Pam Zabel Retirement

Pamela Zabel has decided to take early retirement Feb 28, 2017 after over 33 years working for LHSC Nuclear Medicine.  Pam started October 1983 as Director of Regional Nuclear Pharmacy following a  postgrad research scholarship in Germany, grad studies at University of Alberta and Pharmacy BSc at  University of Toronto.  

Pam oversaw the Regional Nuclear Pharmacy radiopharmaceutical production and supply for regional hospitals that entailed licensing 8 radiopharmaceutical kits with Health Canada for clinical use as well as bulk contract purchasing of radiopharmaceutical products. One novel radiopharmaceutical drug agent for sentinel node detection was patented, and brought from benchtop to authorized clinical trial. This research was the focus of a Media Event of Federal Minister of Health in July 2012.  Pam was active in research with multiple publications, grants, scientific presentations and invited speaker engagements.  Pam worked on developing cost effective innovations for budgetary savings for safe efficacious radiopharmaceuticals for the London hospitals. Active involvement with the executive and boards of professional associations, regulatory task forces kept her busy.

Thirty years of Faculty post-graduate teaching of radiopharmacy to Nuclear Medicine residents means over 35% of current English speaking Nuclear Medicine Specialists participated in her course.  Several times at meetings, one would run into someone who had acquired her notes from others to study for Board exams.  

The 2010 move to Victoria Hospital was followed by a focus on radionuclidic cancer therapy.   A novel molecular targeting Lu-177 somatostatin drug product was initiated in 2011 with patient specific authorizations so that neuroendocrine cancer patients did not need to travel to Europe/Edmonton.  A LHSC sponsored clinical trial application was submitted by Pam/ Dr Reid for approval Feb 2014.  To date, over 400 specialized Lu-177 cancer therapies have been performed in London.   A CCO provincial trial is now starting.

Retirement will allow Pam to follow up on her passions for travelling, cycling, fitness, skiing, family as well as some part-time consulting.  A non-profit youth career advice social media start-up is in the works as well as some other volunteer plans.  She will miss all her colleagues: physicians, physicists, researchers, administrative/management staff, faculty and nuclear medicine technologists.  London is fortunate to have such a dedicated group of people working in Nuclear Medicine.