Schroeder Arthritis Institute Newsletter June 2023

Daniel Pereira is the Clinical Research Manager of the Division of Rheumatology at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute. He primarily works with two of the Institute's outstanding programs, the Psoriatic Arthritis Program and the Ankylosing Spondylitis Program. Daniel first joined the University Health Network in 2009 and later joined the Division of Rheumatology at the Institute in 2011. Some of Daniel's responsibilities include overseeing the functions of the two programs, all the research projects and clinical operations that take place as well as the research laboratory efforts. Both the Psoriatic Arthritis Program and the Ankylosing Spondylitis Program act as core sites for international and national consortiums, which have their own clinical operations, clinical research program, dedicated research labs, biobank, and clinical trial units. One of the key projects that Daniel is currently working on with his team is conducting remote monitoring studies with patients to collect real-time data at-home that can help researchers and clinicians better understand why flares occur when they do and to better detect biomarkers that can predict disease activity and treatment response. Daniel is very passionate about the work he does. "Our entire team works hard to understand arthritis and to find ways to improve patient outcomes. The more I learn about these autoimmune conditions, the more I want to get involved. I want to continue improving the quality of life for patients."

Daniel's biggest motivation is helping people. He mentioned that it's exciting to work in a large group of staff with interprofessional collaboration, who are brilliant, intuitive, compassionate and come together with the same focus and aim. Our goal is to identify arthritis earlier and treat patients as early as possible. "Working with a team where everyone is giving maximum effort makes it easy to be motivated." When asked what his Mantra of Success is, Daniel said "Never stop learning. Seek out new challenges that will force you to grow as an individual and to acquire a new skill. Doing something outside of your comfort zone is key because the more uncomfortable you are now, the more comfortable you will be later in similar situations." He emphasized the importance of setting goals that are linked to your core values, because working towards something that has a purpose and you are passionate about will drive you to achieve it.

Daniel is a very creative person. He gets to exercise his creativity in his work by always coming up with new ways to overcome challenges. He is a very approachable person and as a manager this is a key trait to have. Daniel always tries to be approachable to his team to better understand any situation that may arise and give positive and insightful feedback on how to manage each situation. He considers himself to be sceptical and this was a natural path leading him to go in the field of scientific research because he loves asking questions and he really enjoys working with scientists who are in the pursuit of unraveling the layers behind the complex diseases we see every day.

A fun fact about Daniel is that he really enjoys being outdoors in nature. He loves spending time outdoors with his family, whether it's outdoor activities like sports, camping, hiking, barbecue, or swimming in a lake.

Daniel is very grateful to be part of an ever-growing Institute, where he has seen the research done at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute improve diagnosis methods and greatly advance patient care over the years. "It's incredible to see how much advancements we have made and continue to make in the field of arthritis. We have an incredibly innovative team who make new and world-renowned discoveries every year. Our patients have also been a large part of our Institute's success."

On behalf of the Schroeder Arthritis Institute, we are grateful for Daniel's exceptional contributions to the growth and success of the Institute.

Indira Gobin is the Clinical Manager for Orthopaedic Surgery on 9A in the Division of Orthopedics at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute. She joined the University Health Network 15 years ago working as a Registered Nurse in Cardiac Surgery. During her tenureship, she worked in various clinical areas such as the NRT, Day Surgery, Operating Room, and later transitioned to become an Advanced Practice Nurse Educator. From that role, she transitioned to become the Clinical Manager in 2022, with a goal of wanting to make a positive difference in health care. The Clinical Manager role at the Institute is all encompassing and multidimensional. As a Clinical Manager, Indira works with both the clinical side and the business aspect of the department. Some of her key responsibilities on the clinical side are making sure that there is efficient and safe patient and quality care on the unit and working directly with patients and with the staff in practice. She emphasized the importance of being a mentor to your staff. "It's important to provide opportunities for growth and development, to support quality initiative projects and innovative ways that provide the best patient care." Indira has an interdisciplinary team, including nurses, personal support workers, ward clerks and the administrative team. In addition, she ensures to efficiently work with allied health including physiotherapists, social workers, pharmacists, dieticians, and speech language therapists. On a business aspect, Indira is responsible for the budget and finances, making sure the right resources are available when needed.

Indira's motivation stems from the same reason why she joined this role, to provide best quality care to the patients at the Institute and to support and engage the staff. Seeing the patients' transition and progress in their care and getting them to the next point in their recovery is what motivates her every day. When asked what her Mantra of Success is, Indira said "Never forget why you started. Although some days may be stressful, remembering my personal goal to make a positive difference is what carries me through to the next day." Indira also emphasized that tough times don't last. "Tough times will pass and working as a team and supporting each other is what will get you through. You didn't come this far to only get this far."

