REPORT FROM THE DEAN Faculty of Medicine - MedNet
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REPORT FROM THE DEAN
Faculty of Medicine
Full Faculty Meeting | November 16, 2021
1.0 Education
1.1. Appointment Announcements
• Dr. Sarah Bartlett was appointed Assistant Dean, Student Affairs, Vancouver Fraser Medical
Program for a three-year term effective May 3rd, 2021 to June 30th, 2024.
• Dr. Hannah Carolan was appointed Assistant Dean, Student Affairs, Vancouver Fraser Medical
Program for a three-year term effective May 3rd, 2021 to June 30th, 2024.
• Dr. Michael Nimmo was re-appointed Chair, Student Promotions Review Board for a three-year
term effective July 1st, 2021 to June 30th, 2024.
• Dr. Sonia Butterworth was re-appointed Assistant Dean, Postgraduate Medical Education for a
three-year term effective July 1st, 2021 to June 30th, 2024.
• Dr. Cary Cuncic was appointed Regional Associate Dean, Vancouver Fraser for a five-year term
effective August 1st, 2021 to June 30th, 2026.
• Dr. Shavaun MacDonald was appointed Assistant Dean, Island Medical Program for a three-year
term effective September 1st, 2021 to August 31st, 2024.
• Dr. Ravi Sidhu was re-appointed Associate Dean, Postgraduate Medical Education for a five-year
term effective September 15th, 2021 to June 30th, 2026.
1.2. General COVID-19 Updates
• UBC has extended the cancellation of travel for study abroad until December 31st, 2021. This
cancellation includes international programs like exchange and study aboard, co-op, student
research visits (both undergraduate and graduate), practicums and conference attendance
outside of Canada.
• UBC requires COVID-19 rapid testing for all students, faculty and staff, with exemptions
provided for those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
• UBC Vancouver Fall 2021 graduation ceremonies will be delivered in-person on campus at the
Chan Centre for the Performing Arts from Tuesday November 23rd – Friday November 26th.
1.3. Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME)
• Shadowing has reopened for Year 2 students since September 22nd, and will hopefully open for
Year 1 students in January 2022, pending the situation of the pandemic and preceptor capacity.
COVID Guidelines for shadowing can be found here.
• The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada’s Board of Directors decided that all 2022
Resident (R-1) Match interviews will take place in a virtual capacity.
Page 1 of 20• The Black Student MD Admissions Pathway is being developed and is moving through the approval
processes at UBC.
• The recently approved MD Undergraduate Program’s Mission Statement and revised Exit
Competencies can be found here.
• The Curriculum Renewal Principles Evaluation Report has been completed and concludes that the
renewed MDUP curriculum reflects, in many ways, the curriculum principles that were originally
envisioned and put forward by the DTFCR. Key priority areas were identified by the UGME
Committee:
o Facilitating process improvements that strengthen curricular integration;
o Fostering a culture that promotes student-faculty relationships and mentorship to
support students’ development;
o Advancing inter-professional learning opportunities;
o Promoting meaningful feedback formative assessment in order to facilitate reflection and
prompt identification of students in difficulty;
o Capitalizing on innovation and further utilizing creative educational technologies and
asynchronous instructional methods to support learning;
• Adopting clinical experiences that allow students to form longitudinal relationships with patients
and promote patient continuity.
1.4. Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME)
• PGME has been working with the Health Employers of BC (HEABC) and Vancouver Coastal
Health (VCH) regarding the tracking and vaccination status of all Ministry of Health funded
residents across all Health Authorities in B.C. Several communications have been sent to
residents by VCH, and PGME will directly reach out to Program Directors and Administrative
staff who have residents with an undeclared vaccination status or who have applied for an
exemption through the PHO, to discuss next steps. At this time, PGME is requiring all Out of
Province electives to submit vaccination proof directly to the PGME Office.
• Clinical Fellows, VISA Trainees and Postgraduate Trainees are being tracked through the UBC
Thrive System, via their appointment. PGME is working with Central HR and by extension, the
Departments, to ensure compliance with the PHO Order.
• For more information, please see COVID-19 and PGME Updates here.
• Internal reviews have begun for postgraduate programs with external review status as well as
for programs with off cycle reviews that will be coming up in 2023. PGME Office continues to
support programs as various deadlines approach.
1.5. Health Professions Programs
• It has been one year since the new Master of Physical Therapy – North launched in Fall of 2020
in Prince George. Delivered in partnership with UNBC, the program is inspiring more graduates
to stay and practice in northern, rural and remote communities across B.C.
Page 2 of 20• The launch of Camp CONNECT in summer 2021 was a success for the School of Audiology and
Speech Sciences (SASS). Camp CONNECT is a program that brings together people living with
developmental and acquired communication challenges and offers UBC students an authentic
and in-house clinical training experience.
1.6. Graduate and Postdoctoral Education (GPE)
• Peer mentorship program, a faculty-wide initiative, active across programs is available for the
second year. The intent of this program is to supplement similar activities within programs.
• A Wellbeing summer project, with a goal to assist students with understanding mental health
topics relevant to graduate school, launched in October 2021 with Canvas as the platform for
delivering the modules. The topics are specifically tailored to the graduate student experience.
• The GPE Office hired an Embedded Counsellor to support FoM graduate students and post-
doctoral fellows. Due to the distributed nature of the FoM student body, the Embedded
Counsellor plans to rotate work location throughout affiliated hospitals and study sites, as well
as offer online counseling support sessions to increase presence and facilitate easy contact with
graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.
