Ben Thomson | |
---|---|
Nationality | Canadian |
Alma mater | National University of Ireland, Cork, Western University |
Occupation(s) | Nephrologist, public health expert, educator, humanitarian physician |
Known for | Keys of Health Fellowship, EmpowerGaza |
Website | https://benthomson.org/ |
Benjamin Kervin Alan Thomson is a Canadian nephrologist, public health expert, educator, and humanitarian known for his work in improving healthcare delivery in communities both in Canada and internationally. He has contributed to developing educational programs for Indigenous communities in Ontario, establishing healthcare facilities in Uganda, and enhancing medical infrastructure in Gaza. Thomson is the founder of the Keys of Health Fellowship and co-founder of EmpowerGaza, initiatives aimed at supporting local healthcare systems in marginalized regions.
Thomson completed his medical education at the National University of Ireland, Cork, [1] followed by an Internal Medicine Clinical Fellowship at the University of Calgary. [2] He then specialized in nephrology and completed an M.Sc. in Medical Biophysics at Western University. [3]
Thomson began his academic career as an adjunct professor in the Division of Nephrology at Western University. [4] [5] He later joined Queen's University's Department of Medicine, [6] where he became an associate professor in medicine and served as the Medical Director for Home Dialysis, where he led a 289% growth in the program over three years. [7] [8]
Since 2019, Thomson has been an attending physician at Mackenzie Health in the Division of Nephrology, providing comprehensive care to both outpatient and inpatient nephrology patients. His focus includes managing chronic kidney disease and related nephrology conditions.
Since 2013, Thomson has lectured at the Islamic University of Gaza (IUG) Medical School on nephrology and internal medicine, adapting the curriculum to address the challenges of resource-limited, conflict-affected settings. [9] [10]
Thomson’s research focuses on healthcare delivery in underserved populations, including Indigenous communities and humanitarian settings, as well as on social determinants of health.
One area of Thomson's work addresses chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Indigenous populations. CKD poses a significant healthcare burden on Indigenous communities and individuals in remote areas, where evidence-based interventions are limited. Thomson’s study, published in the Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease, examines potential strategies to improve renal health outcomes for these populations. [11]
Another focus of his research examines the role of social determinants in health outcomes, which account for about 50% of ill health. Thomson has explored how incorporating social determinants into medical education could enhance healthcare delivery, with findings published in the Canadian Medical Education Journal. [12]
Thomson has also conducted research on tuberculosis, focusing on its impact and management in marginalized and remote communities. His work emphasizes the need for context-specific approaches to managing infectious diseases in underserved regions. [13] [14]
In humanitarian contexts, Thomson has written on healthcare challenges, particularly in crisis areas like Gaza. In a recent article for The Conversation in partneship with McMaster University, he examined the complexities surrounding access to life-saving dialysis treatments in conflict zones. [15] Additionally, Thomson has published on ethical considerations, including informed consent, for conducting research in humanitarian settings, where standard research practices may require adaptation to the specific challenges of these environments.
Thomson’s Kidney-CAP device, developed with the Glia team to reduce bleeding risks from dialysis access points for patients in remote settings, was based on research he co-authored studying these heightened risks. [16]
In response to the need for protective equipment in healthcare settings, Thomson and the Glia team developed a 3D-printable aerosol-reducing face shield [17] to help limit airborne disease transmission in healthcare settings. [18]
Thomson was part of a team that developed a ventilation mask designed to minimize aerosolization, reducing the risk of virus transmission in COVID-19 patients. Created from a modified firefighter's mask, this device can be used with CPAP or BiPAP machines and features a dual seal to prevent air leaks. The mask uses a filter to capture viral particles. [19] [20] [21]
Thomson developed the Kidney-CAP (Catheter Access Protection), a device designed to enhance the safety of dialysis treatment by preventing bleeding from the access points used by patients during dialysis. Developed in collaboration with the Glia team, the Kidney-CAP aims to be affordable and practical for use in low- and middle-income countries. [22]
Thomson has played a leadership role in the development and implementation of the Multi-Subspecialty Education for Low-Resource Settings (MSERS) program, an educational initiative addressing specific health challenges faced by Indigenous communities across Ontario. [23] Created in collaboration with Indigenous health leaders, MSERS delivers healthcare education tailored to the needs of First Nations communities, with content based on topics identified by Indigenous nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, and community leaders.