As a manager, Indira is very engaging and a strong supporter of her staff. She always tries her best to be present and visible to patients and staff and wants them to know that she is always there to help and support them no matter what. She considers herself to be fun and optimistic. Regardless of the circumstances, Indira tries to bring an optimistic view of any situation and in all her team talks and huddles.

A fun fact about Indira is that she is an avid gardener. She has a flower garden and a beautiful orchid collection. She transitioned her caring quality of a nurse towards understanding and caring for plants, finding out what makes them thrive, what nourishes them and supports their growth. "Anything in the right environment will thrive and grow with the right supports."

Indira is so thankful to be a part of the team at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute and expressed that she has learned so much in the time that she has been here. "I've gotten a greater appreciation of all the work that goes on behind the scenes, the teamwork and the multidisciplinary efforts that go into getting our patients on the road to recovery. I value that."

On behalf of the Schroeder Arthritis Institute, we are grateful for Indira's exceptional contributions to the growth and success of the Institute.

Dr. Atefeh Nouri recently joined the Hand Program at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute as a Methodologist Scientific Associate. She completed her Ph.D in Clinical Epidemiology at the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University. Dr. Noori has almost 8 years of experience carrying out clinical and public health researches, mostly related to chronic diseases, trauma and orthopedic fields, data analysis and evidence synthesis, systemic reviews, meta-analysis, and network meta-analysis (NMA). She is drawn to the opportunity of working on the methodology related to epidemiological data and use it to inform decision-making.

Dr. Sowmya Viswanathan, Scientist at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute, was recently appointed as the Co-Chair of the Organizing Committee for the 30th International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy (ISCT) 2024 in Vancouver.

Dr. Sindhu Johnson, Director of the Toronto Scleroderma Program and Clinician Scientist within the Division of Rheumatology at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute, has recently been appointed as Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto, starting July 1, 2023.

Dr. Heather Baltzer, Head of the Hand Program at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute, was recently appointed the inaugural Dr. Ajay Virmani Chair in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University Health Network for a five-year term.

Dr. Angela Cheung, Head of the Osteoporosis Program at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute, was recently awarded the 2023 Excellence in Research Award by the European Calcified Tissue Society (ECTS). This award recognizes scientists who have significantly advanced musculoskeletal research.

Dr. Cheung also recently joined the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) as Certified Clinical Densitometrist and was recently appointed as the Vice President of ISCD, and appointed as a Board Member of Executive on the Finance and Audit Committee for ISCD.

She was also recently appointed to be on the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) Esteemed Awards Committee.

Dr. Dafna Gladman, Senior Scientist at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute, was recently recognized as one of 25 great women in rheumatology by RheumNow. Click here to read more.

Dr. Gladman also ranked #16 in Canada and #581 in the world for Best Scientists in the Field of Medicine by Research.com, and was recognized with their Medicine Leader Award for 2023.

Dr. Nigil Haroon, Head of the Division of Rheumatology at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute and Sinai Health System, was recently awarded the Best Doctor Award in Canada by Asianet News.

Dr. Mohit Kapoor, Co-Director of the Schroeder Arthritis Institute, was recently awarded the Robin Poole Investigator Award at the Canadian Connective Tissue Annual Conference 2023, by Dr. Robin Poole.

Dr. Sowmya Viswanathan, Scientist at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute, and a team of co-investigators and collaborators, received the Clinical Trial Award and funding from the Stem Cell Network for their project titled "Autologous Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate or Lipoaspirate Concentrate for Osteoarthritis: ABLE OA Clinical Trial."

Dr. Vinod Chandran, Co-Director of the Psoriatic Arthritis Research Program within the Division of Rheumatology at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute, and Dr. Ali Abdul-Sater, Associate Professor and York Research Chair at York University, were awarded a grant from the Krembil Foundation for their project titled "Targeting TFAF1 in Psoriatic Arthritis."

Dr. Dafna Gladman, Senior Scientist at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute, was recently awarded the National Psoriasis Foundation Discovery Grant by the National Psoriasis Foundation for her project titled "Precision Medicine for Psoriatic Arthritis using miRNA Sequencing."

Emily Ha is a PhD Candidate in Epidemiology in her fourth year and is supervised by Dr. Andy Wong at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute. She first obtained her Honours Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Public Health and Health Systems from the University of Waterloo, and has been a PhD Candidate with the Institute since 2019. She currently holds a PhD Salary Award from The Arthritis Society and an Ontario Graduate Scholarship.

