Masking shifts from required to recommended on uOttawa Alta Vista Campus

Masking at the University of Ottawa Alta Vista campus hasmoved from required to recommended.

This recommendation is now in effect indoors at university facilities on the Alta Vista campus, including Roger Guindon Hall (RGN), 600 Peter Morand and 850 Peter Morand.Masks will continue to be made available at these locations.

Ottawa Public Health alsocontinues to strongly recommend mask usein all indoor public settings and crowded outdoor settings, and we encourage our community to follow these recommendations.

This new policy will remain in place until further notice. As always, we continue to monitor the situation in consultation with our partner hospitals, and we will make adjustments or reintroduce a full masking requirement if necessary.

Thank you for your continued patience and support.

Reminder: Masking requirements remain in effect for Faculty of Medicine, highly recommended on uOttawa shuttle

Existing masking requirements remain in effect for the Faculty of Medicine, given our proximity to hospitals where mask mandates remain in effect and the fact that many members of our community work directly with patients receiving care.

Masks are still required indoors at university facilities on the Alta Vista campus, including Roger Guindon Hall (RGN), 600 Peter Morand and 850 Peter Morand. Masks will continue to be made available at these locations.

Additionally, masking is highly recommended for all those travelling to and from the Alta Vista campus on the uOttawa shuttle. Masks are available on board.

We thank you for your continued patience and support.

Reminder: Masking requirements remain in effect for Faculty of Medicine

Given our proximity to hospitals where mask mandates remain in effect, an expected COVID wave in the fall, and the fact that many members of our community work directly with patients receiving care, existing masking requirements will remain in effect for the Faculty of Medicine.

Masks are still required indoors at university facilities on the Alta Vista campus, including Roger Guindon Hall (RGN), 600 Peter Morand and 850 Peter Morand. Masks will continue to be made available at these locations. Two-metre distancing where possible continues to be recommended.

There may be exceptions regarding masking while teaching; details will be communicated to you directly by your respective office.

These requirements will remain in place until further notice, but rest assured we will be continuously monitoring the situation. We thank you for your continued patience and support.

View the latest guidelines on COVID-19 from Ottawa Public Health.

For more information on the university’s COVID response, check out the latest update.

Masking requirements remain in effect for Faculty of Medicine

Given our proximity to hospitals where mask mandates remain in effect, an expected COVID wave in the fall, and the fact that many members of our community work directly with patients receiving care, existing masking requirements will remain in effect for the Faculty of Medicine.

Masks are still required indoors at university facilities on the Alta Vista campus, including Roger Guindon Hall (RGN), 600 Peter Morand and 850 Peter Morand. Masks will continue to be made available at these locations. Two-metre distancing where possible continues to be recommended.

These requirements will remain in place until further notice, but rest assured we will be continuously monitoring the situation. We thank you for your continued patience and support.

For more information on the university’s COVID response, check out the latest update.

Ontarians aged 18+ eligible for booster shot

Ontario is currently in another wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, expected to peak mid- to late July.

On July 13, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore announced that the Ontario government is expanding eligibility for second booster doses to Ontarians aged 18 and over.

The Ontario government will also continue to provide free rapid antigen tests to the general public through existing channels.

 View the full news release for more details.

To protect patients and staff during the current COVID wave, on July 12 The Ottawa Hospital moved into the Yellow Zone of its COVID-19 Recovery and Response Plan.

 Current health and safety measures will remain in place at the Faculty of Medicine until further notice:

• Masks are required indoors at university facilities on the Alta Vista campus, including Roger Guindon Hall (RGN), 600 Peter Morand and 850 Peter Morand. 
• Two-metre distancing where possible continues to be recommended. 
• If you have any questions, please consult with your manager.

Masking requirements to remain in effect for Faculties of Medicine and Health Sciences

To all faculty, staff, and learners: 

Yesterday, the University of Ottawa announced that masking requirements on campus would be suspended effective June 1. The announcement noted that “Exceptions to this change will be communicated to you directly by your faculty.” 

Given our proximity to hospitals, where mask mandates remain in effect, and the fact that many members of our community work directly with patients receiving care, existing masking requirements will be extended for the Faculties of Medicine and Health Sciences. 

Masks will still be required indoors at university facilities on the Alta Vista campus, including Roger Guindon Hall (RGN), 600 Peter Morand and 850 Peter Morand. Masks will continue to be made available at these locations. Two-metre distancing where possible continues to be recommended. 

These requirements will remain in place until further notice, but rest assured that we will continuously monitor the situation as the pandemic and circumstances in healthcare facilities evolve.  

We must continue to work together to ensure the safety of patients, our community, and all our internal stakeholders. We thank you for your continued patience and support.

Message from the University of Ottawa: uOttawa extends mandatory masking on campus until May 31^st

The University of Ottawa continues to monitor the sixth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and to seek advice on how best to protect the health and safety of our community.  

Available data in Ontario indicates that the number of cases continues to rise. To ensure the safety of those on campus, we have decided to extend our current mandatory masking policy until the end of May, at which time we will reassess. Exceptions and details will be communicated to you directly by your faculty, department or school as needed. 

We continue to strongly encourage you to get fully vaccinated and to get booster doses as soon as you become eligible, in order to protect yourself and the people around you.  

We thank you as always for your understanding and cooperation.

Message from the University of Ottawa: Vaccination and masking required until April 30

See the full message to the University of Ottawa community here.

Message from University of Ottawa President Jacques Frémont: Return to campus January 31

See President Frémont’s full message to the University of Ottawa community here.

COVID-19 update: Masks, rapid testing, Quebec curfew and more

As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to spread rapidly, we want to provide a brief update, and an overview of some key response measures being implemented at the Faculty of Medicine, following the most recent meeting of the University’s COVID-19 Recovery Task Force (CRTF) on January 5.

The CRTF continues to meet regularly to address emerging issues related to the pandemic. This taskforce, comprised of leaders from key areas across the university community, develops advice, guidance and recommendations for the safe conduct of on-campus activities.

Given the rapidly evolving nature of this current situation, and the unique needs of individual departments and labs within our Faculty, we understand that questions are emerging regularly. Rest assured that additional planning is underway, and where necessary, further information from your respective academic or research office will be forthcoming.

Higher-rated masks for research labs and in-person courses: Plans are underway to increase the level of mask protection. Prior to the holiday break, the University ordered a substantive supply of higher-rated masks from the Government of Ontario, and we are actively working to increase the availability of these masks on campus. A limited supply of higher-rated masks is currently available. Staff can request the appropriate mask through their supervisor, while learners can request them through their respective professor, supervisor, or academic office. The addition of visors may also be required in certain working or learning environments. Personal protective equipment can be acquired following established processes either through Medistore directly or via your respective academic office as may be the case.

Rapid test access: The CRTF is not currently recommending broad distribution of rapid tests. Rapid tests are available for those who require regular testing to meet the requirements of the University’s mandatory vaccination policy at the uOttawa Assessment Centre in the Minto Sports Complex (2nd Floor). Note that if you have COVID symptoms, you should assume you are COVID-positive even without a positive test and isolate in accordance with both University and provincial guidelines.

Research facility occupancy at Roger Guindon Hall and 600/850 Peter Morand: The guidance provided on December 16 by the Office of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation on research facility occupancy (limited to 90%) remains in effect on campus. Any research with vulnerable populations remains on hold until January 31. Note: Research conducted in affiliated hospitals and research institutes should follow host institutional policies.

Exemption letters for Quebec curfew: The CRTF has prepared template letters for researchers, learners, staff and faculty members who may need to travel in Quebec during curfew hours (10p.m. to 5a.m.). Anyone requiring a letter should connect with their supervisor, professor, or lab manager and send a request through to [email protected].

Contact tracing: Any researcher, learner, staff, or faculty member with COVID symptoms who has been on campus recently must self-isolate and advise the Office of Risk Management (ORM) by emailing [email protected]. The individual will be contacted to conduct contact tracing for interactions on campus. In addition to notifying ORM, you may also notify the Faculty’s Health and Safety office at [email protected] or your HR partner for additional supports.

Access to 3rd vaccine dose: The University is advocating for increased access to 3rd doses of the COVID vaccine. We will share more information as it becomes available. Faculty members and staff are eligible for paid leave for 3rd dose appointments. Leaves can be input through FAST. Contact [email protected] with questions.

Self-Screening Tool: A reminder that anyone coming to campus must complete the self-screening COVID Assessment tool and receive approval prior to each arrival. The University’s tool will be updated to reflect new guidelines from the province and to clarify the required steps to take if an individual has COVID symptoms.

Health and Wellness: Finally, a reminder that health and wellness supports are available to the University community. Find resources here. 

We recognize that this latest wave has created new challenges across our Faculty. The safety of our community remains our top priority. We will continue to support all researchers, learners, staff and faculty members, and we will continue to share more information as it becomes available.

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID-19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

COVID Updates: January Measures and RGN Clinic Wind-Down

Vaccine clinic at RGN Winding Down this Week

Eligibility for third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine expands on Monday to include everyone in Ontario aged 18+. As such, hospitals in the region will be supporting vaccinations in our community. As of end of day tomorrow, Friday Dec. 16th, the TOH-CHEO clinic at RGN will be winding down operations to allow for the opening of a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Nepean Sportsplex, which will open its doors on Saturday, December 18. The clinic will provide third doses to those who are eligible, as well as vaccines to eligible children.

On Thursday, December 16, the University President released the following message: “Important announcement about measures to limit the spread of the Omicron variant”

Summary of important updates:

• Working from home continues to be strongly recommended for those whose work does not require them to be physically present on campus.
• The 2021 fall term exam period will continue as planned.
• The return to campus will be postponed until January 31, 2022.
• Classes will resume as planned and most will be delivered virtually for at least the first three weeks of term.
• The guidelines implemented for the return to campus of administrative and support staff after the holidays will not take effect until January 31.
• The University will partner with public health to re-evaluate the situation in mid-January.

For full details, visit the full message.

COVID-19 Update: Lifting of Restrictions

Email from the Office of the President 

On Wednesday, November 17, the University released the following message: “Winter 2022 term and 2022-2023 academic year”. 

Summary:  

The email outlined important information regarding the upcoming year:  

• The University is planning for the vast majority of faculty and staff members to the return to campus progressively over the month of January.  
• This will be followed by the full return to campus of our students in the fall of 2022. 
• During the pandemic most of us have worked remotely, and we have learned from this period of disruption. As a result, a hybrid of on-site work and telework will be available to some – depending on their roles and departmental policies – at the start of 2022. 
• HR will send out a more detailed email concerning telework shortly. 

COVID-19 Lifting of Restrictions  

Below is the latest information on capacity limits and face masking requirements across uOttawa campuses: 

Capacity limits: 

There are no longer any capacity limits in indoor or outdoor spaces across campus in accordance with public health guidelines. 

Face masking requirements:  

All individuals on campus must wear a face mask, indoors and outdoors, with the following exceptions:  

• When seated to eat or drink in the cafeteria or provisional lunchrooms and at athletics/sports facilities.   
• In outdoor instructional areas if physical distancing (2 metres or more) can be maintained.  
• In indoor/outdoor non-instructional spaces that are not accessible to the general public (e.g. offices, closed workspaces, mechanical areas) if physical distancing (2 metres or more) can be maintained and/or physical barriers are present.  
• Note that in indoor instructional spaces such as classrooms, instructors and other teaching personnel may remove their masks if physical distancing (2 metres or more) can be maintained and/or when physical barriers are present between them and other individuals. A mask must be worn in lab spaces along with any required PPE.

Dear faculty and staff members,

As we near the end of the fall term, we once again cast our thoughts ahead to winter and the coming year.

Our driving ambition in 2022 will be a full return to campus and the unfettered resumption of the countless in-person activities – educational, professional, and recreational – that make uOttawa so extraordinary.

Providing our students with a rich, diverse, and dynamic campus has always been an essential element of our educational mission. And despite – or more accurately because of – our increasingly digital world, it is all the more important that we continue to do so.

This will not be achieved overnight, but gradually, as we move purposefully and safely forward.

Our next big step will be a return to campus for the vast majority of our faculty and staff members, which will occur progressively over the month of January. This will be followed by the full return to campus of our students in the fall of 2022.

The University understands that the imminent return to campus will present challenges for some faculty and staff members. Yet none of us should have any doubts that this campus is our workplace and our home.

We may be a little out of practice, but the reality is that we need each other.

During the pandemic most of us have worked remotely, and we have learned from this period of disruption. As a result, a hybrid of on-site work and telework will be available to some – depending on their roles and departmental policies – at the start of 2022.

HR will be sending out a more detailed email concerning telework shortly.

This has been an extraordinary year. Despite many uncertainties, we have done a fantastic job of rising to meet the challenges facing us. I could not be prouder of our efforts, nor more confident that next year we will enjoy a deeply rewarding period of growth and renewal.

I hope that during the approaching holiday season you will have an opportunity to enjoy some well-earned rest and relaxation. In the meantime, please continue to follow our public health guidelines, take care of yourself and your loved ones, and use the support resources at your disposal. Let’s all stay healthy and safe this winter.

Jacques Frémont
President and Vice-Chancellor

RGN COVID-19 vaccine third dose clinic for health care workers
 

Please note that the atrium in the Roger Guindon (RGN) pavilion, and some surrounding class rooms, will be utilized by two affiliate hospitals for the next two months.  

The Ottawa Hospital and CHEO will be using space at RGN to hold a vaccine clinic to provide third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for health care workers starting Nov. 15. This follows last week’s Government of Ontario’s announcement.

The vaccine clinic will provide COVID-19 vaccinations for:

• All health care workers, including staff, physicians, researchers, learners and volunteers working at TOH, CHEO and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute who:

• work onsite (at the hospitals)
• have received their 2nd dose at least 6 months ago

• Individuals at Montfort, Bruyère, or the Royal, should follow the directives of their clinical organization.
• Residents, fellows and students will need to meet the pre-requirement of 6 months post their second dose. Currently students that are not in full-time clinical placement are not eligible for their third dose, for example 1st and 2nd year medical students.

The clinic will open on Nov. 15 at Roger Guindon Hall (451 Smyth Rd.), and is expected to operate until mid-January. It will be by appointment only, and if you meet the eligibility criteria, you can book for the clinic through the provincial booking system.

Please note: You will need to enter your location as “Rome” in order to book at the TOH/CHEO clinic.

Please refer to your clinical institutions’ communications on this for more information.

A reminder for medical students, residents and fellows, to please submit a copy of your booster vaccination receipt to your Clinical Placement Risk Management advisor at:

PGME learners: [email protected]

UGME learners: [email protected]

At this time, the third dose is not mandatory, but it is recommended for health care workers and patients. uOttawa community members not yet included in the initial Government list of eligibility should expect to receive information from the University soon, as the vaccination booster roll-out will follow provincial guidelines.

Access to the RGN links and entrance will be available during the clinic’s hours of operations.

On Thursday, September 9, the University released the following message: “Welcome to campus and a reminder of the measures to follow.”

The email outlined important reminders to ensure that everything runs smoothly on campus, including:

• Completing the COVID-19 Daily Health Check-In every day before coming to campus.
• Health measures to follow on campus
• Guidance for individuals for whom testing is required
• Guidance for those who are partially vaccinated
• Please view the message for complete details
• If you have additional questions, please read our FAQs or speak with your manager, supervisor, or the HR representative for your faculty or service
• If you have not used our COVID-19 Vaccination Declaration tool, please do so as soon as possible. If users are experiencing any issues, be it with creating an account or with uploading files, then they should:
  1. Go to the COVID-19 Assessment Tool
  2. Open a support ticket by clicking on “Support” at the top-right.
  3. Provide details on the issue they’re facing.

For more information, visit the main COVID-19 website at uOttawa.

On Monday, August 10, President and Vice-chancellor Jacques Frémont released the following message: “Mandatory vaccination for everyone returning to campus.”

Summary of important updates:

The COVID‑19 virus is dangerous and deadly and new variants pose a new and additional threat. The best and most effective way to mitigate risks is for everyone to be vaccinated.

In light of the ongoing and very serious public health concern, and upon recommendation of Ottawa Public Health, I am announcing that vaccination will be mandatory for all persons (students, faculty, staff, and visitors) who intend to access the uOttawa campus as of September 7th (first dose) and October 15th (complete vaccination), 2021.

We are preparing to post detailed guidelines and protocols in relation to this decision in the coming days and weeks on the COVID‑19 webpage.

What’s New?

On Monday, July 26, the University released the following message: “Preparing for the Fall 2021 semester.”

Summary of important updates:

• The 2021-2022 academic year will be a year of transition for the University of Ottawa with a range of in-person, hybrid and online courses.
• With a few exceptions, we will honour our commitments to students to offer courses in the formats for which they have registered.
• Vaccination is by far the best protection for our health and that of everyone around us. We urge you to get vaccinated at your earliest opportunity.
• All employees are required to complete the COVID-19 self-assessment tool each day before coming on to campus. Each employee must also complete an orientation.
• Vaccination may be required for certain, and possibly all activities on campus this fall. We will be providing updates with more details in the coming weeks.

Update regarding COVID-19: Reintegration to Campus
 

Based on the Faculty of Medicine’s plans and the guidance from the uOttawa Provost, administrative teams are expected to increase their on-campus presence from 30% full time up to 50% full time in August. All those returning to campus must continue to respect the provincial and University guidelines to ensure we account for two metres of distancing and not to exceed 50% of the room’s capacity. 
 

Beginning August 16, the administrative units providing services to learners and the research community are expected to be on campus up to 50% of their capacity, full time, from Monday to Friday. By August 30, all other administrative units are forecasted to do the same. Administrative Team Leaders are completing work schedules to meet these reintegration criteria. 

Message from University of Ottawa President Jacques Frémont – Our community: stronger than ever and message from uOttawa: COVID-19 Vaccination

In his message, President Jacques Frémont encourages members of the uOttawa community to get vaccinated, and notes that there is now an on-campus vaccination clinic at uOttawa (see uOttawa’s COVID-19 Vaccination message about this clinic). 

He also reminds students, faculty, and staff to enjoy time with family and friends over these summer months, and to allow themselves a chance to relax and recharge after another challenging year.

See President Frémont’s full message to the University of Ottawa community here.

What’s New?

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA:

• On June 3, the University included the following message in the Gazette: “NEW -- The uOttawa COVID-19 Assessment Centre is moving”:

The Assessment Centre will be closed on Wednesday June 9, 2021 and will reopen on Thursday June 10, 2021 at Minto Sports Complex (Rink #2), located at 801 King Edward Avenue. The entrance to the centre is behind the building, in the alley between Mann Residence and the parking lot. Directional signage will be prominently displayed.

What’s New?

OFFICE OF HEALTH, SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT:

• On June 1, the Office of Health, Safety and Risk Management issued the following message: “Eye protection update”

The ongoing roll out of the government’s COVID-19 vaccination program and the safety measures we have adopted to prevent the virus from entering and spreading within our workplace appear to be paying off.  With no active cases onsite, we feel we can take our first tentative step toward loosening things up.

- With immediate effect, face shields/protective eyewear will no longer be mandatory in non-laboratory areas such as break / lunchrooms and hallways within RGN and 600/850 Peter Morand.

- Surgical-style masks remain mandatory while inside the buildings.

- Please continue to keep a 2m distance from everyone outside your household, even if everyone is wearing masks.

Our lab settings remain challenging for effective physical distancing; therefore, masks and face shields/protective eyewear must continue to be worn in labs whenever others are present.  Of course, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t remind everyone of some basic lab safety.

Eye protection is mandatory:

- Where hazardous (i.e., corrosive, flammable, or toxic) materials are used or stored.

- Anywhere near high‐pressure vacuum equipment, or 

- When carrying out work that can generate dust, spray or other projectiles.

(Ref. Ontario Reg. 851 (s.81) & our own uOttawa Laboratory Safety Manual (p24))

Use your common sense if your lab is within an open-plan setting.  If your nearest neighbour is two full bays away, eye protection might not be strictly necessary provided you are not working with the hazardous materials described above.  However, as people move closer to use certain equipment, or simply to have a conversation, it should be worn. 

Let’s keep up the great work, while keeping in mind that it’s not over till it’s over.

What’s New?

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA:

• On Monday, May 17, the Office of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic Affairs released the following message "Information session on COVID-19 vaccination" to members of the university community:

Dear members of the University community,

As you may know, having a fully vaccinated population will greatly support the health and safety of our community and our society, and will support our efforts to return to the campus. I know that many people have important questions, and so it is my great pleasure to announce an information session on vaccination featuring uOttawa researchers with expertise on COVID-19 and vaccination.

We anticipate that this will be the first in a series of information sessions on COVID-19 vaccination and other topics related to a safe and healthy return to campus. Therefore, you are invited to attend this information session during which University of Ottawa experts will discuss vaccination and answer your questions about it.

Date: Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Time: From 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Where: Online (Zoom)

Claude Laguë, PhD, professor and Special Advisor, Campus Reintegration, will be the moderator while Jill Scott, Provost and Vice-President, Academic Affairs, will deliver a few words.

Panelists:

Colleen M. Flood, PhD, is a professor at the Faculty of Law, Common Law Section. She holds the University Research Chair in Health Law and Policy.

Raywat Deonandan, PhD, is a full professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences who is an epidemiologist and science communicator specializing in global health.

Marc-André Langlois, PhD, is a professor in the Faculty of Medicine who specializes in molecular virology and who has training in microbiology and immunology.

Do you have questions for our experts?

Send us your questions in advance so that we can answer the greatest number of questions during the event itself.

I know that this remains a difficult time for many, but I am optimistic that we can get through this together. I hope that providing our community with timely information on vaccination will help you to make important decisions for your health and that of your family.

I hope many of you will participate!

Sincerely,

Jill Scott
Provost and Vice-President, Academic Affairs
 

• On Wednesday, May 5, the Office of the President released the following message "My sincerest thanks for all your efforts over the past months" to members of the university community:

To all staff members,

Although this spring predicts a warm, restorative summer, the current pandemic does not seem to be waning despite the arrival of vaccines and the promise of a better world in a few months.

In the meantime, we have all had to face, and continue to face, the challenges imposed by this situation. Nevertheless, despite sometimes difficult conditions at home, you have always given your best to the University. But such remarkable efforts are undoubtedly taxing.

This is why, to give you a bit of a break before summer, the University will close its doors on Friday, May 21 (before the Victoria Day long weekend) and on Friday, July 2, the day after Canada Day. I hope that you will make the most of these days to enjoy a change of pace and shore up enough energy to get you through to a well-deserved summer vacation.

Allow me to take this opportunity to encourage you to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Members of support staff are allowed paid time off to attend their vaccination appointments. Your manager or supervisor can provide you with further details about this leave.

Moreover, we intend to set up a vaccination clinic on campus as soon as we receive the necessary approvals from Ottawa Public Health.

Thank you again for your resilience during these extraordinary times. I look forward to seeing you and our students on campus in a few months.

Jacques Frémont
President and Vice-Chancellor
 

• On Tuesday, May 4, the University released the following message "One year later: a promise of a brighter future" to members of the university community:

Dear uOttawa Faculty and Staff,

As we collectively mark the end of our academic year, we would like to offer you our enthusiastic congratulations and profound gratitude for your dedication in the face of such difficult circumstances. Our many successes this year are due above all to your outstanding work and incredible resilience. Thank you!

As you know, plans are well under way to offer a full and rich uOttawa student experience for the fall. Faculties and services are currently busy developing detailed plans for partial on-campus program delivery, and all academic and service sectors are also preparing for an eventual return to campus.

We want to share some important information with you:

- Our ambitious goal remains to offer 30–50% of courses in person or in hybrid formats, with the rest being offered in online and distance formats.

- Residences will be open, and we plan a whole range of on-campus student activities for both the fall and winter terms.

- Your health and safety remain our highest priority, and we are committed to meeting or exceeding public health guidelines at all times. We are extremely proud of our excellent track record on health and safety at uOttawa this past year.

- Effective mass vaccination to keep COVID-19 variants at bay will be critical in helping us to achieve our ambitious return to campus plans. We urge you to get vaccinated as soon as possible, for your own health and for the health of our community.

- To facilitate vaccination, we will open a COVID-19 vaccination clinic on campus as soon as we get the proper authorization from Ottawa Public Health. Details will be provided as soon as available.

- In the coming days, we will announce a vaccination information session for our community to answer any questions that you may have.

