Ivar Mendez Explained

Ivar Mendez
Birth Place:La Paz, Bolivia
Field:neurosurgery, neuroscience, photography, sculpture, philanthropy
Work Institutions:University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Health Region, Dalhousie University, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Brain Repair Centre, Dalhousie University Neurosurgery
Alma Mater:University of Western Ontario, University of Toronto

Ivar Mendez [1] is a Canadian neurosurgeon and neuroscientist who is a professor of surgery at the University of Saskatchewan. He is known for his work in cell transplantation for Parkinson's disease and the use of remote presence robotics in neurosurgery and primary health care. In December 2022, Mendez was appointed an officer of the Order of Canada for his pioneering work in the use of remote telemedicine and robotics to revolutionize the delivery of health and patient care. Dr. Mendez is the Director of the Virtual Health Hub.[2]

Mendez served as the F.H. Wigmore Professor[3] and Provincial Head of the Department of Surgery at the University of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Health Authority from 2013 to 2022 for the Province of Saskatchewan. He also holds an appointment at the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Dalhousie University and he is one of the founders of the Brain Repair Centre.[4] He is also the president and founder of the Ivar Mendez International Foundation[5] that provides health and educational assistance to children in the Bolivian Andes. Mendez is a photographer and sculptor[6] and has published four books of photography.

Biography

Mendez was born in La Paz, Bolivia and immigrated with his family to Canada as a teenager. He obtained a BSc degree from the University of Toronto and then an M.D. from the University of Western Ontario (UWO). He did a neurosurgical residency training in London, and was certified in Neurosurgery from the Royal College of Physician and Surgeons of Canada in 1994 and from the American Board of Neurological Surgery[7] in 1996. He became a fellow of the American College of Surgeons in 1998 and became a member of the College Board of Governors[8] in 2015. His interest in regenerative medicine led him to obtain a PhD in Anatomy and Neurobiology from the UWO his PhD thesis was on "Neurotransmitter Interactions in Nigral Grafts".[9] He did a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Lund in Sweden under the supervision of Anders Björklund.[10] In 2014, Saint Mary's University (Halifax) in Nova Scotia awarded Mendez a Doctor of Science (honoris causa) degree for his contribution to Neuroscience and he was inducted a Fellow to the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. In 2016, Mendez received the Government of Canada Public Service Award of Excellence for the use of remote presence robotic technology to improve healthcare in the Canadian North. In December 2022, Mendez was appointed an officer of the Order of Canada for his pioneering work in the use of remote telemedicine and robotics to revolutionize the delivery of health and patient care in Canada and worldwide.[11] Dr. Mendez is the Director of the Virtual Health Hub.

Scientific contributions

He pioneered the technique of multiple grafts to restore dopamine input to the parkinsonian mammalian brain.[12] [13] This technique was translated into clinical trials in patients with Parkinson's disease and showed long-term survival of those grafts.[14] [15] [16] [17] He also pioneered the use of Glial Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) in combination with fetal cells in humans.[18] [19] [20] Mendez invented a transplantation delivery system to inject cells into the human brain.[21] With his team, he performed the first long-distance brain surgery robotic telementoring in the world by using a robotic arm to mentor neurosurgeons located 400 km away.[22] He is also pioneering the use of remote presence devices to deliver health care in remote locations.[23] [24] [25] In 2015, Mendez and his team printed the first 3D brain for planning deep brain stimulation surgery.[26] [27] [28] [29] [30] Research in 3D brain printing led in 2016 to the development of a virtual reality (VR) brain for medical education and surgical planning applications.[31] [32] [33] In 2020, Dr. Mendez and his remote presence technology team pioneered the use of telerobotic ultrasonography for abdominal and obstetric sonography.[34] [35] This technology was used to provide prenatal ultrasound to pregnant women living in COVID-19 outbreak communities.[36]

Inventions

Humanitarian contributions

Mendez has established a Canadian charitable organization, the Ivar Mendez International Foundation, to provide nutrition, dental care and art program to children in remote locations of the Bolivian Andes.[41]

Awards

Artistic endeavours

He has published four books of photography [51] and has had several exhibitions of his photography and sculpture [52] In October 2003 He sculpted a bust of Canadian Neurosurgeon Dr. Charles Drake was installed outside the front entrance of University Hospital in London, Ontario where Drake practiced medicine. The statue was unveiled by American Actress and Singer Della Reese whose life was saved by Drake following an Aneurysm in October 1979.[53]

