january february 2009

DOCTORS

inside: Continuing MediCal eduCation CalendarPubliCations Mail agreeMent #41073506

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bring on the bubbly

warm up on Amelia Island

disciplined investing

welcome the Year of the Ox in Toronto’s Chinatown

mush!in the

YukOn

* Enter to win a $200 Tilley gift pack!

a tasty tour of GrEEnland

January/February 2009 JuST fOR CanaDian DOCTORS 3

Features

14 the foodie northExplore the gourmet side of Greenland

21 gone to the dogsEmbrace the snow and dogs of the Yukon

ColuMns

8 doctor on a soapbox Family physicians vs specialists

9 aqueous humour The pursuit of happiness

10 the wine doctor The beauty of the bubbly

11 the food doctor Beat the chill with chili

12 motoring Motorsports in art

13 tales from the trenches Reevaluating the placebo effect

20 techworks Brain plasticity

31 the wealthy doctor Disciplined investing

January/February 2009 Contents

dePartMents

5 January/February mix

18 prescribing R & R Appreciating a good brew

25 CME calendar

33 employment opportunities

36 classifieds

37 sudoku

38 small talk with Dr. Michael Roberts

cover photo:Snow, snow, snow, and more snow. It clings to branches alongside the Yukon River, creating the starkly beautiful abstract forms of a northern winter landscape.

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doCtorsJ u S T f O R C a n a D i a n

life + leisure

JAnuARY/FEBRuARY 2009

Editor and Art Director Barb Sligl

Editorial Assistant Adam Flint

Contributors Jim Barr Dr. Dara Behroozi Dr. Susan Biali Dr. Mel Borins Dr. peter Brindley Yvette Cardozo Judie Fein Dr. Holly Fong Dr. Marlene Hunter Dr. lili nasseri Dr. Chris pengilly Dr. neil pollock Manfred purtzki paul Ross Dr. kelly Silverthorn Corey van’t Haaff Cover photo B. Sligl

Advertising Sales Manager Ruth Findlay

Senior Account Executive Monique Mori

Account Executive Trisha Chu

Classified Sales ninh Hoang

Sales office Advertising In print 710 – 938 Howe St. vancouver, BC v6z 1n9 Canada phone: 604-681-1811 Fax: 604-681-0456 Email: [email protected]

Associate publisher linh T. Huynh

production Manager ninh Hoang

Traffic Manager Judy Huynh

Circulation Fulfillment kim lam

CME Development Adam Flint

Founding publisher Denise Heaton

Just For Canadian Doctors is published 6 times a year by In print publications and distributed to Canadian physicians. publication of advertisements and any opinions expressed do not constitute endorsement or assumption of liability for any claims made. The contents of this magazine are protected by copyright. none of the contents of the magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of In print publications.

In print publications710 – 938 Howe St. vancouver, BC v6z 1n9 Canada

www.justforcanadiandoctors.com

printed in Canada. check out our website!miss an issue?

4 JuST fOR CanaDian DOCTORS January/February 2009

f r o m t h e e d i t o r

embrace the winter!Happy new Year!

over the holidays there have been plenty of chestnuts roasting

over the fire, hot cocoa, and such…now it’s time to embrace the cold! Get out there and experience the brilliance of winter.

There may be no better place than the Yukon to play in the snow. The dogs will show you how it’s done (just look at Yukon dog, Sprocket, right, bounding through the snow). If you’re a dog person, you’ll love Dawson City, Yukon. And the time to go is during the famous 1,000-mile Yukon Quest dog mushing race. It’s a big party in a tiny town immersed in snow thousands of miles from anywhere else. It’s unforgettable.

Try mushing yourself—in the Yukon or closer to home (we have enough snow across Canada!) to see this country’s wintery landscape via dogsled. Dr. lili nasseri mushed it in BC (page 22).

Another northern wonderland to discover: Greenland. Isolated, beautiful, and

a gourmand’s delight (page 14).of course, after tramping through snow

or fishing the chilly waters off Greenland, that hot cocoa is in order again…or a steaming bowl of chili (page 11). If you do need more warmth, escape to Florida’s Amelia Island, a great southern CME destination (page 5 and 25)

And keep the champagne coming (a libation to be enjoyed year-round; page 10). Celebrations continue on January 26 with lunar new Year. It’s the Year of the ox…time to grab the proverbial bull by the horns?

Yes, get out there and mush it!

Barb Sligl, BA, [email protected]

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Thrilling International Sports,Friendly Competition

and Dynamic Outdoor AdventuresTeam up with us for the sporting experience of a lifetime

Sports are a way of life here inAntigua and Barbuda, so comeshare our passion. Watch a livelygame of soccer, tennis, basketballor cricket. Or join in! Bring yourschool team or club for somefriendly competition with ourlocal players.

For added fun, you’ll discover a huge variety of active outdooradventures. Hike across deserted islands, glide above thick vegetation, or dive to brilliant underwater reefs. Afterthe exhilaration, cool off at oneof our 365 beaches, enjoy an icy exotic drink and savour authentic island cuisine. A top-scoring vacation experience –

just a 4 1/2-hour non-stop flightfrom Toronto.

The ball’s in your court! To learnmore about all our sporting possibilities, simply contact us:

Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Office 60 St. Clair Avenue East, Suite 601, Toronto, Ontario M4T 1N5

416-961-3085 or 1-800-547-3055 [email protected]

Antigua_CdnDoctors_0901.qxd:Layout 1 12/13/08 6:28 PM Page 1

Bundled up and hanging out in the deep snow with one of the Yukon’s resident dogs, Sprocket.


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b o o k s | f o o d | s h o w s | f e s t i v a l s | p l a c e s | g e t a w a y s | g e a r …

amelia islandescape to a southern “plantation”Amelia Island plantation is a secluded resort nestled in a 1,300-acre idyll on the coast of northeast Florida, between the Atlantic ocean and the Intercoastal waterway, and amidst miles and miles of pristine beaches. This fragile barrier island, with its tidal marshes, oceanfront dunes, grassland and savannahs, is home to a protected turtle population that comes ashore to lay and bury eggs in the soft sand; tiny turtle tracks blend in with guests’ footprints and are part of a sandscape shared by seashore wildlife and beachcombing guests and surfers. For more on Amelia Island Resort, see page 25. —B. Sligl

resort


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read + re-readMost people have likely read one or two of Michael Crichton’s suspense-and-action filled tomes; he made himself a household name with bestseller-turned-boxoffice-

hit books and movies like Jurassic Park. And if you haven’t, then his recent death may be the impoetus to take another look at where he started: The Andromeda Strain. Written in 1969 while he was attending Harvard Medical School, the novel reflects his medical knowledge (a

techno-thriller about scientists battling a space-borne killer micro-organism). Then read Crichton’s last book, Next, inspired by his outrage at learning about current laws governing genetics issues during a 2005 conference on Genetics and Law at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. michaelcrichton.net —B.S.

If you didn’t partake in enough chocolate indul-gence over the holiday season, February 14 is yet another opportunity…to both give and receive. Three chocolatiers across Canada who dish out the best: Thomas Haas Fine Chocolates in Vancouver thomas haas.com; Soma Chocolatemaker in Toronto soma chocolate.com; Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut in Calgary bernardcallebaut.com —B.S.

book

A continuing medical education conference show-casing wilderness medicine in a snow-filled environment

is now more crucial than ever. “We recently concluded a risk assessment

survey and what was found is surprising,” explains John Kelly, operations manager for the Canadian Avalanche Association. “One out of 10 individuals dropping under a resort’s boundary line to get at that tempting powder run, accepts the risk of a major incident or death as a result of their quest for fresh tracks.” According to the Association, there have been 207 avalanche related fatalities in Canada between 1994 and today.

Track & Trail Adventures is an adventure travel company amassing top-notch faculty

that work together to develop engaging ac-credited curriculum paired with a legendary adventure.

Track & Trail, in association with Northern Escape Heli-Skiing and faculty including Shuswap General Hospital’s Chief of Staff Dr. Scott McKee, are hosting a unique opportunity in April 2009 entitled “Wilderness Medicine Updates for the Backcountry.”

This five-day educational adventure blends accredited CME with heli-accessed skiing or snowboarding.

“Sometimes we’ll be asked by patients if they are healthy enough to go into the back-country, but it should be more than that, they also have to be educated. Through this course, physicians will learn how to be prepared if something goes wrong: from field treatment

techniques to dealing with hypothermia and orthopeadic injuries,” said McKee. These life lessons are not unique to avalanche situations, but can also be applied to anyone who deals with any winter exposure trauma. “I am a firm believer in experiential learning. You can read all the textbooks you want, but in a five-day course like this, you can take away so much and be better equipped to implement those lessons,” said McKee.

John Forrest, one of North America’s most accredited avalanche experts, Northern Escape’s GM and president of HeliCat Canada, will complement McKee’s and others’ curricu-lum with avalanche training and workshops. For full conference details visit Track & Trail Adventures website at tandtadventures.com.

—Jim Barr

powder-filled education


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Goodbye, Year of the Rat. Hello, Ox—a year of steady growth and historic developments. If you want to savour Chinese Lunar New Year, you can pamper your palate with a foodie walking tour of Chinatown in Toronto. Shirley Lum, who’s the real deal (a Chinese personal chef-in-training, culinary historian, storyteller and tour guide) will whisk you to a pastry shop for sesame balls and golden sponge cakes; both are served in red paper as that colour is used for offerings to kitchen and business gods. She’ll teach you about the rituals, symbolism and superstitions associated with the annual festivities as you visit fresh produce markets, grocery stores that specialize in dry seafood (abalone goes for $450 a pound) and shops that sell mummified geikos, lizards and herbs reputed to cure everything from a bloated belly to a broken heart. (That’s Lum, right, holding one of those lizards.) You’ll be sniffing and perhaps sampling tea and have the chance to buy a hand-crafted teapot. Be sure NOT to eat breakfast before your trek, as Shirley will treat you to a healthy dim sum meal that includes a balanced blending of the five essential elements —shape, texture, colour, aroma and, of course, flavour.

Throughout the year, Lum offers fabulous foodie walking tours during the day and for New Year’s eve she outdoes herself by offering a 10-course dinner banquet. As you loosen your belt between courses, you’ll have a chance to flip through a horoscope book to find out what your zodiac sign is and what the upcoming year holds for you. On February 9th there’s a lantern festival and on January 26, 31 and February 1st you’ll gape into the mouth of a big cat as you watch the Lion dance; if you offer the beast a little money in a red envelope, your own prosperity will be assured.

