Pomerleau and the MUHC Foundation work toward revolutionizing cancer care across Canada
MONTREAL, June 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerleau, one of Canada’s leading construction companies, is joining forces with the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Foundation to support a groundbreaking cancer project. With a $250,000 donation over five years, Pomerleau is supporting research led by Dr. Peter Metrakos, Cancer Research Program Lead at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC). Using local engineering expertise in artificial intelligence, Metrakos’ work will significantly improve survival rates of patients diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in Canadians and is responsible for more deaths than breast cancer or prostate cancer. Stage IV colorectal cancer is incredibly deadly, with a five-year survival rate of only 12 per cent.
“Pomerleau has had a long-standing collaboration with the MUHC that began with building the MUHC Research Institute and then evolved into a philanthropic affiliation. Like the MUHC, we value innovation, transformation and excellence and aspire to have a positive impact on the lives of the people we serve. We are proud to continue our partnership and support the kind of life-changing research that will save and improve countless lives.”
Pierre Pomerleau, President & CEO, Pomerleau
Using liquid biopsy techniques, Drs. Metrakos and Lazaris, with their team will help separate DNA, RNA, proteins and other constituent parts of the blood, to identify the ones associated with a patient’s cancer. Artificial intelligence (AI) will be used to identify patterns and insights into the data gathered from each patient’s blood sample. These patterns will then be used to create a test that will predict outcomes, providing a critical key to personalized treatment and improved survival.
“Our goal is to understand each individual’s cancer so we can provide precise and personalized treatment. Having support from Quebec industry means we can make these treatments a reality.”
Dr. Peter Metrakos, Cancer Research Program Lead, RI-MUHC
Quebec continues to be a leader in the field of artificial intelligence applied in health care and Dr. Metrakos’ work will drive innovation for years to come. With over 26,000 Canadians diagnosed with colorectal cancers each year, this project has the potential to affect millions of lives, from the patients going through cancer treatment to their families, friends, and colleagues.
“Pomerleau’s donation enables research done here in Quebec to impact patients and their families right across the country. We are grateful to be collaborating with a respected, forward-thinking company and for their confidence in medical innovations like this one.”
Julie Quenneville, President & CEO, MUHC Foundation
MEDTEQ+, funded by the Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation, is providing matching funds for industry investment and donations. This process enables donor funds to leverage their philanthropic support and impact.
About the McGill University Health Centre Foundation The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Foundation raises funds to support excellence in patient care, research and teaching at the McGill University Health Centre, one of the top university hospitals in Canada. Our Dream Big Campaign to change the course of lives and medicine is raising millions of dollars to solve humanity’s deadliest puzzles: infectious diseases; end cancer as a life-threatening illness; fix broken hearts through innovative cardiac care; detect the silent killers—ovarian and endometrial cancers—early; create the best skilled health care teams in Canada; and much more. We are rallying our entire community to solve the world’s most complex health care challenges. www.muhcfoundation.com
About Pomerleau Pomerleau is one of Canada’s leading construction companies and a pioneer in sustainable buildings. It specializes in the building, infrastructure, civil engineering, and renewable energy sectors. The company also excels in virtual design and construction (VDC). Founded close to 60 years ago, the company employs up to 4,000 people at its nine regional offices and more than 150 worksites across the country. In 2020, Pomerleau was named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers. For more details about Pomerleau, visit www.pomerleau.ca.
Meningitis Canada Calls on Governments to Fund Meningitis B Vaccine
WATERLOO, Ontario, June 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the wake of the tragic death of 19-year-old Kai Matthews of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Meningitis Foundation Canada (MFC) calls on all Canadian provinces and territories to include meningitis B on their routine immunization schedules.
“It is unconscionable and unacceptable that a vaccine to prevent the most common and deadly form of meningitis is not fully funded and included on all provincial and territorial routine immunization schedules. Kai Matthew’s heartbreaking death might have been prevented had he received either of the two available Health Canada-approved vaccines for the B strain that killed him,” said MFC spokesperson and Co-Chair Michael Redfearn.
Kai was a healthy, vibrant multi-sport athlete who had just finished his first year at Acadia University. Despite being approved, many young Canadians and their families are not aware of the meningitis B vaccines and therefore have not been immunized. If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it has driven home the cold hard fact that vaccine prevention saves lives.
Students who are in close contact through living in college or university dorms or sharing beverages or utensils or through kissing and engaging in other behaviors are at greater risk of contracting meningitis. A blood infection with Neisseria meningitidis, the bacteria that causes meningococcemia and meningococcal meningitis, may not be recognized or diagnosed when an infected person starts to feel unwell. For this reason, vaccine prevention is the most important way to reduce serious illness.
Meningitis is a potentially deadly inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, which result from infection by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Bacterial meningitis is the most severe type and is a medical emergency. It can strike quickly, be difficult to diagnose, and can lead to death in a matter of hours. There are effective vaccines now available to protect against many of the bacteria that cause meningitis and septicemia.
BforKai.com exists to help educate people about meningitis B and increase vaccination rates.
