Ivar Mendez

Ivar Mendez
OC
Born
La Paz, Bolivia
Alma materUniversity of Western Ontario, University of Toronto
Scientific career
Fieldsneurosurgery, neuroscience, photography, sculpture, philanthropy
InstitutionsUniversity of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Health Region, Dalhousie University, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Brain Repair Centre, Dalhousie University Neurosurgery

Ivar Mendez OC[1] is a neurosurgeon, neuroscientist and Professor of Surgery at the University of Saskatchewan. He is internationally 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.[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 2013-2022 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 is dedicated to providing 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[edit]

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] considered the "father" of cell transplantation in Parkinson's disease. 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, Dr. 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, Dr. 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.[2]

Scientific contributions[edit]

He pioneered the technique of multiple grafts to restore dopamine input to the parkinsonian mammalian brain.[11][12] This technique was translated into clinical trials in patients with Parkinson's disease and showed long-term survival of those grafts.[13][14][15][16] He also pioneered the use of Glial Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) in combination with fetal cells in humans.[17][18][19] Mendez invented a transplantation delivery system to inject cells into the human brain.[20] 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. [21] He is also pioneering the use of remote presence devices to deliver health care in remote locations.[22][23][24] In 2015, Mendez and his team printed the first 3D brain for planning deep brain stimulation surgery.[25][26][27][28][29] Research in 3D brain printing led in 2016 to the development of a virtual reality (VR) brain for medical education and surgical planning applications.[30][31][32] In 2020, Dr. Mendez and his remote presence technology team pioneered the use of telerobotic ultrasonography for abdominal and obstetric sonography.[33][34] This technology was used to provide prenatal ultrasound to pregnant women living in COVID-19 outbreak communities.[35]

Inventions[edit]

  • Neural transplantation delivery system: Canadian Patent #2,281,007[36] and US Patent #7,137,969[37]
  • Injection delivery system: US Patent #8,753,314[38] and US patent #9,067,028[39]

Humanitarian contributions[edit]

Mendez has established a Canadian charitable organization, the Ivar Mendez International Foundation,[5] to provide nutrition, dental care and art program to children in remote locations of the Bolivian Andes.[40]

Awards[edit]

  • Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal 2023
  • Officer of the Order of Canada 2022
  • Government of Canada Public Service Award of Excellence 2016[41][42][43]
  • Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal[44]
  • Humanitarian of the Year Award, Canadian Red Cross - Atlantic Region[45]
  • Ten most influential Hispanics in Canada[46]
  • Dr. John Savage Memorial Award[47]
  • Royal College Medal Award - Medalist in Surgery[48]

Artistic endeavours[edit]

He has published four books of photography [49] and has had several exhibitions of his photography and sculpture [50] 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.[51]

Published books[edit]

  • Bolivia. Mendez, I. ISBN 0-920427-64-2. Glen Margaret Publishing 2006.
  • Illimani. Mendez, I. ISBN 978-1-897462-17-1. Glen Margaret Publishing 2010.
  • Bolivia - 2nd Edition. Mendez, I. ISBN 978-1-897462-26-3. Glen Margaret Publishing 2012.
  • Sariri. Mendez, I. ISBN 978-99954-2-936-2. SPC Impresores S.A. 2013.
  • Sariri. Travels Through Bolivia. Mendez, I. ISBN 978-1-988783-79-6. ynwp (Regina, Canada). 2022.