Published books

Selected scientific publications

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Order of Canada appointees – December 2022 . The Governor General of Canada . 29 December 2022 . 29 December 2022 .
  2. Web site: First of its Kind Virtual Health Hub to Enhance Rural and Remote Healthcare News and Media . 2024-06-13 . Government of Saskatchewan . en.
  3. Web site: Fred. H. Wigmore Professor . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084311/http://www.medicine.usask.ca/surgery/about/wigmore-professorship.php . 2014-08-19 . 2014-08-18.
  4. Web site: Brain Repair Centre . 2019-11-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190801230402/http://www.brainrepair.ca/ . 2019-08-01 . live .
  5. Web site: Ivar Mendez International Foundation . 2019-11-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181227030943/http://ivarmendezfoundation.org/ . 2018-12-27 . live .
  6. Web site: Sculpting neurosurgeon breaks the mould . 2013-01-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120206210714/http://www.nationalreviewofmedicine.com/issue/2005/10_30/2_physician_life01_18.html . 2012-02-06 . live .
  7. Web site: American Board of Neurological Surgery. 2014-08-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20140924035259/http://www.abns.org/content/default.asp. 2014-09-24. dead.
  8. Web site: American College of Surgeons - Board of Governors. 2016-01-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20160625180329/https://www.facs.org/about-acs/governance/acs-committees/162. 2016-06-25. live.
  9. Mendez I, Elisevich K, Flumerfelt B . Dopaminergic innervation of substance P-containing striatal neurons by fetal nigral grafts: an ultrastructural double-labeling immunocytochemical study . The Journal of Comparative Neurology . 308 . 1 . 66–78 . June 1991 . 1714923 . 10.1002/cne.903080107. 34912060 . .
  10. Web site: Dr. Anders Björklund . 2014-08-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084459/http://www.med.lu.se/expmed/neurobiology/members/anders_bjoerklund . 2014-08-19 . live .
  11. Web site: 29 December 2022 . Order of Canada appointees – December 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221229155748/https://www.gg.ca/en/order-canada-appointees-december-2022 . 29 December 2022 . 29 December 2022 . Governor General of Canada.
  12. Mendez I, Sadi D, Hong M . Reconstruction of the nigrostriatal pathway by simultaneous intrastriatal and intranigral dopaminergic transplants. Journal of Neuroscience. 1996. 16. 22. 7216–7227. 8929430. 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.16-22-07216.1996. 6578939.
  13. Mendez I, Hong M . Reconstruction of the striato-nigro-striatal circuitry by simultaneous double dopaminergic grafts: a tracer study using fluorogold and horse radish peroxidase. Brain Research. December 5, 1997. 778. 1. 194–205. 9462892. 10.1016/s0006-8993(97)01055-x. 26078626.
  14. Mendez I, Dagher A, Hong M, Gaudet P, Weerasinghe S, McAlister V, King D, Desrosiers J, Darvesh S, Acorn T, Robertson H . Simultaneous intrastriatal and intranigral fetal dopaminergic grafts in patients with Parkinson's disease. Journal of Neurosurgery. 2002. 96. 3. 589–596. 11883846. 10.3171/jns.2002.96.3.0589.
  15. Mendez I, Sanchez-Pernaute R, Cooper O, Viñuela A, Ferrari D, Björklund L, Dagher A, Isacson O . Cell type analysis of fetal dopamine cell suspension transplants in striatum and substantia nigra of patients with Parkinson's disease. Brain. 2005. 128. Pt 7. 1498–1510. 15872020. 10.1093/brain/awh510. 2610438.
  16. Mendez I, Viñuela A, Astradsson A, Mukhida K, Hallett P, Robertson H, Tierney T, Holness R, Dagher A, Trojanowski JQ, Isacson O . Dopamine neurons implanted into people with Parkinson's disease survive without pathology for 14 years. Nature Medicine. May 2008. 14. 5. 507–509. 18391961. 10.1038/nm1752. 2656682.
  17. Hallett P, Cooper O, Sadi D, Robertson H, Mendez I, Isacson O . Long-term Health of Dopaminergic Neuron Transplants in Parkinson's Disease Patients. Cell Reports. June 26, 2014. 7. 6. 1755–1761. 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.05.027. 24910427. 4105701.
  18. Apostolides C, Sanford E, Hong M, Mendez I . Glial cell line--derived neurotrophic factor improves intrastriatal graft survival of stored dopaminergic cells. Neuroscience. March 1998. 83. 2. 363–372. 9460746. 10.1016/s0306-4522(97)00369-2. 29928233.
  19. Mehta V, Hong M, Spears J, Mendez I . Enhancement of graft survival and sensorimotor behavioral recovery in rats undergoing transplantation with dopaminergic cells exposed to glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor. Journal of Neurosurgery. June 1998. 88. 6. 1088–1095. 9609305. 10.3171/jns.1998.88.6.1088. 7481810 .
