Ontario HyperbaricMedical Society |
Dr. Lisa Bahrey
[Insert biography for Dr. Bahrey here]
Dr. Constantino Balestra, MSc, PhD
Born in 1964 in Udine, Italy, one of identical twins (his brother is a tax lawyer), ‘Tino’ moved to Belgium after primary school. He completed a master’s degree in 1986, then started research in neurophysiology, successfully defending in 1995 his thesis on the physiology of human fatigue. An annexed thesis was on Doppler analysis of venous gas emboli in disabled SCUBA divers (Claudio, the twin brother is tetraplegic). This started his investigations on diving and other environmental physiology issues. He now teaches physiology, biostatistics, research methodology and biomechanics, as well as other subjects. Since 2000, Tino has been the Director of the Environmental, Occupational and Ageing Physiology Laboratory and a full-time professor at the Haute Ecole Bruxelles-Brabant (Brussels) – as well as Université Libre de Bruxelles (Motor Sciences) part of the Pôle Universitaire Bruxelles-Wallonie. He is also part of the anatomy and morphology research unit of VUB (Vrij Universiteit Brussel), based on 10 years previous experience teaching anatomy. He lectures on the pathophysiology of diving on several internationally recognized courses. He is Vice President of DAN Europe for research, education, and Past President of European Underwater and Baromedical Society (EUBS) still head of the Scientific and Education committee, Vice President of the Belgian society of Hyperbaric and Subaquatic Medicine Society. Tino has co-authored Eight books, one on “Patent Foramen Ovale and the diver”, one on “The science of Diving” (in English) and another on communication skills (in French), as well as being author or co-author of over 160 scientific publications and contributing sections to several book on diving physiology and field research on divers. He is a member of the Editorial Board of several journals and a reviewer for a number of other journals. On the non-professional side, Tino speaks 4 languages, being fluent in Italian, French and English, teaches trampoline, gymnastics and plays the saxophone. He is a rebreather diver and Diving Instructor Trainer for PADI, CMAS and CEDIP.
Dr. Gerardo Bosco, MD, PhD
MD and associate professor in exercise and sport sciences at the University of Padua. Specialist in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine, a PHD in muscle pathophysiology and a residency in Nutritional Sciences (Internal Medicine). After focusing my work on basic and clinical sciences on diving and hyperbaric medicine in 2015 I became director of a Master level II in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine. My mission in research and education is to promote prevention techniques, develop techniques to monitor patients undergoing to HBOT, and get the peak performance in elite athletes and divers, based on the study of human metabolism through different methods: invasive (blood sampling and instrumental analyses) and non-invasive such as oxygen consumption and the determination of oxidative stress and blood transmitters in saliva and urine. My goal is to investigate human metabolism and physical exercise both on the land and in the water, to discover the correct dosage of work out and oxygen, and promote new conditioning and recovery strategies to improve the performance of athletes and the quality of life of sedentary people and patients. I truly believe in interdisciplinary collaboration, promoting the growing of new research fellows worldwide
Francois Burman, BSc (ENG), INT PE, MSc
Francois is the Vice President of Safety Services at the Divers Alert Network (US). He is responsible for all safety and accident prevention initiatives, including hyperbaric facilities in the global recompression chamber network. He has written a series of books, guides, journal articles and other publications, specifically aimed at ensuring safety in the hyperbaric and diving industries, and regularly presents lectures on safety in these fields. Francois serves on a range of hyperbaric industry committees, including the UHMS Safety Committee, and several ISO, ASME-PVHO, NFPA and CSA standards committees.
Daphne Dehnam, MD, FACS, FACCWS
DR. DENHAM BIO HERE
Ludwik Fedorko, MD, PHd, FRCPC
DR. FEDORKO IS A PRACTICING ANESTHESIOLOGIST AT THE TORONTO GENERAL HOSPITAL UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK WITH SPECIAL INTERESTS IN CARDIAC, TRANSPLANT ANESTHESIA AND HYPERBARIC MEDICINE. HE HOLDS AN APPOINTMENT OF ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ANESTHESIA AND PAIN MANAGEMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO. HE RECEIVED HIS MD AT WARSAW MEDICAL SCHOOL (POLAND) AND PHD DEGREE FROM OXFORD UNIVERSITY (UK) IN NEURO- AND RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY IN 1983. HE HAS JOINED THE FACULTY OF UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO IN 1986 AT THE HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN AND SAMUEL LUNENFELD RESEARCH INSTITUTE (MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL). HE HAS JOINED DEPARTMENT OF ANESTHESIA AT THE UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK IN 1996. DR FEDORKO INTERESTS, AMONG OTHERS, SPANNED AREAS OF BRAINSTEM AND SPINAL CORD RESPIRATORY NEURAL NETWORKS, COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION AFTER CARDIAC SURGERY, ACCELERATED CARBON MONOXIDE ELIMINATION, DEVELOPMENT OF SELF-CONTAINED LIFE SUPPORT DEVICES FOR EN-ROUTE INTENSIVE CARE USED CURRENTLY BY US MARINE CORPS AS WELL AS SUPPORTING UKRAINE'S WOUNDED SOLDIERS EVACUATION EFFORTS. HE HAS DEVELOPED AND PATENTED THE METHOD FOR COMPUTER AIDED SAFER LABELLING AND MEDICATION PRACTICES IN OPERATING ROOMS, WHICH IS TODAY USED BY ALL MAJOR PROVIDERS OF EHRS IN US AND CANADA. HE ALSO HAS CONDUCTED IN THE LARGEST TO-DATE RANDOMIZED DOUBLE BLIND CLINICAL TRIAL OF HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY FOR PREVENTION OF AMPUTATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF HEALING IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS. HE HAS ALSO ENJOYED HIS PREVIOUS YEARS OF DEEP WRECK AND MIXED GAS DIVING IN ONTARIO GREAT LAKES AND THE MIGHTY ST. LAWRENCE RIVER.