What makes all walking tours with the highly entertaining, fast-talking, extremely knowledgeable Lum memorable is that she shares personal stories about growing up as a CBC—Canadian-born Chinese. As a child, she ate Asian pastries and drank milk while watching the Flintstones. She was taught never to have a cold drink with glutinous rice, that adding Johnny Walker Red Label to soup enhanced the latter’s flavour, and that the number 3 brings good luck. She’ll also regale you with Chinese legends like the one about the evil couple who were deep fried as their punishment.

Because Shirley loves sharing her ancestral language, she’ll teach you to say “Gung Hey Fatt Choy” (Happy New Year in Cantonese) or “Gong Xi Fa Cai” (the same greeting in Mandarin). The Chinese New Year begins January 26, 2009; practise your greeting! —Judie Fein

Regular tours (including food & non-alcoholic drinks) are $43 for adults, $38.50 for seniors over 65 and $27.50 for children under 12. The Chinese New Year banquet is $50. TorontoWalksBikes.com

discover the foodie side of Chinatowntour

year of the ox

free ricegive

Want a place to share some of that New Year goodwill—while also upgrading your vocabulary? Do the ongoing quiz at FreeRice.com; each correct word yields a donation of 20 grains of rice through the UN World Food Program. A quick go can produce over 1,000 grains of rice and at least a few new words—like “fimbri-ate” (fringed) or “hoyden” (tomboy)—to your vocabulary. Total grains of rice donated since the site’s inception in October 2007: over 55,000,000,000. A good number to try wrapping your head around! freerice.com —B.S.


Battleground?

I n 1981 I can remember listening to “As It Happens” on the CBC Radio about a seemingly amusing little skirmish

that happened on the Falkland Islands. Apparently some Argentineans had come on to the British Islands to plant a flag. little was it realized at the time that this was going to escalate into a full-blown war between the united kingdom and Argentina, resulting in 258 British and 649 Argentine deaths.

well, in British Columbia, what would appear to be a mild skirmish is now developing into quite the conflict.

I am not sure how it began. It is concerning the relationship between consulting specialists and family physicians; particularly the role of the respective office staffs in arranging appointments. Gradually

there seems to be an increasing burden of responsibility on the referring [usually family] physician to arrange the details of the consultant appointment.

The issue began with the orthopaedic surgeons, but does involve several other specialties. The response to a family physician’s request for a consultation is a directive to the family Gp’s office to:

• contactthe patient

• informthepatientoftheappointment date and time

• informthepatientofthelocationof thespecialist’soffice

• informthepatientoftheconsultant’s officepolicies

• advisethepatientthattheremaybeatleastaone-hourwait

• arrangespecifiedinvestigationsprior totheconsultation

• directthepatienttoconfirmtheirappointmentwithinaweekoftheappointed date.

one group of family physicians objected to this, and asked the provincial College to intervene. After “due consideration” the College has done a good job of sitting on the fence—suggesting that this matter be negotiated between the family physician and the consultant. The College did, however, clearly indicate that the arrangement for investigations should be undertaken directly by the consultant.

Recently there has been an upping of the ante. one of my colleagues has had his referral refused because it did not include an x-ray. A fax was sent to him stating that the entire referral letter had been shredded, and he would have to begin the entire referral process again—this time including the x-ray. He had already included a relevant MRI which he felt would render the x-ray redundant.

Clearly this situation should not continue. Have we forgotten that, though we are not a profession of Albert Schweitzers, we originally went into medicine, not only to earn a reasonable

income, but also to try to help patients in their suffering? we really are very lucky in that we can offer great help and assistance to patients in their pain and/or distress.

Should we allow our staff to disrupt the referral process? Are we, or our staff, destroying collegiality? part of the consulta-tion fee, I feel, covers the cost of contacting a patient, ensuring that they know the office policies of the consultant, and the arrange-ment of necessary investigations.

I, as the referring physician, have great difficulty with blindly ordering investigations in order to obtain a specialist consultation. The funding of Medicare is not unlimited—caution in each and every investigation is called for. ordering a full series of x-rays for each and every orthopaedic consultation, when the pathology is already shown on an MRI, seems wasteful at the very least.

I have recently had a request from a nephrologist directing me to contact the patient for no less than 20 haematological and urological investigations as well as a re-nal ultrasound. Trawling for investigations is a perturbing profligacy. Failure to complete these investigations would mean that the consultation would not be arranged.

what is the answer? what is the compro-mise? I do not know. I just suggest that we do remember that we are in this profession for the benefit of patients and not for our own glory. To do this we must remember that family physicians and specialists should be “on the same side.” There is enough stress in our jobs that we do not need to add to it by this divisive issue. Maintaining our physical and mental health is, of course, essential, but offering a reasonable service to our patients is mandatory.

I would be interested in hearing how this conflict is playing out in other provinces. How is this managed in other cities? Is this unique to British Columbia? Is it unique to urban practices? Am I, as a family physician, appearing idealistic and/or unreasonable?

Dr.ChrisPengillyisJust For Canadian Doctors’ current affairs columnist. Please send [email protected].

d o c t o r o n a s o a p b o x d r . c h r i s p e n g i l ly

patient referrals are pitting family physicians against specialists


A few days ago I was snowshoeing with a good friend on a favourite back-woods trail. we stopped to

look around at the beautiful snow-covered landscape and remarked, as usual, how lucky we were to be able to tramp on virgin snow and breathe clear clean air.

“This must be the closest one can get to pure pleasure and happiness. At least at our age,” I remarked, and we resumed our trek, starting up what we enjoyed most, a philo-sophical discussion with no purpose and no point, but which would be hotly argued nevertheless.

we had long ago agreed that there was no “fundamental” purpose to our lives. The scriptures of the various religions we had studied had failed to move us, and the facts of evolution carried with them some inescapable and depressing truths about our “place” in the universe.

So we had reconciled ourselves to the fact that we might as well try and enjoy life. without of course causing undue harm and distress to the environment or other humans. Try is the operative word. The thing one real-izes fairly quickly is that the harder you try to be happy, the more elusive it is. More than one great writer has noted that those who strive the most for happiness, by acquiring endless material goods or countless lovers, or constantly searching for something to quench the thirst of an unmet and unknown desire, are the least likely to have found the state they seek.

Instead, they suggest an uncomplicated life, with simple needs, good company and a generally benign disposition to the world, fellow humans and the universe, and lo and behold Happiness will settle upon us. Ah…were it but that simple! As the two of us dis-cussed on that cold Saturday morning while it snowed, the truth is, that to be truly happy you would either have to be deeply spiritual or stupid as a piece of wood.

let me explain. The world is far from a benign place

for many of our race who face uncertainty and challenges from the first day they step foot on the earth. That, and the countless random events of tragedy that occur around

us, requires a soul so placid and ethereal that he or she is convinced that what is around us is just a façade and the real show starts afterwards. I know a few of these people. or, it requires people to be cocooned from the real world and not expose themselves to news and events that may intervene with their state of happiness. As Mark Twain said, happiness and sanity is an impossible combination. I know many more of these folks.

when I travel in third-world countries I see how happy people are in the villages, despite the fact that they have so little. They live the uncomplicated simple lives we are told are the path to nirvana. They are not only lacking RRSps and mortgages, but also a connection with the general burden of mis-ery in the world. As newspapers, Tv and the internet arrive in the villages, I have noticed that the inhabitants are not quite as cheery. They are now exposed to floods, famines, bombs blowing innocents up, wars in places they had never heard of, the uncertainty of world climate changes and economic crisis. They are also now able to envy others half a world away who drive fancy cars and live in large solid houses. They now realise how deprived and poor they really are. Truly ignorance is bliss.

Since I cannot cut myself off from the world, perhaps I can train myself, like a jog-ger getting ready for a race, to be happier. Even the psychologists are getting on the bandwagon. until now they would just tell us what was wrong with us, but now there is a whole new field called “positive psychol-ogy” which is geared to make you feel hap-pier. There are many definitions, but the one I liked most was “to try and make normal life more fulfilling.”

The emphasis should be on the “normal.” obviously when we climb our big moun-tains, get married, have children, win a game of squash against a younger opponent etc., we are happy. It is all the time in between that is the problem. The time at work, then taking the kids to soccer, cooking, cleaning,

putting away laundry and dishes, and look-ing in the mirror at an older person looking back—that is the time when happiness seems most elusive. How do we make the hum-drum boring rote chores that make up 90% of our waking hours a source of won-derful fulfillment instead of a well of silent

despair?That is what I sought,

and so off to a class I went. I looked around; most of my fellow students were lost souls like me looking for a guru to lead them to the promised land of milk and honey.

our speakers were up-beat positive types who looked like they needed a lithium level check. we were told that we should live every day like it was our last. “what would you do ToDAY, if you knew it was your last day?” The speaker looked around and his gaze fell on me. I was unprepared. I should have said something profound. unfortunately I was so taken aback that my response came straight from my amygdale. “I would cry a lot and then get drunk on my best whiskey.” There was an uncomfortable silence and then the speaker moved on to another subject making sure never to make eye contact with me again. The lady next to me whispered in my ear. “Don’t worry I would do that too. In fact I do that almost every day now!”

The rest of the information actually made a lot of sense, telling us to accept ourselves warts and all, be thankful and grateful for everything we have, smile a lot and show people love, live a healthy life, and realize that money is not the source of happiness (thankfully, given the state of my finances). Above all simplify. nothing too revolution-ary. This is the 12-step route to happiness. The other path, via spirituality, is much more arduous and less certain. In the meantime I will head off to the hills with a good friend, my snowshoes and my hipflask.

Dr.DaraBehrooziisJust For Canadian Doctors’humourcolumnist.Hepractises medicine,playssoccerandenjoyssingle-malt.

HappinessThe promised land of milk and honey?

a q u e o u s h u m o u r d r . d a r a b e h r o o z i

Happiness and sanity is an impossible combination


Bubbly beauty

stem, tall-and-narrow bowl, thin sides and an etched bottom. Hold the flute by the stem or base as opposed to the bowl, and refrain from overzealous clinking to preserve the taste. Don’t over fill; a flute should be only two-thirds full.

The classic act of shaking the bottle, popping the cork, and letting the wine spray is common in celebration. And fun—but one should open the bottle at a 45-degree angle and ease the cork out with a whisper rather than a pop. This may not change the taste, but does the volume left in the bottle…

The famous quote “In victory you deserve it, in defeat you need it,” believed to be said by napoleon, expresses the world’s attitude towards champagne; it’s been the wine of both success and consolation for the past two centuries. If you didn’t manage to punctuate your new Year’s celebration with a great bottle of champagne, create another opportunity to enjoy one. Recently, my wife and I shared a bottle of Moet & Chandon over lunch in paris at a low-key brasserie. It was early afternoon, and after a tasty buffalo-mozzarella-and-tomato salad we washed down a beautiful salmon fillet stuffed in a large cappelletti with the wonderful champagne. It was the perfect prelude to visiting the Musée d’orsay, where the Impressionists’ work had never seemed more alive.

