IMH Showcase | September 2024

IMH Showcase | September 2024


Meet Dr. Nick Ainsworth, an IMH Marshall Fellow and geriatric psychiatrist committed to improving the mental, physical, and cognitive health of older adults with serious psychiatric illnesses. Inspired by his clinical work with difficult-to-treat mood disorders, Dr. Ainsworth’s current research focuses on identifying the best medication strategies for managing late-life depression. Outside of work, he enjoys outdoor activities year-round, singing, and spending time with his family.

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

I’m a geriatric psychiatrist by training. I was born and raised in Vancouver, moved to Montreal for my undergraduate studies at McGill, and then returned to do my medical school, psychiatry residency, and geriatric psychiatry subspecialty training at UBC. Subsequently, I completed a clinical research fellowship at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, where I was trained in the design and implementation of clinical trials for older adults with mood disorders, before returning to UBC to join the Marshall Fellows Program.

Can you describe what kind of research you are involved in?

The overarching aim of my research is to improve mental, physical, and cognitive health outcomes in older adults suffering from serious psychiatric illness, especially mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. Within this aim, my current primary focus is on improving the identification and selection of optimal medication strategies for effectively and efficiently treating late-life depression. Older adults with depression who attain relief from all symptoms (achieve remission) reduce their risk of dementia and poor physical health outcomes, and antidepressant treatment may improve some areas of cognitive function, as we showed in a meta-analysis recently published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Can you tell us about an interesting project or initiative you are working on?

I am currently running a Phase II (pilot) clinical trial of a dopamine-based challenge for depressed older adults (using the medication levodopa-carbidopa), which evaluates the relationship between changes in physical and processing speed after the challenge and the effectiveness of different classes of medication for depression. This study is the initial phase of a planned trajectory of research that will hopefully lead to more targeted and individualized treatment of late-life depression, by delving into the underlying biology of the illness and how this affects an individual’s response to different treatments.

Can you describe your role in your current Department?

I am currently a Marshall Fellow in the Institute of Mental Health, and I am pleased to share that I have been awarded a second-year renewal of my Fellowship that will start this Fall. Clinically, I am working as a geriatric psychiatrist specializing in Late-Life Mood Disorders primarily at the Mount Saint Joseph Hospital Elder Care Clinic, where I see patients with difficult-to-treat depression and bipolar disorder. I run my research clinic at St. Paul’s Hospital, where currently I am recruiting participants for my ongoing clinical trial.

What aspect of your work do you enjoy the most, or find most exciting?

Working with older adults suffering from psychiatric illness is both immensely rewarding and a consistently interesting challenge. The process of brain aging is one that everyone experiences but that no two individuals experience the same way. As a clinician and as a researcher, I need to remain constantly mindful of this, and to pay attention to the diversity and complexity of the people to whom I provide care. This also leads to interesting insights that fuel some of the research questions that I am currently exploring.

What is the best piece of advice you can share with colleagues new to your Department or UBC?

We have a large and diverse Department, with members who have interests and passions spanning a wide variety of areas within psychiatry and mental health.  Make sure to get involved with Department events and reach out to new colleagues who share your interests, because there’s something for everyone here. Meanwhile, don’t miss out on the chance to take advantage of the beautiful city and province we live in—it can be easy to take for granted.

What are your interests and hobbies outside of work?

I am an avid skier, hiker, and biker, which lets me enjoy our amazing outdoors 12 months of the year. I sing in a semi-professional chamber choir called Laudate Singers. Meanwhile, my wife and I have two young boys who keep us busy at home!

John Sherry

Clinical Instructor, UBC Department of Psychiatry

Denise Wynne

Clinical Instructor, UBC Department of Psychiatry

Email: denise.wynne@fraserhealth.ca

Ruth Stewart

Clinical Instructor, UBC Department of Psychiatry

Email: ruth.stewart@vch.ca

Galilee Thompson

Clinical Instructor, UBC Department of Psychiatry

Email: galilee.thompson@alumni.ubc.ca

John-Jose Nunez

Clinical Instructor, UBC Department of Psychiatry

Email: johnjose.nunez@ubc.ca

Call for Nominations: Killam Teaching Prizes 2025 | Deadline: January 31, 2025

Faculty of Medicine Internal Deadline: Friday, January 31st, 2025 12:00pm

UBC Killam Teaching Prizes are UBC’s most prestigious teaching awards. The Prizes recognize excellence in teaching in the medical and science undergraduate programs, residency programs, school and graduate programs within the Faculty of Medicine. The Prizes are awarded annually, and are supported by the UBC Killam Endowment Fund.