This has been an exceptionally challenging year, and we are tremendously inspired by your commitment to our students and to our community. There is still much uncertainty about the future, but we will get through the pandemic together.

As always, we encourage you to seek assistance from one of the many resources available to you. We are here for you.

Please take time to enjoy the spring blossoms and soak up the summer sun. We look forward to seeing more of you as we reintegrate to the campus over the next few months.

Jill Scott
Provost and Vice-President, Academic Affairs

Jennifer Doyle
Vice-President, Finance and Administration
 

• On Monday, May 3, the Associate Vice-President’s Office (HR) released the following message "Stay Healthy and Connected Wellness" second survey results” to members of the university community:

Dear Members of the University Community,

Thank you for your participation in our second Stay Healthy and Connected wellness survey. We received 1,742 responses, a 16% response rate overall, with 74% of responses from support staff and administrators and 26% from faculty. The valuable information you provided will allow us to better support you during these challenging times. Your well-being is our priority.

In summary, this is what you told us:

Some things are going well:

- More than 50% of respondents find information about Human Resources webinars, training and learning events clear.

- Distractions at home during telework appears to be less of a concern now. The proportion of respondents who saw it as a concern has decreased from 38% in 2020 to 29% in 2021.

- Since May 2020, employees have had access to many mental health and wellness resources and services.

What needs our attention:

- The Mental Health and Wellness website and the Employee and Family Assistance Program could provide clearer, easier to find and more up-to-date information.

- An increasing proportion of employees have reported that high workloads is a considerable challenge, going from 68% in 2020 to 80% in 2021 for faculty and from 56% in 2020 to 61% in 2021 for administrators and support staff.

- When asked how the University could help employees through the pandemic, both in the short and long term, respondents emphasized the importance of recognizing their contributions at work.

The road forward:

For survey results, actions taken over the past year and next steps, see the “Stay Healthy and Connected” section of the Mental Health and Wellness website. It also contains information and resources to help you cope with personal and professional challenges related to the pandemic. These helpful resources will increase as we continue to adapt to the uncertainties of COVID-19.

Thank you for your engagement, patience and resiliency, and the extraordinary work you are doing. 

Karina Adam
Associate Vice-President, Human Resources

Ongoing:

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID-19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

What’s New?

HELPING STUDENTS

• On Friday, April 23, Jill Scott, Provost and Vice-President, Academic Affairs, released the message “Students need you now, more than ever”:

Summary: We are incredibly proud of our students and of the resilience they have shown over the past year, but we know it has been very difficult for some. They’ve seen their employment prospects cut back, or even disappear, all while not being able to connect with their peers on campus. And as their savings dwindle, they’re increasingly worried about how they will be able to afford their education.

Together, we can make a difference in the life of a struggling student.

Make your donation today

OFFICE OF HEALTH, SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT:

• On April 23, the Office of Health, Safety and Risk Management issued the following message: “Safety eyewear; confidentiality”

To: All University of Ottawa learners, faculty and staff at the Roger Guindon Hall & 600/850 Peter Morand

Our COVID-19 safety measures have again been updated pursuant to Ottawa Public Health guidance.  Kindly review.
 

What’s new?

Today the office of the Vice-President, Research and the Faculty mandated increasing requirements for PPE.

With immediate effect:
Protective eyewear, such as a face shield or safety glasses, must be worn in addition to your surgical mask, whenever you are not alone in a laboratory or room. This applies to everyone - including research, administrative and teaching staff, and learners.

Please refer to the PPE Allocation Guidelines:

• Research Staff Reintegration – Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Allocation
• Support Staff Reintegration – Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Allocation

Log in to Medistore to proceed with your requisition.
 

COVID vs Confidentiality

For many months, the University and the Faculty have provided regular COVID updates and guidance, all aimed at helping us maintain the hard-won building access that we presently have.  We can do everything right and yet still have to pivot when we learn of an actual or potential case of COVID-19.  While understanding that some people would reasonably want to know all pertinent information, the law obliges us to maintain the confidentiality of the affected individual(s).  Therefore, only persons deemed close contacts will be informed.
 

Who is a close contact?

• Anyone who was wearing a mask AND was <2m from a positive colleague AND spent >15 minutes with them.
• Anyone who did not wear a mask and was <2m away from the positive colleague for any length of time (whether or not the positive colleague wore a mask).
• Anyone (with or without a mask) who was <2m from a positive colleague who did not wear a mask for any length of time.
• Living within the same household or providing care to a person (e.g., bathing, feeding, or dressing), without the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) appropriate to the setting AND/OR where there were breaches or contamination of PPE (e.g., improper or inconsistent use of medical facemask and eye protection).
• Physical contact (e.g., shaking hands, hugging, kissing, being sneezed or coughed on)

** Interactions where people briefly come within 2m of each other, such as walking by someone in the hallway or on the street, are generally not considered close contacts.

As indicated in the daily self-assessment that everyone must complete, if you have any of the known COVID symptoms:

• Employees and Graduate Students, contact:

the Wellness office by email [email protected]

your supervisor, and

[email protected]

• Undergraduate students (with on-campus course(s), or research activities), notify

Your health care provider

[email protected],

your supervisor, and

[email protected]

• Follow public health instructions which may include testing and /or self-isolation.
• You may not return to campus until cleared by the appropriate medical authority.
   

If you test positive for COVID-19:

• Notify the contacts listed in (2) above.
• Employees and Graduate Students are to complete the online Accident/Incident form
• The Wellness office, ORM or the Faculty`s HR Office will conduct contact tracing to identify any close contacts.
   

If you’ve been identified as a close contact:

• You must leave campus (or remain at home) and self-isolate for 14 days
• You may be asked to obtain a COVID test on Day 7 following the close contact
• You may not return to campus until cleared by the appropriate medical authority.
   

What happens when we learn of a suspected case of COVID in our buildings?

• Contact tracing will be undertaken by the Wellness office or the Faculty’s Human Resources Office. Individuals’ health information will remain private and confidential.
• Individuals who are considered a close contact and therefore must self-isolate will be informed.
• Medfaci/Medsafety will arrange for cleaning/disinfection of the affected workspace, as required.
• If you hear about a case but you’ve not been contacted by Wellness/ORM, then you are not considered to be a close contact.

Thank you for your support and cooperation.
 

DESIGNATED EATING ZONES

• In last week’s update we neglected to provide a link to the following:

Eating is only permitted in designated zones.  Across RGN there designated spots for lunches and breaks that are properly spaced and cleaned multiple times a day. Consult this handy map of designated zones.

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA:

• On Friday, April 23, the University released the following message “Clarification on masks and physical distancing” to members of the university community:

With the new variants of COVID-19 spreading at an exponential rate, the virus is proving to be more transmissible, adaptable and serious than before.

Thus, we too must continue to adapt our behaviour to ensure our workplace is as safe as possible. As per public health agencies, everyone must keep a two-metre distance from anyone outside their household, even if both parties are wearing masks. Masks do not allow for close contact. Only the use of protective eyewear (face shields or safety goggles) in addition to masks does that.

Moreover, any contact within less than two metres without wearing BOTH masks and eye protection seriously increases the risk of spread and infection. If someone has COVID-19, contact with them for just 15 minutes a day will result in the other person being sent home to self-isolate. Spending time in the same room or having frequent close contact with the same individuals throughout a shift while wearing only masks is considered high risk.

Managers and supervisors must ensure workspaces account for this and that all employees and students know that we must wear a mask AND still keep a two-metre distance.

Thank you. Let’s all stay vigilant!

Ongoing:
 

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID-19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

To: All University of Ottawa learners, faculty and staff at the Roger Guindon Hall & 600/850 Peter Morand
 

Our COVID-19 safety measures have again been updated pursuant to Ottawa Public Health guidance. Kindly review.
 

What's new?
 

Today the office of the Vice-President, Research and the Faculty mandated increasing requirements for PPE.

With immediate effect, protective eyewear, such as a face shield or safety glasses, must be worn in addition to your surgical mask, whenever you are not alone in a laboratory or room. This applies to everyone - including research, administrative and teaching staff, and learners.

Please refer to the PPE Allocation Guidelines:

PPE Allocation Guidelines – Support Staff

PPE Allocation Guidelines – Research Staff

Log in to Medistore to proceed with your requisition. 

COVID vs Confidentiality
 

For many months, the University and the Faculty have provided regular COVID updates and guidance, all aimed at helping us maintain the hard-won building access that we presently have. We can do everything right and yet still have to pivot when we learn of an actual or potential case of COVID-19. While understanding that some people would reasonably want to know all pertinent information, the law obliges us to maintain the confidentiality of the affected individual(s). Therefore, only persons deemed close-contacts will be informed.
 

1. Who is a close contact?

• Anyone who was wearing a mask AND was <2m from a positive colleague AND spent >15 minutes with them.
• Anyone who did not wear a mask and was <2m away from the positive colleague for any length of time (whether or not the positive colleague wore a mask).
• Anyone (with or without a mask) who was <2m from a positive colleague who did not wear a mask for any length of time. 
• Living within the same household or providing care to a person (e.g., bathing, feeding, or dressing), without the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) appropriate to the setting AND/OR where there were breaches or contamination of PPE (e.g., improper or inconsistent use of medical facemask and eye protection).
• Physical contact (e.g., shaking hands, hugging, kissing, being sneezed or coughed on)

** Interactions where people briefly come within 2m of each other, such as walking by someone in the hallway or on the street, are generally not considered close contacts.

2. As indicated in the daily self-assessment that everyone must complete, if you have any of the known COVID symptoms: 

• Employees and Graduate Students, contact:
  • the Wellness office by email [email protected]
  • your supervisor, and
  • [email protected].
• Undergraduate students (with on-campus course(s), or research activities), notify:
  • Your health care provider
  • [email protected],
  • your supervisor, and
  • [email protected] .
  • Follow public health instructions which may include testing and /or self-isolation.
  • You may not return to campus until cleared by the appropriate medical authority.

3. If you test positive for COVID-19: 

• Notify the contacts listed in (2) above.
• Employees and Graduate Students are to complete the online Accident/Incident form
• The Wellness office, ORM or the Faculty`s HR Office will conduct contact tracing to identify any close contacts.

4. If you’ve been identified as a close contact:

• You must leave campus (or remain at home) and self-isolate for 14 days
• You may be asked to obtain a COVID test on Day 7 following the close contact
• You may not return to campus until cleared by the appropriate medical authority.

5. What happens when we learn of a suspected case of COVID in our buildings?

• Contact tracing will be undertaken by the Wellness office or the Faculty’s Human Resources Office. Individuals’ health information will remain private and confidential.
• Individuals who are considered a close contact and therefore must self-isolate will be informed.
• Medfaci/Medsafety will arrange for cleaning/disinfection of the affected workspace, as required.
• If you hear about a case but you’ve not been contacted by Wellness/ORM, then you are not considered to be a close contact.

Thank you for your support and cooperation!

Dear faculty, staff and learners,

As you know, both the provinces of Quebec and Ontario have enhanced restrictions aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19 and variants of concern. While administrative staff are asked to work from home, research operations in Roger Guindon Hall and Peter Morand Campus and certain clinical learning activities have continued to operate during the latest provincial restrictions.

However, at this time it is essential that we work from home as much as possible and only come to work for experiments, learning and work activities that must be done on-site. According to the new provincial order, all employers, “must ensure that any employee who can work from home, does work from home.”

We must continue to maintain and enhance our vigilance in adhering to health and safety protocols for onsite research, learning and work. The following guidelines remain in place within RGN and PMC:

• Procedural masks are required for all learners, faculty, researchers and staff who are required to be on campus, except in closed, private offices when you are by yourself. Wear your mask AND keep 2m physical distancing from others. Where 2m of physical distance cannot be maintained, such as for training, the university requires the face shield in addition to the procedural mask. MediStore has a supply of face shields, procedural masks and other PPE.
• Access to shared offices and boardrooms is limited. Please respect posted occupancy numbers and do not cover windows.
• Eating is only permitted in designated zones. Across RGN there are designated spots for lunches and breaks that are properly spaced and cleaned multiple times a day. Attached is a map of designated zones to consult.

Every learner, faculty, researcher and staff member must do their part to keep our community safe. In addition, each supervisor is responsible for ensuring their staff and learners are aware and are complying with all guidelines. Given the severity of the situation, anyone not complying with these orders may have their onsite access privileges removed.

What to do in the event that you have symptoms?

• Prior to entry on campus, ALL learners, faculty, researchers and staff are required to complete the uOttawa COVID-19 Self-assessment tool - Find the tool on SecurUO or access it from the self-assessment tool webpage. If it recommends staying home and getting tested, please comply.
• If you have symptoms (cough, fever, headache, sore throat) or are unwell, stay home and notify your supervisor. Follow Public Health instructions which may include testing at a local assessment centre and/or self-isolation.
• If you develop symptoms while on campus, promptly notify your supervisor and go home. Follow Public Health instructions which may include testing at a local assessment centre and/or self-isolation.
• For more information please visit: Ottawa Public Health. You must also seek testing if you received a COVID-19 Alert app exposure notification.
• How to get tested.

What to do if you test positive for COVID-19 and are working or studying at RGN or PMC?

• Employees (including faculty and administrative staff; and research staff paid from grants - PDFs, Research Associates, and Technicians)

- Notify the wellness office by email, [email protected] (or in French [email protected]), your supervisor and [email protected].

• Graduate students (with on-campus course(s) or research activities)

- If you receive a salary as a TA or RA, notify the wellness office [email protected] (or in French [email protected]), your supervisor and [email protected]

- All other students receiving a stipend from their supervisors or receiving an external scholarship notify [email protected], your supervisor and [email protected]

- To report your sick leave and for academic accommodations, please email Karen Littlejohn.

• Undergraduate students (with on-campus course(s), or research activities)

- Notify [email protected], your supervisor and [email protected].

- Please contact your academic program coordinator to advise them of your sick leave and to request any academic accommodations.

Promptly informing the Faculty’s [email protected] will trigger extra cleaning and immediate contact tracing, if required.

If you are working on site at another institute or hospital or placement, follow the institution’s reporting protocol. Please note that anyone who is exhibiting symptoms of COVID‐19 or has been contacted by OPH due to a potential exposure, is not allowed to return to campus or to their placement until they have been cleared to do so by the appropriate medical authority.

Vaccinations

We have received several questions over recent days around vaccination roll-out plans for the Faculty of Medicine. While vaccinations are now being rolled out to some affiliated hospitals and hospital-based research institutes, the University is not a hospital and therefore different provincial guidelines apply.

Please rest assured that Faculty leadership are advocating for researchers and essential personnel to be prioritized for vaccinations and have highlighted the challenges/disparity for those in the Faculty of Medicine who work closely with hospitals and hospital research institutes. uOttawa has had discussions with Ottawa Public Health to start addressing this challenge and the Council of Ontario Universities is actively lobbying the provincial government to prioritize university professors, researchers and staff to be included in the province wide phase 2 priority for the vaccination rollout.

We will provide additional information regarding decisions or access to vaccinations for uOttawa researchers, learners and staff as it comes available. In the meantime, we would encourage you to sign up for the OPH COVID-19 vaccination update e-subscription for regular news on the vaccine roll-out.

COVID-safe measures summary

Our COVID-19 safety measures have again been updated pursuant to Ottawa Public Health guidance. Kindly review.

What’s new?
 

COVID cases are rising! Be safe and follow the advice:

Avoid high risk contact situations - what constitutes a high-risk situation?

• Anyone who was wearing a mask and was <2m from a positive colleague and spent >15 minutes with them. (Of course, we won’t learn about a positive test for some days.)
• Anyone who did not wear a mask and was <2m away from the positive colleague for any length of time (whether or not the positive colleague wore a mask).
• Anyone (with or without a mask) who was <2m from a positive colleague who did not wear a mask for any length of time.

Wear your 3-layer mask AND keep 2m physically distant. It is everyone's responsibility to wear a mask at all times when with others, or in common areas and spaces. Your mask must cover your mouth AND your nose. Masks should only be removed when actively eating/drinking (while maintaining physical distancing), or when alone in your closed office.

If you cannot maintain 2m distance, you MUST ALSO wear protective eyewear, such as a face shield or safety glasses in addition to your surgical mask. This applies to everyone - including research, administrative and teaching staff, and learners.

Please refer to the PPE Allocation Guidelines below to find out how to acquire protective eyewear and other appropriate PPE. Log in to Medistore to proceed with your requisition.

PPE Allocation Guidelines – Support Staff

PPE Allocation Guidelines – Research Staff

Also, please note that the current procedural masks used at our Faculty are 3-layer masks as required by Central.

Reminders:

1. Don’t risk your access to campus. Given the seriousness of COVID19 rates in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, anyone found to be non-compliant may have their access to the campus revoked.

2. Continue to wash/sanitize hands frequently

3. Observe maximum occupancy limits. It is everyone's responsibility to observe maximum occupancy limits posted on doors. These limits have been determined based on the dimensions of the room and physical distancing guidelines.

To aid building safety inspections, please do not block or otherwise obscure office windows. Paper etc. applied to windows will be removed.

4. Kitchen Etiquette

Limit of one person at a time.

Wipe-down any touched surfaces before and after each use.

Cover your food to ensure it does not splatter. Wipe up any messes or spills.

Do not leave dishes in the sink.

Do not leave food in the refrigerator for extended periods. If we need to shut down again, all items will be disposed of.

Let us know of any problems using the online form.

Reminder that no small appliances can be plugged in unless Medfaci has been advised and provided approval.

5. Staircases remain designated as “One-Way”. Directional guidance is not a suggestion, it is a requirement.

6. Limit use of the elevators. Elevators should not be considered available for general use at this time. The maximal occupancy are clearly marked and should only be used by those transporting carts between floors, and anyone with mobility issues.

7. Spot a concern? Notify Medsafety or Medfaci

Thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe and healthy.

- The Faculty of Medicine

________

Further News:

COVID-19 VACCINATION:

• The Ontario Hospital Association has created a webpage on building vaccine confidence, dedicated to developing effective strategies that increase vaccine confidence and lead to maximal vaccine uptake.

RESEARCH OFFICE:

• In addition to the above update, research labs should refer to the communications sent out by the research office on April 1,13 and 16:

Message April 1: Ontario -- Increased COVID19 Restrictions

Message April 13: COVID-19 Reminders & Emergency Plans

Message April 16: Research Update: New Provincial Public Health Measures

RETURN TO RESEARCH:

• With the Faculty at 45% occupancy at any one time, we are well below the occupancy level guideline of 66% at any one time. Therefore, we currently do not need to adjust the COVID-19 R2R plans at RGN/PMC.

ROGER GUINDON HALL:

• Beginning the week of April 6, the Roger Guindon Hall library @uOttawaMed will offer pick-up service only. With COVID-safe measures in place, the space may still be used for studying. Maximum occupancy limits must be observed.
• RGN remains locked on weekends with card access as the standard.
• PPE Recycling program: In response to the environmental impact concerns of single-use procedural face masks, the Faculty of Medicine launched a PPE recycling program at the Roger Guindon campus on March 15, 2021.

What PPE can you recycle?

- Procedural masks

- Gloves (nitrile & latex)

- Ear plugs

- Safety glasses

- Hairnets

What to look for? Boxes from the service provider TerraCycle will be placed on all four levels of the RGN campus. View the locations of the recycling boxes.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact [email protected].

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates posted on April 13 on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

Summary: Amidst surging COVID-19 cases and in accordance with Ontario Health Directives, hospitals are transferring patients between centers in order to meet patient care needs and to reduce volume in overloaded centers. Elective in-person patient visits are being curtailed. Physicians are being deployed from their own service areas to help areas in need. These continue to be unprecedented times. Due to this, in combination with the current stay-at-home order, and in accordance with our “criteria for re-engagement in clinical rotations”, please refer to the changes will take place within the MD program on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA:

• On Friday, April 16, the University released the following message “IMPORTANT: New enhanced enforcement measures in Ontario” to members of the university community:

The Government of Ontario has just announced enhanced enforcement of the province-wide stay-at-home order, which will go into effect on Saturday, April 17 at 12:01am. Additional new restrictions will also be imposed for all travel within the province and between Ontario and Quebec as of Monday, April 19.

You are strongly advised to continue following public health directives in effect in both Ontario and Quebec. Please visit the Government of Ontario’s website and the Government of Quebec's website for more details. Also make sure you check the most recent regional directives by Ottawa Public Health. Stay vigilant!

Letter of authorization for essential travel

Only essential travel will be authorized by the Ontario and Quebec governments, in particular to perform essential functions, to attend a face-to-face course or to work in a laboratory.

Please contact your faculty or supervisor to discuss whether a letter of authorization to travel to and from campus is necessary for you. There is a higher likelihood that you may be intercepted by law enforcement and the letter will assist you with this interaction as it indicates that you are required to travel to and from campus.

• On Wednesday, April 7, the University released the following message “IMPORTANT: Stay-at-home order and confinement measures” to members of the university community:

The government of Ontario has announced a provincewide declaration of emergency and stay-at-home order for 4 weeks starting Thursday, April 8, 2020 12:01am. The government of Quebec maintains special emergency measures in the city of Gatineau until April 12 for now.

Overall, these new directives will have limited impact on our current activities. Most of our courses are already being delivered via distance learning; most of our employees are teleworking; and our research activities can be pursued under the controlled conditions we have already put in place.

You are strongly advised to continue following public health directives in effect in Ontario and Quebec. Please visit the Government of Ontario’s website and the Government of Quebec's website for more details. Stay vigilant!

Letter of authorization for essential travel

Only essential travel will be authorized by the Ontario and Quebec governments., In particular, you may be required by your manager to perform functions on campus, to attend a face-to-face course or to work in a laboratory.

Please contact your faculty or supervisor to discuss whether a letter of authorization to travel to and from campus is necessary for you. While they are not required in Ontario, in certain situations they may be helpful. With Quebec’s curfew, there is a higher likelihood that you may be intercepted by law enforcement and the letter will assist you with this interaction as it indicates that you are required to travel to and from campus.

WELLNESS

• The Faculty would like to provide summary of counselling and wellness supports available to you:

Medical students can contact the Student Affairs Office by email at [email protected] (recommended) or by phone at 613-562-5800 x 8136 to connect with counsellors and other resources.

Residents, graduate students, TMM students and faculty can contact the Faculty Wellness Program by phone at 613-562-5800 x 8507 or by email at [email protected]. Residents can access the PARO support line available 24/7 at 1-866-Help-Doc.

Other recommended supports include:

- your family physician

- the OMA Physician Health Program (1-800-851-6606)

- your Employee and Family Assistance Program (1-844-880-9142)

- the Mental Health Crisis lines available 24/7 at 613-722-6914 (in Ottawa) and 1-866-996-0991 (outside Ottawa), and Tele-aide Outaouais 1-800-567-9699

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID-19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

What’s New?

OTTAWA IN THE RED-CONTROL LEVEL:

• On Friday, March 19, 2021, Ottawa moved to the red-control level of the COVID-19 Response Framework.

The FoM will hold steady and make no changes to our current on campus plans. This change in status does not cause any modifications to our current academic, administrative or research activity levels. Administratively, we will plan to increase presence on campus from the current 30% part-time to 30% full-time by May 31 (revised today). Increased presence by May 31 has been requested by our Provost. We will continue to monitor the developments in both provinces.

COVID-19 DAILY ASSESSMENT TOOL

• All employees, students and visitors coming to campus should use this tool to conduct a health self-assessment every day prior to arrival. This tool may be accessed from SecureUO and the uOttawa COVID-19 webpage. The use of this tool will facilitate the University’s requirements to meet the Government of Ontario’s regulations.

FALL 2021 TERM:

• The University has an ambitious plan to provide a full, enriching on-campus experience with an increased number of courses to be delivered in person or using hybrid formats during the fall 2021 term.

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID-19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR PROFESSORS AND STAFF

• It’s important to have essential information on mental health and appropriate services at hand. See uOttawa’s Mental health and wellness page for information on upcoming virtual activities and available services. Need to talk? Here are some resources for you:

- Employee and Family Assistance Program, 24/7 (bilingual): 1-844-880-9142

- Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region, 24/7 (bilingual): 613-238-3311

- Crisis Line, 24/7 (bilingual): 1-866-996-0991

OFFICE OF HEALTH, SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT:

• On March 10, the Office of Health, Safety and Risk Management issued the following message:

Updated Covid-19 Safety Measures

To: All University of Ottawa learners, faculty and staff at the Medicine and Health Sciences Campus (Roger Guindon Hall & 600/850 Peter Morand)

Our COVID-19 safety measures have again been updated pursuant to Ottawa Public Health guidance.  Kindly review.

