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MAC Chat
The official newsletter of Obstetrics and Gynecology | Volume # 1 - Issue # 16
Message from the Chair
Greetings, 

I don't know about you all but somehow, I have this positive feeling that we're coming out of it! I don’t really know why because, if we look at the numbers, we could still be in for a tough winter - I suppose it's the continued optimism, collaboration and excellence that is ever present in our faculty and our departments.
 
Of course, the remarkable successes continue in terms of grant awards publications and profile, but I'm particularly encouraged at which all members have rallied together to support the dream we are creating by this significant fiscal contribution that all have agreed to. We also welcome our two new MFM recruits - Dr. Swati Agrawal and Dr. Homero Flores Mendoza.  Watch this space - we have some more exciting recruits up our sleeves!
 
I know some members of the public realize the extent to which caregivers have been stretched over these times, but I think no one truly knows the level of financial commitment and support that each and everyone of you commit in real dollars to enable us to continue our journey together. Thank you for this trust.
 
I am particularly excited to have been asked to travel to Guyana this week to start the process of a training program between our Department and the hospital in Georgetown. This opportunity provides great synergy with our Department’s Global Health Committee, a committee which has been enriched with the addition of colleagues, Dr. Esther Chin and Heather Thompson who, although adjunct McMaster faculty, have lent their full support, energy, expertise and, indeed, leadership to this important part of our Department. Also please watch this space for a newly envisaged alumni initiative. I want to do a better job of maintaining contact with those who have been part of our family and have geographically left. If I'm correct, you never quite leave McMaster.
 
Finally, I want to use this MacChat to announce more widely the establishment of the Nick Leyland Travel fund. In recognition of Dr. Leyland’s tenure as Chair, it is my pleasure to contribute $10,000 in seed funding for this fund which will allow junior faculty to travel to attend meetings at which their work is presented. The fund will accept contributions from faculty, which will be publicly recognized (if desired) and much appreciated. I cannot think of a more suitable recognition of Nick’s legacy as someone who has dedicated his life and career to the education and supportive research of learners both from McMaster and internationally.

Finally, holiday season is almost here and I hope we're all finding time to spend with our loved ones.  They deserve our love and understanding, especially at this time of year.
 
God Bless

Jon Barrett
Chair, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Department Updates
 

Women's Health Day - Faculty opportunity


The Women's Health Day is being observed on Thursday, December 1st & Friday, December 2nd at the CSBL (sim lab) at MDCL Hamilton. 

This is the second year for the program and the two-day sessions saw intense group work and was well received by C2023 clerks. The program includes 3 half day sessions that would feature hands on skills such as endometrial biopsy, vaginal delivery etc. in the sim lab based on cases from pre-clerkship. 

OB Faculty are invited to lend their expertise for part of the day on Thursday & Friday (December 1st and 2nd, 2022). 

Please reply to ugob@mcmaster.ca or jchamber@mcmaster.ca with your availability.
 

Launch of the Global Health Committee

Significant strides have been made in maternal mortality during the era of the Millennium Development Goals resulting in a 45% decrease in the maternal mortality ratio between 1990 and 2013. However, there still exists a substantial unmet burden of need with gross disparities within the field of Ob/Gyn worldwide, ranging from life-saving to disability-averting care. Due to this ongoing burden of Ob/Gyn issues in LMICs, a need was identified to form a specialized group with a mandate to advance global health and global surgery issues from an Ob/Gyn lens at McMaster University.

The Global Health Committee of the Department of Ob/Gyn seeks to lead in the following three areas:

  1. Capacity Building + Accessible Educational Resources
  2. Research
  3. Collaboration with LMIC Partners


We are excited about this endeavour and are looking for faculty with demonstrated interest and experience in global health and/or global surgery. Please email Dr. Esther Chin esther.chin@medportal.ca  if you are interested. Our first meeting will be held virtually on December 1, 2022. Details to follow.

Ob/Gyn in Global Surgery - A Spotlight on Obstetric Fistula

Dr. Esther Chin will be presenting virtually on November 3rd at 6pm EST.
The McGill CGSTA chapter has created a Facebook event page with details -  https://fb.me/e/3NGXIHOtw
Zoom registration link:  https://mcgill.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZArdemorTkoHNKqKQwDd-K7njJR5hcyem9W?fbclid=IwAR01X3TapfdHDhnZOU2oEnbi6enPJIpgduUtPk4FkN6wI2QW6J6r4_fOC3U

Research Updates
Our very own Dr. Alison Holloway did an interview about herself and her research for The Society of Toxicology of Canada (STC)! Check out her interview here! https://stcweb.ca/tox-gallery/
 
In this interview, they chat about an online portal that was created to promote access to wildlife and environmental monitoring data with high school students, undergraduate students, graduate students as well as faculty. You can check out this amazing portal here https://www.kotawanportal.ca/
HR Upcoming Events

New employee Orientation  - November 9, 2022 10:00 am to 12:30 pm 

The McMaster New Employee Orientation Program is designed to be an informative and highly interactive virtual experience to welcome new employees to the University. 