Send feedback to [email protected]; visithiswebsiteonwineatvinovancouver.com.Dr.NeilPollockisamemberoftheWineWriters’CircleofCanada.Hepractisesno-scalpel,no-needlevasectomyandinfantcircumcision.

t h e w i n e d o c t o r d r . n e i l p o l l o c k

Iagree with the good Dom, I love my champagne. You can serve it to jump-start a morning celebration (and

invigorate your oj). or treat yourself to a special lunch memorialized by an icy cold bottle of bubbly. For dinner, it helps celebrate life’s milestones with family and friends. It’s also the worldwide ambassador for ushering in the new Year. no drink has the diversity and presence of champagne.

True champagne is exclusive to the Champagne region in northeastern France, 145 kilometres northeast of paris and centred on a small range of hills rising from a chalk plain carved in two by the River Marne. Almost three quarters of the vineyards in Champagne lie in this Marne region. wines from here have been valued for nearly a millennium, and classical sparkling Champagne since about 1700.

The three dominant types of grapes in the Champagne region are pinot noir, pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Black pinot noir and pinot Meunier give the wine its length and backbone. Chardonnay gives the wine its acidity and biscuit flavour.

Most champagnes are made from a blend of Chardonnay and pinot noir (for example, 60% / 40%). Blanc de blanc (white

of white) champagnes are made from 100% Chardonnay.

There are three types of champagne: non-vintage or multiple-vintage champagne that’s a blend of two or more harvests; champagne made from a single vintage; and “prestige” cuvée from a single vintage with longer aging requirements.

In addition to longer aging in the bottle, prestige cuvée champagne must meet other requirements. It must be made from the first pressing of the grapes, and from the best grapes of the highest-rated village. prestige cuvée is made in a vintage year in small quantities with high demand; price is dictated largely by supply and demand.

The original prestige cuvée was Moet & Chandon’s Dom perignon, launched in 1936 with the 1921 vintage. until then, Champagne houses produced different

cuvées of varying quality, but a top-of-the-range wine produced to the highest standards (and priced accordingly) was a new idea. In fact, louis Roederer had been producing Cristal since 1876, but this was strictly for the private consumption of the Russian tsar. Cristal was made publicly available with the 1945 vintage. Then came Taittinger’s Comtes de Champagne with the first vintage of 1952.

A few of my favourites would be the medium styles of Charles Heidsieck and pol Roger. For fuller, richer champagne I prefer veuve Cliquot. The more white grapes in the blend, the lighter the style, the more red in the

blend, the fuller the style. Champagne is always

served cold; its ideal drinking temperature is 7 to 9°C. Ideally the bottle is chilled in a bucket of ice and water before opening. Champagne is served in a glass flute with a long

Champagne—what other drink do you really need?

bubbly 101 The traditional méthode champenoise is used in the production of champagne. After primary fermentation and bottling, a second alcoholic fermentation occurs in the bottle (induced by adding several grams of yeast and rock sugar). According to the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée a minimum of 1½ years is required to develop the most exceptional flavour. During this time the champagne bottle is sealed with a crown cap similar to that used on beer bottles.

After aging the bottle is manipulated in a process called remuage (riddling in English), so that the lees (residual yeast) settle in the neck of the bottle. The bottles are chilled, the neck is frozen and the cap removed. Pressure in the bottle forces out the ice containing the lees, and the bottle is quickly corked to maintain the carbon dioxide. Syrup is added to maintain the level within the bottle.

The amount of sugar added after the second fermentation and aging varies and dictates the sweetness level of the champagne. >> Brut Natural (less than 3 grams of sugar per litre) >> Extra Brut (less than 6 grams of sugar per litre) >> Brut (less than 15 grams of sugar per litre) >> Extra Sec or Extra Dry (12 to 20 grams of sugar per litre) >> Sec (17 to 35 grams of sugar per litre) >> Demi-Sec (33 to 50 grams of sugar per litre) >> Doux (more than 50 grams of sugar per litre)

“I am tasting the stars!” —Dom Perignon, upon discovering champagne

A fter a long day outdoors playing in the winter cold, there’s something very nurturing and comforting

about a steaming bowl of chili. The heat drives the cold from the nasal passages, fill-ing you with warmth that radiates through-out. A good hearty chili fills like nothing else after a chilly day outside.

And it’s so easy to make. I prefer a big batch of chili over soup because it takes less time; I make it the morning before serving. There’s not much washing, cutting or chop-

ping other than dicing an onion and smash-ing some cloves of garlic. peel and slice some carrots for more vegetable content. You don’t even have to soak the beans; just open a can of red kidney beans.

The versatility of chili is that you can make it as spicy as you wish. I prefer a nu-anced spiciness that comes from the variety of flavours rather than mouth-burning chili pepper. In this version, chili, cumin, corian-der, cardamom and cocoa blend into a rich, full-mouth flavour. The whole thing can be cooked in one large pot. The key here is to use a heavy-bottomed pot to allow brown-ing of the meat and vegetables without burning the chili as it cooks. If your pot is thin, you need to stir the chili more often, scraping the bottom of the pot to avoid scorching the beans, which have a tendency to stick as they cook down.

This recipe makes enough for six people with plenty left over for Sloppy Joes or chili dogs the next day. Serve your chili with some crusty bread or corn bread and a green salad for a relaxing, no-fuss dinner. If you’re looking for a wine, the 2005 “le prestige” of Château du Cèdre matches beautifully. This is a big wine from one of the great estates of the Cahors region in France. It has a deep-purple black colour typical of the region (90% Malbec and 10% Tannat). Aromas of fruity, summer berries with a hint of floral anise give way to more black fruit (blackberry, plum) followed by a hint of spice and chocolate on the palate. The wine has a velvety mouth feel with a long finish that’s peppery from ripe tannins. overall, a well-balanced wine that enhances the flavour of the chili.

Dr.HollyFongisapractisingspeech-languagepathologistwiththreeyoungchildrenwhoisalwaystrying,adaptingandcreatingdishes.

Beat the chill

t h e f o o d d o c t o r d r . h o l ly f o n g

with a steaming bowl of chili

2 tablespoons oil1 large onion, diced1 clove garlic, minced½ teaspoon dried chili flakes½ teaspoon ancho chili powder (if

unavailable, use dried chili flakes)1 red pepper, seeded and diced1 teaspoon ground coriander1 teaspoon ground cumin¼ teaspoon ground cardamom1½ tablespoons unsweetened cocoa

powder2 pounds of extra lean ground beef1 can crushed tomatoes (796 ml can)½ can tomato paste (156ml can)¼ cup ketchup2 cans kidney beans (540 ml each can)2 large carrots, peeled and cut into

½-inch cubessaltgrated cheddar cheese (optional)

Heat the oil in a very large heavy-bottomed pot and fry the onion and garlic until it begins to soften. Add the chili flakes, coriander, cumin and cardamom, stirring well. Add the pepper, then break up the ground beef into the pan and, using a fork, separate it as the meat browns. Add the ancho chili powder, tomatoes, ketchup, tomato paste to make a rich red sauce. Stir well. When the chili starts to bubble, add the cocoa and the beans, mixing well. Reduce the heat to low and simmer covered for 1½ hours. Stir approximately every 15 – 20 minutes, scrapping the bottom of the pot to avoid burning the beans. After 1 hour of cooking, add the carrots and stir well.

Ladle into bowls. Top with cheese if desired.

chili con carne with cocoa serves 6

2003 & 2006 International Winemaker of the YearInternational Wine and Spirit Competition

www.peterlehmannwines.com 4110_C

D

4110_CD_3rdVert_FA.indd 1 10/9/08 12:20:11 PM



m o t o r i n g d r . k e l ly s i lv e r t h o r n

We used to refer to our basement as “grenade space.” The 1960s handyman look—the accumulat-

ed random junk—justified that moniker. That basement is now a freshly renovated games room and home theatre. Art will provide the finishing touches. Surprisingly, my wife has deemed me worthy as Basement Curator

(BC). After all, how much trouble could that cause?

I trust she realizes my appointment as BC entails motorsport themes. Through the years I’ve collected lithographed prints of classic sports-car-racing art: leMans, Spa, Targa Florio, and the ‘Ring (nurburgring, ed). Each limited edition print of approximately 24” x 18” was matted, framed, and glass-covered. At about $500 a pop, I have spent roughly $4,000 to date.

Yet, I’ve decided my framed prints don’t have “presence.” They are too small—too alike in size, shape, and style. So my first edict as Basement Curator is to pension off these prints. next, I must find those motorsport artists whose works speak to me at some subconscious artist-to-curator level. These days, the internet is the logical launching pad for such quests.

Google “motorsport art” and get some 347,000 site hits. Then spend a few mind-numbing evenings to follow up the first thousand or so threads. Ah, the trials of the

modern BC. I trade spicy inside information with the handful of Commercial Motorsport Curators (let’s call them CMCs).

Mostly, I keep ending up with those same six motorsport artists whose work I already know or own as prints. I delete many more sites where the works, at least as rendered on my laptop, just don’t grab me.

But, I also add to “favourites” a select few artists who stir my aesthetic soul!

After my marathon sessions on the internet I have found 10 new-to-me artists of curatorial interest. I decide to focus initially on the two artists who create really large canvasses, with great flair for colour and motion. Some would call the style abstract. It is certainly very different from the near-realism of my lithographed print collection.

of the two artists, Bill patterson is the easier to contact, down the west coast in Simi valley, California. I call him up, and discover a great perk of my Basement Curator post. These artists are as smitten with motorsports history as I am. Art, and passion—I envy their careers. we yack for a good hour.

Bill already has a deposit on the “laguna Trio” original I fancy. To my disappointment, that sale does complete. Fortunately my BC title has some pull. Bill has access to a high zoot printer that can make a full-size (36” x 48”) gilcee-on-canvas reproduction.

post-reproduction, we agree in that rarefied artist-to-curator way, to change one competitor, re-touch and re-sign. The original, and my modified semi-original, will be the only versions of this artwork in existence. My cost, $1,200.

The second artist is klaus wagger, busy perfecting his craft in Austria. Fortunately, klaus’ English is far better than mein Deutsche. His website displays dozens of his amazing large works. Again, the originals that most grab me are all sold. Several gilcee-on-canvas reproductions are marketed by affiliated galleries. I opt for “Maserati 300S – Stirling Moss,” in the original’s Full-SIzE grandeur (59” x 31”). From an unlimited series run, its $425 delivered, CMC-to-BC.