What’s New?

Wear your 3-layer mask AND keep 2m physically distant. It is everyone's responsibility to wear a mask at all times when with others, or in common areas and spaces.  Your mask must cover your mouth AND your nose. Masks should only be removed when actively eating/drinking (while maintaining physical distancing), or when alone at your desk or office.

If you cannot maintain 2m distance, you MUST now wear protective eyewear, such as a face shield or safety glasses in addition to your surgical mask.  This applies to everyone - including research, administrative and teaching staff, and learners. 

Please refer to the PPE Allocation Guidelinesbelow to find out how to acquire protective eyewear and other appropriate PPE. Log in to Medistore to proceed with your requisition. 

PPE Allocation Guidelines – Support Staff

PPE Allocation Guidelines – Research Staff

Also, please note that the current procedural masks used at our Faculty are 3-layer masks as required by Central.

Reminders:

1. Complete your online self-assessment every day BEFORE coming on campus:

All employees, students, and visitors coming to campus are required to complete an online health self-assessment every day prior to arrival.  You can find the tool on the SecurUO app or you can access it through the uOttawa COVID-19 webpage.

If you are sick, or are experiencing any symptoms, please stay home. Follow the guidance of the Ottawa Public Health self-assessment tool and get tested.

Ottawa Public Health’s resources are straining under the weight of an ever-growing workload.  If we in the University community don’t remain vigilant, the virus will spread at an exponential rate and our work and research will have to be curtailed.  We all have an important role to play in keeping the Medicine & Health Sciences Campus open. 

2. Notify uOttawa of a COVID-positive result at [email protected].The Office of Risk Management will coordinate cleaning, risk assessment and contact tracing with Ottawa Public Health and the faculty. You may want or need to notify your supervisor also. Additional support is available from your HR partner and Wellness. Your safety and privacy are important.

3. Don’t risk your access to campus Given the seriousness of COVID19 rates in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, anyone found to be non-compliant may have their access to the campus revoked.

4. Continue to wash/sanitize hands frequently

5. Observe maximum occupancy limits: It is everyone's responsibility to observe maximum occupancy limits posted on doors.  These limits have been determined based on the dimensions of the room and physical distancing guidelines.

To aid building safety inspections, please do not block or otherwise obscure office windows.  Paper etc. applied to windows will be removed.  (See number 3 above.)

 6. Kitchen Etiquette

- Limit of one person at a time.

- Wipe-down any touched surfaces before and after each use.

- Cover your food to ensure it does not splatter. Wipe up any messes or spills.

- Do not leave dishes in the sink.

- Do not leave food in the refrigerator for extended periods. If we need to shut down again, all items will be disposed of.

- Let us know of any problems using the online form.

- Reminder that no small appliances can be plugged in unless Medfaci has been advised and provided approval.

7. Staircases remain designated as “One-Way”: Directional guidance is not a suggestion, it is a requirement.

8. Limit use of the elevators: Elevators should not be considered available for general use at this time.  The maximal occupancy are clearly marked and should only be used by those transporting carts between floors, and anyone with mobility issues. 

9. Spot a concern? Notify Medsafety or Medfaci.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE):

• Summary of new measures and allocation:

Following the new measures (see below) from Central regarding PPE and the requirement of using protective eyewear for those (including research, administrative and teaching staff, and learners) who cannot maintain two-meters of physical distancing during their interactions, please refer to the PPE Allocation Guidelines in the section above to find out how to acquire protective eyewear and other appropriate PPE and log in to Medistore to proceed with your requisition. 

Also, please note that the current procedural masks used at our Faculty are 3-layer masks as required by Central.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact [email protected].

• PPE Recycling Program:

In response to the environmental impact concerns of single-use procedural face masks, the Faculty of Medicine launched a PPE recycling program at the Roger Guindon campus on March 15, 2021!

What PPE can you recycle? Procedural masks, gloves (nitrile & latex), ear plugs, safety glasses, hairnets

What to look for? Boxes from the service provider TerraCycle will be placed on all four levels of the RGN campus. View the locations of the recycling boxes.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact [email protected].

SECURUO “WORKALONE” FEATURE

• The University strongly discourages its employees from working alone, but it recognizes that in special circumstances, individuals may need to do so. Even so, we must ensure worker health and safety, and the “WorkAlone” feature in the SecurUO app can help. This app allows users to set up personal push notifications to confirm that they are safe. If a user doesn’t respond within the allocated time, the app notifies a pre-determined emergency contact. Learn how to set up WorkAlone.

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA:

• On Monday, March 8, the University released the message “COVID Update - New stringent measures regarding Personal Protective Equipment Requirements” to members of the university community:

Following the presence of new variant in our community, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) issued new and more stringent requirements for all employees who must come to campus to perform their duties.

From now on, all employees who cannot maintain a two-meter physical distancing during their interactions with others must now wear protective eyewear, in addition to the three-layer mask which is currently mandatory.

This new measure is essential in the following circumstances:

- You are required to have interactions with individuals less than two-metres apart; AND

- These interactions are amongst the same group of individuals; AND

- These interactions are cumulatively for a period of 15 minutes or more during a 24-hour period

Such scenario can occur if:

- You share office spaces where you frequently interact with others at a distance of less than two metres.

- You work in reception areas without plexiglass barriers.

- You must work with colleagues at a distance of less than two metres due to the nature of your work.

The University asks all heads of unit to review current work activities and spaces and ensure that employees present on campus respect this new requirement in order to protect the health and safety of those who are required to come to campus and of our entire community.

Although the imposed protective eyewear can be removed as soon as the interaction at less than 2 metres is concluded, please remember, and apply the principle COVID-wise prevention measures:

- Maintain a distance of two metres apart whenever possible

- Wear a 3-layer mask inside buildings and when distancing not possible

- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer

If you have questions about this or require guidance in reviewing your safety protocol, contact your HR Representative or the Office of Risk Management at ([email protected]). For assistance regarding workspace retrofits or to order protective eyewear, please contact your Facility Manager. We thank you for your cooperation.

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID-19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

What’s New?

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA:

• On February 23, the University released the message “Planning for a revitalized uOttawa campus experience for the Fall 2021 term”:

Although I am tremendously proud of our shared success in rapidly mastering the complexities of digital pedagogy, I am also thrilled to announce a partial return to campus for the Fall 2021 term.

Our ambitious plan is to provide a full, enriching on-campus experience at uOttawa for Fall 2021, with 30-50% of our courses delivered in person or using hybrid formats and the remainder offered online.

We will send you more details as soon as they are available. Rest assured that every decision we make will align with public health guidelines.

To achieve these ambitious goals, we need your help. Planning is actively underway across all sectors of the University, in faculties and services, at the institutional and local levels. As soon as health guidelines permit, we will begin a proactive and progressive return to campus, with pilot projects to test and evaluate different workplace configurations.

All our planning will be guided by the following principles:

- Health and safety as our top priority

- Continuity of academic, research, and administrative activities

- Agility, flexibility, and iterative planning

- Institutional principles and local solutions

- Care and concern for our whole community

To support hybrid and bi-modal teaching, we are equipping all our classrooms with appropriate educational technologies, and we will continue to improve the pedagogical and technological assistance we provide.

In addition, faculty and staff members will have access to more sports, recreational activities, and community events on campus. We will also be offering more in-person services to provide academic support and enhance wellness.

The future remains uncertain, yet we intend to do our best to maximize in-person activities even as we ensure that everyone's health and safety remains the University's top priority.

Jill Scott, Provost and Vice-President, Academic Affairs

• On February 5, the University released the message “Online Spring-Summer term and plans for Fall 2021 term”:

The winter 2021 term is already well underway and I know that you are all sharpening your focus on making the most of the next few months. We are all eager to return to campus, but the situation surrounding the pandemic continues to evolve and the University of Ottawa must respect public health guidelines. Your health and safety remain our top priority.

That is why we have decided to continue with mainly online learning for the upcoming Spring-Summer term. Most courses will be taught via distance learning, except for some that must be offered in person due to their nature. We will post the course schedule on March 22, 2021. You will know then exactly which courses are in person or online.

Fall 2021: For those of you who are already looking ahead to the next academic year, rest assured that we are working very hard to get ready for the best fall 2021 experience possible, in terms of offering both in-person courses and on-campus activities. We will share the blueprint for the Fall 2021 term in the weeks to come. However, we may have to adapt in response to changing public health guidelines.

Until then, I hope you take the time for some well-earned rest and self-care, while respecting physical distancing rules. The fight against COVID‑19 is a collective effort. We must not let our guard down!

Jill Scott, Provost and Vice-President, Academic Affairs

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID-19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

What’s New?

COVID ASSESSMENT:

• New COVID-19 assessment tool

On January 22, the uOttawa COVID-19 Daily Assessment tool was launched. All employees, students and visitors coming to campus must use this tool to conduct a health self-assessment every day prior to arrival. This tool will be accessible from SecurUO and the COVID-19 webpage.

COVID-19 RESEARCH & WEBINARS:

• Founded by our MD alumnus Dr. Paul Lem, local tech company Spartan Bioscience says Health Canada has approved its rapid COVID-19 test kit. Shipments will begin immediately to federal and provincial government partners, as well as Spartan’s commercial customers. Read more about the rapid test kit here.
• COVID-19: What should you know about vaccines? - Dr. Hugues Loemba (in French only)

Wednesday February 10, 2021 - 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.; Virtual

Bombarded as we are by information on the developments of the different vaccines against COVID-19, it is legitimate to wonder, as a patient, how soon a vaccine will be available. But are we really informed about the steps needed to develop a safe vaccine? Do we really understand how it works?

In this special edition webinar, our specialist will answer your questions and demystify the different vaccines against COVID-19, from their development in the laboratory to their effectiveness once administered.

For more information on how to join the webinar.

OFFICE OF HEALTH, SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT:

• On January 18, the Office of Health, Safety and Risk Management issued the following message:

Some New Year reminders:

Here is our top-10 list for staying COVID-safe while on campus:

10. Spot a concern? Notify Medsafety or Medfaci

9. Limit use of the elevators: Elevators should not be considered available for general use at this time. The maximal occupancy is clearly marked and should only be used by those transporting carts between floors, and anyone with mobility issues. 

8. Staircases are designated as “One-Way”: Directional guidance is not a suggestion, it is a requirement.

7. Kitchen Etiquette:

Limit of one person at a time.

Wipe-down any touched surfaces before and after each use.

Cover your food to ensure it does not splatter. Wipe up any messes or spills.

Do not leave dishes in the sink.

Do not leave food in the refrigerator for extended periods. If we need to shut down again, all items will be disposed of.

Let us know of any problems using the online form.

Reminder that no small appliances can be plugged in unless Medfaci has been advised and provided approval.

6. Observe maximum occupancy limits: It is everyone's responsibility to observe maximum occupancy limits posted on doors.  These limits have been determined based on the dimensions of the room and physical distancing guidelines.

5. Continue to wash/sanitize hands frequently

4. Wear your mask AND keep 2m physical distancing: It is everyone's responsibility to wear a mask at all times when with others, or in common areas and spaces.  You must cover your mouth AND your nose. Masks should only be removed when actively eating/drinking (while maintaining physical distancing), or when alone at your desk or office. If you cannot maintain 2m distance, we recommend a face shield be worn in addition to surgical masks.  MediStore has a supply of face shields.

3. Don’t risk your access to campus: Given the seriousness of COVID19 rates in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, anyone found to be non-compliant may have their access to the campus revoked.

2. Notify uOttawa of a COVID-positive result at [email protected]: The Office of Risk Management will coordinate cleaning, risk assessment and contact tracing with Ottawa Public Health and your faculty. You may want or need to notify your supervisor also. Additional support is available from your HR partner and Wellness. Your safety and privacy are important.

1. Complete the self-assessment every day BEFORE coming on campus: If you are sick, or are experiencing any symptoms, please stay home. Follow the guidance of the Ottawa Public Health self-assessment tool and get tested.

Ottawa Public Health resources are straining under the weight of an ever-growing workload.  If we in the University community don’t remain vigilant, the virus will spread at an exponential rate and our work and research will have to be curtailed.  We all have an important role to play in keeping the Medicine & Health Sciences Campus open. 

Thank you for your support and cooperation

RESEARCH OFFICE:

• On January 13, the Research Office issued the following message to basic science research groups, and on January 18 it was distributed widely:

Research Update: Impact of New Ontario Public Health Measures - Onsite Research

We are extremely pleased to share the news that due to the hard work and dedication of our research teams in complying with COVID-19 guidelines and because we have no transmission of COVID-19 on-site, research operations in Roger Guindon Hall and Peter Morand Campus can continue to operate at present levels during the provincial stay-at-home order. At this time we will not have to reduce our modify our research occupancy levels at either site.

However, at this time it is essential that we work from home as much as possible and only come to work for experiments and activities that must be done on-site. According to the new provincial order, all employers “must ensure that any employee who can work from home, does work from home.”

Now more than ever, we must maintain and enhance our vigilance in adhering to health and safety protocols for onsite research.  While occupancy levels and protocols are not impacted, we have been asked to make some changes to physical spaces and ensure that all guidelines are adhered to at RGN. At present there are no changes for the PM site.

Please note:

1. Surgical face masks are required for all researchers, staff and students working onsite, except in closed private offices.  Wear your mask AND keep 2m physical distancing. Where 2m of physical distance cannot be maintained, such as for training, we recommend a face shield should be worn in addition to surgical masks.  MediStore has a supply of face shields.

2. Access to shared research offices is not be permitted at RGN. Office activities such as writing, analysis, reviewing, videoconferencing, marking must be conducted off-campus.  The only time one is allowed in a shared office is for storing and retrieving items only if research staff does not have a locker.

3. Lunch/Break zones have been modified. Lunches/drinks breaks can only be taken in the designated GREEN areas on the attached map.  These are the only designated areas (except private offices) where masks can be removed.  These sites are monitored, physically spaced out to ensure safety and cleaned regularly.  One can take a break in RED zones, but facemasks must be worn at all times.  Please share this list with your research team and remind them of the COVID-19 protocols onsite.

We understand this is frustrating for research staff, but in order to have the privilege of continuing research onsite while most of Ontario is under stay-home orders, we must continue to be vigilant.  It will be much harder to stay open if any transmission occurs onsite.

Please review the attached guidelines and maps with your essential onsite staff to ensure that everyone is aware and informed of these guidelines. It is the supervisors responsibility to ensure their research staff are aware and are complying with all guidelines.  Given the severity of the situation, anyone not complying with these orders will have their onsite access privileges removed.

Finally, while the University is not yet requiring authorization letters for essential work on campus, the Faculty of Medicine has decided to issue authorization letters to all staff and learners approved for onsite research in RGN/PMC and paid through the University of Ottawa (OHRI is not issuing letters at this time). Letters will be distributed directly to approved staff over the next 24-48 hours. All students and staff should also be sure to have identification on hand (including student/employee card) when they are on campus.

By working together we will be able to keep research going.

Stay COVID WISE.

• On January 12, the Research Office issued the following message to basic science research groups:

As you probably know, the province of Ontario has issued a state of emergency today as well as additional restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including stay-at-home orders starting January 14, 2021 at 12:05am and continuing for at least 28 days.

The stay-at-home order and requires employees, learners, staff and faculty members to work/learn/teach from home unless they are required to be on-campus.

Research will continue onsite, likely at a reduced capacity.  Discussions are ongoing with the central administration to determine whether authorization letters will be required for research staff and trainees (whether from Quebec or Ontario) approved for onsite research, as well as how we can work to comply with the Ontario measures while limiting impacts to onsite research.  More information will be sent out tomorrow once decisions are made. In the meantime, we would like to remind you of the following important health and safety measures:

1. Researchers, staff, students who can conduct their research or administrative activities off-campus should continue to do so.  All activities (including but not limited to writing, analysis, reviewing, videoconferencing and marking) that can be completed from home must be conducted off-campus. 

2. Surgical face masks are required for all researchers, staff and students working onsite. Wear your mask AND keep 2m physical distancing. Where 2m of physical distance cannot be maintained, we recommend the use of a face shield in addition to surgical masks.

3. Access to shared offices will not be permitted as physical distancing requirements cannot be met.  Office activities such as writing, analysis, reviewing, videoconferencing, marking must be conducted off-campus. 

4. Recipients were provided with a list of lunch/break areas that can be used throughout RGN.  These sites are monitored, physically spaced out to ensure safety and cleaned regularly.  Please share this list with your research team and remind them of the COVID-19 protocols onsite.

We thank you for your continued support to keep our campus safe and stop the transmission of COVID-19.

• On January 7, the Research Office issued the following message to basic science research groups:

As you probably know, the Province of Quebec has implemented a curfew of 8:00pm starting this Saturday, January 9 and continuing up to and including February 8, 2021.  

As of Saturday, January 9, 2021, Quebec residents must not leave their homes between 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. except in cases that justify travel such as healthcare, humanitarian reasons, or to engage in priority work. Police officers can issue statements of offence to individuals who do not abide by the curfew unless their travel is legitimate.

In order to respect these emergency measures, we would urge all professors schedule on-site shifts for any of their Quebec resident staff or trainees to ensure they can meet the 8:00 p.m. curfew (including considerations for travel time to reach their homes).

If you have essential staff who are Quebec residents AND who are absolutely required on-site during the curfew period (i.e., between 8:00pm and 5:00am) please provide us with the names, email addresses and brief justification so that we can provide an amalgamated list to Human Resources for review and preparation of authorization letters.

SHARE YOUR STORY TO HELP YOUR COMMUNITY:

• A Request from Ottawa Public Health:

Real people. Real stories of COVID-19.

Ottawa Public Health is looking for 'real life stories' of people who have tested positive for COVID in Ottawa. These include stories from:

- those who became very ill after contracting the virus;

- those who may not have had symptoms at all and may have spread the virus to others;

- those who, in addition to being sick themselves may have passed COVID-19 on to someone else such as a family member, a grandparent or a child, or a friend;

- and those who simply want to share their experience with COVID-19 no matter the circumstances.

Share your story to help your community. For more information: email [email protected]

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID-19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

Dear faculty, learners and staff,

2020 continues to keep the world and our Faculty on its toes, most recently with Monday’s announcement by the Ontario government of an impending 28-day province-wide shutdown commencing 12:01 a.m. on December 26.

The recent changes do not impact the University’s current approach to remote working whenever possible. Employees who must come to campus to accomplish their tasks must continue to follow health and safety measures put in place. You will be advised should there be any significant changes. The University of Ottawa will communicate details of university-wide measures the week of January 4, after the holiday break.

In the meantime, kindly note the following updates pertinent to the Faculty of Medicine:

Labs will remain at their current capacity. Research will continue to operate in 2 shifts at 45% staffing levels while continuing to comply with Public Health, uOttawa and Faculty guidelines.

Learners will be authorized to be on campus only for scheduled, essential clinical training.

Administrative and teaching staff will be present on campus only if necessary. Individual academic units will communicate any anticipated changes to on-campus clinical training to their learners directly, as details become available.

Other than research and essential clinical training, learning and working will be done remotely during the shutdown to the extent possible in compliance with provincial guidelines.

RGN and PMC will be locked from Dec. 23, 2020 to Jan. 10, 2021, inclusive. Only people with key cards will be able to gain admission during that time. Those who require access to RGN during the week of Jan. 4-10 and who do not have key cards should contact MedFaci or MedSafety for assistance.

As of Jan. 11, the main door of RGN will be unlocked to allow access to those who are authorized to be on campus for research and clinical training.

Essential services managers will revise schedules to maintain essential staff on campus during the shutdown, including Core Services, Shipping/Receiving, MedFaci, MedSafety and MedTech help desk.

Staff should follow the directives of their managers regarding working remotely. Following provincial guidelines, people who can do their jobs remotely should not be on campus.

For personnel with children at home, flexibility and accommodations will continue to be provided given the circumstances. Leave benefits reset at the beginning of the calendar year and should assist with supporting working parents if and when needed.

Learners, faculty and staff who return to Ontario from out of province should self-isolate for 14 days after their return.

Essential health care workers, including clinical faculty, residents and fellows, may be exempt. Please verify the respective hospital guidelines and contact occupational health well before returning to clinical duties at uOttawa institutions.

For MD students, requirements for self-isolation may vary according to the clinical site and/or activity to which the individual returns. Further information will be forthcoming when available. Please ensure you continue to consult the Ottawa Public Health guidelines and the guidelines for the institution to which you are returning.

Those who regularly commute between Quebec and Ontario for work or studies should consult Ottawa Public Health or Ontario Public Health for guidance. Exception: MD residents, fellows and faculty members are to contact occupational health prior to contacting the aforementioned.

The RGN library will be closed. The Morisset library will be accessible for pick-up and drop-off only, as of January 11. Study areas will not be available during the shutdown.

Researchers may consult the Research Office COVID-19 site for updates

Professors and students in the MD program may consult the UGME COVID-19 site for updates

Remember that you can follow us on Twitter and Facebook for further updates, and visit the uOttawa coronavirus website and the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19.

Once again thank you for continuing your steady work through this next set of challenges, and best wishes for the holidays.

Bernard Jasmin, PhD
Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine
University of Ottawa

What’s New?

KITCHENS AT ROGER GUINDON HALL (RGN) & 600/850 PETER MORAND (PMC):

• RGN-PMC kitchens are open with COVID-safe measures:

Kitchens have re-opened effective November 23, 2020; however, we ask for your continued diligence. You are required to follow COVID-safe measures and observe the kitchen etiquette listed below. Here is our top-10 list for staying COVID-safe while on campus:

10. Spot a concern? Notify Medsafety or Facility Management

9. Limit use of the elevators. 

8. Staircases are designated as “one-way”.

7. Kitchen Etiquette

Limit of one person at a time.

Wipe-down any touched surfaces before and after each use.

Cover your food to ensure it does not splatter. Wipe up any messes or spills.

Do not leave dishes in the sink.

Do not leave food in the refrigerator for extended periods. If we need to shut down again, all items will be disposed of.

Let us know of any problems using the online form.

Reminder that no small appliances can be plugged in unless Medfaci has been advised and provided approval.

6. Observe maximum occupancy limits.

5. Continue to wash/sanitize hands frequently.

4. Wear your mask AND keep 2 m physical distancing.

3. Don’t risk your access to campus.

2. Notify uOttawa of a COVID-positive result at [email protected].

1. Complete the self-assessment BEFORE coming on campus. If you are sick, or are experiencing any symptoms, please stay home: self-isolate, follow the guidance of the Ottawa Public Health self-assessment tool and get tested.

Ottawa Public Health resources are straining under the weight of an ever-growing workload. If we in the University community don’t remain vigilant, the virus will spread at an exponential rate and our work and research will have to be curtailed. We all have an important role to play in keeping the Medicine & Health Sciences Campus open.

RECOGNITION:

• Save the date! We’ve now rescheduled our upcoming awards ceremonies. Despite a challenging year, the Faculty community has continued to shine and to excel and we look forward to celebrating many outstanding efforts and achievements of faculty, learners, and staff.

Thursday, December 10: Alumni Awards of Distinction Ceremony  | 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Monday, December 14: Awards in Education Ceremony  | 3 p.m.

Tuesday, December 15: Awards of Excellence Ceremony  | 6:30 p.m.

This last event will include:

The 2020 Faculty of Medicine Awards of Excellence

The 2020 Research Day Awards

COVID-19 Recognition Program special mentions

Keep an eye on your inbox over the coming days for details about these events, including links to register and to join.

VIRTUAL TOWN HALL WITH THE DEAN:

• On Tuesday, November 24, Dr, Bernard Jasmin, dean of the Faculty of Medicine, held a virtual town hall for all faculty, staff and learners.

Summary: The dean provided a brief update on where we stand at the Faculty of Medicine on matters of the FoM’s budget and strategic plan, and praised the Faculty’s many achievements despite COVID-19. He invited the members of the Executive Leadership Team to present updates on their respective portfolios. The floor was opened for questions. A summary of the town hall appears in the November 26 issue of MedPoint.

COVID-specific updates:

Dr. Jasmin reiterated the importance of the FoM community coming together to meet on such occasions despite the challenges we are facing, and that working in a collegial environment is more important than ever.

