Feature Stories

  • SchulichMedDent Live focuses on mental health
    On Bell Let's Talk Day, we went behind the scenes at the Global MINDS Initiative to learn about the many ways that it is strengthening and developing sustainable regional and international partnerships. The initiative provides students with opportunities to improve mental health in our communities and gain intercultural experiences.

  • How do you define failure?
    This question is at the centre of the Western Perspective Project, initiative undertaken by Western's Science Students' Council to help normalize failure in academic and non-academic settings. It features several Schulich Medicine & Dentistry faculty including Nicole Campbell, PhD, Mike Boffa, PhD, Derrick McLaughlin, PhD, and Anita Woods, PhD. Learn more about the initiative through a Q&A with BMSc student Montana Hackett.

  • CIHR funding results
    Health researchers in London were awarded more than $10 million in funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, with $7.3 million supporting projects from Indigenous health to cancer immunotherapy through Schulich Medicine & Dentistry and $2.8 million through Lawson Health Research Institute.

  • Nick Vanin honoured as a Top 8 Academic All-Canadian
    Schulich Medicine student Nick Vanin was recognized for his dedication on and off the field by being named among the nation’s elite scholar-athletes with his selection as a Top 8 Academic All-Canadian.

  • A Q&A with Dr. Davy Cheng
    This month, Dr. Cheng shares the priorities for the School for the next few months, news on the budget process, an update on the search for a new Vice Dean and Director for Schulich Dentistry, and his new year's resolution.

  • MD Curriculum Renewal - Taking a closer look at the courses and the Adaptive Learner
    Exciting work is continuing on the MD Curriculum Renewal and we are breaking things down for you. This month, download a one-pager about the overall renewal and what it means to you, read more about the courses, and understand the elements of an Adaptive Learner.

  • Postgraduate Medical Education 2019 accreditation
    In November 2019, all of Schulich Medicine & Dentistry’s residency and area-of-focused-competence programs will participate in an accreditation site visit. Accreditation is an opportunity to highlight the School’s strengths and to receive feedback on areas for improvement and growth. Download the one-pager to learn more about accreditation and what it means to you.

  • SchulichMedDent Live: Exploring 3D-ultrasound technology
    A true example of innovation in action. A recent episode of SchulichMedDent Live was broadcast from Robarts Research Institute, featuring Aaron Fenster, PhD, and trainees Jessica Rodgers and Derek Gillies. Learn how 3D-ultrasound technology is improving care for patients.

  • Dr. David Steven appointed as Chair/Chief, Clinical Neurological Science
    Dr. David A. Steven has been appointed as Chair/Chief, Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University and its teaching hospitals, London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph's Health Care London, effective January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2023.

  • Francisco Olea Popelka, PhD, appointed as the Beryl Ivey Endowed Chair in One Health
    Francisco Olea-Popelka, PhD, has been appointed as the Beryl Ivey Endowed Chair in One Health, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University effective Jan 2, 2019 – Jan 1, 2024.

  • Celebrating your achievements
    Congratulations to Jerry Battista, Fabiana Crowley, Tim Doherty, Andrew House, Terri MacDougall, Louise Moist, Adrian Owen, Matthew Teeter and many others on your recent accomplishments.

  • Commitment to the Community: Gerry Cooper
    Gerry Cooper has been involved with the Canadian Mental Health Association for close to 40 years. When he returned to Windsor in 2011, it seemed natural to become involved with the organization locally.

  • The Next Generation: Austyn Roseborough
    Austyn Roseborough, MD/PhD Candidate and long-distance triathlon competitor, exemplifies endurance in sport and science.

  • Robarts Research Institute: Mamadou Diop, PhD
    Mamadou Diop, PhD, is focused on tissue health, developing non-invasive technologies to measure specific biomarkers, such as tissue blood flow and oxygen saturation.

  • Q&A with Dr. Rochelle Dworkin
    Thirty-two years ago, Dr. Rochelle Dworkin arrived in Hanover with plans to do a six-month locum. Although now retired, her passion for medical education and rural medicine continues.

  • Resident Spotlight: Dr. Caroline Just
    Dr. Caroline Just, PGY5 Neurology, encourages her peers to support one another through the challenges of residency.

  • Fundraising: Gifts from alumni and friends
    Gifts from alumni and friends continue to support Dentistry, the Schulich Fund, and student awards and bursaries.

  • Women of Excellence inspired by those around them
    In February, Dr. Bertha Garcia was named a 2019 Women of Excellence award recipient from the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario. Recently, she was joined by three other recipients, Drs. Carol Herbert, Cindy Hutnik, and Gillian Kernaghan, to reflect on the humbling experience and how other women serve as their ongoing inspiration.

  • New funding for Research in Education
    Congratulations to Sayra Cristancho, PhD, and Dr. Chris Watling and their teams on receiving internal funding grants for their education research. Cristancho's project is entitled, "Unintended consequences: Mapping the effects of CBD implementation," and Dr. Watling's project is entitled, "Exploring Indigenous Learners’ Motivation and Pathway into the Healthcare Profession: A Visual-Based Narrative Inquiry."

  • 2019 CaRMS Results
    On February 26, medical students from across Canada learned their residency match results as the first iteration of the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) process became available.

  • Taking on the three-minute challenge
    An 80,000-word PhD thesis would take about nine hours to present. You have only three minutes. Are you up for the challenge? Fifteen Schulich Medicine & Dentistry graduate trainees participated in the 2019 Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Faculty Heat this month, showcasing their research communication skills.

  • MD Curriculum Renewal - Small and Large Group Learning
    Learn more about Small and Large Group Learning, key features in the renewed curriculum.

  • BioMedical Research Facility update
    Planning for the new BioMedical Research Facility is continuing and progress has been made on the foundational steps required in advance of groundbreaking and the commencement of construction. A recent outline of projected costs for the building exceeded our budget by a significant amount. As a result, we decided to temporarily suspend the project to review our options in moving the project forward.

  • MD Program Interim Accreditation Review
    On March 19 and 20, the interim accreditation review will take place at the School. This is a formative continuous quality improvement exercise and the School has embraced a low resource approach.

  • Faculty Profile: Dr. Antonios Mamandras
    During his 37 years at Western, Dr. Mamandras has worked with more than 120 residents and guided treatment for hundreds of patients. According to the long-serving chairman, the key to the Program’s success is relationships.

  • Dr. Harris reappointed as the Canadian Diabetes Association Chair in Diabetes Management
    Dr. Stewart Harris has been reappointed to his third term as the Canadian Diabetes Association Chair in Diabetes Management at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University effective January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2023.

  • Celebrating your achievements
    Congratulations to Dr. Bertha Garcia, Dr. Les Kalman, Dr. Jennifer Vergel de Dios and Dr. Justin Yan on their recent achievements.

  • Commitment to the Community: Jennifer Devlin
    Jennifer Devlin is an active volunteer with St. John’s Hospitality Dinners, the Ronald McDonald House, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, as well as her church. And she still finds time to participate on multiple committees.

  • The Next Generation: Jessica Schill, MPH Candidate
    Jessica Schill, MPH Candidate, brings her experiences in agriculture and nursing to the study of public health

  • Distributed Education:
    Distributed Education: Inspiring youth to discover health care

  • Resident Spotlight: Dr. Chris Tran, PGY3
    Dr. Chris Tran, PGY3, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine found his calling after shadowing a pathologist.

  • Fundraising: Recent donations
    Recent donations have supported research programs and residents in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.

  • 2019 Awards of Excellence recipients
    The 2019 Awards of Excellence recipients from Schulich Medicine & Dentistry's London and Windsor Campuses are making a difference at the School each and every day. It is with great pride that we recognize and honour their achievements.

  • Gregor Reid, PhD, recognized as 2019 Distinguished University Professor
    Professor Reid is recognized as a Canadian and international pioneer in the areas of probiotics, beneficial microbes and the microbiome. He has more than 500 publications to his name with more than 30,000 citations and a Google Scholar H-index of 93 – which places him in the top one per cent of researchers worldwide in microbiology and the microbiome.

  • Three named Faculty Scholars
    Alison Allan, PhD, Shelley McKellar, PhD, and Dr. David Palma were recently named 2019 Faculty Scholars, along with eight of their peers. Recipients are considered all-around scholars and will hold the title of Faculty Scholar for two years and receive $7,000 each year for scholarly activities.

  • CFI funding provides support for translational research
    Schulich Medicine & Dentistry faculty members Grace Parraga, PhD, and Rithwik Ramachandran, PhD, were announced as recipients of funding through the through CFI’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund. These grants help researchers at universities across the country by giving them the tools and equipment they need to become leaders in their field.

  • Multi-million dollar partnership with Canon Medical to advance imaging research
    The new partnership includes the investment of $4.5 million in medical imaging research equipment at Robarts Research Institute and the establishment of a new training academy.

  • Western celebrates top teaching talent
    Eleven winners, representing three different faculties, have been awarded Western’s highest honours for inspiring active and deep learning in their students. This year’s winners join a company of teachers nearly a quarter-century strong.

  • A Q&A with Dr. Davy Cheng
    This month, Dr. Cheng provides updates on the budget, faculty recruitment, advancing the outcomes of the operational and budget reviews from 2018 and more details on the Times Higher Education Teaching Summit taking place at Western in June 2019.

  • Project Manager announced to support School's review process
    During the first six months of 2018, nearly 120 faculty, staff and students participated in a review process of the School’s financial and operational systems and structures. The School is now ready to begin identifying relevant themes and prioritizing these recommendations. This work will be done through the Dean's Office with support from Rachel Halaney.

  • City Council votes to test installation of naloxone kits
    After a year of review, London City Councillors voted on March 5 to move forward with a pilot project to include naloxone in 29 city-owned facilities in London. This project was initiated by Schulich Medicine students who are members of the Political Advocacy Committee.

  • Creating a holistic picture of patient-centred care
    The 2019 Interprofessional Education Day hosted 800 students from the fields of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, social work and dietetics who spent an afternoon learning about collaborative health care teams and appreciating the impact these professionals have on patients.

  • MD Curriculum Renewal
    This month, we are providing more details on the integrated medical education components of the renewed curriculum. We have also prepared a short video highlighting some of the key elements of the curriculum renewal.

  • Two-Eyed Seeing: The gift of multiple perspectives
    Two CIHR-funded research projects led by Maria Matthews, PhD, and Lloy Wylie PhD, are embracing an approach to incorporate community perspectives and knowledge to advance equity in health care and training for Indigenous communities.

  • Celebrating your achievements
    Congratulations to Lillian Barra, Susan Huang, Daniel Grushka, Bharat Markandey, Sarah Morrow, Janet Pope, Timothy Scholl, Ron Vander and many others for your outstanding accomplishments and honours received this past month.

