- Ramadan and Eid Mubarak
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We need your input! Fill out our strategic planning survey
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Take a look at the important dates happening in our community
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Read about Rheumatology's collaboration with primary care and their commitment to development in our annual report highlight
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Congratulations to Drs. Lori Connors, Joffre Munro, Sanja Stanojevic, Graeme Rocker, and Travis Carpenter
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Sign up for Research, Innovation, and Quality Day - April 10
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Did you know Nick Stylianou, DoM Data Manager, is a skilled dancer?
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Deadlines, events, and an opportunity to support a great cause
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The "Short" Report from Dr. Christine Short | |
Ramadan and Eid Mubarak 🌙 | |
Ramadan (February 28 - March 29) and Eid al-Fitr (March 29-30)
Ramadan, the holiest month in Islam, is currently being observed by Muslims worldwide. It is a time of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. The month concludes with Eid al-Fitr, the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” a joyous celebration marked by communal prayers, feasting, and acts of charity.
To all who are celebrating, Ramadan and Eid Mubarak! – a greeting that means “Blessed Ramadan and Eid.” May you continue to have peace and happiness now and throughout the year.
Learn more about Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr:
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We Need your Input! DoM Strategic Planning | |
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Calling all DoM Members: Fill out our Survey to Help Shape the Future of the Department of Medicine
The Department of Medicine’s Forward Together strategic plan has guided us over the past five years. As we look ahead, we are updating our plan to shape the next five years – and your input is essential.
We invite all department members to complete our anonymous strategic planning survey to share your perspectives, priorities, and ideas. Your feedback will help ensure the updated plan reflects our collective vision and the needs of our faculty, staff, and learners.
📢 Please remember: Your responses are anonymous, and you must click “Submit Survey” at the bottom of the form for them to be recorded.
🔗 Take the survey here, or scan the QR code to the right.
Thank you for taking the time to contribute – your voice matters!
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World Delirium Awareness Day, March 12
Delirium is a significant threat to Nova Scotians’ independence and quality of life. More than 1 in 5 Nova Scotians in hospital screen positive for delirium on any given day.
Delirium is associated with accelerated cognitive and functional decline, increased rates of nursing home placement and mortality as well as longer hospital stays. Delirium can be a MEDICAL EMERGENCY, and early diagnoses and treatment offer the best chance of recovery. Delirium is largely under-recognized and under-managed.
To shine a light on this important issue, volunteers are conducting delirium assessments on patients at select hospitals across the province from March 3 - 7. This is the first year all zones are participating in this annual
event coordinated by the Frailty and Elder Care Network.
Learn more about how to recognize delirium here.
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Read the Latest Highlight from Foundations for Success, our 2023-24 Annual Report
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Learning and Development in Rheumatology
The Division of Rheumatology’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Day is an excellent example of our department’s commitment to ongoing learning and development for primary care practitioners. The event aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of healthcare providers in managing musculoskeletal and rheumatic diseases, and ultimately improve patient care across Nova Scotia.
Dr. Trudy Taylor is always struck by the commitment of division members delivering this important event. She notes that “every member of the Division volunteers their time to either present a didactic lecture or lead a small group learning session...”
Read the full story on page 19 of our report!
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We are proud of all our department members who have been recently recognized for their work and appointed to new, exciting roles. Here are a few highlights! | |
Dr. Lori Connors Appointed Associate Dean, Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education (CPDME) | |
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We are pleased to share that Dr. Lori Connors has been appointed Associate Dean, Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education (CPDME) for a five-year term, effective April 1, 2025.
An associate professor in the Department of Medicine and physician in the Division of General Internal Medicine, Dr. Connors brings extensive experience in medical education, mentorship, and professional development.
A Dalhousie alumna, she completed her medical degree and internal medicine residency here before specializing in clinical immunology and allergy at McMaster. She has since served as a program director, communication skills lead, and past chair of CPD for the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Dr. Connors has been recognized with several awards, including the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for her community service during the COVID-19 pandemic. In her new role, she will provide academic and administrative leadership for CPDME, advancing professional development and medical education across the Maritimes.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Connors on this well-deserved appointment!
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Dr. Joffre Munro Appointed Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME), Clerkship | |
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We are also delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Joffre Munro as Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME), Clerkship, for a five-year term, effective March 1, 2025.
An assistant professor in the Department of Medicine and General Internal Medicine physician, Dr. Munro has been deeply involved in medical education and mentorship at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. A graduate of the University of Alberta, he completed his internal medicine and general internal medicine residencies at Dalhousie, where he has since held several key leadership roles in medical education. Most recently, he served as associate program director for the core internal medicine residency program and assistant internal medicine clerkship director at Dalhousie Medical School.
Recognized for his collegiality, mentorship, and excellence in clinical teaching, Dr. Munro has received numerous awards, including the Department of Medicine’s Excellence in Medical Education Award (2024). In his new role, he will oversee the clerkship curriculum, ensuring it meets accreditation standards, supports student success, and maintains curriculum comparability across sites.