HealthPRO Announces Winner of #FacesofCanadianHealthcare Art Contest
Winner directs $25,000 donation to chosen Canadian healthcare facility
MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 28, 2021 /CNW/ - HealthPRO, Canada's group contracting provider for healthcare, is pleased to announce Maggie Coffin Prowse from Grand Bay-Westfield, New Brunswick as the winner of its #FacesofCanadianHealthcare national art contest.
Launched in March to pay tribute to the healthcare workers HealthPRO has been honoured to serve over the last 25 years, the contest received over 100 submissions from artists across nearly every Canadian province.
Earning the highest number of votes for her piece I See You, a reflection of nurses' comforting eyes, Ms. Coffin Prowse is taking home a $3,000 cash prize, and the opportunity to direct $25,000 to her chosen Canadian healthcare facility: Bobby's Hospice in Saint John, New Brunswick.
"This is a tremendous honour," said Maggie. "My aunt passed away from COVID and the last form of communication she received from a healthcare professional was through their eyes which is the focus of my piece. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to support Bobby's Hospice and my community with this incredible donation. Our healthcare system is driven by so many passionate and committed individuals whom I thank from the very bottom of my heart."
Brad Adams, Executive Director, Hospice Greater Saint John was thrilled to learn that they were selected as Maggie's charity of choice.
"Our ability to fundraise has been severely disrupted by COVID-19, so receiving this generous donation will have a massive impact on our organization! The staff, volunteers, patients and families of Bobby's Hospice congratulate Maggie for sharing her creativity to positively influence our community. We also extend our appreciation to HealthPRO for facilitating such an impactful contest and substantial donation during these trying times."
Renato Discenza, President and CEO at HealthPRO noted that this contest was a small way of showing tremendous appreciation for the healthcare professionals who make a difference in the lives of so many.
"As an organization that lives by Knowledge and Trust, I am incredibly grateful for the sacrifices of our healthcare professionals and that Canadians in need could trust in their knowledge, dedication and compassion throughout this pandemic and beyond."
Placing second and receiving a $2,000 cash prize for her submission The Price of Fortitude is Darlene Jordan Pfaff from London, Ontario and in third place, receiving a $1,000 cash prize, is Melissa Leah Bruglemans-LaBell from Airdrie, Alberta for her piece Coffee Break. To view all art pieces submitted, please visit www.facesofcanadianhealthcare.com.
About HealthPROHealthPRO is Canada's group contracting provider for healthcare. We put decades of knowledge and the purchasing volumes of more than 1,300-member healthcare facilities across Canada to work. Our members count on us to reduce the cost of products and services they use, improve patient safety, help maintain assurance of supply and pursue new ideas and innovations. The outcome is unprecedented buying power and market influence for Canadian healthcare facilities. For more information, please visit www.healthprocanada.com.
SOURCE HealthPRO Procurement Services Inc.
Canadian Dermatology Association Announces 2021 Award-Winning Dermatologists and the CDA Public Education Awards
OTTAWA, June 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Canadian Dermatology Association is proud to announce the recipients of the 2021 CDA Awards which recognizes certified dermatologists for their contributions to dermatology and the CDA Public Education Awards, which acknowledges excellence in furthering understanding of dermatologic issues and in encouraging healthy behaviour in the medical, surgical and cosmetic care of skin, hair and nails.
2021 CDA AWARDS Recognizing certified dermatologists for excellence in leadership, clinical care, education and research in the medical, surgical and cosmetic care of skin, hair and nails.
CDA Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Wayne Gulliver This award honours a CDA member, certified dermatologist who have made a significant and lasting impact in the field of dermatology, through their professional accomplishments as long-standing members of the Association, and who have earned the respect and admiration of their professional colleagues. Dr. Wayne Gulliver was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award for his commitment to dermatology. More than 30 years ago, Dr. Gulliver was the first dermatologist to practice in Newfoundland and Labrador. He was a pioneer in his native province and a key player in transforming a non-existent dermatology service into a service today that is diverse and leading-edge. Dr. Gulliver’s continued advocacy to increase access to dermatology care in rural areas has enhanced the quality of healthcare for all people in the province. Dr. Gulliver’s contributions also extend into research and clinical expertise on a global scale. With more than 250 clinical trials and numerous publications, he was the first Canadian to receive the Albert Neisser Lecture Award for his ground-breaking research on hidradenitis suppurativa. He has also made novel contributions to areas that include melanoma, psoriasis epidemiology and therapeutics. Dr. Gulliver has also shown national leadership as CDA vice-president and as chair of the 1997 CDA Annual Conference in St. John’s.