  • Commitment to Community
    Colleagues Jessica Jamieson, Rodger Moran, Seidy Rayo and Morgan Sherriff share a passion for animals and volunteer their time at the London Humane Society.

  • The Next Generation: Mihai Dumbrava
    Mihai Dumbrava is building a foundation for a career in health research.

  • Vania Prado, PhD, is driven to find answers
    Vania Prado, PhD, is driven to find answers that will lead to new treatments, and even a cure, for Alzheimer’s disease.

  • Distributed Education: Join us for Discovery Week
    Distributed Education: Join us for Discovery Week and help give aspiring physicians an opportunity to engage with your community.

  • Resident Spotlight: Dr. Janine Hutson
    Former Vanier Scholar and fifth-year Ob/Gyn resident Dr. Janine Hutson feels privileged to share in the happiest moments of her patients' lives.

  • Fundraising: Recent donations
    Recent donations were made to honour and recognize past mentors and loved ones.

  • Faculty members named Alumni of Distinction
    Congratulations to Antonios Mamandras, Gordon Payne, Jane Rylett and Penny Thornton who have been named as 2019 Alumni of Distinction at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. They will be recognized during the 2019 Homecoming celebrations along with Sean Bendall, Richard Hawkins and Danyaal Raza.

  • Research collaborations funded through Seed Grant program
    Six new interdisciplinary research teams have received funding from the Collaborative Research Seed Grants (CRSG) program at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. The intent of the grants is to promote new collaborations that build on different scientific and scholarly backgrounds, to facilitate breakthroughs in solving research questions in a collaborative manner.

  • Schulich Dentistry accreditation update
    Schulich Dentistry graduate and postgraduate programs are reviewed for accreditation by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC). All four programs are accredited, and the School is now working on meeting recommendations made by the CDAC.

  • Introducing the 12 MD Program Entrustable Professional Activities
    With the launch of the renewed MD Curriculum in September 2019, the Association of the Faculties of Medicine of Canada Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) will be integrated into the new four-year curriculum. Learn more about the EPAs, and find out which of your colleagues is on the task force.

  • Celebrating your Achievements
    Congratulations to Matthew Cecchini, Lauren Cipriano, Lorelei Lingard, Janet Martin, Andrew Pruszynski and others for their achievements this month.

  • Commitment to Community: Building awareness and promoting physical activity
    Dr. Steven Macaluso recently traveled to Scotland with the national wheelchair curling team, serving as their doctor.

  • Research Profile
    3D ultrasound gives clinicians a clearer picture to guide treatment for gynaecological cancer.

  • Distributed Education: Teen campers across Southwester Ontario learn about careers
    Join us for Discovery Week and help give aspiring physicians an opportunity to engage with your community.

  • Resident Spotlight: Dr. Lauren Riggen, PGY 4, Psychiatry
    Dr. Lauren Riggen, PGY4 Psychiatry, loves being a resident and have the opportunity to learn, teach and care for patients.

  • Donations and investments
    This past month, a number of donations and sponsorship investments were made in support of scholarships, research, the Schulich Fund and the See the Line event.

  • Improving outcomes for fracture clinic patients
    The fracture clinic in London, Ontario is a bustling place, with surgeons and trainees often seeing more than 70 patients each day. The busy clinic presents a range of challenges for health care workers, creating opportunities for academic surgeons like Dr. Emil Schemitsch to ask important research questions and hunt for answers.

  • Bringing healing into focus
    Dr. Chris McIntyre and his research team asked the question why do some dialysis patients experience depression, while others remain hopeful, outward looking and enjoy rich lives even though they are experiencing similar physiological changes as those who are struggling? He undertook a unique research project and gave 34 participants cameras to document their lives. The team hoped that if they could better understand where and how certain patients gained that resilience, it could be transferable.

  • 2019 Awards of Excellence recipients to be celebrated
    The annual Awards of Excellence Dinner will be held during the evening of May 30. In advance of that evening, you can read more about the recipients and their tremendous contributions.

  • Indigenous Leader in Residence
    A new position for an Indigenous Leader in Residence has been created at the School. This new leader will act as the champion for all aspects of the School’s Indigenous Health Action Plan and guide the School as it strives to achieve the goals set out by the Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action specifically related to health care education.

  • Dr. Bertha Garcia to serve as Acting Vice Dean & Director of Dentistry
    Dr. Garcia will serve in this role beginning June 1, 2019 until May 31, 2020 or until a permanent Vice Dean & Director is selected. She will be spending three half days per week in Dentistry and providing Dr. Davy Cheng strong support to advance continued work on the renewal for Dentistry and accreditation recommendations. The School will be moving forward with a new search for a permanent Vice Dean & Director, as the previous search was not successful.

  • Jane Rylett, PhD, appointed Scientific Director of CIHR's Institute of Aging
    Rylett will work with her community to identify research priorities, develop funding opportunities, build partnerships, and translate research evidence into policy and practice to improve the health of Canadians and people around the world. As a member of CIHR’s leadership team, she will participate in implementing CIHR’s strategic direction.

  • Emerging researchers receive funding to expand horizons and take risks
    Corey Baron, PhD, Bogumil Karas, PhD, and Dr. Zhan Tao (Peter) Wang, along with colleagues from across Western, will share in $1.2 million in funding for interdisciplinary research as part of the federal government’s New Frontiers in Research Fund.

  • McRae award holds special significance for Dr. Vivian McAlister
    As the 2019 recipient of the Canadian Medical Association’s John McCrae Memorial Medal, Dr. McAlister is especially honoured to be simultaneously recognized and associated with an award that bears the name of the famed physician, solider and poet.

  • Celebrating your achievements
    Congratulations to Ken Milne, Rebekah Jacques, Naila Kassam, Kathy Speechley, Kevin Fung, Kathy Roth and many others on their accomplishments and achievements this past month.

  • Commitment to the Community: Dr. Hannah Ernst
    Dr. Hannah Ernst spends Sunday evenings at the Salvation Army conducting an oral cavity cancer screening program.

  • Student Profile: Dr. Cindos Barakat
    Celebrating the Medicine Class of 2019 with Dr. Cindos Barakat.

  • Research Profile: Derek Mitchell, PhD
    Derek Mitchell, PhD, is bridging the gap between our understanding of the mind and its relationship to the physical brain. He studies the neuroanatomy underlying the experience and control of emotions.

  • Distributed Education: Dr. Donald Eby
    Curiosity led Dr. Donald Eby, and his emergency room colleagues at Grey Bruce Health Services, to ask questions about the disparity between their clinical practice and recommended guidelines for serial laboratory testing, which investigated patients with chest pain.

  • Resident Spotlight: Dr. Bharat Markandey
    Dr. Bharat Markandey, PGY3, feels humbled and fortunate to have trained with a supportive faculty, which has allowed him to develop into a competent, empathetic and driven physician.

  • Postgraduate Medical Education Accreditation
    In November 2019, all of the School's residency programs will participate in an accreditation site visit. Learn more about accreditation, the logistics of the site visits and how to achieve success.

  • National media coverage
    Dr. Ian Ball is exploring the ethical questions that MAID presents for organ donation. “Because voluntary euthanasia creates organ-donation opportunities that differ from existing pathways, it may be necessary to develop new protocols specific to these patients,” he says in this National Post article.

  • Global health curriculum – a four-year journey for students
    Drs. Anita Cheng and Eva Welisch have recently taken on a new role and together are leading the global health curriculum for undergraduate medical education.

  • 2019 Achievements Report
    Each day, faculty, staff and learners work collaboratively to bring the School's vision to life. It's because of your commitment to discovery and knowledge translation, your enthusiasm to embrace innovative research and new educational approaches and your valuing of partnerships, social accountability and responsibility, that we are achieving our goals.

  • BioMedical Research Facility update
    The BioMedical Research Facility project is on track for groundbreaking to take place in February 2020, after a short pause reported a few months ago. The Project Team has started working with a new architectural firm who has provided an assessment that is aligned with budgets, and there is a plan to go to tender for construction by the end of the 2019 calendar year.

  • Four new CRCs announced
    Congratulations to Shehzad Ali, PhD, Grace Parraga, PhD, Corey Baron, PhD, and Marco Prado, PhD, who have been named among Western’s nine new Canada Research Chairs (CRCs).

  • London scientists key players in national dementia strategy
    Dr. Manuel Montero-Odasso and his team will receive $1.345 million over five years through the second phase of the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging, announced as part of Canada’s national dementia strategy.

  • Researchers examine gender-based differences in physician burnout
    Dr. Javeed Sukhera co-authored a discussion paper that examined the literature around physician burnout and looked specifically at the differing indicators for women physicians.

  • Homecoming events to examine burnout in the health care professions and explore the unfinished business of medicare
    Join us for two events taking place during Homecoming Weekend featuring André Picard, Drs. Jeremy Chitpin, Gillian Kernaghan, Mithu Sen, Colin Taylor, Sara Taylor, Danyaal Raza, as well as Schulich Dentistry student Christine Huynh.

  • Celebrating the Class of 2019
    During the past two weeks, the School celebrated the Class of 2019 for BMSc and Neuroscience, Dentistry and Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

  • MD Curriculum Renewal - breaking down the courses
    During the next several months, overviews of the courses that will be included in the renewed curriculum will be shared with faculty, staff and learners. This month, we are sharing more information about the Foundations of Medicine course.

  • Sponsor a White Coat
    The White Coat Ceremony is a pivotal moment, marking the beginning of a student’s journey. For the first time, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry is pleased to invite alumni, faculty, staff and friends to be part of this special occasion by sponsoring a white coat and providing encouragement for incoming Medicine and Dentistry students.

  • Gregory Dekaban, PhD, appointed Acting Chair, Microbiology & Immunology
    Gregory Dekaban, PhD, has been appointed as Acting Chair, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University effective from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020, or until a new Chair is appointed.

  • Celebrating your achievements
    Congratulations to all graduating residents, Peter Chidiac, John Denstedt, Jeffrey Dixon, and many others on the recognitions and honours you received this past month.

  • Student Profile: Megan DeWeerd, BMSc'19
    Megan DeWeerd, BMSc'19, was part of the first cohort of students graduating this June with an Honors Specialization in Biochemistry and Cancer Biology.

  • Student Profile: Safee Mian, PhD'19
    Safee Mian, PhD'19, is applying his basic science training to a career in management consultancy. He says graduate school provides highly transferable skills.

  • Student Profile: Pari Dabas, DDS'19
    During the past four years, Pari Dabas, DDS'19, enjoyed new experiences that helped her grow personally and professionally.

  • Discovery Week brings rural and regional medicine front and centre
    Through Discovery Week, students experience a new side of health care that they haven’t seen before.

  • Resident Spotlight: Dr. Matthew Pfaff, PGY1
    Dr. Matthew Pfaff, PGY1, Family Medicine, chose the Schulich Medicine & Dentistry – Windsor Campus as it offers residents independence and increased opportunities to interact with staff directly.

