Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Register to attend the Friesen Prize Lecture on April 7
A message from the Office of the Vice-President, Research and International.
University of Waterloo faculty, staff, students, and alumni are invited to attend the Friesen Prize Lecture and panel discussion on April 7 featuring Dr. Brenda Andrews, recipient of the 2025 Henry G. Friesen International Prize in Health Research, awarded by Friends of CIHR.
Attendees can register for any or all of the following
- 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon:Panel discussion – Unpacking the complexity of human health and disease with Dr. Brenda Andrews and three Waterloo panelists (Dr. Bernie Duncker, Dr. Natoya Peart, and Dr. Valerie Ward).
- 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.:Lecture by Dr. Brenda Andrews – Accelerating discovery: The catalytic impact of interdisciplinary environments and collaboration on basic biomedical research
- 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. - Meet and greet with Dr. Andrews and panelists
Please register by April 1 as seating is limited.
Pharmacists help connect more Ontarians to primary care
This article was originally published on the School of Pharmacy website.
In Ontario, 2.5 million people lack a family doctor according to the Ontario College of Family Physicians. To close this gap, the province is investing $1.8 billion to pair residents with a family doctor or primary care team, multidisciplinary groups that include physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, physiotherapists and dieticians.
The expansion and addition of primary care services for this project is led by the KW4 Ontario Health Team (KW4OHT), where over 40 members working to create an interconnected health and wellness system across the Region by uniting hospitals, home care, mental health services, post-secondary institutions, municipalities, long-term care and Indigenous health.
Pharmacists play a large role in primary care and as their scope continues to grow, they can put their knowledge into practice to provide better services for improved care. Dr. Feng Chang, associate professor at the School of Pharmacy and the project’s pharmacy representative, is involved in the discussions to learn about the gaps and challenges in care that other providers face, and how pharmacists can support them.
“From chronic disease management to minor ailment prescribing and vaccinations, our expertise reaches far beyond the traditional dispensary-based setting,” adds Dr. Chang.
Patients attached to a primary care team receive continuity of care and have improved access to professionals specializing in care they need, which leads to better health outcomes. Physicians can focus on their expertise while collaborating with others and sharing patient load, ultimately alleviating the pressure on emergency rooms and hospitals.
“Medicine has become more specialized with healthcare providers specializing in different areas. We can all focus on our areas of expertise to support physicians in the care of our patients,” says Dr. Chang.
Ontario’s action plan includes a commitment to establish and expand 300 additional primary care teams by 2029. Outside of formal team-based settings, pharmacists are ideal partners to provide additional support to unattached physicians to promote seamless transfer of care and communication.
The University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy has collaborated with KW4OHT over the years to improve health and well-being in our community with faculty, students and alumni providing collaborative care within regional teams such as the Centre for Family Medicine Family Health Team, Community Healthcaring Kitchener-Waterloo, New Vision Family Health Team, Schlegel Villages and the Waterloo Regional Health Network. The School’s continued partnership with KW4OHT aims to improve community access to care and to help find solutions to reduce the pressure on our healthcare system.
Spring Into Action: join the 36th Social Impact Showcase
A message from GreenHouse.
As the days grow longer and new growth emerges, a different kind of momentum is building at United College. This spring, witness ideas in full bloom at GreenHouse’s 36th Social Impact Showcase. Join us on Wednesday, March 25, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Alumni Hall to celebrate the tangible optimism of student-led change.
For ten weeks, our Social Innovators in Training have moved beyond theory, diligently developing ventures that address real-world challenges. This Showcase is the culmination of their journey, a vibrant snapshot of passion in action. You will encounter students tackling issues from environmental sustainability and accessible housing to community health, global development, and cultural connection. Each venture represents a dedicated effort to build a more equitable and sustainable future, starting right here on campus.
The event features student pitches for the GreenHouse Social Impact Fund, a catalyst for turning promising ideas into realized projects. Participants will compete in two categories: the Starter Pitch, offering a $1,500 grant to nurture early-stage concepts, and the Builder Pitch, providing a $3,000 award to accelerate the growth of more established solutions. This friendly competition underscores our belief in the power of community investment to amplify student potential.
Following the pitches, a reception with light catering will provide the perfect setting for conversation. This is a great chance to connect directly with the next wave of changemakers, ask questions, offer feedback, and explore how their work might intersect with your own interests or expertise. Your presence provides an essential connection to the wider community these ventures aim to serve.
