Daily News

September 25, 2003

The 139 medical students in the class of 2006 got a taste last night of what it means to take responsibility for patient health, in a ceremony designed to formally present them with their white clerk's coats, typically worn by second-year medical students in teaching hospitals. The white coat ceremony is a popular occasion in other medical schools, and students at McMaster were so enthusiastic that many opted to bring more guests than the original venue, Convocation Hall, could accommodate. The event was moved to the Hamilton Convention Centre, with more than 600 people in attendance. First-year medical student Amanda Jerome brought five guests, including her grandmother, aunt, parents, and fiancie. After graduating from McMaster's new Bachelor of Health Sciences program, she's eager to move forward with her dream of becoming a doctor, and she's happy to share the experience with her family. "I'm thrilled about the ceremony because for me it signifies that first official step," says Jerome. "Becoming a doctor is a lifelong journey and it's really nice to formally appreciate that in the company of my family."

September 24, 2003

Candles representing the four corners of the world were lit and rose petals were strewn among the stones. And for a moment, there was silence. Perhaps Nina de Villiers was present among the small group that gathered in the Nina de Villiers Garden at noon Wednesday. The garden of memory was named after the young McMaster student who was sexually assaulted and murdered. The sixth annual Roses Among the Stones service for non-violence began with messages of peace and a "hoop dance" by the Kanata Native Dance Theatre on the steps of Gilmour Hall. Following this, students, administrators and faculty gathered in the garden for a candlelight vigil and a moment of silence. "When we gather for this service each year, it's an opportunity for us to think more clearly about how we can make the McMaster community a safer community," said ecumenical chaplain Carol Wood.

September 24, 2003

Exploring how health outcomes and determinants of health vary at the local level is the broad goal of a large collaborative research project recently conducted by the McMaster Institute of Environment and Health and its community partners. "We know that there are lots of things that influence our health - environment, lifestyle, health services and so on," said medical geographer John Eyles, who is the lead project researcher and the institute's director. "In Canada, most work has been done at the national and provincial levels. This research is unique as it examines these factors and health at the neighbourhood level." A survey, the first of its kind in Canada, was administered to 1,500 Hamilton adult residents, grouped into five zones in the Hamilton area: Chedoke-Kirkendall; central downtown core; northeast industrial; southwest mountain and the former City of Hamilton. Interviews were also conducted with a number of study participants in each of these neighbourhoods. The survey included questions about health status, lifestyle behaviours, social networks, community involvement, health service use, and demographic questions, including age, education, occupation or status in the workforce. People were also asked if they liked their neighbourhood, how it may be improved, and about features of their home, such as the age of their dwelling, and if it was in need of major repairs.

September 24, 2003

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/chris_bart_opt.jpg” caption=”Chris Bart”]Company directors aren't involved enough in the creation and implementation of a company's mission statement, a new study suggests. McMaster University . . .

September 23, 2003

Margaret and Charles Juravinski know hard work and inspiration are the keys to success in research and in business. They've found success exhibiting those same qualities. The Hamilton residents have once again shown their support for innovation and a commitment to excellence with a generous financial donation to the Hamilton community that includes $1-million to McMaster University's Centre for Learning & Discovery. The new building, under construction and set to open in August 2004, will be home to the Margaret & Charles Juravinski Education, Research & Development Centre. The research centre will be a central home for educators who are in the vanguard of research on new ways to teach health science students. The McMaster community gathered today (Tuesday) in Convocation Hall to thank the Juravinskis for their generosity and their commitment to enhance teaching and learning research. "Margaret and I are delighted that we are able to show our support for the centre's ground breaking research that will help the University better educate our future generations of health care professionals," said Charles Juravinski. "The accolades that have come forth to us are quite gratifying. We want to lead by example and would urge anyone who is able and is considering giving, to do so. It is a remarkably rewarding experience."

September 23, 2003

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/bicycles9.jpg” caption=”bicycles”]Security Services will present its annual bicycle auction on Thursday, Sept. 25, at 12 p.m. in the McMaster University Student Center plaza, . . .

September 23, 2003

Nearly 600,000 women die of obstetrical complications yearly and for every one death, at least another 30 will sustain significant illness or disability. This staggering . . .

September 23, 2003

Traditionally university campuses have been a forum for discourse and debate, but when times are tense, tempers can quickly get out of hand. This year, students and staff participating in Month Without Violence events are learning how to be sensitive to portrayals of violence and the sobering reality it has for its victims. Ecumenical chaplain Carol Wood and human rights educator Jane Mulkewich are two members of McMaster's Anti-Violence Network, an association of 15 staff and student groups who are co-ordinating activities for the Month Without Violence, which runs from mid-September to mid-October. "Likely each of us has had some experience of an abuse of power or violent behaviour in our lives," says Wood. "Violence can appear so strong or powerful that it can take away our voice. The members of the Anti-Violence Network want the voice of peace and mutual respect to be heard through our programming efforts." The month will begin on Sept. 24 with "Roses Among the Stones" a non-violent service beginning at the steps of Gilmour Hall and continuing to the Nina de Villiers Rose Garden, built in memory of a young woman who was sexually assaulted and murdered. "The garden ceremony is a powerful symbol of renewal and hope," says Wood. "Just as a garden renews itself through the stages of death and new growth, we experience that sense of renewal through liturgy and music."

