A month ago I had the honor of taking over from

Dr. Dan Roberts as your Department Head. Dr.

Roberts has shaped our Department over many

years into a highly successful academic enter-

prise. We are all indebted to Dr. Roberts and his

team and thank them wholeheartedly for their

accomplishments. Today, our Department is

blessed with talented faculty, a successful

business model, an effective organizational

structure, a high service quality, and a solid

academic standing. I will do everything I can to

continue this legacy.

I am convinced that serving our patients has to be the focus of all we do.

That said, delivering state of the art (tertiary) patient care is not sufficient in

an academic health care environment. Innovation through research and

teaching has to be an ongoing effort for all of us. Living key values such as

mutual respect, accountability, and building trust are essential for

continuing success. Inter- and multidisciplinary teamwork is mandatory to

deliver State-of-the-Art care, but also to be academically successful. A

communication culture empowering us to understand and to think before

we reply is indispensable.

The Department also faces challenges. These include delivering State-of-the

-Art (tertiary) patient care despite limited resources and ever increasing

layers of administration, transitioning our training programs to competency

based platforms, and, last but not least, furthering innovation and research

output despite many competing interests. Challenges are always also

opportunities. Let’s tackle them, together, “mindful of OUR goals and

taking the high road in pursuing them”.

Department of

Internal Medicine

GC 430

820 Sherbrook St.

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Canada R3A 1R9

Fortiter in re, suaviter in modo

(Claudio Acquaviva, 1543–1615, Jesuit priest and Superior)

Freely translated: “be mindful of your goals, but take the high road in pursuing them”

Eberhard Renner, MD FRCPC, FAASLD

Department Head Internal Medicine

DIM NEWS

Department of Internal Medicine Newsletter

Volume 1, Issue 1

NOVEMBER 2016

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Department Head’s Message .................... 1

Interview with Dr. Renner ........................ 2

Academic News .......................................... 3

Achievements ............................................. 4

Portray: D. Gustafson ................................ 5

Personnel News-New Residents ............... 6

Personnel News-New GFTs ...................... 7

Research Grants ........................................ 7

Long Service Awards-HSC ........................ 8

Long Service Awards-U of M ................... 9

Hand Hygiene Initiative............................ 10

An Interview with Dr. Eberhard Renner

Did you always have Medicine in mind as a career goal? No, the decision to study Medicine came relatively late and only after some detours including philosophy and acting...

What motivated you to pursue a career in Gastroenterology and Hepatology? I completed Med School just to find out that there were no residency positions available. I wrote dozens of applications before finally being accepted into clinical pharmacology. As it happens, my boss who became my mentor, a gastroenterologist by training, was interested in how the liver handles drugs and how this is affected by liver diseases. The liver and academic medicine fascinated me ever since.

What are the challenges in combing clinical and research work, and how do you balance the clinical and research sides of your career? Finding the right balance is definitely a challenge. Patients come always first, but you have to find a way to set time aside for your research interests. This often means longer hours - and less pay. I strongly feel though that the intellectual stimulation that inevitably comes with doing research makes more than up for that!

What aspects of research and clinical practice intrigue you the most? Most fascinating for me is helping to define a clinical question by stringent clinical observation and to find (an) answer(s) by seeking and/or applying novel molecular insights. The hepatitis C story is a great example for this. And I say “helping”, as no single researcher or clinician can do this alone. It is all about collaboration in a multi-disciplinary team.

What attracted you back to the University of Manitoba? The chance to take on a position where I might be able to make a difference – at least to try it…

What advice would you give to medical students and residents? Think big, embrace change, embrace the hard work, and make it better!

On a more personal side

My motto: Fortiter in re, suaviter in modo I’m inspired by: Landscapes

I’m happiest when: People around me are happy My favorite music: The Grateful Dead

My favorite activity: Hiking with my wife and our two dogs

My favorite book: “The days run away like wild horses over the hills” by Charles Bukowski

My favorite movie: “Lost in translation” by Sofia Coppola (with Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson)

A cause dear to my heart: The beauty of art in all its forms, especially visual art and poetry

My way of relating and relieving tension: Loosing myself into the process of painting

The gadget or gear I could not do without: My glasses – as my arms have become too short

A talent which I wish I had: Being a handyman… I do not necessarily have five thumbs on my hands, but never learned how to fix things around the house

A favorite place I keep returning to: Grasslands National Park

Something that’s on my must-do list: Hiking the La Cloche Silhouette trail

Ultimate dream vacation: Spending time with my wife in a gorgeous landscape in the middle of nowhere - Killarney (Northern Georgian Bay, ON) comes close to it.

If I wasn’t a doctor I’d be: Hard to tell, am interested in so many things – but for sure not a lawyer!

