Department of Family Medicine

All Family Medicine Graduates have been mailed a survey to capture the practice behaviors following their graduation. Thanks to all who have sent back your survey packages! If you have not returned your survey, for just 5 minutes of your time, you can help paint a picture of the practice behaviors of Department of Family Medicine - Western University graduates.

The Family Medicine Residents of Western (FMRW) invite current residents to this year's virtual retreat held on Saturday, October 31 from 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 1 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. via Zoom (link to be provided upon registration). There will be 10+ presentations scheduled during the day given by recruiters from various communities as well as insurance companies, investment firms, accountants, etc., and multiple opportunities to win prizes! Plea...se refer to your email for details on how to register or view the FMRW webpage: https://www.schulich.uwo.ca//family_medicine_re/index.html See more

The LEW Office has been renamed Learner Experience offering all the same services for medical and dental students, and resident doctors at Western University. The Learner Experience team continues its important role in supporting physical, psychological and professional safety.

We look forward to hosting our virtual Western University Family Medicine information night for all medical students interested in family medicine training tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. Register for the event at: https://westernuniversity.zoom.us//WN_S0e4EQIDSwus5v67_ft_

A survey package has been mailed out to all Family Medicine graduates who completed their training between the years 1985-2017. For just 5 minutes of your time, you can help paint a picture of the practice behaviors of @westernuFamMed graduates.

We're happy to host our virtual Western University Family Medicine information night for all medical students interested in family medicine training on October 7 at 6pm. Register for the event at: https://westernuniversity.zoom.us//WN_S0e4EQIDSwus5v67_ft_

New COVID-19 cases prompt swift action from Western: As COVID-19 cases rise in Ontario, Western has learned that positive cases among its students now total 28, most of whom are off campus. These new cases are prompting the school to halt many non-academic activities on campus.

Western students, faculty and staff can get a COVID-19 test without an appointment at Western’s COVID-19 testing trailer. Located in the Social Science Centre parking lot, it's open Monday-Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students with accessibility needs can book a test by calling 519-661-3030 and employees can do so by calling 519-661-2047.... [Our shared responsibility to prevent the spread of COVID-19.]

With nearly $4.9 million in new funding from Canadian Institutes of Health Research, researchers are exploring the health inequalities of climate change, therapy for rheumatoid arthritis, managing COPD, and more.

The Middlesex-London Health Unit has informed the university that five Western students who live off campus have tested positive for COVID-19. At this time, no on-campus exposures have been identified.

Dr. Micheal Silverman says when it comes to kids returning to school, it’s time to dial down the fear factor. We have to decrease the anxiety and fear in these kids, and the anxiety and fear in parents."

When it comes to sending kids back to school in September, Western University experts Drs. Saverio Stranges and Michael Silverman say the risks associated with school exclusion outweigh the COVID-19 risks among children. Children being kept home have a higher risk of anxiety and depression, greater screen time and a greater risk of physical abuse, they write in a commentary for the Canadian Journal of Public Health.

Our numbers couldn’t possibly be at a better place right now, said Dr. Mario Elia, a family physician in southwest London and an adjunct professor in Western University’s family medicine department. The return to classrooms is the top COVID-19 question he’s hearing from patients.

What lasting impact does COVID-19 have on the brain? Neuroscientist Adrian Owen, PhD, is leading a global study exploring this question. Even if only 10 per cent of [COVID-19 cases] have serious knock-on cognitive effects, that is a massive societal and economic problem a year from now.

Rates of Type 2 diabetes are significantly higher among Canada’s Indigenous populations, and individuals living in Indigenous communities are less likely to receive adequate care. The FORGE AHEAD initiative empowered communities to design and implement their own health care initiatives for patients.

Happy Pride, London! Western is proud to celebrate the official beginning of the 2020 London Pride Festival, which starts today and will run virtually throughou...t the coming week. We want to see how you are celebrating this year. Please send us your Western Pride photos and short videos. You may just see yourself in our virtual Western Pride Parade video coming July 26. Send your photos to [email protected] or tag them with #westernuPride. Find all you need to know on the Western Pride webpage: www.uwo.ca/westernupride

Welcome new residents

Today, Western released the Anti-Racism Working Group report and the University's response and actions to move us forward. These commitments will I hope be fou...ndational in creating systemic change, and setting Western on the path of a more just future. President Shepard Key actions include: 1. Establishing a senior role at the university to help lead our efforts towards equity, diversity and inclusion. This senior role will begin as a Special Advisor to the President because that can happen this summer, and will be subsequently proposed to the Board of Governors as an Associate Vice-President’s role. 2. Establishing a Council to advise the various constituents of the university on our ongoing anti-racism and EDI work, including the collection and publication of relevant data, and metrics that measure our progress. 3. Strengthening our training programs across campus to combat racism. 4. Conducting a review of existing policy and the mechanisms for reporting racist incidents. 5. Carrying out an awareness campaign to combat all kinds of racism, especially anti-Black racism and racism against Indigenous communities, and attending to the intersectionality of other kinds of oppression. 6. Committing to additional funding for anti-racism, equity and inclusion initiatives. We encourage the community to read the report, as well as the full response from President Shepard, which can be accessed via Western News and the President’s website.

Congratulations Family Medicine #Classof2020: We've created a place on our website with content just for you! Here you will find special messages from our Chair, program directors, your colleagues and staff. We hope you enjoy them! https://www.schulich.uwo.ca//current/graduation/index.html

Dr. Mario Elia will host another Facebook Live this evening, June 9 at 7:00 p.m. to answer your questions about COVID-19.

As researchers, health care providers and teachers, whose careers and lives are focused on making this world better, safer and healthier, we have a responsibility to actively engage in anti-racist work. We need to listen, to learn, to check in, to step in, and to use our voices to make change in our own environments and those around us. Dr. John Yoo, Dean

Western stands with the Black community and with all those calling out anti-Black racism. Violence against Black, Indigenous and racialized peoples are pervasive Canada is not immune. Resistance against racism is critical to move society and our campus community forward.

Congratulations MD Class of 2020

Western's plan for the fall semester: An update from President Alan Shepard for all Western students Dear Current and Future Western Students,... I hope this note finds you and your loved ones healthy. We know you have questions about what our fall term will look like. Teams across campus are working hard to provide you the exceptional learning and student experience Western is known for, while prioritizing the health and safety of the campus community. We've put together information about the fall that we hope provides some clarity as you make important decisions over the coming weeks. Students are the heart of the Western community. We remain fully committed to your success and look forward to welcoming you in September! Sincerely, Alan Shepard President & Vice-Chancellor

My patients are community members, they are citizens and they want what the rest of us want: safety, security, and a healthy life. Dr. Andrea Sereda, MD’07, says allowing people back into the system is the biggest overdose prevention tool we can employ.