Selected scientific publications[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Order of Canada appointees – December 2022". The Governor General of Canada. 29 December 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Order of Canada appointees – December 2022". Governor General of Canada. 29 December 2022. Archived from the original on 29 December 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  3. ^ "Fred. H. Wigmore Professor". Archived from the original on 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
  4. ^ "Brain Repair Centre". Archived from the original on 2019-08-01. Retrieved 2019-11-30.
  5. ^ a b "Ivar Mendez International Foundation". Archived from the original on 2018-12-27. Retrieved 2019-11-30.
  6. ^ "Sculpting neurosurgeon breaks the mould". Archived from the original on 2012-02-06. Retrieved 2013-01-08.
  7. ^ "American Board of Neurological Surgery". Archived from the original on 2014-09-24. Retrieved 2014-08-19.
  8. ^ "American College of Surgeons - Board of Governors". Archived from the original on 2016-06-25. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
  9. ^ Mendez I, Elisevich K, Flumerfelt B (June 1991). "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. doi:10.1002/cne.903080107. PMID 1714923. S2CID 34912060..
  10. ^ "Dr. Anders Björklund". Archived from the original on 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
  11. ^ Mendez I, Sadi D, Hong M (1996). "Reconstruction of the nigrostriatal pathway by simultaneous intrastriatal and intranigral dopaminergic transplants". Journal of Neuroscience. 16 (22): 7216–7227. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.16-22-07216.1996. PMC 6578939. PMID 8929430.
  12. ^ Mendez I, Hong M (December 5, 1997). "Reconstruction of the striato-nigro-striatal circuitry by simultaneous double dopaminergic grafts: a tracer study using fluorogold and horse radish peroxidase". Brain Research. 778 (1): 194–205. doi:10.1016/s0006-8993(97)01055-x. PMID 9462892. S2CID 26078626.
  13. ^ Mendez I, Dagher A, Hong M, Gaudet P, Weerasinghe S, McAlister V, King D, Desrosiers J, Darvesh S, Acorn T, Robertson H (2002). "Simultaneous intrastriatal and intranigral fetal dopaminergic grafts in patients with Parkinson's disease". Journal of Neurosurgery. 96 (3): 589–596. doi:10.3171/jns.2002.96.3.0589. PMID 11883846.
  14. ^ Mendez I, Sanchez-Pernaute R, Cooper O, Viñuela A, Ferrari D, Björklund L, Dagher A, Isacson O (2005). "Cell type analysis of fetal dopamine cell suspension transplants in striatum and substantia nigra of patients with Parkinson's disease". Brain. 128 (Pt 7): 1498–1510. doi:10.1093/brain/awh510. PMC 2610438. PMID 15872020.
  15. ^ Mendez I, Viñuela A, Astradsson A, Mukhida K, Hallett P, Robertson H, Tierney T, Holness R, Dagher A, Trojanowski JQ, Isacson O (May 2008). "Dopamine neurons implanted into people with Parkinson's disease survive without pathology for 14 years". Nature Medicine. 14 (5): 507–509. doi:10.1038/nm1752. PMC 2656682. PMID 18391961.
  16. ^ Hallett P, Cooper O, Sadi D, Robertson H, Mendez I, Isacson O (June 26, 2014). "Long-term Health of Dopaminergic Neuron Transplants in Parkinson's Disease Patients". Cell Reports. 7 (6): 1755–1761. doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2014.05.027. PMC 4105701. PMID 24910427.
  17. ^ Apostolides C, Sanford E, Hong M, Mendez I (March 1998). "Glial cell line--derived neurotrophic factor improves intrastriatal graft survival of stored dopaminergic cells". Neuroscience. 83 (2): 363–372. doi:10.1016/s0306-4522(97)00369-2. PMID 9460746. S2CID 29928233.
  18. ^ Mehta V, Hong M, Spears J, Mendez I (June 1998). "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. 88 (6): 1088–1095. doi:10.3171/jns.1998.88.6.1088. PMID 9609305. S2CID 7481810.
  19. ^ Mendez I, Dagher A, Hong M, Hebb A, Gaudet P, Law A, Weerasinghe S, King D, Desrosiers J, Darvesh S, Acorn T, Robertson H (May 2000). "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. 92 (5): 863–869. doi:10.3171/jns.2000.92.5.0863. PMID 10794303.
  20. ^ Mendez I, Hong M, Smith S, Dagher A, Desrosiers J (March 2000). "A neural transplantation cannula and microinjector system: experimental and clinical experience". Journal of Neurosurgery. 92 (3): 493–499. doi:10.3171/jns.2000.92.3.0493. PMID 10701543. S2CID 21561353.
  21. ^ Mendez I, Hill R, Clarke D, Kolyvas G, Walling S (2005). "Robotic long-distance telementoring in neurosurgery". Neurosurgery. 56 (3): 434–440. doi:10.1227/01.neu.0000153928.51881.27. PMID 15730568. S2CID 37090642.
  22. ^ Mendez I, Song M, Chiasson P, Bustamante L (January 2013). "Point-of-Care Programming for Neuromodulation: A Feasibility Study Using Remote Presence". Neurosurgery. 72 (1): 99–108. doi:10.1227/NEU.0b013e318276b5b2. PMID 23096417.