As seen in messages from Central, due to losses at the University level brought on by COVID, uOttawa’s budget is being challenged this year. FoM leadership is not sure yet how the Faculty will be impacted, but they are keeping a close eye on the budget situation.

Dr. Jasmin said the Faculty will wait for formal notification from Central re online curriculums but being proactive is advantageous; final decisions will come in the spring.

Leaders thanked everyone for their involvement and dedication in keeping our educational offerings operating smoothly amid the year’s challenges.

RETURN TO RESEARCH:

• The Research Office has posted a comprehensive update of Return to Research Guidelines for Roger Guindon Hall for Fall 2020, including links to important resources.

Please review the updates on the Research Office’s dedicated COVID-19 page. A summary appears below.

Note: Peter Morand has slightly different operational procedures and institute-based research teams would need to refer to their own institutions for guidelines.

Highlights:

We will be increasing wet-lab research capacity of the Faculty of Medicine’s Roger Guindon Hall to 90%. Starting on Monday November 23, each lab can have 45% maximum of their approved staff on-site capacity at any one time with each lab allowed to have up to 90% of their approved staff on-site over the course of each day.

If there are no changes in a lab’s staffing levels, there is no need for action from the Principal Investigator; however, Principal Investigators must follow protocol for the addition of new staff/trainees to their approved list.

Visiting scientists/collaborators are now allowed onsite. However, to maintain occupancy numbers any lab visitors/collaborators must be scheduled within an individual lab’s daily occupancy limits.

The Research Office will issue a maximum lab occupancy sign that is to be posted on the door of closed labs or in the bay area of open labs.

All previous R2R Restrictions remain in place with the following modifications: increased occupancy in elevators and limited access to kitchenettes.

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• Find a complete listing of UGME On-site services at RGN as of January 4, 2021.

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA:

• On November 20, the Office of the President sent out the following message: “Take a break on November 27.”

Summary: I would like to start by thanking you for the past eight months. Thanks to you, uOttawa continues its activities effectively and safely despite the exceptional circumstances. I fully appreciate that all those efforts added an extra burden on all of us. Stress and fatigue are very present and I firmly believe that we all need a break. All faculty and staff will therefore be given November 27 as holiday. This is one small way for the leadership team to show our deep appreciation. However, research and academic activities for students must continue.

• On November 12, the Associate Vice-President, Human Resources sent out the following message: “INVITATION: Let’s celebrate our community’s resilience and determination.”

The pandemic has presented challenges all of us this year but throughout it all, our faculty and staff have been extraordinary. We want to recognize everyone’s outstanding efforts during 2020 so please join us for a virtual event to celebrate our community’s resilience and determination.

Please join President and Vice-Chancellor Jacques Frémont, and Provost and Vice-President Academic Affairs, Jill Scott, for a virtual event to celebrate and highlight our devoted community members.

November 26, 2020 - 11 a.m.

Please mark the date in your calendar now and on Nov. 26, use this link to join the event.

If you have any questions, please email: [email protected].

WELLNESS:

• Faculty Wellness Program:

Wellness Seminar Series: More Feet on the Ground

Tuesday, December 1, 2020—5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Register online for More Feet on the Ground

For faculty members, residents and post-doctoral students in the basic science and clinical departments.

The goal is to help you better understand mental health on campus. This course prepares you to support students on your campus who may be living with mental health concerns.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the principles of Recognize, Respond, Refer

2. Have an overview of the wider context of well-being on campus

3. Understand your role, responsibilities and limits

4. Understand your influence as an industry leader, and how students perceive each other in class and in their field

5. Understand what you are required to do in Ontario

6. Describe the services available on campus and the options for connecting someone to support

7. Know where to look for the resources available to your students, yourself and colleagues

8. Know where to look for more information if you want to learn more or see what’s coming next

9. Address FAQs

• Webinar: Parenting During a Pandemic

Friday, December 4, 2020—12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

This interactive session is aimed at uOttawa faculty members, and trainees who are parents and will be a forum to raise questions and concerns and share approaches on how to manage as a parent during COVID.

Register online for Parenting During a Pandemic

Panel:

Dr. Nisha Thampi, Assistant Professor and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Consultant

Dr. Michael Cheng, Associate Professor and Psychiatrist

Moderator: Dr. Elizabeth Muggah, Assistant Dean, Faculty Wellness Program, Associate Professor Department of Family Medicine.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify key challenges facing parents and children during the COVID pandemic and learn strategies to help mitigate these.

2. Connect with other faculty members to share experiences and approaches to managing as a parent during the pandemic.

3. Identify resources for additional support

Ongoing:

CONTACT TRACING - REMINDER:

• Staff and faculty members: Please ensure your contact information is up to date in case the University needs to reach you as part of contact tracing. 
• Learners may update their contact information through the uOZone portal.

EVENTS:

• Please visit our Faculty Events page for events related to COVID-19 and others.

OFFICE OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (OCPD):

• OCPD has developed a COVID-19 Resources site including links to health organizations and specific educational programs such as webinars.

RETURN TO CAMPUS:

• Reminder: Masks mandatory in all indoor common spaces on campus:

Wearing masks is mandatory in all enclosed public spaces. This includes indoor common spaces on our campus, such as hallways, lobbies, stairways, washrooms, and elevators. Personal offices and labs are not considered common spaces and therefore existing protocols remain in place.

RESOURCES FOR RETURNING TO CAMPUS:

• COVID-19 training:

Prior to returning to work on campus:

Each employee must complete a mandatory online orientation session on COVID-19 — Returning to Work on Campus: Protecting Yourself and Others.

The goal of the session is to ensure that you are familiar with the changes implemented on campus and what you must do daily to ensure your health and safety and that of others when you return to work on campus.

Employees who must work on campus are to complete a health self-evaluation on the Ontario Public Health website.

Find out more about the COVID-19 training.

• Campus health and safety resources from the uOttawa Office of Risk Management:

Description of other health and safety and sanitary precautions that have been implemented on campus such as new signage.

Checklist for Staff and Students during COVID-19

WELLNESS:

• Stop by the uOttawa metal health and wellness website for virtual events to help you enjoy wellness through COVID-19
• Reminder: Our Wellness Office has launched an updated, comprehensive resource page to ensure we offer the resources most relevant and timely to you.
• Please continue to consider how you might benefit from the various wellness resources available from the Faculty Wellness Program and the University - "How to access mental health support from the comfort of your home."

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID-19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

Dear faculty, learners and staff,

It has been a beautiful week to enjoy the city; I hope you’ve taken a break from your screens to drink in the sunshine and spend time in nature for its beneficial effects on our mental health. For those of you working around the clock, we humbly thank you once more for your dedication and hard work, and the unwavering care you continue to provide to our community, more important than ever as the pandemic persists and flu season is upon us.

We remain committed to supporting you and hearing about your needs. To bring you up to speed on matters of importance to us all, I invite you to join me and the Executive Leadership Team at our upcoming virtual town hall on Tuesday, November 24, an opportunity to also ask your questions and share any concerns. Register for your choice of session: 11 a.m. or 5 p.m. Our Strategic Blueprint was approved at Faculty Council last month after a six to seven month delay due to COVID-19. The document will serve as our beacon for the coming years and we will share regular updates about our progress on our action items. Many of your wonderful ideas have been turned into executable plans; several are already underway, and we are excited to build momentum with many more.

It was necessary to cancel or postpone some events we had been advertising in these COVID-19 emails due to the support staff strike, but please keep an eye out for new dates and details in your inbox and on our Faculty Events page. Meanwhile, please note that our Virtual Awards of Excellence Ceremony has been rescheduled to Tuesday, December 15—a delightful way to round out the year. A registration link will be emailed to everyone shortly.

Unfortunately, our physical doors have had to remain closed to guests and prospective students who wish to visit and explore our world-class medical school. Now, anyone from around the globe has the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of our learners, faculty and staff via our brand-new virtual tour of the Faculty of Medicine, created in collaboration with uOttawa Central. Have a look—we are proud to open our digital doors to the world!

Remember that you can follow us on Twitter and Facebook for further updates, and visit the uOttawa coronavirus website and the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19.
 

Bernard Jasmin, PhD
Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine
University of Ottawa

What’s New?

INTERNATIONAL AND GLOBAL HEALTH OFFICE (IGHO):

• The Faculty of Medicine’s 75th Anniversary International Collaboration Webinar Series:

Webinar: Updates in Maternal–Fetal Medicine

Friday, November 13, 2020—12:30 to 2:00 p.m.

Register online for Updates in Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

Panel:

Dr. Darine El-Chaâr, Assistant Professor, OB GYN Department, uOttawa Faculty of Medicine (FoM)

Dr. Felipe Moretti, Assistant Professor, OB GYN Department, uOttawa FoM

Dr. Hadeel Alenezi, 2nd year Clinical Fellow, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, uOttawa FoM

Dr. Abdalmajed Eisa, 1st year Clinical Fellow, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, uOttawa FoM

Moderator: Dr. Mark Walker, Professor and Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the uOttawa FoM and Director, FoM International and Global Health Office.

At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Identify and briefly explain COVID-19 pregnancy implications

2. Explain how to determine the in/effectiveness of vertical transmission with COVID-19

3. Identify the main CNS anomalies identified in Fetal Neurosonography

4. Propose strategies for defect management for Cesarian Scar Niches

5. Identify the risk factors with Placenta Accreta Spectrum and associated antenatal and delivery approaches to minimize risks

This event is in English only, but participants will be able to ask their questions in French.

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates posted on October 1 on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

WELLNESS:

• Faculty Wellness Program

Webinar: Parenting During the Pandemic

Friday, December 4, 2020—12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

This interactive session is aimed at uOttawa faculty members, and trainees who are parents and will be a forum to raise questions and concerns and share approaches on how to manage as a parent during COVID.

Panel:

Dr. Nisha Thampi, Assistant Professor and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Consultant

Dr. Michael Cheng, Associate Professor and Psychiatrist

Moderator: Dr. Elizabeth Muggah, Assistant Dean, Faculty Wellness Program, Associate Professor Department of Family Medicine.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Identify key challenges facing parents and children during the COVID pandemic and learn strategies to help mitigate these.

2. Connect with other faculty members to share experiences and approaches to managing as a parent during the pandemic.

3. Identify resources for additional support

Please contact the Faculty Wellness Program for more information on how to register for this event.

Ongoing:

CONTRACT TRACING - REMINDER:

• Staff and faculty members: Please ensure your contact information is up to date in case the University needs to reach you as part of contact tracing. 
• Learners may update their contact information through the uOZone portal.

EVENTS:

• Please visit our Faculty Events page for events related to COVID-19 and others.

OFFICE OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (OCPD):

• OCPD has developed a COVID-19 Resources site including links to health organizations and specific educational programs such as webinars.

RETURN TO CAMPUS:

• Reminder: Masks mandatory in all indoor common spaces on campus:

Wearing masks is mandatory in all enclosed public spaces. This includes indoor common spaces on our campus, such as hallways, lobbies, stairways, washrooms, and elevators. Personal offices and labs are not considered common spaces and therefore existing protocols remain in place.

RESOURCES FOR RETURNING TO CAMPUS:

• COVID-19 training:

Prior to returning to work on campus:

Each employee must complete a mandatory online orientation session on COVID-19 — Returning to Work on Campus: Protecting Yourself and Others.

The goal of the session is to ensure that you are familiar with the changes implemented on campus and what you must do daily to ensure your health and safety and that of others when you return to work on campus.

Employees who must work on campus are to complete a health self-evaluation on the Ontario Public Health website.

Find out more about the COVID-19 training.

• Campus health and safety resources from the uOttawa Office of Risk Management:

Description of other health and safety and sanitary precautions that have been implemented on campus such as new signage.

Checklist for Staff and Students during COVID-19

WELLNESS:

• Stop by the uOttawa metal health and wellness website for virtual events to help you enjoy wellness through COVID-19
• Reminder:

Our Wellness Office has launched an updated, comprehensive resource page to ensure we offer the resources most relevant and timely to you.

• Please continue to consider how you might benefit from the various wellness resources available from the Faculty Wellness Program and the University - "How to access mental health support from the comfort of your home."

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID-19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

Dear faculty, learners and staff,

Despite our smaller gatherings this year, Thanksgiving remained an opportunity to reflect on what makes us deeply grateful. People ask me what it is like to be a dean of medicine during a world-wide pandemic. I say, words can’t express my gratitude for our entire team who has kept our faculty operating as normally as possible in the circumstances while prioritizing safety and wellness, and particularly when members of the faculty themselves may be feeling sensitive. Our research, educational programs and patient care continue to be a source of pride. To all of you, from me and your leadership team: Thank you.

We also thank our learners, who have shown grace in the face of change and contributed immeasurably to the crisis response. We have shared many of their stories, most recently some thoughts from two of our MD students on how COVID is shaping students to be well-rounded doctors.

Earlier this month we publicly denounced the racist treatment of Joyce Echaquan moments before her death in hospital. Our five-year strategic plan prioritizes the creation of a safe, diverse and equitable environment in which to learn, teach, carry out research and work, which calls for a racially diverse and accepting faculty and student body. Many positions have been upgraded in support of these mandates, with several new initiatives for faculty, staff and trainees. Indigenous health is a top research and educational priority for us, and we are currently shaping the direction for our Centre for Indigenous Health Research and Education (CIHRE) in support of our commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action on Indigenous health and the education of health professionals.

Speaking of our 2020-2025 strategic plan, many thanks to all who sent us feedback on our actionable blueprint in support of the plan. The ELT is now finalizing the blueprint for formal approval by Faculty Council at the end of October.

Let’s balance our hard work with a celebration of the successes of our peers. On October 29, join us for a festive evening online at our Virtual Awards of Excellence ceremony, where we’ll recognize this year’s many outstanding performances in leadership, teaching, research, medical practice, and resilience in the face of COVID-19. Spaces are limited so don’t wait to register.

Finally, enjoy a well-deserved break and gather with us online on Tuesday, October 20 as we host the prestigious Gairdner Lecture Series. Dr. Sarim Abdul Karim will speak about “HIV prevention in women: Challenges and Prospects”, and Dr. Guy Rouleau will deliver his lecture “From Neurogenetics to Open Science.” Join us on Zoom starting at 11 a.m.

We continue to be here for you. Remember that you can follow us on Twitter @uOttawaMed for further updates, and visit the uOttawa coronavirus website and the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19.

Bernard Jasmin, PhD

Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine

University of Ottawa

What’s New?

EVENTS:

• Please visit our Faculty Events page for events related to COVID-19 and others.

HEALTH, SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT:

• On October 13, the Office of Health, Safety and Risk Management released the message “Safety Update.”

Summary: With the fall semester well underway, the Thanksgiving holiday now behind us, and Ottawa Public Health (OPH) confirming that the COVID-19 infection rate in the region is rising rapidly, we wanted to take the opportunity to review important reminders.  We need everyone's cooperation to ensure the health and safety of our community. 

Here is our Top 10 list for staying COVID-safe while on campus:

10. Spot a concern? Notify Medsafety or Facility Management

9. Limit use of the elevators.  

8. Staircases are designated as “one-way”.  

7. Common kitchen/appliances remain off-limits.

6. Observe maximum occupancy limits. 

5. Continue to wash/sanitize hands frequently.

4. Wear your mask AND keep 2 m physical distancing. 

3. Don’t risk your access to campus. 

2. Notify uOttawa of a COVID-positive result at [email protected].  

1. If you are sick, or are experiencing any symptoms, please stay home: self-isolate, follow the guidance of the Ottawa Public Health self-assessment tool and get tested.

Please see original email for details.

INTERNATIONAL AND GLOBAL HEALTH OFFICE (IGHO):

• The Faculty of Medicine’s 75th Anniversary International Collaboration Webinar Series: : Collaboration with an international twist!

International travel might be at a halt but The Faculty of Medicine’s 75th Anniversary International Collaboration Webinar Series is in full flight! The Faculty International and Global Health Office (IGHO) will soon begin its brand-new accredited webinar series gathering world subject matter experts to discuss the most pressing clinical issues and global health matters, all chosen by popular demand!

Inaugural webinar: Specialists’ panel on:

Social Inequities in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Friday, October 23, 2020 – 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

• Katie Carr, Program Manager, Ottawa Neighbourhood Study 

Dr. Darlene Kitty, Director, Indigenous Program of the uOttawa Faculty of Medicine

Suzanne Obiorah, Director, Primary Health Care and Regional Programs

• Presented in English; however, participants will be able to ask their questions in French.

Register for Social Inequities in the COVID-19 Pandemic

RECOGNITION:

• Virtual Awards of Excellence Ceremony
  Thursday, October 29, 2020 – 6:30 p.m.

We invite you to join us for this fun, immersive experience where you can socialize with colleagues and applaud the award winners, all in digital form!

The ceremony recognizes this year’s many outstanding performances in leadership, teaching, research and medical practice. Last but not least, the ceremony will highlight the efforts and accomplishments of some of the teams and individuals nominated for our COVID-19 recognition program. These are people who overcame obstacles, solved urgent problems, and helped others with their tireless humanitarian efforts. 

Register to attend the Virtual Awards of Excellence Ceremony.

For details, see the registration page or our email from September 30.

RESEARCH OFFICE:

• For updates on research activities at the Faculty of Medicine, visit the Research Office’s dedicated COVID 19 updates page (updated September 18, 2020).

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA:

• On October 6, the Office of the President released “Message to the community – presentation of the 2019-2020 financial reports.”

Summary: The University of Ottawa’s financial situation is not immune to the effects of COVID-19 and consequently, uOttawa has experienced an unprecedented 2019-2020 fiscal year, reflected in the financial statements presented to the Board of Governors last week. Like most Canadian universities, uOttawa’s forecast for the current fiscal year is already predicting a deficit. The University will present a budget this fall. This fiscal year’s surplus will be used to offset the costs related to the current pandemic.

• Institutional Return to Campus Plan, from the Office of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic Affairs:

Summary: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Ottawa community has adapted its activities – on campus as well as online/at a distance – in order to pursue its education and research mission during these unprecedented times. Our Institutional Return to Campus Plan provides a comprehensive overview of the University’s response to COVID-19, including resources available to the campus community, guidelines and requirements during the reopening phases and recommended best practices to ensure the health and safety of our university community as our operations progressively return to normal.

Ongoing:

CONTACT TRACING - REMINDER: 

• Staff and faculty members: Please ensure your contact information is up to date in case the University needs to reach you as part of contact tracing.  
• Learners may update their contact information through the uOZone portal.

OFFICE OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (OCPD):

• OCPD has developed a COVID-19 Resource site including links to health organizations and specific educational programs such as webinars.

RETURN TO CAMPUS:

• Reminder: Masks mandatory in all indoor common spaces on campus:

Wearing masks is mandatory in all enclosed public spaces. This includes indoor common spaces on our campus, such as hallways, lobbies, stairways, washrooms, and elevators. Personal offices and labs are not considered common spaces and therefore existing protocols remain in place.

RESOURCES FOR RETURNING TO CAMPUS:

• COVID-19 training:

Prior to returning to work on campus:

Each employee must complete a mandatory online orientation session on COVID-19 — Returning to Work on Campus: Protecting Yourself and Others. 
The goal of the session is to ensure that you are familiar with the changes implemented on campus and what you must do daily to ensure your health and safety and that of others when you return to work on campus.

Employees who must work on campus are to complete a health self-evaluation on the Ontario Public Health website.

Find out more about the COVID-19 training.

• Campus health and safety resources from the uOttawa Office of Risk Management:

Description of other health and safety and sanitary precautions that have been implemented on campus such as new signage.

Checklist for Staff and Students during COVID-19

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates posted on September 8 on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

WELLNESS:

• Stop by the uOttawa metal health and wellness website for virtual events to help you enjoy wellness through COVID-19
• Reminder:

Our Wellness Office has launched an updated, comprehensive resource page to ensure we offer the resources most relevant and timely to you.

• Please continue to consider how you might benefit from the various wellness resources available from the Faculty Wellness Program and the University - "How to access mental health support from the comfort of your home"

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID-19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

What’s New?

COVID-19 APP:

• The University of Ottawa invites you to download the Government of Canada’s COVID alert app.

COVID-19 TESTING:

• The University of Ottawa has opened its own COVID-19 assessment centre:
  The Assessment Centre is at 200 Lees, Block D. For now, it’s only open to University students, staff and faculty. The centre is open Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You must book your Assessment Centre appointment online.    

EQUIPMENT:

• All equipment, such as chairs and tables, used in designated learning areas must be returned to its original place before leaving. Please note that this also includes cleaning supplies which must remain in the classroom or lab, as some supplies have already gone missing.

ROGER GUINDON HALL

• Student ambassadors will greet you:

The Faculty will rely on student ambassadors to greet those arriving at RGN for the entire fall semester. The ambassadors will observe and report on COVID-19 measures compliance and have hand sanitizers available.

• Face masks no longer available at reception:

The method of face mask distribution is being reassessed and disposable masks will no longer be provided at the reception desk after September 23. 

Procurement and Logistics have organized a one-month stock for various areas such as labs and student activities. Please contact Procurement and Logistics at [email protected] if you require masks. 

PETER MORAND (600 & 850):

• Student ambassadors will greet you:

The Faculty will rely on student ambassadors to greet those arriving at PMC for the entire fall semester. The ambassadors will observe and report on COVID-19 measures compliance and have hand sanitizers available.

• Doors locked: card access only:

Due to increased activity by secondary school students on PMC grounds, PMC doors are locked with card access only as a precautionary method.

Protection has been dispatched for additional monitoring in the area as well.

RESEARCH OFFICE:

• For updates on research activities at the Faculty of Medicine, visit the Research Office’s dedicated COVID 19 updates page (updated September 18, 2020).

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA:

• On September 21, the University released the message “Preparing for the Winter 2021 semester.”

Summary: Due to the ongoing pandemic, it is now clear that there will be no large-scale return to campus soon. As a result, I* am announcing today that the Winter 2021 term will be comprised primarily of remote learning, with only a few exceptions. In other words, the vast majority of our faculty and staff will continue to work from home for the remainder of the 2020-2021 academic year. … I am confident that this is the responsible choice for uOttawa. …We will continue to provide updates as we plan for the Winter term. Please visit our COVID‑19 website regularly for updated information on support and services.
*Jill Scott, provost and vice-president, academic affairs

WELLNESS:

• Wellness Webinar: Physician Health and Wellness in the time of COVID-19: the Canadian Medical Association’s initiatives and future direction

Thursday, September 24, 2020 – 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Register for “Physician Health and Wellness in the time of COVID-19: the Canadian Medical Association’s initiatives and future direction” webinar online or by calling 613-798-5555 x10961

Speaker: Dr. Caroline Gérin-Lajoie, Executive Vice-president, Physician Wellness and Medical Culture, Canadian Medical Association

This event is in English only.

Learning Objectives:

1. Acknowledge the impact of COVID-19 on physician wellbeing 

2. Present the CMA’s physician wellness initiatives and how these can support physician health 

3. Introduce a new focus on Medical Culture and explore how individuals and organization can build healthy cultures to support wellness

Ongoing:

OFFICE OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (OCPD):

• OCPD has developed a COVID-19 Resource site including links to health organizations and specific educational programs such as webinars.

RECOGNITION:

• Virtual Awards Ceremony
  Thursday, October 29, 2020

Join us in our virtual art gallery for our Virtual Awards Ceremony!

Watch the glittering awards ceremony: cheer for the winners of this year’s Awards of Excellence! Take on a virtual form in the shape of your own personal avatar, and saunter through our exhibition of historic Faculty of Medicine photos. You’re sure to bump into friends and colleagues—in virtual form! Chat and network to the tunes of a DJ. Details to come; watch your inbox.

RETURN TO CAMPUS:

• Reminder: Masks mandatory in all indoor common spaces on campus:

Wearing masks is mandatory in all enclosed public spaces. This includes indoor common spaces on our campus, such as hallways, lobbies, stairways, washrooms, and elevators. Personal offices and labs are not considered common spaces and therefore existing protocols remain in place.

RESOURCES FOR RETURNING TO CAMPUS:

• COVID-19 training:

Prior to returning to work on campus:

Each employee must complete a mandatory online orientation session on COVID-19 — Returning to Work on Campus: Protecting Yourself and Others. 
The goal of the session is to ensure that you are familiar with the changes implemented on campus and what you must do daily to ensure your health and safety and that of others when you return to work on campus.

Employees who must work on campus are to complete a health self-evaluation on the Ontario Public Health website.

