November 2014
Chief Operating Officer
- The budget was presented on December 4. Thank you to our Finance team and all of our Senior administrators for their work on the preparation of the budget.
- The University will be closed from December 24 to January 4 for the holidays. I wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season.
Media Relations
- On December 1, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry hosted a very successful World AIDS Day and unveiled plans for a new state-of-the-art research facility that will put Western University on the cutting-edge of HIV research. We received extensive media coverage including a front-page story in the London Free Press, radio interviews with CBC, CJBK and AM980 and a flurry of social media activity including tweets from Dr. David Hoskins, the Minister of Health and Long-term Care.
- Schulich Medicine & Dentistry’s internationalization efforts received great coverage in the media this month. Drs. Stephen Wetmore and John Denstedt were featured on CBC radio, OMNI television, CTV and in the London Free Press discussing Schulich Medicine & Dentistry's involvement in training family physicians from China.
- Actor Victor Garber toured Robarts Research Institute as part of the Leaders in Innovation events. Media was on hand to capture the moment including CTV's Canada AM.
Dentistry
- Congratulations to Kendal Creber for receiving second place in the Senior (Basic Science) Category - 2014-2015 CADR-NCOHR Student Research Awards.
- Her work “Design of an Electrospun Collagen/Periostin Scaffold for Periodontal Regeneration” was supervised by Dr. Douglas Hamilton, Oral Biology. Kendal qualifies to present her research at the CADR Annual General Meeting, which will be held in conjunction with the General Session of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) in Boston, MA in March 2015. Two of the winners will represent Canada at the Unilever/Hatton competition.
- Dentistry is part of the Phase Two website redevelopment project. In November, Dentistry completed the Cascade Content Management Training. Many thanks to our web authors and to the Communications Team members for their contributions to this project. We look forward to the new Dentistry website launch in early 2015.
Human Resources
- With the ratification of the UWOFA Collective Agreement, the Office of Faculty Relations has been conducting information sessions regarding: changes to the Faculty Collective Agreement and Immigration Processes to advise all Academic and/or Administrative Leaders of the changes within the new collective agreement. If you were unable to attend any of the sessions held during December there will be another session slated for January (official date to come). A finalized version of the updated Collective Agreement should be available for distribution by the end of January/early February 2015.
- Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and Employment Social Development Canada (ESDC) have been implementing several changes relating to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and programs and processes relating to obtaining work permits and permanent residence applications. For academic units, if you are in the process of hiring a non-Canadian candidate or if you are a faculty member on a work permit looking into applying for permanent residence; you are encouraged to contact Connie Zrini ext. 82915, Faculty Recruitment Consultant to assist you in immigration related processes.
- One of the initiatives from We Act was to facilitate a new faculty on-boarding process to educate new faculty and staff about their role, accountabilities and expectations. We are happy to announce that in January, when our new HR website launches, an orientation section with links to on-boarding checklists for both new staff and faculty will be included.
Finance
- Just a reminder that all purchase orders now have to be processed through Mustang Market. Please ensure you have received the appropriate training and contact Kristen McGill if you have any questions related to Mustang Market.
- As the holiday season is upon us and recognition of staff by way of gifts is often practised, just a reminder that gift cards are not reimbursable through the University for employees of the University. Any questions, please do not hesitate to contact any of the Finance staff.
- Our budget has now been presented to the Provost and we will be receiving approval of our budgets in early January. We will then advise you of the approval of your budget requests and send back your revised budgets.
Basic Medical Sciences
Basic Medical Sciences Undergraduate Education (BMSUE)
Dr. Candace Gibson
- In December, we focused on updating the new BMSc website before its January launch date. The new website will feature student testimonials, and clearer, more directed messaging for students in Medical Sciences and the BMSc Program. The BMSc Program video will also be highlighted on the site.
- Additional activities this month include the editing of the Academic Calendar, course timetabling and room bookings, and the collection and analysis of enrollment projections for basic medical science courses.
- In preparation for the Intent to Register (ITR) period in February and March, plans for the new year will include updating the Medical Sciences OWL site, which provides information about ITR, courses, and modules, and the coordination of ITR events with the basic medical science departments.
Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Dr. Andrew Watson
- London Health Research Day will be held on April 1, 2015 at the London Convention Centre. Abstract submissions opened December 9, and the deadline is February 2, 2015. Back by popular demand, will be industry focused workshops focused. All information about London Health Research Day 2015 can be found on the event website.
- Our monthly e-newsletter continues to be successful. It was viewed 2,960 times in the month of November. The most popular story was about Kyle Biggar, PhD. His story was viewed 844 times this past month. If you have missed it, please have a look here.