So my first two acquisitions as Basement Curator succeed in breaking my previous art acquisition mold. now I’ve got big, bold, and abstract. “original-looking” canvas too. But like any explorer, once I’ve begun to push the boundaries of my known world, I’m intrigued with what lies further into the unknown.

So I continue on my curator quest, surfing the net, pouring over the remaining 346,000 Googled “motorsport art” hits. Commissioning original works would be the logical next progression for me as BC. no doubt I’d feel tremendous pride and connection to art that I’ve been integral to its creation. I’m already distilling down a plethora of possible eras, racers, and moments to depict—even agonizing over the all-important lens placement.

It’s serendipity, how this all started with a need to store junk. Then came the desire to have rooms look finished. At the time, I’m sure it seemed innocent enough for my wife to encourage me to dip a toe in the art pool. Instead, I feel like I’ve fallen overboard from the cruise ship. I’m now borderline-obsessed with motorsport paintings.

Art and passion—a powerful combination.

Dr.KellySilverthornisaradiologistand Just For Canadian Doctors’automotivewriter.

Motorsports in art stir this car aficionado’s aesthetic soul

Dipping a toe in the art pool

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Sometimes I wonder what “placebo” really means. It has a kind of detrimental aura around it, as if the

recipient of a placebo is really just a bit of a nut and the physician/nurse/specialist has said, “Here take this, it will solve all your problems.”

when I was in kenya, I would often “prescribe” an innocuous substance—partly because we had a limited range of “real” prescription drugs—and it seemed to work just fine. In fact, sometimes the patients would come in and specifically request them. often these magical substances were vitamins (which I thought were a good idea anyhow, as our patients did not have a lot of options regarding good eating habits or the availability of a wide range of groceries) and the patients almost invariably thought that the “medicine” was a magical cure for their problems.

Seldom did they ask what the magic medicine was, or what it was supposed to do. The physician had written some words on a special piece of paper (in itself indicating something important) and they took it to the hospital pharmacy and were given the pills or liquid and, usually, told how they were supposed to take it, how often, how much and so on. The advice was received with appreciation and the patient presumed that it would be the answer to his or her problem.

And, human beings being the way we are, it often was the answer, or at least a sufficiently helpful substance when used with the belief that it would do what they believed it could do.

It’s the belief that is the magic, not the “medicine.”

My early years in going to Cuba often replayed these situations. Here, however, the patients were perfectly aware of what was happening and that what the pharmacy had offered was not a medication in the sense that we presume it to be.

I’m referring especially to the early 1990s, during which life in Cuba was difficult, to say the least. The united States refused to allow any ships that had been to Cuba to dock in

the uS, no matter where they came from or were going to. no trade was allowed. Realizing this, the Cuban pharmaceutical and medical professions decided that they would explore all possibilities regarding the manufacture of helpful substances based on plants, which could, in fact, achieve relief and lead, hopefully, to recovery.

It has been a remarkably successful venture and has led to a vigorous new professional opportunity. In Cuba today, “natural” medicines are frequently used and the range of medications is broad. The results appear to be very satisfying. Many people believe that they are safer than the chemically complex concoctions that are now so widely—and often, badly—used. nasty side effects are rare, as are allergic responses. Many, if not most, Cubans, prefer to avoid taking chances, and use the natural medicines.

In fact, I do not think of these products as “placebos” at all. They are natural products that can be very helpful in easing an uncomfortable situation or health problem. And they cost a lot less than most of the synthetic medications that we now take for granted as being the only road to recovery.

It is astonishing to me how frequently I get a notice about a “new” wonder drug. In my days as a family doc, I often used to take the samples that the drug representative gave me, offer them to my patients, and it seemed that my patients appreciated that. However, looking back, seldom did they come out and ask for a full prescription. It seems to me that this was a kind of placebo situation, too.

In my year that I spent in kitkatla, a First nations community on a tiny island between prince Rupert and the Queen Charlotte Islands, the nurse visited us about every three months. I had a patient whose small child was running a terrible fever that had gone on for a couple of days and all the

usual “native” remedies had been tried. The child seemed to be too exhausted to even cry any more—just lay there whimpering. I had a small package in the dispensary of a brand new medication so, there being nothing more that I could do, I gave it to the child’s mother, warning her that I had

no idea whether it would work or not.

The next day I went back to their house and she met me at the door, beaming. The child’s temperature had dropped to normal within hours and she was wide awake, bright and cheerful and

full of energy. The mother and grandparents almost fell on their knees in front of me, despite my attempts to explain that I really had nothing to do with this miracle.

And it was a miracle at that time—one for which all physicians were very grateful. Allergic responses to drugs were virtually unknown. The risk of nasty side effects was minimal.

oh, to have those days again!now we dispense medication with

long lists of possible side effects; we spend hours explaining the possible problems to the patient, which I personally think scares them more. But then, I am still living in a simpler era in medicine. I have no qualms in accepting the miracle that may be happening—on the contrary—but I wonder if we are so caught up in the miracle that we tend to ignore the human being whom we call a “patient.”

let’s not lose sight of that simple fact.

Dr.MarleneHunterisawell-travelled physicianwhoisnowthedirectoroftheLabyrinthVictoriaCentreforDissociation.

Magic medicine?Reevaluating the placebo effect

ta l e s f r o m t h e t r e n c h e s d r . m a r l e n e h u n t e r

It is the belief that is the magic, not the “medicine”


I went to Greenland planning to gnaw on whale blubber and sip seal oil. This is, after all, the land of the Inuit, of hunters in polar-bear-fur pants and raw-fish entrees. who expected the best (and yummiest) fishing trip of my life?

Greenland is one of those places, like new zealand, with more food on the run than people. The capi-tal, nuuk, has 15,000 residents (and only three traffic lights). villages of 80 inhabitants are not uncommon. Meanwhile, 30,000 musk ox wander the tundra within sight of the country’s international airport and the seas teem with shrimp and prawn and cod.

Greenland, 2,700 km long, is the largest island on earth. Most of it lies above the Arctic Circle, and through-out modern history it’s had a bad reputation. This is the place so harsh, even those bully boys of the world, the vikings, couldn’t survive. And several waves of Inuit didn’t do much better.

But it’s also a land of breath-taking nature…of rolling tundra and ancient, worn-down hills, midnight sun, magnificent glaciers and so much empty terrain, you can hardly believe it.

And it’s about as laid back a place as you can find. Forget draconian security searches on do-mestic flights. You just climb aboard the airplane, like the old days, and go. Even five years ago, there was no customs station for arriving passengers at the international airport. You just got off the jet and walked in. If you wanted a stamp in your passport, you had to go to the local police station.

But don’t come here expecting villages of mud huts with locals eating dinner on the floor. Most homes have satellite Tv, cell phone service and internet, and there are supermarkets stocked with Danish delicacies (Greenland is, after all, part of Denmark, though with its own home rule).

Dinner on our first night in nuuk at Hotel Hans Egede was an unexpectedly gourmet affair whose centrepiece was a cube of glistening rare meat that I assumed was prime beef. But no, it was one of those 30,000 musk ox...lightly charred on the outside, fork tender on the inside, with the most incredibly rich flavour and a silky, smooth mouth feel.

After dinner, I was lucky enough to run into Greenland’s queen of herbs, Anne Sofie Hardenburg. Greenland is that kind of place…stand in one spot long

enough and you will inevitably meet everybody of in-terest to you. She has cooked for the Danish royal family, written cookbooks and now supplies fresh herbs, which she collects and prepares herself, to select restaurants across Europe.

Her favourites: juniper, which she likes on lamb; thyme, which is much stronger here than elsewhere; and angelica (in the parsley family), which she swears goes good in everything from soups to breads, fish, meat, even dessert. And then, there is roseroot, voted Sweden’s “herb of the year” in 2004…perhaps because it is also known as nature’s viagra. The leaves are used in salads. The bark can be dried and the root is steeped to become an extract.

The next night, we went to the home of Ida and Stig winthers for an authentic Greenlandic barbe-

cue. what this meant was the most in-credibly fresh fish and meat.

“I promise you,” Stig said as he put out a bowl of tiny, tender

shrimp, “none of these have gained their colour by artifi-

cial means. It was all caught here, in open waters.”

In too many coun-tries, “wild” food means farm raised and govern-ment inspected. not in Greenland. The thin, salmon-coloured slices

of arctic char (a salt-water trout) had been smoked

over tundra heather by hunters. You could taste the

cook fires in the woody flavour.“And reindeer season has just

started,” Stig added. “So we will have local reindeer, shot yesterday in back of

our fjord.”I’m not sure where Stig got his reindeer recipe

but it was an incredible blend of old and new. He sliced deep pockets in the haunch of meat, filled them with parsley, mushrooms and cream cheese and wrapped the whole thing with strips of bacon. The result was a salty charring on the outside that crunched as you chewed, with just a hint of the wild in its flavour.

But that is the history of Greenland…one of change and adaptation. The first Inuit here arrived around 2500 BC. They lasted a few hundred years, disappeared and were replaced by several waves of new Inuit who also disappeared, as did the vikings, who held on for 400 years before vanishing with hardly a trace. The present Inuit are descendants of the last wave of natives, known as Thule, who arrived around 900 AD. And, of course, there are also the Danes, who established their perma-nent foothold in the nuuk area in 1721.

t r a v e l t h e w o r l d

story + photography by Yvette Cardozo

this page, from top Kiss a fish…aboard a fishing boat in a fjord near Sisimiut. > Author Yvette Cardozo with fresh-caught seven-pound cod. > Captain Bo Lings holds lunch, ready to be prepared and served aboard the boat. opposite page Fresh-caught cod in a plastic bucket. page 16, from top Greenland is a foodie’s delight. Lamb dinner in Sisimiut (the second-largest city). > Plate of fresh prawns, caught in a fjord near town, next to polar bears and the mythical creature tupilak, carved of narwhal tusk. > Gourmet fare: rare musk ox, beer-braised potato and shredded musk ox with herb crust.

the land of ice + snow

offers plenty to chew on

GourmeT GreenLanD


+

This is not an easy land. The interior—85 percent of all Greenland—is ice. The thin band of coast is tundra, covered by low grass, full-grown willow trees that stand hardly a foot tall, and a surprising amount of desert-like sand.

people here have to “make do.” The Chinese restau-rant in one town we visited uses seal and whale in its Asian dishes. I couldn’t imagine this and hoped to make a visit to taste. There’s also a thriving beer industry here. My favourite, named simply Greenland Beer, is made from melted glaciers and allegedly (though I couldn’t confirm this) advertised as “older than Jesus.”

like its people, Greenland’s food stock comes and goes.