Congratulations Dr. Munro on this exciting new appointment!
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Drs. Sanja Stanojevic and Graeme Walker Awarded King Charles III Coronation Medals for their Significant Contributions | |
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Two members of the Division of Respirology (one current and one former) have been awarded King Charles III Coronation Medals, presented to those who have made a significant contribution to Canada, or a province, territory, region or community of Canada, or achieved excellence abroad that brings credit to Canada.
Dr. Sanja Stanojevic, PhD (pictured left) – Associate Professor, cross appointed in Division of Respirology, DoM and Department of Community Health & Epidemiology at Dalhousie University – was awarded for establishing and disseminating "standards on interpreting lung function testing. Dr. Stanojevic's work is facilitating access to and the use of large data sets across international respiratory research communities to improve population-level and individual testing, diagnosis and management of lung disease.”
Dr. Graeme Rocker (pictured right) – former Head, Division of Respirology, and former medical co-lead for the provincial INSPIRED program – was awarded for his work "developing the INSPIRED program, which improves care and outcomes for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and their families by providing in-home education and support. He is also a leader and advocate for advance care planning and improving end-of-life care.”
A virtual celebration of the awards will take place later this month. Learn more at the following links, and congratulations Drs. Stanojevic and Rocker!
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Introducing General Internal Medicine's New Division Head | |
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Welcome, Dr. Travis Carpenter!
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Travis Carpenter as the Division Head for General Internal Medicine within the Department of Medicine.
Dr. Carpenter, originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, completed his undergraduate degree at Dalhousie University, followed by medical degree at the University of Alberta, residency and fellowship at the University of Toronto, and Master of Public Health at the Harvard Chan School.
Dr. Carpenter joined the Division of General Internal Medicine at Dalhousie University/Nova Scotia Health in January 2025, coming from the University of Toronto and Unity Health Toronto's St. Joseph's Health Centre.
His non-clinical interests have focused on health quality and health policy. He is the Chair of the Health Policy Committee at the Ontario Medical Association and serves as a Research Fellow with the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy.
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Dr. Amy Trottier: Understanding and answering why some people get
blood cancers
Dr. Amy Trottier of the Division of Hematology spoke to Nova Scotia Health recently about her cancer risk clinic, currently the only clinic of its kind in Canada:
" 'I want to be able to answer ‘the why’ for patients: ‘Why did I get this cancer? Is it something I could be passing on to my children?’ We’ve been taught that the answer is no; blood cancers are not hereditary, but we know now, from research, that some are.'
Amy explains the value of this translational research - from clinic to lab and back to clinic - is that you don’t have to wait years to see the impact or to implement findings. A patient who has been assessed as being at risk of having a hereditary blood cancer can be offered the opportunity for genetic testing. Results have the potential to inform their treatment going forward, answer questions and provide important information for family members..."
Read the full article here.
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Join us! DoM’s Inaugural Research, Innovation, and Quality Day – April 10 | |
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Join us on April 10 for our first-ever Research, Innovation, and Quality Day, highlighting department members' unique and overlapping contributions and collaborations across these three areas.
📅 When: April 10, 12:00 pm - 4:30 pm
📍 Location:
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In person: McInnes Room, Dalhousie University
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Online: MS Teams
This year’s theme, “Research, Innovation, and Quality Improvement: Synergies and Collaborations,” will underscore the powerful ways these fields intersect to enhance patient care.
For researchers and physicians in the Department of Medicine, this is a prime opportunity to:
- Learn from the DoM's latest research and quality improvement initiatives
- Expand your methodologies and skills
- Build valuable professional connections for future collaborations
A key highlight of the event will be the recognition of excellence through the Research Staff Excellence Award and the new Quality Staff Excellence Award. Don't miss it!
🔗 Sign up here:
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Research Reminder
Dalhousie is a member of the Canadian Research Knowledge Network. Look up what journals have Open Access Publishing Fees covered through the network here:
https://www.crkn-rcdr.ca/en/open-access
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Staff Highlight (Did you Know?) | |
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Nick Stylianou joined the Department of Medicine in August 2024 as Data Manager/Senior Systems Analyst. He's the Department's go-to person for data and analytics, but you may be surprised to learn that, outside of work, he is an avid (and excellent!) dancer.
We asked Nick about his work and passion recently. Read our conversation below, and while you're at it, check out this video featuring a dance showcase he performed with his team.
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Tell us about your work as a data manager – what spurred you toward a career in data management and analytics?
I just enjoy the fact that with data there’s a right or wrong answer to everything. I kind of fell into data by accident but it turns out I was quite good at it because my analytical brain liked the way everything followed a process.
We heard that one of your passions outside of work is dancing. How long have you been a dancer, and what kind of dancing do you enjoy most?
I’ve been dancing since Apr 2017 and I enjoy Commercial/Fusion & Vogue Femme the most.
[Learn more about these styles and their origins here: Contemporary Fusion and What is Vogue Dance]
Your career and your passion are quite different from one another! Would you say the arts and creativity influence your professional life? How so?
