Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
1151 Richmond St N6A 5C1 London, ON, Canada

A circuit breaker lockdown is a lockdown with a set start and end date, and the requirements depend on how aggressive a government wants to be. We know there is some level of effectiveness. That being said, that effectiveness is not for the entire population and appears to protect some while leaving others at risk, says Dr. Nitin Mohan.

One in three Canadians is living with diabetes or prediabetes. Dr. Irene Hramiak is advancing research and care to provide a better quality of life for patients. "Our therapies have improved tremendously; we have newer insulins that are safer and easier to take. If you were delivering insulin 50 years ago, it was with a syringe that you had to boil on your stove."

Alumnus Sukhmeet Sachal, MPH’18, is leading a community outreach project that provides COVID-19 safety education at gurdwaras in Surrey, BC.

For 262 days, Miriam was not able to read a book, watch a movie or go to work. Her life had completely changed the moment she slipped on a patch of ice and hit her head. Like Miriam, 20% of concussion patients continue to experience symptoms after three months. Dr. Heather MacKenzie is developing a tool that will accurately predict, from the onset of injury, who is at risk of these long-term symptoms - a ‘crystal ball’ that will help guide their care.

As Vice President, Research Programs for Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Tammy Clifford, PhD’02, is a role model for young women in science. She says her training at Western University provided her with a new way of thinking, communicating and gathering evidence.

We remember. Today, we honour those who have served - and who continue to serve - our country. For generations, Western University faculty and learners have used their medical and dental training to support the Canadian military - in times of war, conflict and peace.

One third of people in Canada, ultimately, are going to die of a heart attack or stroke. Dr. Robert Hegele is daring to ask how we can use DNA technology to improve these odds. By identifying genetic risk factors, he is making it possible to delay or revert the disease later on in life.

Dr. Qingping Feng’s development of a treatment for sepsis could save millions of lives. He has been named 2020 Innovator of the Year for by WORLDiscoveries' ann...ual Vanguard Awards. Physicians attempt to control sepsis primarily by preventing it, but once it takes hold there is little they can do. Feng’s work shows that it could halt sepsis, which leads to a runaway infection that spreads throughout the body, causing multiple organ failure and death. Various supportive treatments are being used and to some degree they’re helpful but they don’t actually treat the disease, so that’s a major issue. - Qingping Feng

2:00 a.m. on October 31, 1920 - Frederick Banting conceives an idea, setting in motion a chain of events that leads to the most important medical discovery of the 20th century in Canada. The effect of the discovery of insulin reverberates 100 years later. Banting, an instructor at Western University at the time, was alone inside the room on the second floor of 442 Adelaide Street in London, Ontario when he jotted down his idea. A note time stamps the initiating event for the discovery of insulin and all that followed.

I went through a lot of iterations of finding the best fit for me, while also recognizing there is no set timeline for figuring out your life," shared Jocelyn Kerr, BMSc'20 . From finding her professional passions to her efforts in kidney health advocacy and the impact of her work with residence life at Western, Kerr reflects on what she's accomplished during her undergraduate degree.

Congratulations, fall Class of 2020 graduates! #purpleandproud "This has been an unforgettable year, one that has tested your resiliency and your courage and also demonstrated your compassion and caring for your community, and each other. We are so proud of all of you."

Planning to trick-or-treat with your kids this weekend? Epidemiologist Greta Bauer, PhD, says with some creativity to maintain physical distancing, trick-or-treating can be done safely in non-hotspot areas in Ontario. She encourages parents to strategize in advance with their kids.

Students and residents: Join us at the Anti-Racism Learner Town Hall on Wednesday, October 28. An opportunity to ask questions and provide your input on the School’s anti-racism work. Speakers include Dr. John Yoo, Danielle Alcock, PhD, Dr. Bertha Garcia, Jennie Massey, PhD, Dr. Sandra Northcott and Olivia Reshmi Ghosh-Swaby. Register online: http://www.events.westernu.ca//anti-racism-student-town-ha

The one-year, course-based Master of Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS) program integrates various fields of study. Not only are we focusing on academic development, but we are also fostering personal and professional development. The hope is that MSc IMS graduates will go into the workplace or other professional programs with confidence, says Nicole Campbell, PhD, Director. Photo captured in 2019.

My main goal as a family medicine doctor is to not have to say to a patient ‘I never learned about that, I don’t know how to help you,’" said Dr. Diana Cuckovic, PGY2, Family Medicine. As chief resident, she feels empowered to help her co-residents and herself to find or create new opportunities to support their learning goals.

The school year can be tough and stressful for many, especially during these unprecedented times. CMHA Middlesex is back onsite starting tonight through Decembe...r 2nd to offer after-hours crisis counselling support to Western, Brescia, Huron, and Kings students. CMHA After Hours Crisis Counselling: Oct 19-Dec 2 In-person: Monday & Wednesday evenings (UCC 11) Virtual: Tuesday evenings 5-9pm *registration ends at 8pm. To register for a virtual appointment: email your phone number to [email protected] between 5-8pm Tuesdays and an intake worker will call you. Criteria for virtual appointments: must be an Ontario resident, Western student, and able to connect via telephone or internet. Don’t hesitate to drop-in or register for a virtual appointment if you need support! Stay well Mustangs! Western University University Students' Council of Western

With a mission to investigate some of nature’s coolest organisms, a newly established outreach initiative is inspiring high school students to consider STEM disciplines and connecting them with mentors and resources.

Happy Homecoming, Mustangs! We're counting down the hours to tonight's (virtual) coffeehouse with Ivan Coyote, Mina Gerges, Louise Pitre and so many more a...nd then tomorrow's signature Western Stories & Songs with hosted by CTV’s etalk L.A. correspondent, Liz Trinnear, and performances by BAM!, Genevieve Fisher, The McAuley Boys, Rick McGhie and superstar DJ duo and JUNO-award winners, Loud Luxury. And in between? We've got a special Gameday with Donnovan Bennett, Sportsnet and Brodie Lawson, CFL and Coach Greg Marshall. We've got the Golden Anniversary (virtual edition) for alumni celebrating reunion years: 1970, 1965, 1960, 1955, 1950, 1945 and 1940. And on top of all that, your home faculties and affiliates have planned special programming for you. Find it all on the Homecoming website: http://alumni.westernu.ca/events/homecoming-reunions/

Going into this, we already had an eldercare crisis on our hands. COVID-19 exposed those systemic vulnerabilities that a lot of us were choosing to ignore, or wanting to believe didn’t really exist. Dr. Samir Sinha, MD’02, is fighting for eldercare reform.

Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery is a fast-paced and dynamic surgical specialty. Third-year resident Dr. Ryan Instrum says the expanding scope of practice makes it an exciting time to be completing his training.

"Climate change will frame my career. All the patients I treat will be impacted in some way." Fourth-year medical student George Kitching is part of national advocacy efforts to incorporate climate change into medical education. He is among a number of advocates at the School seeking more sustainable health care practices and interdisciplinary solutions.