  • Research Profile: Dr. Tom Appleton, PhD
    Dr. Tom Appleton, PhD, is investigating the mechanisms of osteoarthritis with the goal of developing more personalized treatments for patients. "I really want to be in that space where we are making clinically relevant discoveries."

  • Alumna and faculty member scores with Team Canada
    Dr. Leanne Peters, BSc'02, MD'06, a faculty member with Family Medicine, didn't strap on the skates at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, but as the team doctor for the Canadian Women’s hockey team, she definitely felt the same national pride.

  • Diversity Working Groups
    Schulich Medicine & Dentistry has established a Diversity Working Group. We sat down with Drs. Davy Cheng and Jay Rosenfield the co-chairs, to learn more about the Working Group.

  • Windsor Campus: Recognizing the 2018 Awards of Excellence recipients
    Congratulations to the deserving award winners for their outstanding contributions to the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry - Windsor Campus.

  • Funding: CANet funds arrhythmia research projects across Canada
    The Cardiac Arrhythmia Network of Canada (CANet), housed at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, and its partners announced funding of 10 research grants, totaling over $4.4 million with an additional $10 million in matching funds. Congratulations to Maria Drangova, PhD, and Dr. Jamie Manlucu who received funding as part of this announcement.

  • A stalwart of dental education
    51 years. More than 2,500 graduates. Numerous academic leadership roles. Dr. Stanley Kogon represents the long tradition of extraordinary dental education at Western University.

  • Celebrating your achievements
    Congratulations to Maria Drangova, Jaimie Manlucu, Carolyn Adams, Wally Liang, Mithu Sen, Anita Chen, Charles Ho, Josee Paradis, Andrew Pruszynski, Tanya Thornton, all the Windsor Awards of Excellence recipients.

  • Dr. Kari Visscher has combined her passion for art and imaging to create a unique educational tool
    Kari Visscher, MD, cannot remember a time when she was not passionate about art. As a resident, at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, completing her radiology training, she found a way to combine her passion with her career – all while demystifying the often times misunderstood world of imaging.

  • Law firms support concussion research
    Seven London law firms have jointly contributed $130,000 to support concussion research at Robarts. “This gift helps drive a city-wide focus on interdisciplinary concussion research,” said Marlys Koschinsky, PhD, Scientific and Executive Director at Robarts.

  • Making Connections
    Melissa Cookson, Medicine Class of 2019, is an avid participant in learning experiences offered through the Distributed Education program. She welcomes the unique opportunities to enhance her medical knowledge, while developing meaningful community connections.

  • Resident Profile
    Dr. Jennifer Koichopolos was inspired to pursue a surgical residency after completing a surgical rotation during clerkship. “The medicine was exciting and after that everything paled in comparison and I was hooked.” Now, as she achieves procedural-based accomplishments such as her first appendectomy, first colonoscopy, and first chest tube, she has realized that the most rewarding moments are really about seeing patients in clinic when they are well again.

  • Congratulations to the 2018 Awards of Excellence recipients
    As educators, researchers, innovators and leaders, this year’s Awards of Excellence recipients are making a difference at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. It is with great pride that we recognize and honour their achievements.

  • Windsor Campus 10th Anniversary
    The Schulich Medicine & Dentistry – Windsor Campus celebrated 10 years of excellence in medical education in 2018. After the Ontario Government identified a need for more medical school spaces in the early 2000s, an incredible amount of time and effort was put into developing a satellite campus in Windsor.

  • Distinguished University Professors and Faculty Scholars announced
    Congratulations to Dale Laird announced as a Distinguished University Professor. Lauren Flynn, Qingping Feng, Steven Laviolette, Walter Siqueira, were also recognized as Faculty Scholars.

  • Entrada chosen as platform to support CBME
    Entrada (entrada.org) has been chosen to serve as the School’s technology platform in support of competency-based medical education (CBME) and in the near future all education needs in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education related to assessment, scheduling, portfolios, etc.

  • STEM conference engages, empowers young women
    Approximately 250 undergraduate students, researchers and volunteers attended the one-day conference, organized by the Western Women in Neuroscience graduate student group.

  • Research team develops clinically-validated 3D printed stethoscope
    A team of researchers has developed an open-source, clinically validated template for a 3D printed stethoscope for use in areas of the world with limited access to medical supplies – places where a stethoscope could mean the difference between life and death.

  • Bringing holistic health to the community
    Teresa Van Deven, curriculum co-ordinator for the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, has developed the school’s Social Medicine course, which aims to teach future physicians about the social determinants of health and a physician’s role in understanding and treating a patient with a more holistic approach to health.

  • Alison Allan, PhD appointed Chair, Anatomy and Cell Biology
    Alison Allan, PhD has been appointed as Chair, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University effective February 1, 2018 until June 30, 2023.

  • Dr. Maggie Rebel appointed Associate Dean, Learner Equity & Wellness
    Dr. Margaretha Rebel has been appointed as Associate Dean, Office of Learner Equity & Wellness, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University effective from September 1, 2018 – August 31, 2023.

  • Celebrating your achievements
    Congratulations to Homer Yang, Kelly Anderson, Judy Bornais, Bertha Garcia, Parham Rasoulinejad and the Duenwald Research Group, along with other faculty and Learners on the many achievements this past month.

  • Making history - again
    Twenty-three Schulich Medicine students presented their research projects at the annual History of Medicine Days in Calgary.

  • Researchers use lessons learned from fetal brain growth to stimulate brain repair after stroke
    Arthur Brown, PhD, and his team at Robarts Research Institute have shown that by targeting a gene called Sox9, they can stimulate axonal growth and improve recovery after stroke. Brown and his team have previously demonstrated that the transcription factor, Sox9, controls the expression of CSPGs, and by targeting it, they can block the ‘no grow’ signal.

  • Inspiring youth to discover health care
    Young teens across southwestern Ontario have a new camp opportunity thanks to some dedicated and innovative Schulich Medicine students. Campers will get hands-on experience with suturing and casting, grapple with medical cases and diagnose and treat patients and explore life as a physician, nurse, pharmacists or emergency medical services provider.

  • Resident Spotlight: Dr. TJ Leeper
    Resident spotlight: Dr. TJ Leeper finds working with dedicated teams a rewarding part of his work.

  • Celebrating and thanking donors for their support – March 2018
    Schulich Medicine & Dentistry is grateful for the continued support from generous donors. Two recent donations are benefiting Oral Surgery and an endowed medical student award.

  • Strategic Plan Update + Video
    In this edition of the Dean's Video Newsletter, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry Dean Dr. Michael J. Strong discusses the School's refreshed strategic plan.

  • New leadership structure for Schulich Dentistry
    The new structure includes four roles: Associate Dean, Undergraduate Dental Education; Associate Dean, Graduate and Postgraduate Dental Education; Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs - Dentistry; and Assistant Dean, Dentistry Research. Each with a five-year term. This new structure replaces the previous one in Dentistry effective as of today.

  • Congratulations to two new Collaborative Research Seed Grants teams
    CRSG provides seed funding for the formation and development of two new interdisciplinary collaborative research teams. The intent is to promote new collaborations that build on different scientific and scholarly backgrounds, to facilitate breakthroughs in solving research questions in a collaborative manner, and to position the School's researchers to successfully respond to targeted requests for proposals from Tri-Council or other funding agencies.

  • School hosts 2018 Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
    Dr. Vladimir Hachinski was celebrated as one of six individuals inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame in April 2018. This year, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry served as the partner host for the induction ceremony. The event welcomed nearly 600 people from across Canada, and included actor Colm Feore as master of ceremonies, the Chippewa Travellers and Mark Macaulay.

  • Second iteration of CaRMS results released
    The second iteration of the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) process was released on April 11. More than 97 per cent of Schulich Medicine students have matched to a postgraduate residency training program after the two iterations.

  • Ontario funding additional residency positions for medical graduates
    The Government of Ontario is working with medical schools to create more specialized residency spots this upcoming school year for graduates who did not match to a residency position, ensuring that all unmatched graduates are placed.

  • Western announces honorary degree lineup
    Schulich Medicine & Dentistry alumni and partners top the list of Western University’s 2018 honorary degree recipients. Congratulations to Dr. Alastair Buchan, Dr. Jon Kelton, MD’73, Dr. Jonathan Meakins, MD’66, and Eric Lindros, who serves as the Honorary Chair of See the Line.

  • 2018 Alumni of Distinction Award and Dean’s Distinguished Lecture recipients
    The 2018 Schulich Medicine & Dentistry Alumni of Distinction and Dean’s Distinguished Lecture recipients have left an indelible mark on the world through their commitment to education, medicine, research, and social accountability. Their tireless dedication to improving the human condition is above reproach.

  • Celebrating your Achievements
    Congratulations to Lena Palaniyappan, Douglas Jones, Nicole Campbell, Maria Drangova, along with other faculty and Learners on the many achievements this past month.

  • 2018 sharing Smiles Day
    Hockey with the Mighty Dents, singing Karaoke, and horsing around with JW, the Western Mustangs mascot, were just a few of the fun activities that kicked off the 2018 Sharing Smiles Day.

  • Using lung MRI to see where and why Canadians with asthma have poor disease control
    Grace Parraga, PhD, and her research team are using lung MRI to see where and why Canadians with asthma have poor disease control.

  • Recognizing excellence in Distributed Education
    Schulich Medicine & Dentistry’s annual Awards of Excellence recognized four Distributed Education faculty members from across Southwestern Ontario. Congratulations to Dr. Firas Al-Dhaher, Dr. Susan Munro, Dr. Donald Eby, and Dr. Martin Hug.

  • Resident Spotlight: Dr. Matt Chong, Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine
    After his undergraduate medical education and medical school at McMaster University, Dr. Matt Chong came to Schulich Medicine & Dentistry for his residency in Anesthesiology

  • Celebrating and thanking donors for their support – April 2018
    Schulich Medicine & Dentistry is grateful for the continued support from generous donors. Two recent donations are benefiting Oral Surgery and an endowed medical student award.

  • Family Medicine celebrates 50 years
    Drs. Tom Freeman, Barbara Lent, John Sangster and Stephen Wetmore reflect on the founding of the Department of Family Medicine, Dr. Ian McWhinney's contributions and the Department's role as the intellectual centre of family medicine in Canada. Read more.

  • Alumna key-note speaker at Family Medicine celebration
    Dr. Danielle Martin, MD’03, alumna and family physician and will be joining in on the 50th anniversary celebrations for the Department of Family Medicine. She will be the keynote speaker for the cornerstone anniversary event scheduled for May 30.

  • Work with Entrada progresses as consortium is rebranded
    Effective immediately, Entrada will be known as Elentra ME. This is part of a rebrand of the consortium. And the work continues with the infrastructure installation, training planning, as well as several other project milestone achievements.

