Vancouver hospital receives $60 million donation to improve care, attract U.S. doctors
Andrew Johnson has the story of a $60-million donation that is expected to enable Vancouver's biggest hospital to create the 'Mayo Clinic of the North.'
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Globe and Mail
43 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Ontario baby's measles-related death highlights vaccination critical, health experts say
Health care providers say the death of a premature baby infected with measles in Ontario is a stark reminder of the importance of getting immunized to protect against the highly contagious virus. The first death associated with the current measles outbreak in Canada was confirmed on Thursday by the provincial health ministry. A baby born prematurely in Southwestern Ontario, considered the epicentre of the country's measles outbreak, contracted measles before birth from their unvaccinated mother. Measles contributed to the premature birth and death but officials noted that the infant faced other 'serious medical complications.' Public health officials and health care providers say the death underscores the risks of not receiving the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The increased risks to pregnant individuals and their babies are severe and can include miscarriage, premature labour, low birth weight and possible death. Public Health Ontario data show there have been 39 pregnant women with measles in the province since last the outbreak began last fall. Lynora Saxinger, an infectious disease doctor who is also a professor at the University of Alberta, said it is devastating to consider the death of a baby related to an entirely preventable disease. 'But, in honesty, as soon as you start to see more and more measles circulating, and including the fact we're probably undercounting some cases, it's not truly surprising,' she said. 'I expect that we will see more bad outcomes if we don't get these outbreaks under control.' The Ontario infant is the first recorded death in Canada linked to the current outbreak, which began last October and has led to more than 3,000 cases across the country. Ontario and Alberta have been hit the hardest and are still seeing cases surge, particularly among unvaccinated children. With measles making a comeback, doctors race to fight a disease many have only seen in textbooks In Southwestern Ontario, hospitals prepare for prospect of 'worst-case scenario' while measles cases surge Measles-related deaths are rare in Canada but public health officials have warned that the risk is growing as the disease makes its comeback globally and domestically, in part because of lower childhood vaccination rates. In May, 2024, Ontario recorded its first measles-related death in 35 years in an unvaccinated child under the age of five from Hamilton. Dr. Saxinger said one of the reasons measles has returned is because people have an 'inaccurate view' of the risks of vaccination due to misinformation. Additionally, since Canada declared measles eliminated in 1998 and case counts were low for so long, people have forgotten how severe the disease can be. She said pregnant individuals are often targeted with substandard advice, making it difficult for patients to understand how to protect themselves and their babies. While it is recommended people receive the MMR vaccine before pregnancy because it is a live vaccine, Dr. Saxinger noted that people who are pregnant can still access preventative care. There are also cases where the MMR vaccine has been given during pregnancy with no adverse outcomes, she said. Data show childhood vaccination coverage is sliding in Canada. A recent study published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health found a decline in measles vaccination coverage in children in 2023 compared with 2019. Coverage for one dose of MMR vaccine in two-year-olds dropped to 82.5 per cent from 89.5 per cent. Medical professionals say the reasons behind the decline include growing misinformation online, limited access to primary care providers, vaccine skepticism and children who were not immunized during COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. Lynn Murphy-Kaulbeck, president of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, said 'no child should die of measles in 2025,' pointing to the Ontario death and two unvaccinated children who died in Texas earlier this year. Dr. Murphy-Kaulbeck, a maternal fetal medicine specialist, said patients need to be able to have conversations with health care providers about vaccinations offered during and prior to pregnancy. She stressed the MMR vaccine is safe and effective and all individuals should have their vaccinations up to date. 'We're not necessarily vaccinating for our own protection, but we're vaccinating for the vulnerable around us and those who can't get vaccination,' she said.
