January 2021 Newsletter
Transition of Leadership
The Department of Family Medicine and the Postgraduate Program would like to welcome Dr. Julie Copeland to her new role as Postgraduate Director. Dr. Copeland is a clinical team lead at the Southwest Middlesex Health Centre and has been involved with the Department since 2005 in the capacity of Adjunct Professor, Assistant Professor, Site Director, Rural/Regional Program Director, and Associate Professor.
Chair's Message – Family Medicine and Public Health
"Every cloud has a silver lining.” This is an apt sentence for current times as we have a large cloud hovering over us with the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the silver linings in this cloud, in my view, has been the enhanced connection between public health and family medicine that has developed as a result of this public health emergency.
Graduate Program Report
Graduate students are busy with the second half of their full credit courses as they also deal on the front lines with the COVID-19 pandemic. Congratulations to Drs. Julie Copeland and Reema Ray who completed the MClSc Program in December. They will both graduate in February (in Absentia February Convocation).
Postgraduate Program Report
We are excited to introduce ourselves to you as the new postgraduate leadership team in the Department of Family Medicine. Beginning January 1, 2021 the new PG directors are: Dr. Julie Copeland (Postgraduate Director), Dr. Daniel Grushka (Associate Postgraduate Director) and Dr. Kyle Carter (Enhanced Skills Program Director). We are very excited to continue to work with you all as you continue your training in our department.
Undergraduate Program Report
Happy New Year from Family Medicine Undergraduate Education. As we hope for what 2021 will bring, I want to extend a personal thank you for everything you continue to do for your patients, communities and learners as we hit the crest of wave two. Despite the challenges of COVID, placements for third year clerks and fourth year electives continue to go well. A huge thank you to our administrative assistant, Michele Vanderspank, for all her hard work connecting with our faculty and arranging placements. The fourth year elective period will finish January 31, 2021 and CaRMS will be next up for the fourth years.
Reappointment for Adjunct Faculty members in Family Medicine
Please be advised that the reappointment process for your Adjunct Faculty position will be starting soon. If your reappointment is pending this year you will receive the documents via email. Please watch for this and complete and return these documents as soon as you can to minimize the waiting process for reappointment.
Announcement: The Department of Family Medicine seeks applications for the Dr. Ian McWhinney Chair in Family Medicine
The Department of Family Medicine is seeking applications for the Dr. Ian McWhinney Chair in Family Medicine. Candidates must hold an MD or equivalent and practice as a family physician. Candidates must also hold certification or be eligible for certification from the College of Family Physicians of Canada and be eligible for licensure in the Province of Ontario.
Celebrating our Achievements: The Department of Family Medicine celebrates Dr. Stewart Harris’ 25 years of service at Western and Schulich
Congratulations to Dr. Stewart Harris on 25 years of service at Western and the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. Dr. Harris has received many awards and honours including Member of the Order of Canada (C.M.), for the contributions to the development of strategies to manage and reduce diabetes in Indigenous communities and other vulnerable populations in 2015.
Honour: Celebrating 25 Years of Service
Congratulations to Department of Family Medicine faculty who were honoured with a Western University long-term service award in 2020.
Research News: Incentive payments to physicians may reduce non-urgent ED visits
New research shows that providing primary care physicians with incentives to see patients after hours may result in fewer visits to the emergency department for non-urgent issues, potentially helping to reducing emergency department overcrowding and lowering health care costs.
In the Media: Hockey FIT
Dr. Rob Petrella and his Hockey FIT team have been in the news in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
2021 Awards of Excellence: Nominate a deserving individual today
Take part in celebrating and recognizing the outstanding contributions of faculty and staff at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry with an Award of Excellence. To nominate someone, click on the link, select the award, and submit the online nomination form. There have been changes to the awards criteria, so please read through the nomination forms carefully. The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, March 24, 2021. Nominate a deserving individual today.
Department Spotlight: Ms. Jody Moon
2020 has been all about virtual. As such, we will be virtually profiling our administrative staff as they continue to work from home and keep our Department on track and meeting its strategic goals. Ms. Jody Moon is celebrating 16 years in the Department of Family Medicine this coming February.
Research Report
January is a good time to reflect on the accomplishments of the past year. 2020 was a very productive year for research at the Centre for Studies in Family Medicine and in the Department of Family Medicine as a whole. We welcomed Dr. Jane Thornton as a new faculty member in the Centre for Studies in Family Medicine and the Department of Family Medicine.
Events
Join us via Zoom for Faculty Development Teacher / Educator Series: Family Medicine: Exploring the Continuum and our Graduate Program Information Session on January 27. Save the date for Family Medicine Grand Rounds – Family Physicians’ management of Obesity on February 3 via Zoom.
Top stories from our December newsletter
Missed reading our December newsletter. Take a moment to read the top stories: Chair's Message – COVID and Mental Health Continuum, Transition of Leadership, Celebrating our Achievements.