Daniel Gericke, CHT, DMT-A, CDI
[MR.GERICKE BIO HERE]
ELise Greer, RRT, CHT, HBSc
Elise is currently serving as the interm Charge Respiratory Therapist and Safety Director of the Hyperbaric Medicine Unit at University Health Network Toronto General Hospital. She has a BSc Kinesiology from York University, a Respiratory Therapist Diploma from the Michener Institute, and specialized training in Hyperbaric Medicine. She has worked as Core Hyperbaric Staff since 2023 and has worked to ensure the highest safety standards in hyperbaric operations.
Dr. Rita Katznelson, MD, FRCPC
Rita Katznelson, MD, FRCPC, is a Staff Anesthesiologist and Medical Director of the Hyperbaric Medicine Unit in the Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management at the Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network and an Associate Professor of Anesthesia at the University of Toronto. She completed her training in Anesthesia in Israel and obtained fellowships in cardiac anesthesia and pain medicine at the University of Toronto. She has been practicing hyperbaric medicine since 2012. She is the Director of the Area of Focused Competency Residency Program in Hyperbaric Medicine affiliated with the University of Toronto, the first official training program in Hyperbaric Medicine in Canada. Dr. Katznelson is an author of numerous peer reviewed publications, book chapters, and is a recipient of a number of peer reviewed research grants. Her areas of interest are focused on new therapeutic applications and clinical standards of practice in hyperbaric medicine.
Dr. Katherine Marseu, BSc MD FRCPC MSc (HSEd)
Dr. Katherine Marseu obtained a BSc in Biology from the University of Western Ontario (2004), an MD from McMaster University (2007) and her FRCPC in Anesthesiology (2012). She completed her anesthesia residency and fellowship at the University of Toronto. Dr. Marseu was appointed to the Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management at Toronto General Hospital (July 1 2013), where she is a clinical anesthesiologist and hyperbaric physician. She also completed an MSc in Health Science Education from McMaster University (Sept 2015), and has been actively involved in postgraduate education throughout her career. She currently holds the positions of Chair of the Anesthesia Residency Competency Committee, and Director of Education and Competency Committee Chair for the Hyperbaric Medicine AFC Program, at U of T. Additionally, she is a Royal College Examiner in Anesthesiology and a member of the Royal College AFC Committee for Hyperbaric Medicine
Dr. Jordan Tarshis, MD, FRCPC
Dr. Jordan Tarshis is a hyperbaric medicine physician and anaesthesiologist in Toronto. He is the first physician in Canada to receive the Royal College Area of Focused Competence Diploma in Hyperbaric Medicine via the trainee route after completing this program at Toronto General Hospital / University of Toronto in 2022. Throughout his career he had an interest in simulation- based education & research as well as research ethics. He is an inaugural member of OHMS and wants this Society to forward and unify the practice of hyperbaric medicine in Ontario and beyond by promoting, high quality ethical care, clinical research, collegial and collaborative care models, and simulation-based education in this specialty. Jordan has previous experience of being a Board Member of a not-for-profit corporation, and has good working knowledge of the regulations, responsibilities and processes involved in the management of this type of organization.
