Dear faculty, staff and graduate students,
As fall activities ramp up, there is a noticeable difference in the energy generated through in-person events. In the Faculty of Health, our representation is more important than ever as Waterloo implements initiatives that are interdisciplinary, and at the “interface of society, health and technology.” The new Futures Framework features a “Health Futures” theme, which will further profile the expertise our faculty can contribute as Waterloo envisions what it will be when it reaches its 100th year.
This month, I have been reflecting on the importance of being present. As dean, I have been invited to attend numerous events where it was critical for Health to be represented. When there is a speaking role, such as opening remarks for the 2022 Global Summit: Nanotechnology for a Healthier and Sustainable Future, and the Quantum for Health Launch, I take advantage of the opportunity to raise awareness of the landscape of health-related scholarship on campus.
When there is no speaking role, such as at last week’s Sustainable Futures Initiative, my attendance was called out with appreciation. I am grateful to many of you who also attend other events on behalf of the Faculty of Health. In such situations, being present has meaningful impacts on our students, staff, faculty, administrators, alumni and the community at large.
Sometimes, days later, I hear through social media or by word of mouth how much it meant to someone from Health in the audience. As we approach Alumni Black and Gold Day, fall convocation and Fall Open House, I want to share with you that it makes a difference to me, and it has an impact on the audience, whenever you can take time from your research, teaching or office work to just be present.
Best,
Lili Liu
News I Events I Tips and reminders
NEWS
Lora Giangregorio renewed as Schlegel Research Chair
Lora Giangregorio, who leads the Bone Health and
Exercise Science lab (BonES lab) in Kinesiology and Health Sciences, has been renewed as the Schlegel Research Chair in Mobility and Aging at the Research Institute for Aging. Giangregorio’s research on safe and effective exercises for older adults and on working with health-care providers to give valuable exercise advice has benefitted older adults across Canada. The chair is renewed until August 31, 2027.
Funding spotlight: Monica Maly and Paolo Dominelli
Monica Maly and Paolo Dominelli were two of 23 Waterloo
infrastructure projects to receive funding from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation's John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) program. Maly received just under $80,000 for “Human Motion Analyses to Predict and Treat Osteoarthritis” and Dominelli received more than $125,000 for “Next Generation Fire Safety: Grounded in Science, Embracing Population Diversity.” Congratulations to both.
First in Faculty donor participation rate
Many thanks to everyone who helped push our faculty and staff donor participation rate to first place among the Faculties at the University this year. Our rate was 39.4 per cent, up from 19.5 per cent last year (and third place). Your generosity supported several initiatives, including the new Faculty of Health Experiential Fund. Watch out for Giving Tuesday and other opportunities this year as we set our sights on surpassing 40 per cent participation and attempting to accomplish one of our Faculty's strategic plan goals: To integrate a culture of philanthropy that extends to faculty, staff, students and alumni, which in turn helps deserving students succeed.
New interdisciplinary course on climate change
Faculty members are encouraged to communicate details of a new winter 2023 course on the Wicked Problem of Climate Change with undergraduates. This new course takes an interdisciplinary approach to investigate how climate change is affecting our way of life, taught by PhD instructors from each Faculty. Shahan Salim from the School of Public Health Sciences will be the instructor from Health. Visit the Wicked Problem of Climate Change web page to learn more.
Two staff retirements
Many thanks to longtime staff members Craig McDonald
(pictured left, at his party) from the Faculty's Computing Office and Marg Burnett, Kinesiology and Health Science's cherished administrative officer of 40 years. McDonald retired in August after 25 years of providing exceptional support to members of the faculty community, and Burnett leaves her post in October. The Faculty was lucky to have both contribute to our efforts and we wish them all the best in this next phase of their lives.
New staff members in KHS and SPHS
The Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences is pleased to
welcome Bonnie Bishop (left), who will be the new Kinesiology and Health Sciences administrative officer. She comes to us from the School of Accounting and Finance, where she has been an administrator for 15 years. The School of Public Health Sciences is also pleased to share that Jessica Kolmel (right) joined the School's undergraduate advising team. Kolmel is a graduate of the Bachelor of Public Health program and comes with a wealth of knowledge of our student services. Welcome to the Faculty!
UPCOMING EVENTS
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: September 30
Indigenous Knowledge Keeper Myeengun Henry presided over a sunrise
ceremony at 7 a.m. on the BMH Green. Both President Vivek Goel and Jean Becker, associate vice-president, Indigenous Relations, will give brief remarks at 10:30 a.m. and a walk around Ring Road will start at 11 a.m. It will be followed by a feast, drumming and round dance. Register for this Truth and Reconciliation event here. There is also a virtual Truth and Reconciliation in Higher Learning Institutions webinar starting at 4 p.m. with Kevin Lamoureux of the University of Winnipeg.
