Colleagues,
This will be my final monthly update as Dean of AHS. That is not an easy thing for me to write. I have expressed my thoughts and feelings on leaving the deanship in several venues: in my previous note to the AHS community,Ìýat the farewell reception on April 19,Ìýand, in many individual and small group discussions over the past couple of months. So, here, let me just add one more sincere and simple thank you to all of you for your invaluable contributions towards AHS achievements of all kinds in these past several years, and my best wishes for what I know will be a continuing story of future successes based on my confidence in the fundamental strengths of the people who comprise the AHS community.
As has previously been announced by Provost George Dixon, Professor Paul Stolee has been appointed Interim Dean of AHS beginning May 16, 2018. I am pleased that Paul has accepted this responsibility, andÌýI welcomeÌýhim to the deanship. ÌýI very much look forward to working with him through my new role.ÌýÌý
For the period of April 30 to May 15, the Associate Deans have each agreed toÌýtake on Acting Dean responsibilities according to the following schedule:
Leeann Ferries:ÌýMonday,ÌýApril 30-Saturday,ÌýMay 5
Richard Staines:ÌýSunday,ÌýMay 6-Thursday,ÌýMay 10
Rhona Hanning:ÌýFriday,ÌýMay 11-Wednesday,ÌýMay 15
Highlights I Events I Nominations and more
SomeÌýhighlights from this month
President's Reception for Excellence in Teaching and Research
Every year, the University recognizes faculty members who contributeÌýtheir knowledge and expertise to enableÌýstudent success, both academically and in our campus community. This year, several of our faculty were honoured on April 10 at the President’s Reception for Excellence: Robin Duncan, Mark Ferro, Steven Fischer, David Hammond, Mark Havitz, Susan Horton, Richard Hughson, Sharon Kirkpatrick, Scott Leatherdale, Elena Nieterman, Diana Parry, and Chris Vigna.
Propel Centre update
Congratulations to theÌýPropel CentreÌýfor achieving a major milestone in its transition from a long-time national research program of the Canadian Cancer Society to a university-wide centre at the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ. With strong support from myself, the Propel Board Chair, and several faculty members affiliated with Propel, I’m pleased to announce that through the Office of the Vice-President Research, Propel was recently awarded funding from the University for three years starting in 2019.Ìý
Along with longer-term funding from UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ will come significant changes at Propel, and new opportunities for faculty and students. Barb Riley, Propel executive director, is already hosting informal roundtables and looking forward to working with the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵÌýcommunity and external partners to shape the future of Propel. Please reach out toÌýBarbÌý(x37562) orÌýMari Alice JolinÌý(x36552) if you’d like to learn more.
Associate Deans reappointed
Rhona Hanning, Associate Dean, Graduate Studies,Ìýand Richard Staines, Research, have both been reappointed for another term in these roles. Congratulations to you both.
2018 Fun Run
The University'sÌýAdvancement office will be taking the lead on the annualÌýFun RunÌýgoing forward.ÌýLast year, the annual alumni event, whichÌýtakes place on À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ’s Ring Road over Reunion, had aÌýrecord number of more thanÌý600Ìýalumni and community members takeÌýpart, raising $3,200. Hope to see you out there on September 22 this year!ÌýPlease contact alumni@uwaterloo.caÌýif you have any questions.
Board of Governors visit
Members of the Board of Governors came for a tour of the Faculty on April 3 to learn more about our research and teaching accomplishments. We received a lot of positive feedback and comments on how vibrant and productive our community is. It also helped the governors recognize the ways in which AHS contributes to the University's strategic mission and direction.
Photo gallery of 50th closing and farewell
For those who were not able to attend the closing 50th anniversary celebration – or for those who would like to see it from a different perspective – we’ve set up a photo galleryÌýof the event. Faculty, staff, and students got a sneak peak of the 50th anniversary plaque that will be installed soon in the courtyard, as well as some renderings of what our courtyard could look like. After a quick lunch, we reconvened to say farewell to my Deanship. I was touched by the (sometimes) kind words and thoughtful gifts. Thank you all for the artwork and photo book! There is another photo gallery with scenes commemorating this event as well.
Advisory Committee on Health and Well-being
Over the next year the Committee willÌýhost a Health and Well-being day each term as an opportunity for students, staff, and faculty to engage around common themes. They will also be developing a number of resources to support distress response and service navigation. Pop-up events will also occur throughout the year as a way to further enhance the already vibrant community within AHS. Finally, the Advisory Committee would like to congratulate Amy Bicknell, graduate student representative to the Advisory, and her graduate student sub-committee for successfully receiving Graduate Student Endowment Funding to host a Mental Health and Well-being workshop series throughout the spring term. These workshops will explore themes related to nutrition, mindfulness, productivity, the outdoors, and new skill development. Watch for notices of these workshops throughout the term.Ìý
Upcoming events
You@À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Day: May 26
Thank you to everyone who participates in You@À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Day, which is taking place Saturday, May 26 this year. Newly admitted undergraduateÌýstudents have been invited to attend this open house and our goal is to make them feel welcome.
Community Based Research Excellence Tool: May 28
Are you interested in learning more about a reflective assessment tool for conducting community-based research? This day-long workshop and launch of the tool is being organized by the Centre for Community Based Research. It will be held at Conrad Grebel College. Please register online.
AHS Convocation: June 12
Please consider joining us in the processionÌýif you are faculty, or as a volunteer if you are staff. The new ConvocationÌýwebsite has a form you can use to sign up for the procession or to volunteer.Ìý
Nominations, awards and more
External awards for AHS faculty members
Did you know that Heather Keller and Catherine Maine represent AHS on theÌýÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Awards Committee? The Committee recently set up a Prestigious Awards web page for faculty members, and our representatives designed a complementary web page indexing external awards of interest to faculty members in AHS. ContactÌýHeather KellerÌý´Ç°ùÌýCatherine MaineÌýabout nominations and assistance that they can provide.
Teaching AssistantÌýawards
If you had an outstanding Teaching Assistant this term, you still have time to nominate them for the Applied Health Sciences Teaching Assistant award. Details and the application form on theÌýwebsite.Ìý
Thank you all for your support over the years,
Jim
James W.E. Rush, PhD
Professor and DeanÌý
Faculty of Applied Health Sciences