Dr. Davina Tai BE, MD, MSc, FRCPC

Dr. Tai grew up in Saskatoon. After completing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, she worked for a short time in the oil and gas industry in Alberta. She then returned to Saskatoon to pursue further undergraduate studies in Mathematics. Dr Tai completed her Doctor of Medicine and Internal Medicine residency at the University of Saskatchewan, followed by her Nephrology training at the University of Calgary (U of C). She then completed a Clinical Fellowship in Hemodialysis and Vascular Access as a Clinical Scholar in the Division of Nephrology at the U of C. Following this additional training, Dr. Tai completed a Masters of Medical Science specializing in Physiology of Hemodialysis at the University of Calgary, while continuing her position as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the U of C. Dr Tai joined the Division of Nephrology at the University of Saskatchewan in 2012. She is actively involved in administrative and educational roles in her division.  Her clinical and scholarly interests are in conventional hemodialysis and vascular access. 

 

Education:

• BE (Mechanical Engineering), University of Saskatchewan, 1998
• MD, University of Saskatchewan, 2004
• FRCPC Internal Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 2008
• FRCPC Nephrology, University of Calgary, 2009
• MSc (Medical Science, Physiology of Hemodialysis), University of Calgary, 2012

 

Select Professional Roles:

• Division Head, Division of Nephrology, University of Saskatchewan (USask), 2025-present
• Medical Director, Vascular Access, Kidney Health North, SHA, 2014-present
• Medical Director, Hemodialysis, Kidney Health North, SHA, 2024 – present
• Workplace Improvement Initiative Committee, Department of Medicine, USask, 2022-present
• Director, Foundations Kidney Urinary Tract, UGME, College of Medicine, USask, 2024
• Wellness Committee, CME, College of Medicine, USask, 2022- present
• Peer-review Research Subcommittee, Division of Nephrology, USask, 2014 – present
• Competence By Design (CBD) Committee, Nephrology Training Program, USask, 2018–2024
• Coordinator and Curriculum Designer, Academic Half Days, Nephrology Training Program, USask, 2012-2024.
• Nephrology Residency Training Committee, USask, 2012-2024.

 

Select Awards

• The Distinguished Lecturer Award, Department of Medicine, USask - for excellence in postgraduate didactic teaching (2015) 
• The Back of the Envelope Award, Department of Medicine, USask – for excellence in postgraduate informal teaching (2013)
• The Distinguished Lecturer Award, Department of Medicine, USask - for excellence in postgraduate didactic teaching (2013)
• Resident Excellence Teaching Award, Faculty of Medicine, U of C (2008)
• Dr. T.W. Wilson Award, Department of Medicine, USask – for outstanding positivity, motivating and inspiring colleagues (2007)
• Alex Trebek Senior Teaching Award, Department of Medicine, USask – for excellence in bedside, didactic and informal teaching (2007)
  
• Dr. T.W. Wilson Award, Department of Medicine, USask – for outstanding positivity, motivating and inspiring colleagues (2005)

• Patterson M, Dokouhaki P, Dumaine CS, MacKay R, Tai DJ. Brentuximab-Induced Acute Interstitial Nephritis: A Case Report. Can J Kidney Health Dis. 2024 Nov 25;11:20543581241300766. doi: 10.1177/20543581241300766.
• Richels L, Wheeler V, Dumaine C, Tai D. Frequency and Severity of Hypocalcemia in Hemodialysis Patients Receiving Denosumab.  Canadian Society of Nephrology 2024 (Published Abstract).
• Leung KCW, Tai DJ, Ravani P, Quinn RR, Scott-Douglas N, MacRae JM. Citrate vs. acetate dialysate on intradialytic heparin dose: a double blind randomized crossover study.  Hemodial Int 2016;20(4):537-547.
• Tai DJ, Leung K, Ravani P, Quinn RR, Scott-Douglas N, MacRae JM. The effect of citrate dialysate on intradialytic heparin dose in haemodialysis patients: study design of a randomised controlled trial.  BMC Nephrol 2015 Aug 25;16:147. doi: 10.1186/s12882-015-0144-z.
• Tai DJ, Conley J, Ravani P, Hemmelgarn BR, MacRae JM. Hemodialysis prescription education decreases intradialytic hypotension.  J Nephrol 2013;26(2):315-322. 
• Ravani P, Palmer SC, Oliver MJ, Quinn RR, MacRae JM, Tai DJ, Pannu NI, Thomas C, Hemmelgarn BR, Craig JC, Manns B, Tonelli M, Strippoli GFM, James MT. Associations between hemodialysis access type and clinical outcomes: A systematic review. J Am Soc Nephrol 2013 Feb;24(3):465-473.
• Tai DJ, Ahmed SB, Palacios-Derflingher L, Hemmelgarn BR, MacRae JM. Pneumatic Compression Devices During Hemodialysis: A Randomized Crossover Trial.  Dial. Transplant 2013 Apr;28(4):982-990. 
• James MT, Tai DJ, Strippoli GFM, MacRae JM, Tonelli M, Manns BJ, Hemmelgarn BR, Ravani P. Vascular access type for patients on chronic haemodialysis (Protocol). The Cochrane Collaboration, The Cochrane Library 2011, issue 9.
• Roxin G, Drolet S, Tai D, MacLean AR, Buie WD. Role of Non-Operative Therapy for Diverticulitis in Dialysis Patients.  Diseases of the Rectum & Colon 2011;54(5):e56.
• Tai DJ, Lim TW, James MT, Manns BJ, Tonelli M, Hemmelgarn BR. Cardiovascular Effects of ACE Inhibition or Angiotensin Receptor Blockade in Hemodialysis: A Meta- Analysis. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2010;5(4):623-630.
• MacRae JM, Tai DJ, Daniw M, Lee J. Letter To the Editor re: “A simple method to create buttonhole cannulation tracks in a busy hemodialysis unit.” Hemodial Int 2010;14(1):94-95.
• Tai DJ, Parker K, Conley J, MacRae JM. Exercise increases intradialytic urea clearance in chronic hemodialysis patients. American Society of Nephrology 2010, Denver, CO. November 16, 2010 and Canadian Society of Nephrology 2010, Montreal QC. May 26, 2010 (Published Abstract).
• Tai D, Sadler D, McLaughlin K. Stone Formers: How to Sort Them Out and When to Refer. Canadian J of CME 2008;20(4):43-45.