Summer 2013 - Surgery - University of Alberta

Surgical FrontiersA newsletter for the faculty, friends and alumni of the Department of Surgery,University of AlbertaInside this issue:http://surgery.med.ualberta.ca Summer 2013Buying VitalTime forTransplantPatientsDrew’s Crew -Surgery staffWalk for ALSTom WilliamsSurgicalResearch Day& SurgicalAwards dinnerMaking historyin the SurgicalMedicalResearchInstitute(SMRI) labStaff Updatesand Awards2461011Message from the ChairWelcome to our end of summeredition of Surgical Frontiers.Typically we produce a combinedspring /summer issue, but after abusy season, and late publishingdate, we instead combined ourwinter and spring editions. So wefind ourselves a little off schedule,but are back on track withthis issue, which will include photosfrom our Surgical AwardsDinner on May 10.I’d like to remind you all to markyour calendar for our 2014 TomWilliam’s Surgical Research Dayand surgical awards dinner, takingplace May 9, 2014. The hostdivision will be urology and wealready anticipate a great day.For the dinner, we will bereturning to the Fairmont HotelMacdonald.As some of you know, we’re inthe process of developing adepartment strategic plan.Assistant chair, administration,Diane Titley, is at the lead of thisproject; collecting andinterpreting data and compilinginformation. Our targetedcompletion date for the plan isend of this calendar year, andwhen it’s ready, we will share itdepartment wide.Our communicationscoordinator, Lyndsey Ford, isalso in the process of preparingour 2012 Annual Report. I hopeyou’ll take a moment to review itwhen it lands in your inbox.On the budget front, discussionscontinue and at this time there isnothing new to report. Withinthe department we continue toanticipate no loss of positions.We will be doing some limitedrecruitment this year, but it willbe resource neutral. Althoughwe are facing a challenging time,we continue to ride out thestorm.I am looking forward to meetingour 23 new residents whostarted July 1. In total we have127 surgical residents thisacademic year. Resident dutyhours continues to be a hot topicand I thank Erin Wright, whohosted three symposiums on thesubject. I’m looking forward toattending the 2013 Royal CollegeICRE meeting in Calgary, whereI’m sure there will be continueddiscussion on this issue.In our graduate program we have35 students registered, 8 whichare residents. The breakdown is13 PhD students and 22 MSc.They are a diverse group and Iwelcome them to thedepartment.I’d also like to share that I wasnominated and accepted theposition of Chair of the CanadianAssociation of Surgical ChairsDr. Douglas M Hedden(CASC). I will be attending theAmerican College of Surgeonson behalf of CASC in earlyOctober and I am lookingforward to the informationsharing that will take place.I hope you all had an enjoyableand restful summer with familyand friends. I look forward to thenew academic year and as always,thank you for your hard workand dedication to thedepartment.Douglas M Hedden, MD FRCSCWalter Stirling AndersonProfessor and Chair, Departmentof Surgery, Faculty of Medicine &Dentistry, University of Alberta

Page 2Surgical FrontiersBuying Vital Time for Transplant PatientsClinicians in the University ofAlberta’s Faculty of Medicine &Dentistry are participating in an18-centre, international researchtrial to examine the effectivenessof a new technology on healthoutcomes for lung transplantpatients. The Edmonton site isthe only centre in Canada takingpart in the industry-led trial.The INSPIRE trial, led by U.S.-based TransMedics, involvestechnology to oxygenate andpossibly repair donor lungsleading up to transplant. Thecompany’s goal is to enroll 264patients in a randomized,controlled trial that will comparetwo transplant methods—putting donated organs on iceprior to transplant versus usingthe company’s technology tooxygenate and repair organs(through such methods asdelivering antibiotics, removingsecretions and inserting stemcells).The trial will examine patients’recovery time and quality of lifeafter transplantation in bothgroups. The technology maymake organ transplantationmore effective and safer in thefuture.The faculty joined the researchtrial this spring thanks to variouspartnerships. TransMedicsdonated the portable hardwareequipment to thefaculty's Alberta TransplantInstitute (ATI) and AlbertaHealth Services.“We are very excited to betaking part in this internationaltrial—the technology is veryexciting,” says Atul Humar,director of the institute and arenowned transplant researcher.Giving Albertans access tolatest technology“Because members of the facultychose to take part in thisresearch trial, Albertansdesperately waiting for a lungtransplant will have access to thelatest medical technology thatcould improve their recoverytime and quality of recovery.This is an example of how facultyresearch makes a real differenceand positive impact in theeveryday lives of Albertans—byimproving their health and givingthem the gift of time.”Department of Surgery colleagueJayan Nagendran is the leadUalberta clinicians are taking part in an international research trial of new technology thatcould make organ transplants more effective and safer in the future.