  • Celebrating faculty and staff excellence
    More than 300 faculty and staff gathered to recognize the outstanding contributions of their peers who were honoured with the Dean's and Schulich Awards of Excellence at the annual event.

  • Equity, diversity and inclusivity feature prominently at LHRD
    London Health Research Day once again attracted nearly 400 trainees for a full day of poster and platform presentations, as well as lectures. Dr. Janet Smylie presented The Lucille & Norton Wolf Health Research Lecture and was one of xx speakers during Exchange a new event focused on equity, diversity and inclusivity.

  • Dr. Vladimir Hachinksi awarded 2018 Killam Prize
    Dr. Hachinski is the sixth Western University researcher to receive this honour, which recognizes the career achievements of eminent Canadian scholars and scientists actively engaged in research, whether in industry, government agencies or universities.The Prize is the highest honour for research from the Canada Council of the Arts.

  • Conditions of Appointment for Faculty approved
    The 2017 Conditions of Appointment for Physicians document received approval from Western University’s Board of Governors on April 26, 2018

  • Medicine Class of 2018 celebrates convocation
    Spirit and pride filled the air at Schulich Medicine’s Convocation ceremony that took place in May. Medicine Class of 2018 walked across the stage, accepted their hoods and moved on to a new chapter in their lives. Enjoy the photo gallery from the celebration.

  • Dr. Chandlee Dickey appointed as Chair/Chief, Department of Psychiatry
    Congratulations to Dr. Chandlee Dickey who has been appointed as the Chair/Chief, Department of Psychiatry at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University and its teaching hospitals, London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care London, effective October 15, 2018 to October 14, 2023.

  • Celebrating your Achievements - May 2018
    Congratulations to Gerry Cooper, EdD, Dr. Larry Jacobs, Dr. Hema Gangam, Dr. Clive Freedman, Gilles Lajoie, PhD, Dr. Don Richardson, Jeffery Dixon, PhD, Professor Emeritus Peter Canham, PhD, Dr. Jason Chui, Dr. Shalini Dhir, Dr. John Murkin, Dr. Chris Doherty and Drs. Jessica Howard, James Mather and Dr. Wendy Cui.

  • Celebrating the Medicine Class of 2018 with Emma Ali
    Ali has never shied away from a challenge, whether it is a volunteer or mentorship opportunity, or the pursuit of a university program. She loves to explore, and Schulich Medicine & Dentistry offered the perfect environment to discover new avenues that satisfied her love of learning.

  • Gut microbiome plays a role in atherosclerosis
    Scientists have shown that there is a a novel relationship between the intestinal microbiome and atherosclerosis, one of the major causes of heart attack and stroke.

  • Discovery Week, 20 years of education
    Discovery Week celebrates 20 years of education, and community partnership.

  • Meet residents from Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
    Meet Drs. Benjami van der Woerd, Hannah Ernst, Neil Mundi, and Rakhna Araslanova, residents from Otologaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. Learn about how they are enjoying their residency experiences.

  • Celebrating and recognizing the most recent donations made in support of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
    Celebrating recent gifts supporting Indigenous medical students, respirology residents and medical students with an interest in emergency medicine.

  • Strategic Plan refresh infographic
    An infographic outlining the School's Strategic Plan directions and goals has been prepared for you to download. Visit the Strategic Plan website to print up your copy. Official copies will also be distributed to the programs and departments across the School. View and download the infographic for your keeping.

  • RSVP Today for the Staff & Faculty BBQ
    Let's celebrate summer and enjoy time with friends and colleagues at the 2018 Staff & Faculty BBQ. Pick up your BBQ lunch inside the Physics & Astronomy Atrium then head outside and enjoy the sunshine. Everyone is encouraged to picnic on the grass by the McIntosh Gallery so be sure to bring a blanket, seating will also be available inside if desired.

  • Dr. Michael J. Strong moving on to new role as president of CIHR
    The Honorable Minister of Health Ginette Petitpas Taylor announced that Dr. Michael J. Strong has been appointed as the President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research for a five-year term effective October 1, 2018.

  • Process to appoint Acting Dean
    Nominations are now being accepted for the position of Acting Dean, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentitstry. Please forward your nomination to the attention of the Provost by July 13, 2018

  • BioMedical Research Facility updates
    Planning is well underway for the Biomedical Research Facility. Design meetings will be taking place through the summer and fall months and it is anticipated that construction will begin in the spring or early summer of 2019 with an anticipated occupancy date of summer 2021.

  • Medical students turn health advocacy into action
    This month London City Council passed a motion that was originally put forward by medical students to include naloxone kits alongside automated external defibrillators in city-operated facilities in London.

  • Dr. Subrata Chakrabarti named Geographic Leader for Asia
    Dr. Subrata Chakrabarti has been named Geographic Leader for Asia. He will now serve as a resource and support to the Dean, the Senior Leadership Council and the Internationalization Office in developing a strategic direction for educational, clinical and research activities for the School in that region.

  • Dr. Bob Kiaii re-appointed as Ray and Margaret Elliott Chair in Surgical Innovation, Department of Surgery
    Dr. Bob Kiaii has been re-appointed as the Ray and Margaret Elliott Chair in Surgical Innovation in the Department of Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2023

  • 2018 Achievements Report
    The past year has been a busy one with a number of accomplishments and achievements in research, education, in the development of partnerships, and the enrichment of the School community. The 2018 Achievements Report celebrates and highlights some of those achievements.

  • Commitment to Community Calendar - Call for Submissions
    Each year the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry calls for submissions to be included in the annual Commitment to Community Calendar. Calling all artists and photographers to submit their artwork or photos for the opportunity to be included in the 2019 calendar year. Please submit your artwork or photos to the Communications & Marketing team by August 31, 2018.

  • Celebrating the BMSc Class of 2018 with Cameron Patterson
    For Cameron Patterson, stepping outside his comfort zone was an important part of his university career. Early on, he made a decision to choose experiences that would challenge him.

  • A transformative experience
    Dante Capaldi recently completed the CAMPEP-accredited, combined MClSc/PhD program at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry.

  • Celebrating Your Achievements
    Celebrating the achievements of graduating students and residents, Marlys Koschinsky, Evelyn Vingilis, the Amoso Fund recipients, and those being recognized as long-service employees

  • Resident Spotlight
    Meet Dr. Paris Lai, who decided to pursue his residency in psychiatry as it integrated his interests of helping patients navigate the health care system.

  • Celebrating and recognizing the most recent donations made in support of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
    Schulich Dentistry faculty, staff and students are being recognized for their commitment through a number of generous donations to the Program.

  • Dean's Video Newsletter - Farewell
    In this final edition of the Dean's Video Newsletter, Dr. Michael J. Strong reflects on his tenure as Dean and looks to the future as he moves on as the President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

  • White Coat Ceremony 2018
    Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry’s White Coat Ceremony is a symbolic milestone for all incoming Medicine and Dentistry students, welcoming them into the medical and dental professions. This year, three sets of siblings shared this special moment

  • David and Susan Axelrod join Leaders in Innovation Dinner
    On November 19, the former senior advisor to President Barack Obama and current Senior Political Commentator for CNN, David Axelrod, and Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE) Founding Chair, Susan Axelrod, will join scientists, researchers and community members for the 2018 Leaders in Innovation Dinner hosted by Robarts Research Institute. This event sold out last year, so purchase your tickets early.

  • BioMedical Research Facility updates
    The BioMedical Research Facility planning group has been meeting regularly during the past five months with a team of architects and engineers to develop a schematic design for the new BioMedical Research Facility (formerly called Vivarium in communications). The size and shape of the building is now known and the room layouts are being finalized.

  • Robarts Research Institute will be home to Canada’s first Magnetic Particle Imaging system
    The MPI system will be housed at Robarts Research Institute and will serve as the technological talisman for molecular and cellular imaging scientists at Robarts and bacteriologists, virologists and immunologists

  • Transforming arrhythmia care in Canada
    Member of Parliament Kate Young met with researchers at the Cardiac Arrhythmia Network of Canada (CANet) in August to learn about how the group is advancing heart rhythm health across Canada, including digital health technologies that monitor and care for patients.

  • A global leader in medical education research
    Lorelei Lingard, PhD has been awarded the 2018 Karolinska Institutet Prize for Research in Medical Education. This international honour recognizes Lingard's contributions to medical education policy in Canada and around the world.

  • Candace Gibson Acting Vice Dean
    We are pleased to announce that effective September 1, 2018, the responsibilities related to the Vice Dean, Basic Medical Sciences role will be overseen and managed by Candace Gibson, PhD, who will be the Acting Vice Dean, Basic Medical Sciences.

  • Dr. Larry Jacobs appointed as Associate Dean, Windsor
    We are pleased to announce that Dr. Larry Jacobs has been appointed as Associate Dean, Windsor in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, effective September 1, 2018 until August 31, 2023

  • Dr. Tracey Crumley appointed as Interim Chair/Chief Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
    We are pleased to announce that Dr. Tracey Crumley has been appointed as the Interim Chair/Chief, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, St. Joseph’s Health Care and London Health Sciences Centre effective July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019, or until the position is filled

  • Celebrating your achievements
    Congratulations to Susan Simpson, Les Kalman, Jane Thornton, Shelley McKellar, Corey Baron and the many other faculty, staff and residents for their outstanding local, national and international achievements in the past few months.

  • Former Dean and generous donors to be recognized with honorary degrees
    Dr. Carol Herbert, former Dean, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, and Jim and Louise Temerty will be presented with honorary degrees at the 312th Western University convocation in October.

  • Commitment to community: Building Bonds
    Dr. Mel Boulton learned about the Running Against Ruptures event several years ago, and he immediately wanted to participate. Today he continues to give back through this fundraising event.

  • New Vanier Scholars explore cardiovascular health, cancer and behavioural neuroscience
    Three Schulich Medicine & Dentistry trainees are among the recipients of the 2018 Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, the Government of Canada’s most prestigious scholarships for doctoral students. Congratulations to Jason Lee, PhD Candidate, Cory Lefebvre, MD/PhD Candidate, and Roger Hudson, PhD Candidate.

  • Understanding and Treating the ‘Sacred Disease’
    Epilepsy is a complicated neurological disorder with no clear answers. Solving the puzzle requires strong, interdisciplinary research – the kind taking place at Robarts Research Institute.

  • Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation - Indigenous MedLINCS Program
    In a special installment of R.E.A.L. Life Perspectives, we follow four Schulich Medicine & Dentistry students leading health care activities as part of their experiences with Indigenous MedLINCS.

  • Resident Spotlight: Dr. Stephanie Muise
    Resident Spotlight: A graduate of Schulich Medicine, Dr. Stephanie Muise is completing her residency training in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

  • Gift continues commitment to ALS research
    Tens of thousands of ALS patients and their caregivers could see their lives improved thanks to a $2.5 million gift from the Temerty Foundation.

