The $120,000 award is supported by Surrey Hospitals Foundation and the UBC Faculty of Medicine and honours a UBC clinical faculty member who performs clinical duties at Surrey Memorial Hospital, the Czorny Alzheimer Centre or Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre.
Photo (L-R): Deveshi Deveshi, clinical research coordinator; Dr. Kevin Afra, executive medical director, Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention and Control; Nibi Varghese, clinical research nurse, Christopher Condin, clinical research lead.
The Sherrold Haddad Excellence in Medicine Award will bring Surrey Memorial Hospital into the A-DONUT Trial (NCT06004739)—a pan-Canadian randomized controlled study investigating whether older adults with delirium and bacteria in their urine should receive antibiotics when they have no urinary symptoms. Delirium affects up to half of hospitalized seniors, yet treatment varies widely.
As the Executive Medical Director of Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention and Control, Dr. Kevin Afra recognizes the value of evidence-based research on direct patient care.
“My research has grown organically from the challenges I see every day as an infectious diseases physician,” he says. Across Fraser Health, I’ve learned where major gaps in evidence-based practice remain—and these gaps prevent us from consistently delivering the very best care to our patients.”
Transforming Surrey Memorial Hospital into a clinical trials leader
One of Dr. Afra’s most significant achievements is establishing a robust, high-performing clinical trials program at Surrey Memorial Hospital, positioning the site as one of the leading recruiters in international randomized controlled trials studying antibiotic-resistant and hospital-acquired infections.
“Bloodstream infections are among the most serious conditions patients face in the hospital,” says Dr. Afra. “They prolong hospital stays, increase stress for families and disproportionately affect seniors and vulnerable individuals. We urgently need better evidence to guide how we treat them.”
Under his leadership, Surrey Memoria Hospital is now contributing substantially to major studies, including PETERPEN, SNAP and BALANCE+.
“I’ve been fortunate to help build a strong clinical trials program at Surrey Memorial Hospital. Our patients have been incredibly receptive to participating, and with the support of exceptional colleagues and Surrey Memorial Hospital’s Clinical Research Unit, we’ve become one of the top sites in international studies.”
A passion for research, education and capacity building
In addition to leading-edge research, Dr. Afra invests deeply in shaping the next generation of clinicians and clinician-scientists. He leads UBC’s Sepsis Week for second-year medical students and trains medical students, residents and fellows completing infectious diseases and stewardship rotations across Fraser Health.
“Dr. Afra is an extraordinary example of how UBC clinical faculty in the Fraser are advancing innovative research that delivers tangible benefits for patients and communities,” says Dr. Wyeth Wasserman, vice dean, Research, UBC Faculty of Medicine. “His commitment to expanding clinical trials capacity and to training the next generation is creating the conditions for innovative care and research to flourish across the Fraser region — making him truly deserving of this award.”