Register Here 

Visit https://hr.mcmaster.ca/events/new-employee-orientation-program-november-9-2022/for more information or contact WeAreAllLeaders@mcmaster.ca 

 

Practicing Self-Compassion - November 10, 2022 11:00 am to 12:00 pm   

Practicing self-compassion is sometimes viewed as being self-indulgent, self-absorbed or letting ourselves off easy. In fact, self-compassion enables us to evaluate our experiences more rationally and also kicks in to help us develop more effective solutions for making things better. This is a one-hour Zoom session hosted by Homewood Health. 

Facilitator: John Jackson, Homewood Health 

Register here  

Visit https://hr.mcmaster.ca/events/practicing-self-compassion/for more information 

 

Improving your Financial Well-Being with WorkPerks - November 14, 2022 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm 

Improve your financial well-being with savings on everyday purchases and important life events. Learn about WorkPerks – McMaster’s employee discount program – which provides thousands of discounts for employees, retirees and their families. Families have saved thousands of dollars a year on clothing, dining, electronics and gym memberships (to name a few!). 

Register for this Zoom session here! 

Visit https://hr.mcmaster.ca/events/improving-your-financial-well-being-with-workperks-2/for more information 

 

Everything You Need to Know About Retiring from McMaster’s Salaried Pension Plan - November 15, 2022 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm  

  In this workshop, participants will: 

·      explore an overview of the Contributory Salaried Pension Plan, including how your pension is calculated and the pension options available to you. 

·      review key ages and dates in the retirement process. 

·      learn about the retirement process, including key steps and important timing leading up to retirement and more! 

Register for this workshop here.   

Visit https://hr.mcmaster.ca/events/everything-you-need-to-know-about-retiring-from-mcmasters-salaried-pension-plan-14/for more information 

  
3-Part Planning for Retirement Course - November 15, 2022 to November 29, 2022 11:00 am to 1:00 pm 

McMaster University has partnered with the Credit Counselling Society (CCS) to offer a 3-part online retirement planning course aimed at helping pre-retirement employees obtain and maintain financial stability in their upcoming retirement. 

Register here   

Visit: https://hr.mcmaster.ca/events/3-part-planning-for-retirement-course-6/ for more information! 

  

Fall Virtual Yoga - November 16, 2022 to December 7, 2022: 10:30 am to 11:30 am 

Join Jenn Stanley for all-levels intro to yoga. This class will feature movement and poses with extra instruction for those new to the practice of yoga but will also include poses familiar to those with a regular practice.  We will focus on intentional movement and breath with the goal of finishing the class feeling calm ready to continue your day.  

Register here 

Visit https://hr.mcmaster.ca/events/healthy-workplace-virtual-yoga/ for more information!  

Congratulations to Drs. Susan Ellis and Michelle Morais for having their work "Mode of delivery: How to build a program of in-situ simulation" accepted for a pre-conference workshop at ICRE (International Conference on Residency Education)
Grants and Funding

Congratulations to Dr. Alison Shea!

Recipient of a Hospital for Sick Children New Investigator Research Grant --The Effect of Maternal Cannabis Use on Breast Milk Composition (M-CUB) 

Metabolites of cannabis are found in breast milk and can accumulate in higher concentrations with ongoing consumption, which is concerning for potential exposure among infants born to mothers who consume cannabis.  It is currently unknown if maternal cannabis use influences breast milk composition or volume.  There is evidence suggesting that changes in breast milk composition in general may alter infant growth and development. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the impact of maternal cannabis use on macronutrient, micronutrient and immune factors in breast milk.  The secondary objective is to examine patterns of lactation and to explore barriers to ongoing breast feeding among women who choose to consume cannabis.  It is paramount that we increase our understanding of the potential effects of maternal cannabis use on fetal and infant development so that families can be counselled using an evidence-based and patient centered approach.  Our team consists of obstetrical care providers, pediatricians, a basic scientist and a social worker. Together with our clinical, basic science and social science expertise, will work towards translating this research into clinically relevant evidence for mothers who choose to use cannabis during lactation. 