Summer 2013Page 3cardiac thoracic surgeoninvolved in the trial at theEdmonton centre. He is also amember of the ATI and thedirector of research for theDivision of Cardiac Surgery inthe Faculty of Medicine &Dentistry.To date, 139 patients havetaken part in the trial, includingtwo from Edmonton. Theremaining patients are fromCanada, the United States,Europe and Australia. The trial,which started in 2012, willwrap up at the end of thisyear. Interim results from thetrial’s first 100 patients werepublicly shared at the annualmeeting of the InternationalSociety for Heart and LungTransplantation in Montrealthis spring. Preliminary resultsare encouraging to thecompany and investigators.In addition to the internationalresearch trial, the ATI andAlberta Health Services areusing the new technology totry to improve the viability ofdonated lungs, to make themmore suitable for transplants.The ATI and the UniversityHospital Foundation togetherdonated more than $500,000toward this clinicaladvancement. The foundationcommitted $350,000, whichreflects its long-termcommitment to advancing thetransplant program; in 2005,the foundation contributed $1million to establish the ATI.Breathing new life intodonated lungsEach time the technology isused, the donated organ sits ina chamber with connections toventilators and otherhardware. The chamber needsto be replaced for eachtransplant. The funding will payfor 10 or 11 new chambersover the course of a year.“If we can oxygenate andperfuse donated organs andimprove their function to thepoint they are useful and youcan transplant them, it couldincrease the number of viableorgans for transplants inAlberta. This means moretransplants could beperformed in the province, andthat is wonderful news forAlbertans awaitingtransplants,” says Humar.Nagendran noted lungs fromWestern Canada and Californiawere turned down byother hospitals, but theTransMedics technologyimproved the organs to thepoint they could be used fortransplant. The operations andsubsequent recoveries havebeen successful for thepatients, he says. The organsdonated from B.C. set a worldrecord for the longest stretchof time that organs have beenoutside the body prior to asuccessful transplant—10.5hours in the TransMedicschamber technology. Theprevious record was betweenseven and eight hours, he says.“This funding allows us to usethe latest technologicaladvancements in transplantationso we can try and save thelives of more patients,” saysNagendran. “With thistechnology, we can startrepairing and oxygenating thedonated lungs moments afterthey are removed. This startsthe repair process immediatelyand decreases the risk of injuryto the organs, which can occurwhile organs are cold andstored in ice for hours.”The majority of organsdonated for transplant can’t beused; 80 per cent of donatedlungs are considered notsuitable for transplantation.Each year in Alberta, between30 and 40 lung transplants areperformed. Humar andNagendran both hope thatnumber could dramaticallyincrease using the newtechnology.Mark Your CalendarDepartment of Surgery Retreat - November 20, 2013Tom Williams Surgical Research Day - May 9, 2014

