Awards and Announcements
Dr. Jan Christilaw Named as Recipient of the University of Waterloo Distinguished Alumni Award
"Dr. Jan Christilaw, President of BC Women’s Hospital has recently been selected as the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Waterloo. This award was established in 2007 to formally acknowledge the significant professional and/or academic accomplishments and contributions of alumni in their chosen fields. Dr. Christilaw’s leadership and vision is nothing short of inspirational and define the University’s benchmark of leaders of tomorrow."
Dr. Dorothy Shaw Named as VP Medical Affairs, BC Women’S Hospital & Health Centre
It is our pleasure to announce that effective July 1, 2011, Dr. Dorothy Shaw will be joining the BC Women's Executive Team in the role of Vice President, Medical Affairs. She brings a wealth of experience to this position at all fronts – locally, nationally and internationally.
Dr. Shaw was named as Canada's spokesperson for the G8/G20 for The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH) in 2010, a global health partnership that joins the maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) communities into an alliance of more than 300 members to ensure that all women, infants and children not only remain healthy, but thrive.
The Women's Executive Network named her as one of Canada's 100 most powerful women. Dr. Shaw was recognized for being the first woman president of the International Federation of Gynecology & Obstetrics, (FIGO). She is a Past President of the Society of Obstetricians & Gynecologists of Canada, the youngest person ever to lead that organization in this role.
Dr. Shaw received her medical degree from the University of Edinburgh in 1972 and her Fellowship in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1978. She joined the UBC Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology in 1979 after a fellowship in Perinatal Genetics with a cross appointment in Medical Genetics.
She has held various positions in the UBC Faculty of Medicine including Senior Associate Dean, Professional Affairs; Senior Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs; Associate Dean for Equity and the university's Acting Associate Vice President for Equity. She is a clinical professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Medical Genetics.
At the home front, Dr. Shaw is known to many of us having held key leadership roles at BC Women's Hospital from 1991, mostly in the Diagnostic Ambulatory Program where she was the Medical Director from 2000-2003. She was also the first chair of the combined Medical advisory Committee of BC Women's and BC Children's Hospitals.
We would like to extend a warm welcome to Dr. Shaw to the BC Women's Executive Team and look forward to her leadership as VP Medical Affairs.
Trailblazer Transforms Breast Cancer Diagnostic Care
Saving women's lives means detecting breast cancer early.
No one knows this better than Dr. Paula Gordon, Medical Director at BC Women's Hospital Breast Health Program.
She's a visionary in breast health care. Her work exemplifies excellence in teaching. Her determination ensures every woman gets expert attention. She pioneers the newest applications of technology. And her diagnostic expertise brings a new advantage to breast cancer treatment in British Columbia.
Dr. Gordon is this year's recipient of the UBC Killam Teaching Prize. She is the first radiologist to ever receive this award. She deserves it.
Dr. Gordon's tireless efforts at BC Women's Hospital have created a first-of-its-kind flagship breast imaging and training centre. The Sadie Diamond Breast Health Imaging Centre will give women the most advanced diagnostic imaging experience - full field digital mammography. This will be where current and future radiologists train in this latest technology.
Dr. Gordon is also Clinical Professor of Radiology at UBC, and Chair of the Academic Committee of the Screening Mammography Program of BC.
BC Women's Hospital Foundation, its donors and Hospital staff congratulate Dr. Gordon on her outstanding achievement.
Gordon Diamond Family $3 Million Gift Improves Breast Cancer Diagnostic Care in B.C. to Save Thousands of Women's Lives
VANCOUVER, OCT. 13, 2010 - The odds of detecting breast cancer early, in its most curable stages, when tumours are too small for women or their doctors to feel or see just got better in B.C. thanks to a $3 million donation from Vancouver philanthropists, the Gordon Diamond family, to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, BC/Yukon Region (CBCF) in partnership with BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre Foundation (BC Women's Foundation).
The gift will establish the Sadie Diamond Breast Health Imaging Centre at BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), a first-of-its-kind flagship breast imaging and training centre in British Columbia named in honour of Gordon Diamond's mother who died from the disease. The Diamond family's gift includes the purchase of two state-of-the-art digital mammography machines with tomosynthesis, the most advanced breast screening and diagnostic technology on the market today.
Complementing the equipment purchase, the PHSA has contributed a further $1.1 million of operational funding for fellowships and project management to train staff on the new equipment and initiate and oversee renovations to accommodate the machines at BC Women's.
