In the Media

NS Medical Oncologist calls for improvements in medical coverage for cancer medications

Dr. Bruce Colwell, Medical Oncologist at QEII Health Sciences Center, says improvements to drug plans for take-home cancer medications are needed. At a recent meeting with the CanCertainty Coalition, Health Minister Leo Glavine committed to immediately look at the cumbersome process of getting cancer patients their treatments and bringing together all Atlantic Provinces to find a regional solution that improves patient access to take-home cancer medications. Posted December 12, 2016.

Dr. David Dupere speaks to the importance of preparing for death

Palliative medicine specialist, Dr. David Dupere, speaks to CBC about the importance of preparing for death. Dr. Dupere did the media interview on the eve of  delivering a free lecture on the subject at Dalhousie University in Halifax. Posted November 3, 2016.

Dr. Rocker supports improved end-of-life care for chronic illness

Dr. Graeme Rocker supports change for improved access to palliative care for patients with conditions such as end-stage heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. Posted August 31, 2016.

Nova Scotia is leading Canadian healthcare with MyHealthNS.ca

MyHealthNS.ca is 'a fully integrated online tool that connects patients with their doctors and other health-care providers and allows them to access routine test results, medical histories, ask their family doctor questions and book appointments through a secure portal'. The system will be province-wide by 2017. Posted August 2, 2016.

HeartLand Tour celebrates 10th anniversary

Dr. Nick Giacomantonio, Cardiologist & founder of the HeartLand Tour, is promoting a fun, healthy lifestyle for individuals and families in NS. This provincial awareness campaign, in its 10^th year, promotes a healthy cardiovascular lifestyle through long and short bike rides as well as many other activities. View the CTV Housecall with Jayson Baxter and Dr. Giacomantonio. Posted July 6, 2016.

Dr. David Anderson examines blood clot prevention after surgery

Dr. David Anderson, Division of Hematology and Dean of the Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine, is leading a study examining the prevention of blood clots in patients who have undergone knee and hip replacements. The study is a comparison of two treatments, one with an anticoagulant (Rivaroxaban) and another that combines a blood thinner and Aspirin. The study results are expected in 2017. Posted June 16, 2016.

Dr. Sapp leads trial that finds a better treatment for recurrent VT

Dr. John Sapp, Division of Cardiology, leads clinical trial that found catheter ablation is a better treatment for recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) than increased drug therapy. Posted May 6, 2016.

Drs. Darvesh and Pottie develop new diagnostic agent that may aid in early detection of Alzheimer's disease

Dr. Sultan Darvesh, Division of Neurology, and his colleague Dr. Ian Pottie, Mount Saint Vincent University, have developed a new type of diagnostic agent that may help in the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. The breakthrough was published in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine and is a milestone in their larger effort to diagnose Alzheimer’s early and definitively. Posted February 23, 2016.

Dr. Giacomantonio discusses expectations after a heart attack

Dr. Nick Giacomantonio, Division of Cardiology, discusses what to expect following a heart attack and what will give you the best chance of preventing a recurrence. About ten per cent of people who have heart attacks will have another one within a year of leaving the hospital. Posted February 22, 2016.

Dr. Short speaks with CTV Atlantic about multiple sclerosis

Dr. Christine Short, Head, Division of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, talks with CTV Atlantic about multiple sclerosis, the communication difficulties that result from the disease, and its prevalence in Canada and in Nova Scotia. Posted February 10, 2016.

Dr. Hatchette warns pregnant women against travel to Zika-hit areas

Dr. Todd Hatchette, Division of Infectious Diseases, talks with the CBC about the Zika virus, advising pregnant women and those thinking of becoming pregnant to avoid countries where the virus is wide spread. Posted February 2, 2016.

Dr. Dipchand responds to questions about the process for assessing living kidney donors

Dr. Christine Dipchand, professor of medicine in the Division of Nephrology and medical director of the Living Kidney Donation Program, responds to questions from the Canadian Press about the process for assessing living kidney donors. Posted January 29, 2016.

The No. 7 Stationary Hospital (Dalhousie University) In World War One

Dr. Des Leddin, gastroenterologist and professor of medicine, details the formation and activities of a contingent of students and professors from the Dalhousie Medical College who joined the war effort to treat the thousands of wounded in The No. 7 Stationary Hospital (Dalhousie University) In World War One, which he recently authored. The 100^th anniversary of the establishment of the No.7 hospital is today, Nov 9, 2015. Posted November 9, 2015.