Page 4Surgical FrontiersDrew’s Crew - Surgery staff Walk for ALSBack in the spring, some staffmembers from the office ofpostgraduate surgical educationat the U of A asked to speak toSue Sutherland, a medicaleducation program assistant forgeneral surgery. The topic was asensitive one: Sue’s husband,general surgeon, DrewSutherland, who lives with ALS.The staff wanted to form a teamto participate in the summerWalk for ALS and they wantedthe Sutherlands’ blessing.Sue’s response came naturally: “Isaid of course!” she exclaimed.“We were really nervous toask,” admitted team captain, KimNicholas. “The Sutherlands don’treally talk about it and when theydo, it’s very matter of fact. Theydon’t go into the details of howthe disease has affected thempersonally.”Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis,ALS, is also known as LouGehrig’s disease; named after thefamous American baseball playerwho succumbed to the disease in1941. It is a progressive and,(L to R) Kim Nicholas (team captain), Valerie Masson, SueSutherland, Dr. Drew Sutherland, Sharon Dopulos, TheresaVilches and Valerie Andriowskiultimately, fatal neuromusculardisease, with no known cause,cure or proven drug therapy.The devastating disease slowlyrobs people of the ability towalk, talk and, finally, to breathe.With Drew diagnosed eightyears ago, the family has learnedto live with the realities of ALS.“I guess we have a sort of darksense of humour about it,” Suesaid. “We’ve already gonethrough the reactions that comewith the initial diagnosis. We’vegone through the panic, thestress and the fear.”With the full support of theSutherland family, Nicholas andher colleagues began forming theWalk for ALS team. “I literallywalked down the halls of thedepartment of surgery and askedpeople to join us,” said Nicholas.“People are so supportive of thecause and there’s a realatmosphere of excitement. It hasseemed to bring people togetherwithin our department, which isan added benefit.”Members of SWU for Drew (Southwest United Soccer ClubU 12) get pumped-up for the Walk for ALSDrew Sutherland is a currentfaculty member and alumnus ofthe U of A Faculty of Medicine &Dentistry, where he earned hisMD, and the department ofsurgery, where he completed hisgeneral surgery residency. Intalking with the Sutherlands, theteam learned that a group ofnurses at the University ofAlberta Hospital had participated

Summer 2013 Page 5in the walk a year prior insupport of Drew. The groupsdecided to join forces for the2013 Walk for ALS and Drew’sCrew was formed. With over60 members, Drew’s Crew wasthe biggest team participating inthe walk and consisted ofdepartment of surgery physicians,surgical residents and administratorsalongside Alberta HealthServices nurses, dieticians andphysiotherapists.The team’s original fundraisinggoal was $5,000, but they quicklysurpassed it and upped the goalto $10,000. When they passedthat, they raised it once again to$15,000 and then $20,000. “Thefundraising really took off,” saidNicholas. “We were surprised bythe first big donation and it justwent on from there.”“We’re overwhelmed by thesupport,” Sue said. “It’s crazy anddelightful and just wonderful,because it spreads the wordabout ALS, which isn’t always adisease at the forefront and isseverely underfunded.”The cost of living with ALS is ahefty one. The drug patients taketwice a day runs at $10 per pilland is not covered under Albertahealth care. Equipment such as aBiPAP machine, which providespuffs of air to give breathingmuscles a break, can costbetween $3,000 and $5,000. Anddaily living requirements, such aswheelchairs, special medical bedsand chairs and renovations to thehome to include ramps, stair liftsand other adjustments, quicklyadd up.Since ALS is a patient-specificdisease, its path can be difficult topredict and the needs can comeat different times. For some thedisease can begin in the lungs andfor others is can begin withmuscle deterioration. “It’s not ablack and white, ABC disease,”explained Sue. “It’s more an A,D, E, F.”The money raised through theWalk for ALS goes to the ALSSociety, which supports thoseliving with the disease. “We’relucky,” explained Sue. “We havethe means to live with thedisease but many don’t. Thisprovides critical support to themany who can’t afford the basicequipment that is required.”For Drew Sutherland, a positiveoutlook and the love and supportof his wife and four children keephim active in the department ofsurgery. He works in the AcuteCare Emergency Services (ACES)ward, treating patients whocome in from the ER pre- andpost-surgery. He is also theassistant program director forthe general surgery residencyprogram and conducts weeklyresident teaching sessions. Hehas been promoted to associateclinical professor and recentlycompleted the CanadianAssociation of General Surgeons(CAGS) exam mandatory forgeneral surgery residents,finishing fourth overall in Canada,and first in Canada amongphysicians who participatedvoluntarily to help set thestandard. “ALS takes the body,but not the mind,” Sue said.“And Drew’s mind is sharp as atack!”Fast Facts:The 2013 Walk for ALS tookplace Saturday June 8, 2013 atHawrelak Park in Edmonton.Drew’s Crew was joined bymembers of the SouthwestUnited Soccer Club U12(daughter Arwen Sutherlandplays for the team). The groupname was SWU for Drew.With both groups combined,almost 100 people walked insupport of Dr. Sutherland.Over $33,000 was raised byteam Drew’s Crew, making themthe 2nd highest fundraisers of theevent.Dr. Sutherland and just some of the members of Drew’s Crew prior to the Walk for ALS.

