Dear faculty, staff and graduate students,
Since one of our current strategic priorities is internal and external community engagement, with a goal of initiating “cross-campus and external partnerships that go beyond disciplinary boundaries,” I thought I’d share about a panel I was on that focused on education, research and entrepreneurship at this month’s Board and Senate retreat.
We began with a fireside chat with community partners that included the CEO of Intellijoint Surgical and the presidents of St. Mary’s Hospital and Grand River Hospital. Intellijont shared that their partnership with our School of Anatomy was a game changer for the company’s R&D and training of orthopedic surgeons. Prior to this arrangement, it could take up to 10 months to get access resources such as ours.
I noted that it is rare for a non-medical-school-based anatomy program like ours to provide access to industry partners, learners and scholars in all disciplines (including fine arts and engineering), high schools and alumni, but we are open to exploring different types of collaboration.
I also emphasized the importance of examining the scholarship of technology adoption and level of evidence for the solutions we design. If we do so, the successes of entrepreneurship would be value-based and sustainable, not just lucrative. I also believe that metrics of entrepreneurial success should go beyond financial and include quality of health and well-being for all.
Finally, I think it’s noteworthy that because all the Faculties are now embracing the concept of ‘Health Futures,’ the whole campus is using the same language as we are. I expect this may help us fulfil our mission and goals more effectively.
Best,
Lili Liu
News I Events I Did you know?
NEWS
Stacey Acker receives 2024 Faculty Teaching Award
In recognition of her teaching excellence, positive impact on students and commitment to student success, Dr. Stacey Acker (Kinesiology and Health Sciences) has received the 2024 Faculty of Health Teaching Award. Acker's impact is reflected in the number of glowing nominations received from students across different courses over multiple years.
New Director of Advancement in Dean's Office
This month, the Dean's Office welcomed Andrea Carthew as the Faculty of Health’s new Director of Advancement. Andrea spent 20 years with the School of Optometry and Vision Science in the Faculty of Science, where she was the Associate Director, Advancement. She brings expertise in major gift fundraising and community engagement and a background working with a health profession.
Funding spotlight: JELF and Insight Development grants
The Canada Foundation for Innovation and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) announced more than $3.3 million in funding to researchers at the University of Waterloo, including grants for several Faculty of Health projects. Dr. Sheereen Harris (KHS) will receive $100,000 through the John R. Evans Leader's Fund (JELF) and researchers Dr. Laura Jane Brubacher (SPHS), Dr. Juyeon Lee (SPHS) and Dr. Kaleigh Pennock (RLS) are to receive $73,985, $74,444 and $74,232, respectively, through the Insight Development grant.
Funding spotlight: Grad student Memoona Maah
Master of Health Informatics student Memoona Maah has been awarded $35,000 in funding through the Digital Research Alliance's Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DRI EDIA) Champions program for her research in eye care and AI innovation (CAN-VIEW project). The study works closely with the Southern Chiefs' Organization.
UPCOMING EVENTS
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: September 30
Please join Elder Myeengun Henry and others at the University as we acknowledge National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and recommit to reconciliation, indigenization and decolonization. Elder Henry will help lead several events, which include a sunrise ceremony, the opening of the Indigenous Gathering Space, a Commitment Polishing Ceremony, a walk around Ring Road and a Soup and Bannock lunch with drumming and dance.
United Way campaign: October 1-31
The annual University of Waterloo United Way campaign is taking place in October, bringing events, bake sales and other fun activities to raise funds in support of nearly 130 local agencies and charities. These organizations seek to reduce the impacts of poverty, mental health issues, addiction, illiteracy and more. Stay tuned for Faculty of Health and University initiatives!
Creating Sustainable Working Conditions: October 3
The Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD) invites staff, faculty, students and members of the community to attend an in-person Hallman Lecture on October 3 at 5 p.m. Guest speaker Dr. Jodi Oakman, a public health professor from La Trobe University in Australia, will explore challenges and strategies to promote mental and physical health. An audience Q&A and reception will follow. For details and to register, visit the Creating Sustainable Working Conditions event page.
Problem Space Expo: October 3
The Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology (CBB) and Clinical Council Operations Committee are hosting a Problem Space Expo on October 3 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the E7 Event Space (second floor). The event will highlight current challenges within the health-care system that require innovative solutions from the perspective of clinicians. For more information and to register, visit the Clinical Problem Space Exposition web page.
Ontario Universities' Fair: October 5
Health faculty, staff, and student ambassadors will be heading to Toronto on October 5 and 6 for the Ontario Universities' Fair (OUF). The OUF is the first in-person opportunity to connect with students interested in coming to study at Waterloo. In 2023, the OUF welcomed 86,000 attendees. Thank you to all who are giving their time to this important and exciting event.
Teaching Fellows Lunch and Learn: October 9
The Faculty of Health Teaching Fellows Lunch and Learn will be held in person at EXP 1686 and via Teams on October 9 from 12 to 1 p.m. The topic is Working Effectively with Teaching Assistants and the presenters are Natalie Chow (Faculty Liaison) and Tara Chen (TA Workshop Facilitator) from the Centre for Teaching Excellence. For more information, including how to RSVP, please contact Elena Neiterman.