The program offers medical subspecialties through educational sessions led by experts. Topics include COVID-19 management, [24] women's health, internal medicine, emergency medicine, and mental health—covering conditions that are prevalent or particularly challenging to manage in remote settings. Thomson has led multiple sessions, including those on hypertension management, [25] peritoneal dialysis, and anemia in remote and Indigenous populations. [26] Each session is conducted virtually to promote accessibility for healthcare workers in remote areas.
In addition to his instructional contributions, Thomson co-leads the coordination of MSERS with a representative from Indigenous Services Canada. The MSERS program aims to strengthen healthcare capacity in Indigenous communities and provide knowledge relevant to their healthcare environments.
In Uganda, Thomson participated in medical missions in Kamengo, supporting the establishment of a Women's Health Centre in collaboration with the Agnes Zabali Boys and Girls Club and the Canada Africa Community Health Alliance (CACHA). [27]
Thomson has been actively involved in humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip, focusing on developing healthcare infrastructure and medical education in the region. His initial visit in 2013 was as part of a public health needs assessment team invited by the Gaza Ministry of Health and funded by the World Health Organization (WHO). During this assessment, Thomson evaluated nephrology services across various hospitals and clinics, identifying critical gaps and areas for improvement. [28]
Recognizing the challenges posed by unreliable electricity in Gaza's hospitals, Thomson co-founded EmpowerGaza alongside Dr. Tarek Loubani that aimed to install solar panels on four major hospitals to provide a reliable and sustainable energy source for critical care units, including emergency rooms, intensive care units, and operating theaters. This initiative addressed frequent power outages that hindered medical services, especially during times of conflict. [29] [30] [31] [32]
Thomson founded the Keys of Health Fellowship, [33] a program designed to train and empower local healthcare professionals in Gaza and other marginalized regions. [34] The fellowship seeks to reduce reliance on foreign medical missions by equipping local physicians with medical training to strengthen the local healthcare system's capacity. The name "Keys of Health" is inspired by the symbolic keys held by Palestinian families displaced during the 1948 Nakba, representing hope and the aspiration to return. Islamic Relief Canada is a partner of the Keys of Health Fellowship. [35] The Keys of Health Fellowship is an associate member of the Ontario Council for International Cooperation. [36]
Thomson is a frequent speaker on public healthcare and humanitarian issues, especially the healthcare challenges in Gaza since 2013. [37] He advocates for a ceasefire and raises awareness about the human rights violations, severe shortages of medical supplies, damaged infrastructure, and the need for international intervention to prevent further collapse. [38] [39] [40] [41] [42] He also speaks on the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus to integrate aid with long-term development.
In October 2024, Thomson spoke on the Triple Nexus approach to humanitarian, development, and peace efforts at Cooperation Canada's International Cooperation Futures conference, discussing the challenges of rebuilding Gaza's healthcare amidst conflict and blockades. He emphasized the importance of a coordinated approach and adherence to international humanitarian law for sustainable recovery. [43] Thomson also addressed the Palliative Care in Humanitarian Aid Situations and Emergencies on the dialysis crisis facing Gaza's kidney patients. [44] [45] Additionally, he delivered a lecture for Human Concern International titled "Humanitarian Healthcare in Gaza: Insights from the Ground," where he shared first-hand accounts of Gaza's critical healthcare shortages and advocated for global support and community empowerment to rebuild essential services. [46] [47] Thomson participated in Islamic Relief Canada's national tour, Imagining Liberation: The Struggle for Peace in Gaza Continues, traveling across Canada to share his experiences in Gaza and raise awareness. [48]
Following his medical missions to Gaza after October 7th, Dr. Ben Thomson joined the #EyeWitnessGaza Campaign to provide witness statements detailing the healthcare crisis in the region. [49] His accounts, along with those of other physicians who traveled to Gaza, have been submitted to the International Criminal Court (ICC), the International Court of Justice (ICJ) , and Scotland Yard as evidence in ongoing investigations into alleged human rights violations. [50]
