October 2022 Newsletter

    • Chair's Message
      Although July 1st marks the start of the year for our residents, it’s September when the academic year gets into full swing. Time has flown by, and it’s hard to believe we are already at the end of October. For the first Department newsletter of the 2022-23 year, I want to review some of the exciting things that happened in September, as well as highlight some upcoming events not to miss.

    • Undergraduate Report
      The Undergraduate year is now well underway. Meds 2023 are completing electives and preparing CaRMS applications, Meds 2024 are eight weeks into clerkship, Meds 2025 are working through the Principles of Medicine II course, while the first years, Meds 2026, are learning in the Foundations of Medicine course. Meds 2025 have also begun their Longitudinal Clinical Experience Course, which has them matched with a preceptor for the equivalent of 6 ½ days between October and January 2023.

    • Postgraduate Report
      Liz McInnis is the new Postgraduate Education Manager (formerly Kelsey Klages). You will recognize Liz as she held the Grad Studies Coordinator role for 15 years and most recently the Faculty Development Admin Coordinator title. Please welcome her to her new role when you see her.

    • Graduate Report
      The 2022-23 Family Medicine graduate programs academic year launched in a hybrid format on September 19th. This year we welcomed two new MClSc students –and four PhD students. It was exciting to have some of our new and returning students from across the globe with us in person for a few weeks. We welcome Amanda Mazza as the new Graduate Program Coordinator, and extend our tremendous thanks to Liz McInnis for her 15 years of service to the MClSc & PhD programs, and her contributions, gifts and ongoing commitment to the program.

    • Research Report
      The Trillium Primary Health Care Research Day was held in person at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on October 14, 2022. Members of the Department of Family Medicine presented their research via oral and poster sessions. Dr. Amanda Terry, along with Co-Principal Investigators, Drs. Jacqueline Kueper and Dan Lizotte (Department Computer Science & Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics) were highlighted in the Western News regarding their findings from a study published in BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making; “Is primary health care ready for artificial intelligence? What do primary health care stakeholders say?

    • Staff Profile: Kim Champion
      The Department of Family Medicine would like to welcome Kim Champion to the Centre for Studies in Family Medicine (CSFM) in the role of Administrative Assistant (Research Dissemination and Office Coordinator). In her role as Administrative Assistant (Research Dissemination and Office Coordinator), Kim will coordinate research dissemination and knowledge translation activities supporting the Department/CSFM research portfolio. As well as provide office management for CSFM; and coordinate the Department Research Committee.

    • In the media: Dr. Scott McKay discusses the number of family doctors who left the profession during the pandemic
      Dr. Scott McKay, Chair/Chief of the Department of Family Medicine discusses the number of family physicians who left the profession during the pandemic. Via AM980 (CFPL).

    • In Memoriam: Dr. Eric McCracken
      It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Eric McCracken. Dr. McCracken passed away peacefully on September 27, 2022 at the age of 97. He began teaching in the Department of Family Medicine at Western University at the Southwest Middlesex Health Centre. His teaching career touched and shaped the lives of many physicians.

    • Western News: The impact of artificial intelligence on primary health care
      Whether we’re ready or not, artificial intelligence (AI) already plays a role in many health-care settings. However, cautiously developing, deploying and even defining further AI advancements will determine its impact and efficacy in the years ahead, according to a new Western study led by Dan Lizotte, PhD.

    • Carol Herbert, the late Stephen Blizzard, Canadian Medical Hall of Fame inductees
      Dr. Carol Herbert, former Schulich Medicine and Dentistry dean, and Dr. Stephen Blizzard, MD’63, a decorated peacekeeper, pilot, and physician, were announced today as inductees into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.

    • Masking requirements remain in place
      After careful consultation with health experts and members of our community, Western’s masking requirement will continue until the end of fall term. This means that medical-grade (ASTM level 3) masks will still be required indoors in instructional spaces such as classrooms, labs, and seminar rooms. One change is that leaders of research labs may make their own decisions about masking based on their specific lab environments.

    • Meet our Resident Leaders
      Drs. Laura Caracas, Neil Sengupta, Mary Ann Zokvic, and Nicholas Chandna are the 2022/2023 Family Medicine chief residents. They serve as an important resource to the Department and resident body, and act as mentors, leaders and advocates for the Program. Meet each of our resident leaders in this profile series.