“In keeping with the Jewish faith, our family has embraced the value of tikkun olam (Hebrew for repairing the world) with our charitable gifts over the years to benefit every faith and ethnicity,” said Leslie Diamond, a breast cancer survivor. “Leaving a legacy by supporting public institutions and giving back to the community has always been important to us.”
Breast cancer continues to be the most common form of cancer diagnosed in women. In 2010, it is estimated 23,200 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer (2,800 in B.C.) and about 5,300 will die (640 in B.C.) from it.
“Saving women's lives means detecting breast cancer early,” said Linda Morris, CEO of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, BC/Yukon Region. “The Diamond family's gift not only supports our work in early detection, it is also the largest single gift our Foundation has ever received. This gift will provide more accurate screening and diagnosis and we know that finding smaller tumours earlier saves lives,” she said.
Experts believe the Diamond's transformative gift will significantly improve breast cancer diagnostic care in B.C. and help to establish diagnostic standards in the transition from film to digital mammography.
“Tomosynthesis takes digital mammography a gigantic step forward,” said Dr. Paula Gordon, medical director of the Breast Program at BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre and chair of the Early Detection working group, one of five arms of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, BC/Yukon Region's 2020 Task Force assembled to reduce the incidence of life-limiting impact of breast cancer by the year 2020.
“Tomosynthesis produces 3-dimensional images that give a more detailed picture of a women's breast tissue. Not only do better pictures mean potentially finding more cancers, but also fewer recalls from screening and fewer retakes for technical reasons. The images can be seen instantly on a computer screen while the patient is still in the room,” said Dr. Gordon.
“In addition to reducing the time it takes to confirm or deny if a woman has breast cancer, we believe the Sadie Diamond Centre will offer a best practices model that may help develop a series of standardized, breast health centres around the province that include a training centre of excellence,” said Dr. Jan Christilaw, President BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre. Additionally the Diamond family's gift will help ensure BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre is able to attract, train and retain breast imaging radiologists and mammogram technologists for today and the future.
“BC Women's Foundation is extremely grateful to the Gordon Diamond Family for their generosity - it will make a difference to women from across B.C.,” said Laurie Clarke, CEO BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre Foundation. “We are pleased to partner with the CBCF BC/Yukon Region in utilizing the Diamond family's gift to establish the Sadie Diamond Breast Health Imaging Centre at BC Women's. Working together we can save lives.”
The BC/Yukon Region of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation was established in 1992 to make a difference in breast cancer research and breast health for the BC population. Every year CBCF, along with its donors, sponsors and partners, raises funds to support unique and innovative initiatives in prevention, early detection, treatment, research and emerging issues in the health care workforce. For more information on the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, BC/Yukon Region please visit www.cbcf.org/bcyukon.
BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre Foundation is dedicated to raising sufficient funds to enable BC Women's to function as the leader in women's health. Donor support enables the Foundation to support programs at BC Women's that reflect the healthcare needs of women and their families. For more information on the Foundation please visit www.bcwomensfoundation.org.
BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, provides services for pregnant women, newborns and women with specialized health needs from across the province. BC Women's is an academic health centre affiliated with the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University and the Women's Health Research Institute. For more information please visit www.bcwomens.ca.
Best Birth Clinic helps expectant mothers make important childbirth decisions
Expectant mothers can now explore their childbirth options to ensure they have the best, and safest, birth possible.
The rate of cesarean section births in BC has risen a remarkable 30% in recent years. This despite the fact that they can expose women and their babies to health risks they do not face with vaginal birth. The Best Birth Clinic is the first clinic of its type in BC to offer free consultations to pregnant mothers on the risks and benefits of different birth options.
"BC Women's is a major provider of maternity care services. We believe that we should be champions of natural birth, which is the preferred option for a majority of women," said Dr. Jan Christilaw, president of BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre. "The Best Birth Clinic is here to help women who face difficult decisions during their pregnancies."
The clinic is part of an interactive public education campaign called Power to Push. This
educational site dispels birthing myths, and offers a forum where women can connect with other women about their birthing experiences.
"We know that people are having conversations about pregnancy via social media," said Dr. Dale Steele, an obstetrician at the clinic. "If we can join in and positively influence some of those conversations with reliable and expert knowledge, then that will be really exciting!
