Friday, May 31, 2024

Bringing innovation to the bedside

Grand River Hospital, St. Mary’s General Hospital, and the University of Waterloo are pleased to announce the launch of the Care Next Coalition.

This new partnership will align the efforts of the Hospitals and the University to increase the readiness of our local healthcare system to support research and innovation. It will bring clinicians, researchers, and entrepreneurs together to create educational programming, to test drive technological advances and to create integrated care systems that will reach people where they are. The Coalition will harness the strength of the Region’s public institutions to improve patient experience, improve health outcomes, and transform the health care system locally.

“It’s an exciting time to be in healthcare in our Region,” said Mark Fam, President of St. Mary’s General Hospital. “There are so many opportunities in how we show up to provide hospital health care services for our communities, and our Hospitals, together with the University of Waterloo, are ready to respond. The Coalition will equip our Region to emerge as a health innovation centre, ensuring the best possible experience for the communities we serve and the health care professionals who choose to work here.”

“The Care Next Coalition is a new way for us to pool resources and expertise to attract talent to design, develop and deliver innovative health services in our Region,” said Vivek Goel. “We need to continue to innovate to meet the diverse and growing needs of the people we serve. I’m excited by the potential of the Coalition to engage new ecosystem partners and build a strong pipeline of new ideas that can enter into healthcare focused trials in our own communities.” 

To deliver on this work, Grand River, St. Mary’s, and the University are recruiting a Joint Vice-President and Chief Health Innovation Officer. This new role, along with the overall mission of the Coalition, aligns with the Hospitals’ work to build a new innovation health campus in the Region. The Hospitals’ innovation work is in part made possible through the generosity of a legacy gift from the estate of Ralph and Dorothy Kraft. Community builders, innovators, and entrepreneurs, the Krafts’ transformational gift to both Grand River and St. Mary’s is helping drive innovation-focused work.

“Grand River Hospital is working to deliver on our ambitious aim of fostering a world-class healthcare system supporting healthier lives for all in our communities,” said Ron Gagnon, President and CEO, Grand River Hospital. “Core pillars of this work are partnerships and innovation, and the Care Next Coalition is evidence of work in these areas. Through this Coalition, our goal is to promote innovation education and experimentation and attract healthcare entrepreneurs to the Region. In rooting this work in a clinical, as opposed to academic, setting, we’re able to streamline processes and enable clinicians and other healthcare team members in health innovation and entrepreneurship.”

Details regarding the new Joint Vice-President and Chief Health Innovation officer can be found at promeus.ca/positions. The Care Next Coalition seeks to leverage innovation to provide more personalized, convenient and accessible patient-centric healthcare experiences through cost-effective solutions designed to enhance operational efficiency. Ultimately, the aim of the Coalition is a better Regional hospital healthcare system that improves patient health outcomes.

Accessibility is a "story of progress"

A message from the Disability Inclusion Team. National AccessAbility Week is May 26 to June 1 and is just one opportunity to share initiatives that advance accessibility and disability inclusion. Share your initiative at Accessibility and Disability Inclusion Initiatives.

The Accessibility Workshop for Communications, Marketing, and Events, held on March 4, emphasized the importance of approaching accessibility as an ongoing commitment to learning and training. Organized by University Relations, with senior leadership support from Cathy Newell Kelly, University Registrar, the workshop aimed to support communications, marketing and event staff across campus in embedding accessibility into their unique roles.

Keynote speaker Sean Crump emphasized the values of transparency and authenticity in fostering an inclusive environment. Referring to accessibility as a “story of progress”, he discussed the need for personalized, user-focused engagement that responds to unique people and situations.

Other speakers shared valuable insights on the Siteimprove tool for digital accessibility, actionable takeaways about integrating disability inclusion into strategic planning, and re-emphasized the message of continually practicing until accessibility becomes part of your routine.

As the University of Waterloo continues its journey toward accessibility advancement, the Accessibility Workshop launched an opportunity for training and collaboration. Alyssa Doyle, Associate Director of Community Relations and Events, emphasized that while University Relations is championing the progression of accessible communications, marketing and events “it’s important that every team takes ownership” over accessibility in their respective roles.

For those interested in further learning, refer to the Campus event planning guide and the Inclusive Communications Guide for other resources on accessible writing, events, and media relations.

Dr. Justin Wan and Dr. Clarence Woudsma appointed Interim Co-Associate Vice-Presidents, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs

Dr. Justin Wan and Dr. Clarence Woudsma.