CDA Award of Merit: Dr. Gordon Searles
This Award recognizes the excellence of leadership and outstanding contributions to the CDA and Canadian and international dermatology. CDA member and certified dermatologist, Dr. Gordon Searles received this Award for his substantial contributions to many areas of dermatology. He is recognized around the world for his experience in wound healing and complex dermatology conditions that overlap with internal medicine. Dr. Searles has been involved in dermatology education for more than 30 years at the University of Alberta and was one of the initiators of the Canadian Professors of Dermatology’s Residents Innovation and Vision in Education (DRIVE) program. His dedication to securing the future of dermatology has also been evident in his positions as President and Treasurer, serving on other influential CDA committees and with the Canadian Dermatology Foundation. Dr. Searles has also spent many hours advocating for equal access to medication and dermatology care for disadvantaged groups, and his involvement with Camp Liberté and the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance, demonstrate his deep humanity and commitment to patient care.
CDA Early Career Volunteer Award: Dr. Boluwaji Ogunyemi and Dr. Michele Ramien This Award recognizes residents, fellows, and new dermatologists who are committed to give back to society by contributing at a local, provincial, national or international level through volunteer activities that have a medical or dermatological aspect. This year, the Award recognized two outstanding CDA member recipients, Dr. Boluwaji Ogunyemi and Dr. Michele Ramien.
Dr. Boluwaji Ogunyemi received this Award for his leadership and health advocacy work. He was co-chair of the Residents and Fellows Society of the CDA during his residency at the University of British Columbia, representing the voice of residents to the CDA Board of Directors. He now gives a voice to marginalized groups, an effort that began early on when he chose to work with the most vulnerable populations in British Columbia, including in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side. Dr. Ogunyemi has continued in this spirit at Memorial University in Newfoundland, where he oversees Faculty of Medicine initiatives in health equality, Indigenous and global health, and community engagement. Clinically, he is advancing dermatological knowledge and care for people with skin of colour. Focusing on advocacy and leadership work on a national level, Dr. Ogunyemi is a member of the National Equality in Medicine Group, the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Ethics Consultative Group. He is also a physician advisor for Black Physicians of Canada and a board member with Canadian Doctors for Medicare.
Dr. Michele Ramien received this Award for her deep dedication to resident development, commitment to teaching and volunteering and patient advocacy. Upon starting her residency, Dr. Ramien became a leader and mentor, generously sharing her knowledge with residents and students, supporting them throughout their studies and early careers. Dr. Ramien was nominated by residents for teaching awards and has received the CDA Resident and Fellows Society Teaching Award and the Professional Association of Resident Physicians of Alberta Clinical Teaching Award. Dr. Ramien’s involvement with Camp Liberté began in her residency years reflecting her dedication to volunteer initiatives and giving back to her community. She ascended into leadership roles on the Camp’s Board of Directors, becoming Vice President in 2016. In Alberta, Dr. Ramien continued her passion for helping children as an on-site volunteer at the Brag Creek camp. Dr. Ramien’s impressive dedication of giving back to the community reflects her energy and commitment to dermatology volunteer initiatives and her volunteer work will continue as she steps into the Vice President position on the CDA Board of Directors.
CDA Research Award in Dermatology: Dr. Laurence Mainville This Award is presented for the best manuscript submitted for original work, not previously published and relevant to dermatology. The award recognizes excellent work intended to expand, direct, define or assist in the understanding and/or treatment of dermatologic disease. This year’s recipient is CDA Member, Dr. Laurence Mainville, PGY 3 resident at the Université Laval. Dr. Mainville is recognized for her outstanding work as lead author of the research article titled “Effect of Nicotinamide in Comparison with Placebo, Vehicle, Standard of Care, No Treatment or Other Treatment with Neutral or Weak Effect in Skin Cancers Chemoprophylaxis: As Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Dr. Mainville’s important research contributes to advancing the field and striving toward optimal preventative treatment for patients with skin cancer.
CDA Resident’s Writing Award: Dr. Suzel Fournier This Award recognizes dermatology residents who contribute and share their expertise and experiences within the dermatology community. The Award is presented to a Resident Associate of the CDA who has contributed significant knowledge in the dermatology field through written material in CDA publications. This year’s recipient is CDA member Dr. Suzel Fournier, a fourth-year resident at the Université Laval for her article “Prospective Clinical Trial Comparing Curettage and Cryosurgery to Curettage and Electrodesiccation in the Management of Minimally Invasive Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinomas” which was published in the CDA Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. The research of comparative treatments educates dermatologists on cure rates, to enhance how they assist patients with their treatment options for these types of skin cancers.
CDA-RFS Teaching Awards The CDA-RFS Teaching Awards recognize Canadian residents or fellows and teachers who have made an outstanding contribution to peer-resident and resident teaching. Congratulations to the following CDA member Award recipients:
Resident Teaching Award: Dr. Zeinah AlHalees, McGill University
Resident Teaching Award: Dr. Reetesh Bose, University of Ottawa
Clinical Teaching Award: Dr. Jérome Coulombe, CHU Ste-Justine
Clinical Teaching Award: Dr. Kucy Pon, Sunnybrooke Hospital
CDA-RFS Excellence in Leadership Award: Dr. Malika Ladha and Dr. Megan Lim This Award is a national award given annually up to two Canadian dermatology residents and fellows who have made outstanding contributions at local, provincial, national, or international level through leadership initiatives and contributions that have a medical or dermatologic aspect. Congratulations to the following recipients: Dr. Malika Ladha and Dr. Megan Lim
Impact Factor 100 Award: Dr. Julia Carroll This Award is a national award recognizing one member of the dermatology community who has made outstanding contributions to the goals, efforts, and mission of the CDA-RFS. Congratulations to CDA member, certified dermatologist, Dr. Julia Carroll.
