The Dr. Sheldon H. Rubin Oncology Clinic at The Moncton Hospital The Moncton Hospital’s new facility is a much larger open space, allowing patients to have someone stay with them during their 2 to 3-hour treatments. The Friends of The Moncton Hospital and Horizon opened this new 17,000-square-foot facility. Facility Details 90 Arden Street, Moncton, N.B. E1C 4B7 (adjacent to the Professional Arts Building) Telephone: 506-857-5267 Other Notes: There are on-site blood collection services for oncology patients, Monday to Thursday, from 8 am to 12 pm.There are 23 parking spaces for oncology patients in the front and on the side of the Oncology Clinic. June 2016 Announcement – Clinic named “Dr. Sheldon H. Rubin Oncology Clinic” History of the Oncology Program at The Moncton Hospital Biography – Dr. Sheldon H. Rubin Article – TMH’s Oncology Clinic named for Dr. Sheldon H. Rubin “We would like to congratulate Dr. Sheldon Rubin, whose legacy as a hematologist has been honoured as the new name for The Moncton Hospital’s oncology clinic. As the founder of the clinic 47 years ago and as an incredibly dedicated physician, we can think of no one more deserving of this honour. … One of New Brunswick’s most experienced and knowledgeable cancer specialists, Dr. Sheldon Rubin spent nearly five decades caring for patients facing some of the toughest health challenges. In doing so, he earned a reputation for his kindness, compassion, humour, professionalism and quality care.” – New Brunswick Medical Society On Friday, June 10, 2016, Horizon Health Network and the Department of Health, announced the Oncology Clinic at The Moncton Hospital would be named the Dr. Sheldon H. Rubin Oncology Clinic. The announcement came as a surprise to Dr. Rubin, an Oncologist and Hematologist, who was expecting only a celebration of his recent retirement. The event was attended by hundreds of guests, including family members, former patients (including one of the first patients Dr. Rubin treated, more than 40 years ago), former colleagues, dignitaries, medical and administrative staff, and members of the Horizon Board and Executive Leadership Team. Health Minister Victor Boudreau couldn’t finish making the official announcement before the room broke out in a round of applause and standing ovation. “I don’t think I’ve seen a government decision happen so quickly,” he said. “Dr. Rubin is a well-respected oncologist/hematologist in both New Brunswick and Canada,” he said. “It is only appropriate to name the facility after him since Dr. Rubin played such a key role in establishing it.” The oncology clinic, which consists of a single wing to The Moncton Hospital, opened in 2014 and began treating patients in early 2015. It provides one of the most active medical oncology services in the province. “With this honour, Dr. Rubin’s contributions to the hospital, the community and field of medicine, his strong patient-physician relationships and his spirit of teamwork and co-operation with colleagues will inspire all who are treated or work in this state-of-the-art clinic,” said David Ferguson, former board chair of Horizon Health Network. Many of those who worked with Dr. Rubin during his time at The Moncton Hospital shared memories – of both his personal and professional sides. Nancy Parker, the hospital’s executive director, spoke of Dr. Rubin’s lasting legacy in Oncology. “(His) presence on the unit, when there was a crisis, always provided a sense of calmness during that chaos,” she said. “As the staff knew, not only were they in good hands, but so were their patients.” Ms. Jean Manship, a retired Oncology Clinic Nurse Manager, worked alongside Dr. Rubin for 26 years. She remembers Dr. Rubin, and the pharmacy team, treating a patient with arsenic. Though the unfamiliar treatment was scary at first, the patient did very well and the health care team grew in their practice. A few years later, Ms. Manship was at a national conference, and heard from nurses in Western Canada who were treating a patient with arsenic. “We were so happy to say, ‘Oh, we’ve done that’,” she said. “My point here is to say how proud we were to know that the standard of care we were providing our patients was consistent with the larger centres across Canada.” Dr. Gordon Dow, Infectious Diseases Medical Director, Ambulatory Care, reinforced Dr. Rubin’s primary role – as a doctor. “Many, many lives have been saved through this work,” said Dr. Dow. Dr. Jimmy Noonan, retired Clinical Department Head, Medical Imaging, believes his friend to be one of the best physicians in New Brunswick. “In the pantheon of all the great physicians that I know, Sheldon’s name would be right there with the greats of the game,” he said. “I can tell you, if there was such a thing as a Mount Rushmore of fine physicians in this province, Dr. Rubin would be right up