At a media conference today, the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute (TBRRI), Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) celebrated a milestone for Thunder Bay’s medical community by welcoming their first jointly appointed clinician scientist.

Dr. David Kisselgoff, a Cancer Care Ontario Research Chair and radiologist, will split his time between clinical radiology at TBRHSC, imaging research at TBRRI and teaching at NOSM. He comes to Thunder Bay from Israel where he was a practicing radiologist and held several academic leadership positions at teaching hospitals.

“The recruitment of Dr. Kisselgoff exemplifies how teamwork must become the new culture of academic-based clinical and research agendas supporting Patient and Family Centred Care under evidence-based best practice,” said Dr. Gord Porter, VP of Medical and Academic Affairs, TBRHSC. “A new tripartite approach to physician recruitment was developed with extensive input and support from each organization, a true partnership model that will continue as we expand our academic, clinical and research programs. In the end, our patients will be applauding these efforts.”

Upon his recruitment Dr. Kisselgoff received one of the first Cancer Care Ontario Research Chair awards, in part due to his ability to work in three valued disciplines of clinical care, research and teaching.

"Research is an important driver in cancer control and care," said Terrence Sullivan, President and CEO, Cancer Care Ontario. "Our Research Chairs Program helps to build Ontario's capacity to translate research findings into improvements in cancer services and patient care. Dr. Kisselgoff’s appointment is an excellent example of the program’s success and demonstrates a great accomplishment for Thunder Bay."

“Dr. Kisselgoff has already proven to be an excellent addition to our diagnostic and research teams, becoming actively interested and involved in all three of our molecular imaging research areas. He shows great enthusiasm for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) research, both of which are at the core of our research and clinical trials agenda. We are very pleased to welcome him to our programs,” said Michael Power, CEO, TBRRI and VP of Regional Cancer and Diagnostic Services, TBRHSC.

"The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is pleased to work collaboratively with the Health Sciences Centre and the Research Institute to recruit clinicians with an interest in teaching and research. Dr. Kisselgoff's extensive teaching experience will make him an asset to the School. We look forward to working closely with Dr. Kisselgoff and welcome him to the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and to Thunder Bay," said Dr. William McCready, Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs, NOSM.

Dr. Kisselgoff, who is originally from the mountainous Ural region of Russia, says he was attracted by the natural beauty of Thunder Bay combined with the advanced healthcare, research and academic facilities found here.

“It’s a very exciting and unique opportunity to be involved in research, academics and clinical care as one position,” he says. “It is challenging, and also very rewarding.”