Indian Horse Screening Community Screening

In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the UGME program is collaborating with the Indigenous Health Learning Lodge (IHLL) to share a special screening of Indian Horse on Friday, September 29, across the three campuses. The event is designed to foster reflection, understanding, and discussion around the impact of residential schools in Canada.

Indian Horse, based on the acclaimed novel by Richard Wagamese, tells the story of Saul Indian Horse, an Ojibwe boy who survives the traumas of the residential school system and finds healing through hockey. The film sheds light on the challenges faced by Indigenous communities and the enduring effects of colonization.

Event Details:

• Date: September 29, 2024
• Time: Doors open at 9:30 a.m. | Screening begins at 10 a.m.
• Locations:
• Hamilton: Jackson Square Landmark 6 Cinema, 2 King St. W.
• Niagara: Landmark Cinemas St. Catharines, 221 Glendale Ave.
• Waterloo: Landmark Cinemas Waterloo, 415 The Boardwalk

This event is free to attend, and all are welcome. While tickets are complimentary, we kindly ask participants to bring donations of diapers or menstrual products. These items will be donated to local Indigenous organizations in need.

For those interested, RSVP here! Spaces are limited, so early registration is encouraged.

To explore additional Truth and Reconciliation Day events and resources at our university, click here.

Join the 9th Annual Pull4Mac Bus Pull – October 23, 2024

The McMaster Community Engagement Committee invites all staff, students, faculty, and alumni to the 9th Annual Pull4Mac Bus Pull, kicking off the McMaster United Way Campaign. Teams will compete to pull a McMaster shuttle bus 100 feet while raising funds for the United Way.

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2024
• Time: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
• Location: Green Space, Burke Science Building

Participants can join as a team of 10-12 or register individually. The event offers prizes for fastest pull, most funds raised, best team spirit, and largest cheering section. Lunch and raffle tickets will be available, with proceeds going to the United Way.

For more information, click here. If you have any questions, contact Karli Dillane.

RSVP Deadline Approaching for Class of 2027 White Coat Ceremony

The White Coat Ceremony for the Class of 2027 is fast approaching, with the RSVP deadline set for October 1, 2024. Students are required to confirm their attendance by emailing FHSevents1@mcmaster.ca.

In their email, students should indicate whether they will attend, the number of guests (up to four), and any accommodation requests for themselves or their guests. This ceremony represents an important moment in their medical journey.

For any questions, students can reach out to FHSevents1@mcmaster.ca for assistance.

UGME Associate Dean Matt Sibbald Receives U21 Health Sciences Teaching Excellence Award

Congratulations to Dr. Matt Sibbald, UGME Associate Dean, on receiving the 2024 U21 Health Sciences Group Teaching Excellence Award. This international award recognizes his dedication to advancing medical education and highlights his contributions to enhancing the learning experience for students at McMaster.

Dr. Sibbald, who has been with McMaster’s Faculty of Health Sciences since 2014, will attend the U21 HSG 2025 Annual Meeting to co-lead a workshop on feedback literacy with fellow awardee Rebeca Leyva from Tecnológico de Monterrey.

For more details, please visit the full article here.

Applications Open: Clinical Skills Practice Sessions Preceptor - Hamilton Campus

The UGME Program is seeking enthusiastic faculty members to lead workshops focused on enhancing physical examination skills. In this role, faculty will collaborate with Standardized Patients (SPs) to provide hands-on learning experiences that are impactful and rewarding for pre-clerkship students.

Applications are currently invited for all Medical Foundations, with particular emphasis on MF2. Upcoming sessions for MF2 will cover renal and lymphatic exams, scheduled for November and December.

Faculty members will receive compensation of $100 per hour and accrue 1.5 faculty contribution hours for each teaching hour. For additional details on how to get involved, please review the attached document. A CV and cover letter are required, and submissions will be accepted until Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

Special Call for Tutors and Sub-Tutors for MF2

The UGME is issuing a special call for tutors for the MF2 program. Tutorials can be scheduled in 3-hour blocks between 1:00 PM and 9:00 PM, either on-site at McMaster Campus or off-site at SJH Charlton, HGH, and JHCC, depending on room availability.

The total stipend for this role is $4,800, less applicable deductions for appointed faculty. Interested returning tutors are encouraged to apply by completing the form.

The UGME is also seeking to recruit substitute tutors for the MF2 program. A substitute tutor is defined as someone who can fill in for a group tutor for one tutorial as needed. The UGME encourages returning tutors to join the on-call list for occasional assignments throughout the foundation.

Substitute tutors will receive a stipend of $100 per hour and will earn two faculty contribution hours for each teaching hour.

If you are unable to commit to the entire foundation but are interested in being a substitute tutor, please fill out the form.

For more information or any questions, please email preclerk@mcmaster.ca.

In Memory of Helen Otrosina (1935-2024)

Helen Otrosina, a longtime Hamilton resident and dedicated community member, passed away on September 5, 2024, at the age of 89.

Helen had a distinguished career with the Medical School at McMaster University, where she worked for over 35 years. She was instrumental in supporting the development of the "Problem Based Learning" curriculum for medical students and played a key role in the admissions process for the MD program. Her leadership and dedication were widely respected across campus.

Helen's warmth, generosity, and tireless service will be fondly remembered by all who knew her.

To read her full obituary, click here.

NRC Class of 2017 Reunites for a Day of Celebration

On August 24, 2024, the NRC Class of 2017 gathered for a day of fun and reflection, hosted by Dr. Amanda Bell. Graduates, along with their families, enjoyed lunch at NRC and rock climbing.