• Review of the curricular offerings across graduate programs is underway. The intent of these
reviews is to identify areas of redundancy and gaps, and through stakeholder engagement
identify key areas of focus for the development of new courses.
1.7. Faculty Development
• Resources and guidelines to support virtual clinical teaching as well as specific safety
information to support in-person teaching throughout COVID-19 are readily available for
preceptors.
• Resources and contextually-based workshops are available to support respectful and inclusive
learning environments across UGME, PGME and Health Professions. This includes the Inclusive
Language Guide which was developed in collaboration with the Office of Respectful
Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (REDI).
1.8. Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• CPD continues to partner with FoM Departments as well as external organizations to design and
deliver a full spectrum of continuing professional development activities for practicing
healthcare professionals, including family physicians, specialists, midwives and others, in both
rural and urban settings.
• CPD’s offerings include virtual and in-person conferences, online modules, webinars, mentoring,
coaching, rounds, eCoach, virtual and skills-based workshops. Additional information can be
found online at CPD’s Learning Activities webpage.
1.9. Centre for Health Education Scholarship (CHES)
• From September 2021 to June 2022, CHES will be hosting monthly sessions of the Cutting Edge
Speaker Series to explore a range of current topics with the following learning objectives:
Page 3 of 20o Identify and challenge current thinking in a particular area of health education
scholarship;
o Relate concepts explored to their local educational context for the purpose of improving
education practices and informing educational innovations;
o Relate concepts or insights explored to their own scholarship.
• CHES hosted the 11th annual CHES Celebration of Scholarship virtually on October 6th. The event
is an opportunity for the CHES community to showcase and share their work and celebrate the
accomplishments of the health professions education scholarship network. This year the Gordon
Page Invited Lecture was brought by Dr. Nadine Caron, and the Closing Plenary by Elders,
Knowledge Keepers & Circles of Learning and Change Facilitators.
• CHES was pleased to graduate its 30th Clinical Educator Fellow in June 2021.
1.10. Vancouver Summer Program (VSP)
• UBC’s Vancouver Summer Program is planning for a return to campus in summer 2022. This
aligns with the university’s return to on-campus activity for Winter Session, 2021, Term 1,
guided by Provincial Health Officer as well as public health teams across British Columbia.
• The FoM plans to offer two course packages for the June 4th – July 4th, 2022 session, and
eighteen course packages for the July 16th – August 16th, 2022 session.
• Applications for VSP 2022 will open in late Fall 2021.
• VSP related questions can be directed to Katya Leonardia, International Coordinator at
med.international@ubc.ca.
2.0 Research
2.1. Centres and Institutes: Appointments, Reviews, and Searches
2.1.1. Appointments & Centre Updates
• Dr. Mariana Brussoni appointed Director, Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) - August 1,
2021 to June 30, 2026.
• Dr. Janice Eng and Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose appointed Co-Directors, Centre for Hip Health and
Mobility (CHHM) - September 1, 2021 to June 30, 2026.
• Dr. Thomas Kerr appointed Director of Research, BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU) -
September 1, 2021 to June 30, 2026.
• Dr. Jason Sutherland appointed Interim Director, Centre for Health Services and Policy Research
(CHSPR) – August 1, 2021 to June 30, 2023.
• Dr. David Patrick extended his role as, Director pro tem for the UBC Centre for Disease Control
(CDC) - July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2023.
Page 4 of 202.1.2. Searches:
• A joint search with PHSA is still underway for a new Senior Executive Director, BC Children’s
Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR) and Associate Dean, Research, BCCHR, (FoM), an individual
is expected to be in role early 2022.
• A search for UBC President’s Excellence Chair in Precision Oncology is underway. The position
will remain advertised until the position is filled.
2.1.2. Upcoming Reviews:
• External review of the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute is scheduled to take place on
November 17, 23 and 24, 2021.
• External review of W. Maurice Young Centre for Applied Ethics is scheduled to take place late
February 2022.
2.2. Awards
• 2020 Faculty of Medicine Distinguished Researcher Awards
o Dr. Judy Illes was awarded the 2020 Distinguished Researcher Award in Clinical/Applied
Science
o Dr. Michael Kobor was awarded the 2020 Distinguished Researcher Award in
Basic/Foundational Science
• 2021 National Research Awards
o The Faculty of Medicine is happy to announce the winners of the 2021 National Research
Awards:
Margolese National Brain Disorders Prize - Dr. Sandra Black, University of Toronto
Margolese National Heart Disorders Prize - Dr. Jean-Claude Tardif, Montreal Heart
Institute
Dr. Chew Wei Prize in Cancer Research - Dr. John Bell, University of Ottawa
o The 2022 National Research Awards competition is expected to launch late 2021.
• Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR) 2021 Aubrey J. Tingle Prize
o Dr. Ruth Grunau, Department of Pediatrics.
• Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR) 2021 Scholar and Research Trainee
Award Recipients
o 9 MSFHR 2021 Scholar Award recipients in Faculty of Medicine:
Dr. Anna Blakney, School of Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Annie Ciernia, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Dr. Laura Evgin, Department of Medical Genetics
Dr. Ethan Greenblatt, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Dr. James Lan, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Dr. Nika Shakiba, School of Biomedical Engineering
Page 5 of 20 Dr. Christine Voss, Department of Pediatrics
Dr. Hilla Weidberg, Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences
Dr. Matthew Wiens, Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics
o 43 MSFHR 2021 Research Trainee Award recipients with Faculty of Medicine supervisors.
• Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS)
o Election to Fellowship in the CAHS is considered one of the highest honours for
individuals in the Canadian health sciences community. The three new members are:
Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose, Department of Physical Therapy
Dr. Gina Ogilvie, School of Population and Public Health
Dr. Anita Palepu, Department of Medicine
• Order of British Columbia
o Four FoM members among sixteen exceptional people appointed to the Order of BC,
the Province’s highest form of recognition:
Dr. Bonnie Henry, School of Population and Public Health
Dr. Poul Sorensen, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Dr. Debra Braithwaite, Department of Family Practice
Dr. James McEwen, School of Biomedical Engineering
2.3. CIHR Update
• For the Spring 2021 Project Grant, FoM researchers were awarded a total of 41 Project Grants
(total: $31.7M), in addition to 6 priority announcement grants (total: $1.9M).
• Dr. Lakshmi Yatham, Department of Psychiatry, received UBC’s largest ever Project Grant
awarded, valued at $2.3M over 5 years (22nd largest nationally).
• Dr. Luis Nacul (FMPR) and Dr. Hind Sbihi (SPPH) were awarded a total of $1.2M funding from the
CIHR Emerging COVID-19 Research Gaps and Priorities program.
2.4. Faculty of Medicine Canada Research Chairs
• In the 2021 FoM CRC Competition, eight proposals were selected to advance to the national
level of the CRC competition:
o Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (Internal)
Dr. Aly Karsan - Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (CRC in Blood
Cancer)
Dr. Jayachandran Kizhakkedathu - Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
(CRC in Immunomodulation Materials and Immunotherapy)
Dr. Brian Kwon - Department of Orthopaedics (CRC in Spinal Cord Injury)
Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose - Department of Physical Therapy (CRC in Cognitive Health
and Mobility in Aging)
Page 6 of 20 Dr. Jessica McAlpine - Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (CRC in Molecular
Stratification of Gynecologic Cancers)
o Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (Internal)
Dr. Sheila Teves - Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (CRC in
Transcriptional Memory and Plasticity in Stem Cells)
Dr. Paul Yong - Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (CRC in Endometriosis and
Pelvic Pain)
o Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (External)
School of Population and Public Health (CRC in Anti-Racism in Population and Public
Health)
• Six FoM Faculty Members have been newly appointed as Canada Research Chairs (CRCs) in
recognition of excellence in their respective fields of study:
o Dr. Megan Levings - Department of Surgery & School of Biomedical Engineering, Tier 1
CRC in Engineered Immune Tolerance
o Dr. Tillie-Louise Hackett - Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics,
Tier 1 CRC in Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease pathobiology and
therapeutics
o Dr. Eugenia Oviedo-Joekes - School of Population and Public Health, Tier 1 CRC in
Person-Centered Innovation in Addictions and Public Health
o Dr. Amina Zoubeidi - Department of Urological Sciences, Tier 1 CRC in Cancer therapy
resistance
o Dr. Anne Gadermann - School of Population and Public Health, Tier 2 CRC in Bio-Eco-
Social Determinants of Child and Youth Mental Health
o Dr. Jill Zwicker - Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, Tier 2
CRC in Pediatric Brain Development and Rehabilitation
• Four FoM Faculty Members have been renewed as Canada Research Chairs (CRCs) in recognition
of excellence in their respective fields of study:
o Dr. Maureen Ashe - Department of Family Practice, Tier 2 CRC in Community Mobility
o Dr. Lori Brotto - Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Tier 2 CRC in Women’s Sexual
Health
o Dr. Philipp Lange - Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tier 2 CRC in
Translational Proteogenomics in Pediatric Malignancies
o Dr. Alexander Rauscher - Department of Pediatrics, Tier 2 CRC in Quantitative Magnetic
Resonance
2.5. CFI 2023 Innovation Fund Competition
• The CFI published the 2023 Innovation Fund draft call for proposals online. For the team who
have submitted Expression of Intent, please take note of the following important dates and refer
to the IPO Timeline on a regular basis.
Page 7 of 20• For more information on the CFI Innovation Fund Competition, please feel free to contact the
IPO office at ipo.admin@ubc.ca for assistance.
2.6. CFI John R. Evans Leaders Fund Awards
• Four researchers from the FoM have been awarded funding from the CFI JELF for the June 2021
funding round:
o Dr. Ali Bashashati, School of Biomedical Engineering, AI-driven Platform for Translating
Precision Medicine Discoveries in Women’s Cancers
o Dr. John Kramer, Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, and Therapeutics,
Beyond Ratings: A Neurophysiology Lab to Assess the Neurobiology of Pain
o Dr. Julia Schmidt, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy,
Innovations for Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation
o Dr. Jackie Whittaker, Department of Physical Therapy, Musculoskeletal Health and
Mobility Laboratory Infrastructure
3.0 Administration and Operations
3.1. Facilities
3.1.1 Faculty of Medicine – Academic Learning Spaces Booking & Utilization Policy
• In 2020, the UBC Faculty of Medicine’s Facilities and Capital Planning Committee tasked the
Facilities and Digital Solutions units to embark on a comprehensive stakeholder engagement
process to develop a new policy that governs the booking and utilization of Faculty of
Medicine’s academic learning spaces across B.C. The three-phase engagement process has
featured many opportunities for stakeholders to get involved and take part in the project, from
surveys to facilitated online consultation workshops. The project launched in April 2020 and is
expected to conclude with approval of a new policy in November 2021, in compliance with the
Faculty’s administrative governance structure.
