Meet Our Research Team

The core research team at WDMH  oversees our research projects. There are also many proxy research members to champion, inform, guide, and support projects.

At WDMH we try not to limit the term “researcher” to solely clinicians. A member of our research team could be anyone who has an idea for a project or passion for research itself - from nurses to volunteers to housekeeping staff. We also welcome students of all levels of education.

 

Dr. Mohamed Gazarin, Chief Research Officer 

Dr. Mohamed Gazarin is the current Chief Research Officer at WDMH and is also the founder of the Rural Research Network (RRN). Dr. Gazarin is an Assistant Professor at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine, and an Affiliate Investigator at The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. He obtained his doctoral degree of Pharmacy from the University of Florida in 2014 and completed the Global Clinical Scholars Research Training program with Harvard Medical School in 2019. 

Dr. Wayne Domanko, Physician Lead

We are very excited to have Dr. Wayne Domanko on the research team. Dr. Domanko joined the team upon “semi-retiring” after spending nearly 50 years as a physician in this community. Dr. Domanko is an extremely valuable asset to our team, providing extensive clinical and research experience. He also can spread change throughout not only physicians but the community as a whole. 

Clinical Team 

Sam El-aghil is a motivated Clinical Research Service provider with a decade of experience in the clinical research and pharmaceutical industry. His depth of experience managing clinical trials consists of pre-clinical and Phases II, III, and IV trials including the implementation of study protocols, research development/bench science, protocol development, feasibility, site selection and activation, patient enrollment, and clinical monitoring across Canada and the United States and study management globally. He is the founder of Dar Clinical Research, a site management organization, helping develop research in the local communities. Roles held by Sam include Research Coordinator, Budget Analyst, Clinical Project Manager, Lead Clinical Research Associate, and Senior Global Clinical Team Manager.

Ahmed Abdelmoneim is a clinical research coordinator at WDMH. He got his Doctoral degree in pharmacy ( PharmD ) from the University of Toronto and his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Carleton university. He has a wide experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including working in the Medical Affairs Department at AstraZeneca Pharmaceutical company, and participating in the launch of several clinical trials.

Sinead O’Brien is one of the Clinical Research Coordinators working at WDMH. She received her Honours Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Health Science degrees from Ontario Tech University. Previous research experience includes work based primarily in neurophysiology, using somatosensory evoked potentials and partial EEG recordings. 

Hadia Katbi is one of the Clinical Research Coordinators working at WDMH. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology and a Master’s degree in Biochemistry with a specialization in Human Genetics. She has research experience in wet labs, and a growing interest in Clinical trials.  

Huba Rana

Huba Rana is an international medical graduate from Saba University and completed a bachelor's from McGill University. She is one of the Senior Clinical Research Coordinators at WDMH.  She has a passion for clinical practice and has both outpatient and inpatient experience in different specialties like Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Nephrology, Critical Care, and Emergency Medicine. Her research projects aim to improve patient care and open new doors for the community.  She is responsible for ensuring that all clinical trials are conducted ethically and efficiently. 

Sabhat Rana (coming soon) 

Debbie Holmes  

Debbie Holmes is the Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator at WDMH.  Debbie is an RPN with near 30 years of nursing experience in the fields of geriatric, clinical settings, community nursing and acute and long-term care.  She assists the research team with recruiting and supporting them with their clinical needs.  

Investigators

Dr. Mary Naciuk received her medical degree from the University of Ottawa, where she then completed her residency in Family Medicine. She is currently the President of the Medical Staff Organization at Winchester District Memorial Hospital and is working as a Family General Practitioner at the North Dundas Medical Clinic, as an Emergency and Hospitalist Physician within Winchester District Memorial Hospital, and as a Family Medicine and ER Preceptor at the University of Ottawa. Previous roles also include the Chief of Emergency Medicine at Winchester District Memorial Hospital. Dr. Naciuk is currently the Principal Investigator on the Pfizer Paxlovid trial, the Janssen EColi Vaccine trial, and the Astra Zeneca COPD trial.

Dr. Kamal Sharma received his medical degree from Dalhousie University and completed fellowships in Cardiology and Electrocardiography at McGill University. He is the current Director of the Heart Function Clinic and Director of Echocardiography at the Cornwall hospital, the Director of Echocardiography at Winchester District Memorial Hospital, and is a Cardiologist at both the Ottawa Heart Institute and Winchester District Memorial Hospital. He is the Primary Investigator on the Pfizer Heart Failure clinical trial, which is looking to assess the global prevalence of Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy.

Dr. Jolin-Dahel completed her medical degree at the University of Ottawa. She is currently working as a Family Physician at Nation River Health clinic, with admitting privileges to Winchester District Memorial Hospital Department of Family Medicine, with cross-appointment to the departments of Obstetrics and Emergency Medicine. In addition, she is currently the Director of Quality Improvement for the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Jolin-Dahel is currently a sub-investigator for the Pfizer COVID-19  treatment trial and the Janssen EColi Vaccine trial.

Dr. Bensimon completed his Honors Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Psychology at McMaster University, followed by a Master’s degree in cellular and molecular cardiac physiology at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. He then completed his medical degree at the University of Ottawa, followed by a residency in Orthopedic Surgery at McGill University, a fellowship in Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, and a residency in Family Medicine at McGill University. His current roles include working as a Family Physician at the St Lawrence Medical Clinic, as a Hospitalist and Surgical Assistant at Winchester District Memorial Hospital, and as a member of the NRP Newborn Physician Team at Winchester District Memorial Hospital. Dr. Bensimon is currently a sub-investigator for the Pfizer Paxlovid trial.

Dr. Rimon Ghattas (coming soon)

Dr. Vikas Bhagirath (coming soon)

Message from the Chief Research Officer

Introducing research as one of our strategic priorities is one of the most exciting things to happen at WDMH. Research shakes and moves individual minds and directions. It empowers our team to challenge the unchallengeable and question the unquestionable. 

I envision three operational priorities for the Research Office:  

• Networking:
• Horizontal - with similar rural hospitals and practice sites
• Vertical - with national leaders in rural research

These three operational priorities will be achieved through a hybrid mix of short and long-term strategies.

To learn more or get involved, please email me at research@wdmh.on.ca

Dr. Mohamed Gazarin

Chief Research Officer