UVic Appoints Medical Sciences Head
Dr. Oscar Casiro has been appointed the new head of UVic’s division of medical sciences and associate dean, Island Medical Program (IMP), in UBC’s faculty of medicine. The appointment is effective Jan. 1, 2004. Casiro will be based at UVic and be responsible for academic leadership of the Island Medical Program.
In addition to his duties with both UVic and UBC, Casiro, a neonatologist, will have a position as a practicing clinician at Victoria General Hospital. Both universities and the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) had representatives on the committee that selected Casiro.
The IMP is part of an expansion of B.C.’s medical school in partnership with UBC and the University of Northern B.C. to double the number of undergraduate medical student spaces by 2010. This expanded program is part of a long-term strategy to help ease B.C.’s doctor shortage, particularly in small and mid-sized communities.
“The IMP presents a wonderful opportunity to educate the next generation of physicians—hopefully in the communities where they intend to practice,” says Casiro. “This initiative builds on UVic’s strengths in research, innovative education and community partnerships and will reflect the health concerns of the Island. I plan to work with the provincial government, local health authorities, health care professionals and community members to make IMP and its students an integral part of the Island.”
“Dr. Casiro brings nationally recognized expertise in medical education and research to UVic,” says UVic president Dr. David Turpin. “We’re thrilled to gain the benefit of his extensive research and teaching background and to have him leading this exciting new initiative.”
“The Vancouver Island Health Authority is delighted with Dr. Casiro’s appointment,” says Dr. Glen Lowther, executive vice-president and chief medical officer, VIHA. “His knowledge and skills make him uniquely qualified to lead the Island Medical Program. As well, Dr. Casiro’s background in pediatrics and neonatology will be an asset for clinical service development in the health authority.”
“UBC’s faculty of medicine is eager to work with Dr. Casiro and forge a productive relationship built around innovative medical education and research,” says Dr. Gavin Stuart, dean of the UBC faculty of medicine. “Dr. Casiro’s experience, skill and enthusiasm will contribute to our valued partnership with UVic and Vancouver Island’s communities as we expand UBC’s medical school across the province.”
Casiro earned his MD degree from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1974. He immigrated to Canada in 1980 and completed training in pediatrics and neonatology at the University of Manitoba in 1985. Since then he has been on the staff at the university’s Health Sciences Centre as a neonatologist and been a member of the faculty of medicine. He has been the associate dean of undergraduate medical education at the University of Manitoba since 1999.
Casiro’s research interests focus on the long-term outcome of high-risk, premature infants and the effects of substance abuse during pregnancy. He is currently the faculty of medicine representative at the Medical Council of Canada and a member of the Standing Committee on Undergraduate Medical Education of the Association of Canadian Medical Colleges.
In addition to his duties with both UVic and UBC, Casiro, a neonatologist, will have a position as a practicing clinician at Victoria General Hospital. Both universities and the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) had representatives on the committee that selected Casiro.
The IMP is part of an expansion of B.C.’s medical school in partnership with UBC and the University of Northern B.C. to double the number of undergraduate medical student spaces by 2010. This expanded program is part of a long-term strategy to help ease B.C.’s doctor shortage, particularly in small and mid-sized communities.
“The IMP presents a wonderful opportunity to educate the next generation of physicians—hopefully in the communities where they intend to practice,” says Casiro. “This initiative builds on UVic’s strengths in research, innovative education and community partnerships and will reflect the health concerns of the Island. I plan to work with the provincial government, local health authorities, health care professionals and community members to make IMP and its students an integral part of the Island.”
“Dr. Casiro brings nationally recognized expertise in medical education and research to UVic,” says UVic president Dr. David Turpin. “We’re thrilled to gain the benefit of his extensive research and teaching background and to have him leading this exciting new initiative.”
“The Vancouver Island Health Authority is delighted with Dr. Casiro’s appointment,” says Dr. Glen Lowther, executive vice-president and chief medical officer, VIHA. “His knowledge and skills make him uniquely qualified to lead the Island Medical Program. As well, Dr. Casiro’s background in pediatrics and neonatology will be an asset for clinical service development in the health authority.”
“UBC’s faculty of medicine is eager to work with Dr. Casiro and forge a productive relationship built around innovative medical education and research,” says Dr. Gavin Stuart, dean of the UBC faculty of medicine. “Dr. Casiro’s experience, skill and enthusiasm will contribute to our valued partnership with UVic and Vancouver Island’s communities as we expand UBC’s medical school across the province.”
Casiro earned his MD degree from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1974. He immigrated to Canada in 1980 and completed training in pediatrics and neonatology at the University of Manitoba in 1985. Since then he has been on the staff at the university’s Health Sciences Centre as a neonatologist and been a member of the faculty of medicine. He has been the associate dean of undergraduate medical education at the University of Manitoba since 1999.
Casiro’s research interests focus on the long-term outcome of high-risk, premature infants and the effects of substance abuse during pregnancy. He is currently the faculty of medicine representative at the Medical Council of Canada and a member of the Standing Committee on Undergraduate Medical Education of the Association of Canadian Medical Colleges.
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Media contacts
Patty Pitts (UVic Communications) at (250) 721-7656 or ppitts@uvic.ca
