This is a blog about Syrian refugees. They are a specific people coming to Canada at a specific time for specific reasons. However, their stories are entwined with those of past immigrants, such as those of my wife’s family, the Doliszny’s. They came from Ukraine. In a generation the Dolisznys became nurses, lawyers, engineers, epidemiologists and educators. The lesson I take form this is that immigration enriches our country and should be embraced. Canada has a wonderful museum that tells the story of immigration, Pier 21 in Halifax.

Women who bleed: recognizing a common genetic disorder Heavy menstruation, pejoratively called the curse, can be a blessing, revealing the presence of a common and treatable genetic defect in blood clotting, Von Willebrand disease   In the Three Little Bears Mama and Papa bear always had things too hot, too cold, too big or too small; baby bear had it just right.

Although clinical trials generate vast amounts of data, a large portion is never published or made available to other researchers. Data sharing could advance scientific discovery and improve clinical care by maximizing the knowledge gained from data collected in trials, stimulating new ideas for research, and avoiding unnecessarily duplicative trials. Institute of Medicine

      Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune condition that causes joint pain and swelling, systemic fatigue and ultimately can lead to joint deformity and disability. It afflicts women more than men. The bad news is that RA is getting more common. In Ontario there were almost 100,000 adults with RA in 2010, reflecting a prevalence of 0.9%.

A good book takes us to other worlds and allows us to walk in the shoes of people who are very different from ourselves. We read in order that in one lifetime we may understand the many experiences and possibilities of humanity. A book can open our minds to new ideas, liberates us from conventional wisdom, relieve daily tedium or transport us to new worlds. For those with children, reading aloud, reading together creates enduring memories of voice and togetherness.

Q: What benign condition causes weight loss, difficulty swallowing solids and liquids, regurgitation, and retrosternal chest pain? A: Achalasia Q: Where in Canada can the latest, nonsurgical treatment for achalasia be found? A: Queen’s University (Kingston General Hospital, KGH) Spring has arrived and with it the welcome influx of talented new faculty and new Programs of Distinction.