Memo to Clinical Faculty: 2024 UBC Psychiatry Research Day Accredited For MOC Section 1 Group Learning CME Credits

Memo to Clinical Faculty: 2024 UBC Psychiatry Research Day Accredited For MOC Section 1 Group Learning CME Credits

** Sent on Behalf of Dr. Sophia Frangou, Associate Head, Research, UBC Department of Psychiatry **

Dear Clinical Faculty Colleagues

We are looking forward to welcoming you to the 2024 Annual Departmental Research Day. 

The Departmental Research Day serves as our annual platform to highlight groundbreaking research, showcasing academic achievements and fostering a spirit of equity, inclusivity, and diversity. It underscores our department’s position as a global leader for work and study.

The meeting will take place on Thursday June 13, 2024, from 8:45am to 4:00pm, at the UBC main campus. All events will take place at the Life Sciences Centre (LSC), 2350 Health Sciences Mall (West Atrium & Lecture Theatre 3). While the meeting is offered in a hybrid format, we encourage in-person attendance for those who are able to join.

Please note that the University of British Columbia Division of Continuing Professional Development (UBC CPD) is fully accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Continuing Medical Education (CACME) to provide study credits for continuing medical education for physicians. This event is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and has been approved by UBC CPD for up to 4 MOC Section 1 Group Learning credits. Each physician should claim only those credits accrued through participation in the activity.

The main theme this year is on social aspects of mental health as determinants of risk or resilience for mental conditions and access to care.  Our Keynote speaker is Professor Kwame McKenzie who is the CEO of the Wellesley Institute and serves as Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and as the Director of Health Equity at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).   Dr. McKenzie is an international expert on the social causes of illness and his research has influenced local, national, and international policy and health systems for more than three decades.

The plenary lecture will be complemented by state-of-the-art talks and lightning talks and posters featuring work from researchers at all career stages, including IMH Marshall Fellows and Stimulus Grants Awardees. The event will conclude with the presentation of poster, lighting talks and early career awards.

This event is open to everyone at the UBC Department of Psychiatry and beyond. For more details visit: https://psychiatry.ubc.ca/research/2024-research-day/ 

We very much look forward to seeing you at this event.

Dr. Sophia Frangou
Chair of the Organizing Committee
Associate Head- Research 

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

PGE April 25, 2023 Mock OSCE Examiner Urgent Requirement

** Sent on behalf of the UBC Psychiatry Postgraduate Education Team**

Dear Faculty Members,

We are looking for Mock OSCE examiners for our April 25th exam.  The Mock OSCEs are an integral part of preparing our residents for their Royal College OSCE exams and we want to ensure the continued success for all of our residents.

We need four examiners for the morning session, i.e. 8:30am – 12:30pm.

Mock OSCE will be conducted virtually through Zoom. You will receive all necessary information a week before. All examiners are eligible for payment at the rate of $100.98 per hour.

If you are interested in being an examiner on April 25th, please email Ahsan at ahsan.sahibzada@ubc.ca.

Thank you for your help in making Mock OSCEs successful.

Regards,

Ahsan

Ahsan Sahibzada (He, Him, His)
Senior Program Assistant, Postgraduate
UBC Faculty of Medicine | Department of Psychiatry

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. 

Announcing Ms. Margaret Koshi as New Director, Administration

Dear Department members,

As you all are aware, following the resignation of Ms. Vicky Yau in February,  the Department commenced a search and recruitment process for the role of Director, Administration with the Department of Psychiatry. That process has now concluded and I am delighted to share that Ms. Margaret Koshi is the successful candidate; she has accepted this position and will assume this new role effective April 1. 

Margaret is well known to all of you in her role as the Manager of Communications and Partnerships for the Department since 2019. Prior to that, she served as our Assistant Human Resources Manager for Faculty from 2014 to 2019. With her wealth of internal knowledge, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and the diverse administrative experience she has gained during her ten years as a member of Psychiatry’s managerial team, I am confident she will make a successful transition to this new role.

Vicky has kindly agreed to continue to support the Department during the transition process and we expect a gradual handover of tasks over the next couple of months. During this period, please continue to work with Vicky on ongoing items, and also copy Margaret in your emails and requests to facilitate a smooth transition.