  • Indigenous Academic Half-Day
    On September 26, medical and dental students, along with their peers from Law, had an opportunity to hear from Schulich Medicine alumnus, Dr. Barry Lavallee, University of Manitoba, Ms. Candace Brunette-Debassige, Special Advisor to the Provost Indigenous Initiatives at Western, Ms. Diane Smylie, Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre. Listen to the live stream from the learning session.

  • Homecoming 2018
    Homecoming was a day packed full of exciting events. Beggining with a Community Lecture entitled, Opioids: A Country in Crisis, featuring Dr. Sharon Koivu and Steven Laviolette, PhD; followed by the Dean’s Distinguished Lecture with Dr. Paul Polak, MD’58, DSc’08, where he discussed the relationship between poverty and illness. In the evening, we toasted our Alumni of Distinction Award Recipients at the Dean’s Gala. Thank you to the staff and volunteers who helped make Homecoming a success.

  • Be Extraordinary Campaign exceeds goal
    Thanks to the generosity of alumni, friends, faculty, staff, students, and volunteers, more than $805 million was received in support of Western University. Because of this significant Canada’s best student experience and continued a legacy of exceptional teaching and research will continue.

  • Herbert offers PROPs to to graduates
    Dr. Carol Herbert, former Dean of Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science at Western’s 312th Convocation. She delivered a heartfelt address to graduates, asking them to keep in mind one acronym – PROP: Privilege, Responsibility, Opportunity and Passion.

  • New clinical protocol after general surgery cuts opioid prescribing in half
    Recognizing the role that opioid prescribing plays in the national opioid crisis, a team of researchers including resident physicans, Drs. Luke Hartford and Patrick Murphy, along with Associate Professor, Dr. Ken Leslie, has developed a new clinical protocol called STOP Narcotics, which they demonstrated was able to reduce opioids being prescribed by 50 per cent while still adequately treating a patient’s post-operative pain

  • Diversity and Social Accountability
    At the October 5 Executive Committee of the Schulich Council meeting, the School’s Social Accountability and the Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Cultural Safety statements were approved. You can read the statements by visiting the School’s Diversity webpages.

  • 2018 MD Program Accreditation Status Update
    Since the last update on the progress toward the next accreditation for the Doctor of Medicine Program, the Accreditation Committee (AC) has reviewed all CACMS 12 Standards and 96 Elements for compliance in order to update our documents, identify areas of strength and initiate change for gaps

  • SchulichMedDent Live goes behind the scenes at DOCS community clinic
    SchulichMedDent Live launched this week, providing a new way to share the important work happening every day at the School with our community on social media.

  • DOCS turns 10
    In 2008, the Dental Outreach Community Service set out to provide much needed dental care to people in the London community, who for many reasons that type of care was simply out of reach. Thousands of volunteer hours and patient visits later, we are celebrating a decade of this tremendous commitment to the community.

  • Meet Sukhmeet Rohan Sachal, Canada’s future Minister of Health
    It’s an ambitious goal, but the 24-year-old isn’t afraid to voice it aloud. “It’s better to say it, to put it out into the universe, and then work hard toward achieving it,” he said.

  • Understanding and Treating the ‘Sacred Disease’
    Epilepsy is a complicated neurological disorder with no clear answers. Solving the puzzle requires strong, interdisciplinary research – the kind taking place at Robarts Research Institute.

  • Discovery Healthcare
    It was a summer of discovery for four Schulich Medicine students who ventured off to camp in communities across Southwestern Ontario. Joined by more than 100 high school students interested in exploring health care as a profession, the experience delivered new experiences and lasting memories for all.

  • Resident Spotlight: Dr. Malcolm Howard
    Stop talking and listen. This is one of the most important lessons that Dr. Malcolm Howard, program has learned through patient care.

  • Summer and Fall 2018 donations
    Reunion class gifts, special events and a number of individual donations were made during the summer and early fall months supporting programs and research at the School.

  • Shining a spotlight on research
    Research took centre stage in November as were featured at a number of events including the Taylor Symposium, Killam Prize Lecture and Leaders in Innovation Dinner.

  • Jack Cowin Chair in Epilepsy announced
    Jack and Susan Cowin donated a $2.5 million gift to create the Jack Cowin Chair in Epilepsy. Congratulations to Dr. Jorge Burneo, the inaugural chair holder.

  • New UME curriculum unveiled
    With physicians expectations changing, the needs, interests, and learning styles of medical students changing, and societies expectations for a greater inclusion of cultural safety in the delivery of health care increasing – medical education must change. Schulich Medicine is embarking on a curriculum renewal for the MD Program to meet the changing needs of society. This transition will begin to be implemented in September 2019 and will continue through phases in the coming years

  • An innovative approach to teaching teamwork
    The heart of this lab isn’t an elaborate experiment with a petri dish or a microscope. Instead, it’s a locked box covered in puzzles, with students working in teams to get it open. The ‘escape box’ was developed by Nicole Campbell, PhD, and John Kelly, a master’s student in clinical anatomy, to help teach BMSc students about teamwork.

  • From ideas to action: Supporting clinician researchers
    From kidney transplantation to stigma reduction, the Academic Medical Organization of Southwestern Ontario (AMOSO) recognizes the value of physician involvement in research. The organization supports a start-up funding program called the Opportunities Fund to facilitate research success.

  • A legacy of excellence in teaching
    “My goal was to create opportunities for students, to show them that everyone is a learner. To make it fun to learn,” said Dr. Marjorie Johnson, a beloved anatomy and cell biology instructor who retired this past September after almost 25 years, leaving behind a legacy of exceptional clinical anatomy teaching in the department.

  • Grad trainees bring home top prize in case competition
    How might artificial intelligence help to categorize the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to opinions online? That was the thrust of the question put forward by Thales Canada in its latest Student Innovation Championship. This question was answered by competition winners, Megha Verma, Kartik Pradeepan and Fan Liu.

  • Pollen DNA provides potential new window for forensic information
    Bogumil Karas, PhD, is using synthetic biology techniques – the design and construction of new biological entities – in order to develop a method to efficiently capture DNA from pollen grains. Because different plant species are endemic, scientists use pollen to identify their place of origin. In this way, pollen can be used as a forensic tool to link suspects to crime scenes, or to determine the movement of narcotics, for example

  • Dr. Mithu Sen appointed Acting Vice Dean of Faculty Affairs
    Dr. Mithu Sen has been appointed as Acting Vice Dean, Faculty Affairs, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University effective October 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. This will be in addition to her current role as Assistant Dean, Faculty Equity and Wellness.

  • Dr. James Calvin re-appointed as Chair/Chief, Department of Medicine
    We are pleased to announce Dr. James Calvin has been re-appointed as Chair/Chief, Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University and its teaching hospitals, London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph's Health Care London, effective November 1, 2018 to October 31, 2023.

  • Ali Khan, PhD, named Canada Research Chair in Computational Neuroimaging
    Ali Khan, PhD, was named the Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Computational Neuroimaging. Khan is an Assistant Professor with the Department of Medical Biophysics and Scientist at Robarts Research Institute.

  • A Q&A with Dr. Davy Cheng, Acting Dean
    Dr. Davy Cheng began his tenure as Acting Dean on October 1. Throughout his term as Acting Dean, Dr. Cheng plans to do a series of interviews focused on topics of interest to faculty, staff and learners in hopes of communicating achievements, project advancements and news of School activities

  • Celebrating your achievements
    Congratulations to Rochelle Dworkin, Jorge Burneo, Patrick Colquhoun and Luke Hartford, Vipin Bhayana and Stan Dunn for their outstanding achievements this month.

  • Pay it Forward
    Commitment to the Community: Once a month, Ann Varallo and her colleagues — can be found preparing baked goods for families living at Ronald McDonald House.

  • The Next Generation: Andrea Barker, MSc Candidate
    The Next Generation: Andrea Barker, MSc Candidate; has long benefited from the mentorship of women. So, when it came time to pursue her master's degree, Barker jumped at the opportunity to have a female supervisor.

  • Rapid test for E.coli keeps contaminated food off grocery store shelves
    Robarts Research Institute: Rapid test for E.coli keeps contaminated food off grocery store shelves. A new rapid testing kit is revolutionizing food safety testing by producing results in hours rather than days.

  • Resident Spotlight: Abdul Naeem - Neurosurgery
    Resident Spotlight: Dr. Abdul Naeem — a PGY5, Neurosurgery, is making a difference in the lives of so many people — and he’s just getting started.

  • Supporting today’s students
    Fundraising: Supporting today's students — Alumni in medicine and dentistry provided increased funding to support today’s students.

  • Profiles of Excellence: Marnin Heisel, PhD, C.Psych
    Marnin Heisel, PhD, C.Psych, focuses on finding better ways to assess suicide risk with the hope of enhancing mental health and well-being and decreasing risk for suicide in older adults. Heisel is an associate professor in the departments of Psychiatry and Epidemiology & Biostatistics at Western University's Schulich Medicine & Dentistry and a scientist at Lawson Health Research Institute...

  • Dean's Video Newsletter: The year ahead
    In this month's edition of the Dean's Video Newsletter, Dr. Michael J. Strong looks to the year ahead and explores important topics including the University's Indigenous Strategy...

  • WE SPEAK 2017 - Let Western University know what you think
    The WE SPEAK Faculty and Staff Survey 2017 is now available. It will help to identify what is working well, and where there is opportunity for improvement. Check your inbox for an email from delivery@metricsatwork.com which provides you with your unique link to the confidential survey. The survey will be available until February 13...

  • The deadline for your Awards of Excellence nominations is quickly approaching
    Take a moment to reflect on your experiences working with your colleagues in London and Windsor who continue to achieve excellence in the work they do. The nomination deadline for the Windsor Campus' Awards of Excellence is February 10. The nomination deadline for the Awards of Excellence is March 6...

  • Your January desktop background download is now available
    In addition to the 2017 pictorial calendar, we will be featuring monthly Commitment to the Community desktop background downloads. At the end of each month, throughout 2017, a new desktop background will be released. A special thank you to Johnny Tran, Graduate Orthodontics, for the January background...

  • Celebrating our achievements
    Congratulations to Ting-Yim Lee, PhD, Louisa Salemi, Mike Ellis, Paul Desormeaux, Marcon Laforet, Amy Burke, Jason Wolfs, Jacob Aguirre, Kyle Hoffman, Michael Thwaites and Charles Ishak...

  • Commitment to the Community with Nicole Dorssers, Special Events & Alumni Engagement Officer
    Nicole Dorssers' personal connection to volunteering started a young age. With her strong ties abroad gained during schooling in France and travelling the Middle East, it opened her mind to being a member of something much larger – a community...