I wouldn’t say one influences the other. I think it’s nice for me to use the very analytical side of my brain at work and then I get to flex my creative muscles on the dance floor outside of work, so I have the best of both worlds. I will say my experience as an analyst definitely helps with picking up and remembering choreography as it essentially is a set of instructions but for my body instead of my brain.
In addition to your love of dancing, what’s something about you – either professionally or personally – that might surprise your colleagues?
I’m a singer/songwriter - and I’ve been going to the studio to start recording my original music since moving to Halifax. Stay tuned for Nick Stylianou radio, haha.
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March 14 - Faculty of Medicine Award Nominations
The Faculty of Medicine invites nominations for awards that recognize outstanding contributions to education and teaching, community service, medical research, and continuing medication education.
Nominations are due March 14.
Learn more here: Awards - Faculty of Medicine - Dalhousie University
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March 14 - Expressions of Interest for Faculty of Medicine Committees
The Faculty of Medicine seeking expressions of interest from faculty members for upcoming vacancies (July 1, 2025) on the following standing committees of the Faculty of Medicine:
- Faculty Council
- Admissions Committee
- Social Accountability Committee
- Research Advisory Committee
- Health Sciences Library Committee
- Faculty Awards Committee
- UGME Curriculum Committee
- Progress Committee
- Nominating Committee
- Faculty Appeals Committee
- Promotion Committee (Continuing Appointment/Clinical)
Faculty Council strongly encourages all faculty members to consider serving on these committees. Active participation by all faculty in the governance of the Faculty of Medicine is essential.
Terms of reference are available here.
Interested faculty members are asked to submit a brief statement using the form below, indicating:
- on which committee/s you'd prefer to serve
- a statement of interest; and
- at your discretion, whether you identify as a member of an equity-deserving group*. Please note that this information will remain confidential to the nominating committee and will only be used for the purposes of ensuring diverse representation on these committees.
If you are currently serving and your term is scheduled to end, please let us know if you'd be interested in re-offering.
Click here submit your expression of interest by March 14.
If you have any questions about these committees, please contact Megan.Dixon@Dal.ca.
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April 7 - Academic Promotions & Career Paths Information Session
Would you like to learn more about academic promotions and career paths? Join Dr. Ali Imran, Promotions Committee Chair, for an information session on the process and key considerations.
Date: April 7, 2025
Time: 12:00–1:00 pm
Location: Halifax
This session is open to all Department of Medicine members, regardless of current promotion eligibility. A recording will be available for those unable to attend.
For the meeting link/connection info, contact: Heather Fraser at heather.fraser@nshealth.ca
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May 31 - Departmental Deadline for Academic Promotion Applications
The Department of Medicine is now accepting faculty applications for academic promotion to be considered in the 2025-26 academic year.
The departmental deadline for application submission is May 31, 2025. Information about the application process will be distributed to faculty with continuing academic appointments via email – please contact Heather.Fraser@nshealth.ca if you have any questions about the process or application document requirements.
More information about promotions at Dalhousie University can be found at: https://medicine.dal.ca/for-faculty-staff/promotion_tenure.html
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Latest Learning Opportunities | |
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2SLGBTQIA+ 2025 Affirming Care Conference – March 18-20
prideHealth, in partnership with Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health, invites healthcare professionals to the annual 2025 2SLGBTQIA+ Affirming Care Conference. This event brings together physicians, clinicians, researchers, and advocates to share best practices, lived experiences, and strategies for delivering culturally safe healthcare to 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and communities.
This year's conference is taking place virtually from March 18-20, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. To register, and to learn more, visit NSH's Physician Health and Wellness Portal.
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QEII Halifax Infirmary Expansion Project – Staff Update
On November 19, the Government of Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Health announced the financial and commercial close for the QEII Halifax Infirmary Expansion Project (HIEP). To provide updates, Nova Scotia Health and Build NS hosted a staff information session on February 25.
For those who couldn’t attend due to busy clinical schedules, the session was recorded and is available to watch here: Nova Scotia Health Staff Event.
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Canadian-Made Keepsakes that Directly Help Persons with Developmental Disabilities
Under One Roof is a project of the Ottawa-Carleton Association for Persons with Developmental Disabilities. They make beautiful pins and brooches from the original copper that covered the roofs of Canada's Parliament Buildings from 1918 to 1996.
Wear a piece of Canadian (and Ottawa) history and support Canadian-made products. Every item they make was crafted with the participation of persons with developmental disabilities, and all proceeds from the project directly benefit the Association's developmentally disabled clients.
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Quick Reference / Recurring Content | |
Mental Health & Well-Being | |
When you take care of yourself, you take care of others. | |
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We Teach, Research, and Serve our patients on Mi’kmaw territory, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people. The people of the Mi’kmaw Nation have lived on this territory for millennia, and we acknowledge them as the past, present, and future caretakers of this land. We are all Treaty people.
We recognize that African Nova Scotians are a distinct people whose histories, legacies, and contributions have enriched that part of Mi’kma’ki known as Nova Scotia for over 400 years.
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