Emily has a particular interest in studying arthritis which is what led her to the Institute. Her PhD research focuses on using population-based data to identify causes and mechanisms of osteoarthritis and pain in older adults, with a specific emphasis on post-menopausal women. To better understand the pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis, Emily's research uses imaging methods such as MRI and CT scans. Conversely, her research also looks at ways of not using imaging but still being able to characterize the osteoarthritis-related outcomes in older populations. Specifically, her thesis uses data from the United Kingdom Biobank to derive methods, such as latent constructs, that can measure different biomarkers of knee osteoarthritis in scenarios where imaging is not available. Her research has also found links between muscle and pain and she is currently trying to develop new methodologies that can be more accessible and used at a lower cost to help measure muscle.

Emily aspires to work in the Canadian Health System as a population health researcher. She has a high interest in looking at real world outcomes in older adults with chronic diseases and having the chance to make a positive difference.

A fun fact about Emily is that she met Mel B from the Spice Girls on a hike in California. As a huge fan, she was very happy to have had a nice and unexpected conversation with her.

Emily mentioned that the Institute has provided her with opportunities to collaborate with experts and build strong connections within a collaborative atmosphere. "As I wrap up my PhD and reflect back on everything, I am really grateful to be a trainee at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute. I felt that it really shaped my research, by virtue of culture and atmosphere, as well as by the different connections and possibilities that it provided me with throughout."

You can connect with Emily and follow her research updates on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Research Gate.

On behalf of the Schroeder Arthritis Institute, we are grateful that Emily is part of our team and wish her all the success in her future.

Dr. Laura Whittall Garcia is a Postdoctoral Lupus Fellow in the Lupus Program within the Division of Rheumatology at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute. She completed her medical training in rheumatology in Mexico and started her Lupus Fellowship at the Institute in 2019. Dr. Whittall Garcia initially completed a Master's in Medical Science at the University of Toronto, supervised by Dr. Murray Urowitz, former Director of the Lupus Program at the Institute. Throughout her research, she is very thankful that she had the opportunity to work alongside many inspiring individuals, in particular Dr. Murray Urowitz, Dr. Joan Wither, Dr. Dafna Gladman and Dr. Zahi Touma, who have been very supportive of her research. She mentioned that Dr. Wither opened the doors to her wet lab which was a key part in helping her perform different laboratory experiments in her research. As a current Postdoctoral Lupus Fellow at the Institute, Dr. Whittall Garcia is now seeing patients at the Lupus Clinic at the Institute and engaging with them on a day-to-day basis, while being supervised by Dr. Zahi Touma, the new Director of the Lupus Program at the Institute.

Dr. Whittall Garcia mentioned that she really enjoys seeing and working with patients, knowing she is making a positive difference in their lives. Looking towards the future, she hopes that she will be a clinician investigator. She discussed the importance of both clinical and research aspects going hand in hand and she would love to continue working in a clinical role where she also has the opportunity to continue to do research simultaneously.

A fun fact about her is that she really enjoys the outdoors. Since moving to Canada, she has been trying many outdoor activities that she has been enjoying. Some activities include camping, canoeing, and visiting various parks and lakes.

Dr. Whittall Garcia emphasized that she is very thankful to be part of the team at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute. "I am very grateful that the entire team at the Institute has welcomed me with open arms. Everyone at the Institute has been an incredible mentor and have helped me advance my research and skills more than I could have imagined. I'm very impressed with how encouraging everyone is and I really appreciate this opportunity."

You can connect with Dr. Whittall Garcia and follow her research updates on Twitter.

On behalf of the Schroeder Arthritis Institute, we are grateful that Dr. Whittall Garcia is part of our team and with her all the success in her future.

Dr. James Young, Postdoctoral Fellow in Integrated Arthritis Care, supervised by Dr. Anthony Perruccio and Dr. Michael Zywiel at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute, was recently awarded the CIHR Fellowship Award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research for his project titled "Comparing treatment effects of education and exercise versus total joint replacement: a matched observational study of Canadians with knee or hip osteoarthritis."

Anca Maglaviceanu, Master's Student within the Division of Orthopedics at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute, supervised by Dr. Mohit Kapoor, recently received the Best Student Oral Presentation Award from the Canadian Connective Tissue Society for her project titled "Elucidating the effects and mechanisms of action of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol on knee osteoarthritis."