Page 3

Dr. Ryan Zarychanski (Section of Hematology/Oncology) appointed to

the newly created Lyonel G. Israels Professorship in Hematology. Dr.

Zarychanski will be the first to hold the position. (March 2016)

Dr. Marshall Pitz (Section of Hematology/Oncology) has been appointed the Clinical Research Lead at the Research Institute at CancerCare Manitoba, to lead research encompassing health services, patient experience and technology. (April 2016)

In June 2016, the University of Manitoba

announced Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie’s

appointment to the newly established

endowed Waugh Family Chair in Multiple

Sclerosis.

Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie is a Professor in the

Departments of Internal Medicine (Section of

Neurology) and Community Health Sciences at

the Max Rady College of Medicine, and the

Director of the MS Clinic at the Health

Sciences Centre.

The endowed Waugh Family Chair in Multiple Sclerosis was established

with a two million dollar gift from the Waugh Family Foundation, and

generously supported by the MS Society of Canada, the Dr. Alfred E.

Deacon Medical Research Foundation, and the Department of Internal

Medicine.

Dr. Greg Eschun (Section of Respiratory Medicine) has been appointed the

next Chair of the Specialty Committee in Respirology at the Royal College

of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. (June 2016)

Dr. Davinder Jassal has been appointed Section Head, Cardiology effective

September 6, 2016. Dr. Jassal is a recipient of numerous research and

educational awards and has served as the PGME Director for Cardiology.

ACADEMIC NEWS

Ryan Zarychanski

Marshall Pitz

Greg Eschun

Davinder Jassal

Ruth Ann Marrie

The strength of any department lies in its’ members and their achievements and awards. Congratulations are extended to:

Page 4

Dr. Davinder Jassal (Associate Professor - Section of Cardiology) was

awarded the 2016 Scholastic Award at the May 6, 2016 Doctors

Manitoba Annual General Business Meeting. The Scholastic Award is

for scholarly activity in the health professions.

Dr. Andrew Halayko, Professor of Physiology & Pathophysiology, and Internal Medicine was selected to receive the 2016 American Thoracic Society Joseph R. Rodarte Award for Scientific Distinction. Dr. Halayko received this award for his contributions in understanding the roles of structural cells of the lung in airway pathobiology in obstructive lung diseases, as well as his leadership in research, career development and education with the American Thoracic Society. In addition, he was elected

member of the ATS Nominating Committee, and appointed Chair of the Awards Committee, American Thoracic Society

Dr. Andrew Halayko was also elected as a Fellow of the Canadian

Academy of Health Sciences. Dr. Dhaliwal S. Dhaliwal (Professor of Medicine Section of Hematology/

Oncology - Department of Internal Medicine) was inducted into the Order

of Manitoba the highest civilian award in Manitoba in July 2016. The

India Canada Culture and Heritage Association in Manitoba also honoured

him with the Distinguished Service Award.

Dr. John Embil, (Section of Infectious Diseases) has been awarded the

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada ‘s 2016 Prix

d’excellence-Specialist of the Year Award. This award recognizes

Fellows of the Royal College who have made significant contributions in

providing out-standing care to their patients and the community in

which they practice The nominee must be a role model for excellence in

patient care. (Oct. 2016).

Dr. Bruce Roe (Section of Endocrinology/

Metabolism) was appointed President and

Chief Executive Officer of St. Boniface Hospital

effective Aug. 9, 2016.

John Embil

Andrew Halayko

Davinder Jassal

C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s

D. S. Dhaliwal

Page 5

We are pleased to announce that on September 6, 2016, Mr. Dale

Gustafson, CPA, CMA, joined the Department of Internal Medicine as

the Managing Director. With over a dozen years of experience in the

airline and health care industries, Dale brings with him a wealth of

financial, operational and management knowledge.

Dale joins us from St. Boniface Hospital, where he was the Business

Improvement Officer for a number of programs including Internal

Medicine, Critical Care, Renal Health and Emergency.

Mr. Gustafson will take responsibility for the Medicine Practice Plan,

Draws, University of Manitoba, Health Sciences Centre & St. Boniface

Administered Accounts, Academic Recruitment and Appointments,

Salaries, Space Allocation and Planning, Human Resources Planning,

Search and Review Committees, Research and Performance Reviews

and Policy Development.

Dale’s strong and solid financial and administrative background will

be a valuable addition, and he will play a key strategic role in the

Department’s next stage of growth.