New Team Members

Please join me in welcoming the new team members to our department

Siddhi Mathur
Dr. Mathur is a Canadian trained Obstetrician Gynecologist. She will be completing her fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery and Advanced Pelvic Surgery this year at Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Toronto. She has a Masters of Science in Health Research Methodology and Bachelor of Health Sciences from McMaster University, and completed medical school at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Mathur is currently completing a Masters of Applied Health Informatics from Johns Hopkins University.
Swati Agrawal

Dr Swati Agrawal is a maternal fetal medicine specialist, who has accrued expertise in fetal anomalies and placental disorders including preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. She did her medical school and residency in India and then subsequently did masters in ob/gyn research from the University of Oxford. There she also attained Membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (MRCOG).
 

She completed her maternal fetal medicine fellowship from Mt Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto. Currently, she has joined as an Assistant Professor at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada.
 
Despite being a full time clinician, Swati has been an avid researcher and has published more than 40 articles in various high impact journals including Hypertension and Redox Biology. She has received numerous awards from esteemed societies including ISSHP, ESHRE and American Society of Reproductive Medicine.
Homero Flores Mendoza
 
Dr. Flores Mendoza is a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist who has particular clinical and research interests in prenatal diagnosis and therapy, advanced obstetric surgery and placenta accreta spectrum disorders. He attended medical school and residency training at Tecnologico de Monterrey university in Monterrey, Mexico. After further training in Perinatal and Maternal-Fetal Medicine in Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Homero joined the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division at Hamilton Health Sciences Centre and McMaster University. 
Yvette Sapper
Yvette joined our team on October 5, 2022, as a temporary Medical Secretary (replacing Sheryl Fisker) supporting Dr. Malabarey and Dr. Rogers. Yvette is a recent Honours Life Sciences graduate from McMaster and holds a certificate in Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations from Mohawk College. During her studies, she worked as an Administrative Assistant for Stonechurch Family Health Centre. Yvette also has extensive customer service knowledge and efficient communication skills through her experience as a Sales Advisor for Aritzia. During the pandemic, she volunteered at a COVID Vaccination Centre and used her leadership skills to train new employees in patient screening.
Faculty and Staff Spotlight

Dr. Jean Chamberlain

Why did you choose OBGYN as your career path?  I love the fast pace of obstetrics and gynecology.  It's a varied area of medicine where one isn't always in a clinic situation and not always in an operative setting.  A good mix -- sort of like a trail mix.  I like using my hands.    I also had an interest in working abroad.  initially, I was planning to do pediatrics but I'm really glad that I chose women's health as it was so underrepresented when i first started my international career.  Thankfully, there is more emphasis on women's health globally but there is a long way to go.  Still, over ¼ of a million women die each year of primarily preventable pregnancy complications  🙁
 

What do you still love about it?   I can never stop loving seeing the joy and smiles of a mother and her partner when they have a baby.  You have to just love those little baby toes!

 

What is your favourite oncall food?  La Luna is right up there...it's just down the road from St Joes.  The owner knows me by name!

 

What is your favourite thing to do on a sunny summer day?  Swimming in our backyard pool with my kids.

 

What is a movie you have watched more than 10 times and still enjoy watching?   Sorry, I have never watched a movie 10x.  I probably watched some Flintstones episodes when I was a kid....

 

What is on your bedside table?   Books and my telephone charger.  Also a clock though I never use it as an alarm.  Welcome to 2022!

Shannon-Leigh Chandler


Title?  Medical Secretary
 
How long have you worked at McMaster? 8 months (excitedly just finished probation)
 
Your job in a nutshell?  I support all 8 doctors in the Maternal Fetal Medicine Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology. I do things like book c-sections and preops, inform patients of procedures and appointments, submit billing, arrange meetings and organize calendars and much more!
 
What do you like best about what you do?  I love working closely with the physicians in our department to make the important job they do, a bit easier. They are so hard working and care so much about their patients and the job they do, that it’s impossible not to be excited about coming to work everyday. I love that they help moms and babies who need a little extra care and support. I am passionate about contributing to the amazing care our moms get from our specialized physicians.  
 
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?  I love living in Hamilton (I have my entire life). But I suppose if I was to branch out I might love living out West! British Columbia I think!
 
What is one thing someone will always see on your desk? Pens
 
What restaurant would you recommend someone try for dinner?  I would say State and Main. Lots of options from pasta to burgers and salads, and its all delicious. They have some great beverages and happy hour specials too!
 

Chair's Drop-In Hours

 
We all know how busy everyone's schedules are, so Dr Barrett has drop-in hours for informal chats. Every Wednesday from 7am-8am is reserved time to accept calls from you, no need to make an appointment - just give him a call! There are no parameters around the calls, maybe you have a question, suggestion, need some help, or just want to chat! 

Please reach out to Sheryl Fisker (fisker@mcmaster.ca) if you need Dr. Barrett's phone number. 
From the Office of the Chair, 
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University
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