  20. Mendez I, Dagher A, Hong M, Hebb A, Gaudet P, Law A, Weerasinghe S, King D, Desrosiers J, Darvesh S, Acorn T, Robertson H . Exposure of human fetal nigral tissue to glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor enhances survival in two patients with Parkinson's disease. Journal of Neurosurgery. May 2000. 92. 5. 863–869. 10794303. 10.3171/jns.2000.92.5.0863.
  21. Mendez I, Hong M, Smith S, Dagher A, Desrosiers J . A neural transplantation cannula and microinjector system: experimental and clinical experience. Journal of Neurosurgery. March 2000. 92. 3. 493–499. 10701543. 10.3171/jns.2000.92.3.0493. 21561353 .
  22. Mendez I, Hill R, Clarke D, Kolyvas G, Walling S . Robotic long-distance telementoring in neurosurgery. Neurosurgery. 2005. 56. 3. 434–440. 15730568. 10.1227/01.neu.0000153928.51881.27. 37090642.
  23. Mendez I, Song M, Chiasson P, Bustamante L . Point-of-Care Programming for Neuromodulation: A Feasibility Study Using Remote Presence. Neurosurgery. January 2013. 72. 1. 99–108. 23096417. 10.1227/NEU.0b013e318276b5b2.
  24. Mendez I, Van den Hof MC . Mobile remote-presence devices for point-of-care health care delivery. Canadian Medical Association Journal. November 19, 2013. 185. 17. 1512–1516. 23775612. 10.1503/cmaj.120223. 3832559.
  25. Mendez I, Jong M, Keays-White D, Turner G . The use of remote presence for health care delivery in a northern Inuit community: a feasibility study. International Journal of Circumpolar Health. August 5, 2013. 72. 21112. 23984292. 10.3402/ijch.v72i0.21112. 3753140.
  26. Web site: 3D Print.com The First Realistic Brain Model 3D Printed to Aid with Surgical Procedure . 2015-12-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151212170958/http://3dprint.com/104305/first-realistic-brain-model/ . 2015-12-12 . live .
  27. Web site: 3Ders.org Canadian surgeon uses 3D printed realistic brain model to assist complex brain surgery . 2015-12-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151215115506/http://www.3ders.org/articles/20151111-canadian-surgeon-3d-printed-realistic-brain-model-complex-brain-surgery.html . 2015-12-15 . live .
  28. Web site: 3D MedTech Printing Conference: Saskatoon neurosurgeon 3D prints replica of patient's brain . 2015-12-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151222094041/http://www.3dmedtechprintingconference.com/tag/dr-ivar-mendez/ . 2015-12-22 . dead .
  29. Web site: The StarPhoenix: Mendez makes world breakthrough in brain science . 2019-01-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180703071556/http://thestarphoenix.com/health/family-child/mendez-makes-world-breakthrough-in-brain-science . 2018-07-03 . live .
  30. Web site: CBC News: Object of beauty, Saskatoon doctor prints 3D replica of patient's brain; Dr. Ivar Mendez says 3D technology could lead to printing other organs . 2015-12-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151208195421/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/object-of-beauty-saskatoon-doctor-prints-3d-replica-of-patient-s-brain-1.3305899 . 2015-12-08 . live .
  31. Web site: Global News: Virtual reality helping U of S students and surgeons analyze the brain like never before . 2017-01-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170115164644/http://globalnews.ca/news/3175375/virtual-reality-helping-u-of-s-students-and-surgeons-analyze-the-brain-like-never-before/ . 2017-01-15 . live .
  32. Web site: The StarPhoenix: Virtual reality heralds great leap in understanding of the brain . 2019-01-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190326184436/https://thestarphoenix.com/uncategorized/technology-2/virtual-reality-heralds-great-leap-in-our-understanding-of-the-brain . 2019-03-26 . live .
  33. Web site: 3DPrint.com: Virtual reality human brain . 2017-01-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170114184109/https://3dprint.com/161556/virtual-reality-human-brain/ . 2017-01-14 . live .
  34. A Crossover Comparison of Standard and Telerobotic Approaches to Prenatal Sonography. 29689632. 2018. Adams. S. J.. Burbridge. B. E.. Badea. A.. Kanigan. N.. Bustamante. L.. Babyn. P.. Mendez. I.. Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine . 37. 11. 2603–2612. 10.1002/jum.14619. 25757522.
  35. Telerobotic Sonography for Remote Diagnostic Imaging: Narrative Review of Current Developments and Clinical Applications. 33058242. 2021. Adams. S. J.. Burbridge. B.. Obaid. H.. Stoneham. G.. Babyn. P.. Mendez. I.. Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine . 40. 7. 1287–1306. 10.1002/jum.15525. 222832489.