The world’s biggest flounder, a 273 kg monster, was caught here in the 1970s. It was so big, the fisherman had to shoot it with his rifle and tow it into shore behind his boat like a whale. And then, flounder disappeared from Greenland’s waters. now people fish for shrimp and prawns. last year’s 18,000-ton harvest of cold water prawns accounted for a third of the world’s consumption.

Cod, too, came and went. And now it’s back again, as we learned firsthand in Greenland’s second largest “city,” a village of 5,700 peo-ple named Sisimiut.

The morning of our fish-ing trip, the sun came up, as it does in August, around 4 am and immediately dis-appeared in a soup of fog so thick, I could barely see buildings across the street from my hotel.

“not to worry,” said Captain Bo lings. “we have GpS and radar.” And indeed, the instrumentation aboard his small boat looked like something out of science fiction. The best was the sonar that gave us 360-de-gree, three-dimensional, full-colour views of the boat, the underwater shelf and nearby cliffs from any angle…above or under water.

we headed for a fjord north of town looking, Bo said, for a good current. Cod like to hide behind islands in the current. Soon enough, a school of cod showed up as a feathery line of blue on the radar screen.

Bo’s mate, Michael, set up the rods, each with three separate lures spaced a foot

apart on the single line. As instructed, we released the line and let it all drop to the bottom, then cranked the reel three times and waited, jerking the rod upward ev-ery 15 seconds or so.

no more than five minutes from the moment the first line hit the water, someone got a hit and reeled in a two-pound cod. Then somebody else got a hit and somebody after that. I put my line in and jigged it three times.

“oh heck, I’ve caught the bottom of the boat.”“no,” said Bo. “That’s a fish.”And indeed, it was. My rod bent over, its tip reach-

ing for the water. This was no one-kg baby. By the time I reeled it in, I realized my catch weighed at well over three kilograms.

It went like this for 90 minutes, with three people each catching 11 fish. we got 48 in all…more than enough for lunch and to feed a friend’s sled dogs in town. I was just about to reel in my line for the last time

when I got a final hit. This was even stronger than the big one before. I held on, bracing the end of the rod on my hip as I reeled in whatever was at the other end.

It broke the water’s surface.no, THEY broke the water’s

surface.when we got it all aboard,

there was a four-kg cod and his smaller two-kg brother hang-ing from separate lures on the single line.

Cod, I have decided, are really stupid. But they sure are tasty.

while Michael filleted our catch, Bo fired up a stove that amazingly shares his boat’s in-strument panel. we dropped anchor in a beautiful little cove where the cold gray water was like glass. Soft round hills rose around us, covered with tufts of grass and a low scrub tinged with the first reds of autumn.

The recipe was simple: a pan full of sizzling butter with a touch of salt. nothing more to interfere with the delicate flavour of the fish. And indeed, the fish was tender but with substance, silky smooth and slightly sweet. It would have been criminal to use more than a squirt of lemon.

I never did make it to the Chinese restaurant for Sichuan seal. But that’s okay. Memories of those 48 cod will do just fine, thank you.


if you go

by boat Though you can fly into Greenland on your own and stay in various villages, the most effortless way to see the country is by cruise ship. Hurtigruten Group ASA, a Norwegian company, offers sailings throughout summer that visit even the most remote northern villages. For more information: hurtigruten.com.

go fish The experience we had fishing was not unusual. The boat captain said he has never, ever failed to bring in at least some fish. The half-day trip including lunch runs 695 DKK, approximately $151 Canadian at time of publication.

For general information on Greenland: visitgreenland.com

opposite page, from top Late afternoon sun highlights colourful houses of Sisimiut on Greenland’s southwest coast. > Kennel owner in Sisimiut holds a sled-dog puppy. > On the ice cap of Russell Glacier near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland’s international airport. > Children playing in Sisimiut. > Greenlandic ceremonial costume, made of caribou skin, beads and embroidery. > Sled dog by a native sled at sunset. > Deserted whaling village of Kangerq in Nuuk Fjord outside the capital Nuuk, inhabited for 4,000 years until 1970 when the Danish government centralized small settlements.


Prost! b y d r . p e t e r b r i n d l e y

To imbibing beer while touring Germany and Austria

p r e s c r i b i n g r & r

ISTo

Ck

For this particular doctor, many of life’s finest, quirkiest, and most surreal moments would have been missed but for a glass (or two, or three) of good beer. Conferences

and business trips where sage words such as “well, I’ve a long day tomorrow, I should turn in” were blithely disregarded for “well, one won’t hurt” have meant many life-long friendships and the anecdotes that sustain them. while I don’t intend to use this argument during my annual academic report, beer has indeed gotten research started, conferences organized, invites accepted, and manuscripts written. Quite an achievement for four simple ingredients: water, yeast, sugar and hops. At the risk of sounding quite the “lager-lout,” I wish to give simple thanks for my alcohol dehydrogenase.

For centuries, primitive sanitation meant that European drinking-water was simply unsafe. Therefore, fermentation became, quite literally, a life-saver. In contrast, in eastern cultures, safe potable-water was created through boiling and then flavouring with tea-leaves. Fast forward generations and one culture has ADH; another gets red in the face at the very thought. Regardless—whether ice-cold pilsner in prague; warm soupy “heavy” in Edinburgh; stout, black as coal, in Dublin; or ludicrously potent tripels in Brussels—for all my protestations that quality beer deserves it due, its ability to lubricate social muscles also warrants celebration. However, right now my focus is squarely on Germany and Austria.

It’s very trendy to talk of those 100 places you must visit; those “must-dos” and “must-sees.” Even Hollywood has entered the fray with such drivel as TheBucketList (i.e. things to do before you hit the “bucket”). Regardless, I implore you to add Munich’s oktoberfest to yours. Fabulous wiess Biers (wheat beer rather than the typical barley), served in litre steins and supped in 400-year-old beerhalls, was the best cure for jet-lag I have ever experienced. An overnight flight in the stale cabin of a cramped jet was quickly forgotten with best friends, cold beer, and just a touch of “umpapa.” International détente was rapidly established with others from Germany, France and England. All it took was the willingness to sing silly drinking songs, and the crashing together of glasses whenever high school language skills failed. The ambience was further achieved by the rows of beautifully decorated steins in lockers built for the regulars. This was combined with gravity-defying feats by waitresses loaded with beer and bratwurst. In a world of homogenous franchises, it was rather refreshing (pun intended) to spend a little time in a place that is “cool” precisely because it isn’t trying to be.

Hours later (I think) we found ourselves (goodness knows how) in bucolic beer gardens, ready for more inspired silliness. However, again, a picture is worth a thousand words: These are not your standard beer gardens. left heavily treed in order to keep the beer cool below ground (of note, the word lager comes from the German for cold storage), these unspoiled urban rest spots invite all members of the family, and in no way resemble the cordoned-off leper-colonies of north American beer gardens. The Bavarians would no more insult you with plastic cups, fences and neanderthal bouncers than Canadians would suggest playing hockey in a swimming pool.

The following morning began with nary a hangover (thanks in no small part to the Bavarian

beer purity laws of 1516). Buoyed with advice from the previous night’s revelry, the beer halls gave way to cars, castles, and cuckoo clocks. we sped into the Bavarian Alps and lunched at mad king ludwig’s neuschwanstein castle. Because it seemed just too decadent not to, we then had supper in the medieval splendour of Innsbruck, Austria. with mountains on three sides, an alpine river gurgling away, and a

refreshing evening chill, the food and drink pairing became a doddle. As long as the beer was cold

and the food hot, the evening couldn’t fail and the conversation couldn’t help but crackle.

In contrast, the following day stopped conversation dead in its tracks. A harrowing, but nonetheless deeply meaningful, tour of Dachau concentration camp left all of us speechless. I am profoundly impressed with how little Germany hides the unsavoury parts of its history. I had also, until that day, never fully empathized with the idea of drinking to take the edge off a hard day. with little shame, I’ll admit this day beer provided anodyne relief. perspective regained, and perhaps with a touch more humility and humanity, we headed off to the remarkable, fabulous, city that is Berlin. whether it’s to see the remnants of the wall, the Fernsehturm communication tower (built by the east to intimidate west Berlin but resembling a giant spear of asparagus), or Checkpoint Charlie, you owe it to yourself to pencil-in this city on your bucket list. However, astute readers will notice little mention of its beer. This is deliberate. For such a wonderful destination, Berlin’s beers compare to Munich’s much as do its historic cars: Berlin gave us the Trabant (18 horsepower and a two-stroke engine!); Munich birthed the BMw.

During its heyday as the capital of the German Empire, Berlin housed some of the country’s largest and most influential brewers. A century of turbulent history (now there’s an understatement) means that bland pilsner now dominates, as it does in much of the world. There is the chance to try a Rauchbier (quite literally “smoked beer”) or as my friend called it “bacon in glass.” while unlikely to become your regular tipple, it does pair nicely with smoked meats. There is also the chance to avoid Berliner weisse. Its sour taste means it differs from the marvelous German wheat beers mentioned earlier. It also means that it’s usually mixed with red (raspberry) or green (woodruff) syrup. It might even be served with a straw (oh, the humanity). Just don’t say you weren’t warned. If light American beers are for those that hate beer, but love to pee, then the same accusation works for Berliner weisse.

Germany and Austria offer scenic, historical and epicurean delights. Despite an extensive bucket list of my own, to quote in the words of a famous local…I’ll be back.

Dr.PeterBrindleyisanIntensiveCareSpecialistinEdmonton,AB,whohasbeenknownfromtimetotimetoenjoyabeer.

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t e c h w o r k s c o r e y v a n ’ t h a a f f

When paul Bach-y-Rita’s dad suffered a significant stroke in his 60s, he was left incapacitated.

Doctors said he would never be normal again. paul’s brother took their father into his home and began the labourious process of re-training him. He started from scratch; first crawling then walking. The process of recovery took 18 months. The father ultimately died of natural causes some eight years later but not before climbing mountains in South America.

This cemented paul’s belief about brain plasticity. An autopsy of paul’s dad showed significant damage to the brain but also showed that undamaged areas were able to compensate. paul, who was already a full professor at pacific Medical School (part of Stanford at that time), decided to complete a residency in rehab medicine after his father’s stroke and recovery. His ideas about the brain’s plasticity were novel then, though commonly accepted today.