New CEO for BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre Foundation
Ms. Laurie Clarke is the new chief executive officer of BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre Foundation effective September 1, 2010.
Laurie joins BC Women's Foundation from BCIT where she was Vice President, Development and Executive Director, BCIT Foundation and Alumni. She has over 20 years of experience in fundraising, primarily with higher education and social service non-profits. She has led a variety of organizations to build new financial capital and organizational accomplishment.
While at BCIT, Laurie provided leadership on the creation, implementation and management of a fully integrated fund development program.
This resulted in the successful completion of a $10 million aerospace capital campaign, a fourfold increase of the endowment portfolio and a 500% increase in fundraising revenues. It was also her responsibility to provide institutional leadership in the development of communication and advocacy strategies with both government and private sector partners to secure support for strategic priorities, major capital projects and fundraising initiatives.
Her dedication to the charitable sector has led her to participate in the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) as a member and former Director. She held the positions of Chair of the AFP Education Committee and Chair of the AFP Scholarship Committee. Laurie also sat as a Director on the Burnaby Board of Trade until August 2010. She has received national recognition by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, receiving a Gold Award for Fundraising.
Revered for spearheading the creation of BC Women's Hospital - October 2009
Simon Fraser University awarded Dr. Victor Gomel with an honourary Doctor of Science at a convocation ceremony October 8 in Burnaby.
Victor Gomel, professor emeritus and past head of obstetrics and gynecology at UBC, is renowned for his pioneering work in reproductive microsurgery and operative laparoscopy and revered for spearheading the creation of BC Women’s Hospital.
Dr. Gomel was instrumental in creating the BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, the first such tertiary facility in Canada, in 1992. In addition to Vancouver medical students and residents, Gomel trained postdoctoral fellows from all over the world, many of whom hold key positions in Canada and abroad. He has authored numerous scientific articles and book chapters and written and edited several books. Among the many accolades for his pioneering work in gynecologic surgery and reproductive medicine, Gomel was made a Chevalier of the French Légion d’Honneur and a Fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science.
For more about Dr. Gomel’s achievements see the following link to the SFU website:
http://www.sfu.ca/sfunews/news/story_10070910.shtml
New president for BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre - April 2009
“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jan Christilaw as the President of BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre,” says Lynda Cranston, President and CEO, PHSA. “Dr. Christilaw takes up her new responsibilities immediately. I know that you will join me in congratulating Dr. Christilaw on her position.”
Dr. Christilaw has been Interim President since December 2008, while continuing her roles as Vice President, Medical Affairs, BC Women’s; Senior Medical Director, Provincial Women’s Health Team, BC Women’s; and Co-Leader, Provincial Women’s Health Network.
Dr. Christilaw has over 25 years of experience in women’s health, including seven years of extensive experience at BC Women’s. During her time at BC Women’s, she has worked with a variety of programs, including Aboriginal women’s health, the Oak Tree Clinic for HIV positive women, and all Specialized Women’s Health programs.
Dr. Christilaw graduated from McMaster Medical School in 1981 and completed her residency in Obstetrics-Gynecology at UBC in 1986. Following that, she worked in White Rock as a general Obstetrician-Gynecologist for 20 years and is past President of the Society of Obstetrician-Gynecologists of Canada and is currently a Clinical Professor in the Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology at UBC.
In 1985, Dr. Christilaw was a member of International Physicians for Prevention of Nuclear War when they received a Nobel Peace Prize. Just another example of how dedicated she is.
With an interest in international women’s health, especially maternal mortality, Dr. Christilaw has been involved in a number of projects overseas, including the partnership between BC Women’s, BC Children’s, UBC and Makerere University in Uganda for services in maternal and child health. She has made a number of trips to Uganda and spoke about her experiences at the recent BC Women’s International Women’s Day celebration. She also volunteers her time with the Canadian Network of International Surgery, providing medical expertise in underdeveloped countries to promote safe motherhood and childbirth.
In 1985, Dr. Christilaw was a member of International Physicians for Prevention of Nuclear War when they received a Nobel Peace Prize. Just another example of how dedicated she is.
Throughout her career, Dr. Christilaw has had an unwavering commitment to women’s health—BC Women’s is lucky to have her!
BC Women’s Past President Wins National Award - March 2009
BC Women’s congratulates Dr. Elizabeth Whynot, former BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre president, on winning the Kaiser Foundation’s 2009 Excellence in Leadership Award.
