Dear faculty, staff and graduate students,
In updating our Faculty strategic plan for the next three years, we sought your input and I thank those of you who responded. Where possible, we incorporated your ideas into an updated plan as we align our Faculty's direction and values with that of the University.
Some new additions to the plan include the creation of a Health undergraduate advising office and the explicit commitments to high-quality educational experiences in our core programs and to anti-racism. There were other worthy ideas that we are not able to include at this point, but we will be evaluating our goals annually.
New program development is one strategy we plan to use to enhance our educational offerings, even in a time of financial constraint. For example, we are exploring the development of physical and occupational therapy programs. To finance them, we will be seeking additional health-related corridor funding available through new government initiatives.
We believe this initiative is important because Ontario has less access to rehabilitation professionals per capita than the national average. With the new hospital planned on our campus, the two new master’s-level programs will build capacity to meet the gap in service access.
While some of our undergraduate Kinesiology students register as licensed kinesiologists and work in Ontario after graduation, many others apply to a physiotherapy master's program at other universities. There are relatively few spaces in Canada for the latter, so these two new programs will give our bachelor graduates the opportunity to stay at À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ for a master's in physical or occupational therapy degree. Of course, graduates who wish to conduct research in the fields can continue to apply to our graduate program offerings.
Another initiative we are developing is an Indigenous Graduate Diploma program, co-led by the Office of Indigenous Relations, the Faculty of Health and the other Faculties. The campus-wide program is funded through the Provost’s Interdisciplinary Initiatives Fund and includes Indigenous content educators. Our commitment to foster an environment that invites and respects Indigenous ways of knowing adds to the other ways of knowing that the University was founded on, enhancing our education and scholarship. Dr. Laura Williams is the contact here in the Faculty for the initiative.
Other faculty members in Health and across the University continue their work on the Healthy À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Initiative and the Health Research Hub. We will share details on them as they become available. Thanks again for weighing in on our updated strategic plan.
Best,
Lili Liu
News I Events I Did you know?
News
Dr. Elena Neiterman receives Distinguished Teacher Award
Dr. Elena Neiterman (School of Public Health Sciences) is one of four recipients of a 2025 Distinguished Teacher Award, which recognizes outstanding teaching across the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ. Neiterman’s teaching philosophy focuses on creating an inviting and inclusive learning environment, and she goes the extra mile to ensure every student feels valued and supported.
PhD candidate receives Amit and Meena Chakma award
Congratulations to Jeremy Cohen, a PhD candidate in Kinesiology and Health Sciences, for receiving a 2025 Amit and Meena Chakma Award for Exceptional Teaching by a Student. Cohen is a dedicated and innovative educator who takes unique approaches to classroom activities.
Research spotlight: Dr. Abel Torres EspÃn
Dr. Abel Torres EspÃn (SPHS) and his team have received two grants from the Craig H. Nielsen Foundation, a non-profit organization funding spinal cord injury research. One grant, which will explore AI for knowledge translation and health promotion, is funding $558,000 over the next two years, in collaboration with the Praxis Spinal Cord Institute. The second is a fellowship funding $250,000 over the next two years for Marzieh Mussavi Rizi, a postdoctoral scholar working with Torres EspÃn. Her work is on the use of big data and analytics to determine optimal treatment for spinal cord injury.
New Faculty of Health Bridge Funds program
This new program aims to support researchers who applied for specific Tri-Council funding, received positive reviews and constructive feedback but were not funded. It is available only when Faculty funds permit. Details and an application form may be found in the May 19 Faculty of Health Research Announcements email. For more information, contact Dr. Marina Mourtzakis.
New Research Advisory Committee
Due to the increasing number of new research activities on campus, Dr. Marina Mourtzakis, associate dean of research, will be setting up a Research Advisory Committee in the Faculty to ensure we have a breadth of perspectives informing these conversations. If you are interested in taking part, please let your chair or director know.
Oktoberfest Women of the Year nominees
Several Faculty of Health community members were nominated for an Oktoberfest Rogers Women of the Year Award, which celebrated its 50th edition this year. Congratulations to nominees Dean Lili Liu, PhD candidate Claudia Martin Calderon and undergraduate students Rose Aydin and Sarah Larochelle. See all the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ nominees and winners on À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ News.
Giving Day update
The Advancement team would like to thank everyone who helped make À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ's first Giving Day a success. The Faculty of Health raised more than $14,000 from 54 donors for priority areas such the Healthy À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Initiative, the Margaret Burnett Fund, CCCARE and the Student Experiential Learning Fund. Many of these gifts will be matched, increasing the impact of your donation.
Volunteers needed for Community Food Garden Plot
The Faculty of Health has a plot in the community food garden on campus and we are looking for volunteers to help plan and tend it. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or curious to learn, you are welcome to join in, in any capacity you’d like. Come grow with us, meet some new people and enjoy the harvest. Interested? Contact Fiona McAlister.
Upcoming events and deadlines
Canadian citizenship ceremony: May 30
If you're curious about what happens at a Canadian citizenship ceremony, the Faculty, along with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, invite you to take part as a guest today, May 30, at 10:30 a.m. in EXP 1689. Approximately 50 new citizens will be sworn in. A small reception will be held afterward for them, their families, dignitaries and visitors. Registration is not necessary.