there with them all.” Dr. Rubin officially retired from The Moncton Hospital in April 2016, after working at the same institution for his 41-year medical career. In 1947, the New Brunswick Department of Health opened a cancer diagnostic clinic at The Moncton Hospital in 1947, the same year the institution became a regional medical service centre, serving patients beyond the city centre. In 1951, The Moncton Hospital was one of four hospitals in the province to partake in the Cancer Control Program, financed by the provincial Department of Health. Two years later, the hospital – as it is today on MacBeath Avenue – officially opened on Aug. 21, 1953. A Cancer Clinic was one of 16 Medical Service Departments at the hospital in 1965. The diagnostic clinic, under the Provincial Cancer Program, was responsible for the registration of all patients who may have cancer, and for the follow-up of all those who had undergone treatment. In 1975, oncologist and hematologist Dr. Sheldon H. Rubin joined the staff at The Moncton Hospital. The following year, Dr. Rubin started a Chemotherapy Clinic, single-handedly serving all patients living in eastern New Brunswick. The Woods-Gordon Report on Cancer Services in New Brunswick (October 1982) and the Tertiary Care Advisory Committee report that followed (January 1983), recommended a second radiooncology centre in New Brunswick be built in, or adjoining, The Moncton Hospital. This recommendation was supported by hospital Board members and medical staff, and a presentation was made to the provincial Department of Health to this effect. However, the government eventually decided to establish the unit at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre. In the fall of 1987, a new Oncology Volunteer Program was introduced at The Moncton Hospital. The program, supported by a Terry Fox grant, saw volunteers specially trained to help cancer patients and provide support to their families. In 1997, the Oncology Clinic moved to the sixth floor of the hospital. The treatment area had 15 chairs and two stretches in a confined area (only 8,550 square feet), which meant patients couldn’t have family present during their treatment. At that time, there were 6,675 patient visits annually. In the following five years, patient numbers almost doubled: by the end of 2011, the annual number of patient visits had increased to 11,281. The clinic now regularly sees more than 12,500 patient visits a year (12,700 in 2013-14). The Moncton Hospital provides one of the most active Medical Oncology Services in New Brunswick. It’s one of the largest referral centers for Oncology in the province, with more than 50 per cent of patients coming from outside the Moncton area. About 40 per cent of all surgeries performed at the hospital are cancer related. A new $9.5 million Oncology Clinic held its grand opening in late 2014, and first welcomed patients in early 2015. Funding for the clinic came from a partnership between the Friends of The Moncton Hospital Foundation and the Province of New Brunswick. The clinic provides care through an interdisciplinary team including: Oncologists, Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses; Clerks; Social Worker; Psychologist; Dietitian and Pharmacy Staff. The new facility (17,200 square feet) offers 28 treatment stations and accommodates patients, family and staff in a safe, more efficient and confidential manner. Services include chemotherapy; education; transfusions; specimen collection; pharmacy services; clinical trials and medical and pharmacy education. There are also 23 new parking spots dedicated for clinic patients adjacent to the new facility. On June 10, 2016, Horizon Health Network and the provincial Department of Health announced the clinic would bear the name the Dr. Sheldon H. Rubin Oncology Clinic. Born on Feb. 10, 1943 to Mike and Sarah Rubin, Dr. Sheldon H. Rubin was the first practicing oncologist, as well as the second hematologist, in New Brunswick. Dr. Rubin attended Dalhousie University in Halifax for both his pre-medical (1961-64) and medical (1964-69) education. During his last year of medical school, he did his rotating internship at Halifax’s Victoria General Hospital. He was an Internal Medicine resident at the same hospital for the two years following (1969-71), before completing a Research Fellowship in hematology at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto (1971-73). He then returned to Dalhousie for a Clinical Fellowship in hematology (1973-75). He received his Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada in both internal medicine and hematology in 1974. Dr. Rubin became a staff member at The Moncton Hospital in 1975, as an oncologist and hematologist. In the same year, he also began as a consultant in the same fields at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre. The