The Kaiser Foundation recognizes individuals, communities, and organizations for their work in the areas of mental illness and addictions. These national awards recognize those who have demonstrated significant leadership within their community and have dedicated their time and energy in helping others get well.
“Liz has an outstanding record of service in improving the lives of women and families in B.C.,” says Lynda Cranston, CEO of PHSA. “On behalf of PHSA, I am honoured to congratulate Liz on this well-deserved recognition by this prestigious foundation.”
As a family physician, Liz devoted many years to working with at-risk women and those living with addiction. She is on the Board of Directors of WISH Drop-In Centre Society, and was the medical health officer for Vancouver’s downtown eastside for eight years.
Liz was leader of BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre for eight years. She received her medical degree from Queen’s University and a Masters in Health Science from UBC. Before joining BC Women’s in 1998, she was a physician in a free clinic and in private practice for 12 years.
She was the co-founder of the Sexual Assault Program (now part of BC Women’s) and supported the development and implementation of the Sheway Program for Substance Using Pregnant Women.
As the medical health officer in the downtown eastside, she worked with the community to develop strategies to address the HIV and Hepatitis C outbreaks in that area.
Among her many accomplishments, Liz was responsible for developing a strong Provincial Women’s Health Network to support an effective women’s health strategy provincially, implementing a plan to support maternity and newborn care in B.C., and was the PHSA Executive Sponsor for Aboriginal Health.
Liz will be recognized at the Kaiser Foundation’s annual awards ceremony in Montreal in May. Congratulations, Liz!
BC Women’s Hospital designated World Health Organization/UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital
Vancouver, B.C. - BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre today became the largest specialized hospital in Canada to be designated a World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital. This designation recognizes BC Women’s commitment to enabling mothers to breastfeed their newborn babies giving them the best start in life.
Created by the World Health Organization and UNICEF in 1991, the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative acknowledges hospitals whose maternity services actively promote breastfeeding of babies by new moms. A rigorous assessment was conducted in July by a team that spent 72 consecutive hours on site, interviewing families and staff, and observing care.
“Congratulations to BC Women’s on receiving this important designation from the World Health Organization and UNICEF,” says Healthy Living and Sport Minister Mary Polak. “Breastfeeding not only provides a strong bond between mother and child but also provides significant long term health benefits for both.”
“We are extremely proud of the efforts of the BC Women’s team in becoming the largest specialized hospital in Canada to be designated as Baby Friendly,” says Wynne Powell, Board Chair, Provincial Health Services Authority. “BC Women’s continues to set the standard for maternity care.”
Research has shown that breastfeeding provides significant health benefits for both babies and their mothers. Newborns are at less risk of gastro-intestinal infections, respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, ear infections, allergy related conditions and insulin-dependent diabetes. Women who breastfeed have a lower risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, hip fractures and low bone density as well as type 2 diabetes.
“We take seriously our responsibility to support new mothers in making informed choices about feeding their infants,” says Dr. Elizabeth Whynot, President, BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre. “Whether new moms choose to breast or bottle feed our teams of physicians, midwives, nurses and other health care professionals are there to assist.”
“We were extremely impressed with the innovative programs BC Women’s offers during our assessment,” says Marianne Brophy, Co-Chair, Breastfeeding Committee for Canada. “It was gratifying to see the engagement at all levels of such a large organization and we are convinced that this excellent quality of care will continue long into the future.”
Each year more 7,500 babies are born at BC Women’s with 85 percent of them being breastfed when they leave hospital. Whether breast or bottle fed, BC Women’s is committed to giving newborn babies the best start in life.
Arthur Kroeger College Award for Management
We are thrilled to announce that BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre has won the prestigious Arthur Kroeger College Award for Management.
The Award for Management is one of five annual awards presented annually by the Arthur Kroeger College of Public Affairs at Carleton University. "Not only has BC Women’s been at the forefront of development in women's health, but it has been managed to exacting financial standards at a time when healthcare costs have often been the subject of public criticism," says a news release issued by Carleton.
The release acknowledged the specific contributions of BC Women’s President Dr. Elizabeth Whynot, who has led the organization since 2000. "Dr. Whynot oversaw the creation of the Fir Square Combined Care program for substance-using pregnant women and their infants, a first in North America. She was also instrumental in the establishment of a First Nations Patient Lodge, which provides housing for First Nations women, and children who are unable to be treated in their home communities.