Echoes of Identity call for submissions: June 5
In recognition of Filipino Heritage Month, Indigenous History Month, and Pride Month, the Dean's Advisory Committee on EDI-AR invites you to share something meaningful to you in connection with these celebrations. Whether it’s a quote, reflection, personal memory, image, or artwork that speaks to these rich and diverse heritages, we encourage you to submit it by June 5. Submissions will be showcased on the digital screens in the Health buildings throughout the month of June. Please visit the Echoes of Identity web page for details.
Celebrate Pride with Writing Possibility workshop: June 6
Join Dr. Markus Harwood-Jones on June 6 from 1 to 3 p.m. for a creative, interactive workshop exploring storytelling as a tool for survival, resistance and radical joy, especially in 2SLGBTQ+ and other minoritized communities. The session includes a zine-making activity and a reading from Markus’s book The Haunting of Adrian Yates. Open to all in the Faculty of Health. Registration required. Visit the Writing Possibility web page for more information.
Reunion: June 6-7
Spread the word about Reunion on June 6-7! There are still a few spots left in an Anatomy Lab 202 session for health-care professionals, as well as tours and activities such as a viewing of Rock this Town.
Spring convocation: June 10
The Faculty's spring convocation ceremony takes place Tuesday, June 10 at 2:30 p.m. in the Physical Activities Complex (PAC), with the procession starting at 2:10 p.m. Drs. Bryan Smale and Paul Stolee will be named Distinguished Professor Emeritus, and Raksha Aravind (Kinesiology Co-op) will speak as the Class of 2025 valedictorian. Congratulations as well to the following award recipients:
- Emiko Arshad (Kinesiology Co-op) - Governor General's Academic Silver Medal, awarded to the top graduating student in the Faculty of Health
- Shreya Chatterjee (Health Studies Co-op) - Alumni Gold Medal, awarded to the next top graduating student in the Faculty of Health
- Emiko Arshad (Kinesiology Co-op), Shreya Chatterjee (Health Studies Co-op) and Jennifer To (Therapeutic Recreation and Joint Psychology) - Highest Academic Achievement Award in their departments
- Fasih Rahman (Kinesiology and Health Sciences) - Governor General's Gold Medal for the highest standing in a doctoral program
Staff and faculty are encouraged to attend a reception at 4:30 p.m., immediately following the ceremony, where you can mingle with graduates and take pictures at the tent on the BMH Green.
Faculty of Health blood drive: June 11
Join the Faculty of Health as we partner with Canadian Blood Services for a blood donation event on June 11. You may sign up for an appointment between 2:50 and 3:35 p.m. for free transportation to the venue. Please visit the Blood Drive event page for details and to sign up.
Lawn games at lunch!: June 17 - August 12
Take a break and join us for some fun in the sun! Starting Tuesday, June 17 through August 12, we’ll have lawn games like spikeball, cornhole and badminton set up on the BMH Green on Tuesdays, from 12 to 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Come play, cheer, or just enjoy the good vibes!
Recommitment Ceremony: June 18
Join Dean Lili Liu and Indigenous Knowledge Keeper Elder Myeengun Henry for this year’s Recommitment Ceremony on June 18, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., beginning in the EXP Lobby. The ceremony will include smudging, songs, an invitation and response to commitment and a sacred fire. Visit the Recommitment Ceremony for details.
SoTL reading group: June 19
Grad students and postdoc are invited to join the first Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) reading group of the summer! The meeting will be hybrid. Please contact Michelle Ogrodnik or Natalie Chow for more information.
Juggling Institutional Priorities: June 19
This Juggling Institutional Priorities session will feature Brenda Lee and how she has made strategic changes to her course delivery that address multiple institutional priorities simultaneously. It takes place online on Thursday, June 19, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Registration is required.
Special Collections Tour – Pride Edition: June 24
Visit the Special Collections and Archives (SCA) at Dana Porter Library on June 24 from 10 to 11 a.m. to explore materials focused on Queer culture and health. Join for the full hour or drop by as you can. No registration needed. Visit the Special Collections Tour event page for details.
Health Ready Day: July 15
Please welcome incoming Health students on July 15 when you see them on campus for Health Ready Day, an all-day orientation session. More information is available on the Welcome Warriors site.
Fun Run and Homecoming: September 20
We're excited to share that the Faculty's Fun Run is returning to Ring Road in September! Registration will open in June and some familiar faces are here to help organize it, including former staff members Margaret Burnett, Katherine Marshall and Betty Bax. Please check the Fun Run event page for details on how you can participate.
Did you know?
Tipi raised for National Indigenous History Month
Elder Myeengun Henry helped raise a tipi outside the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Centre this week, accompanied by a ceremony and smudging. The tipi is in recognition of national Indigenous history during the month of June and is meant for quiet contemplation and learning.
Discontinuing AI Detection in Turnitin
As of September 2025, the AI detection feature in Turnitin will be discontinued from our institutional license. See the Associate Vice President Academic website for more information.
Starbucks and Rolltation closed for spring term
Due to lower traffic over the summer months, both Starbucks and Rolltation in EXP are closed for the spring term.
Dean's Update is taking a pause for the summer
Enjoy the warmer months. Visit Faculty of Health News and Events for happenings during that time. See you in September!
Do you have a news item to share? Please email it to Eugenia Xenos Anderson.