“paul took from that the knowledge that the brain is quite amazing and people can be rehabilitated long after other people give up on them,” says Robert Beckman, CEo of wicab Inc., the folks who own the exclusive license to Brainport® technologies, invented by Dr. Bach-y-Rita and the property of the university of wisconsin. paul Bach-y-Rita formed the company wicab, Inc. prior to his death in 2006.

Brainport is a device that helps train people with a balance deficit to

maintain their balance. It uses a small chip accelerometer embedded in a device that is placed on the surface of the tongue. usually, it is used twice a day for 20 minutes each time, and is often used for the rest of the patient’s lifetime.

The accelerometer senses a change in the position of the head and converts that information into a signal on the tongue. The

patient is trained to maintain the signal at the centre of the tongue.

“It’s so intuitive; they learn to keep their balance by maintaining the signal. over time, people begin to experience and retain improved balance,” says Beckman.

“patients train with their eyes closed and take vision out of the equation. They get a very accurate signal from the device and learn to coordinate with their own proprioception—how they feel

balance through their leg muscles when standing.”

paul Bach-y-Rita’s basic belief was that any sense can be replaced with a substitute sensory device. In the early days of his research with tongue stimulation, one of the engineers working with paul had become ill with a head cold. He was riding a bus and felt it spinning, though he knew no such movement occurred. He thought the key to eliminating that feeling was to find a way to send an accurate signal to his brain rather than the convoluted information that was causing his dizziness.

Then he put two and two together, says Beckman.

Accelerometers were very cheap and used in cars to deploy air bags based on a sudden deceleration. The tiny computer chips were able to sense gravity and motion and deploy an air bag immediately before a crash.

Initially, they mounted an accelerometer on a helmet and Cheryl was their first patient. Cheryl suffered from bilateral vestibular loss. She came to paul unemployed and unable to walk without a cane or walker. Today, after training and using Brainport, she has a full-time job, rides a bicycle and is fully recovered. She no longer even uses her Brainport.

The Brainport is an effective solution, helping 60-to-70 percent of the people who try it, but it doesn’t come cheap. The Health Canada-approved device costs $10,000 uSD and is not covered by insurance. patients must also receive training on how to use the device, usually with a physiotherapist, but can trial the device for a month before purchasing it. There are about 40 devices in use in Canada and the company is completing clinical trials in the uS and hopes for FDA approval in 2009.

Beckman says it is hard to accurately assess how many people could potentially be helped with Brainport as no one keeps accurate tallies of people with balance problems, though he estimates 100,000 people in Canada suffer from balance issues from strokes, traumatic brain injury and peripheral vestibular disorders.

“Since there’s no device or drug therapy and no treatment, there’s been no reason to tally who has the disease,” he says. “Many sufferers may be unemployed. There’s nothing else for doctors to do with them, so they fall out of the medical system. This definitely gives them a way back in.”

CoreyVan’tHaaffisaVancouver-basedwriterandownerofCohibaCommunications.Sheis Just for Canadian Doctors’technologycol-umnist.Shecanbereachedatmedicalnews@cohibacommunications.comandwelcomesideas for future columns.

Making do with what you’ve got

Brain plasticity


t r a v e l a t h o m e

Winter this far north is bold, brilliant, beautiful and, yes, bone-chilling. But the hip-deep snow, hundreds of tail-wagging sled dogs, snowsuit-clad mushers and grinning locals have a way of keeping you toasty warm…

story + photography by Barb Sligl

mush! north of 60˚


Once you’ve spent any time in the winter in the Yukon, you’re entitled to some bragging rights. Especially in February, when the nights last 17 hours, the mercury can dip to –50˚C, and the Yukon Quest is in full swing. This is when you’ll bump into down-wrapped figures lumbering the snowy streets of Dawson, curls of misty breath following everyone. And add to all that human exhalation the dogs’…

Dogs seem to outnumber people here (Dawson’s population is 1,889) at the halfway point of what’s called “the toughest race on the planet.” The Yukon Quest is 1,600 km (10 days, 2 hours, 37 minutes in the fastest time) through the frozen wilderness between Fairbanks, Alaska, and whitehorse, Yukon, on the old “highways of the north”—historic winter routes followed by prospectors, adventurers, mail and supply carriers travelling between the gold fields of the klondike and the Alaska interior. It was the only means of travel a century ago, and it’s still a huge part of the Yukon today.

The start and finish of the Quest alternates between Fairbanks and whitehorse, but the place to get immersed in the race—and the winter bravado—is Dawson. Fans travel far to witness this spectacle of dogs and their mushers braving the harsh journey. And to experience the glittering beauty of winter this far north. There’s nothing like it. It’s even better if you love dogs. (Fittingly, the Yukon Coat of Arms is surmounted by a malamute, or husky, standing on a mound of snow.)

A 36-hour layover in Dawson means mushers check in, rest and fuel up, get updates on trail conditions and mingle with dog handlers, media (from all over the world), locals and groupies—all with sleepy, wind-burnt faces, and all clad in fleece and covered in dog hair.

The celebrity and mushing guru here is Alaskan lance Mackey, four-time champion of the Yukon Quest (and two-time winner of the Iditarod, and the only musher to win both 1,600-km races back-to-back). As the first to check in to Dawson, he’s also the prize winner of four ounces of gold nuggets (one of the previous year’s nuggets graces his ear as a stud). But every musher here is a star—young, old, male, female, rookies and veterans alike.

Troops of followers trudge across the frozen Yukon River to the provincial campground that becomes base camp for all the dog teams. Spectators watch the teams come and go. like the young German photographer from Munich. It’s his first time in Canada—or anywhere this cold—and he loves it. It’s not unusual to hear multi-lingual conversations on the icy river banks and snowy streets. A group of Italians ask a local volunteer about seeing Jack london’s cabin while here. It’s closed over winter, but a call is made and someone shows up to let the Italians in for an impromptu visit. Such is the Yukon hospitality.

The camaraderie continues at Bombay peggy’s, the go-to gathering place and watering hole (and former gold-rush era brothel). During Quest season you might sip on a Dog Ball Highball (just what it sounds like…) at the night of northern naughtiness (a benefit to raise funds for the Dawson Humane Society). More merriment is found at The pit, another bar and institution dating from 1901. And another festive spot: the Downtown Hotel, where mushers take advantage of a soft bed while tourists and neophytes swig the bar’s famous and kitschy Sourtoe Cocktail (complete with another kind of appendage, this one human).

mush it!a doctor rides with the dogsThe sound of howling dogs pierces the air. We’re running late, but now I know we’re on the right track. We run faster and our warm breath can be seen against the cool, crisp mountain air.

My sister and her husband are visiting from Ottawa and I had thought what better way to introduce them to “the wild west” than by going on a dog-sled adventure in BC’s backcountry. I had envisioned a peaceful ride in the snow, being pulled by a few cuddly dogs on a sled, while happily enjoying some hot chocolate.

Our professional guides, Jack and Cindy, welcome us with large smiles and usher us to the side of the trees, away from the dogs as they jump up and down, pulling wildly at their chains.

“These are purebred Alaskan huskies. They know they’re going to go for a run and they’re excited,” states Cindy.

“Who’s going to be the driver?’ asks Jack. “It’s a lot of work and you need to keep control or you’ll wipe out and hurt yourselves.”

His words linger in the air. I was not banking on quite so much action or risk when I’d booked the

tour.Jack shows us how to get

the dogs running by a click of the tongue, how to encourage the dogs when going up hill by running along with them, and how to stop the sled by bearing down with all your weight.

All whilst talking, Jack and Cindy have picked the six dogs for each sled and hooked them up. I can’t believe we’re ready to race our very own team of Alaskan huskies. My husband Jonathan is the strong one, so I nominate him to be the driver and, incidentally, do all the work while I snuggle under a blanket in the sled (above).

Jonathan yells, “Mush!” and we’re off. I feel the raw strength of the dogs as they lunge forward. The powder snow flies in the air and the dogs yelp out to one another, howling as they run free. At every turn, I watch their paws sink into the glistening white snow. I feel the adrenaline rushing in my veins, and I decide that this is even better than hot chocolate.

—Dr. Lili Nasseri

IF YOU GO > Dr. Nasseri’s dog-sledding adventure was at Sun Peaks Resort in central BC. > sunpeaksresort.com/activities; [email protected] MORE > See “if you go” on page 24 for where to mush in the Yukon.


previous page, clockwise from top left Snow clings to branches on the frozen banks of the Yukon River; A sled dog peers out from a kennel atop a pick-up; A snowy Dawson street; The vast Yukon as seen from the Air North flight between Whitehorse and Dawson; Ice inukshuk on the ice bridge over the Yukon River; Typical house in Dawson; Icicles cling to the beard of musher, Phil Joy, a contestant in the 2008 Yukon Quest. opposite page, clockwise from top left Caribou and bison sausage makes gourmet picnic fare along the Dempster Highway; Iconic Downtown Hotel in “downtown” Dawson, home of the Sourtoe Cocktail; Trail up to the Midnight Dome; Sled dogs arrive at Dawson checkpoint in the Yukon Quest; Pick-ups, kennels, and dog sleds are a common sight during the Quest; Sign outside the ribald Pit Bar, a local institution since 1901; Moosehide mittens handmade by local First Nation artist Eldrea Christiansen; Dawson’s go-to bike shop, run by Tim Gunter, keeps cyclists pedalling year-round; Winter along the Dempster Highway is stunning and like nowhere else—a view towards Tombstone Territorial Park.

