Department of

Internal Medicine

GC 430

820 Sherbrook St.

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Canada R3A 1R9

This is the t ime of the year …

DIM NEWS

Department of Internal Medicine Newsletter

Winter 2018 Edition

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Department Head’s Message . 1

Honours & Awards . . . . . . . . . .2

Awards & Grants . . . . . . . . . . 3

Liam J. Murphy Award . . . . . . 4

Retirement - Dr. D. Mymin . . . 5

Resident Research Day . . . . . . 6

Long Service Awards . . . . . . . . 7 - 8

Dept. Comic Strips . . . . . . . . . . 9

Annual GI Symposium . . . . . . . 10

Eberhard Renner, MD FRCPC, FAASLD

Department Head - Internal Medicine

Often when I drive home from work in the evening the past day’s activities flash through my mind. Typically then, a paralyzing feeling sets in, the feeling of having nothing achieved, not a single tangible result, despite lots of talking, and chasing meeting after meeting. I then swing by the gym or go for a run, tank endorphins - and feel better…

I am sure you all know that hamster wheel feeling. It creates disappointment, frustration and anger - if we let it take over. To avoid that, we need valves to blow off some steam from time to time, like running. But the best way to blow steam off in a sustainable fashion is to take a step back and identify the problem, to engage and help find a solution, as good as each of us in his/her individual role and place can. This means also to recognize and accept that none of us can change the entire world once and for all. We can just continue to try making things better bit by bit here and there on our limited scales. But be confident, small improvements add up - and their sum will eventually change the world!

Analogous to driving home from work, this is the time of the year when we are tempted to look back at the past twelve months and try to gauge what we have achieved and, perhaps even more importantly, what we didn’t. Which themes occupied us and our Department in 2018, which were the highlights, which ones of our goals did we achieve, which ones did we not achieve, where do we stand, and where should we go from here? The answer to those questions will likely be different for each of us depending on our individual places, roles, expectations and value systems. I therefore have to leave them to each of you for judgement, but am always interested in hearing from you and welcome feedback - my door is usually open and you have my E-mail address.

In closing, I would like to thank all of you for your hard work. You all, together, and what you achieved make the Department what it is, a prolific and thriving place for academic medicine. I would also like to thank your partners and families for their support and for their understanding of the long hours you put into engaging and making things better bit by bit for the sake of all of us and, most importantly for the sake of our patients.

I hope you will be able to spend some quiet time with your loved ones over the Holidays, and look forward to being able to count on you again in finding solutions for the challenges 2019 will undoubtedly bring.

Happy Holidays and my best wishes for the New Year!

Congratulations are extended to the following faculty members:

Dr. Janilyn Arsenio, Section of Proteomics & Systems Biology, Department of Internal Medicine Recipient of Tier 2 CRC - Chair in Systems Biology of Chronic Inflammation

Heterogeneity in T cell fate and function is required for effective immune responses and the prevention of immune dysregulation. Dysregulation can lead to over-activated immune responses in auto-immune diseases and transplant rejections, or to a loss of immune function, termed exhaustion, in chronic infections and cancer. Dr. Arsenio’s research will define the molecular mechanisms underlying T cell differentiation into functional regulators of the immune system. This knowledge is essential for the develop-ment of novel therapies to effectively treat infectious and non-infectious (autoimmune and cancer) diseases and to enhance our understanding of immune responses during transplant rejections.

Dr. Davinder Jassal, Professor of Medicine, Radiology, Physiology, and Pathophysiology and Head - Section of Cardiology, received the CSCI/RCPSC 2018 Henry Friesen Award. The award, sponsored by the Canadian Society for Clinical Investigation (CSCI) and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), recognizes a distinguished Canadian scientist who has demonstrated leadership in advancing biomedical research at local, national and international levels. Dr Jassal received the award and provided a lecture as part of the CSCI Young Investigator’s Forum November 19, 2018 in Toronto.

Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie, Professor of Medicine and Community Health Science, and the Waugh Family Chair in Multiple Sclerosis, received the 2018 CSCI Distinguished Service Award at the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Society for Clinical Investigation in Toronto on November 19-20, 2018. The Award, one of the most prestigious honours bestowed by the Society, is presented to a Canadian MD or PhD medical scientist who has made significant contributions to new knowledge and is recognized in their field as expert, innovative, and at the forefront of research endeavours.

Congratulations Dr. Arsenio, Dr. Jassal, and Dr. Marrie!