Attendees included Dr. Saravannan Shaan (anesthesiologist), Dr. Siavash Taheri-Shalmani (family doctor), Dr. Erdit Celo (ophthalmologist), Dr. Heather Morris (urologist), Dr. Ellery Cunan (pediatric intensivist), Dr. Jessica Shanahan (colorectal surgery fellow), Dr. Jennifer Bisson (medical oncologist), Dr. Nicole Jedrzejko (general surgeon), Dr. Sarah Hanik (family doctor), Dr. Beth Jolley (family doctor), Dr. Yasmin Kazemi (pediatrician), and Dr. Kristin Sestili (family doctor). They reconnected nearly a decade after first meeting at NRC Welcome Day in 2014, sharing reflections on their careers and memories of their time at McMaster.

NRC Day Brings Together Students and Faculty for Informative Sessions

NRC Day provided an opportunity for students and faculty to connect on key campus resources and services. The event began with opening remarks from Program Manager Dr. Carrie McLaughlin, followed by a research review from MSc Research Coordinator Seddiq Weera and Research Director Dr. Larry Chambers. Dr. Amanda Bell, Regional Assistant Dean, offered a warm campus welcome.

Breakout rooms covered topics such as library services, Brock's Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre, student affairs, and the Graduate Students’ Association. The day concluded with lunch and a lively trivia game.

WRC Day Welcomes New Learners with BBQ

The WRC hosted a BBQ open to all faculty, learners, and staff to welcome the incoming Class of 2027 and new residents. The event included a CME-accredited faculty development session and introduced student advisors to their new advisees. Around 80-90 attendees enjoyed lawn games, prizes, and the chance to connect with peers and faculty in a relaxed setting.

The WRC BBQ was a great opportunity for building community and celebrating the start of the new academic year. Faculty, staff, and students alike appreciated the welcoming atmosphere and engaging activities.

Class of 2026 Learners Showcase Hamilton Hub's Clinic at Women’s Health Day

Jack Lawrence and Miranda Branyiczky (Class of 2026), Co-Directors of the Hamilton Hub's afternoon walk-in clinic, proudly represented the clinic at the Greater Hamilton Health Network’s Women’s Health Day. This initiative has provided vital services to over 1,000 individuals in three years, with a special focus on overdose awareness and harm reduction in September.

At their booth, Miranda and Jack engaged with women attendees, discussing the barriers faced by those experiencing homelessness in accessing healthcare. They highlighted the clinic’s low-barrier walk-in services and introduced the new evening Wound Care Clinic running Mondays to Fridays. Additionally, they distributed free skincare kits as part of the ongoing SkinCARE Project, fostering a safe and supportive environment for participants to access essential care and resources.

Service-Learning Opportunities for Medical Students

Medical students are invited to participate in several impactful service-learning initiatives, offering valuable experiences while supporting vulnerable communities:

• The Hub (Hamilton Campus): Volunteers assist in the Hub’s nightly drop-in program, providing food, drink, and a safe space for individuals facing homelessness and housing instability. The Hub also distributes harm reduction kits, and there may be crossover with the clinical horizontal elective at its new clinic. Volunteers are required to commit to a minimum of two shifts per month, and duties include non-clinical support, such as patient sign-in and space monitoring. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Miranda and Jack at the Hub’s Clinic email.
• McMaster Advocates for Newcomer Care (ANC) (Hamilton Campus): Students will educate newcomers about the Canadian healthcare system, with a focus on cancer screening programs. Responsibilities include developing workshops, creating educational materials, and advocating alongside Cancer Care Ontario for better access to health services.
• ODSP Clinic (NRC): In collaboration with REACH Niagara, students help run monthly clinics that assist patients with Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) applications, increasing their annual income and improving overall well-being.
• YWCA – Carole Anne’s Place (CAP) (Hamilton Campus): Volunteers at CAP serve meals to unsheltered women and non-binary individuals in a low-barrier environment that offers meals, showers, harm reduction services, and safe drug use spaces. Volunteers play a crucial role in supporting this drop-in program, which runs nightly from 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. Click here to sign up.

These opportunities offer medical students a chance to engage with underserved populations, build advocacy skills, and make a direct impact in the community. For more information or to sign up, contact the program leads!

Medical Students Invited to Participate in Sleep Study

McMaster medical students are invited to participate in a study on sleep quality among Canadian medical students. With the demands of medical school, good sleep often becomes a challenge, yet it is critical for academic success and overall health. The study aims to uncover key factors affecting sleep and highlight areas for improvement.

Participants will complete a brief 10-15 minute survey about their sleep habits and related factors. They will also have the option to enter a raffle for a $50 gift card.

This is a valuable opportunity for medical students to share their experiences and contribute to research that could benefit the entire student community. You can join the study here.

Join the 5-Day Mindfulness Challenge!

From October 7th to 11th, the Student Affairs Wellness Counsellors invite you to the 5-Day Mindfulness Challenge. Each day, you'll receive an email with a 5-minute mindfulness practice and a short video guide from a Wellness Counsellor. Practices include Mindfulness Basics, Diaphragmatic Breathing, Body Awareness, Guided Imagery, and Mindful Munching.

Participants can share their experiences at the end of the week for a chance to win a prize. It's an easy, accessible way to bring mindfulness into your routine!

👉 Sign up here and for more info, contact Sheila Ortlieb or Foluke Akinboyo, UGME Wellness Counsellors (Student Affairs).