Muslim Physicians Donate $500,000 to Newly-Opened Ibn Sina Simulation Lab

Published Thursday, January 23, 2020

Muslim Physicians Donate $500,000 to Newly-Opened Ibn Sina Simulation Lab

Celebrating the Grand Opening of the brand new Ibn Sina Simulation Lab, funded through the generosity of the Muslim Physicians who donated $500,000 to make this learning space come to life are, from left to right, Dr. Hassan Hassan, Dr. Walid Shahrour, Dr. Syed Zaki Ahmed, Dr. Yasser Labib and Dr. Stewart Kennedy. The Lab is named after Ibn Sina, a Muslim Physician, Astronomist and Philosopher, who was a father of early modern medicine. Missing from the Muslim Physician Group of donors are: Dr. Asiru Abu-Bakare, Dr. Iftikhar Haq, Dr. Ayman Hassan, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim, Dr. Elrasheed Osman, Dr. Raga Sirror and Dr. Jehan Zaib.


Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre now provides improved medical education. The Grand Opening of the new Ibn Sina Simulation Lab, located in the Hospital, highlighted the advantages of simulation and celebrated the generosity of the Muslim Physicians who donated $500,000 to make this learning space come to life.

The physicians who graciously made the donation are:
Dr. Asiru Abu-Bakare, Endocrinologist;
Dr. Syed Zaki Ahmed, Chief of Staff, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and Critical Care/Internal Medicine Specialist;
Dr. Iftikhar Haq, Neurosurgeon;
Dr. Ayman Hassan, Neurologist;
Dr. Hassan Hassan, ENT;
Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim, Oncologist;
Dr. Yasser Labib, Anesthesiologist;
Dr. Elrasheed Osman, Vascular Surgeon;
Dr. Walid Shahrour, Urologist;
Dr. Raga Sirror, Paediatrician 
and Dr. Jehan Zaib, Family Physician.

may-18-2019-muslim-physician-group-2Several members of the Muslim Physician Group who generously donated $500,000 to the Ibn Sina Simulation Lab are: Dr. Hassan Hassan, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahmim, Dr. Raga Sirror, Dr. Yasser Labib, and Dr. Walid Shahrour.

 

The Lab is named after Ibn Sina, a Muslim Physician, Astronomist and Philosopher, who was a father of early modern medicine. Dr. Zaki Ahmed, on behalf of the physicians explained, “Seeking knowledge is deeply rooted in each Muslim. Indeed, the first word revealed in the Quran, and the first command, was ‘Read’. Disseminating knowledge, using it to improve the general good, and leading others by example in leaving behind a legacy to be built upon, all resonates deeply with the Muslim mindset. Such a mindset has always been mirrored in the Hospital’s own vision, along with its commitment to diversity and openness. Such a mutual vision, along with the sincere hope of the Muslim Physicians Group to give back to their profession, institution, and community at large, is what motivated each and every one of us to be a part of such a great project.”

Dr. Stewart Kennedy, Executive Vice President, Regional Programs, Clinical Supports & Medical Affairs, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and Regional Vice President, North West Region, Cancer Care Ontario, who was the visionary behind the development of the Ibn Sina Simulation Lab said, “Simulation can replicate rare, complex, or high-stakes scenarios known to affect individual and team performance, without risking patient safety. This new Ibn Sina Simulation Lab is designed to meet the needs of the user, can be adjusted for a multitude of scenarios, and is associated with increased technical performance, knowledge acquisition, and clinical reasoning. One of the unique benefits of simulation is that it can replicate a multitude of rare, complex, or high-stakes scenarios known to affect individual and team performance, without risking patient safety. While all physicians eventually perform procedures on and manage critical events for an actual patient for the first time, simulation makes those initial interactions with patients more familiar. A high quality simulation training centre, right here in our Hospital, will have a meaningful impact on current and future learners – who will then pass those benefits on to our patients and their families through safe, quality patient care”

Continued Dr. Kennedy, “It is absolutely incredible to see the support of these physicians in making the Ibn Sina Simulation Lab a reality. Without them, this learning space simply couldn’t exist in the way it has been created. We are so fortunate to have the leadership of this physician group, not only in their respective fields, but together as philanthropists. I am so grateful to them for showing such generosity and for making learning through simulation a priority at our Health Sciences Centre.”

Glenn Craig, the President and CEO, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, echoed Dr. Kennedy’s remarks. “A donation of this magnitude is transformational in the impact it has, not only today, but well into the future. Thanks to the Muslim Physicians, learners at the Health Sciences Centre will enhance their skills through simulation, which will ultimately benefit our families and friends when they are cared for as patients. Together, we are bringing better health care to Northwestern Ontario and our physicians are true leaders in making this possible.”

may-18-2019-sim-lab-groupDr. Stewart Kennedy and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre's Interprofessional Education team helped champion the development of the Ibn Sina Simulation Lab that will provide improved medical education. From left to right: Dr. Stewart Kennedy, Kendra Walt, Leanne Baird, Tracey Hill, Kelly Meservia-Collins, Valena Provenzano and Bruno Tassone

 

“As an academic health sciences centre, we are committed to teaching the next generation of health care professionals,” said Jean Bartkowiak, Hospital President & CEO and CEO of Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute. “In our Strategic Plan 2020, we set out to develop models and structures that would best enable teaching and research for physicians and health professionals, as well as to implement best practices in the delivery of education and knowledge transfer. This new Simulation Lab is a valuable addition to our Hospital’s teaching implements.”

Simulation education allows health care practitioners to safely acquire the skills and experience they need, in a variety of clinical settings. It is the best practice for training, and aligns our Hospital with other academic health science centres across Ontario and Canada.

may-18-2019-sim-lab-baby

Learners will have the opportunity to practice multiple scenarios related to patient care, including the care of newborns, to provide safe, quality patient care at the Hospital.

 

Dr. Alyson Dykstra, an Internal Medicine physician at our Hospital, knows first-hand how valuable simulation training is to future and current health care providers. “Simulation training really helps foster not only competence, but confidence in our ability to manage complex patient interactions,” she said. “I feel fortunate to work at a Hospital that prioritizes ongoing education that supports physicians like me to continue to provide the best care possible to our patients.”

All Hospital staff and learners at the Hospital along with our academic partners (Lakehead University, Northern Ontario School of Medicine and the Confederation College) will be able to expand their skills and knowledge in the new Ibn Sina Simulation Lab, thanks to the inspirational generosity of the Muslim Physicians in making this learning space come to life.

 

Back to Latest News