JCMS Lecture Award: Dr. David Zloty
The JCMS Lecture is aimed at honouring a contributing author whose work has attracted much attention in the last year by inviting them to deliver a presentation within their area of expertise at the Canadian Dermatology Association’s (CDA) annual conference. Dr. Zloty received the JCMS Lecture award for his article Age, Psychology, and Practice Patterns.
2021 CDA PUBLIC EDUCATION AWARDS The CDA Public Education Awards recognize excellence in furthering the understanding of dermatologic issues and encouraging healthy behaviour in the medical, surgical, and cosmetic care of skin, hair, and nails. The competition was open to media, not-for-profit groups and industry for projects or activities completed between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020.
CDA PUBLIC EDUCATION AWARDS: NOT-FOR-PROFIT CATEGORY French version of an educational video on Mohs surgery for patients: CHU de Québec-Université Laval Dr. Marie-Michèle Blouin and Dr. Laurence Mainville, PGY3 resident, Université Laval Mohs surgery has always been verbally explained to French patients due to a lack of French educational support available. To provide an unmet need in patient education for this procedure, Dr. Laurence Mainville, a dermatology resident at the Université Laval, working under the supervision of Mohs surgeon, Dr. Marie-Michèle Blouin, produced a French version of an English-version video summarizing Mohs surgery. The video explains the surgery in simple and accessible language for French speaking patients. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDLWUdK8v40&t=1s
CDA PUBLIC EDUCATION AWARDS: NOT-FOR-PROFIT CATEGORY Impact of COVID-19 on the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Community in Canada Canadian Association of Psoriasis Patients, Canadian Psoriasis Network and Unmasking Psoriasis The Canadian Association of Psoriasis Patients, Canadian Psoriasis Network and Unmasking Psoriasis collaborated on a World Psoriasis Day 2020 initiative to raise awareness about psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in Canada. A bilingual survey was conducted in the psoriasis community to understand the experiences of people living with these conditions during the pandemic. Results from the survey were used to raise awareness among federal government officials about the impacts for people living with these conditions before and during the pandemic and how access to care, treatment and services can be improved for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis patients. Results were also sourced to inform a public awareness social media campaign and were developed into an infographic hosted on both the Canadian Psoriasis Network and Canadian Association Psoriasis Patient’s websites. canadianpsoriasis.ca/world-psoriasis-daywww.canadianpsoriasisnetwork.comunmaskingpsoriasis.org
CDA PUBLIC EDUCATION AWARDS: MEDIA - PRINT Dermatitis herpetiformis: Celiac disease of the skin | Priya Dhir The article takes readers on an insightful journey of learning about the skin condition dermatitis herpetiformis and its relation to Celiac Disease. DH affects approximately 25% of people with Celiac disease who typically have no gastrointestinal symptoms. Patients will see their family doctor or a dermatologist first before seeing a gastroenterologist. This raises the awareness on the collaborative approach required between general practitioners and specialists to assist patients with Dermatitis Herpetiformis and Celiac Disease. canadianskin.ca/images/magazine/Canadian_Skin_Spring2020_Eng.pdf
CDA PUBLIC EDUCATION AWARDS - INDUSTRY “The World’s Most Uncomfortable Bed – Québec Activation Campaign”| Sanofi-Genzyme Jean-Francois Boisvert The World’s Most Uncomfortable Bed campaign was first launched in 2019 to raise awareness of atopic dermatitis and its impact on quality of life, especially a restful night’s sleep. To experience what it is like to live with this condition, family members of a person with atopic dermatitis were invited to sleep for a night on a bed with a burlap pillow, lumpy mattress, and heating device. Following the successful and compelling campaign in 2019, the World’s Most Uncomfortable bed was introduced in Quebec in 2020. With pandemic restrictions an in-person experience was not possible, instead the campaign went virtual using Quebec celebrities, who experienced the uncomfortable bed and documented their experience on social media. One featured here: www.facebook.com/etienne.boulay.96/videos/405031500537996
ABOUT THE CDA
The Canadian Dermatology Association, founded in 1925, represents Canadian certified dermatologists. The association provides easy access to a reliable source of medical knowledge on dermatology. CDA exists to advance the science and art of medicine and surgery related to the care of the skin, hair and nails; provide continuing professional development for its members; support and advance patient care; provide public education on sun protection and other aspects of skin health; and promote a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. By doing so, CDA informs and empowers both medical professionals and the Canadian public. To learn more about what the work CDA does visit dermatology.ca and join the conversation on twitter.com/CdnDermatologyfacebook.com/CdnDermatology or instagram.com/canadiandermatologyassociation/
Largest international review of serosurveys, done by Canadians, suggests that the global population remains vulnerable to COVID-19
MONTREAL, June 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SeroTracker, a Canadian research group, has published the largest study to date on the global spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the journal PLOS One. The study examined antibody survey data, which were published from January to December 2020, from 9.3 million people in 74 countries and found that the number of people who had a SARS-COV-2 infection, although widely variable globally, remained fairly low in the general population.