3.1.2 Ongoing participation in Academic Space design and construction at the following sites
• New St. Paul’s – Station Street site
• Burnaby Hospital
• New Surrey Hospital & Cancer Centre
• Richmond Hospital
• Mills Memorial Hospital, Terrace
• Cariboo Memorial Hospital, Williams Lake
• Cowichan District Hospital, Duncan
3.2. Strategic Plan
3.2.1 Refreshed Plan Summary
Page 8 of 20• Through the 2020/2021 academic year, we engaged broadly within the FoM and with our
partners to develop a refreshed strategic plan – Building the Future: 2021-2026
(https://stratplan.med.ubc.ca/) – which launched this past summer. We accomplished this while
managing the challenges of the pandemic, working through Workday implementation and post-
implementation issues, and advancing many important priorities.
• At the core of the refreshed plan is our vision of transforming health for everyone and our
values of respect, integrity, compassion, collaboration, and equity.
• Building on our vision and values, this new plan reaffirms the fundamental premise of social
accountability, which is reflected in our contract with society. In addition, this plan introduces a
new and complementary contract: a contract with ourselves, which speaks to our individual and
collective commitment to transform our organizational culture through our own behaviours and
the ways we treat one another.
• The refreshed plan includes a goal and four strategies within each of our four pillars – Education,
Research, Organization, and Partnership. Implementation planning is well underway.
3.2.2 Key Achievements Complete and Underway
• We are already making important progress on many of the priorities in our refreshed strategic
plan. Following are some examples.
• Education Pillar:
o Reached 112 self-identified Indigenous medical student graduates to date;
o Developed a new Black Student MD Admissions pathway;
o Developed a high-level implementation plan to increase enrollment and improve
inclusion and support services available to learners who identify as members of
underrepresented groups;
o Initiated the Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Fellow Wellbeing Strategy;
o Launched the MPT program in Northern, BC and secured academic space in the Fraser
region to further distribute the MPT and MOT programs;
o Discussed with Ministries of Health and Advanced Education, Skills, and Training the
potential to further expand and distribute the MD program and other health professions
programs.
• Research Pillar:
o Launched and began building the Academy of Translational Medicine to support faster
translation of research findings to application;
o Collaborated with partners to identify improvements to health data landscape in BC,
building on lessons learned through the Post-COVID Recovery Clinic and the Integrated
COVID Care Network;
o Collaborated with UVic and Island Health to launch a new translational ‘omics platform
o Launched the BC Cancer Research Institute, the Northern Centre for Clinical Research in
partnership with UNBC and Northern Health, and the Centre for Cardiovascular
Innovation;
Page 9 of 20o Received a total of $406.2M in research funding for 20/21 (10% increase from previous
fiscal).
• Organization Pillar:
o Launched our Transforming Culture Initiative (TCI) and community wide “It Starts With
Us” series;
o Engaged in master space planning process for UBCV campus and continued planning
process for Med1 and SBME buildings;
o Allocated first 6 PAEI positions, and completed hiring of our 36 positions under the faculty
renewal program;
o Launched new Faculty Emerging Leaders Program to develop a diverse group of new and
aspiring faculty leaders;
o Refreshed our approach to FoM recognition awards and created new awards.
• Partnership Pillar:
o Finalized and launched FoM’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s
Calls to Action, including a formal apology;
o Hired Indigenous Initiatives Advisor and completing Director, Indigenous Engagement
recruitment process;
o Launched the Drone Transport Initiative in Northern BC in partnership with the Stellat’en
First Nation, the Village of Fraser Lake, and other important partners to test feasibility and
viability of using drones to transport medical products to enhance access to health
services in Indigenous and rural communities;
o Engaged academic, regulatory, and industry colleagues from around the world in a
regulatory advisory council as part of the Academy of Translational Medicine;
o Initiated discussions with university and health system partners to propose a bio-
innovation hub in Vancouver as part of the federal government’s bio-manufacturing and
life sciences strategy.
3.2.3 Future Priorities for Next Year
• As we move into 2022, we will continue to engage broadly within the FoM and with our partners
to advance our strategic plan. Following are some of our priorities for the year ahead.
• Education Pillar:
o Implement plans to enhance program accessibility, inclusion, and support services for
current and prospective students who identify with a historically or continually
underrepresented group;
o Ensure program offerings continue to prepare graduates for evolving societal and career
requirements through a strategic approach to program renewal, expansion, regional
distribution, and creation;
o Develop bio-innovation education and training options in conjunction with university
and health partners.
• Research Pillar:
Page 10 of 20o Continue development of the Academy of Translational Medicine with a focus on
development of core platforms to accelerate research from basic science to clinical
application and population level impacts;
o Work with VPRI, universities and health partners to develop a bio-innovation hub
proposal that will significantly increase our research impact;
o Collaborate with health authorities and the BC Government to build new clinical
research capabilities related to clinical trials and data sharing/management.
• Organization Pillar:
o Continue the Transforming Culture Initiative that aims to enhance inclusiveness,
respectfulness, and support for all members of the FoM community;
o Support well-being through the ongoing transition to hybrid working arrangements, and
improving approaches to recognition; and identify best practices related to space
utilization for hybrid workforces;
o Improve support and engagement of clinical faculty, including continuing to advocate
for protected time for academic activities.