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
Dr. Louis Krenn Scholarship for Medical Students Invites Future Physicians to Share Their Vision for the Future of Medicine
The Dr. Louis Krenn Scholarship for Medical Students is officially open for applications, offering undergraduate and medical students across the United States a meaningful opportunity to reflect on their journey into healthcare and articulate their aspirations for shaping its future. Springfield, Missouri - The Dr. Louis Krenn Scholarship for Medical Students is officially open for applications, offering undergraduate and medical students across the United States a meaningful opportunity to reflect on their journey into healthcare and articulate their aspirations for shaping its future. This scholarship initiative, personally established by Dr. Louis Krenn, aims to recognize students who demonstrate a deep sense of purpose and commitment to a career in medicine. This scholarship is not limited by geographic boundaries and welcomes submissions from eligible applicants throughout the United States. With a one-time award of $1,000, the Dr. Louis Krenn Scholarship for Medical Students supports future doctors in their academic and professional pursuits, offering not only financial assistance but also recognition of their dedication to service, innovation, and compassion. To qualify, applicants must be currently enrolled as undergraduate or medical students within the United States and must be actively pursuing a pre-med or medical school track. Each applicant is required to submit a personal essay addressing the following prompt: ' Medicine is more than a career—it's a calling. What inspired you to pursue a path in healthcare, and how do you hope to shape the future of medicine through your work? ' Essays must range between 500 and 800 words. Submissions will be evaluated based on originality, insight, and alignment with the core values that have guided Dr. Louis Krenn's career: service to others, innovative thinking, and compassionate care. Dr. Louis Krenn is a respected Family Medicine physician with more than two decades of clinical practice and leadership experience. Based in Springfield, Missouri, Dr. Louis Krenn has held key roles in clinical efficiency, telehealth expansion, and medical education. His impact at CoxHealth and his mentorship of emerging healthcare professionals reflect a lifelong dedication to improving patient care and shaping the future of medicine. Over the years, Dr. Louis Krenn has not only practiced medicine but also led transformative projects in healthcare delivery. His efforts in clinical process improvement and his advocacy for telemedicine have set a forward-looking example for aspiring doctors. Through this scholarship, Dr. Louis Krenn continues his commitment to mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals. Applicants are encouraged to visit the official scholarship website to review eligibility and submission requirements: The deadline for submission is March 15, 2026, and the winning applicant will be announced on April 15, 2026. By inviting students to reflect on their motivations and long-term goals, the Dr. Louis Krenn Scholarship for Medical Students serves as a platform to elevate voices that are shaping the next era of healthcare. With a clear focus on values that matter most in medicine, this scholarship honors the journey of becoming a physician and recognizes the essential human connection that underpins the practice. The scholarship also underscores a broader vision: to encourage thoughtful leadership in medicine. Dr. Louis Krenn believes that by supporting students at the earliest stages of their careers, the field of medicine will continue to evolve with greater empathy, ingenuity, and resilience. This annual initiative is one of many ways Dr. Louis Krenn remains committed to nurturing future leaders in medicine. It reflects his deep belief that the future of healthcare depends not only on science and technology, but also on the strength of those who choose to serve through medicine. About Dr. Louis Krenn Dr. Louis Krenn earned his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and completed his Family Medicine residency at Cox Family Medicine Residency Program. He has served in numerous leadership positions at CoxHealth and continues to be actively involved in clinical practice and medical education. His work stands as a testament to his belief in excellence, compassion, and continuous growth within the healthcare profession. Media Contact Company Name: Dr. Louis Krenn Scholarship Contact Person: Dr. Louis Krenn Email: Send Email City: Springfield State: Missouri Country: United States Website:
National Post
an hour ago
- National Post
Why is the air quality so bad? What to know about the health dangers of wildfire smoke
In addition to hearts and lungs, wildfire smoke may mess with the human brain, emerging research suggests. Article content Fine particulate matter carried in wildfire smoke can enter the brain via the bloodstream, causing inflammation and oxidative stress, a condition resulting from too many cell-damaging molecules called free radicals and not enough antioxidants to mop them up, one theory holds. Article content Article content Article content Recently, scientists have linked exposure to wildfire smoke to increased risks for impaired cognitive function, memory loss, greater odds of being diagnosed with dementia and an increase in emergency department visits for anxiety, depression, psychotic episodes and other mental-health problems. Article content Article content Plumes of smoke from Prairie wildfires that have forced the evacuation of thousands of people from their homes led to air quality advisories issued for large swaths of the country Friday, with Environment Canada messages covering British Columbia, the Prairies and most of Ontario and Quebec, the Montreal Gazette reported. Article content More toxic than other sources of pollution, wildfire smoke can cause a range of health effects, from mild coughs, itchy eyes and headaches to dizziness, wheezing, chest pains, asthma attacks, shortness of breath and heart palpitations. Article content And when heat and poor air quality combine, the health impacts are reached that much sooner, said Dr. Anna Gunz, a pediatric intensive care doctor at Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre and associate professor at Western University's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. Article content Article content While those at the doorstep of fires are most vulnerable, the fine particulates in wildfire smoke can travel 1,000 kilometres or more. Article content Article content The National Post spoke to Gunz to help unpack how wildfire smoke can impact physical and mental health. This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity and length. Article content We have over 40 years of air pollution health data and so some of this is grounded in the same principles. Article content We love the smell of campfires. But even the smoke that we breathe by a campfire contains lots of particulates that are actually really bad for us. It's not stuff that we're supposed to be breathing. Article content When we think about wildfires, it's not just wood that's been cut from trees that you maybe know. It's everything else that's burning — pesticides, herbicides, metals. Even allergens and fungus. Article content Because it moves so far, you don't need to be right next to a wildfire to be affected. It's high concentrations for shorter periods of time, but it is ubiquitous. Part of the problem with being away from the wildfire is that people don't necessarily realize the air might be bad. It can be really deceiving.
