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posted on May 24: Kelton named vice-president and dean of Faculty of Health Sciences

John G. Kelton has been appointed as the new vice-president and dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences. His appointment for a five-year term begins July 1. "Dr. Kelton has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to McMaster since his arrival in 1977," said McMaster President Peter George. "His significant research record, his excellent leadership as chair of the Department of Medicine at a critical stage of its development, and his strong, constructive vision of the future of the Faculty of Health Sciences and its partner institutions made him the unanimous choice of the selection committee." Educated at the University of Western Ontario medical school, Kelton has developed a national and international reputation in the study of thrombosis and hematology. He has pioneered tests to diagnose and treat platelet and bleeding conditions that are now used around the world. His studies have significantly enhanced the understanding of blood illnesses and led to new ways to diagnose and treat them. "I am honoured that President George and the other members of the selection committee have entrusted this significant responsibility to me," Kelton said. "The Faculty of Health Sciences, with its schools of medicine, nursing and rehabilitation science, as well as its other programs, represents an outstanding resource of skilled and knowledgeable clinicians, educators, scientists and students. "I look forward to working with these colleagues to ensure we continue our innovative approach to health care and reputation for excellence. We must also further strengthen the relationship between the University and its regional and other partners so that the citizens of Hamilton and Ontario continue to benefit from the advances in health care pioneered at McMaster." Kelton is an elected member of both the Canadian and American Societies for Clinical Investigation, and was this year's winner of the Scripps Cancer Foundation's Bernard L. Schwartz Award and Lectureship. He is a member of the scientific review committee of the American Society of Hematology and is on the College of Reviewers for the Canada Research Chairs program. Kelton's research credentials are more than matched by his administrative experience. He is currently chair of the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences and previously served as chief of medicine, McMaster Medical Centre. He also acts as scientific advisor to the Canadian Blood Services. He has held a number of administrative positions within the Faculty of Health Sciences, including head of the Hematology Residency Training Program and director for the Regional Hematology Group. He was appointed chair of the Department of Medicine in 1997. "Kelton's understanding of the University, the Faculty, its students, its affiliated teaching hospitals and other community organizations is a tremendous asset," added President George. "His experience and skills will help to enhance the synergy between the Faculty's basic and clinical scientists and will build on the Faculty's capacity to deliver its educational, research and service mission successfully."

posted on May 23: McMaster welcomes thousands of happy campers

More than 2,000 children will be on campus this summer to participate in a number of different camp experiences. McMaster provides opportunities for children to swim, learn a sport from a varsity coach, create a Web site and learn about the body's healing powers, in addition to having lots of fun. Here's a brief look at what will be happening on campus this summer for the younger set: Sports Fitness School Now in its 24th year, the fitness school remains popular. The camp is already full with 1,560 children signed up for the two-week sessions, held in July and August. Children, aged 6 to 14, choose to participate in three sports from 20 different options. More than 90 per cent of the camp counsellors who help the children enjoy themselves are McMaster students. In addition to the two-week sports fitness camps, McMaster's Department of Athletics & Recreation also offers one-week, sports-specific camps where children learn from varsity coaches. The children can choose to do basketball, football, swimming or volleyball. At press time there were still openings for the one-week sports camps. Mini-University These two-week camps combine some academic subjects with swimming and outdoor recreation. The children select one module to pursue from a choice of three. The modules focus on science, biology and kinesiology or the humanities. Engineering and Science Camps The Faculty of Engineering offers two different one-week camps for children this summer. The Venture Engineering & Science program is designed for children in Grades 4 to 8. The children do hands-on activities in biology, chemistry and physics. They also do sports at noon and have one pool day during their week. The Adventures in Engineering Computing program is for children in Grades 5 through 10. Children who attend this camp will do lots of computing activities from Web design to taking old computers apart to see what's inside, in addition to swimming and sports activities. There will be an all-girls Adventure Camp the week of July 23. Shad Valley Experience The Shad Valley Experience is for senior high school students interested in science, technology and engineering. Fifty-two students from across Canada and Scotland will spend the month of July on campus, living in residence, while they attend lectures and workshops. During the month of August the students do work placements at sponsoring companies across Canada. (End of story)

posted on May 22: University awarded about $3 million to pay for indirect research costs

