McGill University – Department of Oncology
Oncology Management Committee
Wednesday, September 26th, 2007
Present: Drs. Gerald Batist, Jeremy Sturgeon, Petr Kavan, Carolyn Freeman, Eduardo Franco, Zeev
Rosberger, Marc Tischkowitz, Jeff Prchal, Lawrence Panasci, Catalin Mihalcioiu, Neil MacDonald and
Ms. Naomi Scobie
Regrets: Drs. Armen Aprikian, Carmen Loiselle, Michael Pollak, Michael Thirlwell, Michel Tremblay,
Richard Margolese, Simon Tanguay, Anna Towers, Wilson Miller and Ms. Fran Ezzy-Jorgense and
Penny Chipman
1. Review of previous OMC Minutes – April 25th, 2007
Minutes approved as read.
2. Business Arising from Previous Minutes: (none)
3. Departmental Divisions & Programs:
 Surgical Oncology – A. Loutfi’s Resignation & Search Committee
Dr. Loutfi formally resigned as Director of Surgical Oncology. A Search & Selection Committee
needs to be formed to find a replacement. Currently there is a hiring freeze at McGill. This
opportunity could be used to advertise for an ‘academic’ surgical oncologist. If an outside
candidate is considered a ‘professor selectionnee’ slot needs to be found. Issues of jurisdiction
were briefly discussed – the University does not have a role in the hospital, thus the Department
of Surgery needs to be consulted. Considering the evolving nature of how health care services
are provided, this issue is in fact larger than the General Surgery. Dr. Loutfi will be asked for his
view on how this position should be defined. He will also be invited to the first meeting of the
Search & Selection Committee. Possible member of the committee include: Drs. Armen
Aprikian and/or Simon Tanguay. Zeev Rosberger volunteered to serve on the committee. OMC
members were asked to email their thoughts and suggestions to Dr. Batist.
4. Data Sharing in Genetics
The McGill RUIS Executive formally gave its support for MUHC-JGH ‘cross-access database’ for a
genetics. The MUHC needs time to review the software available and then implementation can
proceed. This database will contain limited patient genetics information and does not give access to
test results unrelated to this field.
While on the topic of software programs, the committee discussed the OASIS software (electronic
records) that is being implemented the JGH. The program is now being customized to individual
user/department needs. Some members of the OMC would like a tour at the JGH in order to evaluate
the program.
5. Promotions – Dr. M. Chasen (Associate Professor) Issues related to promotion of joint appointments
in general and Dr. Chasen’s promotion in particular were discussed. The Department of Medicine is
not recommending the promotion of Dr. Chasen, though he receives strong support by Oncology and
the MUHC Cancer Mission (A. Aprikian). Promotion committees use department averages when
evaluating the promotion dossiers. Thus the case can be made that Dr. Chasen’s dossier is not strong
enough when compared to other members of the Department of Medicine, the same dossier is ranked
highly when compared to other GFT-H members of the Department of Oncology. The issues is being
referred to Dr. John Robson, Associate Dean of Medicine with a recommendation that the promotion
report by Oncology be weighted higher than that of Medicine to accommodate for the unique issues
that have been facing medical oncologists in Quebec and at the RVH in recent years.
6. M. Couillard’s Press Conference: (CRS, IPO/Tumor Registry, Q-CROC, Avastin)
The press conference was not as informative as expected as M. Couillard re-announced several items:
-
HPV vaccines will be covered
increased number of Infirmier Pivot’s (although no one could define what they are/do)
benefits of tumor registry
investment of $425 million in Oncology
research was ranked #54 of 60 in four page information handout at conference
7. Next Meeting: October 31, 2007 @ 5:00 p.m.