following year, 1976, Dr. Rubin established a Chemotherapy Clinic, single-handedly treating patients from the entire eastern half of the province. He established the first comprehensive Hemophiliac Clinic in the province in May 1988. The clinic, under the directorship of Dr. Rubin, was established in cooperation with the New Brunswick Haemophilia Society. With Dr. Bill Thompson, he also started the first HIV treatment program in New Brunswick, and subsequently the first Hepatitis C program. Dr. Rubin retired in April 2016. He lives in Moncton with his wife, Sharon. They have two children, Gabrielle and Mitchell, and two grandchildren, Maddison and Ethan. Selected honours include: Recipient of the N.B. Medical Society’s Dr. Garfield Moffatt Medal for Excellence in Patient Care (1999) Recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award, West Riverview Rotary Club (2000) Recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) Recipient of the Order of New Brunswick (2016) Memberships New Brunswick Medical Society Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (Internal Medicine and Hematology) Canadian Medical Association Nova Scotia Medical Association Canadian Society of Hematology American Society of Hematology International Society of Hematology American Society of Clinical Oncology Association of Hemophilia Clinic Directors of Canada Appointments Board of Directors, Canadian Cancer Society, New Brunswick Division (1979-83) Medical Advisory Board, Canadian Cancer Society, member, New Brunswick Division (1984-85) ADHDC member, Cancer Services Design Committee, New Brunswick government (1984) Medical and Scientific Advisory Council, member, Canadian Hemophilia Society (1984-85) Comprehensive Care Hemophilia Clinic, director, The Moncton Hospital (1988) Provincial Working Group Associated with national Cancer 2000 project on Cancer Prevention & Control, member (1990) Hematology/Oncology Advisory Board , member, Ortho Pharmaceutical (Canada) Ltd. (1990) New Brunswick Area Blood Services Committee, member Canadian Red Cross Society (1990) Association of Hemophilia Clinic Directors of Canada, member (1995) Cancer Services Advisory Committee to the Minister of Health, member (1996) Advisory Board Committee, member, Jenson-Ortho Inc. (2000) Canadian Advisory Board committee, member, AstraZeneca (2002) Roche Oncology Advisory Board Committee, member (2005) Assistant Professor, Dalhousie University, Department of Medicine (2013) Dr. Rubin has also written numerous papers for various medical publications and participated in many CME (continuing medical education) conferences across Canada, the United States and Europe. “I am so happy that his hard work and dedication are being recognized. He will never be forgotten.”- Marie Marjo Richard “Dr. Rubin has helped so many people fight the fight of cancer, that dreaded disease. A great man.”- Jeanne Irvine “I assisted him with a liver biopsy when I was a brand new nurse, very scared but he was very patient with me…….my patient that day after he left asked me if I knew why he was so big? She told me that his body has to be that big to hold his big heart. Proud to know this great man.”- Carlene Helmle Dr. Sheldon Rubin has long cared for the people of Moncton and beyond, and now his dedication to the community’s most vulnerable will forever be etched in the history of The Moncton Hospital. In early June, Horizon Health Network and the Department of Health announced the Oncology Clinic at The Moncton Hospital would be named the Dr. Sheldon H. Rubin Oncology Clinic. In an interview from his home a few days after the announcement, Dr. Rubin shared thoughts on his journey to becoming – in the words of his colleagues – one of the most respected oncologists in the country. Dr. Rubin’s father, Mike, came to Canada from Lithuania when he was nine years old, landing in Quebec City with his two older brothers before they made their way to New Brunswick. “He was always very smart; far smarter than I’ll ever be,” Dr. Rubin said of his father, becoming emotional. Together with his wife Sarah, a Russian immigrant and Dr. Rubin’s mother, bought a general store in Hillsborough. , Growing up in Moncton, Dr. Rubin went to a French school, Aberdeen, and graduated from the old Moncton High. On the encouragement of his parents, who held education in high regard, he took up the profession of medicine. He completed medical school at Dalhousie University in Halifax, and started working at The Moncton Hospital, performing electrocardiograms, likely (he believes) after his first year of medical school. During his third and fourth years of medical school, he began to see patients while on rounds with physicians. His choice to permanently return home to practice internal medicine filled clinical voids in both hematology and oncology. When