Archita Srinath, PhD Student at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute, supervised by Dr. Nigil Haroon, was recently awarded the Best Basic Science Oral Presentation Award at the University of Toronto Division of Rheumatology Ogryzlo Research Day for her project titled "The Role of Deubiquitinase ZRANB1/TRABID in Inflammation and Bone Formation in Ankylosing Spondylitis."

Dr. Zahi Touma, Director of the Lupus Program at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute, was interviewed for a published article in the National Post, which was also featured in over 20 news outlets across Canada. Learn about what is Lupus, risk factors, treatment options, hopeful advice and more! Read the article here.

Dr. Nigil Haroon, Head of the Division of Rheumatology at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute and Sinai Health System, was featured in an article, expressing his passion for photography and nature, highlighting the importance of work-life balance. Read the article here.

Dr. Angela Cheung, Head of the Division of Osteoporosis at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute, was featured on a CBC Radio segment discussing ways that can help prevent osteoporosis. Click here to learn more.

The Schroeder Arthritis Institute hosted a Research Trainee & Staff Career Development Seminar on May 30th, 2023, with invited speaker Dr. George Charames, Director and Head of Molecular Diagnostic Labs in Pathology and Lab Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. Dr. Charames presented "A secret path to the fulfilling career of a Clinical Molecular Geneticist."

The Schroeder Arthritis Institute hosted the 53rd Arthritis Web Seminar Series Lecture on April 11, 2023. Our guest speaker, Dr. Martin Englund, Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund Faculty of Medicine, at Lund University, gave a seminar about "The Role of Meniscus in Knee Osteoarthritis."

Click here to watch the recorded seminar.

The Schroeder Arthritis Institute hosted the 54th Arthritis Web Seminar Series Lecture on May 23, 2023. Our guest speaker, Dr. Tejpal Gill, Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University, gave a seminar about "The Impact of the Gut Microbiome: Arthritis and Beyond."

Click here to watch the recorded seminar.

The Schroeder Arthritis Institute hosted the 55th Arthritis Web Seminar Series Lecture on June 27, 2023. Our guest speaker, Dr. Jerome Guicheux, Director, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton Research Center, gave a seminar on "4R Medicine for Diseased Joints: Replace, Repair, Regenerate and Reprogram."

Click here to watch the recorded seminar.

Dr. Dimitri Anastakis, Plastic Surgeon within the Hand Program at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute, will be retiring on June 30th, 2023.

The Hand Program at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute is sad to bid farewell as he retires from the University Health Network at the end of June 2023. Dr. Dimitri Anastakis has served as a Professor of Surgery in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, and the Divisions of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery and Orthopedic Surgery. He has worked at Toronto Western Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital and Women's College Hospital.

Dr. Anastakis is a highly respected plastic surgeon with a large clinical practice focused on hand, brachial plexus and peripheral nerve surgery and reconstruction of the paralyzed upper extremity. He is a committed educator and has contributed to the education of numerous medical students, residents, clinical fellows and graduate students. As a scholar he has a long-standing track record of excellence in innovation and creative thinking. In 1984, Dr. Anastakis completed an Honours Bachelor of Science followed by a MD in 1988, both at the University of Toronto. In 1989-1990, he completed a Masters of Health Professions Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago. From 1990 to 1995, he was a resident in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Toronto, becoming a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (Canada) in August 1995. Dr. Anastakis was an R. S. McLaughlin Fellow studying brachial plexus and peripheral nerve surgery at the Clinique de Longeraie in Lausanne, Switzerland. He became a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons in 2001 and a Fellow of the International College of Surgeon in 2004. In June 2006, he completed a Masters of Health Care Management at Harvard University.

Dr. Anastakis has held numerous leadership positions in both the hospital and university sectors. He was the Vice Dean of Continuing Professional Development, Faculty of Medicine from 2011-2015. Dr. Anastakis was the Chair of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto from 2006-2011. He was President of the Association for Surgical Education in 2012-2013. He was the founding President and CEO of SIM-one, Ontario's Simulation Network in 2009-2012 and had led the integration of SIM-one with the Canadian Network for Simulation in Healthcare. In addition to his reputation as a skilled clinician, Dr. Anastakis is recognized as an innovative academic leader, including for the design and successful implementation of strategic visions, high performance teams, collaborative partnerships and growth strategies. He is skilled at understanding and capitalizing on entrepreneurial opportunities in the healthcare and health professions education sectors. Dr. Anastakis is committed to health professions education and to the important role educators play in transforming our health care system.

Dimitri leaves us with an abundance of respect, good wishes and support from his patients, friends, colleagues and mentors.