Jane Goodall headlines University event
Jane Goodall a world-renowned scientist and foremost expert on chimpanzees will bring her inspiring message to Western University’s Alumni Hall on September 11.
During her presentation and armchair discussion, she will reflect on the incredible insights her research has offered into our closest animal relatives, and the extraordinary change the world has seen since she first began her research in 1960. She will also discuss the current threats facing the planet, the need for change, and her reasons for hope; including the importance of empowering our youth to become environmental stewards.
The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University and Docs4GreatApes are the lead sponsors for the Goodall presentation. And the School’s own Dr. Rick Quinn who happens to be the co-founder of Docs4GreatApes and is the main force behind the Event.
A doctor of veterinary medicine, Dr. Quinn’s journey to establishing Doc4GreatApes started with the review of an article about the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project (MGVP)(www.gorilladoctors.org) that he unearthed during a long overdue effort to clean up his desk. He has grown curious about vision and ocular diseases in non-human primates was so intrigued by the article, he contacted the author.
This led to a gorilla tracking expedition, and it evolved into an African odyssey that included teaching veterinary students in Uganda, honing the ophthalmic skills of the Gorilla Doctors at their base in Musanze Rwanda, and tracking chimpanzees along with Dr. David Ramsey of the Animal Ophthalmology Centre in Michigan.
When Drs. Quinn and Ramsey returned home, they were determined to inspire their colleagues to become passionate about improving the health of Great Ape populations, the communities that surround them, and the ecosystem.
“I felt that I could accomplish more as a conservation advocate and educator here and be a catalyst for change utilizing connections and abundant goodwill amongst my colleagues,” said Dr. Quinn. “I also felt uniquely qualified to lead an inter professional effort, given the blend of medical/ helping interests in my family and medical/ veterinary contemporaries.”
The Quinn family ties run deep at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. While Dr. Quinn is an adjunct faculty member at the School and Diane Quinn, MD’82, the matriarch of the Quinn family is also a faculty member with the Department of Family Medicine. Meanwhile the Quinn’s son Jason graduated as part of the Class of 2012; their son Matthew is currently part of the MD/PhD program, their daughter Nikki is now in her third year with the medical program. Their youngest daughter Emily is also attending Western and is in her third year of the Biology program.
Dr. Quinn is proud to be part of the Jane Goodall event. “Part of our mandate at Docs4GreatApes is to raise awareness of critical issues in conservation of species at risk, including the endangered Great Apes, so this will be a wonderful opportunity to profile her work while achieving our mission,” said Dr. Quinn.
A limited number of tickets are still available for the event, and they can be purchased online at at www.Docs4GreatApes.org.