As Margaret assumes this new role, we will soon be initiating a recruitment process for the Communications Manager role, however in the meantime, please continue to connect with Margaret at margaret.koshi@ubc.ca on Communications-related requests.

Please join me in warmly congratulating Margaret as she steps into this key role on the UBC Psychiatry Administration Team! 

Sincerely,

Dr. Lakshmi N. Yatham, MBBS, FRCPC, MRCPsych (UK), MBA (Exec)
Professor and Head, UBC Department of Psychiatry
Director, Institute of Mental Health, UBC
Regional Head and Program Medical Director, VCH/PHC

The UBC Department of Psychiatry Administration Office respectfully acknowledges the land on which we live, work and play is the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-waututh).

Proposal Process for Programs in the UBC Department of Psychiatry

Dear Colleagues,

As you are aware, the UBC Department of Psychiatry has been implementing a restructure process for our Divisions, the final phase of which has been to establish revised criteria, organizational functions and accountabilities, and processes for refreshed Programs under each of the six Divisions.

We are pleased to share a package, developed in consultation with our Division Heads, which provides a general overview, objectives, criteria, and processes to propose a Program in the Department. It also includes the role description for a Program Head, who will be nominated by ten (10) inaugural Program faculty members and will be appointed by the Department Head following consultation with the Division Heads. As well, we include the Application form to be prepared by the nominated Head to formally propose the establishment of a Program under an identified Division. All Programs, including those which have existed under the previous structure, will be required to undergo this proposal process.

At this time, we ask faculty members to carefully review the package, consult with colleagues in your educational, clinical and research networks, and consider nominating a Program Head who will submit a proposal for a refreshed Program. Application forms may be submitted on an ongoing basis to Ms. Terena Zhao at psychiatry.divisions@ubc.ca.

If you have any questions regarding the proposal process for Programs, please feel free to reach out to Dr. Raymond Lam at r.lam@ubc.ca.   

Sincerely,

Dr. Lakshmi N. Yatham, Professor and Head, UBC Department of Psychiatry
Dr. Raymond Lam, Professor and Associate Head, Graduate & UG Education, UBC Department of Psychiatry

The UBC Department of Psychiatry Administration Office respectfully acknowledges the land on which we live, work and play is the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-waututh).

In the Spotlight | JANEL CASEY

April 2024

Meet Dr. Janel Casey, a Clinical Associate Professor who serves as the Department Head of Psychiatry at Royal Columbian Hospital and as Regional Division Head for Adult Psychiatry for Fraser Health. She has been a member of the Department since 2012.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?

I grew up in rural Nova Scotia and moved to Vancouver after high school to attend UBC.  I completed my undergraduate degree, medical degree, and psychiatry residency all at UBC.  I had such great experiences in Vancouver and the lower mainland that I decided to stay here forever!

What community do you work in?

I work at Royal Columbian Hospital and the New Westminster Mental Health Centre.  I live in and serve the New Westminster and Tricities area.

What are the three things you enjoy most about the community where you do your clinical work?

It’s the perfect balance between urban and rural.  We are a large department with many services but it still has a smaller community feel.  I also love the people I work with – many of them have been with me since residency and I really consider them my second family.

What are your specialties and interests within psychiatry? What about those interests do you find particularly attractive?

I really wanted to be a general psychiatrist so that I could do a broad range of psychiatry.  I like that I get to see a huge age range and psychopathology.  I do inpatient psychiatry, general outpatient psychiatry, community mental health team, teaching, and administration.  I am busy and never get bored!

What are some of your main goals as an instructor related to student learning?

I want to inspire and build confidence in learners so that they will become competent, happy, collegial physicians.  One of the best parts of my job is watching medical students progress to residents and then to colleagues.  I have so many amazing psychiatry colleagues now and I’m so proud of all of their accomplishments.

Who have been some inspirational or encouraging mentors along the way, personally or professionally?

I looked up to many of my UBC preceptors throughout my training and tried to absorb as much as possible.  I still have some excellent mentors at RCH who continue to teach me and foster my professional development.  Dr. Anson Koo is one such person who has been a mentor to me since I was a resident.