HONOURS and AWARDS

The strength of any department lies in its’ members and

their achievements and awards

We are pleased to report that Dr. Shantanu Banerji, Clinical Scientist Medical Oncology has

received the results of the Regional Priorities Partnership Program (RP3) Application to

Genome Canada. Genome Canada has approved funding for this project to a total of $2,475,761

over three years with a maximum contribution of $500,000 from Genome Canada. The

remainder of the funding will be provided by Shared Health/CancerCare Manitoba ($692,219),

Western Economic Diversification ($634,890), and Red River College ($648,652). Shantanu

Banerji and Jim Slater from Shared Health were the principal applicants.

On November 21st, Dr. Linda Larcombe, (Section of Infectious Diseases) received the

prestigious CMHC (Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation) President’s Medal for

Housing Research Excellence ($15,000). This first annual award was presented for research

excellence on a theme chosen by CMHC’s President and CEO, Evan Siddall: social inclusion.

Drs. Linda Larcombe and Pam Orr, as well as Matthew Singer (Dr. Larcombe’s research

associate) worked with Northlands Denesuline First Nation and Sayisi Dene First Nation to

investigate the roles of housing, nutrition and food security, the environment and host

biology in the prevention of illness and the promotion of health. This relational approach

between the two Manitoba Dene First Nations, and the University of Manitoba’s

Department of Internal Medicine and the Department of Architecture resulted in a book

titled “Sekuwe (My House) Dene First Nations’ Perspectives on Healthy Homes”.

Dr. David Dawe (Section of Hematology/Oncology) was the recipient of the MMSF

John Henson Clinical Research Professorship in Population Medicine Award. The

Award is for three years and carries an annual stipend of $50,000 per year.

Dr Ashish Shah (Section of Cardiology) received a MMSF operating grant of $30,000

for his “Novel Methods for Selecting Appropriate Patients Undergoing Trans-Catheter

Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI): Pilot Project”. Term April 1, 2019 - March 31, 2020.

Dr. Marcus C. Ng (Section of Neurology) received a MMSF operating grant of $32,000 for his

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in SUper REfractory STatus EPilepticus (SURESTEP):

Pilot Study of a Novel Therapy in a Common Medical Emergency.

Dr. Bojan Paunovic (Co-Section Head - Critical Care) has been appointed President of

the Canadian Critical Care Society. The CCCS is the National Specialty Society representing

Adult and Paediatric Critical Care Medicine physicians in Canada.

Dr. Colette Seifer (Section of Cardiology) has been appointed Associate Director of the

Cardiac Sciences Program effective Dec. 1, 2018.

Dr. Suresh Mishra (Section of Endocrinology & Metabolism) has been granted another

patent by the USPTO related to the preclinical disease models developed in his lab.

AWARDS and GRANT S

The Liam J. Murphy Young Investigator Award, established in 2006, is given every two years

to a young investigator who shows evidence of developing a strong research program with multiple peer reviewed publications, national or inter-national recognition, and success in obtaining local and national funding.

This year we had three outstanding candidates shortlisted for this prestigious award:

Dr. David Dawe from the Section of Hematology/Oncology

Dr. Kristjan Paulson from the Section of Hematology/Oncology

Dr. Chris Wiebe from the Section of Nephrology

At the December 6, 2018 Department of Internal Medicine’s Faculty Dinner -

Dr. Hani El-Gabalawy and Dr. Leigh Murphy announced Dr. Chris Wiebe as this

year’s recipient of the Liam J. Murphy Young Investigator Award.

Dr. Chris Wiebe completed his MD degree at the University of Manitoba in 2005, followed by certification in Internal Medicine in 2009. After finishing the required clinical training in 2010, he completed an additional four years of research training, achieving a Masters of Science in Immunology in 2014. During his masters, he received numerous fellowships and awards, notably the highly prestigious CIHR KRESCENT Fellowship which represents the highest training award in Nephrology in Canada. Dr. Wiebe came on staff as an Assistant Professor of Medicine in July of 2014.

His Master’s Thesis was a bold, novel and impactful work which established the importance of HLA eplet mismatch as a determinant of graft loss in kidney transplantation. This work has been published in premier journals, and is receiving well deserved international recognition. Dr. Wiebe is now a sought after speaker internationally on the topic of organ matching.