Page 6Surgical FrontiersCongratulations Resident Award and Scholarship RecipientsSurgical Awards Dinner - May 10, 2013The RE Fraser Award for Excellence in Teaching:Dr. Michael McCall (L) and Dr. George Kurien (R)(presented by Dr. Erin Wright)The Cooper Johnston Memorial Scholarship: Dr.Benjamin Herman (presented by Dr. Ed Masson)Dr. Hastings Mewburn Postgraduate Scholarship inOrthopaedic Medicine: Dr. Khald Almansoori(presented by Dr. Ed Masson)The Frank Squires Scholarship in Urology: Dr.Conrad Maciejewski (L) and Dr. Phil Bach (R)(presented by Dr. Gerry Todd)The Marshall C. Hunting Award in VascularSurgery: Dr. Dana Mihalicz (presented by Dr.Harold Chyczij)The Dr. Martin T. Spoor Award: Dr. Jeff Zorn(presented by Dr. David Ross)

Summer 2013Page 7The Shab Puri Award in Cardiac Surgery: Dr.Jeevan Nagendran (presented by Dr. David Ross)George R Graham Postgraduate MemorialBursary in Surgery: Dr. Jeevan Nagendran(presented by Dr. Nader Jomha)CongratulationsTom Williams Surgical Research Day Award WinnersClinical Science oral presentation (L -R): Dr. AdamKinnaird, honourable mention, Dr. George Kurien,3rd, Dr. Vincent Biron, 2nd and Dr. Joshua Wong, 1st(presented by Dr. Garth Warnock)Clinical Science poster presentation: (L) Dr. CarolineJeffery, 2nd and Dr. Stephan van Zyl, 1st (notpictured, accepted by Dr. Kinnaird on his behalf)(presented by Dr. Garth Warnock)Basic Science oral presentation (L -R): Dr. TroyPerry, 3rd, Dr. Pang Young, 2nd, and Dr. JeevanNagendran, 1st (presented by Dr. Garth Warnock)Basic Science poster presentation: (L) Mr. RogerCroutze, 2nd and Dr. Mahra Nourbakhsh, 1st (notpictured, accepted by Dr. Donna Douglas on hisbehalf) (presented by Dr. Garth Warnock)

Page 8Surgical FrontiersCongratulations to our graduate residentswho wrote their Royal College examsPictured on the stairs, top to bottom (L):Winston TeoJack ChiuMatthew SousterNamdar ManouchehriPictured on the stairs, top to bottom (R):Joey RoyZulfiqar ButtMorgan LangilleJeffrey YuFront row pictured (L to R):Tara StewartRegan GuilfoyleBonnie TsangVincent BironAlexander RezansoffKhaled AlmansooriJesse AndersonCongratulations to our graduate studentswho successfully defended their thesisPictured on the stairs from top to bottom:Roger CroutzeDavid ChapmanRichdeep GillFront row pictured (L to R):Mathew VarkeySarah AndersonDavid Al-AdraTom Churchill, Director of Graduate EducationConrad MaciejewskiNot pictured:Ahmed AlmamarMatthew KokotiloEric LooMahra NourbakhshTelford Yeung

Summer 2013Surgical Awards Dinner - May 10, 2013Page 9Dr. Marek Michalak of the Faculty of Medicine & DentistryTom Williams Surgical Research Daydistinguished visitor & judge,Dr. Garth Warnock(L to R) Mrs. Katie & Dr. Matt Menon with Dr. AngelaScharfenberger, program director, orthopaedic surgeryDr. Rachel Khadaroo & fiancé, Keith Rudolf.The couple will be married in Toronto thisfall.Dr. Regan Guilfoyle gives the 2013 graduating resident speech

