Welcome to Pathology's Bi-Weekly Bulletin | November 28, 2025
|
R5 Residents Successfully Complete Royal College Examination
The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine is pleased to announce that five of our residents — four from the Diagnostic & Molecular Pathology program and one from the Hematopathology program — have successfully passed their respective Royal College examinations under the new CBD format, with written exams in the spring and oral exams in the fall.
Diagnostic & Molecular Pathology
Allen Zhang, Reed Huber, Tami Lin, Brenden Joseph
Allen, Reed and Tami are now entering the Transition to Practice stage of CBD. Brenden has begun his Breast Pathology fellowship at St. Paul’s Hospital under the supervision of Dr. Weiwei Chen.
Hematopathology
Dr. Sina Azad
Congratulations to all of our residents on these accomplishments.
|
Dr. Jon Bush to Step Down as Program Director, Diagnostic & Molecular Pathology Residency Program
Dr. Jon Bush will be stepping down from his role as Program Director of the UBC Diagnostic & Molecular Pathology Residency Training Program effective June 30, 2026. Dr. Bush has been awarded a Clinical Scientist Career Accelerator Program position to establish his own research laboratory and will be focusing on this new opportunity.
Dr. Bush assumed the Program Director role in July 2022. During his tenure, the Program has strengthened its clinical and academic profile, with graduates moving on to fellowships, staff positions and other career paths across the lower mainland and British Columbia.
Key initiatives introduced under his leadership include: - Introducing Area of Special Interest (ASI) opportunities in the Transition to Practice stage, enabling residents to pursue four months of focused training in their chosen area, formally included on their residency certificates.
- Increasing involvement of teaching faculty from community sites, providing residents exposure to diverse practice settings and expanding the pool of examiners for summer and December exams.
- Advocating to convert one CARMS position from a CMG stream to a competitive stream, allowing IMGs to apply in the first iteration and broadening opportunities for graduate students, postdocs and research assistants.
- Expanding learning opportunities in lab administration and Quality Assurance, including participation in the ASCP Lab Management University course and CPSBC DAP surveys.
Dr. Bush is a strong advocate for residents, and his commitment to teaching, research and program development has created a collaborative and supportive training environment.
Please join us in thanking Dr. Bush for his outstanding service and contributions to the Diagnostic & Molecular Pathology Residency Program.
|
Call for Applications – Program Director, Diagnostic & Molecular Pathology Residency Program
With Dr. Bush stepping down as Program Director, we are inviting applications for his successor, with the new appointment to begin on July 1, 2026.
Application package:
- Cover letter, Up-to-date CV, 2–3 reference letters
Please send applications to shelley.berkow@pathology.ubc.ca by December 19, 2025.
Program Director position description:
https://postgrad.med.ubc.ca/faculty-staff/faculty-appointments/
|
PER-AFC Route Now Open for Pediatric and Perinatal Pathology
The Royal College has announced that the Practice Eligibility Route for Areas of Focused Competence (PER-AFC) is now open to pathologists wishing to obtain the Pediatric and Perinatal Pathology (PP-AFC) credential. This development follows several years of work led by UBC faculty, including Dr. Jon Bush and colleagues across Canada. The PER-AFC route is available to practicing specialists who have acquired the competencies of a recognized AFC discipline through clinical practice and wish to have those competencies formally recognized. Successful applicants receive the AFC credential and may use the designation DRCPSC (Diplomate of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada). General PER-AFC information and eligibility criteria are available from the Royal College: Practice Eligibility Route for Areas of Focused Competence (PER-AFC) We are grateful to Drs. Anna Lee and Jon Bush for their work in making the AFC credential available through the Practice Eligibility Route.
|
Appointment of Dr. Jared L. Taylor as Lecturer, BMLSc Program
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jared L. Taylor as a Lecturer in the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLSc) Program in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. Dr. Taylor brings over a decade of experience teaching university chemistry, biology, biochemistry, and microbiology courses. His commitment to teaching excellence, focusing on active learning and student well-being, was recognized with a Killam Teaching Prize in Science in 2022.