Ontario Universities' Fair: October 1-2
Thank you to faculty and staff who will be on hand at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre this weekend to provide information about our programs to high school students. This year, the Ontario Universities' Fair (OUF) also has a regional fair at Bingeman's on October 25, and virtual sessions on October 11, November 9 and December 1.
Alumni Black and Gold Day: October 1
Alumni Black and Gold Day is here! There is yoga, an Athletics facility tour, a
Warriors game and Alumni VIP tent, not to mention a Kin '72 reunion. Register on the Alumni Black and Gold event page, or contact Jenn Bentley for info.
United Way activities: October 3-26
The Faculty will kick off the annual United Way campaign with a trivia contest on October 3 at EXP 1686 at noon. Look for an invitation in your inbox, and wear red if you can. Also, look out for other events: a Retro Movie Night on October 19, a Used Book Sale on October 25 and a Cupcake Decoration event on October 26. See the United Way website for other events as they are posted in October.
Health Student Queer Mixer: October 4
Graduate and undergraduate students are invited to a social Queer Mixer on
October 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Fireplace Lounge (LHS 1656). Registration is not required but would be appreciated.
Alumni Office Hours: October 4-6
Alumni Office Hours, which brings together alumni and current students to talk about career paths, will be running again this term. In October, Greg Mittler (BA ’14) from University of Waterloo Athletics, Bimal Lakhani (BSc ’07) from lululemon and Lyricy Francis (BSc ’19, MPH ’22) from the Canadian Institute for Health Information will be hosting Alumni Office Hours on October 4-6. Students can get details about what they do and register on the Alumni website.
Research Horizons with Kate Geddie: October 5
Join Kate Geddie, senior director of research at CIFAR, for the first session in a
new Office of Research speaker series for Waterloo faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows.
Indigenous Teaching Circle: October 6
Indigenous Knowledge Keeper Myeengun Henry will host an Indigenous Teaching Circle on the topic of the Ojibway Creation Story on October 6, 2 p.m. in LHS 3701. Everyone welcome!
Graduate Studies information week: October 24-27
Please let your undergraduate students know about Graduate Studies Information Week, a series of events about graduate studies. Students will be able to select from a series of hybrid in-person/online sessions exploring the fundamentals of grad school and graduate programs in the Faculty of Health. See the Graduate Studies Information Week event page or contact Graduate Studies Marketing and Recruitment Specialist Jasmin English.
Universal Design for Learning: October 27
Several support units and instructors at the University have come together to critically examine how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can – and cannot – support holistic well-being in the learning environment. Interested parties are welcome to join the Universal Design for Learning and Well-being Community of Practice on October 27 and November 24.
Hallman Lecture with Ovide Mercredi: October 20
Save the date for a Hallman Lecture on "Advancing health and well-being for Indigenous Peoples" with Ovide Mercredi, former national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, and alumnus Nel Weiman, deputy chief medical officer at the First Nations Health Authority. The lecture is scheduled to take place October 20 from 7 to 9 p.m., both in person at Fed Hall and online. Look for details in the coming weeks.
Faculty of Health Convocation: October 21
The Faculty's fall convocation ceremony will be held October 21 at the
Physical Activities Complex. Faculty members are strongly encouraged to attend the ceremony, especially if you have graduate students convocating. Faculty and staff are also invited to the post-reception taking place on the BMH green to congratulate students on their achievements. Please visit the Convocaton FAQ page for details on how to register for hooding, procession and volunteer opportunities.
TIPS AND REMINDERS
Learning Management System review project
The Centre for Teaching Excellence reports that the Learning Management System (LMS) review project has launched. The University’s contract with D2L Brightspace (LEARN) is set to expire on October 31, and the signing of a new contract with D2L or alternative provider requires a review process. To learn more, please see the LMS Review Project Launch website, which is housed on the EdTech Hub website. The EdTech Hub has compiled all the University’s centrally supported EdTech tools that are used to deliver and facilitate learning, and it is expected that this repository will continue to grow.
Graham Seed Fund open for applications
The Graham Seed Fund is now accepting applications for new projects that will work towards the University’s strategic priority of creating a globally recognized hub for innovative and transformative health technologies. Collaborative projects that leverage and build health system partnerships with patients, patient families, the public, academics, clinicians and health-care providers are encouraged. The Graham Seed Fund provides funding of up to $25,000 to support highly qualified personnel for a one-year period.