In October 2023, Thomson was temporarily suspended by Mackenzie Health following a social media post advocating for Palestinians in Gaza. [51] Initially, Mackenzie Health issued a statement asserting that certain social media posts did not align with the organization’s values and reiterated its commitment against hate, violence, human rights violations, and terrorism. [52] After ten days, the suspension was lifted, with Mackenzie Health attributing the decision to security concerns unrelated to Thomson’s views. The hospital later stated, "it is false to suggest Dr. Thomson was suspended for his views." [53] Thomson has since filed a $1.5 million lawsuit, alleging defamation and procedural flaws. [54] A media investigation reported that screenshots from a Facebook group called "Canadian Jewish Physicians" allegedly show doctors discussing filing safety complaints against Thomson, irrespective of their validity. [55] Media reports have documented other instances where individuals faced professional consequences related to publicly expressed views on this topic in Canada. [56] [57] The Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) suggested that Thomson’s suspension, following his social media post, reflects what they describe as anti-Palestinian racism (APR). According to CJPME, Thomson’s post aimed to correct misinformation and oppose language that justified violence against Palestinians. [58] The Arab Canadian Lawyers Association defines APR as instances where criticisms of Israeli actions by Palestinians and their allies are characterized as antisemitic. [59]
Nephrology is a specialty for both adult internal medicine and pediatric medicine that concerns the study of the kidneys, specifically normal kidney function and kidney disease, the preservation of kidney health, and the treatment of kidney disease, from diet and medication to renal replacement therapy. The word "renal" is an adjective meaning "relating to the kidneys", and its roots are French or late Latin. Whereas according to some opinions, "renal" and "nephro" should be replaced with "kidney" in scientific writings such as "kidney medicine" or "kidney replacement therapy", other experts have advocated preserving the use of renal and nephro as appropriate including in "nephrology" and "renal replacement therapy", respectively.
Kidney dialysis is the process of removing excess water, solutes, and toxins from the blood in people whose kidneys can no longer perform these functions naturally. Along with kidney transplantation, it is a type of renal replacement therapy.
Kidney disease, or renal disease, technically referred to as nephropathy, is damage to or disease of a kidney. Nephritis is an inflammatory kidney disease and has several types according to the location of the inflammation. Inflammation can be diagnosed by blood tests. Nephrosis is non-inflammatory kidney disease. Nephritis and nephrosis can give rise to nephritic syndrome and nephrotic syndrome respectively. Kidney disease usually causes a loss of kidney function to some degree and can result in kidney failure, the complete loss of kidney function. Kidney failure is known as the end-stage of kidney disease, where dialysis or a kidney transplant is the only treatment option.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a type of long-term kidney disease, in which either there is a gradual loss of kidney function which occurs over a period of months to years, or an abnormal kidney structure. Initially generally no symptoms are seen, but later symptoms may include leg swelling, feeling tired, vomiting, loss of appetite, and confusion. Complications can relate to hormonal dysfunction of the kidneys and include high blood pressure, bone disease, and anemia. Additionally CKD patients have markedly increased cardiovascular complications with increased risks of death and hospitalization. CKD can lead to kidney failure requiring kidney dialysis or kidney transplantation.
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a type of dialysis that uses the peritoneum in a person's abdomen as the membrane through which fluid and dissolved substances are exchanged with the blood. It is used to remove excess fluid, correct electrolyte problems, and remove toxins in those with kidney failure. Peritoneal dialysis has better outcomes than hemodialysis during the first two years. Other benefits include greater flexibility and better tolerability in those with significant heart disease.
Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital is a hospital in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada and one of four in York Regional Municipality. Mackenzie Health in Richmond Hill is part of the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) Hospital Partnerships.
Northwest Kidney Centers is a regional, not-for-profit community-based provider of kidney dialysis, public health education, and research into the causes and treatments of chronic kidney disease. Established in Seattle in 1962, it was the world's first out-of-hospital dialysis provider. It offers dialysis throughout the greater Seattle area in 20 free-standing clinics, eight hospitals and its home dialysis program. It opened its first clinic in Everett in 2020, the organization's first in Snohomish county.