• Partnership Pillar:
o Build or continue to enhance collaborative structures with health system partners,
government, industry, health professional organizations, UBC units, other academic
institutions and alumni;
o Continue the implementation the FoM’s response to the TRC Calls to Action, including
broad access to cultural safety training;
o Continued expansion health education programs in the Fraser and other regions.
3.2.4 Implementation Engagement
• The refreshed strategic plan’s first round of FoM Strategic Investment Fund allocation is now in
the adjudication process. We are grateful to all of those who put forward great ideas in their
proposals to advance our strategic priorities.
• In addition, we are planning to circulate a call for volunteers to participate in working groups for
specific projects that advance the strategic plan. We encourage everyone to consider
volunteering, recognizing that there will be future opportunities and working group membership
will need to balance representation and skills/knowledge needed for each specific project.
• The working groups will work closely with the pillar leads and existing FoM committees and
advisory councils.
3.3. Faculty Affairs
3.3.1 Senior Leaders Appointment Announcements
• Dr. Nadine Caron appointed as Special Advisor on Indigenous Health, from January 1, 2021 to
December 31, 2023.
Page 11 of 20• Dr. Ralph Belle appointed as Special Advisor to the Dean, Fraser Health, from April 1, 2021 to
March 31, 2024.
• Dr. Gavin Stuart extended as Interim Head, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, from July
1, 2021 to December 31, 2021.
• Drs. Caron Strahlendorf and Ralph Rothstein appointed as Interim Co-Heads, Department of
Pediatrics, from September 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021.
• Dr. Zu-hua Gao appointed as Head, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, from
November 1, 2021 to June 30, 2026.
• Dr. Ed Moore reappointed as Head, Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, from July
1, 2021 to June 30, 2026.
• Dr. Leonard Foster reappointed as Head, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,
from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2026.
• Dr. Lakshmi Yatham reappointed as Director, Institute of Mental Health, from July 1, 2021 to
June 30, 2024.
• Dr. Roger Wong reappointed as Vice-Dean, Education, from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2026.
• Dr. Dean Jones extended as Associate Dean, Fraser, from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.
• Dr. Laura Farrell appointed as Interim Associate Dean, Student Affairs, from July 1, 2021 to
December 31, 2021.
• Dr. Sharon Salloum appointed as Interim Assistant Dean, Vancouver Fraser, from August 15,
2021 to December 31, 2021.
• Dr. Mathew Lorincz extended as Interim Head, Department of Medical Genetics, from
September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2022.
• Dr. Francois Benard extended as Associate Dean, Research, BC Cancer, from October 1, 2021 to
January 31, 2022.
• Dr. Kiran Veerapen extended as Assistant Dean, Faculty Development from October 1, 2021 until
September 30, 2022.
3.3.2. Departments and Schools Reviews and Headship Searches
• Completed reviews in 2021
o Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences (Internal) January 18-20
o Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Internal) February 24-26
o Department of Pediatrics (External) April 12 – 14
o Department of Radiology (Internal) May 19 – 21
o Department of Medical Genetics (Internal) Aug 30 – Sep 2
o School of Biomedical Engineering (External) October 13 – 15
• Upcoming reviews in 2021
o Department of Audiology and Speech Sciences (External) November 18, 19 & 23
o Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute November 17, 23, 24
Page 12 of 20• Upcoming reviews in 2021
o Department of Dermatology and Skin Science (Internal) TBD
o Vancouver Prostate Centre (External) TBD
o Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy (External) TBD
3.3.3. FELP
• As part of our strategic plan goal of enhancing leadership development in the Faculty, we have
developed and launched the Faculty Emerging Leaders Program (FELP). This new program was
launched in September 2021 with 20 people participating in the first cohort. FELP offers monthly
modules covering the following topics: Discovering Self as Leader, Undoing Inequities Through
Leadership, Supporting Well-Being Through Leadership, Conflict Engagement, and Navigating
the Complexity of Academic Medicine. Due to overwhelming response, a second cohort of 20
participants has already been filled and will run from February 2022 to June 2022.
• FELP is intended for academic and clinical faculty who are interested in leadership roles, want to
enhance their leadership skills, and are seeking opportunities for personal and professional
growth. The program was created to support emerging leaders by building skills that will
prepare them for future leadership roles and providing opportunities for networking.
3.3.4. Mentoring
• The FoM Faculty Mentoring Framework has been revised and updated. These materials can be
used on their own or serve as a foundation for Departments/Schools/Centres who are
developing or renewing their own mentoring processes or programs, and are designed to
provide best practice guidelines and resources.
• A Working Group was established last year to develop a Staff Mentoring Program that will use
intentional pairing for one-on-one mentoring between staff members. The goal is to connect
diverse staff, facilitate communication, and enhance lifelong professional development through
sharing of experiences and knowledge. This program is intended to be launched in Spring 2022.
