University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine

03/06/2026

UCalgary has launched a unique fellowship program for physicians working on the front lines of war.

Dr. Pavla Ivaniuta, MD, an ophthalmologist and surgeon in Kyiv, Ukraine featured in the video below, is the program’s first humanitarian fellow now training at the Cu***ng School of Medicine!

Led by Dr. Karim G. Punja, MD, the year-long fellowship trains surgeons in areas of geopolitical crisis in advanced oculofacial plastic surgery. It begins with an intensive training period in Calgary, moves back to the fellow’s home country to implement new skills, then returns to UCalgary to complete the final leg. Training is tailored to the types of trauma physicians face in their home country.

Dr. Punja hopes the program provides a blueprint for others to start a similar initiative. “We started this fellowship because of a need in Ukraine, but we know there are needs around the globe as the frequency of geopolitical crises accelerates.”

This humanitarian fellowship was made possible by generous support from many people at CSM, including Dr. Kevin Hildebrand, Dr. Todd Anderson and Dr. Lisa Welikovitch, who backed the idea and helped navigate educational and administrative needs.

A supporting initiative called Eyes on Ukraine co-founded by Dr. Michael Kryshtalskyj, MD, raised $1.5 million in equipment, supplies and donations that also have helped fund Dr. Ivaniuta’s education in Calgary.

“Everyday, I think about how huge this opportunity is. I am the first Ukrainian fellow in this program,” says Dr. Ivaniuta. “I’m already getting excited about sharing the knowledge I’m gaining with my peers back home.”

Join us in welcoming Dr. Ivaniuta!

Read more: https://bit.ly/4cqwr6F

⬇️ WATCH ⬇️

Orbit Eye Centre | University of Calgary| Bogomolets National Medical University | American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) | Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute

03/04/2026

The Cu***ng School of Medicine is mourning the loss of Dr. Clarence Guenter.

Dr. Guenter, MD, Hon. LLD'13, was a pulmonary physician who helped shape academic medicine in the early days of Calgary’s medical school. He later served in leadership roles that developed health policy and enhanced care delivery internationally. A University of Calgary professor emeritus, he passed away Feb. 7 at the age of 88.

Dr. Guenter was a professor in the Department of Medicine and would lead it from 1972 to 1978, establishing the Respiratory Medicine division and securing Royal College approval of its training program. His work advanced postgraduate Internal Medicine curriculum and research programs while growing clinical operations within a new hospital in Calgary during the bustling 1970s.

Through his illustrious career, Dr. Guenter was honoured with the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal and named a Member of the Order of Canada. In 2005, he was named among Alberta’s 100 physicians of the century by the Canadian Medical Association.

➡ Read his In Memoriam: https://bit.ly/40PFXch

03/03/2026

02/27/2026

We are delighted to celebrate Dr. Oluwabukola Salami, MN, PhD, who is improving the life and education experiences of Black youth in Canada.

The Canada Research Chair in Black and Racialized Peoples’ Health (Tier 1) and professor with the Cu***ng School of Medicine and the Faculty of Nursing - University of Calgary, Dr. Salami is an internationally recognized scholar who has been featured in an article by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

Dr. Salami is transforming the lives of Black youth in Canada by training the next generation of Black scholars.

In 2024, she received federal research funding focused on Black communities in Canada. Supported by the $2.5-million SSHRC Partnership Grant, Transforming Black Lives is a five-year project designed to improve outcomes for Black youth across education, health, justice, child welfare, and immigration and settlement.

“This project is led by members of Black communities, for Black communities, and with Black communities in mind,” says Dr. Salami. “That is how we make a transformational impact.”

▶️ Read more: https://bit.ly/4cYuoqu

📷 Portrait below by Jason Stang Photography

O'Brien Institute for Public Health | Hotchkiss Brain Institute - HBI | Charbonneau Cancer Institute | Public Health Agency of Canada

02/26/2026

We are deeply saddened to share the loss of one of our medical students, Iqra Rahamatullah.

Iqra, BSc’20, is remembered as a talented learner, researcher and passionate patient advocate who bravely battled Ewing sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer of bones and soft tissue, for more than 13 years. Iqra died Feb. 5, 2026, at 29 years old.

Known for her interest in paediatrics, she pursued training opportunities in oncology as a three-time survivor of paediatric cancer. Despite a cancer relapse, Iqra completed her degree in kinesiology and exercise science, worked as a research assistant, and often participated as a patient partner in research, using life experiences to guide her work.

Iqra believed that her perspective as a cancer patient uniquely prepared her to serve others as a physician, inspiring her to pursue medicine.

To her friends, Iqra is remembered as a ray of sunshine who brought light and warmth to every room she entered. Her lasting impact is measured through kindness, courage and how she inspired others to live bravely and fully.

Iqra was part of the Class of 2025 and will be awarded her medical degree posthumously. A memorial scholarship at UCalgary has been established in her honour.

