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Celebrate stories and storytelling with us for this year's Mi'kmaw History Month
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Read the latest updates on the Department's Strategic Plan Renewal and find out how to get involved
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Listen to the latest episode of Clinical Currents, the Department's new CPD podcast!
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Read about two DoM residents, Drs. Ayla Raabis and Marihan Farid, making big impacts in their practice and research
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Read the latest on the QEII re-development project from Dr. Christine Short in "DoM in the News"
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Check out our spotlight on a practice-changing study in Hematology
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Read about Nephrology's advancement of gender equity in kidney transplantation
- And more!
| | The "Short" Report from Dr. Christine Short | | |
Welcome to our October newsletter!
This month is Mi’kmaw History Month. Treaty Day, October 1st, marked the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court of Canada’s confirmation of the validity of the 1752 Peace and Friendship Treaties, reminding us that these agreements are not historical artifacts but living commitments.
I like to use this month to be intentional about expanding my knowledge of the Mi’kmaq people and Mi’kma’ki. This year, the opportunity landed right in my lap when I signed up to tutor for Med I Professional Competencies (Pro Comp). Our cases, which included Indigenous health and the complex Canadian health system, were tremendous learning opportunities for me to read and understand more about truth and reconciliation and the treaties. The cases really promoted reflection on equity in the health care system and the many different experiences Indigenous people may encounter. The Med I students in my group are incredible and I learned more from them than they learned from me (thanks, group!).
One of the most powerful documents I had time to read and reflect on was the Recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action (2015). It made me really think about what it means to be Treaty People and the importance of what land acknowledgements call us to do. As Treaty People, they call us to move beyond words toward actions that help change lived experiences for the better.
To honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, our central administration team came together for a group photo wearing “Every Child Matters” shirts – a small act of solidarity and a visible reminder that reconciliation requires acknowledging painful truths and committing to change. The phrase honours the children who never returned home from residential schools, and those who continue to live with the intergenerational impacts of that legacy. To learn more, visit Every Child Matters: The Origin of Orange Shirt Day.
I’d also like to take a moment to thank everyone who has contributed to the Department of Medicine’s Strategic Plan Renewal process so far. In the coming weeks, we’ll be hosting open houses, meetings, and conversations across the Department, and I encourage everyone to take part in as many ways as you can. You can find more details in our Strategic Plan Renewal segment this month.
Finally, if you haven’t yet tuned in to our new CPD podcast, Clinical Currents, I highly recommend giving it a listen. It’s a valuable professional development resource, and the latest episode is a fantastic conversation about teaching, learning, and mentorship that reflects the best of what our Department has to offer.
Thank you all for continuing to meet every day with curiosity, compassion, and a willingness to learn.
Warmly,
Christine
Christine Short, MD, FRCP(C), FACP
Professor & Head/Chief, Department of Medicine
Dalhousie University / Central Zone, Nova Scotia Health
| | Click this image to see the poster in full size. | | |
Mi’kmaw History Month 2025: A’tukwemk aq A’tukowinu’k – Storytelling and Storytellers
As Christine notes in her Short Report, allyship begins with learning. This year’s Mi’kmaw History Month offers meaningful ways to connect with Mi’kmaw stories and storytellers.
Each October, Mi’kmaw History Month invites Nova Scotians to learn about and celebrate Mi’kmaw culture, history, and contributions. The 2025 theme honours the power of stories in Mi’kma’kik – oral histories and cultural treasures shaped by the land and waters, and cherished by generations.
“Mi’kmaw stories carry laughter, teaching, and truth. When they’re told, something bigger than the story comes to life,” says Tim Bernard, Executive Director of the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre and Chair of the Mi’kmaw History Month Committee.
Learn more:
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Ongoing Dates to Know
While we would like to recognize all dates, weeks, and months that are important for our wider community, our selections are only a fraction of the many that are deserving of our attention and acknowledgement.
