May 2014

Chief Operating Officer

Dwayne Martins

  • Congratulations to everyone who participated in all of our Convocation proceedings. The events are an excellent example of what the end product is of everyone’s collective contributions to the Schulich Medicine & Dentistry mandate of excellence in teaching and research.

Media Relations

Kathy Wallis

  • The top three releases this past month for attracting news coverage have been Discovery Week, Ravi Menon's MS research and John McCormick's research on using strep bacteria to fight colon cancer. You can see the releases and highlighted news stories on the Media Relations page on our Schulich Medicine & Dentistry web site.   

Dentistry

Nancy Kalbfleisch

  • The 7th Annual Suzanne Bernier Memorial Lecture in Skeletal Biology was held in May - sponsored by the Dr. Suzanne Bernier Memorial Fund, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Schulich Dentistry, Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, CIHR Joint Motion Training Program, Western's Bone and Joint Initiative and Children's Health Research Institute.
  • The review committee for the 2014 Dr. Suzanne Bernier Memorial Award in Skeletal Biology assessed this year's applications on both academic achievements and research accomplishments. Congratulations to this year’s award recipient, Jacob Bedore.
  • June 13 was a special date for our 4th year students as it was their Convocation Ceremony. ‘Hats off’ to all on this extraordinary achievement.

Facilities

Kevin Inchley

  • Renovation projects proceeding this summer include MSB 016 through 029 (small group teaching rooms), MSB 384 (classroom), HSA 101 (boardroom) and DSB 1007/1008 (Graduate Orthodontic Clinic).
  • Planning is underway for a renovation of the Containment Level 2+/3 Laboratory in DSB.
  • Minor reconfigurations of people and space taking place on the second floor of CSB over the next month.

Research

Mady Hymowitz

  • A workshop for potential applicants in Pillars 3/4 for the CIHR Foundation Pilot was held in May. Approximately 35 people from Schulich Medicine & Dentistry and other Western faculties attended.
  • We are working with Research Western to plan for internal review of CIHR Foundation Pilot applications. In addition, we are developing plans for internal peer review for the March 2015 CIHR OOG competition.

Human Resources

Theresa Mugimba

  • The “We Act” Staff Focus Group sessions began on April 2, facilitated by Janet Frood from Horizon Leadership Institute Inc. Using the results from the We Speak survey, colleagues have been identifying actions to:
    • Create the best possible work experience and culture; and
    • Strengthen our capacity in order to help us achieve our departmental and faculty-wide goals
  • The focus at these sessions is on how we want our work experience and culture to be going forward, therefore input from all staff is encouraged regardless of whether or not they completed the survey.
  • 180 participants have registered to date, with 10 sessions completed and three sessions remaining. Please contact Kristen Harris for more information or to register for a session. We look forward to your participation and feedback!
  • Going forward job postings for internal positions will be posted on the main page of the Human Resources website.
  • There is currently a Call for Applications for the Clinical Research Training Director position. The posting can be found here.

Finance

Rosemary Hicks

  • The fiscal 2013/14 year-end has closed and we will be reviewing forecasted budget (per the Spring 2014 submission) to actuals, and we will be contacting you during the next few weeks to set up meetings to discuss your year-end results.
  • Just quick reminders about the use of the Pcard. The Pcard is to be used for travel and receptions for non-university employees only, unless the expense pertains to the entire Department (i.e. catering for a Department meeting). All individual travel and expenses should be reported through the PeopleSoft Employee Travel and Expense Centre.
  • We appreciate everyone's support as we ask for additional back-up for travel claims. If you have any questions about travel claims, please feel free to contact Ronnine Elston at extension 83939 or any member of the Finance Team.

Basic Medical Sciences

Basic Medical Sciences Undergraduate Education (BMSUE)
Dr. Candace Gibson

  • Convocation for BMSc students and Schulich Graduate Studies took place at Alumni Hall on June 12. Western Gold Medals and Named Awards were presented at the BMSc Awards Ceremony.
  • Adjudication decisions are being communicated to students requesting registration in Medical Sciences 2, the BMSc and Neuroscience Programs, and other Basic Medical Science modules for 2014/15. The target enrolment of 30 students in Year 2 Neuroscience was met as was the anticipated projection for students progressing into Medical Sciences 2.  
  • Preparations are underway for the start of online course registration (June 19), including training for faculty/staff members who will be involved in Summer Academic Orientation (SAO) for incoming first-year students.

Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Dr. Andrew Watson

  • Convocation for graduate students took place on June 12 following the undergraduates. Congratulations to all of our students!
  • Two students, Adrienne Elbert (Biochemistry), and Sarah Mattonen (Medical Biophysics) were selected to receive CIHR travel awards for the upcoming Canadian Student Health Research Forum (CSHRF) at the University of Manitoba in June 2014.
  • Ayden Scheim, a PhD candidate in Epidemiology & Biostatistics, has been named one of fourteen 2014 Trudeau Scholars, a highly prestigious doctoral scholarship presented by the Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation. Scheim’s research takes a social-epidemiological approach to understanding HIV-related sexual risk, poor mental health, substance use and their co-occurrence among transgender Ontarians. Congratulations Ayden!