👉🏼 Visit Iqra's scholarship fundraising page here: https://engage.ucalgary.ca/Iqra_Rahamatullah

⬇️ Read her In Memoriam: https://bit.ly/4bbyz0S

Charbonneau Cancer Institute | University of Calgary Faculty of Science

UCalgary campus flag to be lowered today

02/23/2026

The launch of the UNIFIED framework is a tremendous development for Dr. Marshall and her research team—and a major milestone for the University of Calgary, as its first Horizon Europe Innovative Health Initiative award!

This places alongside leading global institutions that are shaping the future of patient-centred research.

After years collaborating with European partners, Dr. Marshall’s research team was invited to join this international research collaboration that puts patient voices at the heart of health-care decisions. 👏🏼

⬇️ Read more: https://bit.ly/4tR9cJh ⬇️

Cassie + Friends Society | O'Brien Institute for Public Health | McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health | Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation

Dr. Deborah Marshall named to lead Calgary-based part of international study

02/18/2026

UCalgary researchers are investigating the effectiveness of high doses of vitamin B3 as part of a larger treatment plan for glioblastoma.

Early results of a clinical trial indicate this method could be a promising advancement for the incurable brain cancer.

Research is being led by Dr. Gloria Roldan Urgoiti, MD, PGME'16, an oncologist specializing in brain cancers, and Dr. Wee Yong, PhD, a neuroscientist whose research focuses on immune effects on the brain.

Their study is exploring whether vitamin B3 (also known as niacin) could rejuvenate compromised immune cells to kill tumour cells. Research began in the Yong lab where findings showed niacin prolonged survival.

The clinical trial was designed to determine the maximum dose and potential benefit of controlled-release niacin that could be added to the recommended chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments.

🔗 Read more: https://bit.ly/3M8bKll

⬇️ WATCH

Charbonneau Cancer Institute | Hotchkiss Brain Institute - HBI | Canadian Institutes of Health Research | Alberta Cancer Foundation

02/13/2026

We are saddened to share the loss of Dr. Edward O’Brien.

A renowned cardiologist and expert in vascular function and regeneration, Dr. O'Brien, MD, is also remembered as a loving father and grandfather.

He was a clinical professor at the Cu***ng School of Medicine who held leadership roles at the Libin Cardiovascular Institute and the Vascular Biology Research Lab. He made key discoveries to improve the treatment and care of atherosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries, especially in post-menopausal women.

Dr. O'Brien passed away on Jan. 29 at the age of 65 following a year-long journey with prostate cancer. He will be missed by family, friends and colleagues in Calgary, Ottawa and across the country.

➡️ Read more about him: https://bit.ly/3ZB4OjO

02/12/2026

Meet Drs. Joe Kendal, MD, and Michael Monument, MD, orthopedic surgeons and researchers who are lined up to play in the 2026 Stick it to Cancer charity hockey game!

Stick it to Cancer is a student-run initiative raising funds this year to support sarcoma research. Medical students and physicians will battle it out on the ice on March 27 at Calgary’s Winsport, to fight cancer.

The Integrated Sarcoma Research Program (iSARP), led by Drs. Monument and Kendal, is building a patient-centred precision oncology platform that elevates care for Albertans diagnosed with sarcoma. All ticket sales from the charity hockey game will be put toward funding of this research.

➡️ Learn more + consider donating: https://stickittocancer.ca/

WATCH ⬇️

Charbonneau Cancer Institute | McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health | Alberta Cancer Foundation

02/10/2026

We are pleased to announce with Alberta Health Services the appointment of Dr. Ken Kuljit Singh Parhar, MD, PGME’10, as head of the Department of Critical Care Medicine!

Dr. Parhar is an intensivist and professor. He has held several leadership roles within Alberta’s critical care system and is widely recognized for leading successful implementation science and pragmatic clinical trials.

Prior to this appointment, Dr. Parhar served as medical director of the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Foothills Medical Centre, where he led a large multidisciplinary team delivering complex, high-acuity care to some of the province’s most critically ill patients. He takes over the role previously held by Dr. Dan Zuege, MD.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Parhar! 👏🏼

➡️ Read more: https://bit.ly/3OiYWJj

Libin Cardiovascular Institute

02/09/2026

📣 Apply now for Personnel Awards for Black and Indigenous scholars.

Funding aims to increase the number of highly-qualified Black and Indigenous trainees in Canada working in heart or brain research, and is part of a commitment to removing systemic barriers and biases.

Heart & Stroke and Brain Canada will commit up to $270,000 to support the 2026/27 Master’s Personnel Awards and up to $480,000 for Doctoral Personnel Awards.

Applications are for both are due by Feb. 12 at 3 p.m. ET.

Questions? Contact: research@heartandstroke.ca

Learn more about submission guidelines for:
👉🏼 Black scholars: https://bit.ly/4aolgbU
👉🏼 Indigenous scholars: https://bit.ly/4aoyIwo

Hotchkiss Brain Institute - HBI | Libin Cardiovascular Institute