Dr. Wiebe continues to mine the very rich vein of research on HLA eplets inaugurated during his MSc. His current work is directed at validating specific HLA eplets as clinical biomarkers and translating this knowledge into clinical practice. His team is very close to seeking formal FDA approval for eplets as an approved biomarker for kidney transplant outcomes. It is expected that this work will lead to major transformations in the organ matching processes for kidney transplants across Canada and the world over the next few years.

Liam J . Murphy Young Invest igator Award

Drs. Leigh Murphy, Chris Wiebe & Hani El-Gabalawy

Drs. David Mymin & Davinder Jassal

Retirement - Dr. David Mymin

Section of Cardiology

Dr. David Mymin is retiring from the Section of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine at the

University of Manitoba after 56 years of service as an exceptional physician, researcher, leader, and

mentor. Born and raised in South Africa, Dr. Mymin obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery

degree from the University of Witwatersrand in 1952, followed by an internship at Johannesburg

General Hospital in 1953. Between 1954-1961, Dr. Mymin trained as an Adult Cardiologist at a

number of institutions in London and Liverpool, England where he obtained his MRCP degree. In

1961, Dr. Mymin trained at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto in Pediatric Cardiology before

being recruited to Manitoba by Dr. Paul Wood and Dr. Morley Cohen at St. Boniface Hospital. In

1962, Dr. Mymin began his illustrious career at the University of Manitoba, with the creation of the

Section of Cardiology. Over the past 50 years, Dr. Mymin has served in a number of academic leader-

ship roles including: i) Director of the hemodynamics lab from 1964-1976; ii) Head, Section of

Cardiology from 1964-1979; iii) Director of Cardiac Rehab from 1975-1984; and most recently, iv)

Director of the Lipid Clinic from 2012-2017. Amongst Dr. Mymin’s numerous achievements, he was

the founder and forefather of the Manitoba Lipid Clinic and the Cardiac Rehabilitation centre at the

Rehfit.

As Dr. Mymin closes one chapter on his academic career, he will continue his ongoing passions in

dancing, culinary arts, and sharing memories in France with his wife, 7 children, and 4 grand

children.

Dear Dr. Mymin, congratulations on your retirement from the Section of Cardiology from your

friends, family, and colleagues. Best of wishes in your future endeavours!

Dr. and Mrs. David Mymin

Nov. 20, 2018 Resident Research Day

Pr ize Recip ients

PODIUM PRESENTATIONS BY CORE RESIDENTS

1st prize, Clinical Investigation Liane ARCINAS (PGY3), Internal Medicine

2nd prize, Clinical Investigation Christie RAMPERSAD (PGY2), Internal Medicine

3rd prize, Clinical Investigation Kelsey UMINSKI (PGY2), Internal Medicine

POSTER PRESENTATIONS BY CORE RESIDENTS

1st prize, Clinical Investigation Bryan TORDON (PGY3), Internal Medicine

Honorable Mention, Clinical Investigation Ivan LANDEGO (PGY3), Internal Medicine

Honorable Mention, Clinical Investigation Hilary BEWS (PGY2), Internal Medicine

POSTER PRESENTATION CASE REPORT BY CORE RESIDENTS

1st prize, Case Report Conrad GOERZ (PGY2), Neurology

1st prize, Case Report Evan WIENS (PGY2), Internal Medicine

Honorable Mention, Case Report Jennifer ZIEGLER (PGY3), Internal Medicine

PODIUM CLINICAL INVESTIGATION BY SUBSPECIALTY RESIDENTS

1st prize, Clinical Investigation Sarah HENNI (PGY5), Adult Infectious Disease

Emy 0zamoto Award Evan WIENS (PGY2), Internal Medicine

Our sincere gratitude and appreciation are extended to our faculty supervisors for their ongoing guidance, encouragement and support they provide to our residents with their research projects, and our judges: Drs. Versha Banerji, David Dawe, Jay Hingwala, Donald Houston, Suresh Mishra, Claudio Rigatto,

David Robinson, David Rush, and Colette Seifer.

We would also like to acknowledge Dr. Donald Houston for his ongoing commitment, leadership,

support and enthusiasm for resident research and Resident Research Day.

A special thank you to Janet Labarre and Tom Fraser for their hard work and efforts in organizing the event.

Congratulations are also extended to

Lundy McKibbin (resident Section of Allergy & Clinical Immunology) who won second place for the poster “Review of suspected Type III Hereditary Angioedema Patients in Manitoba” at the Canadian Society and Clinical Immunology Annual Meeting in Halifax. Supervisors: Dr. C. Kalicinsky and Dr. R. Warrington

Evan Elias one of the 2018 Resident Research Award recipients awarded by the Canadian Associate of Gastroenterology.