Find out more about the COVID-19 training.

• Campus health and safety resources from the uOttawa Office of Risk Management:

Description of other health and safety and sanitary precautions that have been implemented on campus such as new signage.

Checklist for Staff and Students during COVID-19

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates posted on September 8 on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

WELLNESS:

• Stop by the uOttawa metal health and wellness website for virtual events to help you enjoy wellness through COVID-19
• Reminder: Our Wellness Office has launched an updated, comprehensive resource page to ensure we offer the resources most relevant and timely to you.
• Please continue to consider how you might benefit from the various wellness resources available from the Faculty Wellness Program and the University - "How to access mental health support from the comfort of your home"

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID 19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

Dear faculty, learners and staff, 

Welcome to a new academic year at the Faculty of Medicine! A new term is always exciting, and I strongly believe that together we will work through each challenge as it comes with patience and understanding for our fellow members. As a tight-knit and resilient community, we can look forward with anticipation to all the promise this year holds. 

I invite you to listen in as Dr. Melissa Forgie, Dr. Alain Stintzi, Dr. Jocelyn Côté, Dr. Manon Denis-LeBlanc and myself share a few words of welcome with our new students, residents and postdoctoral fellows as part of our Fourth Annual Joint Welcome Ceremony. To these new learners as well as all returning members of our community, we’ll enjoy many opportunities to meet, learn and celebrate.  

Start by joining our 169 newly admitted MD students on Wednesday as they recite their oath of professionalism in our first-ever virtual White Coat Ceremony. Learners at our faculty can be proud of all our programs which continue to garner stellar accreditation reports. There are many more occasions to come for us to “gather,” so keep an eye on your inboxes! 

We have maintained our enviable ranking among the top 150 universities in the world. Within the area of Clinical, Preclinical and Health, we rank in the top 100 (76th in 2020 to be exact as per the Times Higher Education world ranking of universities). More reasons to be proud and celebrate our excellence! 

Embarking on this new school year, let’s build on our momentum by shaping our actionable blueprint in support of the Faculty’s strategic plan, which reflects a series of priorities over the next five years including our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion; wellness; professionalism and social accountability. Kindly review the documents I shared with you on August 31 and please provide any feedback to [email protected] by September 16. 

Thank you to all who submitted nominations as part of our COVID-19 Recognition Program; we are currently determining how best to share these heartwarming tales with you. To further guide how the Faculty shows recognition and appreciation to you, I welcome you to complete the recognition survey for staff by September 14, or for faculty members by September 29. 

Read on to see how we’re keeping our teaching and learning on track during these remarkable times while protecting you and your families and maintaining a safe environment for us all. With Ontario hitting pause on its reopening plans and working with Quebec on a unified approach, rest assured that we are diligently adapting our own activities with safety as a primary consideration. 

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we have not faltered in our quest to continue building on research areas of importance to human health. Last week, we announced our inaugural Artificial Intelligence (AI) Seed Funding Program. Plans for our new state-of-the-art Advanced Medical Research Centre are well underway and such a new facility will greatly enhance key research initiatives while also promoting innovation. We are also expanding our innovative educational programs, including a doubling this fall of the student cohort in our Translational and Molecular Medicine (TMM) program and the creation of the first Canadian undergraduate Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program in French outside of Quebec. With so much on the horizon, the future continues to be bright! 

Let’s continue to look after one another; our wellness is precious. Our community is striving to build resources to protect this valuable asset—take advantage of some of the latest in the Wellness section below.  

Remember that you can follow us on Twitter @uOttawaMed for further updates, and visit the uOttawa coronavirus website and the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19. 

Bernard Jasmin, PhD 

Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine 

University of Ottawa 

What’s New? 

FALL 2020 TERM: 

• On September 1, the Office of the Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs and the Office of the Vice President, Finance and Administration released this message: “Important announcements regarding Fall 2020 term.” 

Details include but are not limited to:  

Who is working/studying from home 

Guidelines for face masks 

Free public health kits 

New uOttawa COVID-19 assessment centre 

COVID Alert app 

Important links 

Public health information 

LEARNING TECHNOLOGY: 

• Comparative table on webconferencing tools 

For the fall term, The University of Ottawa supports three video conferencing tools that can be used for synchronous lecture and virtual office hours -- i.e., that allow you to host real-time live connections with your students. 

It is up to the individual professor to evaluate the tools for their own requirements and select the option they feel most effective. 

Find out more about the three tools supported by uOttawa. 

PARKING & SHUTTLE: 

• Return of paid parking on campuses 

Paid parking has resumed on all uOttawa Campuses: 

Daily/visitor/temporary parking is available at Pay & Display machines located in parking lots and garages (credit card only). Temporary parking permits must be displayed on the dash to avoid a ticket. 

Monthly permits may be purchased by credit card online or by debit/credit card in person by appointment only. Cash will not be accepted. Please visit the Parking and Sustainable Transportation website for more details. 

• Shuttle bus service has resumed between RGN and main campus. Please visit the website for schedules and COVID-19 protocols. 

RESEARCH OFFICE:  

• Due to a successful launch of Phase 2 Return to Research, uOttawa Return to Research Task force granted the Faculty of Medicine permission for undergraduate students to begin onsite research starting on September 9.  
• For full details and for updates on research activities at the Faculty of Medicine, visit the Research Office’s dedicated COVID 19 updates page (updated August 24, 2020). 

RETURN TO CAMPUS: 

• From the 21 August edition of the uOttawa Gazette: Will you be on campus this fall? Here is some important information 

uOttawa is getting ready to welcome a reduced number of students back to campus. In this Q&A, Jill Scott, provost and vice-president, academic affairs, discusses what we’re doing to make the return as safe as possible for everyone. 

• Reminder: Masks mandatory in all indoor common spaces on campus: 

Wearing masks is mandatory in all enclosed public spaces. This includes indoor common spaces on our campus, such as hallways, lobbies, stairways, washrooms, and elevators. Personal offices and labs are not considered common spaces and therefore existing protocols remain in place. 

STAFF: 

• Contact Tracing:  

Please ensure your contact information is up to date in case the University needs to reach you as part of contact tracing.  

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME): 

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates posted on September 8 on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page. 

Among their many updates: During this time of uncertainty with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are worried or scared. This is a stressful time for everyone. Please take the necessary health precautions but also take care of your mental health. Reach out to friends and family and look after yourself and others. Social distancing is not equal to isolation. If you feel anxious, scared or have any other mental health concerns, please contact the Student Affairs Office to book an appointment with a counsellor or book an appointment online. 

WELLNESS: 

• On September 4, the Office of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic Affairs, issued the following message: “Invitation to the President's Advisory Committee on Mental Health and Wellness Listening Tour.”: 

Summary: We want to hear from you on the mental health and wellness needs and gaps in our community. Register for one of 10 virtual sessions - the number of spots for each session is limited; if you cannot participate, we hope you will submit your comments on our Website. 

• Some helpful resources: 

Documents with tips on setting up at home: Ergonomics on the go and How should I sit at my computer?  

Morneau/Shepell Toolkits for individuals: Tips for dealing with the ever-changing reality of COVID-19  

Employee and Family Assistance Program  

Tips for parents working at home 

Stay healthy and connected through COVID-19 

Practice showing empathy to yourself and to others - view a short video explaining the difference between empathy and sympathy: Brené Brown on Empathy 

• Wellness Webinar: The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Test of System-Level Physician Wellness 

Thursday, September 10, 2020 – 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

Register for “The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Test of System-Level Physician Wellness” webinar online or by calling 613-798-5555 x10961 

Speakers: Dr. Jane Lemaire, Alicia Polachek, Shannon Ruzycki 

This event is in English only. 

At the end of this session, participants will be able to: 

1. Describe how the existing system-level approach to physician wellness supported physicians during the pandemic 

2. Identify gaps in the system-level physician wellness supports during the pandemic 

3. Identify strategies to improve on system-level physician wellness supports moving forward 

• Wellness Webinar: Physician Health and Wellness in the time of COVID-19: the Canadian Medical Association’s initiatives and future direction 

Thursday, September 24, 2020 – 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

Register for “Physician Health and Wellness in the time of COVID-19: the Canadian Medical Association’s initiatives and future direction” webinar online or by calling 613-798-5555 x10961 

Speaker: Dr. Caroline Gérin-Lajoie, Executive Vice-president, Physician Wellness and Medical Culture, Canadian Medical Association 

This event is in English only. 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Acknowledge the impact of COVID-19 on physician wellbeing  

2. Present the CMA’s physician wellness initiatives and how these can support physician health  

3. Introduce a new focus on Medical Culture and explore how individuals and organization can build healthy cultures to support wellness 

• Stop by the uOttawa metal health and wellness website for virtual events to help you enjoy wellness through COVID-19 
• Reminder: 

Our Wellness Office has launched an updated, comprehensive resource page to ensure we offer the resources most relevant and timely to you. 

• Please continue to consider how you might benefit from the various wellness resources available from the Faculty Wellness Program and the University - "How to access mental health support from the comfort of your home" 

Ongoing: 

OFFICE OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (OCPD): 

• OCPD has developed a COVID-19 Resource site including links to health organizations and specific educational programs such as webinars. 

RECOGNITION: 

• Virtual Awards Ceremony 

Thursday, October 29, 2020 

Join us in our virtual art gallery for our Virtual Awards Ceremony! 

Watch the glittering awards ceremony: cheer for the winners of this year’s Awards of Excellence! Take on a virtual form in the shape of your own personal avatar, and saunter through our exhibition of historic Faculty of Medicine photos. You’re sure to bump into friends and colleagues—in virtual form! Chat and network to the tunes of a DJ. Details to come; watch your inbox. 

RESOURCES FOR RETURNING TO CAMPUS: 

• COVID-19 training: 

Prior to returning to work on campus: 

Each employee must complete a mandatory online orientation session on COVID-19 — Returning to Work on Campus: Protecting Yourself and Others.  
The goal of the session is to ensure that you are familiar with the changes implemented on campus and what you must do daily to ensure your health and safety and that of others when you return to work on campus. 

Employees who must work on campus are to complete a health self-evaluation on the Ontario Public Health website. 

Find out more about the COVID-19 training. 

• Campus health and safety resources from the uOttawa Office of Risk Management: 

Description of other health and safety and sanitary precautions that have been implemented on campus such as new signage. 

Checklist for Staff and Students during COVID-19 

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME): 

• White Coat Ceremony: Call to the Profession 

Wednesday, September 16, 2020 - 2 p.m. 

169 newly admitted students will be our guests of honour at the White Coat Ceremony: Call to the Profession. The pronunciation of the oath of professionalism and their white coat symbolizes their entry into the profession. 

This year, the White Coat Ceremony will be entirely virtual. uOttawa staff, professors and students, as well as family members and friends, are all invited to view the Virtual White Coat Ceremony online. 

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID 19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website. 

Dear faculty, learners and staff,

Playoff hockey in August reminds us that life has not yet returned to normal. I know that many of you continue to face upheaval in your work and personal lives, made more poignant at this time for our diverse set of educators and for parents with children returning to learning of various types this fall. But as summer draws to a close, let’s embark on this new school year with cautious optimism, enthusiasm and hope. 

Let’s together share in the excitement as we prepare to welcome a new cohort of students to our Faculty with virtual open arms at the end of the month. Rest assured that we have spent the summer developing innovative online curricula  for seamless delivery of our rich, high-quality programs to our learners.

At 66% capacity in our labs (33% at any one time) and full steam ahead with our research, the Faculty continues to perform. The future is promising with our new Advanced Medical Research Centre (AMRC) on the horizon and a five-year, $40-million investment in 58 newly minted clinical research chairs, including a significant investment in our junior researchers. These fine individuals are our future—let’s congratulate and support them as they drive clinical research excellence and contribute to our enviable rankings and reputation. 

Speaking of support, we’ve created an opportunity for you to acknowledge the heroism and selflessness of your colleagues who overcame these challenges we never saw coming. Who has gone to extraordinary lengths to help the Faculty handle the pandemic with grace and professionalism? Consider nominating your peers by August 31 as part of the COVID-19 Recognition Program to give well-deserved credit where it is due.

I hope you had a chance to enjoy last month’s uOMedTalks, where I outlined our achievements as a Faculty and highlighted the many ways in which this pandemic has brought out the best in us. In addition, the Research Office is pleased to announce the results of its inaugural Artificial Intelligence (AI) Seed Funding Program. I remain in awe of the wonderful team that is the Faculty of Medicine, and the ways in which we continue to pull together. 

Please continue to follow us on Twitter @uOttawaMed for further updates, and take a moment to visit the uOttawa coronavirus website and the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19.
 

Bernard Jasmin, PhD

Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine

University of Ottawa

What’s New?

COVID-19 CASE AT RGN:

• On August 5, the Faculty of Medicine issued the message “COVID-19 case at RGN”: Upon learning of the case of a uOttawa employee who had worked at Roger Guindon Hall on August 1 testing positive for COVID-19, Dean Bernard Jasmin immediately issued a message to the FoM community. He assured them that the risk of further transmission arising from this case was deemed low; outlined cleaning measures and steps being taken for contact tracing; and reminded members of the safety protocols in place regarding COVID-19 on campus.

RECOGNITION:

• Virtual Awards Ceremony
  Thursday, October 29, 2020

Join us in our virtual art gallery for our Virtual Awards Ceremony!

Watch the glittering awards ceremony: cheer for the winners of this year’sAwards of Excellence, and hear stories of the exceptional achievements and humanitarian efforts of Faculty of Medicine faculty members, learners and staff who have gone above and beyond during the pandemic, shared with us via the Faculty of Medicine COVID-19 Recognition Program.

Take on a virtual form in the shape of your own personal avatar, and saunter through our exhibition of historic Faculty of Medicine photos. You’re sure to bump into friends and colleagues — virtually! Chat and network to the tunes of a DJ. Details to come: watch your inbox!

RESEARCH OFFICE: 

• The Faculty of Medicine has now moved to Phase 2 Return to Research for Roger Guindon Hall and Peter Morand Campus. Please visit our website for details and Frequently Asked Questions around safe return.

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates posted on August 19 on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

WELLNESS:

• Live webinar for all uOttawa employees—Essential Tools from a Trauma Expert: Managing Secondary Trauma, Moral Distress & Compassion Fatigue During COVID-19.

Wednesday, August 26, 2020 – 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (English)

Thursday, August 27, 2020 - 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (French)

Inspired by Françoise Mathieu’s TEDX Talk, this webinar explores the concept of exquisite empathy and provides evidence-informed tools to help you rapidly return to a healthy baseline during times of crisis.
Register for Essential Tools from a Trauma Expert (English)

Register for Essential Tools from a Trauma Expert (French)

Stress is present in our lives at this time. We must take care of ourselves and of others in our professional and personal lives. As we are about to begin the 2020–2021 academic year, we wish to offer you tools and strategies to continuing to build resilience and awareness and instill trust in your relationships. 

This webinar, combined with other available resources provided by Human Resources, will equip you with strategies, tools and knowledge to increase your resilience and assist you in the important work that you do.

• The Faculty Wellness Program would like to share the following information developed by Jon S. Novick and the Ontario Medical Association Physician Health Program (OMA-PHP). 6 tips for supporting a colleague - “LISTEN”:

L — LOOK. Does you colleague appear, sound or act differently? Physicians are well-practiced at managing their outward emotions which can hide the impact of stress. The outward signs may be subtle despite the degree of distress.

I — INQUIRE. Ask your colleague how she or he is feeling. A simple “Are you all right?” goes a long way.

S — START a conversation. Tell your colleague what you have noticed and express your concern.

T — TAKE the TIME. It helps to make some time and space to listen, and make sure you are ready. While there won’t be a perfect moment to start a discussion with your colleague, do try to find a safe space and make the extra time to allow for some discussion.

E — EMPATHIZE. Remember this is different than sympathy. Consider your colleague’s experience from within her or his shoes. Don’t be too quick to share your “I know just how you feel” stories. You may think you are demonstrating empathy by relating to their experience through one of your own; however, your colleague’s concerns may get drowned out.

N — NEXT STEPS. As a helping professional trained to diagnose and cure, you may want to jump in, identify the problem, and offer a remedy. Offering support and listening can be more helpful than solving. It is an approach grounded in compassion.

• Wellness Seminar Series: The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Test of System-Level Physician Wellness

Thursday, September 10, 2020 – 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Register for “The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Test of System-Level Physician Wellness” webinar online or by calling 613-798-5555 x10961

Speakers: Dr. Jane Lemaire, Alicia Polachek, Shannon Ruzycki

This event is in English only.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe how the existing system-level approach to physician wellness supported physicians during the pandemic

2. Identify gaps in the system-level physician wellness supports during the pandemic

3. Identify strategies to improve on system-level physician wellness supports moving forward

• Wellness Seminar Series: More Feet on the Ground

For all faculty members, residents, graduate and postdoctoral students in the basic science and the clinical departments.

The goal is to help you better understand mental health on campus. This course prepares you to support students on your campus who may be living with mental health concerns.

Participants are asked to complete an online 30-minute training before attending the virtual debrief: 

Monday, August 24, 2020 – 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

This resource was developed by the Council of Ontario Universities and the Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health, which is funded by the Ontario government.

Please register for More feet on the Ground here. 

• Reminder: Our Wellness Office has launched an updated, comprehensive resource page to ensure we offer the resources most relevant and timely to you.
• Please continue to consider how you might benefit from the various wellness resources available from the Faculty Wellness Program and the University - "How to access mental health support from the comfort of your home"

UOTTAWA PARKING:

• Paid parking on campus will resume on September 1, 2020. Due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 situation, monthly permits will be the only type of permit available until further notice. This means that parking permits must be re-purchased online or by appointment each month. You will then need to print the permit and place it on your dashboard. 
• Online permit sales will be available soon, and in-person appointments will begin on August 31. Pre-sale begins five business days before the end of the month. 
• Although parking permit and payroll deduction has been suspended, rest assured that we will retain your previous lot assignment within our system.
• Should you require further information, do not hesitate to contact [email protected] or visit the parking info web page.

Ongoing:

OFFICE OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (OCPD):

• OCPD has developed a COVID-19 Resource site including links to health organizations and specific educational programs such as webinars.

RECOGNITION

• Deadline approaching!

FACULTY OF MEDICINE COVID-19 RECOGNITION PROGRAM:

Nominations are open for the Faculty of Medicine COVID-19 Recognition Program.

Recognize the exceptional achievements and humanitarian efforts of Faculty of Medicine faculty members, learners and staff who have gone above and beyond during COVID-19. 

Find out more about the program here, and submit your nominations to [email protected] by August 31, 2020.

RETURN TO CAMPUS:

• Masks mandatory in all indoor common spaces on campus:

Wearing masks is now mandatory in all enclosed public spaces. This includes indoor common spaces on our campus, such as hallways, lobbies, stairways, washrooms, and elevators. Personal offices and labs are not considered common spaces and therefore existing protocols remain in place.

RESOURCES FOR RETURNING TO CAMPUS:

• COVID-19 training:

Prior to returning to work on campus:

Each employee must complete a mandatory online orientation session onCOVID-19 — Returning to Work on Campus: Protecting Yourself and Others. 
The goal of the session is to ensure that you are familiar with the changes implemented on campus and what you must do daily to ensure your health and safety and that of others when you return to work on campus.

Employees who must work on campus are to complete ahealth self-evaluation on the Ontario Public Health website.

Find out more about the COVID-19 training.

• Campus health and safety resources from the uOttawa Office of Risk Management:

Description of other health and safety and sanitary precautions that have been implemented on campus such as new signage.

Checklist for Staff and Students during COVID-19

COVID FRONTLINE WELLNESS:

• COVID Frontline Wellness provides confidential access to services and tools to support your mental well-being. The service is led by The Royal in collaboration with community partners. 
• Book an appointment online and a clinician will call you to listen, provide support and connect you with the services that are right for you. To book go to: www.theroyal.ca/covid-frontline-wellness
• Services are available in English and French to any resident of Ontario who works in a hospital, long-term care facility, retirement or group home, paramedic service, primary care or community health care setting. 

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID 19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

What’s New?

COVID-19 RESEARCH:

• Protect your research from cyber-attacks:

All Faculty of Medicine faculty members and support staff are required to complete uOttawa’s Digital Self-Defence Training. 

What is IT security awareness training?

Register for Digital Self-Defence Training.

RECOGNITION

• FACULTY OF MEDICINE COVID-19 RECOGNITION PROGRAM:

We want to hear your stories of colleagues in the Faculty going above and beyond to help others adapt to a changing world during the COVID-19 pandemic!

In an effort to recognize our learners, faculty members and support staff during this unprecedented and challenging time, the Faculty of Medicine has created a recognition program to show its appreciation for their dedication, productivity and inspiration. The recognition program is divided into two streams (below) and we welcome nominations for both streams and for all groups (learners, faculty members and support staff), including individuals and teams.

Stream 1: Exceptional achievements in productivity/operations

Overview: To recognize individuals and/or teams that were able to produce significant results while facing roadblocks and unknowns. It may include projects completed in a very short timeframe – processes that would normally have taken weeks or months reduced to days or few weeks to ensure business continuity during the COVID-19 crisis. It will also highlight how they were able to develop creative solutions and continue providing great service to their customers (internal or external).

Stream 2: Outstanding humanitarian efforts

Overview: To recognize those competencies most valued during a crisis, such as commitment, resiliency, compassion, integrity and resolve. It will honor individuals and/or teams who have positively impacted the lives of their coworkers during the isolation period of COVID-19. This would highlight the humanity that FoM team members have shown towards each other.

In order to submit a story/nomination, please provide us with the names of the nominees, their email address and a brief description (250-500 words) of their efforts, and send it to [email protected].  The submission deadline is August 31, 2020.

Submitted stories may be featured in Faculty communications and the text may be edited or used verbatim. Certain stories may be selected for formal awards to be featured in an awards ceremony.

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates posted on July 23 on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA:

• On July 20, the University released the message “COVID-19 case low risk to campus community.”

Summary: The University is taking additional steps to protect the health and safety of its campus community following information today that an individual on campus has tested positive for COVID-19. Ottawa Public Health has been informed and the University’s Emergency Operations Centre has determined that the risk is very low, and it is safe for people to be on campus.

Ongoing:

OFFICE OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (OCPD):

• OCPD has developed a COVID-19 Resource site including links to health organizations and specific educational programs such as webinars.

RESEARCH OFFICE: 

• Masks are now mandatory in all indoor common spaces on campus. See details in “Return to Campus” section below.
• For updates on research activities at the Faculty of Medicine, visit the Research Office’s dedicated COVID 19 updates page (updated July 13, 2020).

RETURN TO CAMPUS:

• Masks mandatory in all indoor common spaces on campus:

Wearing masks is now mandatory in all enclosed public spaces. This includes indoor common spaces on our campus, such as hallways, lobbies, stairways, washrooms, and elevators. Personal offices and labs are not considered common spaces and therefore existing protocols remain in place.

RESOURCES FOR RETURNING TO CAMPUS:

• COVID-19 training:

Prior to returning to work on campus:

Each employee must complete a mandatory online orientation session on COVID-19 — Returning to Work on Campus: Protecting Yourself and Others. 
The goal of the session is to ensure that you are familiar with the changes implemented on campus and what you must do daily to ensure your health and safety and that of others when you return to work on campus.

Employees who must work on campus are to complete a health self-evaluation on the Ontario Public Health website.

Find out more about the COVID-19 training.

• Campus health and safety resources from the uOttawa Office of Risk Management:

Description of other health and safety and sanitary precautions that have been implemented on campus such as new signage.

Checklist for Staff and Students during COVID-19

WELLNESS:

• Wellness Seminar Series: More Feet on the Ground

For faculty members in the basic science and the clinical departments.

The goal is to help you better understand mental health on campus. This course prepares you to support students on your campus who may be living with mental health concerns.

Participants are asked to complete an online 30-minute training before attending the virtual debrief: 

Monday, August 24, 2020 – 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

This resource was developed by the Council of Ontario Universities and the Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health, which is funded by the Ontario government.

Please register for More feet on the Ground here. 

• Reminder:

Our Wellness Office has launched an updated, comprehensive resource page to ensure we offer the resources most relevant and timely to you.

Please continue to consider how you might benefit from the various wellness resources available from the Faculty Wellness Program and the University - "How to access mental health support from the comfort of your home".

