Emergency Medicine- Division Director Holiday Message

The holiday season is a time for reflection on the past year and excitement for what lays ahead. As you take the time to enjoy the holidays with your family and friends, I want to extend my sincere wishes on behalf of the Division of Emergency Medicine for all of you to have a happy and prosperous New Year. We have accomplished much over the past twelve months and continue to demonstrate that we have some of the best and brightest faculty and residents who thrive with the many opportunities available to them in the Divisions of Emergency Medicine.

Past year highlights include:

• Ten new faculty added to our division of 95 Division of Emergency Medicine faculty

• Six full-time, three part-time, and one adjunct faculty at seven of our sites (including both core and community sites)
• 100% success in Appointment Approvals and Faculty Reviews

• Two faculty promotions

• We were proud to see Dr. Dawn Lim promoted to assistant professor and Dr. Sara Gray with a senior promotion to the level of associate professor. Both promotions are well-deserved and recognize their outstanding scholarly accomplishments and participation within our division.

• New Program Leadership

• In July, Dr. Nazanin Meshkat joined us as our new Program Director for the FRCP Emergency Medicine Program. She has spent the last five months engaging our faculty and residents and preparing our program for Competence by Design (CBD). Dr. Aikta Verma joined us shortly after as our new Assistant Program Director. 

• Expanded and Improved Rounds

• Upcoming Visiting Professor day on December 6th, will focus on issues regarding our upcoming CBD
• New changes to our Academic Day were spearheaded by our Residents Chiefs. These include the new block system, resuscitation rounds, ice cream rounds (for resident wellness), and the addition of casting day, which continues to support eh educational and professional development of our residents. Further, critical skills day has entered its second year and simulation sessions their third year. We want to thank all our curriculum leads, site coordinators, and faculty for their dedication to our program. ·                  

• Increased Social Media and Communication

• This year saw the development of our social media, including our newsletter, Twitter, Instagram, and updated website all of which continue to foster an increased sense of community for our growing faculty and resident population 

• Another Amazing year for Research and International Accomplishments 

• Our faculty rose millions in new research awards, published over a hundred articles, and raked in honours and awards. 

• Faculty were also recognized by their peers and trainees

• Anna Jarvis Award (Clare Atzema), Undergraduate award (Laura Hans), Outstanding Clinical Teaching Award (Ivy Cheng) are just a few of numerous awards presented to our faculty. 

All of our accomplishments are the combined efforts of our dedicated admin staff (Sawan and Nima), division executive, our accomplished faculty, and students, along with the steadfast support of our Emergency Department community at large, which enables us to remain at the forefront of clinical and academic excellence. I am confident that 2017 will be a renewed time of opportunity, and that the Division of Emergency Medicine will continue to be a driving force for innovation and discovery at U of T and beyond.

Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a fantastic new year.