“Unfortunately, the results show that this global pandemic is not over,” says Dr. Niklas Bobrovitz, co-lead author and and Research Associate, Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Calgary. “Despite the challenges in monitoring and limiting the spread of SARS-CoV-2 so far, many people are likely still susceptible to infection, which means that future spikes are possible. We need to continue adhering to public health measures, ensure equitable distribution of vaccines, and improve confidence in vaccination.”
“Last year, on average, studies around the world reported about 4.5% seroprevalence, meaning only 4.5% of people had antibodies to SARS-COV-2, suggesting a previous infection. Antibody tests can capture infections missed by diagnostic testing to give us a more accurate picture of the pandemic’s spread,” explains Rahul Arora, co-lead author and Adjunct Lecturer, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary. “Seroprevalence studies therefore estimate the number of people with some form of immunity to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, although it’s still unclear how long that immunity lasts.”
Compiling data from these global surveys provides insight on variations with which jurisdictions have tracked the pandemic with diagnostic testing. “We found important differences when comparing infection rates from diagnostic testing, which indicates acute infection, and antibody data, which indicate previous infection. In some areas of the world, there were six times more infections identified using antibody results than reported by diagnostic testing. This indicates there has been substantial infection spread not captured by reported case counts, likely due to a slow ramp-up of diagnostic testing in some cases, or inequitable access to it,” says Dr. Matthew Cheng, Assistant Professor, McGill University, Scientific Advisor for the CITF and co-senior author on the article.
The study also highlights major inequities in the pandemic impact and response. “Although antibody prevalence was low in the general population, there were significant differences in infection burden when stratified by demographics. Infection rates were higher in Black, Asian, and Indigenous people - indicating the need to prioritize protecting the hardest-hit populations through vaccine, workplace and community efforts,” says Rahul Arora. “Additionally, only 23% of the studies were conducted in low- and middle-income countries. The global community needs to come together to bolster pandemic preparedness and accessibility to research and public health tools.”
“This study serves as a vital baseline measurement of the world’s burden of infection, pre-vaccination, and highlights the imperative of equitable access to vaccines to bring the COVID-19 pandemic under control everywhere,” says Dr. Tim Evans, Executive Director of the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force and a co-author of the study.
As the pandemic persists, the group plans to continue harnessing antibody data to inform the public health response. Beyond the systematic review, SeroTracker’s database and dashboard continues to evolve. On the website, new results are being uploaded weekly. The WHO, Gates Foundation, McKinsey, Forbes and New York Times, among others, have used the dataset to inform their work.
“SeroTracker has created a method for rapid synthesis of real-world data that has informed science, investments, and policy-making in multiple aspects of the pandemic response, such as calculating infection fatality and identifying optimal vaccine trial sites,” says Arora. “Our long-term vision is to use data to enable rapid, effective, and equitable responses to pandemics. We are exploring the adaptability of our data platform to achieve this.”
SeroTracker is a dashboard and data platform for COVID-19 antibody testing studies, or serosurveys. The platform is a global collaboration of over 20 researchers, engineers, and physicians from six universities in Canada, the UK, and the United States. SeroTracker is funded by the Government of Canada through its COVID-19 Immunity Task Force, as well as by the World Health Organization, and the Canadian Medical Association. Visit the interactive dashboard at https://serotracker.com/en/Explore.
About the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force
The Government of Canada established the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force in late April 2020. The Task Force is overseen by a Leadership Group of volunteers that includes leading Canadian scientists and experts from universities and healthcare facilities across Canada who are focused on understanding the nature of immunity arising from the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. To that end, the CITF is supporting numerous studies to determine the extent of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Canada (in the general population as well as in specific communities and priority populations), understand the nature of immunity following infection, develop improved antibody testing methods, and help monitor the effectiveness and safety of vaccines as they are rolled out across Canada. The Task Force and its Secretariat accordingly work closely with a range of partners, including governments, public health agencies, institutions, health organizations, research teams, and other task forces, and engage communities and stakeholders. Most recently, the Task Force has been asked to support vaccine surveillance, effectiveness, and safety as part of its overall objective to generate data and ideas that inform interventions aimed at slowing—and ultimately stopping—the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Canada. For more information visit: www.covid19immunitytaskforce.ca
Semantic Health Launches its Medical Coding & Auditing Platform Validated at Leading Hospitals in Major Metropolitan Areas
Launching with an oversubscribed seed round of US$2.7 million and expertise in AI, medicine, and medical coding put Semantic Health in the best position to transform medical coding and auditing while enabling actionable use of clinical data for improved care delivery and AI analytics
TORONTO, June 24, 2021 /CNW/ - Semantic Health Inc. ("Semantic Health"), a Toronto-based healthcare technology company, today announced the launch of its premier coding & auditing platform, the Semantic Health Information Platform. Semantic Health's platform empowers medical coders and auditors to conduct concurrent review of clinical documentation, reduce revenue cycle inefficiencies and enable actionable use of unstructured data. The platform was developed in close collaboration with medical coding and auditing professionals across various health systems in North America.