Page 10Surgical FrontiersMaking History in the Surgical-Medical Research Institute labHistory was made at theSurgical-Medical ResearchInstitute (SMRI), on July 12,2013, with the first cadavericlab. The Centre for theAdvancement of MinimallyInvasive Surgery (CAMIS), inconjunction with CookMedical, BioGift, and theUniversity of Alberta, organizeda hands on component separationlab using cadaveric modelsfor training.Guest surgeon Dr. Mark NolanHill, Professor of Surgery,Chicago Medical School, ranthe lab with support from Dr.Joseph Espat, Professor andChief of Surgical Oncology atRoger Williams MedicalCenter, Rhode Island.A unique feature of the lab wasthat it included surgeons,fellows, residents and nurses.Feedback from participants wasthat the lab allowed the opportunityto gain further experienceand expand theirspectrum of learning. Based oncurrent practices of simulation,cadaveric lab work isconsidered the final piece oftraining.“In educational and trainingprinciples this lab was animportant piece to include,”said Keith Andony, EducationCoordinator for CAMIS. “Withthis innovation we add anotherkey modality to our simulationtraining portfolio.”The procedure agenda for thelab included, external obliqueanterior fascia release(bilateral), posterior rectusrelease (bilateral), underlayplacement of grafts(intraperitoneal repair),standard open ventral hernia,retrorectus (sublay repair) andretrorectus (placement ofgraft).Dr. Kamran Fathimani, AssistantProfessor, GeneralSurgery, participated in the lab.“It was an excellent hands-onlearning experience on acomplex topic,” he said.Dr. Fathimani explained thebenefits the lab presented toresidents in training. “Itprovided the opportunity tolearn complex abdominal wallreconstruction in a humancadaveric model and replicatethe reconstruction with theirclinical patients.”Guest surgeons, Dr. Mark Hill, Professor of Surgery at Chicago Medical School (L) andsupporting surgeon, Dr. Joseph Espat, Professor and Chief of Surgical Oncology at RogerWilliams Medical Center, Rhode Island (R)

Summer 2013Page 11Staff Awards & AccomplishmentsAcademic PromotionsOut and AboutKhalid Ansari, AssociateProfessor with TenureFred Berry, AssociateProfessor with TenureBy Lyndsey FordIoana Bratu, AssociateProfessor with TenureNiels-Erik Jacobsen, AssociateProfessor with TenureJaret Olson, AssociateProfessor with TenureDan Schiller, AssociateProfessor with TenureClinical PromotionsMichael Allegretto, ClinicalAssociateHarold Chyczij, ClinicalProfessorJohn DiToppa, ClinicalAssociateDavid Olson, Clinical AssistantRobert Seemann, ClinicalAssistantMatt Wheatley, ClinicalAssociateAwardsDr. William A. Shandro Awardfor Teaching Excellence inClinical Surgery, Dr. KamranFathimaniTop 10 Teacher AwardsGeneral SurgeryDr. Michael ChatenayDr. Kelly DabbsDr. Kamran FathimaniDr. Erika HaaseDr. Ghassan HadiDr. Shahzeer KarmaliDr. David OlsonDr. Cliff SampleDr. James StewartDr. Walter YakimetsSpecialty SurgeryDr. Khalid AnsariDr. Eric BedardDr. Eric EsteyDr. Richard FoxDr. Jaret OlsonDr. Keith RourkeDr. Ken StewartDr. Gerry ToddDr. Tim WollinDr. Erin WrightDr. Jeevan Nagendran, winnerof the C. Walton LilleheiResident Forum award for bestresident research presentationat the American Associationfor Thoracic Surgery annualmeetingDr. Nadr Jomha, winner of theJ. Eduoard Samson award bythe Canadian OrthopaedicFoundationDr. Bin Zheng, 2013 DigitalAlberta Awards, BestCombined Hardware &SoftwareDr. Boris Gala Lopez, IzaakWalton Killam MemorialScholarship, the mostprestigious graduate awardadministered by the U of A,with only 12 awarded eachyear to doctoral studentscampus wideShannon Erichsen, Support StaffResearch Enhancement AwardIf you would like to share anaward for future publicationemail Lyndsey Ford atlyndsey.ford@ualberta.caPlease include: recipient name,name of award and datereceived. (Please note:submissions must be forrecent achievements.)Staff UpdatesAppointmentsDr. Allan Ho, clerkshipdirector for the year 4 MDundergraduate course inspeciality surgeryNew StaffDr. Yaser Alrajhi, PediatricOtolaryngologistDr. Suresh Nayar,Prosthodontist, Division ofOtolaryngology Head & NeckSurgery (iRSM)Dr. Girish Pattappa,postdoctoral fellow working inthe lab of Dr. Adetola Adesida.Dr. Pattappa has joined us fromthe AO Foundation in Davos,Switzerland.Support StaffHannah Grant, MedicalEducation Program Assistant,General Surgery, Office ofSurgical Education.Karee Moffatt, MedicalEducation Program Assistant,SURG546 General Surgery,Office of Surgical Education(covering a maternity leave).

