Dean's Update - April 2019

Paul Stolee

Colleagues,
It appears that the future of health is here. Or, at least, it’s coming soon to UWaterloo – in several different forms. This year’s Waterloo Innovation Summit will be held October 1, with health technology as its theme: Redefining Health with Technology. This event will feature researchers from our Faculty, as well as others at the University who study the ways in which technology is shaping the future of human health.

Alumni across Canada will also have an opportunity to participate in these conversations. Next fall’s Waterloo Magazine plans to have a ‘reimagining health’ focus, and our News to You alumni magazine will be exploring variations on ‘Creating the Future of Health for All.’

Finally, we are working with the Faculty of Science to plan the next alumni lecture series with a future of health theme, to be presented in different cities across the country over the next year. I just got back from Vancouver, the final stop of this year’s series on “Imagining Canada’s Future Cities,” hosted by the Faculty of Environment. I think engaging alumni in this way with the new theme will be beneficial and rewarding.

Best, 
Paul

Paul Stolee, PhD
Professor and Interim Dean 
Faculty of Applied Health Sciences

AHS this monthEvents I Tips for you


AHS THIS MONTH

Caffeine fix for a limited time only 

Starbucks logoFood Services reports that AHS Starbucks will be reopening Monday, May 6, and close for the rest of the summer on Friday, June 21. Both Starbucks and FRSH Vegan will re-open for the fall term on Tuesday, September 3.

AHS student wins GSA leadership award

Linda Iheme with Waterloo presidentCongratulations to Linda Iheme from the School of Public Health Systems for winning the Graduate Student Leadership Award, which goes to a Waterloo graduate student with exemplary leadership skills. Linda, pictured here with President Feridun Hamdullahpur, co-founded the African Caribbean Graduate Students' Association and is a member of Senate and the Board of Governors.

Equity and Inclusivity Award for Corey Johnson

Corey JohnsonCorey Johnson, a professor in Recreation and Leisure Studies, was one of three recipients of this year's Equity and Inclusivity Award from the Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW). He is being recognized in particular for his work with Making Spaces, the Trans Health Initiative, and of course, we know him for his recent service as AHS HeforShe advocate.

Athletes of the Year

Warriors logoTwo Recreation and Leisure Studies students, Claire Mackenzie and Tre Ford, were named Athletes of the Year at this year's UWaterloo Athletic Banquet. Claire is a fifth-year women's volleyball player who also won the Marsden Trophy as female athlete of the year, and Tre is a second-year quarterback with the football team. Read more about their achievements on the Athletics website.


UPCOMING EVENTS

Waterloo High Impact Practices Group: May 7

CTE logoThe topic for the next Waterloo High Impact Practices Group (WHIP will be Teaching Squares, a workshop to help broaden your exposure to different teaching techniques. A light lunch will be provided, so please register on the Centre for Teaching and Learning website so the organizers can plan accordingly.

You @ Waterloo Day: May 25

Students admitted to Waterloo programs have one last open house day to see if our programs are a good fit for them. It's a Saturday, but if you are on campus, please help them feel welcome.

Hi5 Challenge deadline: May 30

Hi5 graphicThe Hi5 Health Informatics Challenge is a freestyle competition that encourages high school students to develop creative solutions to pressing health issues through the use of information technology. This is a great opportunity for students in grade 11 and 12 interested in health care, technology, or business. This year's theme is Mental Health. Let interested high school students know that they can register on the Hi5 Challenge website.

Alumni Weekend: June 1

Join us for this year’s Alumni Weekend to reunite with alumni celebrating milestone anniversaries. Join us for games, trivia, snacks, and student-led tours. An anniversary luncheon with President Feridun Hamdullahpur will be held for those celebrating 25th, 50th, or 55th anniversaries.

AHS Convocation: June 11

Convocation macePlease make a special effort to attend this important event to support our students' hard work and accomplishments: 10 a.m. on June 11. The valedictorian will be David Uponi, Recreation and Sport Business student.

Second annual Forbes Lecture: June 18

Alex MihailidisJoin the Network for Research in Aging for the second annual Forbes Lecture in honour of Professor William Forbes, founding director of the gerontology program at UWaterloo. Alex Mihailidis, the Barbara G. Stymiest Chair in Rehabilitation Technology at the University of Toronto and Toronto Rehab Institute, will be speaking on “Technology and Aging: Supporting our Current and Future Selves." Please register at the Forbes Lecture Event page by June 4.


TIPS FOR YOU

Support each other 

Do you know how to spot someone in distress? The Dean's Advisory Committee on Health and Well-being would like to encourage faculty and staff to benefit from workshops aimed at supporting each other, including our students. Visit the Campus Wellness Events page and sign up for SafeTalk, More Feet on the Ground and QPR Mental Health Training. We don't have to be trained mental health professionals to make a difference.

In case of work-related illness or injury 

Please remember to fill out an Incident and Investigation Form to report any work-related illness or injury, no matter how minor you believe the incident to be. Send the completed form to AHS Health and Safety Coordinator Emma Dare to be kept on record and for her to forward it to the Safety Office. For any other health or safety related questions, please contact Emma at x36703 or edare@uwaterloo.ca.


Do you have a wellness tip or a news item to share? Please email it to Eugenia Xenos Anderson.