3.3.5. Academic Renewal
• The first round of our academic renewal process produced six successful proposals focused on
the recruitment of junior faculty in the areas of data science, translational science and medicine,
and virtual/rural and remote health. Recruitment for each of these positions has started, and
planning is underway for the next round. The six successful proposals for new junior faculty
positions include:
o Data Science
Population and Public Health, Health Services and Policy, Centre for Excellence in
Indigenous Health, Centre for Health Services and Policy Research, Centre for Applied
Ethics, UBC Okanagan: Indigenous data science scholarship
Medicine, Neurology, Data Science Institute: Personalized strategies for stroke
prevention, treatment and rehabilitation
o Translational Science and Medicine
Page 13 of 20 Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Centre for Brain Health, BC Mental Health
and Substance Use, International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries: Translational
neuropsychiatric research
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, BC Cancer Research Institute, TRIUMF: Molecular
imaging and therapy of cancers
Obstetrics and Gynecology, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver Coastal Health
Research Institute (VCHRI), Women's Health Research Institute, VCHRI Ovarian
Cancer Research Centre: Interdisciplinary gynecologic cancer research
o Virtual/Rural and Remote Health
Medicine, Northern Medical Program, Family Practice, Emergency Medicine,
Dermatology and Skin Care: Scholarship of remote and rural virtual healthcare
delivery and knowledge translation
3.4. Finance
• A review has been initiated to look closely at the Faculty’s overall financial standing, with an aim
to work with UBC Central to address chronic challenges as a result of the budget model. It will
also allow us to look at opportunities of further revenue generation and growth for the Faculty.
• The Faculty has undertaken a review of all endowments to ensure that donor funds are being
fully utilized.
3.5. Digital Solutions
• Recruited new Senior Manager, Information Security dedicated to Faculty of Medicine to
support and improve the cybersecurity posture of the Faculty of Medicine programs.
• Work in progress to develop Faculty of Medicine’s IT Governance and Security
policy/procedures to increase the adoption of UBC security policy and standards and establish
unit level oversight.
• Completed the fiscal 21/22 Space and Technology Renewal Program by renewing end-of-life VC
and non-VC rooms @ Interior, Island, Fraser and Vancouver Coastal Health sites
• Implemented new technical architecture for zoom dial-in in all FoM VC rooms
• Completed the renewals at UBC and UNBC for the Masters of Physical Therapy and Masters of
Occupational Therapy expansions
• Consultative support for the UGME and Health Professions in the use of hybrid/flexible learning
strategies enabling the integration of opportunities identified during COVID into approaches for
teaching and learning.
• Produced the first podcast in a series for the Virtual Clinical Education Initiative in support of
rural and remote virtual care.
• Curriculum Mapping Support for PG Family Medicine – An innovative technology solution to
facilitate the gathering of curricular data across many sites to address accreditation
requirements.
Page 14 of 20• Continued onboarding of PGME programs to the Entrada platform to gather learner assessment
evidence related to competency-based education.
4.0 REDI Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
• The focus this past year has been on establishing the mandate, building the team, and increasing
the visibility of REDI across the Faculty. We have worked to communicate the change in focus of
the office both with respect to the existing mandate of learner mistreatment and the
introduction of expanded mandates in EDI and Indigenous Initiatives. Our goal is to be a catalyst
integrating, coordinating and collaborating in the ongoing work across the Faculty that
promotes equity, diversity & inclusion and strives to change our culture. This has resulted in
increasing demand for REDI services in education/training, EDI consultations to support EDI
initiatives at the department, program, and unit levels, advising and participation in Faculty
committees, and collaborations on projects in areas of Education and Faculty Development.
• REDI is now staffed by a Learning Environment, an Anti-racism/Anti-oppression, and an
Indigenous Initiatives Advisor, who are responsible for their individual areas of focus and who
work collaboratively to advance the goals of REDI and the Faculty Strategic Plan across the
Faculty of Medicine. The Advisors are supported by a Manager, an Administrative Coordinator,
and an Assistant Dean, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion.
• REDI also provides leadership in the Faculty Transforming Culture Initiative (TCI). The TCI
Steering Committee has collated all recommendations from various UBC and FOM documents
including the refreshed Strategic Plan and the Faculty responses to the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission of Canada (TRC) Calls for Action. We are in the process of aligning with the strategic
plan pillar leads to develop a coordinated implementation plan.
• The development of an evaluation tool is progressing and will be expanded to include
assessment of strategic plan activities.
• REDI launched the It Starts with Us series to support the TCI. Topics covered by the It Starts with
Us sessions include:
o An Update on Racism in FOM;
o Upstander Engagement;
o Conflict Engagement Parts 1 & 2 (in collaboration with UBC Conflict Theatre);
o Truth Telling: A First Step Toward Reconciliation; You Don’t Belong Here: Challenges
facing Disabled Workers in Health Care (scheduled November 2021).
• Priorities for the upcoming year include:
o Adjustment the composition of the REDI team and identify future needs in areas that
require development. This will include incorporating accessibility into the REDI areas of
focus;
o Develop and expand the education and training programming to support TCI and EDI
across the Faculty. This will involve curriculum development, Train the Trainer courses,
expanding modes of delivery of material and focusing on development of a core series
of workshops;
Page 15 of 20o In collaboration with the strategic plan pillar leads, identify the priorities and sequence
for establishing TCI/Strategic Pillar working groups to implement the TCI/strategic plan
recommendations that will support systemic changes across the Faculty;
o Develop and support the REDI Indigenous Initiatives area of focus through alignment
and collaboration with Director of Indigenous Engagement, Vice-Dean Health
Engagement and the Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Health.
