February 2018 Newsletter
CaRMS 2018
The CaRMS recruitment days that took place on January 12, 20 and 21 were a huge success. As a Department we interviewed over 600 candidates in total. The postgraduate team would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of the faculty, staff and residents that offered their assistance at these events. We couldn’t do it without you. Match day is March 1, 2018.
Chair's Message
It is very encouraging to follow developments that have the potential to further integrate and enhance palliative care across our region. Here in London, the Citywide Palliative Care Program in the Department of Family Medicine is taking shape with the appointment of Dr. Anita Singh as the Citywide Medical Leader... The Southwest LHIN Hospice Palliative Care Network is planning to implement two palliative care outreach teams in London Middlesex to complement existing community-based palliative care groups.
Postgraduate Program Report
The Assessment Director and Postgraduate Education Committee has made some improvements to the Faculty Advisor Form. This new form will be implemented for July 1, 2018... There have been some recent changes to the time away categories in residency as covered by the PARO-CAHO Collective Agreement.
Graduate Program Report
MClSc and PhD students enrolled in full credit courses have successfully completed their first term and are onto the second term of the 2017-18 academic year. Students enrolled in half credit courses that commenced in January are off to a strong start... The Graduate Studies Program is pleased to announce a new award. The Dr. Wm. Victor Johnston Award is open to both domestic and international MClSc and PhD students valued at $4500 each.
Retirement News
Postgraduate Program Coordinator Sharon Story has decided to retire from Western as of May 1, 2018. With accrued vacation, Sharon’s last working day in Family Medicine will be March 16. "The best part of the job is the relationships I have developed over the years, both internally and externally..."
Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT) receives CIHR funding
Dr. Robert Petrella and the entire Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT) team are thrilled to announce that their recent grant application to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research was successful. The team has been awarded $948,600 over 5 years.
In the news: Hockey FIT has launched at the University of New Brunswick
New fitness program helps overweight hockey fans make lasting lifestyle changes. The Hockey Fans in Training Program, piloted at Western University, is being rolled out by researchers at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton in January. Via CTVNews, Huffington Post, National Post, and iheartradio.
Dr. Leanne Peters is in Pyeongchang, South Korea as the team doctor for the Team Canada Women’s Hockey team
Stratford faculty member, Dr. Leanne Peters, is in Pyeongchang, South Korea as the team doctor for Canada's Olympic Women's Hockey team. She couldn't be more proud to be wearing the maple leaf as the team looks to repeat as Olympic gold medalists.
CAME announces 2018 Certificate of Merit
Congratulations to Dr. George Kim, one of this year’s recipients of the 2018 Canadian Association for Medical Education (CAME) Certificate of Merit for Western University. Dr. Kim, assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine, and Assistant Dean, Rural & Regional Community Engagement, demonstrates an immense passion for the mentorship and training of future physicians.
Dr. Puneet Seth recognized with Canadian Society of Hospital Medicine award
The Canadian Society of Hospital Medicine recognized Dr. Puneet Seth with the 2017 Award for Outstanding Service in Hospital Medicine for his work done in founding a hospitalist department at the Woodstock General Hospital, helping to bring quality improvement through electronic documentation, and creating a teaching site for family medicine residents in hospital medicine in Woodstock.
Drs. James and Leslie Rourke named co-winners of WONCA 5-Star Doctors award
Congratulations to Drs. James and Leslie Rourke, this year's co-recipients of the WONCA 5-Star Doctors award for the North America region. The Rourkes were co-honoured for their life’s work as family physicians and the significant contributions they have made to family medicine for the past 35 years, including the development of the Rourke Baby Record.
Mind-Body Maximizes Benefits of Exercise to Seniors
Nárlon Cassio Boa Sorte Silva, Kinesiology PhD student, and his supervisor, Dr. Robert Petrella were featured in Western’s Be Extraordinary, Against the Dying Light Series. Boa Sorte Silva’s research appears in Chapter 2: Research of the publication.
Trillium Primary Health Care Research Day
Save the date. Trillium Primary Health Care Research Day will be held Wednesday, June 6 at the Sheraton Centre Hotel in Toronto. A keynote on learning health systems provided by Dr. Robert Reid of Trillium Health Partners will anchor the day, and workshops on ‘Integrating rigorous evaluation into learning health systems in Ontario’ and ‘Patient storytelling in research’ are planned.
Dr. Elaine Toomey to visit Western and explore Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT) program
Dr. Elaine Toomey from the School of Psychology at NUI Galway has received an award from the Irish Canadian University Foundation to visit Western University and explore the Hockey Fans in Training (Hockey FIT) program. She will be looking at how Hockey FIT was adapted to Canada and hockey by Dr. Robert Petrella from the Scottish Football Fans in Training program. Via GalwayDaily and LimerickPost.
Department Spotlight: Dr. Susan McNair
Dr. Susan McNair is a Staff Physician at the St. Joseph's Family Medical Centre and the Medical Director of the Regional Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Centre at St Joseph’s Hospital. She also provides palliative care at University Hospital and sees patients in their homes, as well as patients in long term care. "...teaching residents is my greatest passion. I love their stage of learning and being part of their transition to independent practice."
February 2018 Research and Publications
The Department of Family Medicine is at the forefront of research in primary health care. Among the areas of focus for research are patient-centered care, clinical practice guidelines, health promotion, population health, care of the elderly, health services and information technology.
Events
Join us for Family Medicine Grand Rounds: Limiting Screentime for Children on Wednesday, March 7 featuring Dr. George Kim. Mark your calendars for Family Medicine Faculty Development: Research Incubator on Wednesday, April 11 with Drs. Saadia Hameed, Daniel Leger and Merrick Zwarenstein. Mark your calendars to learn, engage, and support your fellow Family Medicine faculty members at the Annual Clinical Day on May 9.
Top stories from our December newsletter
Chair's Message, Awards: Drs. Bailey, Cargill, McKay, and Schmidt Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP) 2017 Award recipients, R.E.A.L. Life Perspectives: Central Lambton Family Health Team - Family Medicine.
