2020
Honour: Celebrating 25 Years of Service
January 08, 2021
Congratulations to Schulich Medicine & Dentistry staff and faculty who were honoured with a Western University long-term service award in 2020.Award: Leslie Meredith awarded the North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) Outstanding Research Coordinator
December 14, 2020
Congratulations to Leslie Meredith, Program Manager, who was awarded the North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) Outstanding Research Coordinator Award. This award goes to an individual responsible for managing the everyday operations of a research project, or a group of projects or a program.Honour: Dr. Carol Herbert appointed to Order of Canada
December 02, 2020
Former Dean of Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, Dr. Carol Herbert, has been awarded Canada's highest civilian honour for her contributions to clinical and academic medicine.Research News: Racialized trans and non-binary Canadians report increased harassment and violence
November 18, 2020
A new report from Trans PULSE Canada provides insight on the unique experiences of racialized trans and non-binary Canadians. Principal investigator Greta Bauer, PhD, says the findings show this group faces increased levels of physical violence, harassment and sexual assault.Commentary: What Canada learned (and didn’t learn) from the SARS pandemic
November 13, 2020
As the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic takes hold across the country, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry experts say while Canadian officials implemented improvements to public health organization and in-hospital infection prevention and control after the SARS pandemic in 2003, vulnerabilities remained in the long-term care sector and the supply-chain for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).Announcement: Doctor of Medicine program successful in all accreditation categories
November 05, 2020
The Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools and the Liaison Committee on Medical Education have officially informed Schulich Medicine & Dentistry that the MD program and School have now met all accreditation standards and elements from the 2015 review when we were granted full accreditation status.A look back: Insulin's centenary - the birth of an idea
October 30, 2020
At 2:00 a.m. on October 31, 1920, Dr. Frederick Banting, a surgeon practising in London, Ontario, conceived of an idea to isolate the internal secretion of the pancreas - an idea that culminated in the discovery and clinical use of insulin. Dr. Rob Hegele takes a look back at this important moment in a new publication for The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.Funding: Research team to receive PSI Foundation Research Grant in the amount of $20,000
October 15, 2020
The PSI Foundation has approved funding for Dr. Obaidullah Khan's Resident Research application, "Training of Canadian family medicine residents for POCUS screening of AAAs: a feasibility study" in the amount of $20,000.00 over 1 year.Announcement: Dr. Michelle Marlborough appointed Assistant Dean, Postgraduate Learner Experience
October 14, 2020
Dr. Michelle Marlborough has been appointed as the Assistant Dean, Postgraduate Learner Experience, effective November 1, 2020 to October 31, 2025.Research News: Global study finds ‘COVID-19 free’ hospital areas could save lives after surgery
October 07, 2020
As the second wave peak approaches, a new global study suggests hospitals should set up ‘COVID-19 free’ areas for surgical patients – and that doing so could reduce the risk of serious complications and death from lung infections associated with coronavirus.Announcement: New School leadership structure announced
October 05, 2020
An important step to achieving excellence and differentiation at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry is the creation of a new leadership structure, which expands focus on research, scholarship, education and wellness.Feature: Global epidemiologist sounds cautious note on COVID-19
October 02, 2020
Dr. Gabriel Leung, MD'96, Dean of Medicine at Hong Kong University, is one of the world's leading epidemiology and global health experts. He provided early and accurate predictions on the initial trajectory of COVID-19, and says we need to plan for the worst, and hope for the best.Resident Spotlight: Dr. Diana Cuckovic
September 29, 2020
There was a time where Dr. Diana Cuckovic, PGY2, Family Medicine, considered dance might be her calling, but her interest for life sciences and desire to help others encouraged her to pursue a different path.News: Medical students help deliver medical gowns to health care workers
September 22, 2020
A team of medical students is helping deliver medical gowns to health care workers in the London area. With volunteers from Canada Sews, the gowns are made from donated fabric. More than 800 gowns, along with notes of encouragement, have been delivered to local clinics, long-term care homes, pharmacies and emergency shelters.In the media: Canada’s rural residents face thousands in medical travel costs and a patchwork subsidy system
September 17, 2020
Maria Mathews , PhD, discusses out of pocket costs burdening rural residents across Canada when travelling outside their community for healthcare via the National Observer.Funding: Researchers receive a multi-million dollar injection of funding through CIHR
September 15, 2020