McMaster has been awarded about $3 million from the Ontario government's new Research Performance Fund. "This is welcome news for McMaster," said President Peter George. "In setting up the Research Performance Fund, the government has demonstrated that it understands what research will do for Ontario's economy and quality of life and that it is willing to share the costs." The $30 million fund was set up to help universities and other research institutions pay for the indirect costs -- utilities, computer support, libraries -- of scientific research. The fund was announced in the 2000 provincial budget. The combined total for Hamilton's share of the Research Performance Fund is $4.5 million with the Hamilton Regional Cancer Centre and other affiliated research institutes receiving some of the fund money. (End of story)

posted on May 18: McMaster will do its part to accommodate new medical school positions

McMaster will do its share to quickly implement any new medical student places that emerge from the provincial government adopting recommendations from the expert panel on health professional human resources. President Peter George, who chaired the 18-member expert panel, said he is pleased the government has accepted the group's recommendations on undergraduate education. "I am pleased that the government has accepted our recommendation to increase undergraduate enrolment by 120 positions and that they have chosen to implement it over two years rather than the recommended three years," George said. As well, George said he is happy the government is moving to implement some of the decentralized training opportunities recommended. "The panel worked hard to develop practical recommendations," he said. The panel and its working groups included family doctors and specialists, nurse practitioners, academics, researchers, health care administrators, students and the international medical graduate community. The panel's mandate was to suggest solutions to solve the province-wide family doctor shortage. The panel's report, Shaping Ontario's Physician Workforce, was released yesterday by Health Minister Tony Clement. The University doesn't know exactly how many student places it might be assigned, but the number would likely be between 30 and 40. Ministry officials will be meeting with the medical school deans to decide exactly how the 120 positions will be allocated. In addition to committing to expand undergraduate and post-graduate medical school enrolment (from 572 to 692), the government said it will create a northern medical school with a main site at Laurentian University in Sudbury and a clinical education campus at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. The government also pledged to increase post-graduate training positions by up to 25 in northern and rural communities, beginning in 2002. See also: Harris government announces new northern medical school and increased medical school enrolment. (End of story)

posted on May 16: McMaster’s student outreach clinic wants your winter clothes

Don't put those winter clothes away just yet. MacSOC or the McMaster Student Outreach Clinic initiative has launched its first annual summer "WINTER" clothing drive. Nursing student Melinda Gillies is MacSoc's clothing co-ordinator. She came up with the idea of a winter clothing drive in the summer months after organizing a successful clothing drive last December. Although the drive was hugely successful with the McMaster community donating 4,000 pounds of clothing, Gillies found sorting the material required the hours of a full-time job. Juggling her volunteer work with her studies was demanding. Getting a head start on the process during the summer made sense. "I thought if we did it during the summer, people could sort their stuff while changing their closets over from winter to summer and we would have a big stockpile for the fall," said Gillies, who is entering Level IV nursing and is studying for a minor in indigenous studies. "I didn't want to get caught in the fall without a good reserve of clothing. Our name is out there on the street. We go through 20 pairs of mitts and gloves in a night. That's a lot to keep up with." The drop-off point is the Health Sciences bookstore (known as mediashop.com) in the Health Sciences Centre. Items required include winter coats, mitts, hats, gloves, scarves, winter boots, blankets and sleeping bags. Gillies sorts and stores the clothing in her former landlord's garage but she would love to find a place on campus. Last year more than 120 volunteers -- students and faculty mainly from nursing but also medicine, midwifery and occupational therapy and physiotherapy -- visited three areas in downtown Hamilton on Wednesday nights delivering clothing and food to homeless people. MacSOC members anticipate interest in helping the homeless will be strong again when the bulk of students return to campus in September. WINTER STORAGE: Melinda Gillies and Bruno survey the inventory of clothing now stored for use this fall when MacSOC's homeless initiative restarts. Photo: Shelly Easton (End of story)

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posted on May 24: Kelton named vice-president and dean of Faculty of Health Sciences

posted on May 23: McMaster welcomes thousands of happy campers

posted on May 22: University awarded about $3 million to pay for indirect research costs

posted on May 18: McMaster will do its part to accommodate new medical school positions

posted on May 16: McMaster’s student outreach clinic wants your winter clothes

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