Des Leddin authors book about Dalhousie's involvement in WWI

Dr. Des Leddin, gastroenterologist and professor of medicine, talks with CTV Atlantic about The No. 7 Stationary Hospital (Dalhousie University) In World War One, a book he recently authored that details a contingent of students and professors from the Dalhousie Medical College who joined the war effort to treat the thousands of wounded. The 100^th anniversary of the establishment of the No.7 hospital is today, Nov 9, 2015.

The No. 7 Hospital was formed from a desperate need for medical personnel to treat Canadian soldiers at the front. It was comprised of 162 personnel, including officers, non-commissioned officers and female nurses — all students and professors from the Dalhousie Medical College. They sailed to England from Saint John, N.B. in December 1915, landing in Plymouth. After travelling to various hospitals around England, the No. 7 assumed responsibility of the Shorncliffe Military Hospital, an 800-bed facility.

After working out of Shorncliffe for four months, the No. 7 Hospital moved to France, where it took over a 400-bed hospital in Le Havre. It was also able to establish a 400-bed facility in Harfleur, France. The man in charge of the hospital was Colonel Dr. John Stewart, a well-known surgeon from the Halifax region. After the No. 7 Hospital returned from Europe in 1919, Dr. Stewart was appointed Dean of Medicine at the Medical College where he served until 1932. (excerpts from http://www.dal.ca/news/2014/11/05/dal-goes-off-to-war.html) Ms. Laura Hubley was the head nurse and matron of the No. 7 Hospital. Ms. Hubley established training standards for nursing education in Nova Scotia and beyond. She retired from nursing practice in 1938. Interview with Bruce Frisko, CTV News Atlantic, begins at 28:00 minute mark. Posted November 9, 2015.

Can an app change the way Nova Scotians live with atrial fibrillation

Dr. Jafna Cox, Division of Cardiology, is co-investigator in a study of 4,000 patients that will assess an app that may contribute to outcomes for patients living with atrial fibrillation, an electrical issue with the heart that causes an irregular heart beat. Posted October 26, 2015.

PATH clinic: the philosophy and care of frail seniors

Drs. Laurie Mallery and Paige Moorhouse, co-founders of the Palliative and Therapeutic Harmonization (PATH) Clinic at the QEII Health Sciences Centre, discuss the clinic’s philosophy and care of frail seniors on CBC Radio’s The Current. An interview with the two members of the Division of Geriatric Medicine, is first up on the show. Posted October 6, 2015.

Dr. Lisa Barrett leads hepatitis C study in PEI

Dr. Lisa Barrett, Division of Infectious Diseases, is leading study in Prince Edward Island hoping to cure participants of hepatitis C. She is also looking at whether the immune system changes and improves once the disease is treated. This is the first time a Canadian correctional facility has participated in a drug intervention study in 40 years. Posted September 18, 2015.

Dr. Richard Langley receives funding to improve skin cancer diagnosis, treatment and research

Dr. Richard Langley, Director of Research, Division of Clinical Dermatology & Cutaneous Science, is first to receive funding from a recent $1 million donation to the Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation to improve skin cancer diagnosis, treatment and research in our region as reported by MetroNews, The Chronicle Herald and Global News. Posted May 19, 2015.

A silent epidemic: Dal medical researchers tackle fatty liver disease

Dr. Kevork Peltekian, Head, Division of Digestive Care & Endoscopy, is one of three Dalhousie researchers combatting the silent epidemic of fatty liver disease. Reposted April 23, 2015.

Connecting the dots between hepatitis C and the aging immune system

Dr. Lisa Barrett, Division of Infectious Diseases, is hoping to uncover the secrets of keeping our immune systems young. She talks here about her research into hepatitis C, particularly how new-generation antivirals help the immune system bounce back from hepatitis C infections. Posted April 2, 2015.

New dialysis unit at Halifax Infirmary site

Division of Nephrology instrumental in supporting new dialysis unit at the HI Site of the QEII Health Sciences Centre. Posted March 25, 2015.

Renewed investment in our knowledge of aging

The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), which aims to provide in-depth understanding of aging, has been awarded a $41.6 million grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to continue its work for the next five years. Dr. Susan Kirkland, Dalhousie Department of Community Health & Epidemiology and Division of Geriatric Medicine, is one of three principal investigators. Posted March 16, 2015.

Health Canada approves new psoriasis drug

Health Canada approves new psoriasis drug: Cosentyx. The injection, which is the first treatment of its kind, was discovered and tested by Dr. Richard Langley, Division of Clinical Dermatology & Cutaneous Science, and a team of international collaborators. Posted March 11, 2015.

On the path to early detection of Alzheimer's disease

Dr. Sultan Darvesh is working to definitively diagnose Alzheimer's disease sooner rather than later. He and his work are featured in this month's QEII Times. Posted February 23, 2015.