Eight Schulich Medicine & Dentistry researchers targeting a wide range of health issues were recipients of nearly $4.9 million through the spring 2020 competition.Announcement: Dr. Laura Foxcroft appointed as Assistant Dean, Faculty Wellbeing
September 14, 2020
Dr. Laura Foxcroft, Associate Professor in Emergency Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, has been appointed as the Assistant Dean, Faculty Wellbeing effective October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2025.Announcement: Dr. Robert Stein re-appointed Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Equity and Wellbeing
September 14, 2020
Dr. Robert Stein, Associate Professor in the Department of Paediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, has been re-appointed to Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Equity and Wellbeing, effective October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2022.Funding: New funding allows researchers to investigate long-term effects of COVID-19 on the lungs
September 11, 2020
Funding from the Ontario COVID-19 Rapid Research Fund is enabling a team of researchers across Ontario led by Grace Parraga, PhD, to use novel lung-imaging techniques to better understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 and plan health care and societal resources for survivors, post-infection.Honours: Royal Society celebrates five Western scholars
September 09, 2020
For many Canadian scholars, being elected into the Royal Society of Canada is a crowning achievement of their careers. To Lisa Saksida, PhD, – newly honoured into the into RSC, along with four other Western scholars – it is also a reminder of the teamwork that takes place in any successful research program, and that their collective work has only just started.Feature: Peer program supports clinician well-being
September 08, 2020
The new Peers for Peers Program at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry provides one-on-one peer support for clinical faculty, emphasizing empathetic listening and shared experience.Feature: Incoming medical school class represents increased diversity
August 27, 2020
Changes to the medical school admissions process during the past two years have mitigated barriers for underrepresented populations resulting in a more diverse class in terms of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, as well as rural versus urban and whether or not parents had attended medical school or university.Research News: Researchers unravel two mysteries of COVID-19
August 26, 2020
A team of researchers led by Dr. Douglas Fraser has identified six molecules that can be used as biomarkers to predict how severely ill a COVID-19 patient will become, and are also the first to reveal a new mechanism causing blood clots in COVID-19 patients and potential ways to treat them.In the media: London hockey fan fitness program skates by lockdown, expands out West
August 13, 2020
HockeyFIT, a unique program developed at Western University that uses hockey fan culture to help fans get fit, is moving forward with plans to expand this fall in Western Canada. The program, which started in London, is now scaling up to be offered across the country.In the media: London-area's encouraging COVID-19 caseload 'a good springboard' as school nears
August 10, 2020
“Our numbers couldn’t possibly be at a better place right now,” said Dr. Mario Elia, a family physician in southwest London and an adjunct professor in Western University’s family medicine department. The return to classrooms is the top COVID-19 question he’s hearing from patients.Announcement: Nicole Kaniki and Bertha Garcia named special advisors on anti-racism
August 07, 2020
Dr. Nicole Kaniki and Dr. Bertha Garcia will help Western lay the foundation for a sustained strategy to combat racism on campus.Funding: Youth vaping problem nets research dollars
August 05, 2020
Vaping among teenaged Canadians has doubled in the past two years – a troubling trend that three Western researchers will examine in depth with new funding through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR.) The researchers are working to understand the rapid rise of vaping in Canada and measure its health effects.Research News: Poor sleep linked to multiple chronic conditions
July 29, 2020
Researchers have shown that how well you sleep and for how long is linked to increased odds of living with multiple chronic conditions, and argue that promotion of good sleep habits should be given greater focus in clinical practice and public health.Announcement: Robert Bartha, PhD, appointed Acting Director, Strategy and Scientific Integration, Robarts Research Institute
July 24, 2020
Robert Bartha, PhD, has been appointed as Acting Director, Strategy and Scientific Integration at Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry effective July 27, 2020 to June 30, 2021.Research News: Exposure to chronic stress changes neurons in the brain
July 20, 2020
Wataru Inoue, PhD, studies the effect of chronic stress on the brain. His latest paper shows that the neurons in the brain actually change their size and microstructure, and become desensitized to stress signals over time.Feature: Study uses Twitter to reveal our mental-health state
July 13, 2020
An international research team led by Daniel Lizotte, PhD, hopes that tweet you just posted – and the millions of others posted to the popular social media site – will provide insights into our collective mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.In the media: A family physician or a dear friend?