  • Student Profile: Mark Gera, Master of Public Health Class of 2017
    For Mark Gera, positively affecting others' health has always been an interest of his. And with the Master of Public Health Program at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry he is confident he will be able to fulfill his goal...

  • Hanif Ladak, PhD, Departments of Medical Biophysics and Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
    As a young teenager, Hanif Ladak, PhD, developed and sold computer games. Today, he’s creating software for simulation training and sharing his entrepreneurial spirit with his students...

  • That's a wrap: The R.E.A.L. Life Project series focused on Distributed Education recap
    This series of photo essays captures the day-to-day work of faculty members, residents and medical students, and showcases the diversity of learning experiences that occur across the School’s distributed sites. Explore the unparalleled exposure to patients, health challenges and clinical care teams...

  • Resident Spotlight: Dr. Ali Bateman, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
    Entering into the specialty area of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation wasn’t always on Dr. Ali Bateman’s radar when she began medical school. After completing electives throughout Canada, Dr. Bateman became enamored with the specialty and knew that Schulich Medicine & Dentistry was where she wanted to be to complete her studies...

  • Department Profile: Master of Clinical Pathologists Assistant Program
    The Master of Clinical Pathologists’ Assistant Program at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry may be small in size, but that doesn’t take anything away from the impact of their work and commitment to the community...

  • The trendmaker
    Kelly Anderson, PhD, is uncovering shocking trends in the mental health system...

  • Schulich Medicine & Dentistry - Renovation/Redevelopment News
    A planning process for the expansion and replacement of some of the aging facilities at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry has been initiated. At the core of this is the replacement of the Kresge Building and the Molecular Biochemistry Laboratories...

  • Steven Laviolette presents on Addiction at TEDxWesternU
    Steven Laviolette's recent TEDx talk at Western challenges the current view of addiction...

  • Creating lasting, positive change
    Drs. David Steven and Jorge Burneo have helped establish the first epilepsy surgery programs in Peru, a country whose epilepsy rate is three times higher than Canada's...

  • The Chair's Blog
    Dr. James Calvin has started to blog. He's going to be sharing information and commentary related to the Department of Medicine’s latest news and events, with a focus on their strategic plan and on quality improvement initiatives in clinical teaching units...

  • Your February desktop background download is now available
    In addition to the 2017 pictorial calendar, we will be featuring monthly Commitment to the Community desktop background downloads. At the end of each month, throughout 2017, a new desktop background will be released. A special thank you to Sylvia Mioduszewski, Education Evaluation Officer, for the February background...

  • Celebrating your achievements
    Congratulations to Kori LaDonna, PhD, Dr. Alp Sener, Dr. Neil Duggal, Paula Foster, PhD, Greg Dekaban, PhD, Dr. Marina Salvadori, Julie Kaiser, Carolina R. Batista, Peter Szabo, Ashley Makela, Ashley Schormans, Saqgar Desai, Kelly Baines...

  • Strengthening communities through research: Gerald McKinley, PhD
    Gerald McKinley, PhD, believes that giving back to the community isn’t a single event, it’s a responsibility that should be fulfilled over a life-time. The assistant professor puts this belief into practice through his research and its application with First Nations communities across Ontario...

  • Becoming Dr. Archibald: Jennifer Archibald, Schulich Dentistry
    Jennifer Archibald was one of several Schulich Dentistry students who travelled to Jamaica this past summer to provide free dental care for one week to the islanders...

  • Advancing surgical training: Dr. Jonathan Lau and Elvis Chen, PhD
    Dr. Jonathan Lau and Elvis Chen, PhD, are using a combination of 3D printing and synthetic materials to create a surgical simulation tool that mimics what a surgeon sees, feels and experiences during spinal dural repairs. The tool joins an impressive list of successful commercial ventures started at Robarts...

  • A model of interprofessionalism: DocTalks program
    Schulich Medicine faculty members at the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance are helping build a more collaborative environment through a unique program called DocTalks...

  • Resident Spotlight: Dr. Kyle Fisher, PGY4, Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine
    As a fourth year resident in Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine, Dr. Kyle Fisher must always be considering the unforeseen, making quick and thoughtful decisions and serving as his patients’ advocate. It’s a challenge, but well suited to his type-a personality...

  • Behind the Numbers: Finance and IT, Department of Medicine
    A boardroom full of banter between colleagues isn’t what you’d expect walking into a Finance and IT department. But if you take a quick trip to visit the Department of Medicine’s Finance and IT team located in Victoria Hospital, you’ll get just that...

  • Outstanding scholarship recognized
    Brian Corneil, a Professor in Physiology and Pharmacology and a Robarts scientist, is being recognized as an all-around scholar for his work...

  • Profiles of Excellence: Susann Schmid, PhD
    Susanne Schmid, PhD, is studying the underlying mechanisms that allow us to filter sensory information. Disruptions in this mechanism are present in disorders like schizophrenia and autism...

  • Recognizing peers
    The 2017 Windsor Awards of Excellence recipients have demonstrated passion, professionalism and excellence in their teaching, support and leadership. Congratulations to the 14 recipients...

  • GroupWise to Office 365 Migration
    Information Services is currently in the planning stages to migrate the GroupWise email system to Western's Office 365 System. The current target is to have the migration completed in late May to early June 2017...

  • Your March desktop background download is now available
    A special thank you to James Wing-Yiu Choy, associate professor, Biochemistry, for the March desktop background...

  • Celebrating your achievements
    Congratulations to Dr. Scott McKay, Dr. Hariharan Iyer, Dr. Peter Mugyenyi, Anita Woods, Dr. Mark Awuku, Dr. Douglas Ross, Dr. Julio Martinez-Trujillo, Dr. Ian Ball, Dr. Matthew Cohen, Tehmina Ahmad, Dr. Barbra de Vrijer, Dr. Kevin Coughlin, Dr. Genevieve Eastabrook, Dr. Basim Abu Rafea, Dr. Angelos Vilos and more...

  • Commitment to the Community: Vicki Douvalis - Building a stronger London
    Impacting the lives of hundreds of thousands of Londoners is an ambitious task, but Vicki Douvalis is willing to take on the challenge. Volunteering with London Public Library and Museum London, she’s been able to create connections that enrich lives, inspire discovery, foster creativity and expand possibilities...

  • Student Profile: Terry Lee Robins
    While some may shy away from working with cadavers and performing gross examinations on human tissues or organs, Terry Lee Robins, a Master of Clinical Sciences-Pathologists' Assistant Candidate, relishes the opportunity...

  • Robarts Research Institute hosts inaugural Brainhack Western event
    Dozens of trainees and faculty members from across Western's campus came together earlier this month for the inaugural Brainhack Western. The multi-day event was hosted at Robarts, and was part of a global movement to develop innovative solutions to emerging issues in neuroimaging and neuroscience...

  • Distributed Education: New dedicated space for trainees
    With financial backing from Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, three new exam rooms at Stratford General Hospital have been designated for students and residents, solidifying the dedication to distributed education in the community...

  • Resident Spotlight: Dr. Carolyn Adams, PGY1, Family Medicine
    With roots in Windsor stretching back to the early 1900’s, Dr. Adams is looking forward to practicing in her hometown and continuing the family tradition of socially responsible care...

  • Department Profile: Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Obstetrics & Gynaecology
    The Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility team at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry has decades of experience maintaining excellence in patient care through world-class innovative research and education...

  • London surgeons join #ILookLikeASurgeon
    Female surgeons and residents from Schulich Medicine & Dentistry gathered in operating rooms at London Health Sciences Centre’s University Hospital, Victoria Hospital and St. Joseph’s Health Care London this week to add their voices to a global rallying cry for women surgeons...

  • A celebration of research
    Suzanne Bernier, PhD, was a dedicated researcher and mentor whose passion for musculoskeletal science was contagious. The 10th Annual Suzanne Bernier Memorial Lecture in Skeletal Biology celebrates her legacy. It will feature keynote speaker Lori A. Setton, PhD...

  • See the Line Returns August 16
    The afternoon community symposium will include an all-star panel moderated by Hometown Hockey's Ron MacLean, featuring See the Line's Honorary Chair and Hockey Hall of Famer Eric Lindros, Five-time Olympian Hayley Wickenheiser, San Jose Sharks (NHL) centre Logan Couture and Western Mustang's Assistant Coach Kalley Armstrong. Register early, as this event sells out annually...

  • Dr. Spencer Lalonde named the 2017 Dr. John D. Brown Memorial Resident Award recipient
    Congratulations to Dr. Spencer Lalonde, PGY1, Internal Medicine, on receiving this honour. He is being recognized for his empathy, diligence to patient safety and respect...

  • Congratulations to the 2017 Awards of Excellence recipients
    As educators, researchers, innovators and leaders, this year’s Awards of Excellence recipients are making a difference at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry...

  • Alumni of Distinction Awards
    Congratulations to the 2017 Alumni of Distinction Award recipients: Drs. Robert Bourne, MD’71; Jack Harris; Zain Kassam, MD’09; Peter Leung, PhD’79; Paul Romanson, DDS’72; Cecil Rorabeck, MD’68, DSc '09; David Spence, BA’65, MD’70; and Shawn Steele, BA’01, DDS’05, JD’13...

  • Continuing to serve others: Jim Silcox
    For five years, Jim Silcox has been volunteering his time helping answer questions for patients and visitors entering LHSC’s University Hospital. The volunteer role serves to be quite a contrast from his position at UH as an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist...

  • 2017 We Speak Results
    The survey results are in. On April 25, in an email to all faculty and staff Dr. Amit Chakma, president and vice-chancellor shared that the 2017 We Speak Survey results are in. You can learn more about the overall University results on the We Speak website (you will need your Western login). Plans are in process for sharing Schulich Medicine & Dentistry results. Watch for news coming to your inbox soon...

  • London to become North American leader in 3D printing for medical and surgical solutions
    The London Medical Network announced a $6.8 million partnership with Western University and Renishaw PLC to establish a new research, development and commercialization centre that will focus on the creation of medical instruments and surgical solutions through additive manufacturing...

  • Your April desktop background download is now available
    A special thank you to Brian Schick, fellow, anatomical pathology, for the April desktop background...

  • Celebrating your achievements
    Congratulations to Tamara Tavares, Dr. Lena Palaniyappan, Dr. Sarah McLean, Jerry Battista, PhD, David Zuanazzi, Dr. Jonathan Lau, Dr. David Palma, Dante Capaldi, Daniel Gelman, Jason Kai, Justin Laing, Fiona Li, Heeseung Lim and Dickson Wong...

  • Commitment to the Community: Dr. Evelyn Vingilis - Inspiring young girls through STEM
    The Canadian Association for Girls in Science (CAGIS) is inspiring young girls across Canada to join science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. Founded in 1992 by Schulich Medicine & Dentistry’s own Dr. Evelyn Vingilis and her then nine-year-old daughter Larissa Vingilis-Jaremko, CAGIS’ impact reaches far beyond the local community...