In a recent memo to the University’s leadership team, Vice-President, Academic and Provost, Dr. James Rush announced that Dr. Jeff Casello will be completing his second term as Associate Vice-President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) on June 30, 2024: “Dr. Casello has served as AVP, GSPA from 2016 to 2024 and has been instrumental in strengthening the programs, processes, and resources of this portfolio, ensuring that GSPA has greater visibility and impact as a strategic stakeholder in advancing priorities related to Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs...Please join me in thanking Jeff for his years of service in this role.” 

In advance of initiating an open search for the next AVP, GSPA, a consultative review of the portfolio will be undertaken over the course of the coming months in order to best inform development of the Terms of Reference for the search for the next AVP, GSPA, and to further support our commitment to a “One University” approach.  

In the meantime, the Provost has appointed Dr. Justin Wan and Dr. Clarence Woudsma to a one-year term as Interim Co-Associate Vice-Presidents, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs, commencing July 1, 2024. Dr. Wan and Dr. Woudsma are currently serving as Assistant Vice-Presidents in GSPA, and bring detailed understanding and experience in the functions of the portfolio. Before joining the GSPA, both Dr. Wan and Dr. Woudsma held various administrative roles with the Faculty of Math and the School of Planning, respectively.  

Dr. Wan collaborated with different units and offices across campus in the creation of multiple new graduate programs, led initiatives to strengthen financial support for graduate students, and created opportunities for efficiencies within the Faculty of Math.  

Dr. Woudsma led initiatives within the School of Planning that included several student-centred efforts in teaching innovation, the introduction of new graduate degrees, and significant revisions to all graduate degrees in the face of evolving accreditation standards. His work has resulted in the comprehensive integration of graduate students in all facets of the academic and professional community.   

“Their collective efforts have enriched the experience of the graduate and postdoctoral community at Waterloo. Please join me in congratulating Justin and Clarence on their interim appointments,” concludes the Provost’s memo.  

Get ready to vote for your favourite goose artwork

A message from Advancement.

We're down to the final flock!

We were overwhelmed by the incredible talent showcased in the Faculty, Staff and Retiree Giving Program goose art contest. From hilarious to majestic, your goose renditions perfectly captured the unique energy of our campus. Now it's your turn to decide the winner!

We've narrowed it down to the top four entries — migrate here to check them out, as well as our honourable mentions. Take a minute to browse the feathered masterpieces and cast your vote for your favourite by sending an email to fsrgiving@uwaterloo.ca with your chosen finalist’s number.

Voting is open only until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 3, so don't delay!

While you're deciding the fate of our feathered finalists, remember this contest is all about celebrating our vibrant faculty, staff and retiree community, and every entry reflects the dedication and talent that makes Waterloo such a special place. Let's celebrate the creativity that defines our campus!

Notes on May's final day

First of all, whew, that was a long pay period for those employees on the monthly payroll, wasn't it? But it's payday today on the final day of May, which counts for something, anyway. Check out the list of pay dates on the Human Resources website to keep track of when to expect your next cheque.

The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) is sticking its neck out as it searches for participants for its next study, code-named GIRAFFE. 

CORE is "seeking participants to compare the visual performance of multifocal contact lenses." Participants must be:

• Age 42 years and older;
• someone who has worn soft contact lenses in the past 3 months;
• who was a reading addition between +0.75D to +1.75D; and
• who can be fit with study lenses with a distance power between +6.00D and -9.00D and low or medium near addition lenses.

Time and Remuneration:

• 2 study visits, up to 21 days apart. Total time = 5 hours
• Remuneration: $100 upon completion

More info and registration info is available on the CORE website. This study has been reviewed by and received ethics clearance through a University of Waterloo Research Ethics Board.

Information Systems & Technology (IST) has published the latest post in the Atlassian blog series, entitled New Feature for Jira Service Management.

This weekend, more than 1,000 alumni and friends are expected to return to campus for Reunion 2024, which runs today and tomorrow. Events include a Friday screening of the Rock this Town documentary at Princess Cinemas, open houses, tours, receptions and other activities organized across campus, including the Saturday Black and Gold Luncheon at Federation Hall, where those alumni celebrating 25-, 50-, 55- and 60-year anniversaries will be honoured.

Looking ahead to next week, in early June people in some parts of the world will be able to see as many as six planets lined up in the sky, an astronomical rarity. Check out the Q&A with Dr. Roan Haggar, a postdoctoral fellow in the University of Waterloo's Centre for Astrophysics, for more information about this parade of planets and how best to view them early Monday morning.