Daily News

Posted on Oct. 16: McMaster receives $1-million for national arthritis treatment program

McMaster University, in conjunction with St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, has announced a major funding commitment of $1 million from Pharmacia Canada Inc. and Pfizer Canada Inc. for an innovative educational initiative called the Arthritis Treatment Program. Funded over five years, the program will be designed to assist primary care physicians and other health professionals in providing optimal care for people with arthritis. "This is an excellent example of innovation in the relationship between the pharmaceutical industry, health care providers and universities, where our interests mesh well," said John Kelton, dean and vice-president, Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University. "Funding of the Arthritis Treatment Program clearly supports a commitment to excellence in health care education. By enhancing current medical training, the program will support better diagnosis and treatment for millions of Canadians with arthritis." More than four million Canadians, or one in every seven individuals, suffer from some form of arthritis. That number is expected to grow at a rate of one million more Canadians per decade, at least until the year 2031. Led by one of Canada's leading clinical rheumatologists, William Bensen, and a team of rheumatologists at McMaster and its partner institution, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, the Arthritis Treatment Program will consist of an overall practical management package including concepts and tools for managing rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. A simple, easy-to-use measurement tool will be developed for use in clinical practice that provides a common language between physician and patient and acts as a benchmark for improving arthritis care.

Posted on Oct. 15: Canadian universities face big challenges in the next decade, says Trends

It's going to be a decade of enormous challenges for Canada's universities, according to a major new report released today by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC). Entitled Trends in Higher Education, the 94-page report notes that, by 2011, universities will face a projected 20 to 30 per cent increase in enrolment, or up to 200,000 new students. They also will need to hire as many as 40,000 new faculty members to respond to enrolment growth and to replace retiring professors. At the same time, universities will be expected to perform significantly more research if Canada is to reach the federal government's objective of being one of the top five countries in the world for research and development. But all of this comes at a price: $6.2 billion more annually in operating revenues and $6.4 billion more a year in research funds will be needed by 2011 to meet these challenges, says the report. Universities currently receive about $10.7 billion in total operating support and conduct roughly $3.2 billion in sponsored research annually.

Posted on Oct. 15: Chair in Aging puts issues of care at forefront of teaching, research

Grant B. Walsh, president & CEO of St. Peter's, today announced the appointment of world-renowned gerontologist William Molloy to the St. Peter's McMaster Chair in Aging in the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University. William Molloy, who will be working at the new St. Peter's Centre for Studies in Aging, located at St. Peter's Hospital, is internationally recognized for his contribution to research in aging. His responsibilities will include the development of academic programs related to aging and working with relevant organizations that are responsible for the care of older adults. "I am thrilled to be working at St. Peter's; there's a great can do' attitude here," says Molloy, who has authored several research studies, articles and books such as Vital Choices: Life, Death and the Health Care Crisis. "This jointly funded $2-million chair appointment is important to both St. Peter's and McMaster University," says Grant Walsh. "It puts issues associated with aging at the forefront of teaching, research and service in Hamilton, and will help to improve the lives of those entrusted to our care. St. Peter's is delighted to welcome such a prestigious researcher as Dr. Molloy to the St. Peter's family." John Kelton, dean and vice-president, Faculty of Health Sciences, says, "With a growing population of seniors, appointing an international leader in aging and health to this Chair demonstrates our joint commitment to research and education in this area." The appointment contributes to St. Peter's leadership in providing a continuum of service and care for older adults and the chronically ill.

Posted on Oct. 11: Future scientists, engineers compete at McMaster

Whether in the physics paper triathlon, photonic puzzles or the software engineering challenge, the engineering and science skills of 600 high school students were put to the test in the annual McMaster Engineering and Science Olympics and Open House. Students from 41 secondary schools across Ontario competed in Thursday's event that showcased McMaster's engineering and science programs. "It is an opportunity for students to meet faculty and students in the engineering labs, view the numerous displays and demonstrations and tour the McMaster campus," says Bob Loree, director of Engineering I. "It also shows students that engineering and science is very broad."