Researchers gather to discuss reproductive health research opportunities
Fred L. Johnson, the founding chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine believed in collaborative health care teams and the value of research.
The late Dr. Johnson will be honoured with the inaugural F.L. Johnson Day in Reproductive Health on Wednesday, Jan. 19, which will bring together McMaster University researchers from many disciplines. The day of presentations is being held at the Royal Botanical Garden and sponsored by the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine.
The research day provides an opportunity for researchers to learn about the innovative research happening in other departments.
“We wanted to develop a mechanism for fostering collaboration,” said Pat Mohide, current chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. “The intent of the day is to promote interaction between researchers from a wide variety of disciplines and fields of study. We are hoping to stimulate collaborative opportunities and to get people excited.”
Faculty and research staff attending the research day are from many departments including pediatrics, family medicine, medicine, pathology and molecular medicine, midwifery and obstetrics and gynecology.
Some of the research projects to be highlighted include: meeting the unique needs of Amish and Mennonite women, nicotine and ovarian effects and the challenges of informing women about risk in childbirth. As well, researchers will discuss several large ongoing clinical trials, including a project called The Family Study, which is looking at fetal and early childhood determinants of cardiovascular risk factors and obesity.
The keynote address at 6 p.m. will be given by McMaster professor emeritus Murray Enkin, who was well-known during his career as a trail blazer in family-centred, evidence-based obstetric care. He will talk about the Evidence: Who, What, Why and How we believe.
Enkin will discuss the nature of evidence and the changing characteristics of what we accept as evidence, beginning with what was the most acceptable form of evidence, evidence coming from a respected expert, to a stage when the most authoritative evidence came from clinical trials, to where we are now — the nascent recognition of the complex nature of evidence.
For a full program schedule, click here and scroll down the story.
Johnson was the founding chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and was clinical chief from 1971 to 1975. When he retired from McMaster the department created the F. L. Johnson Trust Fund in his honour to provide critical support for research in the department.
During his career, Johnson was president of the Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1969. In 1972, he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynecology in England. He was awarded an honorary degree from McMaster University 1985.