  23. ^ Mendez I, Van den Hof MC (November 19, 2013). "Mobile remote-presence devices for point-of-care health care delivery". Canadian Medical Association Journal. 185 (17): 1512–1516. doi:10.1503/cmaj.120223. PMC 3832559. PMID 23775612.
  24. ^ Mendez I, Jong M, Keays-White D, Turner G (August 5, 2013). "The use of remote presence for health care delivery in a northern Inuit community: a feasibility study". International Journal of Circumpolar Health. 72: 21112. doi:10.3402/ijch.v72i0.21112. PMC 3753140. PMID 23984292.
  25. ^ "3D Print.com The First Realistic Brain Model 3D Printed to Aid with Surgical Procedure". Archived from the original on 2015-12-12. Retrieved 2015-12-14.
  26. ^ "3Ders.org Canadian surgeon uses 3D printed realistic brain model to assist complex brain surgery". Archived from the original on 2015-12-15. Retrieved 2015-12-14.
  27. ^ "3D MedTech Printing Conference: Saskatoon neurosurgeon 3D prints replica of patient's brain". Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2015-12-14.
  28. ^ "The StarPhoenix: Mendez makes world breakthrough in brain science". Archived from the original on 2018-07-03. Retrieved 2019-01-27.
  29. ^ "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". Archived from the original on 2015-12-08. Retrieved 2015-12-14.
  30. ^ "Global News: Virtual reality helping U of S students and surgeons analyze the brain like never before". Archived from the original on 2017-01-15. Retrieved 2017-01-16.
  31. ^ "The StarPhoenix: Virtual reality heralds great leap in understanding of the brain". Archived from the original on 2019-03-26. Retrieved 2019-01-27.
  32. ^ "3DPrint.com: Virtual reality human brain". Archived from the original on 2017-01-14. Retrieved 2017-01-16.
  33. ^ Adams, S. J.; Burbridge, B. E.; Badea, A.; Kanigan, N.; Bustamante, L.; Babyn, P.; Mendez, I. (2018). "A Crossover Comparison of Standard and Telerobotic Approaches to Prenatal Sonography". Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine. 37 (11): 2603–2612. doi:10.1002/jum.14619. PMID 29689632. S2CID 25757522.
  34. ^ Adams, S. J.; Burbridge, B.; Obaid, H.; Stoneham, G.; Babyn, P.; Mendez, I. (2021). "Telerobotic Sonography for Remote Diagnostic Imaging: Narrative Review of Current Developments and Clinical Applications". Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine. 40 (7): 1287–1306. doi:10.1002/jum.15525. PMID 33058242. S2CID 222832489.
  35. ^ Adams, S. J.; Burbridge, B.; Chatterson, L.; McKinney, V.; Babyn, P.; Mendez, I. (2020). "Telerobotic ultrasound to provide obstetrical ultrasound services remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic". Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare. 28 (8): 568–576. doi:10.1177/1357633X20965422. PMC 7576332. PMID 33076753.
  36. ^ "Neural transplantation delivery system Canadian patent #2,282,007". Archived from the original on 2014-08-12. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
  37. ^ "Neural transplantation delivery system US patent #7,137,969". Archived from the original on 2017-01-23. Retrieved 2019-11-30.
  38. ^ "Injection delivery system US patent #8,753,314". Archived from the original on 2017-01-23. Retrieved 2019-11-30.
  39. ^ "Injection delivery system US patent #9,067,028". Archived from the original on 2017-01-23. Retrieved 2019-11-30.
  40. ^ "Canadian Red Cross 2010 Humanitarian of the Year Award". Archived from the original on 2014-08-12. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  41. ^ "Public Service Award of Excellence 2016". 13 June 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
  42. ^ "Ottawa Citizen: From a courageous ocean rescue to using a robot to deliver health care: Awards of Excellence". Archived from the original on 2018-02-10. Retrieved 2019-01-27.
  43. ^ "USASK News: University of Saskatchewan researcher part of public service award". Archived from the original on 2016-12-07. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
  44. ^ "Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal". Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  45. ^ "Dr. Ivar Mendez honoured for humanitarian work". Archived from the original on 2014-08-12. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  46. ^ "Hispanic Business: 10 most influential Hispanic Canadians – 2009" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  47. ^ "Dr. John Savage Award Presented to Dr. Ivar Mendez".
  48. ^ "1999 RCPSC Medalist in Surgery". Archived from the original on 2014-09-07. Retrieved 2014-08-25.
  49. ^ "Publications". Archived from the original on 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2014-08-15.
  50. ^ "Solo Exhibitions". Archived from the original on 2017-02-10. Retrieved 2014-08-15.
  51. ^ "Dr. Drake saves della Reese - Western Alumni". Archived from the original on 2018-08-14. Retrieved 2018-08-14.
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