July 09, 2020
Family Medicine resident Daniela Keren, MD MSc, reflects on what it's been like working virtually with patients during the pandemic. "As a family medicine resident, I have adapted to COVID-19 just as everyone else has. At least a few days of the week, I work from home. There were kinks initially, naturally; many patients screened my calls at first when they saw “No Caller ID” appear on their phones. I wasted precious appointment minutes giving my spiel regarding security over the phone and the limitations of not having the physical exam, explaining “but we are adapting, because of COVID.”"Funding: CIHR funding for COVID-19 enables two additional projects
July 06, 2020
Two projects led by Maria Mathews, PhD, and Dr. Leigh Sowerby will address virus transmission during surgery and pandemic planning for COVID-19, thanks to new funding announced by the Government of Canada, through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), along with provincial partners.Research News: Studying the body’s immune response to COVID-19, researchers discover potential therapeutic targets
June 25, 2020
A team from Lawson Health Research Institute and Western University are the first in the world to profile the body’s immune response to COVID-19. By studying blood samples from critically ill patients at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), the research team identified a unique pattern of six molecules that could be used as therapeutic targets to treat the virus.Feature: Brain Study explores lasting impacts of COVID-19
June 24, 2020
The COVID-19 Brain Study looks to recruit 50,000 individuals who received a confirmed positive diagnosis of the virus in order to answer pressing questions about the disease’s direct and indirect effects on the brain.Award: Family Medicine Postgraduate Awards recipients announced
June 19, 2020
The Department of Family Medicine is happy to announce (and celebrate!) this year's Postgraduate Program Awards recipients. A full list of 2019/2020 award recipients can be found on our website. Congratulations!Award: Family Medicine Resident Research Grant Competition recipient announced
June 15, 2020
In its inaugural year, the Family Medicine Resident Research Grant Competition has awarded $3000 to Dr. Obaidullah Khan’s project entitled, “Triaging of Canadian family medicine residents for POCUS screening of AAAs: a feasibility study.” The competition was established to promote high-level primary care research while building grant preparation and writing skills. All first year family medicine residents were eligible to apply.Statement: Responding to acts of racism
June 03, 2020
As researchers, health care providers and teachers, whose careers and lives are focused on making this world better, safer and healthier, we have a responsibility to actively engage in anti-racist work. We need to listen, to learn, to check in, to step in, and to use our voices to make change in our own environments and those around us each and every day.Announcement: Centre for Quality, Innovation and Safety opens at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry
May 27, 2020
The Centre for Quality, Innovation and Safety at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry’s Department of Medicine aims to improve patient care through research in quality improvement, innovation and patient safety.In the media: Domestic violence, sex assaults up during pandemic, even on dates and at gatherings
May 21, 2020
"We won't find out about it if we don't ask." Dr. Susan McNair, faculty and Medical Director of the Regional Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Centre at St Joseph’s Hospital, encourages healthcare providers – from family doctors to physiotherapists – to connect through patients and keep an eye out for signs of violence. Dr. McNair is reminding health-care providers to ask two simple questions. Do you feel safe? Is anyone harming you?Funding: University investment pushes pandemic research forward
May 19, 2020
The “Research Western Catalyst Grant: Surviving Pandemics” supports interdisciplinary projects at the University that will contribute to a broad range of evidence, tools and guidelines into disease outbreaks. Five research projects at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry received funding through the initiative.Announcement: Centre for Studies in Family Medicine Leadership Roles
May 11, 2020
The Department of Family Medicine is pleased to announce that the Director of the Centre for Studies and Family Medicine (CSFM) and the Director of Research in the Department of Family Medicine is Dr. Amanda Terry. This position was effective May 1, 2020. The Director of the CSFM will be assisted in the role by a family physician in the role of clinical liaison physician to the Director. We are pleased to announce that Dr. Sonny Cejic has accepted the role of Liaison physician for the Centre for Studies in Family Medicine.Research News: Team first in world to treat COVID-19 with specialized dialysis
May 08, 2020
As part of a randomized controlled trial, a London-based team is the first in the world to treat a patient with COVID-19 using a modified dialysis device. The device gently removes a patient's blood, modifies white blood cells and returns them to fight hyperinflammation. It is being tested with critically ill patients at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC).Feature: New Schulich dean finds lessons in crisis
May 01, 2020
On May 1, Dr. John Yoo stepped into his new role as Dean of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry during an unprecedented moment in human history.In the Media: Is it safe to go to the ER during COVID-19?
