Dean's update - October 2016

Colleagues,

After an exceptionally busy October for the Faculty, I’d like to take a moment to debrief on a few of our milestone events before looking ahead to the next month:

  • Despite a rainy start to the day, more than 500 participants came out for our 31st annual AHS Fun Run on October 1. The day also marked the official opening of the AHS Expansion Building — an event culminating with a private reception for more than 60 alumni, donors and special guests. Heartfelt thanks are extended to the staff who organized the events and all the volunteers who helped make the day such a tremendous success. 
  • On October 15, we officially opened the Toby Jenkins Applied Health Research Building on north campus. Along with the Propel Centre for Population Health Impact and the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project, the facility houses the new Centre for Community, Clinical and Applied Research Excellence (CCCARE). Administered by the Department of Kinesiology, CCCARE will integrate research and community programs to develop new health interventions. Specific research projects will focus on exercise for health and disease prevention, nutrition and health, brain training, vascular and metabolic health, injury prevention, and maximizing of mobility and prevention of falls. Marina Mourtzakis will oversee CCCARE in her role as Associate Chair of Kinesiology.
Jenkins family, university and government representatives on balcony.
Crowd mingling at building opening.

The official opening of the Toby Jenkins Applied Health Research Building

  • The Centre for Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD) and the Network for Aging Research (NAR) both recently appointed new directors. Jack Callaghan has succeeded Richard Wells as director of CRE-MSD, and Paul Stolee assumed leadership of NAR from Steve Mock. Acknowledgements are extended to both Professors Wells and Mock for their significant accomplishments and exceptional leadership during their tenures, and congratulations to Jack and Paul on their new roles.
  • A reminder to all faculty to complete the IP/commercialization questionnaire. The questionnaire, which takes no more than 10 minutes to complete, has been designed to facilitate annual collection of IP and commercialization information to meet Policy 73 requirements. All Waterloo researchers (including those without IP/research commercialization information) will need to complete the form by November 30.
  • From November 4 to 6, the Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program will host the second annual Hack4Health competition. The two-day event provides an exciting forum for undergraduate and graduate students to create practical applications (software, hardware, and social solutions) for people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or dementia. The event is free of charge for Applied Health Sciences students.
  • Congratulations are extended to Diana Parry, who has been inducted as a fellow in the Academy of Leisure Sciences for her significant contributions to the field. Founded in 1980, the Academy recognizes outstanding scholarship that advances our intellectual understanding of leisure.
  • The President’s Town Hall will take place on November 22 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Fed Hall. Registered participants are invited to a light luncheon throughout the noon hour.

  • Graduate students are integral to the mission and vision of Applied Health Sciences, both in their roles as mentors and teachers, and for their contributions to advancing transformative research. I am pleased to share that several of our students were recently honored with notable awards: 

  • The following 2016 Applied Health Sciences TA Award winners are recognized for their commitment to student success and excellence in teaching:
    • Caitlin McArthur (Kinesiology)
    • Leah Graystone (School of Public Health and Health Systems)
    • Cassandra Lowe (School of Public Health and Health Systems)
    • Rebecca Mayers (Recreation and Leisure Studies)
    • Maggie Miller (Recreation and Leisure Studies)
    • Jake Tennant (Kinesiology)

 Congratulations to all our student award winners.

  • From November 8 to 13 I will be travelling to Hong Kong as part of the University’s larger delegation. During the trip I am scheduled to pay a return visit to the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park (a delegation visited AHS  in September) as well as meet with individuals at the University of Hong Kong’s SAU Po Centre on Ageing. While at the University of Hong Kong, I will also give a presentation on our Faculty’s unique approach to protecting and promoting health and well-being across the life course. This talk will not only provide an opportunity to showcase many of our noteworthy initiatives, but will also serve as a catalyst for exploring conversations around potential opportunities for partnerships in health and well-being.
  • Finally, please join us later this morning for the final event in our United Way campaign, the AHS Silent Bid or Treat. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. enjoy some treats, coffee and hot chocolate in the BMH foyer while bidding on a selection of items generously donated by members of the AHS community in support of United Way.
Jim Rush.

Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable Halloween,

Jim

James W.E. Rush, PhD
Professor and Dean 
Faculty of Applied Health Sciences