September 2018 Newsletter

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.

Rapport Magazine now available
The 2018 issue of Rapport Magazine is now available on newsstands and online. Read about some of the exciting educational innovations and research taking place at the School, learn more about how some of the School’s residents are raising their voices to make changes and find out about the difference our alumni are making across Canada and around the world.

Shifting the culture around concussion in sport
On August 16, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry welcomed guests for the sixth annual See the Line Community Symposium. It was an exciting afternoon focused on concussion research, education, awareness and prevention. Those in attendance heard from special guests, Cheryl Wellington and Keith Yates, on the latest in concussion research and what steps Canada needs to take to initiate a national concussion strategy. The highlight of the afternoon for most was the keynote speaker, Ken Dryden, as he challenged decision-makers to move beyond awareness and toward changing the rules of the game to make it safer for those playing. Please enjoy an online photo gallery highlighting some of the afternoon’s special moments.

Selection Committee updates
Interested in knowing the status of various Selection Committee activities? You can visit the School's Human Resources website for a monthly update. Please note, the information is updated at the beginning of each month.

CIHR Results: Researchers awarded more than $11 million in CIHR funding
From using CRISPR to alter the gut microbiome to looking at how the brain rewires itself in deafness, researchers at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry are the recipients of $11.3 million in project and bridge grant funding announced by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) this week.

Reflections from the International Summer Program 2018
From July 16 to 27, the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry hosted medical students from partner institutions abroad during its third International Summer Program.

Western researchers explore implications of MAID for organ donation in Canada
Written by Dr. Ian Ball and Robert Sibbald from Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and collaborator Dr. Robert Truog from Harvard Medical School, the commentary addresses what implications the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision to decriminalize Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) has for organ donation.

Social Media
Catch up on the best Twitter thoughts from our faculty, staff and students, including Steven Laviolette, Alison Allan, Gary Tithecott and others.

Follow Schulich Medicine & Dentistry on Instagram
Spread the word, we're on Instagram. Follow @schulichmeddent for photos showcasing the School's people, community and events. And be sure to tag your photos with #schulichadvantage for a chance to be featured.