What is an important piece of advice you can share with junior colleagues and/or residents, or some considering a career in psychiatry? 

Appreciate all the experiences you get in medical school and residency!  Try to observe as many supervisors as possible, try different types of psychiatry work, see lots of patients, and ask lots of questions.  You’ll actually miss the academic days and supervision once you graduate.

Congratulations to Dr. Fidel Vila-Rodriguez, Promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure

Congratulations to Dr. Tamara Vanderwal, Appointed Assistant Professor, Tenure Track

FRAMES OF MIND Mental Health Film Series | Wednesday April 10 @ 7:00pm | The Cinematheque

A monthly film series promoting professional and community education on issues pertaining to mental health and illness. Presented by The Cinematheque and the Institute of Mental Health, UBC Department of Psychiatry. Screenings are generally held on the third Wednesday of each month at The Cinematheque, 1131 Howe St, Vancouver, BC.

Parachute

USA 2023 (97 min DCP)
Director: Brittany Snow
Wednesday April 10th @ 7:00pm
The Cinematheque (1131 Howe St)

Film Description

The night after leaving a treatment recovery centre for an eating disorder and suicide attempt, Riley (Courtney Eaton, Yellowjackets) finds herself bored at a karaoke bar. There she meets Ethan (Thomas Mann), a charming friend of a friend. The two twentysomethings hit it off, entwining themselves in a years-long ​“situationship” that teeters between friendship and romance. Ethan is smitten by Riley and does everything he can to subvert the distorted image she holds of herself. Riley, whose self-loathing tendencies can be difficult to watch, supports Ethan as he struggles to connect with his alcoholic father. Underneath witty banter and Gen‑Z pop culture references, this directorial debut from actor Brittany Snow (Pitch Perfect, Hairspray) offers a refreshing romantic drama that explores the messy reality of codependent relationships.

Special Jury Award for Performance (Courney Eaton)T
Thunderbird Rising Special Award (Brittany Snow)
SXSW 2023

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“A gentle, earnest indie about love, self-loathing, and other dependencies … Deeply felt and certainly proves that [Snow] has a promisingly deft directorial hand.” — Jessica Kiang, Variety

“Smart and compassionate … There have been movies before about women with eating disorders. But this may be one of the first for the Gen Z and younger generations that nails just how tentacular the psychology of such conditions can be.” — Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter

Post-screening Discussion:

Post-screening discussion with Maude Henri-Bhargava, RD, and Lauren Jennings, MOT. Moderated by Dr. Harry Karlinsky, Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia

About the Panel:

Maude Henri-Bhargava is a registered dietitian working at St. Paul’s Hospital’s Provincial Adult Tertiary & Specialized Adult Eating Disorders program. For more than a decade, she has helped individuals create or reignite a healthy relationship with food and their bodies through an inclusive, trauma-informed, and anti-diet lens.

Lauren Jennings is an occupational therapist who has been working in the Provincial Adult Tertiary & Specialized Adult Eating Disorders program at St. Paul’s Hospital for over a decade. In the midst of obtaining a master’s in counselling psychology at Adler University, she is passionate about working in the field of eating disorders and challenging biases and stigma around mental health.

Dr. Harry Karlinsky, the Series Director of Frames of Mind and a Clinical Professor in the UBC Department of Psychiatry, has a longstanding commitment to professional and public education. He has presented nationally and internationally on topics ranging from Alzheimer’s disease to information technology to narrative medicine to PTSD and to the use of films in health care education.

Want to be a regular at Frames of Mind screenings on the third Wednesday of every month? Subscribe to the email list and be the first in line for tickets!

New Clinical Faculty Teaching Opportunity | PSYT Year 3 Medical Students

** Sent on behalf of Dr. Kathryn Fung, Undergraduate Program Director, Psychiatry **

Dear Clinical Faculty,

We are pleased to announce a new faculty teaching opportunity with our Year 3 Psychiatry medical students. As part of our program improvements, we are moving to a province-wide academic half day curriculum for students, while keeping the benefits of small group learning. The tutor materials have been piloted with success and will be ready for use in June 2024.