Semantic Health launches with the support of leading hospitals and venture capital investors. In September 2020, Semantic Health secured an oversubscribed seed round of USD$2.7 million led by DCVC with involvement from Preface Ventures, Liquid 2, RiSC Capital, Wayfinder VC and others. Semantic Health has also partnered with leading hospitals to demonstrate how its foundational technology identifies missed reimbursement opportunities, increases coder and auditor productivity, and generates actionable data for additional analytical use-cases. The initial traction from investors and clients signals the company's success in providing solutions to reduce healthcare providers' financial inefficiencies.
"Semantic Health will fundamentally change the way that we look and consider our medical coding and auditing processes" said Peter Bak, Chief Information Officer at Humber River Hospital. "Their underlying artificial intelligence technology presents us with an opportunity to deliver a wide variety of improvements at the frontline of care delivery."Artificial Intelligence for Medical Coders and Auditors
Semantic Health's platform seamlessly integrates with electronic health records to pull patient charts as they are created, assigns medical codes to them and identifies any coding-related deficiencies. Within an intuitive user interface, medical coders can then finalize AI-suggested codes while auditors focus on high-value opportunities for additional documentation improvement. Semantic Health's solution is optimized for long and complex inpatient documentation where traditional solutions often fall short. Their platform is also capable of automating more simple outpatient workflows. Semantic Health also offers fully-managed audit services where they review a healthcare provider's already coded charts for completeness, missed opportunities, and payer audit risk.
"When I first encountered medical coding in a hospital, and coming from the perspective of my machine learning background, I quickly saw the potential for artificial intelligence to improve these processes," said Dr. Nicola Sahar, CEO and co-founder of Semantic Health. "Our product has already started streamlining medical coding and auditing processes at leading hospitals to optimize their revenue cycles, allow hospital operational staff to focus on high value activities and, most excitingly, uncover healthcare insights from clinical documentation. We are proud to pioneer the deployment of our transformative technology to healthcare providers across North America."
"It's rare to see a platform that can have cascading benefits throughout a hospital or health system," said James Hardiman, partner at DCVC. "Semantic Health has done exactly that. They have built the most sophisticated technology for tackling complex inpatient documentation workflows. Its platform will have clear results on financial outcomes, patient care and operational efficiencies, affecting many stakeholders in a hospital or health system. We see great potential for the company as it continues to scale its technology across North America."ABOUT SEMANTIC HEALTH
Semantic Health is a Toronto-based healthcare technology company leveraging proprietary artificial intelligence to help hospitals improve their medical coding, auditing, and CDI processes. Their Semantic Health Information Platform enables real-time access to coded data to drive clinical decision support and optimized reporting, reimbursement and operations. To learn more about Semantic Health, visit www.semantichealth.ai/
SOURCE Semantic Health
Support for BC Workplaces to Assess, Improve or Develop a Disability Management Program
PORT ALBERNI, BC, June 24, 2021 /CNW/ - Today's global economy forces organizations to offer the best products and services at the lowest cost. Organizations are not only competing with the business down the street, but businesses all over the world.
BC workplaces are being provided with the opportunity to have a free assessment of their DM program
An organization that can reduce the socio-economic costs related to disabilities for itself and its workforce, has an advantage. Large or small, organizations have found that by implementing sound stay at work / return to work policies and practices, have been able to reduce their costs, retain a knowledgeable and skilled workforce, and have become more competitive.
International research has proven that the implementation of disability management (DM) programs is the most effective way of restoring and maintaining workers' abilities while reducing the cost of disability for workers, employers, government and insurance carriers.
Through this initiative, BC workplaces are being provided with the opportunity to have a free assessment of their DM program. The Workplace Disability Management Assessment (WDMA) tool is optimized to allow for an accurate program assessment through a face-to-face interview, conducted onsite or online.
Program assessments are carried out through certified auditors who have completed a dedicated training program in the use of the assessment tool and who also have achieved the Certified Disability Management Professional (CDMP) designation.
The framework of the WDMA Assessment tool was developed based on a global review of best practices in DM. The key elements identified as crucial when administering effective DM programs are embodied in the tool.
The end result is that the WDMA provides a written analysis that includes:
a snapshot of the current program identifying gaps, and
provides best practice recommendations moving forward.
