Leading by Example

To say we are fortunate at the WHRI to work under the fantastic leadership of Dr. Lori Brotto, Executive Director, and Dr. Gina Ogilvie, Co-Director, is an understatement. 

They both work tirelessly to promote the advancement of women’s health research throughout the province on behalf of the WHRI, and they are both very respected leaders in fields devoted to different aspects of women’s health.  This past month, our community was pleased to see recognition of their efforts beyond our own group. 

Dr. Gina Ogilvie won an Achievement Award from the American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association (ASTDA).  This award recognizes outstanding achievements in STD research – something we at the WHRI already recognize in Dr. Ogilvie’s work but are elated to see her international peers honour nonetheless.  

Dr. Lori Brotto won not one, but two major awards - talk about outstanding achievements!  The first award Dr. Brotto received for her book, Better Sex through Mindfulness, offered by international society peers from the Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR).  The second major award came from UBC Faculty of Medicine who recognized Dr. Brotto as one of only three researchers to receive the Distinguished Researcher Award for outstanding contributions to health research.  

We are so pleased to see both Dr. Brotto and Dr. Ogilvie get the recognition that they deserve from both regional and international communities.  We already knew they were superstars, but now the world knows it too. 

Please join us in celebrating their successes. 

Sincerely, 

Dr. Liisa Galea
Scientific Advisor
Women's Health Research Institute

CANCOVID-Preg: A National COVID in Pregnancy Surveillance Program

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By: Nancy Lipsky

As international concern mounted over coronavirus disease (COVID-19), maternity care providers came together to address care of pregnant women and their infants during the pandemic.

Recognizing a significant knowledge gap, Dr. Deborah Money, a UBC Professor and Faculty of Medicine Executive Vice-Dean, Reproductive Infectious Diseases clinician scientist, and past-Executive Director of the Women’s Health Research Institute, began dialogue with experts across the country to unite in providing the best possible care for pregnant women. As Dr. Money engaged with clinical, research, and public health leaders, the value and interest in a national surveillance program became clear.

Organically a network developed across the country, with a multidisciplinary team stepping up to create CANCOVID-Preg, a national Canadian surveillance program of COVID-19 in pregnancy.

Moe Elgendi, postdoctoral fellow at BC Women's Hospital and WHRI member, and Halla Elmaboyad, his wife, are spearheading an initiative to help boost morale during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pair created a Facebook group called Support Front-line Healthcare workers in BC COVID-19, which is being used to coordinate the collection and donation of items like coffee, food, and headbands that make the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) more comfortable. It also provides a space for healthcare workers to ask their communities for support and for organizations to crowdfund. To date, the group has almost 300 members and countless posts. 

Check out our Q&A with Moe and Halla!

Have some good news of your own to share? Email whri.communications@cw.bc.ca.

Check out the latest episode of our podcast!

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With COVID-19 changing so many aspects of our lives, knowing how to identify and combat health misinformation online is an increasingly important skill.

In this episode, Dr. Beth Payne and Dr. Robine Donken explore the role the research community can play to help ensure health information shared online is accurate and evidence-based

Wage subsidies are available for UBC Co-op students

Due to COVID-19, UBC Co-op as well as the federal co-op subsidy programs have made changes to its requirements to allow for more student job opportunities.

For more information, visit https://www.biotalent.ca/programs/student-work-placement-program/

Positions must be:

• Paid (at least minimum wage)
• Start between May and August
• Part-time or full-time
• In-person or remote work are both welcomed