The format will include two standardized, case-based, small-group teaching sessions on Zoom on select Tuesday afternoons throughout the year. Each tutor will have a group of about 5-6 students. Each session will cover one core topic. The topics will repeat with each block of students.

These changes will impact our adult psychiatry content. Child Psychiatry will continue to be delivered as normal, and Geriatric Psychiatry content will continue to be supported by the Neurocognitive Disorders module and lectures in the IM-PSYT academic teaching sessions.

This is a wonderful opportunity for you to gain teaching hours from your own home or office. The role is to facilitate a discussion and student learning using the provided tutor guide. You do not need to be an ‘expert’ in a topic. You will be able to connect and work with students from all our sites – something that hasn’t been possible in this way before.

If you are interested, please complete the preliminary Sign Up Survey HERE.

Key Details to Consider
LearnersYear 3 Medical Students Province-Wide
LocationOnline via Zoom
DateTuesday afternoons from June 2024 – May 2025
Time Commitment1-1.5 hours/session Session 1: 2:30PM – 3:30PM Session 2: 3:45PM – 4:45PM
MaterialsTutor guides provided to facilitate the session Support and guidance from UGE team
Tutor ObjectivesTutors must be comfortable with: Facilitating a thoughtful and fluid learning experience over Zoom Creating a safe learning environment for students This is not a lecture
RemunerationFollowing the clinical faculty compensation terms: June 2024 = $100.98/hour July 2024 onwards = $106.03/hour UGE will also remunerate 30 minutes of preparation time the first time you are teaching a topic Processed administratively via TTPS – no need for invoicing!
TopicsAnxiety disorders, depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, trauma, psychotic disorders, sleep, somatization, and substance use disorders.

Once recruitment begins, we will reconnect to arrange optimal scheduling of your sessions.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Eva (eva.angelopoulos@ubc.ca) or myself (kathryn.Fung@vch.ca).

Sincerely,

Dr. Kathryn Fung
Program Director, Undergraduate Medical Education
UBC Department of Psychiatry

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. 

Congratulations to Dr. Fidel Vila-Rodriguez, Promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure

Congratulations to Dr. Fidel Vila-Rodriguez, who has been promoted to the rank of Associate Professor with Tenure!

Dr. Vila-Rodriguez has been a member of Department since 2012, having first been appointed as a Clinical Assistant Professor in 2012. In 2015, he was promoted to the rank of Clinical Associate Professor, then was recruited as a full-time academic faculty member in 2016. He holds an MD from the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona in 2000, a Master’s degree in Neuroscience from the Universitat de Barcelona in 2007, and completed his PhD in the UBC Neuroscience program in 2018.

Dr. Vila-Rodriguez’s research focus lies in novel therapeutic applications within non-invasive neurostimulation therapies (NINETs) to treat and assess psychiatric disorders, including the most severe forms of psychosis and depression. The NINET laboratory, which he established in 2014, is the only centre in Canada to host both simultaneous Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation-Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (TMS-fMRI) and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation-Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (tDCS-fMRI) capability, and currently, Dr. Vila-Rodriguez is setting up the first repetitive TMS (rTMS) Clinic Program within the community, in partnership with Mood Disorders Association of BC.

Of note, his recent study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, combined rTMS with fMRI in order to map for the first time changes occurring in the brain during rTMS treatment in patients with depression. This work has since received a great deal of interest from the wider neuroscience community as well as national and international media, given its novel insights into brain activity while receiving rTMS treatment, which are laying important groundwork for future non-invasive treatment pathways for depression and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Dr. Vila-Rodriguez is also involved in international efforts to improve the translatability of clinical brain stimulation paradigms, which include comparing repeated and theta-burst TMS protocols, which are revealing how intermittent theta-burst protocols may be as clinically effective and more cost-effective than repeated TMS for treatment of depression. Further to his pursuits in this area, Dr. Vila-Rodriguez has been establishing several multicenter studies on clinical research in depression. As well, he has been both leading and contributing to studies across other clinical and foundational science domains that employ the latest state-of-the-art methods, such as approaches in machine learning, and involve extensive collaboration with researchers in computer science, biomedical engineering and other disciplines at UBC and beyond.

Please join us in warmly congratulating Dr. Vila-Rodriguez on his well-deserved promotion!