April 30, 2020
Adjunct faculty member and Emergency Physician Dr. Ken Milne speaks to Dr. Brian Goldman on CBC's podcast, The Dose, about the reasons why he thinks patients are avoiding the ER during this pandemic, and when patients should definitely be coming in to the hospital.News: Family Physician adapts practice to maintain patient relationships amid pandemic
April 27, 2020
Alumni and adjunct faculty, Dr. Mario Elia, who practices at the London Lambeth Family Medicine Clinic, has found a way to keep the relationship he has with his patients going during the evolving pandemic.Announcement: Western names Lesley Rigg as Vice-President (Research)
April 27, 2020
Internationally recognized academic leader Lesley Rigg will join Western as Vice-President (Research) on August 1. Western’s Board of Governors approved a five-year term for Professor Rigg at its meeting on April 23. Currently, Rigg is dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Calgary where she leads 250 faculty, 300 staff and 6,000 students spanning six departments and five multidisciplinary programs.Video: Chair's Message – COVID-19 Update
April 23, 2020
Dr. Stephen Wetmore, Chair/Chief of the Department of Family Medicine, addresses staff, faculty and learners via video in his most recent Chair's Message – COVID-19 Update.Announcement: Celebrating the 2020 Awards of Excellence recipients
April 15, 2020
As educators, researchers, innovators and leaders, the 2020 Awards of Excellence recipients are making a difference at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. This year, we celebrate 42 award recipients. It is with great pride that we recognize and honour their achievements.In the news: I am a family doctor. Here's how COVID-19 has changed our practice
April 14, 2020
Dr. Michael Craig, Academic Director and Assistant Professor who practices at the Middlesex Centre Regional Medical Clinic in Ilderton, where six doctors and from eight to 10 residents treat approximately 1,600 patients, discusses how COVID-19 has changed the practice. The clinic’s hours have been reduced to 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, but has doctors on call 24/7. Via London Free Press.News: Faculty wellbeing program launches amidst COVID-19 pandemic
April 09, 2020
Based on a Peers for Peers model, the Schulich Wellbeing Program will provide support for clinical and dentistry faculty in London and Windsor. Drs. Terri Paul, Bill McCauley and Andrea Lum are the faculty leads for the Program.Department Update – April 3, 2020
April 03, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has suddenly turned our world upside down. We are in the midst of a health crisis that has stopped or majorly altered many of our usual departmental activities. The daily news updates, statistics, and media reports have generated a certain level of stress and anxiety for everyone. I hope you and your families are all coping well and are safe. At this time I want to provide a general update for the Department of Family Medicine.In Memoriam: James Hammond
April 03, 2020
It is with sadness that we share news that James Hammond – Dr. Jo-Anne Hammond‘s son – has died. James was 28 years old.News: Collaboration with Faculty of Engineering results in protective face shields for health care workers
March 31, 2020
A collaboration between the Faculty of Engineering and Schulich Medicine & Dentistry has led to the production of low-cost, substantively effective medical face shields that could be in hospitals for healthcare workers (HCW) within days if not hours.To our alumni - thank you
March 30, 2020
As you support your hospital, university and community, we want to say thank you. Schulich Medicine & Dentistry alumni have long been leaders in their fields and you continue to demonstrate thoughtful leadership through the COVID-19 global pandemic.Annoucement: Clinical Academic Appointment – Clinical Teacher, Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University
March 23, 2020
The Department of Family Medicine at the Schulich School of Medicine &Dentistry, Western University, is inviting applications for one full-time clinical academic teaching position within an innovative and exciting Department of Family Medicine. Learn More.In the news: Londoners organize to supply doctors' offices, 'love-bomb' health-care workers
March 19, 2020