To stay up to date, we encourage you to review the following calendars regularly:
If you have suggestions for particular dates you'd like us to mention, let us know! Email Candice at candice.albright@nshealth.ca with your ideas.
| | | DoM Strategic Plan Renewal: Updates and Next Steps | | |
Renewing our Strategic Plan
As you may know, the Department of Medicine is renewing our strategic plan to build on past successes and steer us into the next five years.
- We’re focusing on wellness, inclusivity, and excellence across all areas of our work.
- We've been making steady progress since we began this work in spring of 2024, but we've extended our timeline to allow for even more thoughtful, inclusive engagement.
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We want to hear from you! Your insights will directly shape the plan and how we apply it – read ahead for ways to get involved.
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Highlights from October 9 Executive Retreat
Department leaders and division heads recently gathered to explore how to turn strategy into action.
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The group focused on advancing wellness and fostering conditions where people can thrive.
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Concrete, actionable ideas emerged that will help strengthen wellness across the department.
- The retreat set an inspiring tone for the next phase of planning.
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Celebrating Our Shared Progress
We've developed a summary of achievements from our 2020-24 Strategic Plan to show how far we’ve come, and we encourage you to read it!
- It showcases key wins across clinical care, education, research, and administration.
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The document will soon be available on our department SharePoint site, along with other planning materials to help you stay engaged and informed.
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Get Involved
There are many ways to lend your voice and share your ideas:
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Join facilitated discussions in division or team meetings – ask your supervisor for dates, times, and preparation materials.
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Participate in individual interviews – contact Nicole Chiasson to schedule yours.
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Attend an open house – drop in anytime, no registration required!
Open House Dates
- Nov 17: 8:00-11:30 am & 1:00-4:30 pm @ Weather Watch
- Nov 21: 8:00-11:30 am @ VMB
- Nov 24: 8:00-11:30 am @ VMB
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Looking Ahead
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All voices and perspectives matter. We invite every member of the Department to share your thoughts and experiences – your input will directly shape the future direction of the DoM.
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Stay tuned for regular updates through newsletters, department meetings, leadership messages, and SharePoint.
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Together, we’re building a plan for an inclusive, supportive, and thriving future in the Department of Medicine.
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New Episode! Clinical Currents - A DoM Podcast
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Teaching Pearls in Medical Education: Insights from Dr. Trudy Taylor
Following last month’s launch of the Clinical Currents podcast, we’re excited to share our first full episode!
Hosts Dr. Meredith Chiasson and Dr. Peter Gregory talk with Dr. Trudy Taylor about what makes great teaching memorable – from sharing “teaching pearls” in busy clinical settings to involving patients and mentoring future physicians.
Each episode can be claimed for 0.5 hours of Section 2 MOC credit.
🎧 Listen now at Clinical Currents or wherever you get your podcasts.
| | This segment is dedicated to recognizing department members for their recent awards, appointments, and exciting opportunities – just a few among the many who are meaningfully contributing to the Department of Medicine and Canadian healthcare. | | |
Congratulations to Dr. Ayla Raabis, Killam Scholarship and Samuel R. McLaughlin Fellowship Recipient
Congratulations to Dr. Ayla Raabis, recipient of two prestigious honours from Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine for the 2025-2026 academic year – the Killam Scholarship and the Samuel R. McLaughlin Fellowship.
Dr. Raabis, a DoM resident, was recognized for her exceptional academic performance, clinical excellence, and contributions to postgraduate medical education. These awards will support her participation in the Clinician Investigator Program (CIP) as she completes the second and final year of her Master of Health Science in Bioethics at the University of Toronto and continues her research under the supervision of Drs. Tim Holland and Christy Simpson from Dalhousie’s Department of Bioethics.
“I am so grateful for the opportunities the department has provided for me to take on this academic work,” says Dr. Raabis. “These awards will support my participation in CIP, specifically my MHSc in Bioethics and my ongoing research in end-of-life decision-making.”