- A special holiday greeting to Staff, Departmental Chairs, Graduate and Undergraduate Chairs from Dr. Jones, Dr. Gibson and Dr. Watson; wishing you a safe & happy holiday season.
Communications and Events
- The website redevelopment project has moved into the final round of revisions for all Phase two sites. All Phase Two websites are scheduled for completion of revisions by December 19. As of this date, all websites will be done their content migration and ready for final testing.
- Throughout the month of November, the Communications Web Team reviewed all 28 websites. The review process included quality assurance, brand approval, testing multiple website elements (including links, accessibility, graphics, etc.). We have started adding final elements to the sites, such as dynamic news feeds and events listings.
- Phase two websites are scheduled to launch in late January
- More than 300 people attended the Leaders in Innovation event on November 20, featuring Victor Garber. It was a fabulous evening that highlighted the work of researchers focused on Alzheimer’s disease at Robarts. Watch the touching video shown during the event.
- Work is underway on the Dean’s Report. If you haven’t yet sent your submission to Jessica McGaw – please do so by January 5.
- Planning is underway for a number of events in 2015 including the Awards of Excellence – Windsor and London, Discover Robarts, London Health Research Day, and Homecoming.
- A committee of faculty and staff met to discuss plans for Dentistry 50th anniversary celebrations. Watch for more news about the activities and events to take place throughout 2015.
Information Services
- Western has entered into a campus agreement that allows for the installation of current versions of Microsoft Office and upgrades to the Windows Operation System at no cost to the unit. In order to be eligible, the user of the software has to be main campus (Constituent University) faculty or staff (including Graduate students) and the system on which the software will be installed must be a University owned asset. If you need additional information or would like to request software installation under the agreement, please contact the Schulich Helpdesk at 519.661.2111, x81377 or helpdesk@schulich.uwo.ca.
- The application development group is continuing their work on automating the Internationally Trained Dentist application process in SAS. We are now at the beginning of the testing phase with a projected go live date of Feb 1, 2015.
- In November, the IS server team upgraded Schulich Medicine & Dentistry’s email servers to the latest version (2014). This included an update to the Webaccess system (available at http://mail.schulich.uwo.ca) with some performance and interface improvements. Planning for the upgrade to the GroupWise desktop program is underway and will be implemented early in the new year for faculty and staff who have an @schulich.uwo.ca email address. More targeted communications will be sent out as this project progresses.
Project Management Office/Strategic Technology Commons
- The PMO has:
- Completed a change management coaching workshop for managers with Schulich Dentistry and preparing for an employee and sponsor workshop;
- Been preparing for Change Management workshops for Distributed Education Network for Sponsors, Managers and Employees;
- Completed a change management overview for BMSUE leadership;
- Registration continues for the Standard Operating Procedures Workshop (SOP) - please email stc@schulich.uwo.ca for dates or check the CPD calendar for times/dates. As well, if you have questions or need some advice or coaching related to your specific SOP's, please contact Sue Morgan.
- Strategic Technology Commons (STC) have been engaged in the following projects: SCORM tracking and Module Development; Course development and redesign for some of the Physiology courses; integrating PrepYou with lecture capture in Physiology; and course design briefs. If you are interested in instructional design or training or for any consultation, please contact stc@schulich.uwo.ca with your request.
Education
- Postgraduate Medical Education's Joan Binnendyk presented "CanMEDS in context: Engaging Residents in a Transition to Residency Program" at the International Conference on Residency Education, 2014, and received the Conference Award for "Best What Works" paper.
- Dr. Takeshi Takahashi has been appointed the Windsor Program Academic Director - Surgery (UME/PGME) effective December 1. Dr. Takahashi has his RCPSC Certification in General Surgery and currently practices at Windsor Regional Hospital's Ouellette Campus. Dr. Takahashi is also the General Surgery Section Chief, as well as the Medical Director of Trauma. Dr. Takahashi has an extensive background in research and scholarship, having authored several medical textbooks and numerous other peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Takahashi has been actively involved with teaching over the past 15 years; he joined Schulich Medicine & Dentistry’s Windsor Program in 2008.
- The Ontario Medical Student Weekend (OMSW) for undergraduate medical students from medical schools across Ontario was held on November 14-16 in Niagara Falls. Over 600 students attended the event with strong representation from Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. This year, the Distributed Education Network Program partnered with the Windsor Program for the Career Fair on November 15 and sent representatives from both programs. There was a great deal of interest from students with respect to pre-clerkships summer electives/observerships in the DEN and Windsor.
Alumni Relations and Development
- Total funds raised as of November 30: $3,310,090
- Crystal Lamb has joined us to cover Amber-Lee Beattie’s maternity leave contract. Crystal brings extensive experience in communications, alumni relations and development and we are delighted to have her aboard.