he arrived in 1975, there were only five internal medicine physicians. There was one hematologist in Saint John, but he was a laboratory hematologist. This meant patients in Moncton travelled to Saint John or Halifax, while those on the North Shore of New Brunswick often didn’t go anywhere. When he started practicing hematology, he wasn’t sure if there were going to be enough cases, a view that quickly changed. At this time, the only cancer treatments available at the hospital were surgical. There was a radiotherapist who came down from Saint John once a week, he said, but not a lot was offered in the field of medical oncology. “In those days, oncology had a bad reputation,” he said. “It had a reputation of doing very little to help the patient, and some said it made them more sick than they were.” This mindset – and the modes of medicines – eventually changed, and Dr. Rubin saw an “evolution” of cancer care: first chemotherapy for breast cancer, then cures for small cell lung cancer and testicular and the like. It was his knowledge of drugs, and the administration of drugs, that propelled him to take up medical oncology. “My first experience was when the radiotherapist came down here (from Saint John) and saw a patient with breast cancer and suggested a chemotherapy protocol with her family doctor,” he said. The treatment was misread, and the patient became ill (though eventually recovered). After this, Dr. Rubin started seeing patients, and his medical oncology practice progressively grew. More oncologists eventually joined, and left, while he stayed put, also consulting at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre. He pushed for a full-time oncology clinic at the hospital in the early 1980s, but the government decided to build it at the Dumont. The Oncology Clinic as it is today finally became a reality in late 2014, when a grand opening was held. The clinic welcomed its first patients in early 2015. On hearing the announcement, Dr. Rubin was speechless. “I’m obviously very honoured, very touched,” he said. “I can’t express myself.” Dr. Rubin worked in the clinic for a year and a half before officially retiring in April. It’s been most beneficial for patients, and their families, he said, but from his perspective he had all he needed in a desk and examining room. Dr. Rubin’s retirement ceremony was attended by hundreds of former colleagues, patients, dignitaries and family members. Several spoke of his dedication to the hospital, oncology unit and his patients, championing him as one of the most respected physicians across Canada, but also highlighting personal attributes that made him such a great physician. Jean Manship, retired Oncology Clinic Nurse Manager, worked with Dr. Rubin for 26 years. She spoke of the physician who bought a bicycle for a young boy who lost his mom to cancer, and attended the high school graduation of patient who had a limited number of days left. Dr. Gordon Dow, Infectious Diseases Medical Director, Ambulatory Care, spoke of the Dr. Rubin’s commitment to the raison d’être of medicine. “Many, many lives have been saved through this work,” said Dr. Dow. “As a colleague, Dr. Rubin is known for his work ethic, care and passion about his patients,” echoed fellow Oncologist and Hematologist Dr. Nizar Abdel Samad. “He will go above and beyond to fight cancer for his patients, and get inaccessible drugs that other physicians may not get.” Dr. Jimmy Noonan, retired Clinical Department Head of Medical Imaging, gave insight on the fun and funny side of his friend, telling a story of how Dr. Rubin managed to get him to the hospital on a stormy night on the premise of reviewing X-Rays, when he was only wanting a lift home. “In the pantheon of all the great physicians that I know, Sheldon’s name would be right there with the greats of the game,” he said. “I can tell you, if there was such a thing as a Mount Rushmore of fine physicians in this province, Dr. Rubin would be right up there with them all.” These words, and the words of all those who’ve honoured Dr. Rubin throughout his long career, answer his wish of hoping he made his dad proud. “He always used to ask them, ‘How’s my son doing?’ and they’d tell him, ‘He’s going to be a good doctor’,” Dr. Rubin said. “He did the best he could; and I think I did the best I could.” David Ferguson, Horizon Health Network Board Chair, Hon. Chris Collins, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Dr. Nizar Abdel Samad, The Moncton Hospital, Oncologist and Hematologist, Hon. Victor Boudreau, Minister of Health, and Dr. Rubin pose for a photo with a mock-up design of the Dr. Sheldon H. Rubin Oncology Clinic. Dr. Sheldon H. Rubin speaks to friends, colleagues and patients at his retirement celebration. Dr. Rubin’s wife Sharon reacts to a visit from one of her husband’s first patients.