On a more personal side

He is inspired by: his wife and two children

His favorite music: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

His favorite movie: LA Story

His favorite TV show: Seinfeld

His motto: “There’s no duct tape in the airplane cabin”

His fridge is always stocked with: Häagen-Dazs Vanilla ice-cream

His way of relaxing and relieving tension: playing Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003

The gadget or gear he could not do without: his cell phone

A place he keeps returning to: Disneyland

A talent which he wishes he had: Speaking a second language

PORTRAY — Da le Gustafson

Dale Gustafson

SUBSPECIALTY RESIDENTS:

Cardiology SCOTT DONALD University of Manitoba

Cardiology JUSTIN CLOUTIER University of Manitoba

Clinical Immunology & Allergy LEE HORGAN Memorial University

Critical Care Medicine FARHAJ SIDDIQUI Central Michigan University College

Gastroenterology TAWNYA HANSEN University of Toronto

Gastroenterology SETH SHAFFER Queen’s University

General Internal Medicine BENJAMIN FULTZ University of Manitoba

General Internal Medicine STEPHANIE JOHNSON University of Manitoba

General Internal Medicine CHANTALLE MENARD University of Manitoba

Hematology BRETT HOUSTON University of Toronto

Infectious Diseases JOANNA JOYCE Memorial University

Respirology GURBIR BRAR University of Calgary

Respirology JAMES BRAS University of Manitoba

Respirology PAUL YOUNG Memorial University

Rheumatology AMBER COGAR University of Manitoba

Rheumatology MAI NGUYEN University of Manitoba

Rheumatology CERI RICHARDS University of Manitoba

CORE INTERNAL MEDICINE RESIDENTS:

Liane ARCINAS, University of Manitoba Lundy McKIBBIN, University of Alberta

Joelle BOURGEOIS-GOSSELIN, Univ of Sherbrook Lesley MERKEL, St. George’s University, Grenada

Kevin CHEN, University of Toronto Rebekah RITTBERG, University of Manitoba

Elise CROCKER, University of Manitoba James STONE, University of Manitoba

Drew HAGER, University of Saskatchewan Laura TAPLEY, University of Manitoba

Jonah HIRSHBERG, Trinity School of Medicine, St. Vincent & the Grenadines/Alpharetta GA

Joel HO, University of British Columbia Bryan TORDON, University of Manitobs

Esther KIM, University of Manitoba Victor Chengyue YANG, University of Manitoba

Ivan LANDEGO, University of Manitoba Jennifer ZIEGLER, University of Manitoba

William LIANG, University of Manitoba

WELCOME MEDICINE RESIDENTS Page 6

SECTION Name

Cardiology Dr. David Allen

Cardiology Dr. Robinder Singh

General Internal Medicine Dr. Sanddip Bhangoo

General Internal Medicine Dr. Laura Chisick

General Internal Medicine Dr. Tyler Friesen

Haematology/Oncology Dr. Benjamin Goldenberg

Haematology/Oncology Dr. Craig Harlos

Haematology/Oncology Dr. Leonard Minuk

Hepatology Dr. Eberhard Renner

NEW GFT FACULTY MEMBERS

We are pleased to announce that the following

physicians have joined the

Department of Internal Medicine

Charles Bernstein, Laura Targownik, Harminder Singh, Jean-Eric Ghia from Section of Gastroenterology as well as Drs. Graff, Walker from Clinical Health Psychology, Sareen from Psychiatry and El Matary from Pediatrics were part of the team awarded $25 million for a CIHR funded SPOR grant to study outcomes and management of persons with inflammatory bowel disease and persons with irritable bowel syndrome. Manitoba will be the lead site coordinating the recruitment of the IBD cohort.

Andrew Halayko - Co-PI Research Manitoba Cluster Grant – Developmental Origins of Chronic Disease in Youth (DEVOTION) (5 Yrs, $2.5 million)

Navdeep Tangri (Associate Professor, Section of Nephrology) Informing Clinical Decision Making for Patients with Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease. CIHR New Investigator Salary Award, 2016-2021; $300,000 N Tangri (PI)

Annaliese Tisseverasinghe (Assistant Professor, Section of Rheumatology - Dept. of Internal Medicine) Co-Applicant: Dr. Marie Hudson, McGill University. Canadian Inflammatory Myopathy Study (CIMS) Research Funding: $105,287.00 CDN dollars from Canadian Foundation for Innovation Operating Grant.

Research Grants > $100,000.

Page 7

We are proud to honour the following faculty and staff who have celebrated their milestone

anniversaries, and thank them for their commitment, dedication and contribution to the

ongoing success of the Department’s mission and vision:

HSC 2016 LONG SERVICE AWARDS

Long Services Awards

Years of

Service Section

45

Mr.

