
New Scientist: Dr. Joseph Puyat
We are pleased to introduce Dr. Joseph Puyat, who has recently been appointed as a CHÉOS Scientist. He first joined CHÉOS in 2012 as a part-time Research Methodologist, providing support with research study designs and quantitative data analysis to clinicians and other researchers. Dr. Puyat recently completed his PhD at the School of Population and Public Health at UBC, supported by a CIHR Banting and Best Canada Graduate Scholarship and a UBC Four-Year Doctoral Fellowship.
Dr. Puyat’s background includes training in Social Psychology (MA) and Epidemiology (M.Sc.). He has previously conducted studies on guideline-based care, psychopharmacoepidemiology, disparities in health service use, social attitudes, and self-constructs.
The disparity in organ donation among ethnic communities
CHÉOS Scientist Dr. Jagbir Gill has received funding to examine the disparity in organ donation in B.C’s ethnic communities.
The project, funded by the Transplant Research Foundation of B.C. and Astellas Canada, is a feasibility study that will look at ways to improve the process by which South Asian and Chinese Canadian families of deceased persons are approached to consent for organ donation in hospitals. These populations make up almost 20 per cent of all British Columbians but account for less than 10 per cent of organ donors.
Congrats, Jagbir!

Effects of physician incentives program on depression care
Research led by CHÉOS Scientist Dr. Joseph Puyat and his colleagues at the UBC School of Population and Public Health (including CHÉOS’ Dr. Hubert Wong) has concluded that the B.C. physician incentives program has had a mild to modest effect on mental health care, but that more is needed to close existing gaps in treatment.
Published in September in Medical Care, the study looked at linked health data for eligible B.C. residents diagnosed with major depression between January 2005 and December 2012, divided them into monthly cohorts, and tracked their use of mental health services for 12 months following initial diagnosis.
Read more on our website.
CHÉOS Investigators recognized at Faculty of Medicine awards ceremony
CHÉOS Scientists Drs. Eugenia Oviedo-Joekes (pictured, with Dean Dermot Kelleher), Martin Schechter, and Brian Westerberg formally received their 2016 UBC Faculty of Medicine Awards at an awards reception on October 5.
Announced in July, Dr. Westerberg received a Clinical Faculty Award for Career Excellence in Clinical Teaching, and Drs. Oviedo-Joekes and Schechter were awarded Distinguished Achievement Awards for Excellence in Clinical or Applied Research and for Overall Excellence – Senior Faculty, respectively.
[Chris Lovato Photo | UBC SPPH]
Stanford Professor to give plenary talk at Vancouver conference
Dr. John Ioannidis is the plenary speaker for the annual Society for Medical Decision Making Conference, taking place in Vancouver October 23–26, 2016. Dr. Ioannidis is best known for his 2005 paper “Why Most Published Research Findings Are False,” and is one of the most-cited scientists across the scientific literature.
The conference has 25 short courses ranging from statistical approaches to theories of decision-making. It also provides excellent opportunities for student mentorship and networking. Register today.

2016 AIDS Walk to tHrIVe
The CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN) and CHÉOS staff participated in the annual AIDS Walk. The team met their fundraising goal of $2000. All net proceeds raised by walkers in Greater Vancouver go toward Positive Living BC’s Community Health Fund.
CHÉOS in the media
“B.C. clinic’s free heroin enables addicts to ‘have a meaningful life again,’ co-ordinator says.” CBC The National. SALOME/Crosstown Clinic/Kurt Lock. September 28, 2016. [Link to story on The National]
Award and scholarship opportunities
Innovation and Translational Research Award. LOI deadline October 17.
MSFHR Convening and Collaborating (C2) Awards. Deadline October 21.
MSFHR Scholar Awards. LOI deadline October 31.
MSFHR Health Policy Fellowship. Deadline November 4.
Harkness Fellowships in Health Care Policy and Practice. Deadline November 14.
SPOR Patient-Oriented Research Collaboration Grants. Deadline December 13.
Staff updates
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Rowan Monteiro, who will be working as the Executive Assistant to Ms. Kristin Westland, Director of Operations for CHÉOS and Chief Administrative Officer for the CTN.