Common benefits derived from undertaking such an assessment are:
Reducing the number of days lost due to injuries and illness
Reducing costs associated with short and long term disability assessment rates
SOURCE National Institute of Disability Management and Research
Archive Owned by Kung Fu and Hollywood Legend Bruce Lee, including Apparel, Workout Equipment and Correspondence to be Auctioned
LOS ANGELES, June 23, 2021 – A special collection of martial arts immortal Bruce Lee’s apparel and equipment will be auctioned by Nate D. Sanders on June 24. Interested bidders may participate in the auction online.
The highlight of the 43-item collection being auctioned is Lee’s brown suede suit worn onscreen for the famous ''Lost Interview'', Lee's Only English TV interview on The Pierre Breton Show on December 9, 1971. The interview was thought to be lost to history until it reemerged in 1994, and in it, Lee gives many of his famous statements including ''I have no fear'', and ''Be water, my friend.'' He continues, ''Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless, like water. Now, you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash! Be water, my friend''.
From the collection of Herb Jackson, well-documented as Lee's first generation Jeet Kune Do protege, builder of custom martial arts training equipment for Lee and ultimately his good friend. Lee gifted the suit to Jackson at the time of filming ''Return of the Dragon'', when the latter went to visit him on location in Hong Kong.
Additionally going under the hammer, are Bruce Lee’s personal letter signed, personally owned shoes, boxing gloves, medicine ball, heavy bag, roman chair, bench press, pajamas, kicking shield, cassette recorder, headgear, sparring mask, punching shield, leather blocking shield, speed bag, groin protector, training baton, focus mit, custom-built striking pad, palm bag, exercise bar, abdominal belt, striking ball and wrist roller. These items are also part of the Herb Jackson collection.
An industry leader in documents and autographs, Nate D. Sanders Auctions has conducted auctions in Los Angeles since 1990 and now holds major auctions on a monthly basis. Owner Nate Sanders is recognized for his knowledge of sports, historical and Hollywood memorabilia. To learn more visit natedsanders.com
Early results from a national study confirm antibody levels are stronger after receiving two doses
TORONTO, June 23, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Initial preliminary results from the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (CanPath) COVID-19 Antibody Study, based on close to 6,000 dried blood spot samples collected between February 8 and May 17, 2021, show a high degree of variability in the level of antibodies produced by a single dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. These findings highlight the importance of accelerating second doses as the Delta variant continues to spread, particularly with the vast majority of Canadians having received only a single vaccine dose. This is the first pan-Canadian study using samples from a wide range of participants to confirm evidence from vaccine manufacturers’ clinical trials, as well as findings in a recent preprint from the United Kingdom and other smaller studies.
“Our preliminary results, based on a sampling of adults from across Canada, show that the level of antibodies elicited in response to a first dose of different vaccine types varies,” says Dr. Philip Awadalla, National Scientific Director of CanPath. “Consistent with earlier reports, we also found that single doses of the mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) vaccines produced short-term antibody levels over one and a half times greater than those produced by the viral vector vaccine (Oxford-AstraZeneca).”
CanPath is a national population health research platform that follows the health of 330,000 volunteer Canadians (or 1% of the population). The Government of Canada, through its COVID-19 Immunity Task Force(CITF), funded this pan-Canadian COVID-19 seroprevalence study, which invited more than 20,000 of its participants age 30 and older to take part.
Early results from this study show a lag in the development of antibodies after a single vaccine dose. Through a supporting online questionnaire, CanPath recorded who had been vaccinated, the date of vaccination, and the vaccine type and name.
“Approximately 10% of participants who reported being vaccinated with a single dose of an mRNA vaccine and 30% of those vaccinated with a single dose of the viral vector vaccine did not show signs of antibodies above thresholds differentiating them from the population at large,” explains Dr. Awadalla. Additionally, and again consistent with recent international reports, antibody levels appeared lower in those over the age of 60 after a single dose of any vaccine type.
“The ‘first-doses-fast’ strategy adopted in Canada has worked extremely well so far in reaching more Canadians. We have seen a drastic reduction in case numbers and hospitalizations, despite the arrival of variants, allowing us to look forward to a better summer,” says Dr. Catherine Hankins, CITF co-chair. “That said, this study offers more evidence that Canadians considering only one dose need to know that they are not fully protected. Getting a second dose is vital now with the Delta variant on the rise.”
“Although participants may still be protected through other immune mechanisms, these findings underscore the fact that, after a single dose, antibody production is far from what is produced after two doses,” explains Dr. Awadalla. The study detected high levels of antibodies in participants with two doses of an mRNA vaccine, with levels almost twice as high as those after the first dose. Whereas other studies have shown waning of antibodies after single doses of mRNA vaccines, CanPath found that levels of antibodies after two doses of an mRNA vaccine appear to stabilize over a period of 95 days.
The initial results do not yet include individuals who had received two doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. “Clinical trials have shown that two doses of AstraZeneca provides good protection against COVID-19” adds Dr. Hankins.
“These preliminary study results reinforce the need for Canadians to get their second dose of COVID-19 vaccines. Completing a two-dose vaccine series provides stronger protection against symptomatic infection, severe illness and variants of concern including the Delta variant,” states Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam. “Vaccines, in combination with public health measures and individual precautions continue to be key in reducing the spread of COVID-19.”
