Daily News

Posted on May 12: Ethics in health care explored at Interdisciplinary Grand Rounds

Ethics in health care education will be investigated at the Program for Faculty Development's Interdisciplinary Grand Rounds on Wednesday, May 14. The session, "Why teach ethics to health care practitioners?" will explore the need and desirability of including ethics in health care education, the intent of offering ethics education in the health care context and a constructive framework for ethics education in health care. Presenters include: Lisa Schwartz, Arnold L. Johnson chair of Health Care Ethics, Department of Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, will explore what it is we intend by offering ethics education in the health care context Deborah Cook, Canada Research Chair, Critical Care Medicine, Deptartment of Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, will present evidence of the need and desirability of including ethics in health care education Sue Baptiste, assistant dean, Master of Clinical Health Sciences (OT) Program, will offer a constructive framework for ethics education in health care John Kelton, dean & vice-president of health sciences, will provide opening remarks, followed by an introduction by Susan Denburg, associate dean academic. The session will take place in the Institute for Applied Health Sciences, Auditorium B102 from 4 to 5:30 p.m., followed by a reception.

Posted on May 9: McMaster gears up for cycling championships

McMaster is gearing up for two major cycling championships coming to Hamilton in June and October. The University will remain open for both the Tim Horton's Road National Championship June 27-29 and the Road World Cycling Championships Oct. 6-12. Although routes for the bike races do not encompass either the main McMaster campus or Downtown Centre, the routing and number of visitors could have an impact on University operations. Because of street closures and altered bus routes, some University employees may be interested in scheduling vacations for this time or arranging alternative work schedules. Such arrangements must be consistent with collective agreements, and could include use of vacation time, flexible work schedules, a personal leave day or unpaid leave of absence. Both Hamilton boards of education will close schools for the World Championships in October.

Posted on May 9: Students inspire leadership in youth

The stage is set for the fifth annual CLAY (Creating Leadership Among Youth) conference taking place at McMaster this weekend. The conference provides a unique opportunity for high school student leaders to acquire and enhance their own leadership skills in a safe and stimulating environment. More than 100 delegates from across Ontario arrived Thursday afternoon and will stay on campus until Sunday. Selected McMaster undergraduates will work as skill builders and facilitate small groups discussions on topics such as communication, trust, group dynamics, media and self-awareness. Motivational speakers and group events provide a chance for the delegates to work as one large team and put to use some of the skills they will have honed. Social happenings, such as a coffee house, throughout the course of the conference give delegates the opportunity to express themselves creatively and to cultivate lasting friendships. Kasey Coholan, this year's CLAY co-ordinator, hopes all participants of CLAY 2003 come away from the conference "realizing the potential they each possess to make a positive impact on their peers, their schools and their communities."

Posted on May 8: A match made at McMaster

A year and a half ago, Patti Wiebe crossed her fingers and sent an e-mail into McMaster cyberspace. She was looking for a carpool partner. An employee at McMaster for 21 years, Wiebe was moving from Hamilton to Beamsville. Anticipating an increase in the cost of her commute -- both in economic terms and to her mental health -- she decided to find someone with whom to share the ride. Lynne Taylor was one of three people to respond to Wiebe's electronic invitation, and the lucky respondent chosen to be her partner. "I was a bit hesitant at first," Taylor admitted, "because I'd never done anything like this before." She was used to having the freedom and security of her own vehicle on campus, and the flexibility to run errands after work. Eighteen months into the relationship, however, Taylor states with confidence: "It's worked out really well." Wiebe and Taylor's carpooling routine is to meet in a Beamsville parking lot near the QEW where, with the owner's permission, one of them leaves their car for the day. "It would take longer to do pick-ups at home," explained Wiebe. "And this way we can run errands before we head home." On May 1, Wiebe and Taylor became the first members of the McMaster community to register under Parking & Transit's newly created carpool program. In exchange for handing in their regular parking permits, they received one new zone 2 carpool permit, $15 in free gas coupons, a $10 Blue Line taxi voucher (in case of an emergency when their vehicle is not on campus) and two complementary central campus parking vouchers for days when they both require a vehicle at McMaster.