September 22, 2003

McMaster Security Services in partnership with Parking and Transit Services are working to make cycling on campus a safe and effective mode of transportation, through . . .

September 22, 2003

Keeping track of an agenda for McMaster President Peter George and other senior officers may seem like a lot of work. But with 16 years experience in academic sectors, Jill Axisa has the leadership and administrative skills necessary for the newly revamped position of executive assistant to the President. She joined the President's Office last week, replacing Donna Findlay, who was assistant to the President since 1986. Findlay retired from McMaster this summer. "Jill brings a wide range of experience to the position, including significant work in both university and professional association settings," says George. "Her impressive interpersonal and communications skills will be important to McMaster's ongoing operations. We are extremely pleased to have her join us." In the revised position, Axisa will work closely with the President and senior officers of the University on a broad range of presidential tasks, both internally and externally. She will manage the strategic, operational, planning and administrative issues arising from the President's Office.

September 22, 2003

The McMaster Marauder baseball team took complete control of second place in the OUA baseball standings with a doubleheader sweep of the Toronto Varsity Blues . . .

September 22, 2003

The third-ranked McMaster Marauders defeated the Queen's Golden Gaels Saturday on an 88-yard kickoff return by Jesse Lumsden with just eight seconds left in regulation. . . .

September 19, 2003

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/varsity.jpg” caption=”Varsity runners”]McMaster academic leaders and administrators joined in a friendly five-kilometer run Thursday in support of McMaster's varsity cross country team. Head . . .

September 18, 2003

The often overwhelming demands of university life can wreak havoc on a student's academic performance, but staff at the Centre for Student Development (CSD) help keep shaky emotional well-being intact. Now, with the recent move to the McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC) and the hiring of a new director, CSD is better equipped to help students seeking counseling and other services. Desmond Pouyat, CSD's new director, says due to the higher student population  and greater willingness to seek help  there will be increased demand for the variety of services CSD offers. This provides an opportunity to work closely with campus and community resources that support students and are wellness-focused. Currently CSD offers leadership training as well as personal and academic counseling, and services for students with disabilities. ESL programming is also offered. The move from Hamilton Hall to the basement of MUSC puts them in a better position to work more closely with neighbouring campus services such as Student Health Services.

September 17, 2003

Most students go to the library to read research published by other people, but a group of McMaster's medical students were recently in the health sciences library to launch their own journal. Students and members of the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) celebrated the inaugural publication of The McMaster University Medical Journal, a student-run, peer-reviewed publication. The journal is in keeping with the medical program's drive to cultivate and nurture innovative minds, says Orli Goldberg, the editor-in-chief and a third-year medical student. "We want to both to celebrate the unique elements of McMaster's program and to create a forum to share creative ideas and insightful discussions." The publication will have an emphasis on evidence-based medicine, a key tenet of the medical program, as well as a focus on problem-based learning, health policy, medical ethics and how social issues impact personal health.

September 17, 2003

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/westmay.jpg” caption=”Judith West-Mays”]Judith West-Mays, associate professor for the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, was recently awarded two major grants from the National . . .

September 17, 2003

McMaster University's annual Career Fair, organized in partnership with all of the on-campus career centres, will be held Thursday, Sept. 18 in the Burridge Gymnasium, Ivor Wynne Centre from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. New this year are mini panel sessions detailing employers' best and worst examples of dressing for an interview, creating resumes, and how people have managed to get their foot in the door. This is an excellent opportunity for students to understand the dos and don'ts from an employer's perspective. The sessions, conducted by prospective employers such as Hydro One, Enbridge, and Bank of Montreal run at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. in the mezzanine of Ivor Wynne Centre. This fair is McMaster's largest career event, featuring 61 employers this year. Employers from Hamilton and the greater Toronto area will be at the fair, looking to hire recent graduates for full-time and part-time positions, as well as internships and co-op placements. It is an opportunity for students to meet with employers, share information and develop relationships. Students are encouraged to dress appropriately for the event and to bring resumes as well as have questions prepared for the employers.

September 16, 2003

A temporary entrance off Cootes Drive will open next week for construction traffic entering campus. The entrance is located on the west side of campus . . .

September 16, 2003

Faculty members who made important impacts on students; researchers who made outstanding discoveries in the lab; and staff who ensured the University ran smoothly each made McMaster what it is today  a research-intensive school known worldwide for its culture of innovation. "Your expertise, skill, enthusiasm and commitment have helped shape McMaster into the outstanding institution it is today," said President Peter George, at a reception for McMaster employees who retired between September 2002 and August 2003. "This is a proud legacy and it is one that each and every one of you has helped to create." Approximately 95 staff and faculty who retired from McMaster were honoured for their years of service. The annual reception was held in the Council Chambers in Gilmour Hall Monday. Pictured from left, George talks with technical staff retiree Bob Bignell, who worked in the School of Geography and Geology for 33 years before retiring last April. Also pictured are Peter Sutherland, dean of science and Jacques Barbier, associate chair of chemistry. (end of story)

September 16, 2003

The MACgreen Potluck, taking place Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 6:30 p.m. in Faculty Hollow, will mark the beginning of a promising year for campus sustainability . . .