  36. 33076753. 2020. Adams. S. J.. Burbridge. B.. Chatterson. L.. McKinney. V.. Babyn. P.. Mendez. I.. Telerobotic ultrasound to provide obstetrical ultrasound services remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare. 28 . 8 . 568–576. 10.1177/1357633X20965422. 7576332.
  37. Web site: Neural transplantation delivery system Canadian patent #2,282,007. 2012-03-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20140812211052/http://brevets-patents.ic.gc.ca/opic-cipo/cpd/eng/patent/2282007/summary.html?type=number_search. 2014-08-12. live.
  38. Web site: Neural transplantation delivery system US patent #7,137,969. 2019-11-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20170123232829/http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=10%2F088%2C047&OS=10%2F088%2C047&RS=10%2F088%2C047. 2017-01-23. live.
  39. Web site: Injection delivery system US patent #8,753,314 . 2019-11-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170123232820/http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8753314.PN.&OS=PN%2F8753314&RS=PN%2F8753314 . 2017-01-23 . live .
  40. Web site: Injection delivery system US patent #9,067,028 . 2019-11-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170123232824/http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN%2F9067028 . 2017-01-23 . live .
  41. Web site: Canadian Red Cross 2010 Humanitarian of the Year Award . 2013-10-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140812205227/http://www.redcross.ca/where-we-work/in-canada/nova-scotia/events/ns-humanitarian-awards/humanitarian-awards-past-recipients . 2014-08-12 . live .
  42. Web site: City of Saskatoon . July 5, 2024 . QUEEN ELIZABETH II PLATINUM JUBILEE MEDAL RECIPIENTS 2023 . live . July 5, 2024 . www.saskatoon.ca/.
  43. Web site: Public Service Award of Excellence 2016 . 13 June 2016 . 2016-12-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161220103513/https://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/psm-fpfm/modernizing-modernisation/arp/aepe16-eng.asp . 2016-12-20 . live .
  44. Web site: Ottawa Citizen: From a courageous ocean rescue to using a robot to deliver health care: Awards of Excellence . 2019-01-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180210024544/http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/from-a-courageous-ocean-rescue-to-using-a-robot-to-deliver-health-care-awards-of-excellence . 2018-02-10 . live .
  45. Web site: USASK News: University of Saskatchewan researcher part of public service award . 2016-12-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161207163001/http://news.usask.ca/articles/people/2016/u-of-s-researcher-part-of-public-service-award.php . 2016-12-07 . live .
  46. Web site: Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal . 2013-10-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924045001/http://www.gg.ca/honour.aspx?id=252555&t=13&ln=Mendez . 2015-09-24 . live .
  47. Web site: Dr. Ivar Mendez honoured for humanitarian work . 2013-10-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140812205227/http://www.redcross.ca/where-we-work/in-canada/nova-scotia/events/ns-humanitarian-awards/humanitarian-awards-past-recipients . 2014-08-12 . live .
  48. Web site: Hispanic Business: 10 most influential Hispanic Canadians – 2009 . 2013-10-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140819082149/http://www.hispanicbusiness.ca/main/Portals/0/2009%20winners%2010%20most%20influential%20Hispanic%20Canadians.pdf . 2014-08-19 . live .
  49. Web site: Dr. John Savage Award Presented to Dr. Ivar Mendez.
  50. Web site: 1999 RCPSC Medalist in Surgery . 2014-08-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140907004512/http://www.royalcollege.ca/portal/page/portal/rc/awards/awards/original_research/medal_awards/recipients_surgery . 2014-09-07 . dead .
  51. Web site: Publications . 2014-08-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140819082721/http://www.ivarmendezart.com/publications.html . 2014-08-19 . live .
  52. Web site: Solo Exhibitions . 2014-08-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170210013521/http://ivarmendezart.com/exhibits.html . 2017-02-10 . live .
  53. Web site: Dr. Drake saves della Reese - Western Alumni . 2018-08-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180814103136/http://www.alumni.westernu.ca/alumni-gazette/winter-2015/dr-drake-saves-della-reese.html . 2018-08-14 . dead .

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