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if you go +getting there Fly to Whitehorse via Vancouver; aircanada.ca > Or fly direct from Calgary and Edmonton; flyairnorth.com > Fly to Dawson City via Whitehorse; flyairnorth.com where to stay In Whitehorse check out: The Edgewater Hotel; edgewaterhotelwhitehorse.com; 1-877-484-3334 > The High Country Inn; highcountryinn.yk.ca; 1-800-554-4471 (within Canada & US) > The Westmark; westmarkhotels.com/whitehorsehotel; 867-393-9700 what to do Check out yukonWILD, a group of licensed wilderness tourism operators that offer adventures in the Yukon—½-day, full-day and multi-day activities. yukonwild.com; wtay.com dogsledding CATHERS WILDERNESS ADVENTURES > Family-run business—on the “marge of Lake Laberge” (as in the Robert Service poem)—offering wilderness trips since 1974. cathersadventures.com; [email protected] >> MUKTUK ADVENTURES > 30+ years in the Yukon, 25+ years mushing. Guest ranch, B&B with husky kennel tours in the summer. muktuk.com; [email protected] >> SKY HIGH WILDERNESS RANCH > Choice of dog-sled adventures: hourly, ½-day, full day, multi-day and full-moon adventures. Lodge and cabin accommodations. muktuk.com; [email protected] >> UNCOMMON JOURNEYS > Small-group wilderness travel; dog sledding led by professional outdoor educators. Week-long trips to month-long Arctic expeditions. skyhighwilderness.com; [email protected] northern lights viewing NORTHERN TALES > Aurora Borealis viewing tours, winter adventure packages and expeditions beyond the Arctic Circle and on the ice roads to the coast of the Beaufort Sea. northerntales.ca; [email protected] >> FRANCES LAKE WILDERNESS LODGE > In the belt where it’s most likely to see northern lights during clear winter nights. Full board at Frances Lake Wilderness Lodge in your own cosy log cabin. franceslake.ca; [email protected] >> KANOE PEOPLE > Aurora tours based at the west shore of Lake Laberge, an hour drive from Whitehorse. The nearest neighbour is over three miles away; optimum northern lights and star gazing from the 280-degree viewing hill. kanoepeople.com; [email protected]

winter doesn’t stop anyone in the Yukon. Going on in Dawson at the same time as the Quest: a bonspiel tournament (a big deal and 110-year-old tradition) and a hockey tournament (competing is a group of doctors from new Hampshire). There are also the typical get-togethers of the rather cosmopolitan locals, like the regular meeting of what may be the most northerly scotch club (sampling single-malt only, of course; the group has been known to make the six-hour drive to Inuvik for a good scotch deal).

So what to do?Head towards Inuvik. not for the scotch but for the views

alongside the Dempster Highway (and a reprieve from all the Dawson festivities). Driving through this barren beauty is unlike any other road trip. The white is punctuated by ribbons of turquoise overflow. At Tombstone campground the fluffy dry snow sits in big cottonballs on branches that are still auburn with fall colour. It’s the perfect spot to stop for a winter picnic Yukon style—caribou and bison sausages roasted over a fire. This is what winter adventure tastes like in the Yukon.

Back in Dawson, the way to cap it all is to hike up the Midnight Dome as twilight settles, when the snow takes on every bit of fading blue and the sky is tinged every gradation of pink. This is no monochromatic landscape. Atop the Dome, the lights of Dawson, tucked between the banks of the frozen Yukon and klondike Rivers, beckon as the one small, sweet spot of civilization within the 360˚ view of the vast north. It’s endless…but just up the winding Yukon River is another tiny twinkling light. Dogs yowl far below. It’s a musher slowly gliding into town.

Mush your own dog team with our adventure experts. For a fresh look at a winter holiday, visit www.yukonwild.com

or contact our member companies directly.

Choose your Yukon adventure u

dog mushing adventures:Cathers Wilderness Adventures

www.cathersadventures.com

Muktuk Kennels www.muktuk.com

Sky High Wilderness Ranch www.skyhighwilderness.com

Uncommon Journeys www.uncommonyukon.com

northern lights viewing tours:Frances Lake Wilderness Lodge

www.franceslake.ca

Kanoe People Ltd. www.kanoepeople.com

Northern Tales www.northerntales.ca

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winter 2009 + beyond

c m ean international guide to CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION

amelia island / sydney / balt imore / ottawa … | c a l e n d a r

People at Amelia Island Plantation call it a “little sliver of paradise.” The resort is surrounded by state parks (including the Okeefeenoke Swamp) and melds nature and luxury—live-oak forest, salt marshes, and beach dunes alongside top-notch golf courses, fine dining and a high-end, eco-conscious spa.

The resort has been a pioneer in maintaining its natural resources since 1972, when it was built and designed after Hilton Head, South Carolina. The barrier island is a wildlife refuge and travel corridor and retains 70% of the original tree canopy (gaze out upon the seemingly endless bulbous green tops of giant live oaks from the top floor of the Amelia Inn). The resort diligently protects the native turtle population (you may see one or two waddle by) and its Nature Center provides rehab for birds, gators and snakes, and education for kids and adults alike.

Green initiatives abound; the resort uses grey water on its three championship golf courses (all certified by Outward Bound as nature sanctuaries). The spa is all green (above, left), and offers

signature island treatments—like the ”Sweet Island Wrap” —as well as crème de la spa stuff like Vichy showers.

You’ve got plenty of ways to explore all this: boogie board the surf (above, far left); kayak the waterways and salt marshes (top, centre); bike the winding network of trails; birdwatch via golf cart; horseback ride on the beach; beachcomb and watch for whales and porpoises (whale season is now until March, when pods float just offshore with calves); roast s’mores at a beach bonfire (a weekly year-round family event); tee off at 72 championship holes (seaside, like #6 on Ocean Links, top right, or sculpted around the forest of live oaks, sabal palms, pines and wax myrtles); swing a racquet (the tennis program is known as one of the world’s best, and Racquet Park has hosted tennis greats like Navratilova, Evert, Sampras, Connors and Agassi on centre court, home to the Bausch & Lomb and WTA Championships); or tour around in an “island hopper” (a glorified golf cart at every guest’s disposal). You can even rent a Segway...

However you get there—Segway, bike, island hopper—be sure to catch sunrise on the beach and then sunset at Walker’s Landing, a popular fishing spot overlooking the salt marsh (above, far right). And just off the resort grounds is Fernandina Beach, an old settlement (the entire island was orignally settled by pirates) that’s home to cute shops with beachy trinkets (above, right), as well as the oldest continuously running bar in Florida. The Palace Saloon, with its original mosaic tile floor, pressed-tin ceiling and mahagony bar (a gift from Adolphus Busch), has been hopping since 1878 (top, left). Ask for a taste of the signature brew, made right here: “Pirate’s Punch”.

The myriad activities make Amelia Island Plantation a big destination for meetings and events (49,000 square feet of function space accommodates conferences of up to 1,000 guests). But there’s so much to do, most conference attendees end up coming back… For more on Amelia Island Plantation go to: aipfl.com; spaamelia.com — B.S.

escape to the wind-swept beaches of amelia island in florida (cme events at amelia island are highlighted in blue)

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the wealthy doctor manfred purtzki, c.a.

D albar, Inc., a Boston-based financial research firm, recently concluded a 20-year study that produced some

surprising results. Having examined real investor returns for equity, fixed income, and asset allocation funds for the 20-year period ended December 31, 2007, they concluded that investors themselves are to blame for the disappointing performance of their mutual funds. In other words, if your mutual fund company advertised an annual investment return of 10%, and you are making less than 5%, don’t point your finger at the mutual fund company and accuse them of false advertising. According to Dalbar’s study, you, the investor, is the one who is to blame as, apparently, the in-vestment return is far more dependent on investor behaviour than fund performance.

Examining actual investor behaviour over the span of the study showed that the average equity fund investor earned only 4.5% annually, or an inflation-adjusted return of a mere 1.5%. Fixed-income investors did even worse, losing 1.5% per year, factoring in inflation.

The company now set out to find out why the investor returns were so low com-pared to what the mutual fund companies advertised? They identified these two major reasons:

1 unsuccessful timing of investing and redeeming. when the tech sector blos-somed in the 1990s, investors got caught up in the hype and moved away from the protection of a diversified mutual fund and invested directly in “dot-coms.”

2 Investor holding periods, on average,

are shorter than the periods measured by mutual fund companies. Equity investors typically sell their holdings in less than four years, regardless of their ultimate investment objective of long-term growth. obviously, investors do not have the discipline and patience to weather stock market dips.

The company also compared the invest-ment returns of an average investor to those of a systematic investor, who typically uses investment strategies such as the dollar cost averaging method.

let’s examine the following scenario. Twenty years ago, an average and a sys-tematic investor each invested $10,000. Dr. Average earned $14,011 as of December 31, 2007, while during the same period Dr. Systematic earned $21,036 or 50% more than his average investor counterpart.

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The difference becomes more drastic with fixed income investments. $10,000 invested in 1988 for 20 years generated income of only $3,600 for the average fixed income fund investor, while the systematic fixed income investor earned $10,654, an increase of 196%.

As you can see, systematic investing reaps great rewards, and if you are not already doing so, I recommend that you consider strategies such as dollar cost averaging. By using this technique, you will purchase an investment with a specific amount of money at specific intervals. It doesn’t matter whether the market is up or down, you invest the same amount of money. when the prices are down under the dollar cost averaging method, you buy more shares than when prices are high.

Especially when the market is as volatile as it is now, the dollar cost averaging can provide great benefits, as the chart (right) illustrates.

So, as you can see, if you invest $1,000 each month for six months into a stock which increases gradually (no volatility) from $10 – $15, your stock value is $7,335 after six months. If the stock price fluctuates, then

you boost your stock value to $10,770. The reason for this is that you purchased more shares when the price was low. of course, you would have made the most money had you purchased the share when it was $5. The fly in this particular ointment is that nobody has managed yet to predict the bottom of the market.

I urge you to consider the dollar cost averaging method, especially when you are at least five years away from retirement and

your need to reduce your investment risks dramatically increases. It will not guarantee success, as you still need to find the right investment vehicle to provide you with long-term growth, but it will decrease your emotional and knee-jerk reactions to market declines, and assist you on your path to becoming a disciplined investor.

ManfredPurtzkiistheprincipalofPurtzki&AssociatesCharteredAccountants.Youcanreachhimatmanfred@purtzki.com.

the wealthy doctor continued

>>no Volatility Volatility

month investedShare Price

Shares Purchased

Share Price

Shares Purchased

1 $1,000 $10 100 $10 100

2 $1,000 $11 91 $8 125

3 $1,000 $12 83 $5 200

4 $1,000 $13 77 $7 143

5 $1,000 $14 71 $12 83

6 $1,000 $15 67 $15 67

total $6,000 489 718

total value at month 6

$7,335 $10,770

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Be Successful in Your ProfessionAchieve balance in Your Lifewww.gnb.ca Keyword: physicians

Be Successful in Your ProfessionAchieve balance in Your Lifewww.gnb.ca Keyword: physicians

Choose New Brunswick!Choose New Brunswick!

Ayez du succès dans votre professionet un équilibre dans votre viewww.gnb.ca Mot-clé : médecins

Ayez du succès dans votre professionet un équilibre dans votre viewww.gnb.ca Mot-clé : médecins

Choisissez le Nouveau-Brunswick!Choisissez le Nouveau-Brunswick!

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INTERNAL MEDICINE

PEDIATRICS

FAMILY PHYSICIANS

Our recruitment specialist wouldbe pleased to provide furtherinformation on any of ourphysician opportunities as wellas incentive packages available.

