September 2020 Newsletter
Road to Recovery: On campus and virtual office hours
As part of Schulich Medicine & Dentistry’s Road to Recovery, the Department of Family Medicine has both on campus and virtual availability. Please visit our website for a full listing of our on campus and virtual availability for our education teams and support services.
Welcome Back – Chair's Message
It is hard not to think about anything else but the COVID-19 pandemic these days. If nothing else this pandemic has highlighted, more than ever, the importance of family medicine and primary care to our healthcare system. This key role of primary care has been recognized by our provincial government because they have set primary care engagement as a key component of Ontario health team applications.
Graduate Program Report
The 2020-21 Family Medicine graduate programs academic year launched virtually on September 14 with sessions running until September 25. This year we welcomed five new MClSc students – Drs. Astha Dhingra, Yvette Emerson, Sundus Kellow, Olivia Reis, Faria Rubab. It was exciting to have our new and returning students from across the globe with us for a few weeks.
Postgraduate Program Report
The annual career night hosted by Learner Equity & Wellness (LEW) will take place in a virtual format on September 29. We will also be hosting two virtual CaRMS information sessions on October 7 and November 11 to help promote our program to graduating medical students. CaRMS interviews will proceed in a virtual format in 2021. The CaRMS national interview period is: March 8-28, 2021.
Undergraduate Program Report
Welcome to the 2020-21 academic year. Pre-clerkship classes are currently being delivered entirely online. A special recognition to Dr. Darren Van Dam who has been one of the first course chairs to “go-online” with Year 1 Foundations of Medicine. Since clerkship for Meds 2021 was suspended due to COVID, the rotation lengths and dates have been revised. Blocks were shortened from six weeks to four weeks and clerkship has been extended to run until October 11. This has bumped the start of the Meds 2022 clerkship to October 12.
In the media: Canada’s rural residents face thousands in medical travel costs and a patchwork subsidy system
Dr. Maria Mathews’ work on out of pocket expenses for rural patients accessing health care outside of their communities was featured in Canada’s National Observer on September 14.
In the media: London hockey fan fitness program skates by lockdown, expands out West
Dr. Rob Petrella and the Hockey FIT project were featured in the London Free Press on August 12. The Hockey FIT program will be starting up in British Columbia, followed by Alberta and Saskatchewan.
New Grant Funding
Congratulations to Dr. Maria Mathews & Co-Investigator team on receiving two Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) grants, and to Dr. Shannon Sibbald and Co-Investigator team on receiving a 2020 CIHR Project Grant.
Celebrating over 40 years of long term family practice
For over 40 years, Dr. Ken Hook practiced as a comprehensive family physician as part of the group practice in Tavistock, Ontario. And if it were not for a personal health scare and the global COVID-19 pandemic, he would still be doing what he loves, looking after patients and teaching.
Celebrating our achievements
Alumni Dr. Forson Chan won the Research Award for Family Medicine Residents from The College of Family Physicians of Canada for his project entitled, “Performance of Symptom Checkers in Patient Triage for Simulated and Adult Patients.” He will present his research with a 15-minute presentation at FMF 2020, and has been awarded up to $1500 to reimburse travel expenses to attend FMF 2021 in Toronto.
Dr. Laura Foxcroft appointed as Assistant Dean, Faculty Wellbeing
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.
Peer program supports clinician well-being
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.
A shared commitment to Indigenous health advocacy
Sisters Kristin and Cassie Poole hope to become family physicians to improve access, safe and culturally sensitive health care for rural and Indigenous communities.
FMRW Instagram Page
The Family Medicine Residents of Western have created an Instagram account to provide their fellow residents with helpful information including updates, upcoming events and useful resources. You can request to follow them @westernfmresidents as the account will be kept private.
Engaging with the media
Schulich Medicine & Dentistry’s communications team supports all media engagement for faculty, staff and students at the School. Please review the School’s Media Engagement Guidelines and contact Communications before engaging with the media.
Return to Campus Questionnaire
Faculty, staff and graduate trainees must complete the ‘Return to Campus’ questionnaire before each work shift or visit to campus. Complete the questionnaire.
Family Medicine Residents of Western Retreat
Join the FMRW for this year's virtual retreat on Saturday, October 31 from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. via Zoom (link to be provided upon registration). There will be 10+ presentations scheduled during the day given by recruiters from various communities as well as insurance companies, investment firms, accountants, etc. Residents can drop in/out and attend as many sessions as they desire.
Department Spotlight: Meet Dr. Adam Loennberg
Meet Dr. Adam Loennberg, a PGY1 resident in our Windsor Program. "I love every aspect of medicine, so what better specialty than Family Medicine?"
September 2020 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 our virtual Department of Family Medicine Information Session on October 7 at 6:00 pm. Save the date for Family Medicine Grand Rounds: How to think, not what to think on October 7, and Trillium Virtual Primary Health Care Research Day on October 23.
Top stories from the last few months
Missed reading our newsletter these last few months. Take a moment to read the top stories: In the media: A family physician or a dear friend?, Announcement: Nicole Kaniki and Bertha Garcia named special advisors on anti-racism, Announcement: Centre for Studies in Family Medicine Leadership Roles.
