Dear faculty, staff and graduate students,
This month, I participated in the Canadian Association of Health Sciences Deans meeting, which took place in Banff, Alberta. It was an opportunity to network and discuss challenges in health sciences education and I left with insights and reflections on our role as educators and emerging professionals and scholars in health.
I discussed ways to establish Indigenous presence in universities with Elder Roy Bear Chief, elder-in-residence at Mount Royal University. He chooses to be called ‘Espoom Taah’ (‘Helper’ in Blackfoot), to capture his role in providing guidance and direction to his institution and support for Indigenous students and employees. We, too, are fortunate to have found a knowledge keeper in Elder Myeengun Henry for our reconciliation efforts; his perspectives are invaluable.
Globe and Mail reporter André Picard was the keynote speaker, and he highlighted the top five priorities from his review of 150 reports related to health reform: (1) primary care, (2) community care, (3) universal health coverage of prescription drugs, (4) social determinants of health and (5) health human resources. While the message was not new – Canada lacks implementation, not ideas – there is no lack of innovation or good workers. He said the pandemic didn’t break Canadian health care as it was already broken. Nevertheless, his take-home message focused on countries such as Sweden and Denmark, which we can emulate for the next generation of health professionals and scholars.
Finally, I experienced the power of poetry performed with authenticity and audience connection. Wakefield Brewster, professional poet and Calgary’s poet laureate, closed the meeting with poetry that captured recent societal and cultural experiences that impact our health outcomes and sense of well-being. I don’t typically think of poetry in relation to health education, but Brewster pulled it together in a way that highlighted why we attend these events in the first place: to see common challenges through a different perspective so that we can address them as a society, creatively.
Best,
Lili Liu
News I Events I Did you know?
NEWS
Sharon Kirkpatrick receives University Research Chair
Congratulations to Sharon Kirkpatrick, who has been appointed to a seven-year term as a University Research Chair as of July 1. University Research Chairs recognize exceptional achievement and preeminence in a particular field of knowledge.
Outstanding Performance Award recipients
Congratulations to Drs. Laura Middleton, Andrew Laing, Paolo Dominelli, Karla Boluk, Kim Lopez, Kelly Skinner and Brian Laird for receiving Outstanding Performance Awards based on performance in 2022. These awards were established by the Provost's Office in 2005 to reward faculty members for outstanding contribution in teaching and scholarship.
Winter 2023 Teaching Assistant Awards
The Faculty's Teaching Fellows are excited to share that Michelle Tomczewski (Kinesiology and Health Sciences), Noramy Gonzalia Diaz (Recreation and Leisure Studies) and Tasha Shields (Public Health Sciences) are the three graduate Winter 2023 Faculty of Health Teaching Assistant Award recipients. Kudos to all!
New Associate Dean, Research
Dr. Marina Mourtzakis will be assuming the role of Associate Dean, Research, in the Faculty of Health as of July 1. She will replace Dr. Bill McIlroy, who has assumed this role for the past year. Many thanks to both for serving in this important capacity.
Dean's Office staff announcements
There have been a number of changes in the Dean's Office recently, including: former staffer Ryan McGuinness has returned as Faculty Graduate Studies Administrator; Assistant to the Associate Deans Sam Sawant will be supporting the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee; Shawn Reis is Graduate Studies Marketing and Recruitment Specialist while Jasmin English is on secondment; and Eugenia Xenos Anderson is now Director, Strategic Initiatives and Communication. Fiona McAlister has taken a position as events manager with the Faculty of Math; her last day with us is June 5.
June Wellness bingo prize is $50 to Four All
Organized by the Dean's Advisory Committee on Health and Well-being, Wellness Bingo is open to everyone in the Faculty in an effort to promote healthy habits and behaviours. It's easy! When you complete a line, send a picture to health.wellbeing@uwaterloo.ca to be entered for a monthly prize draw. This month, it's a $50 gift card to Four All ice cream. Download the June bingo card here. Megan Kent was the April winner, receiving a $50 Uptown Waterloo gift card.
Walking Wednesdays: May 31, June 7, 14, 21, 28
This walking group is open to everyone on campus and takes place Wednesdays at noon, rain or shine. Meet in the foyer of the Expansion Building; no registration required.
Alumni Weekend: June 2-3
We will be welcoming alumni back to campus for Alumni Weekend on June 2-3 for a number of activities, including class reunions, a tour of our Faculty spaces, a Forever Black and Gold luncheon and, new this year, a chance to get back into the lab with our new Anatomy 202 lab for alumni. Please let students who have graduated know of the events and pass on the Alumni Weekend registration link. For more information, contact Sherri Sutherland.