Dr. Taylor joins us from the UBC Provost’s Office where he serves as a Senior Program Manager for Academic Integrity, supporting and advising students who are resolving allegations of academic misconduct. He will begin teaching in the BMLSc Program in January 2026.
We look forward to welcoming him to our Department!
|
Dr. Christian Steidl Receives 2025 Blood Cancer Operating Grant
Dr. Christian Steidl, Senior Scientist and Executive Director, Research at BC Cancer, has received a 2025 Operating Grant in Blood Cancer, co-funded by AstraZeneca Canada and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada. His research focuses on developing gene-editing tools to target the genetic causes of B-cell lymphomas, with the goal of advancing new treatment approaches and improving outcomes for patients. Learn more: 2025 Operating Grant in Blood Cancer
|
Dr. David Granville Leads Development of Plant-Based Gel for Pressure Injury Healing
Dr. David Granville, Professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UBC, is leading a UBC–Vancouver Coastal Health project to develop a plant-based topical gel that may improve healing of pressure injuries (bedsores). The work is funded through Genome BC’s Genesolve program. The team is testing Health Canada–approved compounds that block Granzyme B, an enzyme that slows tissue repair in aging and chronic wounds. Inhibiting this enzyme may support faster and stronger healing and reduce recurrence.
Read more:
|
Dr. Cheryl Wellington Featured in BrightFocus Foundation Article on IPV and Alzheimer’s Risk
Dr. Cheryl Wellingtonis featured in a new BrightFocus Foundation article examining how intimate partner violence (IPV) may contribute to increased Alzheimer’s disease risk in women.
The article highlights emerging evidence that repeated head injuries and nonfatal strangulation associated with IPV can cause hidden brain trauma that often goes undiagnosed. These injuries may lead to vascular damage in the brain, potentially accelerating cognitive decline and mimicking early signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Wellington’s work emphasizes the need for clinicians and dementia researchers to ask about possible histories of brain injury, including IPV, when assessing cognitive symptoms. Understanding this link may open new opportunities for prevention and early intervention. Read the full article:
A Hidden Path to Alzheimer’s Disease for Women
|
📅 Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026
⏰ Time: 4:30 – 8:30 p.m.
📍 Location: MSAC - 2750 Heather Street
✉️ Please RSVP by January 5th at 3:00 pm so we can make proper arrangements.
🔗 Registration
❓ Questions? Contact Donald Kinloch at pathassist@pathology.ubc.ca
Please join us for our annual Seasonal Celebration and Departmental Awards evening — a chance to come together to recognize achievements and celebrate our faculty, staff, students, and guests.
All members of the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine are warmly invited to attend.
|
|
New Anti-Racism Education Modules for PGME Residents, Fellows and Faculty
The Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) Office has launched new Anti-Racism in Health Professions Education modules for UBC residents, fellows and faculty. These modules were developed in collaboration with the Office of Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (REDI) and the Office of Faculty Development.
New CanERA accreditation standards require that all individuals involved in residency education have access to and engage in anti-racism training. Programs are strongly encouraged to incorporate these modules into their resident and faculty development curriculum. Module Features: - Interactive and self-paced format
- Real-life scenarios, expert video insights and learning activities
- Approximate completion time: 2.5 hours
- Eligible faculty may claim up to 2.5 CPD credits
Access the modules: Anti-Racism in Health Professions Education Modules For questions or support, please contact the PGME AREDI team at pgme.aredi@ubc.ca.
|
Pathologists’ Assistant Career Talk with Crystal Leung
Crystal Leung, MHS, PA(ASCP) (CCCPA-CCCAP), Pathologists’ Assistant Supervisor at St. Paul’s Hospital and Clinical Instructor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UBC, will speak about her education and career path, including her BMLSc experience, training and work in the US, and her transition back to Canada.
