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New doctor in town

In Russia, the word troika is revered. Meaning a collection of three, it permeates Russian literature, art and culture.
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Radiologist David Kisselgoff. (photo supplied)

In Russia, the word troika is revered.

Meaning a collection of three, it permeates Russian literature, art and culture. It should come as no surprise that radiologist David Kisselgoff, a native of the eastern European country’s mountainous Ural region, invoked the term on Thursday as he was introduced officially in Thunder Bay.

Kisselgoff, whose arrival in the city from a stint at McMaster University in Hamilton, follows a year of cutting through endless rolls of red tape, will be filling three roles in Thunder Bay: physician, teacher and researcher.

He’s the first scientist jointly hired by the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, and called it a unique opportunity that doesn’t come along very often in his line of work.

"People take it for granted, but this is an enormous and tremendous promotion for me to work in such a hospital," Kisselgoff said. "I can compare it with many hospitals abroad, in Israel, in the States and in Russia."

Kisselgoff will split his time, 50 per cent as a physician doing imaging diagnostics and the like, the remaining 50 per cent on the teaching and research side.

As a clinician, he’ll be working on advanced diagnostic imaging techniques, including MRI and PET scanning, on a never-ending quest to rid the world of cancer.

He understands there’s a lot expected from him, but said he’s up to the task.

"I do not (really) have time for any of them," he joked, "but I will strive to spend more time than usual to achieve the goal. It’s a challenging task, but it’s a rewarding task."

Michael Power, vice-president of regional cancer and diagnostic services at the hospital, as well as the CEO of TBRRI, said the three-for-one model is one they’d like to expand on with future hirings.

Power said the goal has always been to create a true academic health sciences centre in Thunder Bay, and now that all the physical pieces are in place, it’s time to advance the plan with top-notch scientists who can fill a variety of roles.

"Dr. David Kisselgoff is the first clinician-scientist cross-appointed with the school of medicine in our community’s history. Patients will benefit, our scientists will benefit and our medical learners will benefit. It’s a sign of things to come."

The Chelyabinsk, Russia-born Kisselfoff arrived in Thunder Bay in late September.

He was joined in the city by his physician wife and three children. He received his medical education in his native country, completed a residency program in diagnostic imaging at the Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Centre in Jerusalem and completed a fellowship in musculoskeletal radiology at McMaster, at which point he decided he wanted to remain in Canada permanently.



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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