Communications

Jennifer Parraga

  • The Communications Team is preparing an additional website launch in late June. This launch group will include the Undergraduate Medical Education website, Department of Biochemistry and a new Strategic Plan website. Work has begun on Phase Two departments and programs. There are approximately 32 websites in this phase, with two tentative launch dates in January 2015. There will be more information on Phase Two in the coming months. Please send any website feedback or questions to: kristin.tate@Schulich.uwo.ca
  • The Communications Team had a full day retreat focused on creating an operating plan for the new fiscal year. A number of new initiatives will be forth coming as a result of that planning day.
  • A great deal of planning is underway for numerous events to take place during the summer months. The most significant event is See the Line. This year there will be a CME session in the morning and the Community Symposium in the afternoon. Last year’s Symposium sold-out, so register early if you want to attend. Visit seetheline.ca
  • Distributed Medical Education is the topic for discussion in the May issue of the Dean’s video newsletter. Please watch this important video to learn more about the strategic plan and the future of our DME program.
  • We are pleased to share with you that Crystal Mackay will be moving into the Senior Media Relations Specialist position. Crystal has been a member of the Communications team for nearly 3 years, and has shared her wonderful photography, videography and writing skills with us through a number of projects. We are thrilled she will remain a member of the team in this new role. A search will get underway for a new Communications Coordinator.

Information Services

Sergio Rodriguez

  • In conjunction with Schulich Medicine & Dentistry facilities and Western facilities management, we are in the process of planning for the technology renewal of HSA101 this summer. The updated technology will include two new projectors for the front of the room for main presentations and video conferences, projectors on two side walls for added room functionality, a new monitor in the back of the room, a new sound system, and the ability to video conference within the Schulich video conferencing network as well as using web conferencing apps like blackboard collaborate, Vidyo, Skype, etc. The installation of the new technology is scheduled for mid-august.
  • We'd like to remind you that if you ever need to check to see if there are any system-wide issues, you can visit our System Health Status page  or it is available using a link from the Schulich IS main web page.
  • In order to better serve our remote customers, Schulich IS  has invested in a remote support system called Teamviewer, using this software for remote viewing will allow us to provide more effective support when troubleshooting computer issues not only within the 11 buildings that IS supports but also to any remote customer not on the Western campus.

Project Management Office/Strategic Technology Commons

Dale Shelley

  • Registration is open for a two-day 'Focus' workshop (Process Improvement & Management Methodology & Tools) for June 25-26. If you would like to participate, please send your request to pmo.inquiry@schulich.uwo.ca to register. There will likely be a hiatus for the summer unless we have sufficient requests to run additional workshops through the summer. Your feedback has been great to day, and if you are interested, register early so we can gauge of demand.
  • We would like to once again congratulate Jay Loftus on receiving his Schulich Award of Excellence honouring the great work he does in Instructional Design.  
  • SOP workshops are back on line and available with the following dates having some availability:
    • June 11, 12:30-4:30 p.m. with a follow up calibration session of July 14, 2:00-2:30 p.m. on campus, or
    • June 19, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. with calibration July 21, 10:00-11:30 a.m. at LHSC - Victoria Campus. 
    • Additional dates will available on campus and in hospital locations during July and August, depending on demand.   
  • Please e-mail stc@schulich.uwo.ca for additional dates/times or for any consultation requests related to instructional design or training.

Education

John Ruicci

  • Convocation for the MD Class of 2014 took place on May 16. In addition to this being a celebration of the graduates of the 2014 class, Professor Jacob Van Dyk was given his Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa and five faculty received their Professor Emeritus status, including our former Dean, Dr. Carol Herbert and Dr. Peter Flanagan, Director of Faculty e-Learning. Three of our faculty (Drs Rieder, Battista and Harris) received the University's highest awards for their exceptional teaching and/or research.
  • The week of May 26 was the first week of "Discovery Week". The first week had 127 first year medical students from the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry learning about health-care delivery in communities from Amherstburg to Wiarton. Week two began June 2nd with wrap-up sessions scheduled for May 30th and June 6th.
  • As of May 12, PGME has received 754 of 948 (80%) letters of appointment for continuing and new trainees for July 1 (a 10% increase from this time last year).
  • CPD has been awarded an "RCPSC Innovation Award" for its AMOSO-funded research project "Academic Detailing Intervention for Rational Polypharmacy". The research project was also selected for poster presentation at this year's Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE) conference, Milan Italy, August 30-Sept. 3.
  • As of May 30, the Master of Public Health Program has had 37 students accept their offer of admission for Sept 2014. The target is between 40-45 students.

Alumni Relations and Development

Jan New

  • A number of Chairs achieved through fundraising are in the process of proceeding through Senate for approval. Of the nine endowed Chairs created recently through fundraising, four were approved in the more distant past. The remainder are being processed. One of which is completed and passed through Senate: The Dr. Robert Zhong Chair in Translational Transplant Research. The Chair not only honours the scientific contributions of Dr. Zhong, but will accelerate SSMD's ability to attract and retain researchers. Three more Chairs are proceeding through Senate on June 6 and will be mentioned in the June Operations Update.
  • A very special gift was been made by a medical student who will graduate this year. Cailtin VandeCappelle has established an endowed Award for a medical student. Please watch for her story in the next Rapport magazine.
  • We are in the process of interviewing applicants for the position of Executive Director of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry's Development Team. A posting for a Development Associate will soon be up on Western's HR website.