5.0 Partnerships and Health Engagement
5.1. Faculty of Medicine Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s
Calls to Action
• On June 25, 2021, the UBC Faculty of Medicine launched its formal response (Response) to the
Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada entitled, Reckoning with
the Truth, Working Together for a Better Future: The UBC Faculty of Medicine Response to the
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action
https://med-fom-faculty.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2021/07/FoM-Response-to-the-TRC-21-07-05-
Final.pdf
• A formal ceremony was held to mark release of the Response
https://ubc.ca.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=98ea5445-a358-4f74-9aed-
ad5701053a43
• Informed by verbal and written feedback from Indigenous students, alumni, faculty, staff and
leaders at UBC and from Indigenous peoples outside of UBC, the Response contains a statement
of apology for our contributions to past and present harms to Indigenous peoples and
commitments to bring about meaningful, long-lasting change.
• These include enhancing recruitment and admissions processes to more effectively attract
Indigenous students across all programs, addressing demographic imbalances in the Faculty,
embedding an appreciation of Indigenous ways of knowing and healing in curricula, and helping
develop educational and health care systems that are accessible, equitable, effective, culturally
safe and free of Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination.
5.2. UBC Remote Community Drone Transport Initiative
• The Stellat’en First Nation and the Village of Fraser Lake celebrated the official launch of UBC
Faculty of Medicine’s Remote Communities Drone Transport Initiative on October 13, 2021
(https://www.med.ubc.ca/giving/community-partners-celebrate-launch-of-drone-transport-
initiative/).
• Rural and remote First Nations communities in British Columbia have long had inequitable
access to health care and related services, which has resulted in significant disparities in health
and wellness. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the inequities in and barriers to accessing
health care supplies and services, and the need for better solutions. Bi-directional unmanned
aerial vehicle (or drone) transport offers a potential solution.
Page 16 of 20• The project, funded by 2020 TD Ready Challenge, will explore whether drone technology can be
used to improve access to physically necessary health care supplies for rural and remote
Indigenous communities.
• It was established with community engagement, participation, and co-development as
foundational elements and collaborative partnerships with First Nations Health Authority,
Northern Health Authority, LifeLabs, Rural Coordination Centre of BC, UBC Pharmaceutical
Sciences, and the drone service provider, Drone Delivery Canada.
• Dr. John Pawlovich (Rural Doctors’ UBC Chair in Rural Health and Director, Rural Education
Action Plan (REAP) for RCCbc) and Dr. Terri Aldred, Medical Director for Primary Care, FNHA and
Site Director, UBC Indigenous Family Practice Program) are project co-leads.
6.0 Development and Alumni Engagement
6.1. Development Update
• Planning is well underway for the UBC Campaign with a university wide goal to raise $3B.
Medicine’s goal is $900M.
• Development is working on a number of large transdisciplinary team science proposals that if
successful will provide significant philanthropic support for infrastructure and building/retaining
research excellence to accelerate discoveries into care.
• Development was successful in the nomination of Rudy and Patricia North – significant and
longstanding donors to Medicine - for the Association of Fundraising Professionals Giving Hearts
Award for Outstanding Philanthropists. A formal virtual celebration will occur in later in
November.
6.2. Alumni Engagement Update
• Congratulations to two Faculty of Medicine alumni who will be recognized at the 2021 alumni
UBC Alumni Achievement Awards on November 19, 2021. Dr. James Watt, BSc’62, MD’67
receives the Global Citizenship Award and Dr. Jacquelyn J. Cragg, BSc’07, MPH’11, PhD’15
receives the Young Alumni Award.
• Since August 16, MSAC is fully open and also accepting bookings for Hardwick Hall and Latham
Hall. Note, users of the gym facility are required to have proof of vaccination. A staged
reopening went very smoothly and everyone is pleased to have the facility back open post
COVID related closure.
• The MAA welcomed a new President this year, Dr Jan Christilaw, for a 2-year term and this
summer launched a new initiative, Wellness Week, that saw participation from students in all
sites/all years, residents throughout the province, and MD alumni spend a week focusing on
their wellness.
Page 17 of 207.0 Communications & Marketing
7.1. Our Goal
• To promote the Faculty’s excellence and impact in the delivery of education, research and
innovation in advancing health outcomes that result in local and global recognition and support
from core audiences, stakeholders and community.
7.2. What We Do
• The Office of Creative and Communications delivers strategic communications and creative
programs, along with key initiatives, that align and help achieve the goals in the Faculty’s
strategic plan Building the Future. These efforts are focused on building brand and reputation
that creates clear external and internal awareness and understanding of the Faculty’s vision and
role as a global leader. Similarly, the Faculty’s communication plans and programs are
synergistic with the goals set out in the broader UBC strategic plan Shaping UBC’s Next Century.
• We use multiple strategies and tactics from storytelling, media releases, video, community
engagement, social media and brand journalism to strategically highlight Faculty’s strengths and
respond to reputational challenges that may arise. This semi-annual report captures just a few
of the results of these efforts of our people from around the province of B.C.
7.3. Key Initiatives
• Launch Event of the Faculty of Medicine Response to the TRC Calls to Action
The formal launch and reflection upon the Faculty of Medicine’s Response to the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action took place at a virtual event on June 25,
2021. The program featured guest speakers including Musqueam and Syilx Elders, The
Honourable Steven Point (xwĕ lī qwĕl tĕl) and other Indigenous leaders, as well as a panel
discussion with members of the Indigenous student, faculty, staff and alumni communities.
• Faculty of Medicine New Strategic Plan 2021-2026
The Faculty’s refreshed strategic plan, Building the Future: 2021-2026 launched in July along
with a new website. Visit the Strategic Plan website to read the plan to learn more about how
we are putting the strategic plan into action.
