The Department of Medicine is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Antonio Aviña-Zubieta as Head, Division of Rheumatology for a five-year term effective July 1, 2022. Until then, Dr. Diane Lacaille is appointed as Interim Head effective January 1, 2022.
Dr. Antonio Aviña-Zubieta is an Associate Professor, grant tenure in the Division of Rheumatology. He is a clinician scientist with a research program that uses large administrative databases to research health services and outcomes of rheumatic diseases. Dr. Aviña-Zubieta has shared his expertise, resources, and professional networks to develop several clinical cohorts for clinical research at the Mary Pack Arthritis Centre, where he is presently the Research Director of the Lupus Clinic. He has been very successful in procuring peer-reviewed salary awards and grant research funding, as well as publishing in leading arthritis journals and mentoring trainees. Dr. Aviña-Zubieta has mentored junior clinical faculty in the Division of Rheumatology to help engage them in clinical research alongside clinical care. He has a passion for teaching and mentoring and is looking forward to connecting with members of the Division and Department to further expand research, service, and collaboration efforts.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Aviña-Zubieta on his appointment and wishing him all the best in his new role and also welcoming Dr. Lacaille as Interim Head.
Sincerely,
Anita Palepu, MD, MPH, FRCPC, MACP
Professor and Eric W. Hamber Chair
Head, Department of Medicine
University of British Columbia
Associate Editor, Annals of Internal Medicine