Daily News

McMaster campaign breaks through $100 million

Just over a year after the official launch of McMaster University's Changing Tomorrow Today campaign, the campaign has surpassed its $100-million private-sector target. The breakthrough of $100.5 million is more than eight months ahead of schedule. "It's an incredible accomplishment," says President Peter George. "The outstanding support we have received from individuals, corporations, foundations, the campus and the community reaffirms McMaster's place as one of Canada's premier universities. Our supporters have demonstrated in a very tangible way that they share our vision of a University that will lead Hamilton and Canada well into the new century."

Health sciences dean leaving McMaster on Dec. 31

Russell Joffe, dean and vice-president, Faculty of Health Sciences, is leaving McMaster University to pursue another opportunity. His Dec. 31 departure was announced this morning by President Peter George. "When Dr. Joffe assumed his role as dean and vice-president in 1997 he tackled three key challenges: development of a planning process so the Faculty's priorities could be identified and met; improved integration of the Faculty with both the University and the teaching hospitals; creation of an effective program for fundraising. He has achieved great success in all of these areas," said George in an e-mail to the internal University community. Joffe says the decision to leave is entirely a personal one and taken for his own and family reasons. "Though it is never the right time for a change in leadership, we are emerging from three particularly difficult years and I am optimistic that the future holds considerable promise for the Faculty of Health Sciences and McMaster University. It seems a reasonable juncture to begin new leadership of the Faculty as we face the enormous challenges and opportunities that the next few years hold." Joffe has not publicly announced what other opportunities he plans to pursue.

Lecturer will address moral arguments for and against bedside rationing

Physicians are often asked to be "gatekeeper," determining their patients' access to medical technologies. At the same time, most physicians have been taught they should act as patient advocates, pursuing patients' best interests regardless of cost, according to Peter A. Ubel, associate professor of medicine, and director of the program on medical decision-making at the University of Michigan. Ubel will give the annual Labelle Lecture, titled "The Unbearable Rightness of Bedside Rationing," on Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. in Room 1A1, Health Sciences Centre.