Suresh

Dhingra

Resp. Lab CIU

40 Dr. Richard Warrington Clinical Allergy & Immunology

35 Mr. Willfort Erichsen Resp. Lab CIU

35 Dr. John W. Toole Dermatology

30 Dr. Kenneth Van Ameyde General Internal Medicine

25 Ms. Bonnie Coss BM Trans

25 Dr. Pamela Orr Infectious Diseases

20 Dr. B.L. Gregoire Nyomba Endocrinology & Metabolism

15 Dr. Eleni Giannouli Respiratory Medicine

15 Dr. Chrystyna Kalicinsky Clinical Allergy & Immunology

15 Dr. Martin Karpinski Nephrology

15 Dr. Anand Kumar Critical Care Medicine

15 Ms Diane McAlpine Hepatology/Liver Diseases

15 Ms. Lynda Price Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

15 Dr. Marni Wiseman Dermatology

10 Ms. Lisa Blackman Transcription Services/DOM

10 Dr. Julie Ho Nephrology

10 Ms. Annette Nanowski Hepatology/Liver Diseases

10 Dr. Richard Rowe Endocrinology & Metabolism

10 Ms. Monique Shaw Hepatology/Liver Diseases

10 Dr. Leroy J. Storsley Nephrology

10 Dr. Alexi Yankovsky Neurology

SECTION

Dr. Malek Kass Cardiology

Dr. Dana C. Moffatt Gastroenterology

Dr. Jean-Eric Ghia Gastroenterology

Ms. Leigh Anne Shafer Internal Medicine

Dr. James Marriott Neurology

Dr. Chrystyna Kalicinsky

Allergy & Clinical Immunology

Dr. Ivan Barac Cardiology

Dr. Elizabeth Anne Cowden Endocrinology & Metabolism

Dr. Harminder Singh Gastroenterology

Dr. David Szwajcer Hepatology

Mrs. Melissa Blonjeaux Internal Medicine

Dr. Clare D. Ramsey Respiratory Medicine

Dr. Lisa M. Miller Nephrology

Dr. Alexei Yankovsky Neurology

Dr Nasir Shaikh

Cardiology

Dr. Suresh Mishra Endocrinology & Metabolism

Dr. Glen Robert Drobot General Internal Medicine

Dr. Catherine J Moltzan Haematology/Medical Oncology

Dr. Julia Uhanova Hepatology

Dr. Gregg Matthew Eschun Respiratory Medicine

Dr. Eleni Giannouli Respiratory Medicine

Dr. Barry Cohen Nephrology

Dr. Claudio Rigatto Nephrology

Dr. Alan Casey Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Dr. Gregoire Nyomba

Endocrinology & Metabolism

Dr. Donald R Duerksen Gastroenterology

Dr. Asad Junaid General Internal Medicine

Dr. Peter Nickerson Nephrology

Dr. William D. Leslie Endocrinology & Metabolism

Dr. Pamela Hutchins Orr Infectious Diseases

Ms. Karen Ellison Internal Medicine

Dr. Hani S. El-Gabalawy Rheumatology

Dr. John Ducas

Cardiology

Ms. Suzanne Doyle Internal Medicine

Dr. S. Brian Penner

General Internal Medicine

Dr. Amarjit S. Arneja Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Dr. John A. Wilkins Rheumatology

Andrew L. Morris Cardiology

Wayne Kepron Respiratory Medicine

5 YEARS

10 YEARS

15 YEARS

20 YEARS

25 YEARS

30 YEARS

35 YEARS

40 YEARS

University of Manitoba - LONG SERVICE AWARDS

Hand hygiene is a serious matter. As a patient you can expect that all healthcare worker(s)

(HCWs) caring for you are highly educated professionals who take cleanliness very seriously.

HCWs may be in contact with dozens of patients a day. Through such contacts infections can

be spread from one patient to the next. It is therefore mandatory for HCWs to clean their

hands before and after touching a patient or their surroundings, before any procedure, as well

as when they have come into contact with bodily fluids.

Hand hygiene is the single most effective way to prevent spread of communicable

diseases and infection.

But we are not as good at it as we should. The table below shows, as an example, hand

hygiene rates for the Medicine Units at the Health Sciences Centre:

We must do better! The goal is more than 80% compliance. Congratulations to the units who

achieved this already, they should set the bar higher and aim at 100%!

At Bug Day 2016, the recipients of the inaugural WRHA Award for Sustained Hand Hygiene

(WASHH) were announced. This award was created to acknowledge excellence in sustained hand

hygiene within the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.

Let’s strive to have our Medicine Units announced next year as the WASHH recipients and

serve as champions for safer healthcare. Your Infection Prevention and Control team will work

with you, stay tuned!

Patient Care Unit

Current

Unit Rate

(2016)

Current

Physician Rate

(2016)

GA4 83% 83%

GD4 86% 67%

GH4 76% 74%

GD5 82% 100%

GH6 72% 36%

GH7 73% 64%

GB3 79% 100%

MICU 56% 54%

RR6 88% 53%

HAND HYGIENE INITIATIVE - We must do better!

Submitted by: John Embil, Jen Tomlinson & Eberhard Renner