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID 19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

Dear faculty, learners and staff,

I trust that you enjoyed earlier this month the extra vacation days granted by the University president, and took the time to celebrate not only Canada, but also the work we are doing as a faculty, a community and a country to surmount this year’s challenges.

We are not out of the woods, but I am proud of the progress we are making in our research, in safeguarding our wellness, and in playing our role in helping Canada shine on the world stage with our efforts to keep our populations safe. For example, we are now in Phase 1.5 of our return-to-research, with labs permitted to have up to 66% of their staff on-site over the course of a day. Below I share more updates with you on these topics and more to help you stay current and continue to keep yourselves, your family and your colleagues safe.

With the new, and for some of you daily, reality of webinars, online teaching and virtual meetings, you may feel you never leave your screen. Be sure to take breaks from your computers and devices to relax and rest your eyes. Ottawa is a beautiful city in the summertime—grab a mask and go see it! For those of you heading off soon on holidays, I wish you a well-deserved rest.

According to uOttawa’s Stay Healthy and Connected wellness survey, the majority of respondents appreciate the University’s communications on COVID-19, and most administrative and support staff are finding working remotely a positive experience. How do you feel about your own experiences, and about how we at the Faculty of Medicine are communicating with you? I welcome you to share your thoughts with me at [email protected].

Please continue to follow us on Twitter @uOttawaMed for further updates, and take a moment to visit the uOttawa coronavirus website and the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19.

Bernard Jasmin, PhD

Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine

University of Ottawa

What’s New?

COVID-19 RESEARCH:

• Dr. Peter Liu, Department of Medicine professor and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute’s chief scientific officer and vice president of research, is receiving upwards of $1.1 million ($1,176,019) in support through the COVID-19 May 2020 Rapid Research Funding Opportunity. As PI, Dr. Liu will spearhead an important research project alongside colleagues at the UOHI, in Canada, and internationally: Improving Outcomes in Individuals with COVID-19 with Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibition: The COVID-RASi Trial. Read the Government of Canada's Press Release.

• Making Your COVID-19 Related Publications Open Access:

Many are now doing research that will contribute to the fight against COVID-19 and its repercussions, with the results leading to publications that will need to be openly accessible in order to maximize their impact. Therefore, uOttawa would like to remind you that the uOttawa Library offers an online institutional repository where you can deposit your publications: uO Research. Uploading your publications into uO Research allows easy access to your publications by potential knowledge users who might not subscribe to peer-reviewed journals and it is also a good way to catalogue the research conducted by uOttawa researchers.

• Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) program information in relation to COVID-19:

NSERC has created a resource on their website where you can find all the latest news on how NSERC is adjusting its programs and operations to support their community during the pandemic. Be sure to visit this program information page regularly to stay informed. Read NSERC’s latest 'Contact' newsletter.

RESEARCH OFFICE:

• Masks are now mandatory in all indoor common spaces on campus. See details in “Return to Campus” section below.
• The Faculty of Medicine’s Phase 1.5 Return to Research began July 6. For updates on research activities at the Faculty of Medicine, visit the Research Office’s dedicated COVID 19 updates page (updated July 13, 2020).

• On that page, you can also find answers to commonly asked questions concerning:

Suspected or confirmed COVID-19 illness

Moving equipment

Procedures of return to research

Covid-19 training

How to enter and exit RGN

Physical distancing and other safety measures

Child care and special accommodations 

Those who are pregnant or otherwise medically vulnerable

Those who are returning to Ottawa from a different city, province or country 

And other questions from research staff and trainees

RETURN TO CAMPUS:

• The uOttawa Communications Directorate issued the following message on July 7: “Masks are now mandatory in all indoor common spaces on campus.”

Summary: On July 6, the City of Ottawa’s Medical Officer, Dr. Vera Etches, announced that wearing masks is now mandatory in all enclosed public spaces. This includes indoor common spaces on our campus, such as hallways, lobbies, stairways, washrooms, and elevators. Personal offices and labs are not considered common spaces and therefore existing protocols remain in place.

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates posted on July 9 on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

WELLNESS:

• Webinar: We Are All in This Together: Principles for Supporting Psychological Wellbeing in the Workplace during COVID

Wednesday, July 29, 2020 – 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Register for “We Are All in This Together” webinar online or by calling 613-798-5555 x10961

Speaker: Dr. Julie Maggi, director, Postgraduate Wellness Office, Post MD Education, and COVID-19 Faculty Wellness Coordinator, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto

This event is in English only.

• Resident Doctors of Canada (RDoC) - Resident resiliency curriculum:

Now a one-hour webinar! Sign up for RDoC’s new resiliency webinar

“Open” sessions will be scheduled regularly over the next few months and posted on RDoC’s resiliency webinar page. All residents are welcome to sign up.

• The Code 99 program:

The Code 99 program encourages and facilitates physicians, faculty, students and trainees to obtain a family physician. The term “Code 99” is meant to signal that a physician is in need of urgent assistance.

Family physicians interested in providing care to colleagues are invited to contact the Faculty Wellness Program to be included as a resource. Pediatricians or other specialists are welcome to join as well.

All uOttawa Faculty of Medicine staff, students, trainees and faculty can also register at uOttawa Health Services for a family physician. Note: In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, governments and organizations in many locations are taking preventive measures to promote physical distancing as a means of containing the virus. The goal, at the moment, is to contain the virus and keep our patients, providers and staff safe. To that end, and unless otherwise instructed, most appointments (including walk-in clinic appointments) will be conducted virtually.

• Wellness Seminar Series: More Feet on the Ground

For faculty members in the basic science and the clinical departments.

The goal is to help you better understand mental health on campus. This course prepares you to support students on your campus who may be living with mental health concerns.

Participants are asked to complete an online 30-minute training, and can then register for the virtual debrief which will be held on: 

Monday, August 24, 2020 – 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

This resource was developed by the Council of Ontario Universities and the Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health, which is funded by the Ontario government.

Access the online training here. From there, log in (if you already have an account) or register/create a new one and select the University of Ottawa from the drop-down menu.

• On June 29, the office of the provost and vice-president, academic affairs, released this message: “uOttawa takes further steps to promote to mental health and wellness on campus.”

Summary: “I am pleased to announce the appointment of a new University Advisor on Mental Health and Wellness, Professor Elizabeth Kristjansson. One of her primary tasks is to develop and implement a long-term strategy for achieving mental health and wellness at the University. This summer, the University intends to implement another…recommendation: to become a signatory of the Okanagan Charter, a major international initiative to support health promotion in post-secondary education. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is clearer than ever that we must proactively promote health and wellness throughout our community, and with each of these steps we enhance our capacity and commitment to doing so.”

• The Royal launches A Guide to Moral Injury:

The Centre of Excellence on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder at The Royal and Phoenix Australia – Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health have co-developed A Guide to Moral Injury that addresses the stresses that health care workers face working during COVID-19. A practical resource for health care workers and organizations, the guide:

i) defines moral injury;

ii) lays out the stressors and harms that may lead to moral injury, focusing on those prevalent in the health care setting related to COVID-19;

iii) provides a framework for managing events in the workplace that can lead to moral injury; and

iv) outlines actions that can be taken at the organizational, team, and individual levels to mitigate and reduce the harms that can lead to moral injury.

Consult A Guide to Moral Injury.

Read an article on moral injury from The Canadian Press.

• On June 29, the office of the associate vice-president of human resources released this message: “’Stay Healthy and Connected Wellness’ survey results.”

Summary: The University had a 30% response rate to its Stay Healthy and Connected wellness survey. Information shared by participants will allow the University to better support the community during these challenging times. Somethings are going well, and some things need attention. Please visit the dedicated Stay Healthy and Connected section on the Mental Health and Wellness site to access the survey results, as well as the information and resources that may help you cope with the personal and professional challenges related to the pandemic. These helpful resources will expand as we continue to adapt to the uncertainties of the pandemic.

• Reminder:

Our Wellness Office has launched an updated, comprehensive resource page to ensure we offer the resources most relevant and timely to you.

Please continue to consider how you might benefit from the various wellness resources available from the Faculty Wellness Program and the University - "How to access mental health support from the comfort of your home".

Ongoing:

OFFICE OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (OCPD):

• OCPD has developed a COVID-19 Resource site including links to health organizations and specific educational programs such as webinars.

RESOURCES FOR RETURNING TO CAMPUS:

• COVID-19 training:

Prior to returning to work on campus:

Each employee must complete a mandatory online orientation session on COVID-19 — Returning to Work on Campus: Protecting Yourself and Others. 
The goal of the session is to ensure that you are familiar with the changes implemented on campus and what you must do daily to ensure your health and safety and that of others when you return to work on campus.

Employees who must work on campus are to complete a health self-evaluation on the Ontario Public Health website.

Find out more about the COVID-19 training.

• Campus health and safety resources from the uOttawa Office of Risk Management:

Description of other health and safety and sanitary precautions that have been implemented on campus such as new signage.

Checklist for Staff and Students during COVID-19

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID 19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

What’s New?

LIFE WITH COVID-19:

• COVID-Spectrum panel discussion webinar series:

COVID-Spectrum, in partnership with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, have created a community outreach platform, part of which is the COVID-Spectrum panel discussion webinar series.

The COVID-19 global pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has affected not just the health care system, but every aspect of day to day living, including the media consumed by an anxious public. In this extraordinary time, communicating science accurately, increasing scrutiny of information being disseminated and shared, providing a guiding hand in explaining and placing new information in its proper context, is of extremely high value to our public.

Coming up:

The Effects of COVID-19 on Research

Monday, July 6, 12:00 p.m.

Register for The Effects of COVID-19 on Research starting June 26

Panel:

Dr. Alejandro Adem, NSERC

Dr. Charu Kaushic, McMaster University $ Institute of Infection & Immunity CIHR

Dr. Jodi Edwards, University of Ottawa and Univerity of Ottawa Heart Institute

Dr. Alexandre Mebazaa, Assistance publique des hôpitaux de Paris & University of Paris & INSERM

Description:

Pandemics, specifically the current COVID-19 pandemic, often set the stage and drive global research into new directions. To produce meaningful gains in research knowledge, new actions and studies in this area must be conducted using coordinated and multidisciplinary approaches, involving a variety of subject matter disciplines. There must be a clear and effective translation of knowledge in this matter, gained through studies and experiences, to members of the broader community. Balanced, rigour and efficiency of information sharing must be established considering the rapidity at which knowledge will continue to be generated. In light of these considerations, the objectives of this workshop are to:

1. Examine current knowledge gaps and highlight opportunities for future research in this area.

2. Highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to advancing knowledge while considering EDI as a core value.

3. Discuss ideas that can help the community and general public deal with the realities that COVID-19 reflects on the future direction of research.

View COVID-SPECTRUM’s past webinars:

The Economy during COVID-19

Mental Health during COVID-19

Or follow COVID-Spectrum’s YouTube channel

Coming soon: The Effects of COVID-19 on Education

HOLIDAY/WEEKEND PROTOCOLS FOR JULY 2 – 3

• Please note that following the July 1st national holiday, the University of Ottawa has granted July 2nd and 3rd as official holidays. As such, holiday / weekend protocols will apply on these days. 

Please note the RGN reception desk will not operate from July 1 – 5. Similar to weekend access, please make arrangements in advance if you require facemasks for these dates. Additional facemasks will be provided on July 29th and 30th if requested. Though the reception desk will not be open, cardkey entry will still be monitored during this period to ensure Phase 1 Return-to-Research occupancy limits are adhered too.  

We ask that you reach out to relevant core facilities if you were planning any work during this time or if you need support. They will work with you on a case by case basis to accommodate your work where possible.  

For any questions related to human resources, please contact Jennifer Dale [email protected].

RETURN TO CAMPUS FAQ:

• FAQ from the Research Office (updated June 22)

STAFF:

• On Tuesday, the office of the president released this message: “July 2-3 are holidays in gratitude for your commitment.”
• Summary: “Over the past several months your extraordinary dedication and resilience have enabled uOttawa to continue operating effectively and safely despite the disruptions caused by COVID‑19. In gratitude for your commitment and hard work all employees will be given July 2 and 3 as holidays. These are stressful times and we all need a break.”

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates posted yesterday on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

There are a multitude of updates and we encourage you to review these latest developments.

UOTTAWA GLOBAL HEALTH:

• Bruyère Talks Research: COVID– 19 Edition webinar series

The Equity Causes and Impacts of the Cargill COVID-19 Outbreak Among Newcomers in Canada

Thursday, June 25, 2020 – 1:00 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Register for The Equity Causes and Impacts of the Cargill COVID-19 Outbreak Among Newcomers in Canada

Bruyere RI Investigator Kevin Pottie, along with Gabriel Fabreau (University of Calgary), will be discussing The Equity Causes and Impacts of the Cargill COVID-19 Outbreak Among Newcomers in Canada.

WELLNESS:

• On Tuesday, the office of the provost and vice-president, academic affairs of the University of Ottawa released this message: “uOttawa reaffirms its commitment to improving its mental health services.”

Summary: Over the last few months, uOttawa’s Advisory Committee on mental Health and Wellness has consulted with stakeholders on and off campus and has conducted an environmental scan of best practices among Canadian post-secondary institutions. Last week the Committee submitted a preliminary report to President Jacques Frémont and me (Jill Scott). The report includes important recommendations aimed at addressing pressing needs raised by our students, staff and faculty in relation to mental health and wellness.

Read the preliminary recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Mental Health and Wellness.

Ongoing:

OFFICE OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (OCPD):

• OCPD has developed a COVID-19 Resource site including links to health organizations and specific educational programs such as webinars.
• Faculty of Medicine Webinar Series:

Experience on the Covid-19 dedicated ward at the Ottawa Hospital

Monday, June 29, 2020 - 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Register online for Experience on the Covid-19 dedicated ward at the Ottawa Hospital or by calling 613-798-5555 x10961.

Invited Speakers: Dr. Samantha Halman

By the end of the session, participants will:

1. Gain an understanding of the logistics behind the development and implementation of a Covid-19 dedicated ward

2. Appreciate the challenges and benefits of working on a Covid-19 dedicated ward

3. Discuss the importance of teamwork in pandemic management

RESEARCH OFFICE

• Faculty of Medicine COVID-19 Pandemic Response Funding Program

On Monday, June 15, all faculty, staff and learners received an email notification of the following:

The Faculty of Medicine is pleased to launch the COVID-19 Pandemic Response Funding Program. The goal of this program is to broadly support new COVID-19 initiatives that will contribute to urgent efforts to accelerate the development, testing and implementation of medical, educational, social, and/or policy countermeasures to mitigate the rapid spread of the SARS CoV-2 virus and/or its negative consequences on Canadians and globally. 

Applicants can be faculty, learners, or staff with a primary affiliation to the Faculty of Medicine. Applications can request between $2,000 and $50,000 to be used over 1-2 years. Applications will be peer-reviewed by a least 3 independent reviewers with final evaluation and recommendation to the Dean by the COVID-19 Pandemic Response Funding Committee. Further details can be found in the Terms of Reference.

Please submit your applications to [email protected] by no later Wednesday, July 15, 2020.  

You can find the Terms of Reference and the application form in June 15th’s email, or contact [email protected] for a copy.

If you have any questions about this funding program, please contact [email protected].

• 2020 Faculty of Medicine Awards of Excellence

Please consider nominating one of your colleagues, teachers, or mentors for the 2020 Faculty of Medicine Awards of Excellence by July 31, 2020 through viewing these competition details.

The 24 Awards of Excellence reflect the Faculty’s five strategic priorities: Education, Research, Engagement, Francophonie, and Internationalization and Global Health, and will be granted to nominees who have earned distinction for themselves and for the University through their exceptional work in these areas. 

If you have any questions regarding the awards process, please contact Mélanie Rioux from the Research Office ([email protected]). 

RESOURCES FOR RETURNING TO CAMPUS:

• COVID-19 training:

Prior to returning to work on campus:

Each employee must complete a mandatory online orientation session on COVID-19 — Returning to Work on Campus: Protecting Yourself and Others. 
The goal of the session is to ensure that you are familiar with the changes implemented on campus and what you must do daily to ensure your health and safety and that of others when you return to work on campus.

Employees who must work on campus are to complete a health self-evaluation on the Ontario Public Health website.

Find out more about the COVID-19 training.

• Campus health and safety resources from the uOttawa Office of Risk Management:

Description of other health and safety and sanitary precautions that have been implemented on campus such as new signage.

Checklist for Staff and Students during COVID-19

COVID-19 RESEARCH:

• Have you received funding for COVID-19 research? We invite you to share the details of your COVID -19 research project (50-word summary) so that we can continue to promote our role in the collaborative research efforts across the nation and worldwide.

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID 19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

Dear faculty, learners and staff,

Congratulations to our graduates! Tuesday marked the Faculty’s convocation ceremony, held virtually for the very first time. Learners in all programs graduated together at the same ceremony, another first in our history. I am so proud to be your dean at this remarkable time. I encourage you to view this moving, unprecedented ceremony if you haven’t already.

Afterwards, many of you joined me and the Executive Leadership Team at the town hall, where we provided updates on operational and COVID-related matters. I will share some COVID highlights here.

The strategic plan and action blueprint are moving forward despite the interruptions of the pandemic. Unfortunately, we will not know the full effects of COVID on our budget until student registration numbers from all faculties are tallied by central uOttawa in early fall. Meanwhile, construction on our research tower is planned to start as early as next year concurrent with the RGN retrofit.

Our medical students return to clinic on July 6, and Dr. Melissa Forgie has been in the trenches sorting out the details of safely bringing them back into the clinical environment. We are grateful to the hospitals for working closely with us on solutions.

The redeployment of residents has been successful, allowing our trainees to acquire the competencies they need while keeping the public safe and helping decrease the backlog of those needing care. Many thanks to all faculty who have been involved.

We have been in Phase 1 for a week now with our return-to-research; if all goes smoothly, 66% occupancy may be possible by end of August or early September, but we will have to pay close attention to the world around us. For those working virtually, our COO, Michelle Émard, has been very active in helping those who require equipment for at-home research or online teaching. Staff will only return to work as necessary, beginning with services that impact the learner experience. It is expected that most if not all staff will return in the fall months.

On Monday, the Faculty launched the COVID 19 pandemic response program, supporting a broad array of initiatives including not only research, but educational initiatives and others. Send your projects our way!

Our Faculty Affairs office has been proactively developing its Wellness Program. The team is very attuned to the needs of the community and has put into place even more programs in the face of COVID – be sure to see if their comprehensive list of resources benefits you.

Continuing Professional Development has been responsive to the requirements of COVID and has offered many relevant seminars. Events cancelled in spring are converting to online, and look out for webinars on online teaching, language support (in conjunction with Francophone Affairs) and more. The team is also revamping the medical education series in the fall.

This faculty makes me very proud, and I thank all learners, faculty members and staff for all the work we have been doing together over my last three years as your dean. But I am especially very thankful for the work, dedication and support of leadership as we face together this unexpected challenge. Our faculty shines once again and will continue to do so based on our strategic plan and our dedication to excellence in education and research.  Together, we are:

“Leading Innovation for a Healthier World”!

Please continue to follow us on Twitter @uOttawaMed for further updates, and take a moment to visit the uOttawa coronavirus website and the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19.

Bernard Jasmin, PhD

Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine

University of Ottawa

What’s New?

EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION (EDI):

• The EDI office is hosting a webinar:  

Medicine, Inequities and Black Lives

Wednesday, June 24, 2020 - 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Register online or by calling 613-798-5555 x10961.

Invited speaker: Onye Nnorom, MDCM, CCFP, MPH, FRCPC

Description: As Canadians, we have been hesitant to explore how racism works as a driver of social and health inequities. Using the Black community and anti-Black racism as a case example, Dr. Nnorom will discuss how racism impacts people's health. Promising practices for addressing systemic racism in academic settings and healthcare will also be reviewed. 

Questions: [email protected]

OFFICE OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (OCPD):

• OCPD has developed a COVID-19 Resource site including links to health organizations and specific educational programs such as webinars.

Coming up:

Crafting an effective virtual flipped classroom

Wednesday, June 24, 2020 – 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Register online or by calling 613-798-5555 x10961.

Overview: Stella Yiu

Course description:

Medical educators have proposed using flipped classroom to encourage active, in-depth learning for students. In this interactive webinar, we will go through how to craft an effective flipped classroom using evidence-based educational research, with particular adaptation for the virtual environment

By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Select appropriate existing pre-class materials

2. Apply strategies to increase student preparation

3. Build virtual classroom activities to encourage higher order thinking

• Faculty of Medicine Webinar Series:

Staying Safe via Simulation: COVID Readiness in the Operating Room

Wednesday June 24, 2020 - 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – Register online or by calling 613-798-5555 x10961.

Invited speakers: Dr. Michelle Chiu; Dr. Amy Fraser; Dr. Simone Crooks

Description: Surgery doesn't stop for anything - not even COVID-19. University of Ottawa anesthesiologists faced an unprecedented challenge in March 2020: develop new operating room protocols, train hundreds of operating room staff to immediately care for patients in new and unfamiliar ways, and find a way to keep everyone safe...in less than one week. Join our webinar to see what we did, and how we did it!

Experience on the Covid-19 dedicated ward at the Ottawa Hospital

Monday, June 29, 2020 - 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.– Register online or by calling 613-798-5555 x10961.

Invited Speakers: Dr. Samantha Halman

By the end of the session, participants will:

1. Gain an understanding of the logistics behind the development and implementation of a Covid-19 dedicated ward

2. Appreciate the challenges and benefits of working on a Covid-19 dedicated ward

3. Discuss the importance of teamwork in pandemic management

RESEARCH OFFICE

• Faculty of Medicine COVID-19 Pandemic Response Funding Program

On Monday, June 15, all faculty, staff and learners received an email notification of the following:

The Faculty of Medicine is pleased to launch the COVID-19 Pandemic Response Funding Program. The goal of this program is to broadly support new COVID-19 initiatives that will contribute to urgent efforts to accelerate the development, testing and implementation of medical, educational, social, and/or policy countermeasures to mitigate the rapid spread of the SARS CoV-2 virus and/or its negative consequences on Canadians and globally. 

Applicants can be faculty, learners, or staff with a primary affiliation to the Faculty of Medicine. Applications can request between $2,000 and $50,000 to be used over 1-2 years. Applications will be peer-reviewed by a least 3 independent reviewers with final evaluation and recommendation to the Dean by the COVID-19 Pandemic Response Funding Committee. Further details can be found in the Terms of Reference.

Please submit your applications to [email protected] by no later Wednesday, July 15, 2020.  

You can find the Terms of Reference and the application form in Monday’s email, or contact [email protected] for a copy.

If you have any questions about this funding program, please contact [email protected].

• 2020 Faculty of Medicine Awards of Excellence

The Faculty of Medicine is pleased to announce that the 2020 Faculty of Medicine Awards of Excellence are now open for nominations. 

This has been a remarkable year at the Faculty of Medicine, with countless faculty members standing out as heroes. We invite you to take this opportunity to show your appreciation for your colleagues and their exceptional dedication and contributions during a period of our history we will never forget.

The 24 awards reflect the Faculty’s five strategic priorities: Education, Research, Engagement, Francophonie, and Internationalization and Global Health, and will be granted to nominees who have earned distinction for themselves and for the University through their exceptional work in these areas. 

Please consider nominating one of your colleagues, teachers, or mentors by July 31, 2020 through viewing these competition details.

If you have any questions regarding the awards process, please contact Mélanie Rioux from the Research Office ([email protected]). 

SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY:

• The Faculty's Social Accountability Environmental Scan is currently underway. Faculty and staff may receive a request from Dr. Claire Kendall (Assistant Dean, Social Accountability) to provide a brief description or documentation about any initiatives related to community engagement in the next couple of weeks. Please feel free to proactively reach out to our team to have your initiative included by emailing [email protected] and [email protected].

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates expected to be posted today on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

WELLNESS

• New Wellness Support Line launches to help Canadian physicians and medical learners:

In recognition of the unique demands COVID-19 is placing on the medical profession, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is launching a new Wellness Support Line.

Find out more.

Learn more about the services in our region.

Ongoing:

RETURN TO CAMPUS FAQ:

• FAQ from the Research Office
• Read Central uOttawa’s statement, “First step towards a progressive return on campus.”

RESOURCES FOR RETURNING TO CAMPUS:

• COVID-19 training:

Prior to returning to work on campus:

Each employee must complete a mandatory online orientation session on COVID-19 — Returning to Work on Campus: Protecting Yourself and Others. 
The goal of the session is to ensure that you are familiar with the changes implemented on campus and what you must do daily to ensure your health and safety and that of others when you return to work on campus.