Date: Thursday, November 27, 2025
Time: 3:30 PM–4:30 PM
Location: UBC Career Centre
Her work focuses on standardizing grossing procedures, improving workflow, and supporting educational curriculum for UBC pathology residents. Register: Pathologists’ Assistant Career Talk
|
Weekly Province-wide Pathology Rounds
Friday, November 14 — Province-Wide Pathology Rounds (12:00 noon – 1:00 pm)
Province-wide Pathology Rounds for today, November 28th, are cancelled.
Reminder: When you receive a meeting invitation in Outlook that you plan to attend (or tentatively attend), please click “Accept” so it appears in your calendar. This ensures you’ll receive any updates or changes to the meeting such as time adjustments, Zoom details, location changes, or added agenda items. If the invite isn’t accepted, Outlook will not automatically reflect these updates.
Thank you for helping keep things running smoothly!
Zoom Access
- Go to ubc.zoom.us and click "Join a Meeting"
- Meeting ID: 96254 992493
- Passcode: 992493
- Dial-in option: +1 778 907 2071 (long distance charges may apply)
🔁 Missed a session? View recordings of previous rounds here:
Past Rounds Archive
💡 Have ideas for future rounds or speakers?
We’d love to hear from you! Email us at
pathassist@pathology.ubc.ca
|
|
2026 Pathology Grant Application Practicum (PGAP)
Sent on behalf of Dr. Cheryl Wellington, Professor & Vice Chair Research, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
A hands-on workshop focused on developing competitive grant proposals. The practicum will conclude with the award of two collaborative seed grants ($15,000 each). Sessions are a mix of in-person and virtual formats (2 hours each).
Schedule:
Dates: Jan 5, 12, 19, 26; Feb 2, 9, 23; Mar 9; Apr 13, 20; May 4–8, 22
Time: Mondays, 9:00–11:00 a.m.
Location: Zoom/Hybrid; occasional on-site meetings (TBD)
Register:
Registration form (Qualtrics)
Please also email genevieve.macmillan@pathology.ubc.ca by end of day December 6 to indicate your interest. Faculty are encouraged to invite postdocs.
Details:
Workshop overview (PDF)
Questions: cheryl.wellington@ubc.ca
|
Pathology Picks:
Here are some additional reads you might be interested in:
-
Mitacs Accelerate Industry Postdoc – Additional Funding Available
Mitacs is offering an extra $15,000 (up to $75,000 per year) through the new Accelerate Industry Postdoc program. Postdocs applying for the Health Research BC–Mitacs partnered funding opportunity may also qualify if their project meets both programs’ requirements. Full applications are due December 19.
Start your application
-
UBC AI and Health Network – Fellows Program awards
The UBC AI and Health Network has funded 11 new projects advancing responsible AI-powered health research across B.C., including four cancer-focused projects.
Read more
-
VCH named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2026
Vancouver Coastal Health has been recognized by Mediacorp Canada as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, highlighting its focus on staff well-being, career development and supportive workplaces.
Care is at the heart of VCH
-
50 years of Biomedical Engineering at Vancouver General Hospital
Vancouver Coastal Health marks 50 years of biomedical engineering at VGH, recognizing the technical team that supports safe and reliable medical technology for patient care.
50 years of expertise to help power better care
-
REDI “It Starts With Us” webinar series
The REDI office continues its It Starts With Us webinar series, including a recent session on transforming medical curriculum to better reflect Indigenization, decolonization and inclusion.
Learn more
-
Faculty Development session: “Interrogating Entrenched Paradigms”
UBC Faculty of Medicine Faculty Development is offering an online session, Interrogating Entrenched Paradigms, on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 9:00–10:00 am (PST).
Event details and registration
-
Hot Topics in Internal Medicine 2025
UBC CPD is hosting its annual half-day virtual Hot Topics in Internal Medicine course on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
Course information
|
|
📣 Have News to Share?
Do you have a story, publication, award, event, or other exciting update to share with the UBC Pathology community?
We’d love to hear from you! Please reach out to Debbie Bertanjoli at
dbertanjoli@pathology.ubc.ca.
Let’s celebrate our collective achievements and keep our community connected!
|
|
|
|
|