Long Service Awards

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.

Years of Service Name Section

15 Years Eleonora Bakalets Gastroenterology

15 Years G.A. Joe Bueti, MD Nephrology

15 Years Auelker Iman Rheumatology

15 Years Shane Silver, MD Dermatology

15 Years Laura Targownik, MD Gastroenterology

15 Years Colleen Sangster DIM Transcription

15 Years Manna Zhang Gastroenterology/Hepatology

20 Years Liane Davidson DIM Physician Services

20 Years Garth Rodgers Respiratory Lab CIU

20 Years Natasha Passante General Internal Medicine

20 Years Christine Peschken, MD Rheumatology

20 Years Timothy McCarthy, MD Rheumatology

25 Years Donald Allan, MD Nephrology

25 Years Charles Bernstein, MD Gastroenterology

25 Years Philip St. John, MD Geriatric Medicine

25 Years Vincent Woo, MD Endocrinology/Metabolism

30 Years Brian Schmidt, MD Neurology

35 Years James B. Johnston, MD Hematology/Oncology

40 Years Martha Holubowich Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

45 Years Wayne Kepron, MD Respirology

Health Sciences Centre

University of Manitoba Years of Service

Years Name Section

5 Years Marcus Blouw Critical Care

5 Years David Dawe Hematology/Oncology

5 Years Clarence Khoo Cardiology

5 Years Owen Mooney Critical Care

5 Years Saroj Niraula Hematology/Oncology

5 Years Kristjan Paulson Hematology/Oncology

5 Years Thorunn Petursdottir Proteomics & Systems Biology

5 Years Pamela Skrabek Hematology/Oncology 5 Years Lisa Wirth DIM Program Administrator

10 Years Michael Cossoy Neurology 10 Years Kunhal Minhas Cardiology 10 Years Neeloffer Mookherjee Proteomics & Systems Biology

10 Years Alex Tischenko Cardiology

15 Years Harbhajan Singh Dhali Dhaliwal Hematology/Oncology

15 Years Ramin Hamedani General Internal Medicine

15 Years Laura Targownik Gastroenterology

20 Years Paul Daeninck Hematology/Oncology 20 Years Philip Garber Cardiology

20 Years Alexandra Ilnyckyj Gastroenterology

20 Years Kelly Kaita Hepatology

20 Years Srisaladevi Navaratnam Hematology/Oncology 20 Years Christine Peschken Rheumatology

20 Years Phil St. John Geriatric Medicine

20 Years James Zacharias Nephrology

30 Years Brian Schmidt Neurology

30 Years Rita Sukkau Endocrinology - Diabetes Research Group

35 Years Keevin N. Bernstein Nephrology 35 Years James B. Johnston Hematology/Oncology

We tried something new with the above comic strips, and would appreciate your feedback. Please let Karen know what you think at kkiel@hsc.mb.ca

Thank you!

UPCOMING CONFERENCES/SYMPOSIUMS

The Section of Gastroenterology’s Annual GI Symposium

2019 GI Symposium - Diet, Microbiome and Novel Treatments in GI Disease

Date: Friday June 14, 2019

Place: Theatre C Basic Medical Sciences Building

University of Manitoba - Bannatyne Campus

730 William Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Topics include:

Diet and IBD

Predictors of Response to Therapies in IBD

Manipulating the Gut Microbiome in IBD

Sleep and its Impact on GI Disease

Marijuana and GI Disease

Manipulating the Gut Microbiome in IBS

Diet and IBS

Celiac Disease: Causes and Consequences

Non-Responsive and Refractory Celiac Disease

Determining that your Patient is Adherent to a Gluten Free Diet

Registration:

Registration Fee $187.50 for Physicians (to comply with University guidelines).

Registration remains free for trainees, nurses and allied health professionals.

To register, please go to: https://www.cpd-umanitoba.com/events/gi-symposium-2019/

For a copy of the full program or any questions, please contact:

Emma Shaw

Section of Gastroenterology - University of Manitoba

Phone: (204) 789-3369 Fax: (204) 789-3972

email: emma.shaw@umanitoba.ca

A new website - developed by Dr. Harminder Singh (Section of Gastroenterology) and his team -

aims to better prepare patients who are about to undergo a colonoscopy. Read more about this

innovative effort to enhance patient care at:

http://www.wavemag.ca/2018/09/learning-about-colonoscopies.php https://mycolonoscopy.ca/