Back to the Future of Gerontology: June 7
Dr. John Hirdes (Public Health Sciences) will give the keynote speech for Network for Aging Research's fourth annual William F. Forbes lecture on June 7 at 1:30 p.m. in the Sun Life Auditorium and online. Titled Back to the Future of Gerontology, he will reflect on the history of gerontology at the University of Waterloo and discuss the opportunities, challenges and uncertainties of aging research in the coming decades. Registration is required for this hybrid event.
Men's Circle: June 7, 21
The Dean's Advisory Committee on Health and Well-being is running a Men's Circle for Waterloo students, which will run every other Wednesday during the spring term. This group is a safe and supportive environment for male-identifying students to talk about whatever they need. Elder Myeengun Henry and MATES will facilitate these informal, drop-in sessions in LHN 3701 from 3 to 4 p.m.
Indigenous Movie Night: June 8
What better way to celebrate National Indigenous History Month than by exploring Indigenous cinema? Join us for Night Raiders, a dystopian horror film by Cree Métis writer and director Danis Goulet. Movie starts at 5:30 p.m. in the Sun Life Auditorium (LHS 1621). Entry and popcorn are free. Everyone welcome!
Spring convocation: June 13
Convocation for the Faculty of Health will be held Tuesday, June 13, starting at 10 a.m. Please check your inboxes for an invitation to the post-convocation reception, to be held on the BMH Green around noon. Staff and faculty are encouraged to attend the reception in support of the Class of 2023. Refreshments will be provided under the main tent.
Faculty of Health blood drive: June 14
The Faculty of Health will be participating collectively in a blood drive campaign from June 14 to 30. To contribute as part of the team and help win prizes, create an account on blood.ca, join the team (look for 'University of Waterloo – Faculty of Health'), then book an appointment. Transportation to the donation site will be available on June 14, Blood Donor Day. Please contact Josh Edmondstone for more information.
Pride movie night: June 14
Celebrate Pride Month with a free movie night! We will be watching "But I'm a Cheerleader," a cult classic from 1999. Refreshments provided, and everyone welcome! June 14 at 6 p.m. in the Sun Life Auditorium, LHS 1621.
Polishing of the Eagle Feather ceremony: June 20
Please join us for a ceremony on June 20 at 2 p.m. in the BMH courtyard, where we will renew our commitment to Indigenous reconciliation. Faculty, staff and students are invited to the Polishing of the Eagle Feather ceremony, which will include drumming, singing and refreshments. Registration is not required.
Faculty of Health Book Club: June 20
The Faculty of Health Book Club will be discussing Beloved by Toni Morrison on June 20. The group is open to anyone in the Faculty during lunch hour in BMH 3119. We have a few copies to lend out at the Dean's Office front desk, and you may join in person or online.
Rhona Hanning retirement reception: June 21
A retirement reception for Dr. Rhona Hanning, who will be retiring July 1, will be held on June 21 at 3:30 p.m. You can attend virtually or in-person to honour her achievements, contributions and lasting impact on the School and in the Faculty.
Queer Trivia: June 21
Join us for a Trivia Night that celebrates all things Queer! When was the first Pride parade in Canada? Where were the Stonewall Riots? What actress did Ellen come out to on her sitcom? Show up and find out! We'll have food and prizes, so bring your friends. Register for Queer Trivia Night here.
Lunch and Learn - Improve your sleep: June 21
Sandra Gibson and Erin Sioui from Campus Wellness will teach staff some new strategies to improve our sleep in the June Lunch and Learn.This session is open to all staff in the Faculty. Bring your lunch to BMH 3119 at noon on June 21.
DID YOU KNOW?
Inclusive Research Resource Hub now available
The Inclusive Research Resource Hub is a new searchable document repository of training materials, guidelines and resources compiled by the Inclusive Research team in the Office of the Vice-President, Research and International. Several hybrid learning opportunities will take place over the coming months and will be posted there as well. Topics will include inclusive team building, gender-based analysis and identifying and addressing barriers to inclusive research. Light refreshments will be provided for those attending in person. Please register to attend.
Volunteers needed for Snack Pack
If you have some time to volunteer to hand out free snacks to Faculty of Health students, please contact Rochelle DeSouza in the Dean's Office. The Snack Pack program, funded by the Dean's Advisory Committee on Health and Well-being, runs on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the second-floor Expansion Building foyer during the spring term.
Do you have a news item to share? Please email it to Eugenia Xenos Anderson.