We invite every member of the Waterloo community and beyond to be part of this moment. Come to be inspired by the practical steps your peers are taking to improve our world - I really do think that they are inspirational! Scan the QR code below to RSVP and secure your spot. Let’s spring into action together and support the ideas shaping tomorrow.
Event details
What: GreenHouse’s 36th Social Impact Showcase
When: Wednesday, March 25, 4:00 to 5:30 PM
Where: Alumni Hall, United College
About GreenHouse
GreenHouse at United College is a social impact incubator empowering University of Waterloo students to bridge the gap between ideas and action. We provide a supportive community, mentorship, and resources to help ventures advancing social, environmental, and economic well-being take root and grow.
Thursday's notes
The UW Musical Theatre Club is staging performances of the classic Alan Menken and Howard Ashman musical Little Shop of Horrors this week at Maxwell's. The musical, which premiered off-Broadway in 1982, was an adaptation of a 1960 film by schlock movie master Roger Corman, and later inspired a 1986 musical comedy film starring Rick Moranis. It's all very meta. But I digress: the premiere performance takes place tonight at 7:00 p.m. with a 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. performance on Saturday, March 21 followed by a 12 noon matinée on Sunday, March 22, all at Maxwell's on University Avenue.
Early bird tickets are $15, with regular student admission at $20 and adult tickets set at $25.
"Tax season is here and AFSA is back with its free Tax Clinic for 2026!" says a note from the Accounting & Finance Student Association (AFSA). "A group of trained volunteers will provide free tax return services for low-income individuals and families. To see if you qualify for our free services, please visit the Tax Clinic website today! The link also includes information on how to receive our tax-filing service."
Sustainable Transportation and the Sustainability Office have partnered with the Region’s TravelWise team to offer campus departments a limited number of preloaded GRT transit fare cards for work-related travel. Each card comes preloaded with $50, and cards are valid for trips within Waterloo Region. Find out more about requesting a department card.
Link of the day
Literary spymaster Len Deighton, 1929-2026
When and where
The Campus Wellness Student Medical Clinic offers healthcare visits with Physicians and Nurse Practitioners to current undergraduate and graduate students. Services include: vaccinations, immunity testing, naturopathic services and more. Counselling Services offers appointments with counsellors in person as well as via phone and video. Students can book appointments for these services by calling Campus Wellness at 519-888-4096.
The privately-run Student Health Pharmacy (located in the lower level of the Student Life Centre) is now offering new COVID booster shots and flu shots. Covid booster shots are available by appointment only – please call ext. 33784 or 519-746-4500. The Student Health Pharmacy’s summer hours are Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Naloxone kits are still available – pick them up in the pharmacy at no charge.
The Waterloo Eye Institute optometry clinics in Waterloo and downtown Kitchener offer comprehensive eye exams and eyewear, including glasses and contact lenses, with the Waterloo location offering various specialized services including urgent eye care. Discounts apply for University of Waterloo students and employees. The Waterloo Clinic is at a nearby interim location, 419C Phillip St, during construction at the School of Optometry and Vision Science. The Kitchener Clinic remains at the Health Sciences Campus, 10B Victoria St. S. Book online or by phone at 519-888-4062.
Warriors Winter Youth Camps, registration is now open for multi-sport and games, baseball, basketball, eSports, football and hockey camps for boys and girls ages 5 to 18. Register today!
Agri-Food Innovation Challenge, Monday, March 9 to Friday, March 20.
Knowledge Integration Exhibitions and Senior Honours Projects, Monday, March 16 to Saturday, March 21, Seigfried Hall Residence Gym, SJU.
2026 Miller Waste U SPORTS Women's Hockey Championship, Thursday, March 19 to Sunday, March 22, Woolwich Memorial Centre. Get your tickets now!
Anti-Racism Reads Series: Algorithms of Oppression, Thursday, March 19, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., Dana Porter Library Room 338.
The Language Café: Integrating evidence: Summary, paraphrase, and quotation, Thursday, March 19, 3:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., Needles Hall 1124, International Experience Centre. Register online.
PAIR Speculative Futures Visiting Writer Series: WISH Reading Group Short Story Discussion, Thursday, March 19, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Modern Languages Building, Room 245 or online.