Her achievements exemplify the spirit of curiosity and commitment that define our Department’s academic community. Congrats again, Dr. Raabis!
| | Resident Spotlight: Meet Dr. Marihan Farid | | |
Redefining Resilience in Residency Training
Internal Medicine resident Dr. Marihan Farid is challenging long-held ideas about strength and composure in medical training. Through her research on grief, “emotional armour,” and disability inclusion, she’s helping re-shape how the next generation of physicians understands vulnerability and belonging in medicine.
For this spotlight, we asked Dr. Farid to share more about what drives her research and what she’s learned along the way.
Q: What first inspired you to study grief and the idea of “emotional armour” among medical residents?
A: I first became interested in this work at the end of medical school through my early involvement in medical education and moral distress research. I wanted to understand how learners navigate the emotional weight of training, how we keep caring for others while coping with loss, uncertainty, and the culture of constant composure. That curiosity led me to explore “emotional armour” as both a protective mechanism and a reflection of how medicine teaches us to manage vulnerability.
Q: What did your research reveal about how residents cope with emotional challenges in training?
A: We found that residents often balance compassion with self-protection. Many described suppressing emotions to appear competent or to keep functioning on busy rotations. While this can help in the moment, it can also lead to emotional exhaustion and a sense of isolation. Recognizing that tension is the first step toward creating cultures where vulnerability is not mistaken for weakness.
Q: You’re also deeply involved in advancing disability awareness in healthcare education. What drew you to that focus?
A: I’ve always been interested in how medical education shapes belonging, who feels included, and who feels invisible. Working on disability inclusion has helped me see how deeply ableist assumptions are built into our systems, often unintentionally. I wanted to help start conversations that challenge those assumptions and reimagine what competence and professionalism can look like.
Q: What do you see as some of the biggest misconceptions about disability in medicine?
A: A major misconception is that disability automatically limits one’s ability to practice medicine safely or effectively. In reality, many physicians and learners with disabilities bring unique insights and innovations to patient care. The problem isn’t disability, it’s the lack of flexibility and imagination in how we structure training and workplaces.
Q: How can medical training programs better support learners and colleagues with disabilities or chronic health conditions?
A: It starts with listening and trust. We need policies that go beyond compliance to create genuine psychological safety, spaces where learners can ask for what they need without fear of judgment or career repercussions. Equally important is representation: when trainees see physicians thriving with disabilities, it normalizes these conversations for everyone.
Q: Finally, what message would you most like readers to take away from your research and advocacy?
A: At the heart of both my research and advocacy is a belief that medicine has to make room for our shared humanity. Whether it’s grief or disability, these experiences remind us that vulnerability isn’t something to fix, it’s part of what connects us. When we honour that in ourselves and in others, we create space for more compassionate care.
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For more on the redevlopment project, check out this October 15 CBC article quoting Dr. Short from a recent interview with Information Morning's Portia Clark:
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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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Research Spotlight: Breakthrough in Hematology
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New Research Distinguishes TAFRO from HLH with Over 99% Accuracy
A groundbreaking new study co-led by Division of Hematology's Dr. Luke Chen (pictured right) and collaborators at the University of Pennsylvania’s Castleman Disease Collaborative Network (CDCN) has recently been published in the American Journal of Hematology – one of the top five journals in general hematology (impact factor 9.9).
The article, “Ferritin, C-reactive protein, and soluble CD25 levels distinguish TAFRO from HLH,” demonstrates that three simple blood tests – CRP, ferritin, and soluble CD25 (sCD25) – can reliably distinguish TAFRO syndrome (a severe subtype of Castleman disease) from hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) with more than 99% accuracy.
The study was co-led by Dr. Steven Rowe (Memorial University Internal Medicine resident) and Dr. Mariam Goubran (UBC Hematology Fellow), with Dr. Chen and Dr. David Fajgenbaum (University of Pennsylvania, Every Cure, CDCN) serving as senior authors. The project represents a powerful collaboration between Canadian research centers and the CDCN’s international ACCELERATE network, advancing global understanding of these rare immune-mediated disorders.
