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MAC Chat
The official newsletter of Obstetrics and Gynecology | Volume 3 - July 2021
Message from the Chair
Welcome to the last edition of MAC Chat for the summer! 

Summer here at McMaster is in full swing and I hope everyone has been enjoying the sunshine (on those few days without rain!) and hot weather! As always, we have been busy in the department - I am very excited to share with you the updates in this edition of MAC Chat.

I would like to take the time to thank all of you for your continued hard work and dedication. In the short amount of time I have been here, I have been blown away with all that you do. A few tweaks and changes have been made and I can already see an improvement to how things have been running. I'm so glad that team members have been contacting me during the chair drop-in time to bring up any questions and concerns that they may have. Communication is the key and I am always open and receptive to feedback and suggestions that you might have to make improvements within the department. 

We are moving in the right direction and I look forward to the continued progress. 

Enjoy the summer, see you in September!

Best Regards,

Jon Barrett
Chair, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Department Updates

University Division of MFM

We are excited to announce a new University Department of MIS. The Division will include MIS surgeons from MUMC and St Joes’  Dr. Lea Luketic will be heading this Division. She will be working along with Dr. Leyland and Dr. Scattolon who will be in charge of the now rotating fellowship amongst both hospitals supported tri partite funding from the University, St. Joseph's, and Hamilton Health Sciences.

Announcement of Cross Appointment

We would like to announce the cross appointment of Dr. Alfonso Iorio and Dr. Deborah Sloboda into our Department. Welcome! We are very excited with the direction that the department is taking.

SNACS Update

Dr. Sarah McDonald has some fantastic news to share: We are delighted to share the good news that our grant submission was ranked #1 at its committee at CIHR (Canadian Institutes of Health Research)!

So our Single Dose of Antenatal Corticosteroids (SNACS) Non-Inferiority Randomized Control Trial for Pregnancies at Risk of Preterm Delivery is born!

This success is due to our great team, including our 5 parent partners, our co-investigators and collaborators, their enthusiastic letters of support, and wise input into the design and methods!

In 1 week we should have the budget details once that information has been finalized by CIHR!

And now the fun begins as we work together to answer this important question, to keep babies and children safe!

Thank you for your ongoing support of research!

More Info

Scholarship Winners

Congratulations to those that have been awarded the Vanier and Banting Scholarship. Special shout out to Laiba Jamshed who is in Dr. Alison Holloway's lab!

More Info

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Kiran Ninan! Winner, Best Obstetrics Oral presentation by junior member - Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) 77th Annual Clinical and Scientific Conference (ACSC). Kiran has just finished his first year of his master’s degree in Health Research Methodology under Dr. McDonald’s supervision.
 

Ninan K, Liyanage SK, Murphy KE, Asztalos EV, McDonald SD. "Long-term neurodevelopmental and psychological outcomes after prenatal exposure to antenatal corticosteroids: A systematic review and meta-analysis". Winner, Best Obstetrics  Oral presentation by junior member - Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) 77th Annual Clinical and Scientific Conference (ACSC), June 22-25, 2021 Virtual conference “from coast to coast”. (national conference)

New Staff Members

Please join me in welcoming our new staff members to the team.  

New Staff Members

Christina Hantzis - Electives Coordinator - Started May 17
Email:
hantzisc@mcmaster.ca
Currently working remotely as office and phone number TBD

Shannon Ojero - Medical Secretary (MFM division) - Started June 17
Email:
ojeros1@mcmaster.ca is the primary contact.
Office: 4D
Phone: 905-521-2100, ext. 76253

Jennifer Zering - Departmental Research Coordinator - Started July 12
Email:
zeringjc@mcmaster.ca is the primary contact
Office: 3N43C
Phone: 905-521-2100, ext. 21334

Anna Flis - Medical Secretary (MFM division) - part-time - Started July 26
Email:
flisa@mcmaster.ca
Office: 4D
Phone: 905-521-2100, ext. 76210

Kaylee Cullen - Admin Assistant to the Education Team (new role) - Started July 26
Email:
cullek5@mcmaster.ca 
Currently working remotely as office and phone number TBD

Heather Shiskoski - Fellowships Program Coordinator (new role) - Start date of August 3
Email:
heathershiskoski@mcmaster.ca 
Currently working remotely as office and phone number TBD

Additional Recruiting Updates

MFM - We are currently in the process of onboarding 3 new MFM Faculty members - start dates and specific hire information will be announced in the very near future. 