CODA Fine Arts Senior Undergraduate Exhibition opening reception, Thursday, March 19, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., University of Waterloo Art Gallery, ECH 1239.
World Water Day 2026 – Water for All, Friday, March 20, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., SLC Black and Gold Room.
UW BASE presents Legacy in Motion: Melanin Masterpiece Showcase, Saturday, March 21, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Conestoga Banquet Hall, 617 King St. N, Waterloo.
Longing & Love: Chamber Choir concert, Saturday, March 21, 7:30 p.m., St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 23 Water Street North, Kitchener. Admission $10 general, $5 students. Tickets are available at the door.
Writing retreat, Sunday, March 22, 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Registration required.
Orchestra@UWaterloo goes to the Opera, Sunday, March 22, 7:30 p.m., Knox Presbyterian Church, 50 Erb St. West, Waterloo. Admission $10 general, $5 students. Tickets are available at the door.
Critical Tech Talk 13: The Digital Data Divide: Speculative Futures of Technology, Care, and Society, Monday, March 23, 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., ECH 1205.
ENVigorate annual sustainability festival, Tuesday, March 24 to Thursday, March 26. Register now.
Computer Museum Open House, Tuesday, March 24, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., DC 1316.
Sampling in Survey Research - Workshop, Tuesday, March 24, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., DC 1568.
CrySP Speaker Series on Privacy featuring Professor Thomas Ristenpart, University of Toronto, “For All Tomorrow's Survivors: Computer Security in Interpersonal Threat Models,” Tuesday, March 24, 1:30 p.m., DC 1304 and online via Zoom.
Cooperathon powered by Desjardins X Velocity Speed Challenge, Tuesday, March 24, 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., SCH 228.
Phyllis Webstad in KW, Tuesday, March 24, 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College dining room.
Master of Taxation Virtual Information Session, Wednesday, March 25, 12 noon.
Fruit and Veg Market, Wednesday, March 25, 12 noon to 4:00 p.m., SLC lower atrium, Engineering 6, EV3 1st floor. $10 for a bag of assorted produce while supplies last.
Waterloo Knowledge Mobilization Community of Practice, “Engaging with Multiple Knowledge Users: Patients, Physicians and Policymakers,” with Jacquelyn Coyne, Scientific Specialist, Waterloo Regional Health Network, Wednesday, March 25, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on MS Teams. Contact Nadine Quehl to request a Teams invitation.
Co-op Student of the Year and Problem Awards ceremony, Wednesday, March 25, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Register today!
Explore Political Science Research, Wednesday, March 25, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Dana Porter Library.
NEW - WIN-BME Joint Seminar: "Beyond Static Imaging: Structural and Functional Insights through X-ray microCT" with Marketa Kaiser and Jakub Salplachta, Thursday, March 26, 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon, QNC 1501.
NEW - CENIDE & WIN Seminar Series on 2D MATURE: "Spin Currents in atomically thin materials and interfaces" with Venkata Kamalkar Mutta, Thursday, March 26, 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon, QNC 1501.
NEW - Equity as Infrastructure: Recalibrating the foundations of scientific excellence, Thursday, March 26, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., QNC 0101.
WIN Seminar Series: Prof. dr. Ir Martin Bennink, "Advances in molecular sensing and lab-on-a-chip technology," Thursday, March 26, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., QNC 1501.
The Language Café: Peer review and constructive feedback, Thursday, March 26, 3:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., Needles Hall 1124, International Experience Centre. Register online.
Bechtel Lecture in Anabaptist-Mennonite Studies, "Who keeps us safe?" Christian Politics of Care, Thursday, March 26, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College Chapel.
Introduction to sustainability education for post-secondary educators from any discipline, Friday, March 27, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Learning Lab (323), Dana Porter Library.
March Open House, Saturday, March 28.
Computer Museum Open House, Saturday, March 28, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., DC 1316.
Upcoming service interruptions
Stay up to date on service interruptions, campus construction, and other operational changes on the Plant Operations website. Upcoming service interruptions include:
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Hagey Hall electrical panel shutdown, Thursday, March 19, 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., will affect power in room HH 1033.
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General Services Complex, Commissary, Central Plant fire alarm testing, Thursday, March 19, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Optometry electrical panel shutdown, Friday, March 20, 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., will affect power in room OPT 1121.