Newsletter

Please see below for the following updates:

• Message from the President and CEO: Dr. Thomas Parker announces retiring from his executive role
• Thrombolytic-Related Intracranial Hemorrhage Algorithm
• 2024 Robert Sheppard Award

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Please see below for the following updates for November 9, 2023:

• Congratulations to…
• University of Toronto – City Wide Medical Grand Rounds – November 15^th, 2023: F.M. Hill Lecture with Dr. Jillian Horton
• MSA Holiday Party E-invite – Last chance to RSVP
• Upcoming Symposium on Nov 27: Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Nobel Prize for the Discovery of Insulin to Banting and Macleod
• CPSO clarification on the responsibilities for test management, consultations, and continuity of care
• Minimizing delays in pathology results for urgent cases
• Tips for Cyber Security
• WebCV replacement and introduction of Discover Research and Elements
• Ending the Practice of “Race Correction” in Health Care speaker series, as part of the Li Ka Shing, Clinical and Population Research Rounds, 2023:  November 29, 2023 event
• Do Not Use the Emergency Department Entrance
• Upcoming learning sessions on new guideline for AV recordings by patients and visitors

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Dear Colleagues

As you’re all aware, the University of Toronto Core Internal Medicine Residency Program is undergoing accreditation by the Royal College next week. I wanted to thank each of you for the incredible work that you have done to prepare for this and to ensure the learners receive an excellent education experience in a caring, kind and professional environment. The continued dedication and commitment you demonstrated towards the learners during the various challenges over the past three years has been inspirational.  Moreover, your thoughtfulness in creating new education initiatives and models of care to meet learners’ and patients’ needs is exemplary. Thank you for being such great role models in providing outstanding clinical care and in delivering our academic mandate.

Particular thanks to the Site Directors, the Rotation Coordinators, the Education Coordinators, the Education Committee, the Residency Training Committee and the Division Heads. As we head into the accreditation visit, it is evident that everyone has worked incredibly hard and I am very grateful to each of you.

Thanks again.

Sharon

Please see below for the following updates:

• Register for therapeutic healing circle sessions for Black staff, physicians, learners and volunteers
• Reminder to RSVP | Fellowship Strategic Retreat Day | Thursday, November 23, 2023 | 9:00-2:00pm
• Department of Medicine – Medical Grand Rounds – Cancelled on November 8^th
• University of Toronto – City Wide Medical Grand Rounds – November 15^th, 2023: F.M. Hill Lecture with Dr. Jillian Horton
• MSA Holiday Party E-invite

Please see below for the following updates:

• Please report your income to SMPA for EPIC – Project Connect
• New guidelines for AV recordings by patients and visitors
• Guidance for scheduling meetings at Unity Health: Be mindful of religious and cultural observances
• COVID-19 vaccine information from pharmacy
• Changes to piperacillin-taxobactum dosing and standard method of administration at St. Michael's and Providence
• MSA Holiday Party E-invite

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As noted last week, some DOM members asked for suggestions of where to donate to support humanitarian/health aid in Israel and a link was suggested by Jeff Zaltzman that was included in last week’s newsletter.  Note that not all of the links in that website list were focused on humanitarian aid and individuals will need to do some filtering. Some department members asked for links where donations can be made for humanitarian aid for those in Gaza. Please find a list of websites proposed by Ahmed Bayoumi and Malika Sharma that focus solely on humanitarian aid.

Medical Aid for Palestinians is on the ground in Gaza where they are working to stock hospitals with essential drugs, disposables and other healthcare supplies. https://www.map.org.uk

Palestine Children's Relief Fund is a primary humanitarian organization in Palestine. They deliver crucial, life-saving medical relief and humanitarian aid on the ground. https://www.pcrf.net

The World Food Programme has been distributing fresh bread, canned food and ready-to-eat food to those who sought refuge in United Nations Relief and Works Agency shelters in Gaza. https://www.wfp.org

Doctors Without Borders is providing support to hospitals and health facilities in Gaza. https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org

UNRWA is providing medical support, trauma relief, and food assistance on the ground in Gaza. https://www.unrwausa.org

The Palestine Red Crescent is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movements and is providing aid to Gaza. https://www.palestinercs.org/en

Please see below for the following updates:

• Announcement: New ID Division Head
• November 22^nd Grand Rounds with Melanie de Wit, UHT General Counsel - Documentation Practices
• Book the mobile flu clinic to get your flu vaccine: Updated schedule coming soon
• N95 mandatory mask fit testing at St. Michael’s
• LMS Project - Elevate Manager Training
• 2024 Temerty Faculty of Medicine Awards for Excellence in Postgraduate Medical Education

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*Sent on behalf of Sharon Straus*

Words will never be sufficient to provide solace at such a distressing time. They will not alleviate the horror of the Hamas terrorist acts perpetrated against civilians in Israel. And, they will not reduce the fear that our Jewish friends and colleagues are experiencing worldwide. This fear has escalated with the recent global threats made by the terrorist organization, Hamas, for October 13.  While there is no known specific threat in the GTA at this time, we know that this is frightening for people.

We encourage you to continue to reach out to colleagues to check in. There are support services available including those at the OMA and the new Jewish Affinity Group, being established at Unity Health (see information below).

Some of our Department members have asked about a link to where they could obtain information about supporting health care needs and here is a link provided by Jeff Zaltzman:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/where-people-abroad-can-donate-to-israels-hospitals-troops-survivors-and-more/

With thanks to Jeff and Natalie for input on this note and to all of you for supporting and caring for each other and the learners.

Please let me know how best I can support you; my cell is 647 938 4525

Sharon

Please see below for the following updates

• Join the Jewish Affinity Group at Unity Health
• Social Media Guidelines for Faculty
• Flu and COVID-19 vaccines available beginning Monday, Oct. 16: See schedule for Fall vaccination clinics
• 2023 Angels Den
• Request for Core Internal Medicine 2023 CaRMS Interviewer/File Reviewer Availability

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Please see below for the following updates:

• Nazik Hammad appointed Faculty Lead for the Toronto Addis Ababa Academic Collaboration
• A huge congratulations to Kamran Khan on the success of Blue Dot!
• UHT PGME Director Update
• Educational resources from Ontario Ministry of Health and Ontario Medical Association
• CAME Rising Star Certificate of Excellence Award
• Ahmed Bayoumi makes his New York Times crossword debut

Please see below for the following updates:

• Review masking and sick leave absence protocols heading into flu season
• CALL FOR APPLICATIONS | PGME Faculty Lead, Internal Review Committee (IRC), Royal College Programs

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Please see below for the following updates:

• RSVPs for the CPA day
• Sign up for San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training
• Learn about the new Unity Health startup: Genetics Adviser
• Accreditation Information
• ‘Music heals’: Medical resident plays violin concert for patients at St. Michael’s Hospital

 

Please see below for the following updates:

• Congratulations to Samir Grover!
• Quality Improvement Partnership with the CPSO
• The Division of General Surgery and Department of Surgery welcomes Dr. Anna Dare
• Jeffrey C. Lozon Physician Leadership Award