Mississauga-based dermatologist awarded Sault Ste. Marie's Medal of Merit for 2022
Since the 80's one Mississauga-based dermatologist has been visiting the Sault to care for locals and share his wealth of knowledge with area medical professionals; his name is Doctor Gary Sibbald.
Dr. Gary Sibbald in Sault Ste. Marie on Jan. 29/23. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)Sibbald is the city of Sault Ste. Marie's Medal of Merit recipient for 2022.
“There’s a satisfaction in helping others and the community support, and the other thing it did to me… by coming here working very hard for usually 5 days I can be somewhere else once a month in the world doing something else and giving back.” Said Sibbald.
Though receiving the award was a shock to Sibbald, those that have worked with him told CTV News it is well deserved.
Amy Esposito is a local nurse practitioner and did her placement with Dr. Sibbald's practice.
“He’s been an amazing resource for many primary care practitioners,” said Esposito.
“He’s made a real difference in a lot of people’s lives with regard to dermatology and wound care. So I found it really interesting and fascinating and I learned so much when I was with him.”
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
This weekend, Sibbald led a series of workshops training healthcare professionals on best practices in wound care, a field he is a world-renowned expert in.
“We’re teaching the 60-second screen for the high-risk foot, we’re looking at how to assess a shoe, we’re looking at plantar pressure redistribution devices, and how to put an insert in a shoe to redistribute pressure,” he said.
Dr. Gary Sibbald leading a workshop on wound care in Sault Ste Marie in January 2023. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)The micro-credential workshop was paid for by the Province of Ontario, a part of its $15 million investment into the development and engagement of micro-credentials.
It's a partnership between Sibbald's company Woundpedia and Sault College.
Many similar sessions have been held over Zoom, but this gathering brought in nurses, physicians and a range of professionals in the medical field.
Including those from across the country, like Dr. Rachel Asiniwasis, a dermatologist from Saskatchewan.
“Being able to come together with other practitioners from different areas, hear about their experiences. Northern Saskatchewan, northern Ontario, we’re seeing similar determinants of health, similar barriers," said Asiniwasis.
Sault College's continuing education director Lori Crosson said they know the rates of lower-limb amputations are higher in northern Ontario than the south, particularly among Indigenous people.
“By bringing this training to healthcare professionals that are working with clients that are facing skin and wound issues we can address the amputation rate,” Crosson said.
Dr. Gary Sibbald is a leading expert on wound care and regularly shares his techniques with medical professionals in Sault Ste. Marie. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)College officials said they are looking to offer the event annually going forward to strengthen medical knowledge here in the north.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.