Employees who must work on campus are to complete a health self-evaluation on the Ontario Public Health website.

Find out more here.

• Campus health and safety resources from the uOttawa Office of Risk Management:

Description of other health and safety and sanitary precautions that have been implemented on campus such as new signage.

Checklist for Staff and Students during COVID-19

COVID-19 RESEARCH:

• Have you received funding for COVID-19 research? We invite you to share the details of your project (50-word summary of your research) so that we can continue to promote our role in the collaborative research efforts across the nation and worldwide.

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID 19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

Dear faculty, learners and staff,

As the province continues to relax its directives, we have developed and are constantly updating action plans for how we can gradually resume our work here at the Faculty while protecting members of our community. 

Our re-integration plan for our gradual “Return-to-Research” has been approved at central uOttawa; implementation is underway, and research in labs is starting up again. Our faculty was the first at the University to accomplish this, and I wish to congratulate all of our researchers for their adaptable transition as our activities ramp back up.

You will naturally have questions as to how ‘back to campus’ impacts your work, teaching and research. A series of frequently asked questions of particular interest to researchers has been prepared, with many questions applicable to the general Faculty of Medicine community.

Our next town hall is approaching on Tuesday, June 16; we have revised the start time to 6 p.m. to accommodate the convocation activities that same day. I invite you to register and ask any questions of me and your leadership, or simply tell us what is on your mind. You are of course always welcome to send questions and comments to [email protected].

As I mentioned last week, support of all of our members is always a priority at the Faculty. With the unrest of the past weeks added to the burden of COVID-19, I encourage you to consider how you are feeling and whether you could benefit from the numerous wellness resources available via the Faculty and the University. This Friday, the Black Physicians' Association of Ontario is hosting a peer support session where you can share your thoughts and experiences, and on the 24th the EDI Office will host a webinar titled Medicine, Inequities and Black Lives.

Please continue to follow us on Twitter @uOttawaMed for further updates, and take a moment to visit the uOttawa coronavirus website and the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19.

Bernard Jasmin, PhD

Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine

University of Ottawa

What’s New?

TOWN HALL:

• Virtual Town Hall with the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine

NEW TIME!

Tuesday, June 16, 2020 - 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – Register online or by calling 613-798-5555 x10961.

Please join the conversation at a town hall virtual meeting with the dean, Faculty of Medicine, Bernard Jasmin and the Executive Leadership Team. This is your opportunity to raise issues that matter to you.
All staff, faculty and learners are welcome.

Please register to confirm your attendance; then, join the meeting by clicking on the link that will be sent to you in advance.

If you have already registered, there is no need to re-register, but please be sure to update your calendars with the new time.

EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION (EDI):

• The EDI office is hosting a webinar:  

Medicine, Inequities and Black Lives

Wednesday, June 24, 2020 - 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Register online or by calling 613-798-5555 x10961.

Invited speaker: Onye Nnorom, MDCM, CCFP, MPH, FRCPC

Description: As Canadians, we have been hesitant to explore how racism works as a driver of social and health inequities. Using the Black community and anti-Black racism as a case example, Dr. Nnorom will discuss how racism impacts people's health. Promising practices for addressing systemic racism in academic settings and healthcare will also be reviewed. 

Questions: [email protected]

• Peer Support Session for physicians and medical trainees:

In light of the increased awareness of anti-black racism in the U.S and Canada, The Black Physicians' Association of Ontario is hosting a peer support session for medical students, residents, fellows and practicing or retired physicians. This will be an informal drop in session facilitated by black psychologist Dr. Stacy Thomas. Stay for a few minutes or join for the whole hour. We'd like to provide an opportunity for you to unload, share your thoughts and experiences and get support from others who are also walking through this difficult time. 

We want to create a safe space for those with lived experience of anti-Black racism. We appreciate understanding from our allies and friends to respect that this event is for Black physicians and trainees in Ontario only. You do not need to be an official member of BPAO to attend.

We hope to host and/or provide support for other events that are targeted for specific groups (Black medical resident, medical students, etc.), and national events (please stay tuned if you are not from Ontario) as well as broader opportunities for dialogue with our allies, in the future.

Register here.

RETURN TO CAMPUS FAQ:

• FAQ from the Research Office
• Read Central uOttawa’s statement, “First step towards a progressive return on campus.”

RESOURCES FOR RETURNING TO CAMPUS:

• COVID-19 training:

Prior to returning to work on campus:

Each employee must complete a mandatory online orientation session on COVID-19 — Returning to Work on Campus: Protecting Yourself and Others. 

The goal of the session is to ensure that you are familiar with the changes implemented on campus and what you must do daily to ensure your health and safety and that of others when you return to work on campus.

Employees who must work on campus are to complete a health self-evaluation on the Ontario Public Health website.

Find out more here.

• Campus health and safety resources from the uOttawa Office of Risk Management:

Description of other health and safety and sanitary precautions that have been implemented on campus such as new signage.

Checklist for Staff and Students during COVID-19

OFFICE OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (OCPD):

• OCPD has developed a COVID-19 Resource site including links to health organizations and specific educational programs such as webinars.

Coming up:

Crafting an effective virtual flipped classroom

Wednesday, June 24, 2020 – 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Register online or by calling 613-798-5555 x10961.

Overview: Stella Yiu

Course description:

Medical educators have proposed using flipped classroom to encourage active, in-depth learning for students. In this interactive webinar, we will go through how to craft an effective flipped classroom using evidence-based educational research, with particular adaptation for the virtual environment

By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Select appropriate existing pre-class materials

2. Apply strategies to increase student preparation

3. Build virtual classroom activities to encourage higher order thinking

• Faculty of Medicine Webinar Series:

The Faculty of Medicine is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. Throughout the year, we have celebrated with our learners, faculty, staff and community. As part of these celebrations, we are happy to announce a webinar series targeted to our alumni and friends to give you a glimpse of what is happening at the Faculty, most importantly how education of our learners and education has changed this past year. We hope you will join us by registering to our complimentary webinars, please look out for more to come!

Overall learning objectives:

1. Discuss current events that change the landscape in the practice of medicine in Canada.

2. Describe the challenges changes in healthcare and medicine facing hospitals, doctors and patients.

Coming up:

Coaching for Competency during COVID

Tuesday, June 16, 2020 - 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Register online or by calling 613-798-5555 x10961.

Invited Speakers: Dr. Michelle Chiu and Dr. Shawn Hicks

Description: Interested to see how residency training was impacted by COVID and how we pivoted to meet the challenges? Join in our webinar for an informal "fireside" chat with Drs Chiu and Hicks - learn what we did and how we are adapting to these unprecedented times. 

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates expected to be posted today on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.
• Updates include but are not limited to:

Return to clinical setting: scorecard for determining ability to return; acquiring PPE; students requiring accommodations

Updates for Class of 2021, Class of and 2022, and Year 4

Important Reminders:

CONVOCATION:

• Join us as we celebrate the successes of our learners at the Convocation of the class of 2020 - make history by participating in this unique opportunity! The ceremony will include PhDs, Master's, Baccalaureate, MD/PhD and MD graduands.

Tuesday, June 16, 2020 – 4:00 p.m. – via uOttawa Youtube channel
See the event schedule.

Everyone welcome! Follow our uOttawaMed Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts for more details as the date draws nearer.

Ongoing:

COVID-19 RESEARCH:

• Have you received funding for COVID-19 research? We invite you to share the details of your project (50-word summary of your research) so that we can continue to promote our role in the collaborative research efforts across the nation and worldwide.

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID 19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

Dear faculty, learners and staff,

This week has been more trying than ever due to recent racial unrest south of the border. After several months of standing together against COVID-19, these painful events behoove us to redouble our efforts to unite against inequality.

As I wrote in Tuesday’s message, our sentiments at the Faculty of Medicine echo those heard around the world: that we do not stand idly by in the face of racism, inequity or injustice. We defend the rights of our community and we reaffirm our commitment to the fair and equitable treatment of humanity around the globe.

Support of all of our members has always been a priority at the Faculty. We’ve worked closely with you over the last two years to carve out a strategic plan defining where our efforts are best directed. Emerging loud and clear was the need to focus on equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), social accountability and wellness. Falling under the purview of Dr. Sharon Whiting, vice-dean of Faculty Affairs, these mandates form part of our blueprint for action, and many positions have been upgraded for this together with several new initiatives for faculty, staff and trainees. I encourage you to take five minutes to complete the ‘Count Me In’ survey, to help us obtain information on the diversity of our community as a step in raising awareness. I am proud to recognize and praise the progress we have made in these areas in a very short period—read on for some of the latest progress from our various offices.

As the world tests out reopening, many of you have questions about our Faculty’s approach. Thank you to all of you—over 150 for each event!—who took advantage of the opportunity to chat with me and your ELT at May 27’s town hall, and with the president and VPs at June 2’s town hall. I invite you to register for our next town hall on June 16, 5 to 6 p.m. Please continue to keep the Faculty’s and the University’s leaders apprised of what is on your mind. You can always send questions and comments to [email protected].

A continued thank you to our experts who represent us well in the media on the subject of COVID-19 and help ensure the public receives accurate information, such as Dr. Melissa Brouwers, who answered listeners' live questions yesterday on CBC Radio’s Ottawa Morning.

We are eager to regain partial normalcy: to again doing surgeries and heart procedures. We are already getting back to our research, and to celebrations of our students’ successes. We will continue to keep you up to date as progress is made on all of these fronts. Please continue to follow us on Twitter @uOttawaMed for further updates, and take a moment to visit the uOttawa coronavirus website and the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19.
 

Bernard Jasmin, PhD

Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine

University of Ottawa

What’s New?

EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION (EDI):

• Update from Dr. Catherine Tsilfidis, assistant dean, Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion:

Over the past week, the world has witnessed horrific acts of racism and violence which have led to a global awakening to the injustices perpetrated on minority, and especially black, populations.

Now, more than ever, we must strive to do better, and ensure that we are part of the solution.

We can move forward and improve equity, diversity and inclusion within our Faculty by participating in and supporting mentoring programs for minority individuals within our Faculty. We can educate ourselves on unconscious bias by examining our own biases and participating in unconscious bias training. We can sponsor and help to advance our minority colleagues in order to increase diversity and inclusion at our Faculty.  And, we can refuse to be bystanders when we witness microaggressions, speech that smacks of bias or racism, or policies or actions that disadvantage specific groups of people.  

The Faculty of Medicine has championed various initiatives to improve our record on EDI. While it has not been business as usual over the past few months due to the current pandemic, many of these initiatives have been continued through virtual meetings:  

- Mentoring programs for female faculty, female postdoctoral fellows, LGBTQ2SA+ trainees, black medical students, indigenous students

- Unconscious bias training for search committees and for departments and programs 

- Participation in the Count Me In campaign to gather data on diversity categories (gender, minority, indigenous, disability and LGBTQ status)

- Seminar series dealing with EDI issues and concerns

If you are interested in more information on any of these initiatives, please contact the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ([email protected]).

• Count Me In survey: Only 5 minutes of your time to count yourself in!

A diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace is essential to ensure job satisfaction, to improve wellness, to promote greater retention of our workforce and to recruit the best candidates.

Data collection is an important step in raising awareness. To obtain information on the diversity of our community, the University of Ottawa has launched the “Count Me In” campaign to collect information regarding various diversity categories (gender, racialized minority status, indigenous status, disability and sexual orientation).

Complete the survey here—open to all!

Faculty members will receive an email tomorrow with further details on how to access and complete the survey.

SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Update from Dr. Claire Kendall, assistant dean of social accountability:

The concept of social accountability consists in medical schools’ obligation to direct their activities towards addressing the priority health concerns of the communities or regions they serve as identified together with governments, health care organizations, health professionals and the public. Through our Strategic Plan, the Faculty of Medicine has expanded our mandate to accountably collaborate with our community stakeholders across the domains of education, clinical service and health research. Although there already exist a variety of social accountability activities in the Faculty, we don’t have a comprehensive picture of what they are, nor how they all fit together. For that reason, we have engaged two medical students, Sophie Lamontagne and Grace Zhu, who over the next 10 weeks will help us conduct a comprehensive internal environmental scan of our social accountability initiatives to improve organizational learning and performance. The information we gather will enable us to develop an integrated approach to social accountability across all domains and to engage more effectively with our stakeholders and communities.

We will be reaching out to leaders in education and research at all levels as well as clinical departments to learn about all activities that aim to improve the quality, relevance, equity and effectiveness of care as it relates to the communities we serve. We welcome you to proactively connect with us to let us know about your partnerships in this area so as to ensure we harness your energy and highlight your successes. If you would like to share such initiatives or to have more information, please contact Dr. Kendall at [email protected]. We look forward to sharing what we have learned in our final report.

WELLNESS:

• In championing Faculty-wide wellness, we are fostering engagement within our community. A key value of the Faculty of Medicine, wellness is fostered by creating of an inclusive and equitable environment; increasing access to personal and career counselling services; and enhancing wellness initiatives across all levels of education as well as continuing professional development.

• Update from the Faculty Affairs Office:

We are currently:

- Bringing in Jo Shapiro for a session on peer support with Faculty Wellness Leaders across undergraduate medical education (UGME), postgraduate medical education (PGME) and continuing professional development

- Working on A Medical Accommodation Policy for PGME

- Working with the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Program to support their mentorship and peer support 

- Working to hire Maureen Grace as the occupational health advisor to the Faculty - Wellness Program to support accommodation for postgraduate/graduate learners 

As well, Dr. Elizabeth Muggah, assistant dean of the Faculty Wellness Program, has recruited a UGME medical summer studentship to conduct an environmental scan of wellness interventions for postgraduate medical trainees to help identify gaps and areas of improvement.

• Please continue to consider how you might benefit from the various wellness resources available from the Faculty and the University.

- Our Wellness Office has launched an updated, comprehensive resource page to ensure we offer the resources most relevant and timely to you.

- The page contains a new resource from Hôpital Montfort: Psychological First Aid for Frontline Health Care Providers During COVID-19: A Quick Guide to Wellness.

• New! The Faculty Wellness Program is here to offer assistance to help you plan and implement peer supports.

Connectedness as antidote for anxiety and stress: In this time, it is crucial that we create and nurture a culture that promotes connectedness, safety, and trust.

- Colleagues & physicians want to talk to their peers.

- Easily available, but needs intention.

- Starts with a simple check in.

- You already have the necessary skills.

- Invaluable, could save a life.

- Not about fixing or rescuing colleagues but meeting them where they are.

Choose the format that suits your group or team:

- Be a Peer Support

- Online Peer Support Groups

- “Buddy Up” Check-in system

- Build a culture of peer support

• We also provide counseling services and can connect you with additional resources: 613-562-5800 ext. 8507; [email protected].

UOTTAWA BLACK MEDICAL STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION:

• In yesterday’s message from the dean, the link to helpful resources on anti-racism was not functioning correctly – please note the revised link here (bit.ly/ANTIRACISMRESOURCES)

OFFICE OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (OCPD):

• OCPD has developed a COVID-19 Resource site including links to health organizations and specific educational programs such as webinars.

Coming up:
 

Caring for Elderly Patients During COVID

Wednesday, June 10, 2020 - 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Register online or by calling 613-798-5555 x10961.

Overview: Ben Robert

By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss the current management of dementia in the elderly

2. Identify the medical and psychosocial issues that challenge the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic (prevention, risk factors, dealing with isolation)

Crafting an effective virtual flipped classroom

Wednesday June 24, 2020 – 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m – Register online or by calling 613-798-5555 x10961.

Overview: Stella Yiu

Course description

Medical educators have proposed using flipped classroom to encourage active, in-depth learning for students. In this interactive webinar, we will go through how to craft an effective flipped classroom using evidence-based educational research, with particular adaptation for the virtual environment

By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Select appropriate existing pre-class materials

2. Apply strategies to increase student preparation

3. Build virtual classroom activities to encourage higher order thinking

RESEARCH OFFICE:

• Yesterday, the Research Office distributed the following message to the research community: “APPROVED: Return-2-Research – PHASE 1 Plan for resumption of laboratory activities.”

Updates included, but were not limited to, the following:

- FoM’s Phase1 of Return to Research plan approved with very minor changes

- Implementation of Phase 0 preparatory stage begins today, June 4, 2020

- Phase 1 of Return-to-Research begins Tuesday, June 9, 2020

- Return-to-research activities align with approach of the COVID-19 uOttawa Research - Restart Taskforce chaired by Office of the VP Research, and take into account on-site total capacity of 33% of staff/trainees/faculty per day

- Process: PIs, APUO staff, and OHRI PIs with NRI and KRC located in RGN must complete forms by Friday noon to ensure your team is approved for Phase 1 on Tuesday, June 9

- At any time, all on-site research activities at RGN and PM can be immediately halted if a local outbreak occurs

• Please view the Research Office’s dedicated COVID-19 page for details.

THANK YOU, FRONTLINE WORKERS:

• PGME learner Julia Buthmann, a first-year resident in family medicine at The Ottawa Hospital and the chief resident for the residency program, created this thank-you video with some help from her father Martin Gallop, a professional musician who lives in Germany.

The video aired on CBC News on May 20. Dr. Buthmann was inspired to share the challenges faced by patients and their loved ones during COVID-19. This experience has made her appreciate the unique opportunity that we have, as physicians, to make a difference in our patients' lives. Her recent experiences fostered her great interest in pursuing acute medicine and palliative care. 

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates expected to be posted today or tomorrow on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

Important Reminders:

CONVOCATION:

• Our students have shown resilience and adaptability when their world of learning was turned on its ear this spring. Join us as we celebrate their success at the Convocation of the class of 2020 - make history by participating in this unique opportunity! The ceremony will include PhDs, Master's, Baccalaureate, MD/PhD and MD graduands.

Tuesday, June 16, 2020 – 4:00 p.m. – via uOttawa Youtube channel
Everyone welcome! Follow our uOttawaMed Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts for more details as the date draws nearer.

TOWN HALL:

• Virtual Town Hall with the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine

Tuesday, June 16, 2020 - 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. – Register online or by calling 613-798-5555 x10961.

Please join the conversation at a town hall virtual meeting with the dean, Faculty of Medicine, Bernard Jasmin and the Executive Leadership Team. This is your opportunity to raise issues that matter to you.
All staff, faculty and learners are welcome.

Please register to confirm your attendance; then, join the meeting by clicking on the link that will be sent to you in advance.

Ongoing:

COVID-19 RESEARCH:

• Have you received funding for COVID-19 research? We invite you to share the details of your project (50-word summary of your research) so that we can continue to promote our role in the collaborative research efforts across the nation and worldwide.

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID 19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

Reminder:

TOWN HALLS:

• Virtual Town Hall with the uOttawa President and Vice-Presidents - devoted solely to the Faculty of Medicine

Tuesday, June 2, 2020 - 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – Register here.

Please join the conversation at a town hall virtual meeting with Jacques Frémont, president and vice-chancellor; Jill Scott, vice-president, academic and provost; and Sylvain Charbonneau, vice-president, research. This is your opportunity to raise issues that matter to you.
uOttawa president Mr. Frémont along with Dr. Scott and Dr. Charbonneau will briefly address the group, after which we will move to a question-and-answer period. 
All staff, faculty and learners are welcome.

• Virtual Town Hall with the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine

Tuesday, June 16, 2020 - 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. – Register here.

Please join the conversation at a town hall virtual meeting with the dean, Faculty of Medicine, Bernard Jasmin and the Executive Leadership Team. This is your opportunity to raise issues that matter to you.
Dr. Jasmin will briefly address the group, after which we will move to a question-and-answer period. 
All staff, faculty and learners are welcome.

• NOTE: for all town halls, please register to confirm your attendance; then, join the meeting by clicking on the link that will be sent to you in advance.

What’s New?

CONVOCATION:

• The Virtual Ceremony of Professional Engagement and Convocation will include PhDs, Master's, Baccalaureate, MD/PhD graduands, and MD graduands.
  
  Tuesday, June 16, 2020 – 4:00 p.m. – via uOttawa Youtube channel
  Follow our uOttawaMed Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts for more details as the date draws nearer, and use #GGNation and #uOttawaGrad on your own social media accounts.
  All are encouraged to attend.

COVID-19 RESEARCH:

• Dr. Roger Zemek is a co-PI on a pan-Canadian study recently funded through the Public Health Agency of Canada: "A National Pediatric SARS-CoV2, Emergency Department-Based Surveillance Study." The team will study children who present to any of the 15 Pediatric Emergency Departments across Canada that form the Pediatric Emergency Research Canada (PERC) network (of which Dr. Zemek is chair). Enrolled children, including those with and without SARS-CoV2 identified risk factors, will have nasopharyngeal specimens collected as part of their routine care. Key demographic and clinical information will be gathered in a standardized manner to allow for a greater understanding of the impact of COVID-19 in children, who Dr. Zemek says have been vastly understudied during this pandemic.

• Four faculty members have been awarded funding as part of the Ontario COVID-19 Rapid Research Fund, a $20 million fund that contributes to national and global efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic:

Dr. Jean-Simon Diallo, assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology and a scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, received $444,833 for novel coronavirus antiviral drug discovery using high-throughput screening. 

Dr. Smita Pakhalé, associate professor in the School of Epidemiology and Public Health and scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, was awarded $198,030 to study Canada's COVID-19 pandemic response and its impact on vulnerable communities. 

Dr. Derek So, associate professor of cardiology in the Department of Medicine and clinician investigator at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, was awarded $751,520 to study the application of point-of-care COVID-19 testing to optimize patient care, resource allocation, and safety for frontline staff.  

Dr. Duncan Stewart, professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and CEO and scientific director of the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, received $1,226,245 to study cellular immuno-therapy for COVID-19 induced acute respiratory distress syndrome.

• Over one-quarter of the most viewed YouTube videos on COVID-19 contained misleading information, yet those videos reached over 62 million viewers, according to a study in BMJ Global Health by Faculty of Medicine students Heidi Oi-Yee Lee and co-authors.

• Have you received funding for COVID-19 research? We invite you to share the details of your project (50-word summary of your research) so that we can continue to promote our role in the collaborative research efforts across the nation and worldwide.

GRADUATE AND POSTDOCTORAL STUDIES:

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates made yesterday on the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Program’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

OFFICE OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (OCPD):

• OCPD has developed a COVID-19 Resource site including links to health organizations and specific educational programs such as webinars.

Coming up:

Intimate Partner Violence: Reducing Family Violence in Confined Spaces

Thursday, May 28, 2020 - 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Register here.

Speaker: Kari Sampsel

By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Identify prevalence, impact and dynamics of IPV victimization

2. Describe common mental and behavioural patterns that correlate with current or previous IPV exposure

3. Apply trauma-informed methods when responding to patients affected by IPV, including how to avoid vicarious trauma and the importance of provider self-care

4. Manage confidentiality, how to document IPV related issues, and how provider collaboration can lead to improved patient outcomes

5. Plan safety, local IPV resources, legal remedies and other supports available for IPV victims and perpetrators

COVID Parenting: Top Tips to Support Parents

Wednesday, June 3, 2020 - 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Register here.

Speaker: Dr. Michael Cheng

By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:

1. List challenges and stresses faced by parents during COVID

2. List challenges and stresses faced by children/youth during COVID

3. Provide strategies to support children, youth and parents during COVID

Dealing with COVID - medical + social issues and dementia

Wednesday, June 10, 2020 - 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Register here.

Overview: Ben Robert

By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss the current management of dementia in the elderly

2. Identify the medical and psychosocial issues that challenge the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic (prevention, risk factors, dealing with isolation)

RESEARCH OFFICE:

• On May 21, the Research Office distributed the following message to the research community: “Return to Research Planning for Faculty of Medicine uOttawa + MediStore Update - Research Reintegration”.
  
  Updates included, but were not limited to, the following:

Guiding principles emerging from R2R meetings for the remobilization of operational and research activities

Updates on of Phase 1 of the return to research for Roger Guindon Hall and Peter Morand sites

Details will be communicated to the research community when approved, including implementation dates, training requirements and specific process

Research Institutes and affiliated hospitals are developing their own plans—research teams should consult their respective institutions for direction

• Please view the Research Office’s dedicated COVID-19 page for details.