7.4. Website: marquee story series
Regular feature stories continue to headline med.ubc.ca, highlighting the impact of education, research,
innovation and commitment to community:
• Faculty of Medicine awards, celebrating 2021 faculty and staff award recipients
• UBC expands physical therapy program in northern B.C., featuring faculty members Sue Murphy,
Dr. David Anekwe and students Carli Kerr, Graham Hansel and Alexis Gee
• Kids too young for a COVID-19 vaccine? How to keep them safe, featuring Dr. Ran Goldman
• Back to School 2021, featuring various students
Page 18 of 20• Beyond COVID-19: How mRNA technology could transform how we treat disease, featuring Drs.
Anna Blakney and Dermot Kelleher
• Tackling the science behind the long-term effects of COVID-19, featuring Drs. Anita Palepu, Chris
Carlsten, Teresa Liu-Ambrose, and Lakshmi Yatham
• Travelling the road to reconciliation, featuring Dr. Nadine Caron, Dr. Mike Allard and Indigenous
MD students Celine Hounjet and Nolan Chem
• Portraying life with dementia in new light and colour, featuring Dr. Susan Cox, and Dr. Gloria
Puurveen
• Graduation 2021, featuring various students and faculty
• UBC launches national COVID-19 vaccine registry for pregnant and breastfeeding individuals,
featuring Dr. Deborah Money
• UBC-grown biotech companies lead global pandemic efforts, featuring Drs. Pieter Cullis and
Dermot Kelleher
• UBC launches new lab to combat healthcare’s environmental impact, featuring Dr. Andrea
MacNeill
7.5. Media Relations – High impact stories
The Faculty of Medicine had the highest share of media mentions among all UBC faculties during the
second quarter of 2021. Here are some of the top news stories that were featured during this time:
• Flu season is coming and it could be ugly: what you need to know (Dr. Michael Curry on Global,
CKNW, News 1130, Glacier Media outlets and Black Press outlets)
• New text-message program helps ease transition to parenthood (Dr. Patricia Janssen on Global
and Vancouver Sun/The Province and Black Press outlets)
• Cancer chemotherapy drug reverses Alzheimer’s symptoms in mice (Dr. Chaahat Singh and Wilf
Jefferies on Global, Radio Canada, Black Press outlets)
• Kids too young for a COVID-19 vaccine? How to keep them safe (Dr. Ran Goldman on Global,
CTV, CBC, CKNW, Globe and Mail)
• Busting myths about COVID-19 vaccines and fertility (Dr. Deborah Money on Global, CBC, Glacier
Media outlets)
• Innovative coating for blood vessels reduces rejection of transplanted organs (Dr. Jayachandran
Kizhakkedathu on Global, Vancouver Sun and Postmedia outlets, Indo-Canadian Voice)
• Wildfires are here to stay. How to protect against smoky skies (Dr. Michael Brauer in the
Canadian Press via Globe and Mail, CTV, The Star, CityNews, News 1130, Vancouver Sun, Times
Colonist and Postmedia outlets, Black Press outlets)
• How the pandemic shaped the sex lives of Canadians (Dr. Lori Brotto in Globe and Mail, CTV,
News 1130, Glacier Media outlets, Toronto Sun and Postmedia outlets)
• Majority of BC teachers report deteriorated mental health during pandemic (Dr. Anne
Gadermann on Global, Vancouver Sun, Indo-Canadian Voice)
Page 19 of 20• Study finds schools are not at higher risk for COVID-19 (Drs. Pascal Lavoie, David Goldfarb and
Louise and Mâsse in Canadian Press via Global, Globe and Mail, CBC, Vancouver Sun and
Postmedia outlets, MSN; CTV, News 1130)
• Pandemic underlines need to address physician burnout, study finds (Dr. Nadia Khan in
Hindustan Times, News 1130, Black Press outlets, Glacier Media outlets)
• New Canada-wide research to study mix-and-matching COVID-19 vaccines (Dr. Manish
Sadarangani on CTV, Financial Post, Black Press outlets)
• UBC launches national COVID-19 vaccine registry for pregnant and breastfeeding individuals (Dr.
Deborah Money in Global, CTV, Globe and Mail, the Star, Black Press outlets)
• Debunking COVID-19 myths: As the weather warms, UBC vaccine expert separates fact from
fiction (Dr. Anna Blakney on Global, CTV, News 1130, Vancouver Sun, The Province, Black Press
and Glacier Media outlets)
• UBC researchers unveil first molecular images of B.1.1.7 COVID-19 mutation (Dr. Sriram
Subramaniam on CNN, India Times, The Canadian Press, Globe and Mail, City News, News 1130,
Vancouver Sun and other Postmedia outlets, Black Press outlets)
• A baby’s first poop can help predict risk of developing allergies (Dr. Brett Finlay and Charisse
Peterson in UPI, New Scientist, CTV, Glacier Media outlets)
• UBC researchers identify the most dangerous prescriptions for B.C. drivers (Dr. Jeff Brubacher
on CBC, Vancouver Sun, Black Press outlets)
• UBC-grown biotech companies lead global pandemic efforts (Drs. Pieter Cullis in Business in
Vancouver)
7.6. Connect with UBC Medicine
• We continue to grow our social community with more than 26k followers. Remember to stay
connected and follow us @UBCmedicine.
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