"Her vision led to the development of the Women's Health Research Institute, dedicated to supporting research activities that will improve the health and healthcare of women and their families."
Established in 1999, the Arthur Kroeger College Awards for Public Affairs recognize and commend individuals and organizations who, by their contributions to public life, have made Canadians more informed, their governing institutions more effective, and their country a better place to live. "These awards recognize and celebrate the individuals and organizations who exemplify leadership and dedication to the betterment of public life in Canada," says College Director Dr. Eileen Saunders. "They serve as inspiring examples to us all of what can be accomplished when there is a commitment to excellence, integrity and vision."
For more information, visit: www.carleton.ca/akcollege.
Dr. Ron Abrahams wins Kaiser Foundation award
Harm reduction champion calls for more housing.
By Cheryl Rossi
Staff Writer
Seven mothers involved in a program that helps women with drug addictions have needlessly given their babies up to foster care in the last two weeks, says Dr. Ron Abrahams.
“If there was appropriate, safe, supportive, supervised housing in the community, these babies would not be in foster care,” he said. “What that also means is that these mothers are at risk now of going back onto the street or back into the environment that they were at because they’re separated from the babies, and that’s another additional trauma to them in their lives”.
Abrahams, who on April 24 will receive an award for his longstanding harm reduction work among Downtown Eastside mothers and their children, says the Lower Mainland needs at least 200 supportive, supervised long-term housing spaces for the women he works with, whose lives are complicated by poverty, a lack of social support, drugs and pregnancies. But he knows of only six or seven beds available in Greater Vancouver.
“Over the last five years, we’ve delivered (babies for) 500 women” said Abrahams, who provides pre and post-natal care to women in the Downtown Eastside through Sheway on East Hastings and an outpatient clinic at BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre.
“Probably a third of the babies went into foster care. Of those third, I would say half didn’t have to go into foster care, but they went into foster care because there was no housing for the mother.”
Abrahams has applied the harm reduction model of care to drug using pregnant women in Vancouver since 1983 by working to limit the amount of drugs that mother and baby are exposed to.
Abrahams’s peers nominated him for a 2008 National Award for Excellence in Leadership from the Kaiser Foundation, which is honouring seven Canadians and organizations for their outstanding work in reducing the physical and mental harms associated with drug use and mental health problems.
Sheway provides health and social services to pregnant women and mothers with children under 18 months, who have previous or current drug use problems. Abrahams also operates a private practice.
Sheway is integrated with a program at BC Women’s. He and Sarah Payne, a midwife started the Fir Square Combined Care Unit there 15 years ago. It’s the first program in Canada to care for both drug-using women and drug-exposed newborns in a single unit.
Previously, babies were taken away from their mothers at birth and put into a quiet room with no stimulation. Abrahams said the medical community believed the women were incapable of looking after their children and that the children were unhealthy.
“Any time you take the baby away from its mother and put into a sort of abnormal environment, you’re going to get abnormal behaviour. So it’s a self fulfilling prophecy,” he said.
The babies born at the Fir Square Combined Unit stay in the same room as their moms.
His clients are addicted to heroin, cocaine or crystal meth, and alcohol may be involved in the mix. They usually have no fixed address and many have spent years living on the street. “We make sure that they get first-class prenatal care in the context of third and fourth world social conditions, which is the Downtown Eastside,” Abrahams said.
Staff try to help the women find stable housing and reduce their drug use. The hospital has 12 beds for women who need support and stabilization, before, when or after they have their babies. They can stay for a maximum of four months. Sheway also has 12 units where women can stay up to 18 months after they’ve delivered.
Mothers and babies are kept in the hospital a minimum of seven days after delivery to ensure the babies gain weight and show no signs of withdrawal. New mothers receive parenting advice from nursing staff.
Dr. Sue Harris, head of the department of family practice at BC Women’s, helped nominate Abrahams because she said he’s a “tireless leader” in a tough niche.
The Kaiser Foundation, a national organization based in West Vancouver that’s committed to promoting understanding of addiction and mental health gives each award recipient a $10,000 grant for a charity of their choice.
Abrahams will give the money to the Women’s Health Research Institute at BC Women’s so it can collect more data on the Fir Square program.
Courtesy of the Vancouver Courier – Wednesday 16th April, 2008
Photo Credit: Dan Toulgoet