Dr. Harsha Blumer has joined the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy in the newly created role of associate director of research and analytic services. Blumer brings a wealth of experience in data analyses, research transfer, project management and policy engagement from her prior roles at the University of Manitoba, where she served as a research facilitator and technology transfer manager and at West Virginia University, where she was a research scientist and program director, and currently serves as adjunct research professor. Blumer holds an master of science in physics, M. Tech. in space and atmospheric sciences, and a PhD in astrophysics from the University of Manitoba and is currently pursuing an MBA in leadership and managing public enterprises at the Asper School of Business.
On July 4, Manitoba Centre for Health Policy (MCHP) celebrated the retirement of long time MCHP Repository director Charles Burchill with a party at the Woodhaven Community Club. In his 32 years with MCHP, Charles made a huge impact, managing and stewarding the continued growth of MCHPs world-class repository of administrative data and supported the growth of researchers and research capacity in Manitoba. A dedicated cyclist, paddler and outdoorsman, Charles infectious spirit and enthusiasm will be missed.
Chris Cels joined the Brandon Satellite Program as business manager in July. Cels is a CPA, CMA with an extensive background in consulting, project management and stakeholder relations. Cels will be supporting the operations of the Brandon Satellite program and working with Dr. Joanne Maier on the expansion of the rural programs.
Dr. Karen Duncan, associate professor of community health sciences, took on the role of director, graduate program in community health sciences in July. The department of community health sciences thanks Dr. Evelyn Forget, professor of community health sciences, for recently taking on this role as an interim director, and also Dr. Christine Kelly, associate professor of community health sciences, for her work as the director from July, 2023 to April 2024.
Rivah Fadrilan joined the Brandon Satellite Program as a program administrator for psychiatry in June. In addition to supporting the program in Brandon, she will be supporting the psychiatry program as it grows into rural Manitoba, including Selkirk and Thompson.
Dr. Amani Hamad has joined the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy as a research scientist and assistant professor. A Tier 2 Canada Research Chair, Hamad earned her PhD from the University of Manitoba’s College of Pharmacy and recently completed a postdoctoral fellowship with the George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation, where she received a UManitoba Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellows Award and was supported by a CIHR Fellowship. Dr. Hamad’s research interests include medication effects, maternal and child health and mental health. At MCHP, she hopes to transform and standardize complex administrative data into research-ready forms, making it easier for researchers to use and interpret.
Dr. Andrew Hatala, associate professor of community health sciences, began the role of director, undergraduate program in community health sciences in July. The department of community health sciences thanks Dr. Javier Mignone, professor of community health sciences, for his considerable work and leadership in this position since January 1, 2020.
Dr. Chelsea Jalloh accepted a position as an instructor II in the Community Health Sciences Undergraduate Program and will be located at the Fort Garry Campus. She was most recently employed as an educational specialist (other academic) in the Office of Innovation and Scholarship in Medical Education, and prior to that she was an instructor II as the coordinator of undergraduate medical education in the department of community health sciences.
Rebekah Kukurudz-Gorowski joined Dr. Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg‘s Clinical Trials Team in August. She is a recent graduate from UM’s master of science in genetic counselling program. Her previous research experiences include both quantitative and qualitative methods, and she’s excited to start her career as a research genetic counsellor.
Cheryl Moser joined the Office of Innovation and Scholarship in Medical Education team as an educational specialist in July and previously worked as a research assistant for the Centre for Healthcare Innovation and the College of Nursing. Moser recently graduated from UM with her master of science degree with a focus on knowledge translation and has interests in health care innovation, health care reform, and the particular stream of KT, called Integrated Knowledge Translation (IKT).
Narmada Retnakaran has been named the new associate director, repository at the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy. She brings a wealth of diverse experience including IT, management, data management, clinical research, process, project and change management. Retnakaran previously worked at the George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation, where she managed the Data Coordinating Centre and was responsible for implementing data management and software solutions for clinical researchers. She has a bachelor of science in computer engineering from Anna University, Chennai, India, and a master of science in computer science from the University of Manitoba. A dedicated lifelong learner, Retnakaran has also taken courses in business analysis and project management and is currently enrolled in a leadership skills development program with Extended Education University of Manitoba.
Dr. Jayson Stoffman joined the Office of Innovation and Scholarship in Medical Education team as an educational specialist in July. Stoffman has worked as a program director for pediatrics and pediatrics hematology/oncology and currently holds an appointment as director, PGME Academic Curriculum. His experience in these roles helps bring valuable insight to his work in faculty development.