A handful of Londoners have turned some casual conversations into a grassroots effort supplying thousands of gloves and masks to local medical clinics. Help is needed to keep medical clinics and doctors’ offices in London operating, said Dr. Mario Elia, a family doctor and professor of family medicine at Western University. Via London Free Press.Announcement: Funding backs Western COVID-19 vaccine efforts
March 19, 2020
Western efforts to develop a COVID-19 vaccine received a major jolt thanks to million-dollar investment by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), federal officials announced today.COVID-19 Travel, Education and Visitor Policy
March 16, 2020
Due to the changing nature and spread of COVID-19, and in an effort to minimize the potential risk to patients in our care, the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry has adopted a new travel policy relating to all Schulich Medicine & Dentistry clinical/dental faculty, staff, and learners and for those who work in a clinical care environment. The policy oversees travel for international residents, fellows, and visitors who are scheduled to come to Western University for training and or guest lectures. It outlines the process for faculty, staff and learners who are not engaged in clinical or dental care or who don’t work in a hospital or clinical environment, or a research lab in a hospital or clinical care environment.News: Medical students providing support during COVID-19 containment effort
March 15, 2020
Medical students at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry are rallying to support their health care colleagues during the COVID-19 containment efforts. Through a student-led initiative, they are offering free childcare, errand running and volunteering services while Ontario schools are closed.Western President’s statement on COVID-19 effort
March 13, 2020
Classes are cancelled starting Friday, March 13 up-to and including Tuesday, March 17. Any exams scheduled during this time period will be rescheduled. Starting Wednesday, March 18, classes will be online through to the end of term.Media Release: Trans and non-binary Canadians report having unmet health care needs
March 10, 2020
Nearly half of transgender and non-binary Canadians who responded to a national survey say they faced one or more unmet health care needs in the past year – with about 1-in-10 saying they avoided an emergency room visit completely, according to a Western University-led project.News: Schulich Medicine students signal strong sense of social responsibility with CaRMS match results
March 06, 2020
The first iteration of the 2020 Canadian Resident Matching Services (CaRMS) residency match was released on March 3.Media Release: Molecule found in oranges could reverse obesity
March 03, 2020
Researchers at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry are studying a molecule found in sweet oranges and tangerines called nobiletin, which they have shown to drastically reduce obesity and reverse its negative side-effects. But why it works remains a mystery.Coronavirus information students, faculty and staff
March 02, 2020
Information for Western students, faculty and staff regarding Novel Coronavirus.Recognizing excellence
February 28, 2020
The 2020 Awards of Excellence recipients from the Schulich Medicine & Dentistry – Windsor Campus continue to make a difference at the School and in the community. We’re proud to recognize and honour their achievements. The 2020 recipients include Kristen DeMarco, Marguerite Chevalier, Roni Hetzel and many more.Coronavirus information students, faculty and staff
January 28, 2020
Information for Western students, faculty and staff regarding Novel Coronavirus.Western mourns loss of students on Flight PS752
January 09, 2020
Western is grieving the lives lost on Flight PS752, including members of the Western campus community. Immediate supports are available.Announcement: New Dean Chosen for Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
January 06, 2020
On behalf of Western University's Board of Governors, President Alan Shepard, and the Schulich Medicine & Dentistry Decanal Selection Committee, Andy Hrymak is very pleased to announce that Dr. John Yoo has been appointed as the next Dean of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, beginning May 1, 2020 through June 30, 2025.