Overview | Nomination Form | Previous Recipients
Contact: Office of the Vice Dean, Education (med.vdeadmin@ubc.ca)

More info: UBC Office of the Provost & VP Academic

VFMP Faculty: Registration open for Teacher Certificate programs 2024-2025

Dear VFMP Colleagues,

We invite you to register for a series of online teacher development workshops provided as a collaboration between the Regional Faculty Development Sites (Island, Northern, Southern, and Vancouver-Fraser Medical Programs).

The Teacher Certificate Program (TCP) welcomes faculty who teach and assess in the MD Undergraduate Program (MDUP) across all sites:

  • TCP 1: Foundational Teaching is designed for all who teach in the MDUP. Five 1.5-hour sessions on facilitating active learning, building healthy learner relationships, and developing effective feedback and assessments. This certificate is eligible for CME credits.
  • TCP 2: Career Planning & Wellness is designed with particular attention to the career and personal development of clinical faculty who teach in the MDUP with topics like promotions for clinical faculty and planetary health.

Each session is delivered on Zoom from 5:30 – 7:00 PM and courses within each track can be taken in any order towards a certificate. If you miss a session this year, not to worry, we will likely have another session the following year!

Join us at our upcoming sessions:

TCP 1: Focus on Foundational Teaching

TCP 2: Focus on Career Planning and Wellness

Our programs aim to support you with your teaching and learning endeavours. Visit the VFMP Teacher’s Hub for other faculty development opportunities. Or please speak to us to explore ways we can work together including customized workshops and ways to share best practices with colleagues across the MD program. 

Kind regards,

VFMP Faculty Development
Faculty of Medicine | University of British Columbia
Gordon & Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre | Musqueam, Squamish & Tsleil-Waututh Traditional Territory
2775 Laurel Street, 11th Floor, Vancouver BC V5Z 1M9
vfmp.facdev@ubc.ca 
vfmpfacdev.med.ubc.ca/

CAAP Annual Conference – Psychiatry in a time of crisis: Paving the road to recovery | October 21 & 22

The Canadian Academy for Addiction Psychiatry (CAAP) is very excited to announce its inaugural Annual Conference to be held on October 21 & 22, 2024 at the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, SFU Campus, Vancouver, BC. The aim of this in-person event is to bring clinicians, academics and trainees together to share novel clinical approaches, research updates and more.

Learn more about the CAAP: Psychiatry in a time of crisis: Paving the road to recovery and register online here…

CAAP aims to address the growing challenges facing the healthcare system relating to addictions and concurrent disorders. This organization is comprised of psychiatrists and related professions who engage in relevant clinical and research activities. CAAP aims to:

  • Promote comprehensive and high quality evidence based practices for people living with substance use and concurrent disorders
  • Translate and disseminate evidence-based research to improve clinical practice and patient outcomes
  • Enhance addiction psychiatry training and careers in Canada
  • Connect with other global organizations to promote collaboration

Invitation to faculty | Presentation by Concurrent Disorders faculty recruitment candidate

Dear Department Faculty Members,

The UBC Department of Psychiatry is currently recruiting for a faculty position in the area of Concurrent Disorders at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. The Search Committee has recently reviewed the applications and shortlisted three candidates. The co-Chairs of the Search Committee would like to invite you to attend the virtual presentations by these candidates and provide your input.

The three presentations have been scheduled for the following Thursdays:

Schedule: Thursday, September 26, 2024 @ 9:00 to 10:00 am
Candidate: Dr. Pouya Rezazadeh-Azar
Title: Innovative Solutions for Mental Health, Pain, and Addiction Management in the Fentanyl Era

Schedule: Thursday, October 3, 2024 @ 9:00 to 10:00 am
Candidate: Dr. Victor Li
Title: Bridging the treatment gap for patients with concurrent disorders: reintegrating a marginalized population

Schedule: Thursday, October 10, 2024 @ 9:00 to 10:00 am
Candidate: Dr. Mohammadali Nikoo
Title: From Crisis to Care – Bridging Research and Practice to Address Evolving Challenges in the Field of Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders

Zoom Link:
https://ubc.zoom.us/j/62620773843?pwd=r3eVKq4BT2A79RhrttkSzgewKbw1jG.1
Meeting ID: 626 2077 3843
Passcode: 286392

Comments about the candidate can be emailed to Leah Ranada (leah.ranada@ubc.ca) following the presentation. As members of the Department, your attendance to these presentations and your subsequent feedback would be highly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Leah Ranada
Assistant Human Resources Manager
UBC Department of Psychiatry