  • Student Profile: China Scholarship Council students - Exchanging Knowledge
    At Western for a year, the China Scholarship Council students share their thoughts about research training, Canada and their new found love of Tim Hortons...

  • Dr. Michael Silverman: The ‘magic’ of ultrasound encourages women to attend prenatal care in rural Uganda
    New research from Lawson and Schulich Medicine & Dentistry shows that advertising free ultrasounds increases number of pregnant women attending modern medical care in Uganda...

  • Recognizing excellence in Distributed Education
    Four Distributed Education faculty members were recognized with a 2017 Schulich Award of Excellence for Faculty in Distributed Sites. Congratulations to Drs. Amit Bagga, Rochelle Dworkin, Anna Mayer and Shanil Narayan...

  • Resident Spotlight: Dr. Timothy Nguyen, Department of Oncology
    With three cardiologists in his family, Dr. Timothy Nguyen, a resident in the Department of Oncology, decided to break the mould and specialize in Radiation Oncology...

  • Celebrating Excellence
    This year’s celebration brought together a group of talented award recipients who show true dedication and commitment to the School. The evening was a celebration of collaboration, collegiality and pride...

  • We Speak Update
    In the coming weeks, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry faculty and staff will begin to receive more news and information about the We Speak survey results. Departmental results will be shared directly with Department leaders in order to review their outcomes...

  • A rite of passage
    On May 12, the Medicine Class of 2017 officially entered the medical profession. Dr. Peter Mugyenyi was the recipient of an Honorary Degree, and Drs. Jerry Battista, David Lee, Patricia Morley-Forster, Fiona Ralley and Witek Zaleski received their Professor Emeritus status...

  • Dr. Marina Salvadori honoured as YMCA Woman of Excellence
    Dr. Salvadori's work as a paediatrician and a faculty member, as well as her national advocacy work was recognized with a 2017 YMCA Women of Excellence Award...

  • Your May desktop background download is now available
    A special thank you to David Driman, professor, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, for the May desktop background...

  • Celebrating your achievements
    Congratulations to Michael Rieder, the Collaborative Research Seed Grant recipients, Kelly Anderson, Eric Arts, Robert Bartha, Lakshman Gunaratnam, David Heinrichs, Julio Martinez-Trujillo, Anthony Nichols, Lena Palaniyappan, Silvia Penuela, Rithwik Ramachandran, Stephen Renaud, John Ronald, Cheryle Seguin, Rennian Wang, Donald Welsh, Manuel Montero Odasso, David Edgell, Paul Gribble, Elizabeth Osuch, Frederick Dick, Maria Drangova and more...

  • Spearheading humanitarian surgical missions: Dr. Toni Zhong, MD’02
    Spearheading humanitarian surgical missions to developing countries, alumna Dr. Toni Zhong, MD’02, is featured in a video that recently won an award from the News Photographers Association of Canada...

  • Celebrating the Medicine Class of 2017 with Yousif Atwan
    Yousif Atwan, Medicine Class of 2017, is graduating this month with pride, gratitude and optimism about his future in orthopaedic surgery. He reflects on his journey through medical school and the relationships he built along the way...

  • Improving x-ray technology to better detect and diagnose disease: Tomi Nano, PhD Candidate
    Tomi Nano, PhD Candidate, is looking at improving x-ray technology to better detect and diagnose breast cancer. Supervised by Ian Cunningham, the Medical Biophysics trainee is inspired by the environment and people at Robarts...

  • Collaborating to strengthen medical education: 2017 Education Conference
    From mentoring to managing bias to simulation training, the 2017 Education Conference delivered a wide range of medical education topics and learnings to faculty from across Southwestern Ontario. This year’s Conference theme was Competency Based Medical Education...

  • Resident spotlight: Dr. Matthew Cecchini, Anatomical Pathology
    A resident in anatomical pathology, Dr. Matthew Cecchini, aims to 'tell the story' of his patients through the specimens he examines...

  • Awards of Excellence award recipient profiles
    Congratulations to the 34 Awards of Excellence recipients. Learn more about their accomplishments...

  • Congratulations to the graduating classes of 2017
    Pride filled the air in May and June as students from Medicine, Graduate Studies & Postdoctoral Affairs, Bachelor of Medical Sciences and Dentistry programs moved on to a new chapter in their lives as Schulich Medicine & Dentistry Alumni...

  • Dean's Video Newsletter: We Speak results
    Dr. Michael Strong, Dean, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, discusses the School's overall We Speak results...

  • CBME: The role of Competence Committees
    Competence Committees are an important part of Competency Based Medical Education at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. Faculty members explain the role of Competence Committees and what is needed to make it successful...

  • 2017 Achievement Report: Optimizing Life-Long Health
    The annual Achievement Report is a yearly snapshot of achievements at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. Take a look at this year's highlights, research findings, awards and more...

  • Construction update
    Dr. Michael J. Strong, Dean, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, shares details about the construction projects that will be advancing and provides some information about timing for these projects...

  • New treatment available for people with early multiple sclerosis
    Researchers from the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry are part of a groundbreaking study showing that a common acne medication called minocycline can be used to help treat multiple sclerosis in its earliest stages...

  • Dr. David Palma launches new book
    Starting July 1st, Dr. David Palma’s new book, Taking Charge of Cancer, will be on bookshelves across Canada. The book was created with patients in mind and is dedicated to distinguishing myth from truth and helping patients get top-notch cancer treatment...

  • Your June desktop background download is now available
    A special thank you to Crystal Mackay, Senior Media Relations Officer, for the June desktop background. Don't forget to check back in July and August for all new backgrounds...

  • Celebrating your achievements
    Congratulations to Peter Gerard Blake, Jane Yorke Edwards, Sahza Hatibovic-Kofman, Nicholas Joseph Victor Hogg, Janice Koenig, Michael Joseph Kovacs, Gary S. Shaw, Mark D. Vincent and Andrew J. Watson, Al Getgood, Jerry Battista, Mary Mathews, Sara Kuruvilla, Jeff Cao, Jonathon Izawa, Alison Allan, Junaid Yousuf and more...

  • Passion for a cause: Hunster Yang, Honors Specialization in Neuroscience, BSc’18 candidate
    Through a careful balance of demanding academics and extra-curricular activities, Hunster Yang has discovered some of his true passions in life...

  • Student profiles: Celebrating Convocation with Nick Tonial, Brett Hawley and Lindsay Oliver
    Celebrating Convocation with Nick Tonial, Brett Hawley and Lindsay Oliver. Three separate stories highlighting three extraordinary students from Bachelor of Medical Sciences, Dentistry and Graduate Studies & Postdoctoral affairs...

  • CIHR funding boosts novel cancer research at Robarts: John Ronald, PhD
    John Ronald, PhD, is developing a gene-based approach to cancer detection. Using engineered 'tumour-activatable minicircles', the researcher and his team can use a blood test to determine if cancer is present, and potentially treat the disease. He recently received his first CIHR grant to support this ongoing research...

  • Distributed Education profile: Dr. Puneet Seth's research explores technology use with older patients
    Thoughts of the technology revolution in health care tend to invoke images of robotic surgical tools or complex imaging machines. But Dr. Puneet Seth and a team of researchers at Lawson Health Research Institute, are showing that even everyday technologies, such as mobile devices, can have a profound impact on health care...

  • Resident spotlight: Dr. Patrick Murphy, General Surgery
    In this Q&A, Dr. Patrick Murphy explains what motivated him to pursue to the specialization of surgery, the defining moments in his residency training so far and how he maintains his athletic interests outside the hospital...

  • Building relationships to support the School's mission: Alumni Relations & Development team
    Susana Gajic-Bruyea, Kristen Lesko, Kayla Kalijarvi, Dean Sherk and Marta Kobrzynski research and engage with prospective donors to build relationships, and match the individuals and organizations with giving opportunities that fit with their interests...

  • A year's worth of stories
    The 2017 issue of Rapport Magazine is now available online and in print form. It features stories about Schulich Scholarships recipients, educational leaders including Dr. Bertha Garcia, student activism, MS research, the value of social media in education, the negative impact of pseudoscience and so much more...

  • Research feature: Why you don't look at your feet when you walk
    Stephen Lomber, PhD, and a team of researchers at Western’s renowned Brain & Mind Institute are learning from the walking habits of cats by pinpointing a part of the brain involved in acquiring and maintaining the memory of obstacles in our environment...

  • Ann and Mitt Romney join Leaders in Innovation
    On November 15, Ann and Mitt Romney will join scientists, trainees and community members for the 2017 Leaders in Innovation Dinner. Ann was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1998 and has since become a champion for those fighting the disease. This event sold out last year, so purchase your tickets early...

  • Creating a culture of CQI
    Continuous quality improvement - three words that are framing the way forward for the Doctor of Medicine program and accreditation - and words you are sure to hear more often. Learn more about what work is underway to support the outcomes of the MD program's last accreditation and the preparations being made for the next evaluation in 2023...

  • Strategic Plan Refresh Update
    During the summer months, Directors from the School’s administrative teams have been taking a look at the School’s strategic plan and moving forward with the refresh of the document which began under Dr. Margaret Steele’s leadership...

  • Dean's Video Newsletter - Indigenous Strategic Plan
    In this edition of the Dean's Video Newsletter, Dr. Michael J. Strong addresses plans across the University and School to respond to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. With education and health care as major themes in the report, Dr. Strong explains the important role of medical schools in addressing issues impacting Indigenous health...

  • Profiles of Excellence: Hanif Ladak & Sumit Agrawal
    Hanif Ladak, PhD, and Dr. Sumit Agrawal are a true example of translational research - the basic science and clinician duo have taken principles of math and computer engineering and are using them to create computer models which improve patient outcomes in hearing science...

  • Celebrating your achievements
    Congratulations to Walter Siqueira, Jacob Aguirre-Butcher, Matt Berg, David Edgell, Mithu Sen, Hanbo Chen, the Virgin Pulse Global Challenge top steppers and teams, Melissa Schorr, Linda Wang, Erik Mandawe, Joseph Chin, Alan Getgood, Patrick Lajoie, Lena Palaniyappan, Aaron Fenster, Amanda Sauvé, Terry Peters, Anthony Tang, Flora Jung, Emaad Mohammad, Hunster Yang, Dante Capaldi, Tavis Apramian and more...

  • Giving hope to ALS patients: Dr. Brittney Parlett, Resident Alumna
    Residency brings many unexpected challenges. For Resident Alumna, Brittney Parlett, it was her husband Jeff Perreault being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Instead of giving up hope, Dr. Parlett excelled in her residency, cared for her husband and raised money for ALS research...

  • Discovering the art of surgery: Tavis Apramian, MD/PhD Candidate
    Tavis Apramian, an MD/PhD Candidate, has discovered, through his research, that surgeons more closely resemble artists than previously thought. With variations in surgeons' practise, he has shown that medical education varies in this specialty...