“This is a practice-changing discovery and an inspiring example of how Canadian medical trainees can lead world-class research when given the opportunity,” explains Dr. Chen.
Read the full article here: American Journal of Hematology
| | Advancing Gender Equity in Kidney Transplantation | | |
Nephrology's Dr. Amanda Vinson is Breaking Barriers and Addressing Systemic Disparities for Nova Scotian Women
Dr. Amanda Vinson has made it her mission to uncover and address gender disparities in kidney transplantation.
Her passion was sparked by her research examining sex and gender-based outcomes following kidney transplants, where she discovered alarming statistics: women were significantly underrepresented in transplant populations across the United States. This prompted her to investigate the situation in Canada, particularly in Nova Scotia, where she found a complete lack of contemporary data on gender inequities in access to transplant services.
With a national grant in hand, Dr. Vinson embarked on a groundbreaking study that revealed dramatic disparities in transplant access for women in Nova Scotia.
Read the full story on page 22 of our 23-24 annual report.
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Join us for Some Halloween Fun!
Join us for the Department of Medicine’s Halloween Lunch & Costume Contest on Thursday, October 31 from 12:00-1:00 PM in the Bethune Ballroom.
🍕 Enjoy pizza with colleagues
🎭 Show off your best costume – or cast your vote for your favorite
🏆 Fun prizes to be won! (Contest winners announced at 1:00 PM)
👉 Please RSVP by October 28 using this link: RSVP here
We can’t wait to see your costumes and celebrate together!
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Don't Miss these Upcoming Award Deadlines
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September
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Dr. Oliver Neal joined the Division of Neurology in an ongoing position starting Sept 1
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Dr. Josh Bowdridge joins the DGH GIM group on Sept 1
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Anfernae Grant, Administrative Assistant, joined the Division of Cardiology on Sept 2
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Natalie Garneau has been promoted to Team Lead in the Division of Digestive Care & Endoscopy as of Sept 2
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Kellie MacIsaac, Administrative Assistant, joined the Department on Sept 15
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Tiffany Levy, Administrative Assistant, joined the Division of Neurology on Sept 29
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October
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Shailja Kestwal, Administrative Assistant, joined the Department on Oct 6
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Special Recap: Canadian Society for Internal Medicine Conference – Incredible Turnout from the DoM!
The 2025 Canadian Society for Internal Medicine (CSIM) Annual Meeting recently brought internists from across Canada to Halifax for three days of learning and collaboration at the Halifax Convention Centre (Oct 15-17).
Organized locally by Drs. Jorin Linden-Smith and Allen Tran, both GIM physicians in the Department of Medicine, the conference highlighted the latest advances in patient care, quality improvement, and education – with many Dalhousie and regional faculty, residents, and graduates delivering exceptional presentations.
A highlight of the week was the R1 dinner at the Lower Deck, where residents connected with education team members and our Department Head, Dr. Christine Short, to celebrate their first year of training. Thank you everyone for a great few days of learning and connecting!
Pictured: Department of Medicine faculty, residents, and recent graduates at CSIM 2025.
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Care By Design Long-Term Care Conference, October 24
Every fall, Nova Scotia Health hosts the Care by Design conference.
The primary focus of this conference has been on family physicians who are providing primary care in long-term care, but over the years the conference has evolved to attract a broader audience. This year, the event is being held on October 24th at the Argyle Suite at the Convention Centre in Halifax. The conference will be held in-person only.
Register Now for the Care by Design Conference.
Note: You will be prompted to create an account, and then to register.
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DoM Suggestion Box
Have any suggestions for the department? Leave them anonymously here:
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DoM Research
https://sites.google.com/view/domresearch
The page was initially developed for the resident group, but it’s also useful to faculty and their research teams. DoM Research wants to ensure that the link is easily accessible to anyone in the department.
| | Mental Health & Well-Being | | When you take care of yourself, you take care of others. | | |
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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