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2015 News

Dr. Paul O’Byrne Appointed New Dean & Vice-President of McMaster’s Faculty of Health Sciences

Following an international search, Dr. Paul O’Byrne has been selected as the next dean and vice-president of McMaster’s Faculty of Health Sciences.

Currently, Dr. Paul O’Byrne is the chair of McMaster’s Department of Medicine as well as the executive director of the Firestone Clinic at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. The research that he conducts at St. Joe’s has transformed the lives of patients around the world that have been diagnosed with allergic asthma. His mentorship has inspired and guided the careers of many talented respiratory researchers that have conducted studies within our hospital, and who now practice respirology around the world.

“The Faculty of Health Sciences is unique in the world,” said O’Byrne. “It is very successful, very collegial and extraordinarily collaborative in advancing science, patient care and education. I’m honoured to have the opportunity to ensure that success has every opportunity to continue. I couldn’t dream of a better job.”

While Dr. O’Byrne will assume his new role on July 1, 2016, he will also continue to lead the Firestone Clinic and engage in respiratory research at St. Joe’s.

We congratulate Dr. O’Byrne on his new appointment. We hope that his leadership in respiratory research continues to improve the treatments that we are able to provide to our patients, and serves as an inspiration to others that will follow in his footsteps.

Dr. Paul O’Byrne Appointed New Dean & Vice-President of McMaster’s Faculty of Health Sciences

Dr. Paul O’Byrne – The Hamilton Spectator

Award of Academic Excellence in the Clinical Research Associate Certificate Program: Ms. Afia Aziz-Ur-Rehman

Afia Aziz-Ur-Rehman has recently completed the Clinical Research Associate certificate program. The Clinical Research Associate (CRA) program, offered by McMaster University Continuing Education and affiliated with the Faculty of Health Sciences, is designed to develop the concepts, skills, strategies, attitudes and knowledge required to perform clinical trials.

Through her hard work, she has also been chosen as this year’s recipient of the Award of Academic Excellence in the Clinical Research Associate certificate program having achieved the highest grade point average of her class.

This distinction recognizes her consistent and excellent academic performance during the program.

Congratulations Afia!

Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation: 4th Annual Rob’s Ride

On October 23, 2015, Dr. Kjetil Ask (Faculty), Philipp Kolb (Clinical Research), James Murphy (Lab Research Assistant for Drs. Ask and Kolb), Pavitra Parthasarathy and Karun Tandon (Masters Students for Dr. Ask) participated in some indoor cycling action at the 4th Annual Rob’s Ride for the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at the River Oaks Community Centre in Oakville, Ontario.

Zrinka DiVincenzo, Raquel Whitwell and Victoria Reynolds lent a helping hand at the registration desk.

All money raised will go to the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.

Thank you to all those who participated and volunteered their time at this event!

Dr. Paul O’Byrne Elected a Fellow

The Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) works in partnership with the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Engineering to form the three Member Academies of the Council of Canadian Academies. The academy recognizes the full breadth of academic health science ranging from fundamental science to social science and population health. Fellows elected to the Academy will be well recognized by their peers nationally and internationally for their contributions to the promotion of health science. They will have demonstrated leadership, creativity, distinctive competencies and a commitment to advance academic health science.

Such individuals are elected to the organization after a nominating and peer review procedure that seeks to recognize those who are marked by a record of substantial accomplishment. At the time of election, Fellows must be Canadian citizens or have been Canadian residents for the preceding three years. Election to Fellowship in the Academy is considered one of the highest honours for individuals in the Canadian health sciences community and carries with it a covenant to serve the Academy and the future well being of the health sciences irrespective of the Fellow’s specific discipline.

Fellows of the Academy are entitled to use the designation FCAHS (Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences) or MACSS (Membre de l’academie canadienne des sciences de la santé).

Dr. Paul O’Byrne has been elected a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS). Considered one of the highest honors for Canadians in the health sciences community, CAHS Fellows are recognized for their innovative leadership, research excellence and commitment to advancing academic health science.

Attached are the elected fellows for 2015.

2015-CAHS-Elected-Fellows (PDF)

IPF Awareness Month: Representing the Patient Voice at Queen’s Park: Dr. Martin Kolb

In commemoration of IPF Awareness Month, Dr. Martin Kolb was invited by the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation to speak on behalf of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) at Queen’s Park.

The event was held to raise awareness of the disease among legislators and policy-makers – discussing the need for patients to have access to all available treatments. It is estimated that between 10,000-12,000 Canadians are diagnosed with IPF, and half of these patients will only live with the disease for an average of three to four years.

Dr. Kolb met with the Ontario Drug Plan’s Executive Officer, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care representatives, MPPs and stakeholders and discussed the devastating effects of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

His recent research has discovered that two new drugs can slow down the progression of IPF, offering the hope of a longer life to those with the disease. One of these treatments has recently been approved by Health Canada and is currently undergoing evaluation for coverage by OHIP.

New Treatment Offers Hope for an Incurable Disease: Dr. Martin Kolb

New drug slows lung disease idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by 50 per cent. Attached is an article that appeared in the Hamilton Spectator on August 24, 2015.

New Treatment Offers Hope for an Incurable Disease (PDF) (Hamilton Spectator)

Hamilton Experts Help Chinese Doctors

Drs. O’Byrne, Kolb, Cox, McIvor and Wang participated in a Webex with Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease (GIRD). This international academic exchange web event entitled “Top Experts Ward Rounds with Remote Consultation” aim was to share complex cases and improve the diagnosis and treatment in China. Drs. O’Byrne, Kolb, Cox and McIvor were invited to join in this international consultation meeting with Chinese colleagues to share their valuable experience in the diagnosis and management of patients with lung diseases.

The Webex was very successful. More than 9000 doctors from over 2000 hospitals along with 100 additional participants from AstraZeneca China participated through the internet in China.

Attached is a media release as well as an article that appeared in the Hamilton Spectator.

2015 Respirology Publication: Dr. Nathan Hambly

Congratulations to Dr. Nathan Hambly on his recent publication which was published in the Journal of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology.

2015 Respirology Publication — Dr. Nathan Hambly (PDF)

2015 Ann Woolcock Award: Dr. Jeremy Hirota

Congratulations to Dr. Jeremy Hirota who was awarded the 2015 Ann Woolcock Award at the American Thoracic Conference on May 18, 2015.

2015 Ann Woolcock Award — Dr. Jeremy Hirota (PDF)

Distinguished University Professor

Five of McMaster’s most extraordinary faculty members have been given the University’s highest honour.

Dr. Paul O’Byrne has been named Distinguished University Professor.

The title, created in 1996, goes only to those who achieve the highest level of excellence in teaching, learning and research.

Those recognized with the honour are considered “complete scholars” and have demonstrated an outstanding and sustained research record, innovation in teaching and learning and a history of service that has had an impact on the community.

The Provost’s office received 26 nominations for the title in December 2014.

“These truly are ‘complete scholars,’” said Provost David Wilkinson. “They represent the best of McMaster in teaching, research and community engagement, and should be proud of their accomplishments. Congratulations to all five of our newest Distinguished University Professors.”

No more than 2% of all full-time faculty can hold a Distinguished University Professorship.

SJHH Research Institute Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award

SJHH Research Institute Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award has been given to Dr. Pierre-Simon Bellaye (Supervised by Dr. Martin Kolb).

2015 Around the Bay Road Race

Firestone Executive, Clinicians, Researchers, trainees and admins participated on the run this year to raise funds for Research Projects to be carried out to promote lung health at the Firestone. Thank you to those who supported us. We had a successful fundraiser.