Robert Provenzano is an American nephrologist. He is also an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at Wayne State University School of Medicine.
Dialysis Clinic, Inc. is a nonprofit medical corporation founded in 1971 and chartered as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization under IRS regulations.
Mahamane Kalil Maiga is a Malian scientist and politician. He served as minister of defense and armed forces of Mali from 2002 to 2004, under the administration of President Amadou Toumani Touré.
Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh is a US American physician doing research in nephrology, kidney dialysis, nutrition, and epidemiology. He is best known as a specialist in kidney disease nutrition and chronic kidney disease and for his hypothesis about the longevity of individuals with chronic disease states, also known as reverse epidemiology including obesity paradox. According to this hypothesis, obesity or hypercholesterolemia may counterintuitively be protective and associated with greater survival in certain groups of people, such as elderly individuals, dialysis patients, or those with chronic disease states and wasting syndrome (cachexia), whereas normal to low body mass index or normal values of serum cholesterol may be detrimental and associated with worse mortality. Kalantar-Zadeh is also known for his expertise in kidney dialysis therapy, including incremental dialysis, as well as renal nutrition. He is the brother of Kourosh Kalantar-zadeh, who is an Australian scientist involved in research in the fields of materials sciences, nanotechnology, and transducers.
Ramesh Kumar is an Indian physician who specialises in Kidney diseases and a pioneer of nephrology in India and South Asia. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1992 and the Padma Bhushan in 2003 by the president of India for his pioneering, notable and continued contributions to Nephrology.
Sharon A. Anderson is an American physician, educator, and researcher practicing in Portland, Oregon. She has contributed extensively to the study of the progression of chronic kidney disease. Her research has focused on diabetic nephropathy, polycystic kidney disease and the pathophysiology of the aging kidney. She was the first woman to serve as President of the American Society of Nephrology (ASN). She was the Chief of the Department of Medicine at the Veteran's Affairs Medical Center in Portland and is currently the Chair of the Department of Medicine at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). She has been appointed to the National Institutes of Health Council of Councils. Her publications as author or co-author number greater than 150.
Sree Bhushan Raju M.D., D.M., Diplomate of National Board, is a nephrologist from Telangana, India. He is currently Senior professor and Unit head, Dept of Nephrology, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences Panjagutta, Hyderabad. Which is one of the largest Nephrology teaching Department in India having ten DM seats. He is one of the principal investigators of CKD task force by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to evaluate the prevalence of CKD in adult urban population in India. He is currently an associate editor of Indian Journal of Nephrology, Indian Journal of Organ Transplantation and Frontiers in Medicine. He is a popular advocator of Public Health and early detection of non-communicable disease. He frequency writes editorials in various Regional and National News papers about quality of care, public health, health care systems
David Wayne Johnson is an Australian nephrologist known for kidney treatments and transplants in Australia. In 2009 he was a Queensland State Finalist for Australian of the Year, for his work in the early recognition and care of people with chronic kidney disease and specifically for his work in detection of chronic kidney disease.
The Polish Society of Nephrology is a non-profit medical-scientific association, established in 1983, with a current headquarters in Warsaw that unites nephrologists, physicians and other scholars, experts and professionals in the fields of kidney diseases, dialysis therapy and renal transplantation.
Vanessa Grubbs is a nephrologist and a writer based in Oakland, California. She is an associate professor at the University of California, San Francisco. She works at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.
Bill Stone, was a nephrologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He was head of the kidney department at the Nashville Veterans Affairs Medical Center, part of the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, for over 45 years. There, in the 1970s, he began the first dialysis treatments that could be performed both in a healthcare setting and at home. During this time he helped work out how to administer safe doses of penicillin to people with kidney failure, who otherwise might develop toxic levels of penicillin in their blood.
Diaverum is a Swedish multinational healthcare organisation that provides life-enhancing renal care to patients with chronic kidney disease. The company has over 450 clinics in 24 countries, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia.
Mark Dominik Alscher is a German physician, managing director of Bosch Health Campus Stuttgart and distinguished professor at University of Tübingen. He is known for his work in the field of peritoneal dialysis, acute renal failures and medical expert systems.