New Basic Scientist role - Interview and selection process is underway.

Two Gynecologist Roles at St. Joseph's - We are on the search for two Gynecologists. The posting closed on Jul 22, the search committee will be shortlisting and deliberating on the list of candidates. 

Faculty and Staff Spotlight

 

We are putting the spotlight on Dr Sarah McDonald this month to celebrate her successful CIHR grant submission, Single Dose of Antenatal Corticosteroids (SNACS) Non-Inferiorly Randomized Control Trial for Pregnancies at Risk of Preterm Delivery, which was ranked #1 at its review committee.

In speaking with Sarah, she stressed that research is a team effort and while her name is on the grant, it is really the efforts of the whole team that make for success. She specifically acknowledged the 5 parent partners that despite the trauma that they have endured, have participated to help those who may be impacted in the future. She also wanted to recognize the efforts of Fabiana (Fabi the Fabulous!) Bacchini, the Executive Director of the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation, which is a parent led, charitable organization providing education, support and advocacy for premature babies and their families.
 
SNACS Team

Sarah McDonald

Two minute elevator speech: Sarah describes herself as a clinician scientist who loves to use research as a means to improve patient care.

Why did you choose OB/GYN?: "It was the specialty that spoke to me."

Why do you still love it?: "
Why wouldn’t I? It is a perfect mix of clinical work and research."

Favourite on call food?: 
Well there is a reason why the trial is called SNACS! Sarah  loves all food and does not discriminate against any food!

Favourite thing to do on a sunny weekend?: "Go for a run!"

Favourite movie you have seen more than ten times and would watch again
?: "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"

What is on your nightstand?: "Kleenex, lamp, and a book by Jodi Picoult."

Colleen Ballagh

Title: "Administrative Assistant to the Director of Administration."

How Long Have You Worked at McMaster?: "2 years."
 
Your Job in a Nutshell:
"Supporting the Director and department with various administrative needs." 

What Do You Like Best About What You Do?: "That I’m allowed the opportunity to work on different projects within the department." 

If You Could Live Anywhere, Where Would it Be
?: "Ireland, Colleen means Irish girl. I think I’d be a celebrity there."
 
What Are You Most Excited to Do For Summer of ’21?:
 "Visiting family and hopefully maintaining a full vegetable garden."
 
What Restaurant Would You Recommend to Try For Dinner
?: "Shy’s Place."

The Scoop

Civic Holiday

 
The Civic Holiday falls on August 2, 2021 this year. Hope everyone enjoys!

Chair's Drop-In Hours

 
Reminder that Dr. Barrett's drop-in hours are every Wednesday from 7am-8am. No need to make an appointment, just give him a call!

Please reach out to Katie Naccarato (naccak1@mcmaster.ca) if you need Dr. Barrett's phone number. 

Interesting Article Posted in The Guardian: I have 'Pandemic Brain'. Will I Ever Be Able to Concentrate Again?
 

Author: Kelli María Korducki

When lockdown hit, I became distracted, unfocused – and overwhelmed. But there are ways to recover.

I can pinpoint the exact moment that I realized my brain was still broken from the pandemic. 


READ MORE
 
Trainee Corner

New!

We have decided to include our Residents when sending out MAC Chat each month to keep them informed on any department updates. If you have any information/links/event info that might be relevant and useful for the residents to include in the next edition - please forward to Katie Naccarato (naccak1@mcmaster.ca).

Welcome PGY1s!

We wish you all the best in this very exciting time!
From the Office of the Chair, 
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University
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