Maureen WebsterCoordinator, Physician RecruitmentPictou County Health Authority835 East River RoadNew Glasgow, NS B2H 3S6Phone: 902 752 7600 x3490Mobile: 902 921 0657Fax: 902 752 6231 Email:[email protected]

The Pictou County Health Authority offers a wide range ofspecialist and family practice opportunities. Located innortheastern Nova Scotia, Pictou County offers excellentprofessional opportunities in small town and rural settings.ThePictou County Health Authority is responsible for delivering healthcare services to the 48,000 residents as well as regional programsto the greater population of northeastern Nova Scotia.

The Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow and Sutherland HarrisMemorial Hospital in Pictou are just 90 minutes from Halifax andthe Robert Stanfield International Airport. Moncton andCharlottetown are not much further and we’re minutes awayfrom the warmest waters north of the Carolinas and some of themost beautiful beaches in Nova Scotia.

The Aberdeen Hospital is a 112-bed regional facility providing abroad range of primary and secondary services throughinpatient, outpatient and community-based services. Servicesprovided include: anesthesia, cardiology, diagnostic imaging,emergency, general surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics andgynecology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, pathology, pediatrics,psychiatry and urology.

Sutherland Harris Memorial Hospital plays an important role inthe lives and communities it serves. It has a 12-bed restorativecare unit, a 20-bed veterans unit and various outpatient andcommunity programs and services.

There areGreat Opportunities

waiting just down theroad from the beach.

em

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rtun

itiesTo learn more contact:

David Gravelle Physician Recruitment Officer

[email protected] 1-705-526-1300 Ext 3135

Fax 705-527-2007

Come work and playon Southern Georgian BayCome work and playon Southern Georgian Bay

Midland/Penetanguishene, Ontario

Only 90 minutes north of Toronto

Physician RecruitmentRecrutement de médecins

SOUTHERN GEORGIAN BAY

Ongoing opportunities in Family Medicine including a Family Health Team and Community Health Centre. Combine Family Medicine with ER or Hospitalist positions. Incentives and relocation costs provided!

www.doctorworkandplayongeorgianbay.ca

To learn more contact:David Gravelle

Physician Recruitment Officer [email protected]

1-705-526-1300 Ext 3135 Fax 705-527-2007

Darryl. Can you make the following changes to the ad you mocked up for us a while back (see attached) Remove NSHA logo Make border light blue Add "Only 90 minutes north of Toronto" under Midland/Penetanguishene, Ontario

Sizing - 7" X 3 1/2"

Format: PDf

Color: CMYK

Thanks

David


RICHMOND, BC – Efficient & well managed busy, modern Group Family Practice/Walk-In with EMR in busy shopping Plaza within a middle class area with tremendous population growth. Congenial Male/Female Doctors looking for another Family Doctor to pick up some shifts. 70% Split. Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. Shared Saturday single coverage of 10am - 4pm. Email to [email protected].

VANCOUVER, BC – Busy walk-in clinic shifts available in Yaletown and the heart of Kitsilano at Khatsahlano Medical Clinic. “Best Independent Medical Clinic in Vancouver” - Georgia Straight Reader’s Poll. Contact: Dr. Chris Watt at [email protected].

VICTORIA, BC – Walk-in clinic shifts available in the heart of lovely Cook St. Village in Victoria. Steps from the ocean, Beacon Hill Park, and Starbucks. For more information contact Dr. Chris Watt at [email protected].

BURNABY, BC – Lougheed Medical Clinic is a well-established, family oriented clinic, conveniently located at the lougheed Town Centre with sky train access. We are seeking P/T or F/T physicians and specialists for full service or walk in. Our warm, spacious clinic has experienced and friendly staff to assist you. Split is 65/35. For further information please e-mail [email protected] or telephone Jackie 604-421-2555.

GREATER TORONTO AREA, ON – My congenial family practice of 1700 rostered patients is looking for a new family doctor as I am ready to retire. This practice is ideal for a medical couple or doctor with a young family as the office is right in your own home. Northwest of Toronto. Hospital work available if desired. Part of a family health team. $10K incentive. Contact me at [email protected]

SURREY, BC – Locum or associate wanted, Busy and well established family practice in the best location of fastest growing city Surrey, Greater Vancouver, BC. Negotiable split guaranteed minimum income. Full or part time, locum or associate. Ideally Chinese speaking. Purchasing available. Start on any date. Contact: [email protected].

MISSISSAUGA, ON – Associate needed for a busy family practice 10 minutes from CVH. Great location in a medical building with PT, lab, x-ray, and pharmacy. 75:25 split. Email [email protected] for detailed information or telephone Patricia at 416-569-9733.

RICHMOND HILL, ON – Richmond Hill After-Hours Clinic require physicians for daytime shifts 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as evenings and weekends. Guaranteed minimum. 70:30 split. Contact Dr. Ian Zatzman at (905) 884-7711. Fax (905) 553-5360. Email: [email protected].

RETIRING, MOVING or CLOSING your family practice? DOCUdavit Medical Solutions provides FREE patient record storage with no hidden costs. Contact Sid Soil at DOCUdavit Solutions today at 1-888-781-9083, ext.105 or e-mail [email protected]. We also provide great rates for closing specialists.

continuing educationCME in COSTA RICA. Spend a week at a luxury, all-inclusive resort, while gaining credits. www.cmeincostarica.com or call Jill 905-895-2433.

vacation propertiesGREECE – Two houses to rent on the same property in a quiet inland village on the Greek island of Corfu. Available April-October. Details at www.kapoutsi.com or contact [email protected]

PARKSVILLE, BC: Golf and ski the same day on Van-couver Island! New, luxurious 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo at Rathtrevor Beach. Walk to the world famous Grotto Spa. Granite kitchen with stainless appliances, flat screen TV’s. Contact Diana at 250-727-7895 or [email protected].

moa conferenceThe Surrey Chapter of the Medical Office Assistants’ Association of BC is hosting the annual conference for MOAs in April 2009. For more info or to purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win a cruise for two, email the Conference Coordinator at [email protected].

positions available positions available record storage

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Solve puzzle #2 for a chance to win a $200 Tilley Endurables High-Tech Winter Hat & Travel accessory gift pack.

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winner of last issue’s sudoku contest:

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do you sudoku?Sudoku

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name: __________________________________________________________________address: _______________________________________________________________city, province, postal code: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________e-mail: ________________________________________________________________tel: ______________________________ fax: _________________________________

sudoku puzzle contest rules: 1. entry form must be accompanied with solved puzzle. only correctly solved puzzles will be entered into random draw. 2. Send puzzle & entry form to Just For Canadian Doctors, 710 – 938 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1N9 or by fax to 604-681-0456. entries must be received by february 18, 2009. 3. prize: tilley endurables high-tech winter hat & travel accessory gift pack. odds of winning dependent upon number of entries. winner will be contacted by telephone and announced in the march/april 2009 issue. 4. contest can be changed and/or cancelled without prior notice. 5. all entries become property of in print publications. employees of in print publications and its affiliates are not eligible to participate.

d i v e r s i o n


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k d o c t o r s s h a r e t h e i r p i c k s , p a n s , p l e a s u r e s a n d f e a r s

My name: Michael Roberts

I live and practise in: Toronto

My training: HBSc. BEd. MD CCFp FCFp

Why I was drawn to medicine: understanding my motivation has changed throughout my career.

My last trip: Camping at pacific Rim park , Tofino, BC

The most exotic place I’ve travelled: pagan, Burma

The best souvenir I’ve brought back from a trip: My children’s sense of awe from travel

A favourite place that I keep returning to: South East Asia

My ultimate dream vacation: visiting venerated Buddhist temples, then relaxing on a beach by the Andaman Sea

If I could travel to any time, I’d go to: The future, to see how my children’s lives have unfolded

My favourite book: TheDoctorStories by william Carlos williams

My favourite movie: Waterwalker

My must-see TV show: none, I don’t have a Tv!

My favourite music: Anything by van Morrison

My first job: Grade 2 teacher on a remote Indian Reserve in northern ontario

The gadget or gear I could not do without: My meditation bench

My favourite room at home: Front porch

My last purchase: penny, our Cockapoo puppy

My last splurge: Renting a cottage for a week on Hornby Island, BC

Most-frequented store: Bookcity

My closet has too many: pairs of old Birkenstocks

My fridge is always stocked with: papayas and mangoes

My medicine cabinet is always stocked with: naprosyn

My guilty pleasure is: Reading travel books when I should be doing something else

My favourite exercise/activity: Bicycling, canoeing, crosscountry skiing

My favourite sport to watch: Tour de France

I’d want this item with me if stranded on a desert island: A poetry book by Mary oliver

My secret to relaxing and relieving tension: Meditation and riding my bike to and from work

A talent I wish I had: More patience

My scariest moment: Being robbed while travelling in Costa Rica

My fondest memory: Getting married in a rainforest in new zealand

A big challenge I’ve faced: neck injury 16 years ago

One thing I’d change about myself: To be able to laugh more

The word that best describes me: passionate

I’m inspired by: Aung San Suu kyi

My biggest ego boost: Travel articles published

My biggest ego blow: not being listened to

I’m happiest when: I’m travelling with my family

My greatest fear is: That I am too busy to listen to my wife and children

A cause that’s close to my heart: prevention of chronic diseases through lifestyle choices

My motto is: Sit, wait and listen

A cause close to my heart: Social Justice at home and abroad

Something I haven’t done yet that’s on my must-do list: Travel to Turkey

If I wasn’t a doctor I’d be: A poet

Dr. Michael Roberts travels near and far, from the western edge of Canada to the Far East and Burma. Along his travels he’s accumulated plenty of Birkenstocks, great stories, and an appreciation for meditation and his children’s awe in seeing the world. And more inspiration comes from sources like physician-cum-author William Carlos Williams and activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma (Myanmar).

Co

uRT

ESY

DR

. MIC

HA

El R

oBE

RTS

clockwise from top left Dr. Michael Roberts with his family in S.E. Asia; His favourite book, The Doctor Stories, is a collection of

short stories by William Carlos Williams, who, as a practising physician throughout his literary career reflected a deep regard

for patients’ lives and helped develop the short story form in 20th-century American literature; Dr. Roberts’ family at another exotic

destination; Cycling with his daughter in Vietnam.

For more information—Call 800-422-0711 or visit www.ContinuingEducation.NET

Accreditation: Continuing Education, Inc. Is accredited by the AccreditationCouncil for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medicaleducation for physicians.Designation: Continuing Education, Inc. designates these educationalactivities for a maximum of 14–21 AMA PRA Category 1 credits™. Physiciansshould only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation inthe activity.Nursing Contact Hours: Continuing Education, Inc. is an approved providerof continuing nursing education by the Georgia Nurses Association, anaccredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center'sCommission on Accreditation.Florida Seller of Travel Reg. #14337

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