*Sent on behalf of Dr. Natalie Wong, Interim Physician-In-Chief*
Having braved the first weekend of the EPIC rollout on the wards, I want to thank Trevor, our CMR Daniel, the trainees, my colleagues, and the EPIC team for their heroic efforts in helping us navigate this EPIC chapter in our healthcare history. Sure, there were a few challenges, but by all accounts, it’s been relatively smooth—dare I say, epic-ally smooth. The next few weeks will no doubt test our patience, ingenuity, and sanity, but I’m confident we’ll come out stronger (and maybe even a little tech-savvier). Huge thanks to everyone for your grit, grace, and good humor as we tackle this together!
-Natalie
Please see below for the following updates:
Congratulations to Omar Saeed: George L. A. From Endocrinology Postgraduate Teaching Award
Dr. Dominic S. Ng, 71, of Toronto, passed away unexpectedly at North York General Hospital on November 4, 2024. He is survived by his beloved wife of 34 years, Sophia, his brothers, Paul and John S.K., and sister, Cecilia. He is predeceased by his parents, Dr. Thomas and Margaret Ou as well as his sisters, Lian Hui and Teresa, and his brothers, John S.H. and Michael.
Dr. Ng was born in Hong Kong in 1953 and immigrated to Toronto to complete his senior year in high school. He entered the University of Toronto in 1973, graduating with a PhD in Chemical Physics. Dr. Ng also received a medical degree from the University of Toronto Medical School where he completed his residency in internal medicine and fellowship in Endocrinology. To further his professional training, Dr. Ng went on to complete his post-doctorate fellowship at the University of California, Berkeley in the U.S.
Dr. Ng was Associate Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto. He was Staff Endocrinologist at St. Michael's Hospital and Scientist at the Keenan Research Center, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute in Toronto. Dr. Ng was also consulting physician for the Lipids Clinic at St. Michael's. His special research interest was in lipid disorders and diabetes. He directed a Basic Science Research Laboratory at the Research Center. Dr. Ng had published numerous peer-reviewed papers in the areas of lipid disorders both in basic science and in clinical practices.
Dr. Ng and Sophia had traveled extensively over the years. They found adventures in China, Japan, the Panama Canal, the Emirate of Dubai, Italy, and many other European countries. Dr. Ng loved music. He enjoyed attending concerts, singing, and playing the guitar and the violin. He also loved cooking, especially baking for which he had purchased a special oven recently to help hone his skill in pizza-making!
Dr. Ng was a parishioner at St. Gabriel Catholic Church. A private (family only) funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, November 16, 2024 offsite. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada in Dr. Ng's name (https://heartandstrokeinmemory.crowdchange.ca/page/dominicng).
The Ng family thanks Dr. Ng's friends and colleagues for their love and support over the years. They regret not being able to include them in the funeral service but invite those who wish to share their condolences to do so below:
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
It is with sadness that we share the news that Dr. Luigi (Gino) Casella passed away on November 2, 2024 at the age of 94.
Dr. Casella was an icon in Cardiology at St. Michael’s, the University of Toronto and Canada. He had a long and exemplary career as a cardiologist and teacher/educator in the Division of Cardiology and Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto, with many honours, including the 1995 PAIRO Excellence in Teaching Award and the 2000 Distinguished Teacher Award from the Canadian Cardiovascular Society. The St. Michael’s Division of Cardiology Teaching award is named in recognition of him. After his retirement from clinical practice in 2005, he became an Honorary Consultant at St. Michael's Hospital, where his lifelong love of teaching medical residents and cardiology trainees continued with ECG teaching rounds and the development of ECG Made Simple, which many universities use as part of their ECG curriculum. Dr. Casella embodied the finest elements of a clinician and teacher, and was beloved by his students and his patients. He has touched the lives of many cardiologists and physicians across Canada. We will forever remember our dear friend and colleague, Gino.
Dr. Casella’s family has kindly arranged a short memorial service in the SMH Chapel on Friday, November 8 starting at 2:30 pm.
All are invited to start gathering at 2:30 pm, followed by a 20 to 30 minute service which will start at 2:45 pm.
Dr. Dominic Ng
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the sudden and unexpected passing of Dr. Dominic Ng in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at St. Michael’s Hospital.
Dominic has been a member of the Department of Medicine for over 26 years. He was an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto.
His colleagues describe him as a compassionate physician, brilliant researcher, and inspiring teacher and mentor. He provided expert care in diabetes and endocrinology; and he was a renowned lipidologist, both as a clinician and scientist. Dominic provided unique services and care to those from the Chinese community living in Toronto.
Amongst his many accomplishments, Dominic was one of the primary panel members for the development of the 2006, 2009 and 2012 Canadian Lipid Guidelines. He published numerous peer-reviewed papers and was an executive member of the National Research Council for the Canadian Diabetes Association.
He will be greatly missed by the staff, physicians and teams who worked with him.
Our deepest condolences are with his family, friends and all those who knew him. We will update this department with details about a celebration of life when they are available.
Unity Health’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), provided by Telus Health Online, is available to anyone who feels they need support during this time. You can access the EFAP at the following link: https://unityhealthtoronto.lifeworks.com (Username: UHT, Password: OUREAP).
Please see below for the following updates:
Slides for DoM Presentation “ Approaches to effective supervision of today’s medical learners”
Video Link: Department of Medicine - Epic Q&A Town Hall w/ Trevor Jamieson