Guided yoga on the Green: October 10
All Health students, staff and faculty are welcome to join a free one-hour guided yoga session from 3 to 4 p.m. on October 10 led by instructor Dan Currie and located outdoors on the BMH Green. It is a beginner-friendly class and yoga mats will be provided. In case of rain, the session will be held in PAC Studio 1. Registration is not required.
Citizenship ceremony: October 18
The Faculty of Health will be the site of a Canadian citizenship ceremony, hosted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). More than 50 new Canadians will be sworn in as citizens on October 18 in EXP 1689 at 2 p.m. Visitors are welcome.
Faculty of Health Book Club meeting: October 24
Faculty of Health grad students, staff and faculty are invited to participate in a new Faculty of Health Book Club with selections focusing on equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). The October book selection is "Willie: The Game Changing Story of the NHL's First Black Player" by Willie O'Ree. The group will meet on October 24 from 12 to 1 p.m. in BMH 3119 and online. For details and to sign up, visit the Faculty of Health Book Club web page.
Aging research networking breakfast: October 25
In collaboration with the Network for Aging Research (NAR), the Faculty of Health is co-hosting a networking event with the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) at the upcoming Canadian Association on Gerontology conference on October 25 at 7 a.m. Indulge in delicious food and connect with researchers, staff and students. All students, faculty and staff members with an interest in aging research are welcome. For details or to reserve your spot, visit the Networking Breakfast eventbrite page.
Fall Convocation: October 25
The Faculty of Health fall convocation ceremony will take place October 25 at 10 a.m. in the Physical Activities Complex (PAC). Indigenous Knowledge Keeper Elder Myeengun Henry will receive an honorary doctorate at the ceremony, and the new University chancellor will be installed. A post-convocation reception will follow on the BMH Green. Faculty, staff and alumni are welcome to commemorate the occasion and enjoy refreshments.
Anti-Racism Taskforce engagement: October 28, 29
The Office of the Vice-President of Research and International (OVPRI), as part of the President's Anti-Racism Taskforce recommendations, is hosting two virtual engagement sessions: A focus group for Black faculty members on October 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. and a focus group for all racialized faculty members on October 29 from 2 to 4 p.m. One-on-one private sessions are also available between October 21 and November 11. Findings will be used to develop recommendations for building an inclusive and equitable research ecosystem at Waterloo. Please register by October 18.
Grad Studies Info Night: October 30
The Faculty's annual Grad Info Night will take place on October 3 from 4 to 7 p.m. in EXP 1689. Be sure to share the event details with third- and fourth-year undergraduates who may be thinking about graduate studies within the Faculty of Health. If you have any questions, please contact Faculty of Health graduate studies marketing and recruitment specialist Nilay Guler.
DID YOU KNOW?
Survey on course accessibility
The Centre for Extended Learning encourages graduate (and undergraduate) students with and without disabilities to complete a 10-15 minute survey on course accessibility, aimed at understanding student perspectives on which elements of accessibility are important to their learning. On completion of the survey, each participant can enter a draw to win one of 10 $50 e-gift cards to a food retailer or food delivery service. For additional details and to complete the survey, visit the study survey link on Qualtrics. The study closes on December 3.
October is Teaching and Learning Month
The Teaching Innovation Incubator is hosting the University's first Teaching and Learning Month, featuring workshops throughout the month open to all Waterloo faculty and staff that approach learning from perspectives of professional development, effective teaching strategies and instructional support. The Centre for Teaching Excellence will be hosting an Instructional Innovations Week as part of this program.
Funding applications open: EDI-R initiatives
If you have an idea for an initiative that may directly or indirectly affect health, on topics such as Indigeneity, equity, diversity, inclusion, or anti-racism, the Faculty of Health Dean's Advisory Committee on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism invites you to submit a proposal to their Seed Fund Initiative. Funding will be allocated to projects with clear, actionable impact and will be assessed based on relevance, creativity and collaboration with the local community. Staff, students and faculty are encouraged to apply.
Call for participants: relationships and memory study
School of Public Health Sciences PhD student Paniz Haghighi is seeking participants for a qualitative study on adults between the ages of 45 and 85 and their perceptions of their social relationships and how it relates to memory. Participation will consist of a 60-minute virtual interview. For more information, please contact Haghighi.
Fall term Wellness Bingo is available
Wellness Bingo, offered by the Dean’s Advisory Committee on Health and Well-being, will now be released once per term instead of each month. Everyone in Health is encouraged to participate in an effort to promote healthy habits and behaviours. When you complete a line, send a picture to health.wellbeing@uwaterloo.ca to be entered for a monthly prize draw. You may also request an accessible version of the card. The fall term prize is a $50 gift card to Bath & Body Works! Download the fall term bingo card here.
Student Experience Survey
The Student Experience Survey (SES) is now available to 10,000 randomly selected students, including graduate students, to help the University better understand their learning environment, experiences, challenges and successes. Those who submit their responses will receive $5 on their WatCard. For details, visit the Institutional Analysis and Planning's Fall 2024 SES info page. The survey is open until November 8 and covers topics on well-being, inclusion, student support systems, campus life, faculty services and more.
Do you have a news item to share? Please email it to Jenna Braun.