June 2023 Newsletter

    • Chair's Message
      In the April newsletter, I unveiled the revised Department vision, mission, guiding values and new strategic outcomes to direct our teaching, research, and clinical work over the next five years. This month, I want to expand on the details within our plan including specific strategies we will use to achieve our outcomes.

    • Undergraduate Report
      Scheduling is well underway for Meds 2025 clerkship rotations and Meds 2024 elective rotations. If you have not heard from the Department and are interested in having learners rotate with you for 2- or 4-week rotations, please reach out to Michele Vanderspank. Our Longitudinal Clinical Experience (LCE) scheduling for Meds 2026 will begin shortly. This year, students are expected to complete eight half days (or four full days) between October and May 2024.

    • Postgraduate Report
      The Family Medicine Postgraduate Program would like to sincerely thank Dr. David Huffman for his years of service as the Chatham Site Director and wish him well in his future endeavours.  Dr. Huffman will continue to mentor residents as a preceptor at the Chatham site. Following the completion of the second iteration CaRMS match, we are pleased to report that our program has filled all our residency positions.

    • Graduate Report
      Planning is underway for the Graduate Program’s on-site session that will be held in person from September 18 - 22, 2023. Two MClSc students and one PhD student have accepted offers and will be commencing in the 2023 fall term. We are looking forward to three potential thesis defences in the fall term. Stay tuned for further information. Best wishes for a healthy and safe summer. See you in September.

    • Research Report
      The Centre for Studies in Family Medicine is seeking Patient Partners.  We are looking for patient partners interested in learning about the work of family physicians, the practice of family medicine, and the organization of primary care through a monthly brown bag lunch seminar series on current research in the Department of Family Medicine. Potential partners should be 18 years or over, live in Ontario Health West Region, and be available for virtual meetings during the day.

    • In the Media
      Dr. Jane Thornton was invited to speak in an episode of Physio Explained podcast with James Armstrong (2023). The Female Athlete: What Physios Need to Know. Drs. Thomas Freeman and Moira Stewart were featured on the CFP Podcast hosted by Dr. Nick Pimlott and Dr. Sarah Fraser on June 1.  The episode “Importance of symptoms to the practice of family medicine” discussed the implications of paying greater attention to symptoms for patient care, research and teaching.

    • Researcher’s new online platform demonstrates the power of physical activity in chronic disease management
      Founded by Dr. Jane Thornton, the activity platform provides tailored exercises for those living with chronic health conditions, demonstrating the transformative power of physical activity.

    • Resident Activities
      June has been a busy month for our residents. Resident Project Day was held in person on Wednesday, June 21 for the first time in four years. On Friday, June 23 we congratulated and celebrated our graduating residents at our first in person Graduation Celebration at the Great Hall since 2019. It was wonderful to feel the excitement and vibe amongst residents, family, friends and faculty. We wish our residents the very best as they venture out into practice or into additional enhanced skills training programs in July. 

    • Staff Profile: Linda Gough 
      The Department of Family Medicine would like to introduce Linda Gough, Assistant to the Chair & Faculty Appointment Coordinator. Linda has worked in the Department of Family Medicine at Western University for 15 years supporting the Chair and managing the Faculty Appointment process. Outside of the office, Linda enjoys gardening, dancing (clogging), and playing baseball.

    • Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
      We are pleased to announce Dr. Carol Herbert has been inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place June 22 at the Halifax Convention Centre, Halifax NS. What an amazing honour to receive. Congratulations Dr. Herbert.

    • Celebrating your achievements 
      Congratulations to Dr. Alexandria Ratzki-Leewing for achieving the ‘Global Rising Star’, awarded by the International Diabetes Centre. The International Diabetes Center® is known internationally for its experience and expertise in patient education, professional training, research, and models for patient-centered care and quality improvement. 

    • Unnur Brown Leadership Award in Health Policy
      The Department of Family Medicine is once again pleased to invite applications for the Unnur Brown Leadership Award in Health Policy. The Award Criteria and Application Form can be found here.  Please note, the deadline to receive applications is 11:59pm on September 30th.  Should you have any questions, please contact Kim Champion, Administrative Assistant, Centre for Studies in Family Medicine.

    • Transdisciplinary Understanding and Training on Research – Primary Health Care (TUTOR-PHC) 2023 Annual Symposium
      TUTOR-PHC held its annual Symposium from April 24 to April 27 at the Ivey Spencer Leadership Centre in London, ON. This year the Symposium returned to an in-person event after being held virtually for the last three years. The Symposium is the start of the year-long TUTOR program. This is the 20th year of the TUTOR-PHC program – the only interdisciplinary primary health care research training program in Canada.

    • TUTOR Turns 20 – Knowledge Mobilization Symposium
      To celebrate the TUTOR-PHC program’s 20th anniversary, we held a Knowledge Mobilization Symposium from April 27 to April 28 at the Ivey Spencer Leadership Centre in London, ON.

    • 23rd International Conference on Integrated Care
      Faculty, students, and partners of DOFM traveled to Belgium in May for the 23rd International Conference on Integrated Care. Dr. Shannon Sibbald presented her work, titled A Framework to Support the Progressive Implementation of Team-Based Care for the Management of COPD: A Collective Case Study, funded by CIHR. 

    • HealtheSteps® is Recruiting Participants
      HealtheSteps is a free, 6-month, evidence-based, and virtual lifestyle program that aims to create healthier communities to reduce the risk of chronic diseases. HealtheSteps is for eligible adults (18+) interested in behavioural change support in the areas of physical activity, exercise, healthy eating, mindfulness, and time engaging with nature. 

    • NEW! HealtheSteps® is now CPD Accredited
      The Lifestyle Research Team, led by Dr. Robert Petrella, Head (Chair) of the Department of Family Practice at the University of British Columbia, are excited to announce a new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activity called HealtheSteps® Lifestyle Counselling for the Prevention of Chronic Disease for physicians and residents. By completing the CPD activities you will earn 12 Mainpro+ credits.