year's keynote speaker is 
  Dr. Marie-Josée Hébert, Professor of Nephrology, University of Montreal and
  Chair of CIHR Governing Council.
   
• Crucial Conversations (May 1 - 29, weekly). Healthcare providers tend to struggle to confront their peers when they see errors being made or issues that impact team morale and quality of care for patients. These conversations are high stakes and often difficult to initiate. Learn more at this Lifelong Learning workshop.

• Upcoming Faculty Development Workshops - visit the FoMD calendar.

• 2024 Northwest SPOR Collaborative Forum on Patient-Oriented Research (May 23 & 24). This year’s theme is Reflect, Reimagine, Refresh: The Future of POR, which aligns with CIHR's National Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research Refresh.
   
• Moodle (eClass) will be replaced by Canvas by Instructure beginning March 2024. Spring and Summer 2024 courses will not be impacted.
   
• If you are participating in the Recruitment Pilot by Shared Services and HR Health Safety & Environment (HRHSE), they have developed a Recruitment Pilot Reference Guide. The guide provides an overview of the program, clarity on roles and responsibilities, and a list of services that are available to assist you with your hiring needs. 

• New Virtual Fee Codes Billing Tip. Enhancements were made to virtual health service codes 03.08IV and 03.03FT.
   

• Updates from the Edmonton Zone Medical Director (February 29, 2024). 

• Read the March 2024 MD Culture Shift, an AHS publication created by physicians for physicians. 

Support Resources: 

• Wellness4MDs Program. For physicians, postgraduate medical trainees and medical students in Canada. Text "WELLMD" to 1-855-947-4673 to subscribe to receive free daily cognitive behavioural therapy-based support text messages and mental health literacy information. For more information, email vn602367@dal.ca.
   
• Free new U of A workplace wellness program: Bright Breaks. It suggests 7-min breaks in your calendar. Choose from 300 virtual breaks with educators inviting you to move, breathe, stretch, learn, and eat well. Create your account using your UAlberta email address.
   
• Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) is now available for learning opportunities between Apr 1 and Jun 30.
   
• Drop-in chat about EDI. Vice-Provost (Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) Carrie Smith is hosting virtual drop-in coffee chats every Monday until Mar 25, to ask questions, raise concerns and chat about all things EDI.