Daily News

posted on Jan. 10: Centre for Continuing Education celebrates new downtown learning space

The Centre for Continuing Education is celebrating its new downtown teaching and learning space on the second floor of the former courthouse. The centre is holding an open house today from 12 noon to 8 p.m. at its new location at 50 Main St. East. The opening marks the first time McMaster has held classes in downtown Hamilton, with winter classes starting today. The City of Hamilton donated the former Wentworth County courthouse property to McMaster for 10 years as a leadership gift to the Changing Tomorrow Today campaign. "It's a win-win situation for McMaster and Hamilton and the surrounding community," said Dale Schenk, director of the Centre for Continuing Education. "McMaster's downtown presence contributes to the ongoing revitalization project and we are fortunate to have such a wonderfully well-equipped facility in which to hold our courses." The former courtrooms, replete with wood panelling, have been transformed into classrooms and some of the centre's program co-ordinators occupy former judges' chambers, equipped with private washrooms. The centre features three state-of-the-art computer labs, 13 classrooms, a high-tech training lab, a student lounge and instructors' rooms. Visitors who attend the open house can take a tour of the new facility, learn more about the centre's 15 certificate and diploma programs and numerous general interest courses and be eligible for prizes. (End of story)

posted on Jan. 9: Humanities Essay Prizes submission deadline is Jan. 11

The Humanities Essay Prizes are awarded for outstanding essays written for courses in the humanities. The deadline for Term 1 essays is Friday, Jan. 11. The prize winners will be announced Feb. 28. Eight 1st place prizes are awarded each year: one per level per term. The 1st prize in each category is $250, with the 2nd prize in each category being $50. At the end of the fall term and at the end of the spring term, students may submit essays for consideration. Instructors will encourage authors of outstanding essays to enter the competition, but students are free to submit their work whether or not they have been advised by an instructor to do so. Any student in any program is eligible for this award. Students are asked to submit a clean copy of the essay to Christa Schlechta, Office of the Dean of Humanities, CNH-112. Each submission should include the following information: name, student number, address, e-mail address and telephone number; the title and date of the essay; the course name and number; the instructor's name and signature to indicate approval. Deadline for submission of Term 2 papers is Wednesday, May 1, with prize winners being announced on June 28. (End of story)

posted on Jan. 8: Psychologist named chairholder in patient-centred health care

The well-being of patients will be the focus of research conducted under the auspices of the new Jack Laidlaw Chair in Patient-Centred Health Care at McMaster University. The endowed chair is being supported by a $2-million dollar gift from Bill and Joyce Young, a portion of which is being administered by the Hamilton Community Foundation. The research goals also include improving communication between health providers, patients and their families. The chair is named in honour of Jack Laidlaw, a former dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and chair of the Department of Medicine, as well as a leading scientist in the field of endocrinology. His concern for patients led him to focus on patient-centred care, communications with patients and between health professionals, supportive care for cancer patients and the education of future health care providers. "The generosity of the Young family will be felt by many patients and their families," said Carolyn Milne, president of the Hamilton Community Foundation. "Through the establishment of this innovative chair, the body of scholarship on patient-centred health care will be advanced across disciplines and will ultimately demonstrate the professional legacy of Dr. Laidlaw - that expert technical care can and should be integrated with humane care." John Kelton, dean and vice-president of the Faculty of Health Sciences, noted, "Dr. Laidlaw continually reminded students and his peers that their job entailed caring for patients, not just treating a disease. The McMaster approach to medical education was founded on teaching not only the technology, but also the humanity of medicine, and innovation in education continues to be a hallmark of the Faculty." Charles E. Cunningham, a professor of psychiatry & behavioural neurosciences in the Faculty of Health Sciences, is the first chairholder. He is a psychologist in the Children's Hospital at Hamilton Health Sciences.