Happy 2024! Clinical Faculty Updates, Opportunities & Resources

** Shared on behalf of Dr. Joseph Tham, Clinical Faculty Affairs Representative, UBC Faculty of Medicine, UBC Department of Psychiatry **

Greetings UBC Clinical Faculty, I hope you’ve all enjoyed a wonderful holiday season!

A big thanks to all of you for helping out with the teaching, supervision, and clinical research done routinely across the province every day. With >700 clinical faculty members, we have one of the largest programs in the country both in faculty numbers and in scope across the expanse of this province. It is because of your dedication that we’ve been able to maintain the quality of education for students, residents, academic output, and continuing education for each other.

As we enter the new year, I thought it would be a good time to remind everyone of some items to keep in mind – opportunities you might want to try or be involved in:

  • Looking for or want to be a mentor for junior faculty?
    • Every year, Allison Macbeth at UBC Continuing Professional Development looks to match mentees and mentors from our department. If you’re interested in either finding a mentor or being one yourself, please send a note to Allison: allison.m@ubc.ca (604-441-4642).
  • Thinking of QI Projects and Training?
    • Eakjot Kang at the UBC Physicians Quality Improvement Program (PQI) arranges multi-level training for doctors. You can connect with Eakjot to sign up or find out more information at: eakjot.kang@vch.ca.
  • Want to help out more with the medical school teaching?
    • Be part of the team teaching the next generation of physicians! Please review this summary of the teaching opportunities. Feel free to connect with Eva Angelopoulos (eva.angelopoulos@ubc.ca) for more information.
    • NEW in 2024, Kathryn Fung (Undergrad Program Director) is working on developing Zoom case-based small-group teaching sessions for 3rd Year Medical Students, 60-90 minutes/session. Teaching notes will be provided. This will probably start in June, probably Tuesday afternoons. I’m sure Kathryn (Kathryn.fung@vch.ca) and Eva will give us more information over the next few months.
  • Curious about research at UBC and connecting with others?
    • Save Thursday June 13, 2024 for the 2024 Annual Department of Psychiatry Research Day. An opportunity to learn about the UBC clinical as well as basic science projects, work being done by staff, students and residents as well. CME credits available.
    • If you’re working on a project and considering presenting, drop me a note!
  • Have a clinical research project to fund?
    • Consider applying for the Stimulus Grant Initiative, providing up to $20k. There is a separate stream for up to 2-year, self-contained, clinical faculty research – send in your application between June 1 – Oct 1. Here’s the link for more info: https://psychiatry.ubc.ca/research/stimulus-grants-initiative/
  • Consider applying for promotion this year if applicable.
    • We know that many of you have been doing amazing work in education, research, and service over the years! Don’t let this go unrecognized. Have a look at the promotions page for: Timeframes, and Overview & Eligibility.
  • Master in Translational Psychiatry training opportunity.
    • There’s a program available in collaboration with the UBC School of Population & Public Health tailored to clinicians, fellows, and residents who want to further their training in epidemiological research methodology with a focus on psychiatry. Please connected with Dr. Ray Lam for more details: r.lam@ubc.ca

Also, we’re always on the lookout to know about colleagues involved in good work around teaching, research and clinical innovations for Recognition and Awards. Feel free to connect to nominate colleagues or your own work we might not know about.

If you’re interested in working on Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (REDI) projects, there are discussions at both the faculty and residency levels getting going; again, let me know of your interest and I’ll happily direct.

As the Department continues to look at ways we can make the “paperwork” easier such as simplifying the annual reports and automating the payments for teaching hours in the last little while, or improving communications such as updating the website, we certainly welcome further input and suggestions… Feel free to fire off an E-mail if you have thoughts and suggestions at any time.

Again, happy 2024, clinical faculty members,

Joe

Joseph C. W. Tham, MD, FRCPC, FAPA
Clinical Faculty Affairs Representative, Department of Psychiatry
UBC Faculty of Medicine

Office: (604)822-7549
Email: joseph.tham@ubc.ca

I humbly acknowledge, with gratitude, that I live, work, and play as an uninvited guest on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil- Waututh) Nations.