Dr. Richard Moon, MD
RICHARD MOON EARNED BSC AND MD DEGREES AT MCGILL UNIVERSITY IN MONTREAL, CANADA, THEN TRAINED IN INTERNAL MEDICINE AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO. IN 1979, HE WENT TO DUKE TO TRAIN IN PULMONARY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE. AFTER PULMONARY/CRITICAL CARE FELLOWSHIP HE COMPLETED TRAINING IN ANESTHESIOLOGY AND IN 1983 JOINED THE DUKE UNIVERSITY FACULTY. HE IS PROFESSOR OF ANESTHESIOLOGY, PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE AND MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF THE DUKE CENTER FOR HYPERBARIC MEDICINE & ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY. HIS RESEARCH HAS INCLUDED THE PHYSIOLOGY OF IMMERSION AND PREDICTORS OF ARTERIAL PCO2 DURING UNDERWATER EXERCISE. HIS WORK HAS INCLUDED THE ROLE OF PATENT FORAMEN OVALE (PFO) IN DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS (DCS). HE HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN CAUSES AND PREVENTION OF IMMERSION PULMONARY EDEMA, A CONDITION THAT CONTINUES TO OCCUR IN NAVY SPECIAL FORCES TRAINEES. HE HAS BEEN SUPPORTED BY SEVERAL NAVY GRANTS, RECENTLY INCLUDING USE OF AN EXPERIMENTAL BREATHING GAS (PERFLUOROMETHANE) TO DECREASE DECOMPRESSION REQUIREMENTS AFTER HELIOX DIVE. AFTER COMPLETING HUMAN EXPERIMENTS DEMONSTRATING UPREGULATION OF MITOCHONDRIAL BIOGENESIS WITH LOW DOSE CARBON MONOXIDE EXPOSURE, HE IS CURRENTLY STUDYING ITS EFFECT ON TRAINING OF THE RESPIRATORY MUSCLES. HIS WORK HAS ALSO INCLUDED MECHANISMS OF SUDDEN DEATH DURING TRIATHLONS AND CAUSES OF PERIOPERATIVE OPIOID-INDUCED RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION, AND IMPROVED MONITORING TECHNIQUES FOR MONITORING PATIENTS TO DETECT IT. HIS AWARDS INCLUDE THE MENTORSHIP AWARD FROM THE AMA-WOMEN PHYSICIANS CONGRESS PHYSICIAN MENTOR RECOGNITION PROGRAM, LEONARD PALUMBO JR, MD FACULTY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR COMPASSIONATE PATIENT CARE AND EXCELLENCE IN THE TEACHING AND MENTORING OF YOUNG PHYSICIANS, DUKE AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN MEDICAL STUDENT EDUCATION AND TWO AWARDS AS DUKE ANESTHESIOLOGY TEACHER OF THE YEAR.
Dr. Simone Schiavo, MD, MSc
DR. SIMONE SCHIAVO COMPLETED HIS ANESTHESIA TRAINING IN MODENA (ITALY, 2014), AND A MASTER'S DEGREE IN HYPERBARIC AND DIVING MEDICINE IN PADOVA (ITALY, 2017). HE WORKED AS A STAFF IN PARMA (ITALY) FOR 4 YEARS, WITH SPECIFIC CLINICAL INTEREST FOR BOTH REGIONAL ANESTHESIA AND HYPERBARIC MEDICINE. HIS CURIOSITY FOR RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES IN HYPERBARIC PUSHED HIM TO PURSUE A HYPERBARIC MEDICINE FELLOWSHIP AT TGH, TORONTO IN 2018. THE PLAN WAS TO STAY FOR ONE YEAR, BUT HIS SECOND INTEREST (REGIONAL ANESTHESIA) GOT HIM INTO A SECOND FELLOWSHIP IN REGIONAL ANESTHESIA AT TWH, AND THEN HE FOUND A PERFECT STAFF POSITION AT TWH, WHERE HE CAN COMBINE HIS 2 INTERESTS. CURRENTLY, HE IS ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AS A CLINICIAN RESEARCHER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO, WITH SPECIFIC INTEREST IN HYPERBARIC OXYGEN; REGIONAL ANESTHESIOLOGIST STAFF, ANESTHESIA FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM COORDINATOR AT TWH. HE LIKES GOOD FOOD, GOOD WINE, GOOD FRIENDS, TRAVELLING TO THE CARIBBEANS WITH HIS WIFE AND KIDS, BUT ALSO GOING BACK TO ITALY FOR SKIING..AND HE MUST HAVE AT LEAST 3 ESPRESSOS A DAY WHEN IN THE O.R.
Dr. Elaine Silverman, MD, MPH, FACP
Dr. Silverman is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and is a physician in the Center for Hyperbaric Medicine at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC). She received her BS in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, completed her medical degree at SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse NY, and did her internal medicine residency at the University of Connecticut Medical Center. Dr. Silverman has over 30 years of experience in the practice of internal medicine and joined the Center for Hyperbaric Medicine at DHMC in 2023.
Dr. Stephen Thom, MD, PHd
DR. THOM IS A PRACTICING EMERGENCY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN PROFESSOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF MEDICINE (UMSOM). HE RECEIVED HIS BA, MD AND PHD (MICROBIAL PHYSIOLOGY) DEGREES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER AND RESIDENCY TRAINING IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE AT UCLA. AFTER 28 YEARS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA HE JOINED UMSOM IN 2013. DR. THOM MAINTAINS AN ACTIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM AND CURRENTLY DIRECTS PROJECTS TO ASSESS THE INVOLVEMENT OF INFLAMMATORY MICROPARTICLES IN DECOMPRESSION ILLNESS AND CARBON MONOXIDE EXPOSURES, AND THE INFLUENCE OF SEVERAL GENETIC POLYMORPHISMS ON STEM CELL AND LEUKOCYTE FUNCTIONS IN DIABETIC WOUND HEALING. HE HAS PUBLISHED OVER 160 PEER REVIEWED PAPERS WITH AN H-INDEX OF 54.