Surgical FrontiersSurgical Frontiers is publishedthree times a year by theDepartment of Surgery,University of Alberta. Ouraim is to profile thedepartment’s initiatives,activities andaccomplishments for theinformation of our staff,alumni and friends.Please direct yourcomments and suggestionsto:The Editor, Surgical FrontiersDepartment of Surgery,2D Walter MackenzieCentreUniversity of Alberta8440-112 StreetEdmonton, ABCANADA T6G 2B7Telephone: (780) 407-2832Fax: (780) 407-7394Email:lyndsey.ford@ualberta.caSurgical FrontiersEditor:L FordContributors:K AndonyR MaurierL Fordhappy transition intoNine years ago Dr. Robertretirement,” Dr. MacbethMacbeth started on a journey.explained of the project. It wasPutting pen to paper he begana nine year venture althoughscripting a historical documentnot a full time occupation. “Itof the department of surgery.gave me something to do but IThe First He didn’t Half know where thewasn’tCentury,so busy my1922wife and~I1975journey would take him but hecouldn’t enjoy our lifecould hope. “The projectThis book started details the as an first together,”archival 50 he 1975 said. he was professor andyears of the document,” department Dr. Macbeth chair of the department ofagainst the explained. backgroundOnce“Yet ofthe departmentI always surgery at the University ofworld and thought regional it events.committedhad the It'stopotential Albertapublishingto andthedirector of surgicalthe story of become the Universitybooka book.” andDr. Macbeth gave thehandwrittenservicesmanuscriptat UniversitytoHospital.surgical department during twoworld wars, In the 2009 greatMonique. “Mythe author’s hopes Towifepurchasehad nevera copy contactdepression became and into reality Alberta'sused a computer but shewhen thelearned howJocelynand typedReekietheoil boom. department of surgery decided at 780-407-6605 orto publish histhing!”work. The end jreekie@ualberta.caAuthor Robert result A. was Macbeth a 512 page hardThe was monumental momentborn and educated copy book in entitled Thecame when the finishedEdmonton, Department AB. From 1960- of Surgery of theproduct arrived from theUniversity of Alberta – Thepublishers. “When I receivedFirst Half Century, 1922 –the copies I was overcome,”1975. Dr. Macbeth said of his initialreaction. He admired theAs chair of the departmentquality of craftsmanship andfrom 1960 to 1975, Dr.presentation. “It was betterMacbeth’s intimate knowledgethan I ever thought”, heof the department adds anexclaimed. “It’s just a beautifulextra authenticity to thepublication. “Workingbook.”at theUniversity of Alberta was theThe department was honouredmost challenging and rewardingto launch the book intime in my profession,” heconjunction with their newexplained. “It was a large partMoving? surgeon reception. The bookof my life and I can say one oflaunch and reception was heldthe happiest times. I wanted toSeptember 18 at the RoyalTo continue write to receive something that was aAlberta Surgical Museum Frontiers in and Edmonton. other department of surgerycommunications record please of my During send recollection.” change the launch of address Dr. Macbeth or change of email address to:mingled with the new staff ofDr. Macbeth’s dedicationSurgical Frontiers the department and visitedwithin his profession combinedDepartment of Surgery with former colleagues, alumniwith a passion for history2D Walter Mackenzie Centre and other professor emeritus.drove him to write the book.University of Alberta Guests took the opportunity to“At the department’s 508440-112 St. purchase copies thof the bookAnniversary I gave a speech,”Edmonton, AB and have them signed by thehe said. “It became the start toCanada T6G 2B7my decision author. to write a realOr by email history to: of the The department.” launch was a great successand the book a celebratedlyndsey.ford@ualberta.caDr. Macbeth began handventure. “I think it’s anwriting the history as achieveinteresting story,” Dr. Macbethdocuments. Since retiring heconcluded of his work. “It’sand his wife Monique hadabout how the departmentrelocated to Toronto. Theydeveloped. It’s about thealso spent an extended periodof time in France. importance “It made of history.” aThe Department of Surgery of the University of Alberta -