Resident Research Awards 2025

Residents, faculty, and staff gathered on June 12, 2025, to celebrate resident research in the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie.  

Held in the Collaborative Health Education Building (CHEB), the evening paid tribute to the accomplishments of resident researchers and the 38 nominations for 2025. Five resident physicians were honoured with research awards.  

Dr. David Bowes, assistant dean of postgraduate medical education, hosted the event, featuring a keynote by Dr. Amy Bombay, associate professor of neuroscience at Carleton University and Canada Research Chair in Multigenerational Trauma and Resilience. An Anishnaabe kwe from Rainy River First Nations, Dr. Bombay’s research explores how multigenerational trauma, contemporary stressors, and cultural identity influence health outcomes among First Nations Peoples. Her work on the intergenerational impacts of Indian Residential Schools has received widespread media attention and shaped Indigenous health policy and practice. 

“As research is defunded and dismissed in the U.S., Canada must safeguard spaces for inquiry,” says Jennifer Acuna, curriculum specialist in the Medical Education Teaching and Research Office in postgraduate medical education. “Supporting resident research at Dalhousie affirms our commitment to evidence, advocacy, and reconciliation—and prepares physicians to lead in uncertain times. Research is, at its core, an act of advocacy—a way of speaking up for patients with the power to create meaningful change in people’s lives.” 

Dalhousie medical researchers are committed to solving serious health challenges impacting people in the Maritime provinces and beyond. This important work would not be possible without the collaborative and collective efforts of research teams and support staff, including the very talented and hardworking resident researchers recognized with these awards and scholarships.    

Meet the 2025 resident research award recipients:  

BEST FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENT RESEARCH AWARD 
Dr. Jethro Moneo, Family Medicine (PGY2)

Suboxone Microdosing in the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Emergency Department: A Practice Quality Improvement Project

Between 2016 and 2024, more Canadians died from opioid toxicity than from all other accidental causes combined. Emergency departments (EDs) are often the only point of care for people with opioid use disorder (OUD), yet without treatment, over 5 per cent of those patients die within a year. Buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone) is a proven ED treatment, but physicians at Cape Breton Regional Hospital were not routinely prescribing it.

A quality improvement project led by Dr. Moneo identified key barriers: lack of confidence, time and space constraints, and unclear follow-up plans. In response, he developed educational tools promoting "microdosing" — a low-barrier initiation method — and partnered with the outpatient recovery program to ensure clear follow-up after discharge. These resources were shared through videos, summaries, and staff meetings. 

Following the intervention, physicians reported increased comfort and some began prescribing Suboxone, with several successful cases confirmed. While consistent use is still evolving, the project improved readiness and laid the groundwork for integrating Suboxone into routine emergency care.

BEST WORK IN CLINICAL RESEARCH- RESIDENT WHO HAS INCORPORATED RESEARCH INTO THEIR PRIMARY TRAINING PROGRAM 
Dr. David Hodgson, Diagnostic Radiology (PGY2)

First In Vivo Delivery and Characterization of a Novel Radiopaque Y-90 Radioembolic Microsphere and Delivery System

Liver cancer is on the rise and remains one of the deadliest forms of cancer. For many patients who can’t have surgery, doctors need safer, more effective, and less invasive treatment options. One promising method is radioembolization, where tiny beads carrying radiation are delivered directly to the tumor. Current tools, however, are hard to see and use.

A new system, CombiSphere™ and the single-canula air-spring (SCAS) system, aims to change that. CombiSphere™ beads are visible on CT scans, letting doctors track them in real time, while SCAS simplifies the procedure and improves control. 

In tests on pigs, the treatment was safe, accurate, and easy to deliver. The animals stayed healthy, and over 90 per cent of the radiation reached its target. These early results suggest this new approach could improve outcomes for liver cancer patients, with human trials on the horizon.

BEST RESEARCH AWARD FOR A JUNIOR RESIDENT (PGY1 OR PGY2) WHO HAS INCORPORATED RESEARCH INTO THEIR PRIMARY TRAINING PROGRAM 
Dr. Kalpesh Hathi, Otolaryngology (PGY2)   

Patient Perspectives of Quality Compared to Quantity of Life Regarding Orbital Exenteration: A Mixed Methods Study

Orbital exenteration is a life-altering surgery that removes the eye and surrounding tissue to treat aggressive cancer. While it can improve survival, it significantly impacts appearance, function, and quality of life.

Newer treatments like immunotherapy may help patients avoid this disfiguring surgery, but they may come with higher risks or less certain cancer outcomes. This creates a difficult choice between preserving the eye with less predictable results or opting for surgery with better chances of survival.

To understand patient preferences, Dr. Hathi asked people to weigh survival against quality of life. On average, patients were willing to accept a 40 per cent risk of death or give up over three years of life to avoid the surgery. Many prioritized quality of life, but decisions varied based on personal values, family, age, and past experiences. 

These results show that survival isn’t always the top priority for patients. More research and personalized care are needed to support treatment choices that align with what matters most to each individual.

BEST WORK IN QUALITY IMPROVEMENT, MEDICAL EDUCATION, LEADERSHIP OR ADMINISTRATION WHO HAS INCORPORATED RESEARCH INTO THEIR PRIMARY TRAINING PROGRAM 
Dr. Jenna Smith Forrester, Neurosurgery (PGY5)

Quality Improvement in Neurosurgery: The Success of the Spine Assessment Clinic in Reducing Post-Op Emergency Department Visits

Many neurosurgery patients end up in the emergency department (ED) after surgery due to pain, wound issues, or bladder problems. At Dalhousie, nearly one in four spinal surgery patients visited the ED within three months post-op, causing stress for patients and added strain on the healthcare system.

To change this, Dalhousie’s Division of Neurosurgery launched the Spine Assessment Clinic (SAC). The clinic offers personalized education, early follow-up, and proactive care to support smoother recovery. 

Since its launch, ED visits dropped by over 50 per cent, and overall ED use fell by more than 60 per cent. Patients received early check-ins, help with pain management, and timely care, leading to faster recoveries and fewer complications. With 92 per cent of patients highly satisfied and 100 per cent recommending the program, SAC is helping improve care while easing the burden on emergency services.

2025 BEST OVERALL AWARD 
Dr. Bonnie He, Ophthalmology (PGY4)

Risk of glaucoma associated with calcium channel blocker use in patients with cardiovascular disease

Recent studies suggested that calcium channel blockers (CCBs), which are common medications for heart conditions, might increase the risk of glaucoma, a serious eye disease. This raised concern for millions of people taking these drugs.

Those earlier studies, however, had major flaws. Stopping CCBs unnecessarily could lead to dangerous heart problems. To get clearer answers, Dr. He conducted the largest and most rigorous study to date using a large health database. 

The new study found no increased risk of glaucoma from CCB use. The earlier findings were likely due to other factors that weren’t properly accounted for. Patients and doctors can feel reassured that continuing CCBs is safe and important for heart health.