“These initial results clearly highlight the importance of continuing to follow current public health guidelines. It is vital that Canadians continue to practice public health measures and ensure uptake of second doses because a single dose does not provide complete protection against the SARS-CoV-2 virus,” says Dr. Victoria Kirsh, Scientific Associate for the Ontario Health Study, one of CanPath’s regional cohorts.
Continued Sample Collection
Between February 8 and June 7, 2021, CanPath participants completed more than 23,000 online questionnaires and submitted close to 13,000 dried blood spot samples. So far, 5,678 of those samples have been tested and have been used to establish the above preliminary results. CanPath will continue to collect dried blood spot samples to reach the target of 20,000 samples. Further findings from the complete study are expected this summer.
About the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (CanPath)
The Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (CanPath) is Canada’s largest population health study and a national platform for health research. Comprised of more than 330,000 volunteer participants, CanPath is a unique platform that allows scientists to explore how genetics, environment, lifestyle, and behaviour interact and contribute to the development of chronic disease and cancer. CanPath is hosted by the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health with national funding from the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. To learn more, visit www.canpath.ca.
About the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force
The Government of Canada established the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force in late April 2020. The Task Force is overseen by a Leadership Group of volunteers that includes leading Canadian scientists and experts from universities and healthcare facilities across Canada who are focused on understanding the nature of immunity arising from the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. To that end, the CITF is supporting numerous studies to determine the extent of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Canada (in the general population as well as in specific communities and priority populations), understand the nature of immunity following infection, develop improved antibody testing methods, and help monitor the effectiveness and safety of vaccines as they are rolled out across Canada. The Task Force and its Secretariat work closely with a range of partners, including governments, public health agencies, institutions, health organizations, research teams, other task forces, and engages communities and stakeholders. Most recently, the Task Force has been asked to support vaccine surveillance, effectiveness and safety as part of its overall objective to generate data and ideas that inform interventions aimed at slowing—and ultimately stopping—the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Canada. For more information visit: www.covid19immunitytaskforce.ca
Arthritis Society calls for Canadian Task Force to address joint replacement wait times
Releases working group report with recommendations to improve the system for patients
TORONTO, June 23, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With far too many Canadians facing excessively long waits for joint replacement surgery, the Arthritis Society is calling for immediate action to address the growing crisis.
“The waiting is terrible. It’s very depressing. Some days, the pain is so bad in my knee, I can’t even stand,” says Holly Klein, a retired teacher from Montreal. “It impacts my quality of life. When you’re experiencing pain that is so debilitating you can’t enjoy life anymore, people need to take that seriously.”
Klein has been waiting 18 months for a knee replacement with her current surgeon but has been living with knee pain for more than 17 years.
Long waits for joint replacement surgery were common across the country before COVID-19 wreaked havoc on the health-care system and the pandemic just exacerbated the crisis. About one-third of hip and knee replacements weren’t happening within the recommended six months in 2019, but that jumped to about half during the first six months of the pandemic.
“We need to innovate and make bold changes because the status quo is not working,” says Trish Barbato, President and CEO of the Arthritis Society. “We’re calling on everyone – policy experts, clinicians and governments – to collaborate to make things better for patients through the creation of a Canadian Wait Times Task Force.”
The call for a pan-Canadian task force to address wait times is at the heart of The Wait: Addressing Canada’s Critical Backlog of Hip and Knee Replacement Surgeries, which was released today.The Wait harnesses the collective experience of a working group of experts from across the country convened by the Arthritis Society. They offered solutions to address long wait times, which include:
Ensuring innovative models of care are replicated and shared widely so more Canadians have access to their benefits.
Standardizing how patient data is collected and reported on across the country, to make it easier to set national standards and benchmarks.
Leveraging digital technology to reduce wait times, maximize limited health resources and improve co-ordination of care.
Increasing access to community-based joint health management programs, so more patients have access to proven programs that effectively manage pain pre-op and better optimize results post-op.
Ensuring savings from surgical efficiencies are re-invested into improving patient care.
“The time for Band-Aid solutions and temporary stop gaps is over,” says Dr. Bob Bell, a member of the Arthritis Society's working group. “It’s time to do things differently and make real changes. Patients deserve answers to the backlogs and deserve shorter wait times for care.”
While the surgery backlog balloons, the demand is also increasing significantly. In recent years, hip and knee replacement surgeries have increased by 20 per cent. Meanwhile, the number of people living with arthritis – the condition responsible for the vast majority of these procedures – is expected to grow by 50 per cent by 2040.
About the Arthritis Society
The Arthritis Society is Canada’s national charity dedicated to creating a world where people are free from the devastating effects of arthritis. The passion to alleviate suffering that inspired our founders in 1948 continues to drive us today. Thanks to the trust and support of our donors and volunteers, the Arthritis Society is the largest charitable funder of cutting-edge arthritis research in Canada and a leader in proactive advocacy, innovative information and support that delivers better health outcomes for the people we serve. The Arthritis Soc
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