  • CIHR Foundation Grants awarded to Robarts researchers
    Congratulations to Dr. Lena Palaniyappan and Aaron Fenster, PhD, recipients of a total of $3 million in research funding as part of the Foundation Grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) announced in August...

  • R.E.A.L. Life Perspectives: St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital
    In the first installment of R.E.A.L. Life Perspectives, we follow faculty member Dr. Robert Black, surgical resident Dr. Kerollos Wanis, and nurse Jackie Moore on the surgical ward at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital (STEGH)...

  • Resident Spotlight: Dr. Faizal Haji, PGY6, Neurosurgery, Clinical Neurological Sciences
    In his last year of the Neurosurgical Residency program at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, Dr. Faizal Haji says the great mentors he has encountered over the years, and at all levels of education, have helped him to realize his potential and accomplish new feats...

  • Welcome to the School's newly appointed decanal leaders and faculty members
    A recap of the School's newly appointed decanal leaders and faculty members from June to September 2017...

  • An Extraordinary Homecoming
    Schulich Medicine & Dentistry alumni, faculty and students took centre stage during Homecoming Weekend, engaging in panel discussions, lectures, receptions and the annual Dean's Gala. It was an extraordinary weekend when we celebrated the School and the achievements of our distinguished alumni...

  • Dr. Vladimir Hachinski a 2018 Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Inductee
    Congratulations to Dr. Hachinski on being inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. He is a Distinguished University Professor in Clinical Neurological Sciences, a world-renowned neurologist who has transformed the understanding, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the two greatest threats to the brain, stroke and dementia...

  • $13.8 million in new funding for School research teams
    Eric Arts, PhD, Melvyn Goodale, PhD, Terry Peters, PhD, and Dr. Geoffrey Pickering will share $13.8-million in funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation. The official announcement was made on October 12 by London West MP Kate Young and London North Centre MP Peter Fragiskatos at Robarts Research Institute...

  • Faculty Affairs: A Q&A with Dr. Davy Cheng
    On July 1, Dr. Davy Cheng began his role as Vice Dean, Faculty Affairs. We sat down with him to talk about this new position, his goals and learn more about his priorities for his first few months as Vice Dean, Faculty Affairs...

  • Moving forward in reconciliation and healing
    “My time at the School has strengthened my cultural identity because my classmates are so eager to learn and understand what it means to be an Indigenous person in Canada,” said second-year medical student Cheyenne LaForme, reflecting on the recent Indigenous learning session for medical and law students at Western. The session included a presentation by Ry Moran, Director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, and a Blanket Exercise...

  • Transition to Residency: A lecture series preparing residents for their training
    T2R offers eight half-day lectures focused on everything from hypotension/shock to neruor emergencies and the dying patients, so residents can gain the knowledge and skills they need to feel more prepared and comfortable so they can achieve success during residency...

  • Dr. Valerie Schulz appointed Associate Dean, Continuing Professional Development
    Dr. Valerie Schulz has been appointed as Associate Dean, Continuing Professional Development, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, effective October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2022...

  • Celebrating your achievements
    Congratulations to Vladimir Hachinski, Lloy Wylie, Eric Arts, Melvyn Goodale, Terry Peters, Geoffrey Pickering, Karla Crosara, Michael Greene, Dorota Klubowicz, Shawna Kim, Sherri-Lynn Kane, Waseem El-Halabi, Shane Smith, Sumit Chaudhari, Mark Watling Mike Mikhaeil, Julie Ann Van Koughnett, Zaid Koht, Amin Sandhu, Raj Rai, Bharat Markandey, Andrei Zaharia, Yoon Chi, Michael Lee-Poy, Alison Allan and John Ronald and more...

  • 2018 Awards of Excellence
    Every year, Awards of Excellence honours the outstanding contributions of faculty and staff at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and provides an opportunity to recognize and encourage the ongoing development of outstanding talent. The nominations packages are now available for the 2018 awards...

  • The Activists: Taking action to bring social, political, and health care change
    As medical students, we’re told that physicians can make change happen, and that their signature means something,” said Rachelle Beanlands. “As second-year medical students, we don’t really know what that means yet, but as future physicians we can use our voice and position now for positive change.”...

  • Rodger Hudson, MSc Candidate: A dose of perspective
    Roger Hudson, an MSc Candidate, is researching how different doses of Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol interact and effect learning and neutral and emotional memory...

  • V. Wee Yong, PhD: The 2017 J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine Recipient
    Western University’s Robarts Research Institute is pleased to announce that V. Wee Yong, PhD, is the recipient of the 2017 J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine. Robarts has been awarding the Taylor Prize to leading scientists since 1985 and recognizes the contributions of outstanding internationally recognized researchers...

  • R.E.A.L. Life Perspectives: Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance
    In the second installment of R.E.A.L. Life Perspectives, we follow faculty member Dr. Miriam Mann and Family Medicine resident Dr. Alicia Cundall during an overnight shift in the Emergency Department at Stratford General Hospital, one of four Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance sites...

  • Resident Spotlight: Bethany Oeming, PGY4, Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine
    Dr. Bethany Oeming is a fourth-year resident in the Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine program at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. Though Dr. Oeming thought she was destined for Family Medicine, a clerkship rotation in Anesthesia changed her perspective and motivated her to ‘follow her instincts’ about the specialty...

  • Resident Boot Camp: Training the trainers to enrich learning
    The Boot Camp has been in existence since the fall of 2015, and is just one program that helped the Doctor of Medicine Program in moving the accreditation standard Preparation of resident and non-faculty instructors from non-compliant to compliant....

  • Upcoming events
    Celebrate the outstanding research taking place at Robarts by joining us for the Leaders in Innovation Dinner. Registration deadline is November 3...

  • Philanthropy, politics and the power of research
    It was an evening of candour, emotion and laughter at the 2017 Leaders in Innovation Dinner. Special guest Ann Romney shared her experience living with multiple sclerosis, alongside her husband, Mitt Romney. The event also honoured researcher V. Wee Yong, PhD, the 2017 recipient of the J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine. Guests were treated to an engaging conversation with the Romneys about everything from philanthropy to family to politics...

  • Agreement with Nanjing Medical University expanded
    A delegation from Schulich Medicine & Dentistry is with Premier Kathleen Wynne in Nanjing, China this week as part of a Business Mission with Ontario's Ministry of International Trade. As part of the mission, the School is expanding its partnership with Nanjing Medical University...

  • Team has the World by a string
    A team of trainees including Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry student Michelle Quaye took home top honours at Western's World's Challenge Challenge for CREATE Kenya - an idea that uses entrepreneurship as means to support people with mental illness...

  • Medical student wins prestigious Russ Jackson Award
    Western Mustangs linebacker and Schulich Medicine & Dentistry Medical student Nick Vanin was honoured for his achievements, both on and off the field, with the prestigious Russ Jackson Award at the U SPORTS football All-Canadian Gala Thursday night...

  • Polanyi Prize recognizes scholar’s imaging work
    Sarah Svenningsen, PhD'16, a postdoctoral fellow at Robarts and McMaster University, received the John Charles Polanyi Prize, presented by the Council of Ontario Universities...

  • CBME Research grants awarded
    Seven different CBME research projects will share which was provided through the Competency-Based Medical Education Innovation Fund. Projects focused on a wide variety of themes from Neurosurgical-Team, Simulation based training to Developing an assessment tool for on-call experiences in surgical education...

  • CBME and the broader medical education reform
    Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) is a popular topic of conversation at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry these days. Dr. Jay Rosenfield, vice dean, Medical Education is enthusiastic about the transition and sees it as an opportunity for positive change for learners and faculty alike, and for broader medical education reform responsive to the health care needs of the community....

  • Dr. Mark Awuku named Ontario Pediatrician of the Year
    Dr. Mark Awuku is named the 2017 Ontario Pediatrician of the Year by the Pediatricians Alliance of Ontario. Dr. Awuku is a pediatrician and assistant professor in the department of pediatrics at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry – Windsor Campus...

  • Moira Stewart recognized by North American Primary Care Research Group
    Moira Stewart, PhD, received the 2017 Maurice Wood Award for Lifetime Contribution to Primary Care Research from the North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). Stewart, renowned for her work in primary care, is a Distinguished University Professor Emeritus at the Centre for Studies in Family Medicine and the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics...

  • Dr. Larry Jacobs re-appointed Assistant Dean, Windsor Faculty Affairs
    Dr. Larry Jacobs is re-appointed as Assistant Dean, Windsor Faculty Affairs, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, effective January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019...

  • Celebrating your achievements
    Congratulations to Reena Khanna, Renato Natale, Moira Stewart, Sarah Svenningsen, Mark Awuku, Michelle Quaye, Nick Vanin, Kathryn Bailey, Darren Cargill, Scott McKay and Larry Schmidt....

  • Helping young refugees transition, Mazen El-Baba, MA'17
    Refugee children from Syria might not think that they have a lot to teach others. Mazen El-Baba, MA’17 thinks differently. The recent master’s program graduate is using his passion for research and his commitment to the community to better understand the effects of adverse experiences on children’s mental wellbeing and decision making...

  • Student Profile: Luz Saavedra Valdemar - Turning Personal Experience into a Bustling Career
    Luz Saavedra Valdemar is passionate about creating accessible health care in her home country of Mexico. Through the Master of Public Health program she hopes to learn new approaches to combating barriers to care...

  • National media coverage: Uncovering concussion clues
    Research findings from Ravi Menon, PhD, and Kathryn Manning, PhD Candidate, gained national spotlight in October. The team showed that young hockey players who have suffered concussions still show changes in the white matter of the brain months after being cleared to return to play. The findings were published in Neurology...

  • R.E.A.L. Life Perspectives: Central Lambton Family Health Team
    In the third instalment of the R.E.A.L. Life Perspectives, we get a behind the scenes look at the Central Lambton Family Health Team (CLFHT) with faculty member Dr. Firas Al-Dhaher and second-year Family Medicine resident Dr. Cody Jackson...

  • Resident spotlight: Dr. Adam Kassam, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
    Dr. Adam Kassam didn’t set out to be an advocate. The chief resident in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry says a passion for diversity and a firm belief in speaking up for what he believes in is what has been the driving force behind his more than half dozen published op-eds...

  • Research – a vital element during undergraduate medical training
    Dr. Tithecott says that research is an accreditation element for undergraduate medical programs for a reason - it offers a vital training ground for skill development and helping students develop the skills they need to need to ask questions, analyze data and critically assess information.”...

  • Tweets of the month
    Catch up on the best 140-character thoughts from our faculty, staff and students, including tweets from Adam Kassam, David Fischer, Jane Thornton , Saman Maleki, Alison Allan and more...