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates expected to be posted today on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID 19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

Dear faculty, learners and staff,

As the warm weather descends upon the city, we at the Faculty of Medicine embrace the hope and rejuvenation of spring as we join the world in carefully feeling our way to partial normalcy.

Last week I shared with you preliminary plans to get our research back on track, which is of critical importance to our research-intensive institution given our strengths in this area. Many continue to work from home, but I am delighted by our many opportunities to work, learn and celebrate alongside one another in the weeks and months to come.

Our days are brightened by the excitement of impending Convocation, a milestone in the lives of our learners as we celebrate their achievements and thank them for making us proud. While the handshakes and hugs are missing this year, we can still share in the day together and witness the joy in each other’s faces via the wonders of technology. How lucky we are to have this opportunity. Please stay alert for communications about how you and your families can participate in this special time.

I also encourage you to attend our upcoming virtual town halls to reconvene with colleagues and discuss what matters to you. Ask questions of me and your Executive Leadership Team on May 27 and June 16, or of the uOttawa president and VPs on June 2 – or all of these! They are opportune occasions to discuss COVID issues or affairs of the Faculty and University in general.

Next week you will receive our MedPoint newsletter in your inbox as we continue to highlight our research and successes in navigating COVID-19. Our 75th anniversary celebrations continue with the theme of Education for May and June, and this month, we shine a light on how teachers and learners alike are adapting in these unprecedented times, with stories of innovation and of challenges overcome.

Remember that your Executive Leadership Team is here for you, and we wish to support you in in any way we can. You can reach out to me anytime by emailing [email protected].

Please continue to follow us on Twitter @uOttawaMed,for further updates, and take a moment to visit the uOttawa coronavirus website and the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19.
 

Bernard Jasmin, PhD

Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine

University of Ottawa

What’s New?

TOWN HALLS:

• Virtual Town Hall with the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine

Wednesday, May 27, 2020 - 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. – Register here.

Tuesday, June 16, 2020 - 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. – Register here.

Please join the conversation at a town hall virtual meeting with the dean, Faculty of Medicine, Bernard Jasmin and the Executive Leadership Team. This is your opportunity to raise issues that matter to you.
Dr. Jasmin will briefly address the group, after which we will move to a question-and-answer period. 
All staff, faculty and learners are welcome.

• Reminder: Virtual Town Hall with the uOttawa President and Vice-Presidents - devoted solely to the Faculty of Medicine

Tuesday, June 2, 2020 - 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – Register here.

Please join the conversation at a town hall virtual meeting with Jacques Frémont, president and vice-chancellor; Jill Scott, vice-president, academic and provost; and Sylvain Charbonneau, vice-president, research. This is your opportunity to raise issues that matter to you.

Mr. Frémont along with Dr. Scott and Dr. Charbonneau will briefly address the group, after which we will move to a question-and-answer period. 
All staff, faculty and learners are welcome.

• NOTE: for all town halls, please register to confirm your attendance; then, join the meeting by clicking on the link that will be sent to you in advance.

COVID-19 RESEARCH:

• Dr. Marc Ruel is a professor in the Departments of Surgery and Cellular and Molecular Medicine, and M. Pitfield Chair & Head, Division of Cardiac Surgery at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute:

Dr. Ruel is one of 14 cardiac experts from around the world who contributed to a report soon to be published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. The recommendations of the consortium, based in 19 countries and representing a wide spectrum of experience with COVID-19, provide a framework for the safe and optimized resumption of cardiac surgery care, research and education during the SARS-CoV-2 era.

He is also the senior author on a paper in AHA journal Circulation, quantifying the experience and changes implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic across cardiac surgery centres participating in an international research consortium.

Both pieces were a joint effort between the University of Ottawa, Cornell U in New York and Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles.

• Have you received funding for COVID-19 research? We invite you to share the details of your project (50-word summary of your research) so that we can continue to promote our role in the collaborative research efforts across the nation and worldwide.

FRONTLINE WORKERS:

• Frontline Legal Support is an initiative supporting frontline workers by providing free legal Wills and Powers of Attorney to these individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. The team aims to offer frontline workers some peace of mind as they work hard to keep us safe. Find out more here, or contact the team for general inquiries.

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates expected to be posted today on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.
• The most recent updates include, but are not limited to, the following:

Gathering feedback on virtual learning

Pre-clerkship: practical and final exams

Clerkship: PPE training; career planning; practice tests

Virtual graduation ceremony

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA:

• On Tuesday, the office of the president released this message: “Spring 2020 Convocation: A unique virtual experience!”.

Summary: Despite the disruption caused by COVID‑19, our Spring Convocation will still take place. uOttawa's virtual convocation ceremonies for its 10 faculties will begin on Monday, June 15 and will roll out over the course of the week. Students will receive an invitation specific to their faculty. When the week of virtual convocation has concluded, diplomas will be sent to them by mail.

• Last Thursday, the office of the president released this message: “President’s message to the Community - Planning for Reopening”.

Summary: A campus committee is working closely with public health authorities on a number of different scenarios for a progressive return to campus for students and employees. Clearly, it will not be business as usual for several months. For now, most employees will continue working from home. The first step of uOttawa’s progressive return will be reopening our research labs. More details will be provided as soon as plans develop over the coming weeks.

WELLNESS:

• Please continue to consider how you might benefit from the various wellness resources available from the Faculty and the University.

Our Wellness Office has launched an updated, comprehensive resource page to ensure we offer the resources most relevant and timely to you.

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID 19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

Dear faculty, learners and staff,

The tulips are blooming in our beautiful city, and our thoughts are turning to the warm weather ahead and how best to enjoy it. Given the confines laid out by our public health experts I do hope you find new and unique ways to exercise and take in the sunshine and fresh air, so important for everyone’s well-being.

On the research front, plans are unfolding around the province as life slowly and cautiously seems to be moving toward its pre-pandemic state. I am excited to share the news that the University and the Faculty of Medicine are working together to plan a phased approach, in accordance with provincial guidelines, to get our researchers back to their benches. Our Return-to-Research Committee is discussing scenarios for the first phase; the broader research community will be included in the conversation as details begin to emerge. Keep an eye out for updates from the Research Office.

Earlier this week, the University announced that all courses will have a distance-learning option in the fall semester. The situation is fluid, and plans continue to depend on the public health guidelines in place at that time. I encourage you to review the details about how this might affect your teaching and studies. While I wish we could see you all in person, we will continue to follow the University’s lead. Whether face-to-face teaching or mostly e-learning, the future of the Faculty of Medicine remains bright thanks to our talented educators and inspirational learners!

As I mentioned in my last message, we invite you to attend the president’s virtual town hall on June 2, an occasion that uOttawa leaders have devoted solely to the Faculty of Medicine. Take advantage of this golden opportunity to discuss anything that is on your mind with President Frémont and the University VPs. Find more details below, and register here. All FoM faculty, learners and staff are welcome!

And remember, we are always here for you! Your Executive Leadership Team is eager to support you in any way we can in this challenging time. You can reach out to me anytime by emailing [email protected].

Please continue to follow us on Twitter @uOttawaMed for further updates, and take a moment to visit the uOttawa coronavirus website and the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19.

Bernard Jasmin, PhD

Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine

University of Ottawa

What’s New?

TOWN HALLS:

• Virtual town hall with uOttawa president and vice-presidents:
  • Please join the conversation at a town hall virtual meeting with Jacques Frémont, president and vice-chancellor; Jill Scott, vice-president, academic and provost; and Sylvain Charbonneau, vice-president, research.
    This is your opportunity to raise issues that matter to you!
    uOttawa president Mr. Frémont along with Dr. Scott and Dr. Charbonneau will briefly address the group, after which we will move to a question-and-answer period.
    Tuesday, June 2, 6 to 7 p.m.
    All staff, faculty and learners are welcome.
    Please register to confirm your attendance; then, join the meeting by clicking on the link that will be sent to you in advance.
• Virtual town hall with your Executive Leadership Team:
  • Your Executive Leadership Team will hold a virtual town hall toward the end of May; details to come.

FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS:

• Francophone Affairs presents a new webinar to help you in your role of distance teaching (offered exclusively in French):
  • J’apprends à mieux utiliser TEAMS et les applications connexes afin de favoriser la participation – Register here.
    Mercredi 20 mai, 17 h
  • Learning objectives:
    • Utiliser facilement de nouveaux outils pour partager des fichiers avec les étudiants lors d’une session d’enseignement sur TEAMS
    • Expliquer les fonctions de TEAMS à un autre professeur
    • Explorer diverses options pour travailler ensemble sur un tableau partagé
    • Poser des questions par rapport aux défis qu’ils ont rencontrés 

INTERNATIONAL AND GLOBAL HEALTH OFFICE (IGHO):

• IGHO wishes to thank the more than 650 learners, personnel, clinicians, researchers and faculty who registered to one or more of its webinars on the COVID-19 crisis. 
  • The webinar recordings are available both on the IGHO website and on the Continuing Professional Development website.
  • Stay tuned for future eventsfocusing oninternationalization and global health at the Faculty!

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL:

• Instructions regarding university-related international travel for the remainder of 2020 will be communicated as they are finalized.

RESEARCH OFFICE:

• Return-to-Research planning:
  • While complying with health and safety requirements and in accordance with the Province of Ontario’s Framework for Reopening Our Province, the University of Ottawa and Faculty of Medicine have begun planning to support a progressive and phased approach to return to research for Roger Guindon Hall and Peter Morand sites.
  • The Office of the VP Research has provided new information regarding the uOttawa Research Restart and the Faculty of Medicine’s Return-to-Research Committee met for the first time last week to discuss possible scenarios for the first phase of return to research. As the working framework and additional details become available, we will consult with the broader research community.
  • Please view the Research Office’s dedicated COVID-19 page for details added yesterday, including the full message from The Office of the VP Research.

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates expected to be posted today on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.
• The most recent updates include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Pre-clerkship: final examinations
  • Clerkship: exams; facilitated sessions; Telemedicine curriculum; housing; rural rotations; date of return to clinical studies; MCCQE Part 1 CDM and MCQ practice tests

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA:

• On May 11, the University announced its plans for the fall term.
  • uOttawa summary: We have adapted quickly with a flexible approach towards learning and student life to ensure that you can start or resume your studies no matter what situation we face regarding the pandemic. Therefore, all our courses, with some exceptions, will include a distance-learning option in the fall. Whether you are an international student or a Canadian who cannot come to Ottawa, you will be able to learn from home without having to be physically present on campus…. Each Faculty will determine whether specific in-person courses can go ahead.
  • Read the full announcement.

ONGOING:

COVID-19 RESEARCH:

• Have you received funding for COVID-19 research? We invite you to share the details of your project (50-word summary of research goal, timing and funding) so that we can continue to promote our role in the collaborative research efforts across the nation and worldwide.

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID 19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

Dear faculty, learners and staff,

In this eighth week of working and learning from home, we may be feeling pent up and anxious to see our peers and colleagues. For those in isolation, perhaps we have realized how the people that surround us every day make up part of our family, and we appreciate them more than ever for the support and structure they bring to our daily lives.

Know that you yourself are missed very much, be it by your office colleagues and lab peers, a learner you helped to guide on their path, or your patients. One thing is for sure – the Faculty misses you; and although it may be some time yet, we look forward to the day when we can all be together again. We’ll then be able to thank all of you in person, and in particular those working hard on the front lines who haven’t had the opportunity of working or learning from home.

Meanwhile, I’d like to offer you a chance to break the isolation and connect online with your faculty and university colleagues at the June 2 Faculty Council meeting. President Frémont will be attending a portion of the virtual meeting, which we invite you to attend – details to come, but mark your calendars for this event which should take place at or shortly after 5 p.m.

This week is Mental Health Week, a chance to reflect on how the current crisis might be affecting ourselves and those around us. I encourage you to consider how you are feeling and whether you could benefit from the numerous wellness resources available via the Faculty and the University. Read on for new mental health services offered to health care workers by the Royal hospital.

While we may not be physically present in our buildings, we continue to proudly celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Faculty of Medicine. Stay tuned throughout May for stories and activities highlighting our theme of the month - Education. Our learners have played a tremendous role in making us what we are today and are constantly making us proud, most recently in showcasing the Faculty’s principles of professionalism and compassion through their array of COVID-19 initiatives.

During this difficult time, know that your Executive Leadership Team wants to support you in any way we can – we are here for you! You can reach out to me anytime by emailing [email protected].

Please continue to follow us on Twitter @uOttawaMed,for further updates, and take a moment to visit the uOttawa coronavirus website and the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19.
 

Bernard Jasmin, PhD

Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine

University of Ottawa

What’s New?

FACULTY COUNCIL:

• University of Ottawa President Jacques Frémont will be present at the next Faculty of Medicine Council on Tuesday, June 2 at 5 p.m. All are welcome to attend this portion of the meeting. Details to follow.

GRADUATE AND POSTDOCTORAL STUDIES:

• COVID-19 has required many activities to move online, such as poster days. This past Tuesday, the CMM/NSC Poster Day was presented and evaluated online.
  • 74 students presented posters that were evaluated by 50 professors across the cellular and molecular medicine (CMM) and neuroscience (NSC) graduate programs.
  • We would like to thank all the trainees and professors who participated in the online presentations; we hope you found the experience effective, rewarding and enjoyable.
  • We would appreciate any feedback on the process as this is the first time we have attempted on-line posters. Thanks to all of you and please stay safe.

OFFICE OF THE PROVOST AND VICE-PRESIDENT, ACADEMIC AFFAIRS:

• uOttawa Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs Jill Scott issued the following notice yesterday: “Board of Governors adopts the 2020-2021 budget,” agreeing to maintain pre-COVID-19 financial assumptions, with the caveat that both close monitoring and mitigation strategies are required as the pandemic evolves. The budget document will be published on the Financial Resources website in the coming days.

RESEARCH:

• Virtual discussion with Dr. Mona Nemer, Canada’s Chief Science Advisor:
  • Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, will host a virtual discussion with Dr. Mona Nemer, Canada’s Chief Science Advisor.

Thursday, May 7 at 10:30 a.m.

Theme: The importance of research and science advice in times of global pandemic

10:30: French live stream

10:50: interlude

11:30: English live stream

• Have you received funding for COVID-19 research? We invite you to share the details of your project so that we can continue to promote our role in the collaborative research efforts across the nation and worldwide.

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) decision regarding the 2021 R-1 match:

• The COVID-19 pandemic has led to medical students being removed from clinical rotations in early March 2020. Students from the class of 2021 will be returning to clinical rotations after having missed up to 4 months of clerkship. This will have a significant effect on the final year of medical school.
• The top issue is the ability for students to become competent in core disciplines and have reasonable access to home and visiting electives to enable career decision making. This has led to the need to compress the timeline of the R-1 Match processes to ensure that students have reasonable exposure before applying to residency that graduates will start on July 1, 2021.
• The AFMC Board has made these decisions regarding the 2021 R-1 Match.
• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates expected to be posted today on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

WELLNESS:

• The Royal is now offering mental health services to health care workers:

• How was your day? Stressful? Scary? Exhausting? Busy? Sad?

Health care workers are at the front lines of the COVID pandemic. Increased feelings of stress, worry and anxiety are normal under these conditions. Support is available to help you cope.

COVID Frontline Wellness provides confidential access to services and tools to support your mental wellbeing. Just book an appointment online and one our clinicians will call you to discuss your needs and connect you with the supports that are right for you.

It’s simple. It’s confidential. It will help. Click for more information and to book.

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID 19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

What’s New?
 

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates posted yesterday (April 29) on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.
• The most recent updates include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Intent to gather feedback on virtual learning
  • Feedback on town hall and, integration sessions
  • Access to online resources for Years 3 and 4 of Clerkship

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA:

• The Office of the President at uOttawa issued the message: “Preparing for uOttawa’s fall 2020 academic term” on April 28.

Ongoing
 

INTERNATIONAL AND GLOBAL HEALTH OFFICE (IGHO):

• IGHO has been offering our Faculty of Medicine community a global perspective on the COVID-19 crisis with a series of webinars throughout April.

Only 1 webinar remains:

• Social Accountability During a Pandemic: Helping Refugees, the Indigenous and the Homeless - Register here.

Friday, May 1, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Presented by Dr. Doug Gruner, Dr. Jeffrey Turnbull and Dr. Sarah Funnell

Moderated by Dr. Alison Eyre

Learning objectives:

• Outline how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting low-income and marginalized communities (the homeless, refugees and Indigenous)
• Describe what measures should be taken to protect marginalized communities during this crisis and future pandemics
• Identify how public and private institutions can leverage resources to ensure an equitable level of care for all members of the community

OFFICE OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (OCPD):

• OCPD has developed a COVID-19 Resource site including links to health organizations and specific educational programs such as webinars.

Coming up:

• Part 2 - Follow up to Improve Your Online Teaching (though learner engagement and polling) – Register here

Friday, May 1, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Speaker: Robert Parson

Learning objectives:

• Create and edit lessons and presentations that incorporate online teaching
• Select and practice learner engagement techniques
• Select and utilize teaching and polling tools that increase audience participation

Please continue to follow us on Twitter @uOttawaMed, for further updates, and at any time, you can visit the uOttawa coronavirus website and the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19.

Dear faculty, learners and staff,

As our clinicians, researchers, teachers, learners and staff continue to work on the front lines, within our labs, and behind the scenes in facing this challenge together, I invite you to take a moment to read the updates and stories below. Our current circumstances can be very demanding and often sad, yet I hope you’ll feel as I do that these times are also truly inspirational.

We continue to be a presence on the national research stage, and below you’ll see just some of the latest research projects set to launch or already underway to mitigate COVID-19’s effects. You’ll also see further stories of COVID (and non-COVID) work being done by members of our Faculty community in this Thursday’s issue of MedPoint.

Gillian Lord and her team have been working hard since March as have our tireless medical students in gathering essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers. This weekend, they collaborated with grassroots volunteer organization Conquer COVID-19 in a drive at St. John Ambulance on a beautiful sunny day to collect 6031 procedure gloves, 90 gowns, 3600 KN95s, 800 surgical masks, 140 N95s and many other items. Well done to all and thank you once again to our generous community.

Please also join me in applauding the Faculty of Health Sciences, themselves a key contributor in COVID efforts. In addition to having donated thousands of items previously slated for teaching purposes to hospitals in Ottawa, nursing students have pitched in at hospitals to deliver health care to our community, and nurse practitioners-in-training have been assisting at COVID screening sites.

It is true that we are indeed all in this together, and as such, we may find we benefit from hearing the experiences of others. Read on for opportunities to hear others’ stories, or to even share your own.

Please continue to follow us on Twitter @uOttawaMed, for further updates, and at any time, you can visit the uOttawa coronavirus website and the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19.
 

Bernard Jasmin, PhD

Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine

University of Ottawa

What’s New?

COVID-19 RESEARCH:

• Dr. Mona Nemer is one of several individuals forming the leadership of the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force, established recently by the Government of Canada to coordinate blood test surveys to inform on the spread of the virus and the immunity of the population.
• Dr. Claire Kendall is part of a research team that will identify the consequences of the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic on people who are marginalized, and what interventions are best positioned to help.
• Dr. Duncan Stewart and Dr. William Stanford have been awarded $490,000 from the Stem Cell Network (SCN) to help in the fight against COVID-19. Dr. Stewart’s team will launch a clinical trial of stem cell therapy in patients with COVID-19 and how it can calm the damaging effects of an overactive immune system. Dr. William Stanford and team will study the mechanisms behind how the airway becomes infected by the virus that causes COVID-19 and how cell behaviour changes. These grants are two of three Canadian-led COVID-19 research projects awarded a total of $675,000 last week by SCN.
• Faculty members Dr. Caroline Ilkow, Dr. John Bell and Dr. Patrick Giguère have received grants from Thistledown Foundation through Fast Grants to advance their COVID-19 research. Dr. Ilkow and Dr. Bell will apply their pioneering research on cancer-fighting viruses in the effort to create a vaccine for COVID-19. Dr. Giguère will work to identify secondary receptors that facilitate viral entry into cells.

SHARE YOUR STORY OF THE FRONT LINES:

• Are you on the front lines of the pandemic? Do you have a story to share?
  • The NY Times has put out a call for first-person stories from doctors, nurses and other health care providers working on the front lines of the COVID pandemic. Those wish to may share their stories with the Times.
  • We’re all in this together! Read stories shared by medical students on Perspectives in medicine page of the CFMS website.
  • All learners, faculty and staff: Do you have a story of success, a tale of recovery or any other experience you’d like to share? Tell us! Your experiences could appear in a later issue of MedPoint. Email us at [email protected]

FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS:

• Affaires Francophones presents 2 webinars to help you in your role of distance teaching (offered exclusively in French):
  • Interagir avec les étudiants avec Teams – Register here

Wednesday, April 29, 5:00 p.m.

Learning objectives:

- Découvrir 8 trucs utiles à l’enseignement à distance

- Démontrer les différentes fonctions de l’application Teams

- Expliquer comment interagir avec les étudiants, lors d’un cours magistral (PPT)

- Gérer un grand groupe d’étudiants avec l’aide d’un modérateur

​​​​​

• Enseigner à distance lors d’une étude de cas et lors d’une discussion de groupe - – Register here

Friday, May 1, 12:00 p.m.

Learning objectives:

- Découvrir les principes de présenter à distance, une étude de cas, par une mise en situation

- Découvrir les principes de mener des groupes de discussion à distance, par une mise en situation

INTERNATIONAL AND GLOBAL HEALTH OFFICE (IGHO):

• IGHO has been offering our Faculty of Medicine community a global perspective on the COVID-19 crisis with a series of webinars throughout April, featuring conversations about the pandemic with some of the field’s foremost practitioners and thinkers. Only 1 webinar remains:
  • Social Accountability During a Pandemic: Helping Refugees, the Indigenous and the Homeless - Register here.

Friday, May 1, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Presented by Dr. Doug Gruner, Dr. Jeffrey Turnbull and Dr. Sarah Funnell; moderated by Dr. Alison Eyre.

• It’s not too late to view those presented earlier this month – click the webinar name to view:
  • Peer support and resilience in times of COVID-19 – with Rachel Thibault. (French link: https://connect.uottawa.ca/pcmelpzlks6b/)
  • COVID-19 Global Pandemic and Global Response – with Dr. Mark Walker (Summary of Presentation (pdf, 4,193.29 KB )
  • Global Health in Times of Pandemics – with Dr. Ronald Labonté

OFFICE OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (OCPD):

• OCPD has developed a COVID-19 Resource site including links to health organizations and specific educational programs such as webinars.
  Coming up:
  • COVID19 - Meeting the Challenges in Primary Care: Part 2 – Register here

Wednesday, April 29, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Speakers: Dr. Alison Eyre & Dr. Carol Geller

Learning objectives:
- Discuss how to adapt office practice during a pandemic
- Describe issues specific to our marginalized and disadvantaged patients when dealing with a pandemic

•  
  • Part 2 - Follow up to Improve Your Online Teaching (though learner engagement and polling) – Register here

Friday, May 1, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Speaker: Robert Parson

Learning objectives:
- Create and edit lessons and presentations that incorporate online teaching
- Select and practice learner engagement techniques
- Select and utilize teaching and polling tools that increase audience participation

OTTAWA’S MEDICAL CHIEFS OF STAFF:

• On April 21, Ottawa’s medical chiefs of staff released a joint message, “Ottawa area hospitals: If you need care, please come to or connect with your hospital”:
  • In sum, while they appreciate the public’s taking the recommendations to stay home seriously, it should not come at the cost of their health or safety. The public should continue to come to the hospital if they think they have a serious health concern.

PROCUREMENT AND LOGISTICS:

• As of yesterday, April 27, Procurement and Logistics has a revised their schedule for on-site services, including all logistics services, to Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. All Procurement activities are still managed remotely. They can be contacted via [email protected] for any question, or you may visit the Medistore Dashboard.

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates posted in the afternoon of April 23 on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

WELLNESS:

• The Faculty Wellness Program has now implemented a workplace "buddy system" (pdf, 108.91 KB) program as a way of offering additional peer and collegial support. This is just one of the COVID-19 and Physician Wellness Resources and Supports (pdf, 167.92 KB) made available by the Program.

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID 19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

Dear faculty, learners and staff,

The past month has been extremely challenging for everyone. These are extraordinary times filled with uncertainty and with quickly evolving conditions such as altering the way we conduct business, having to move learning activities online, scaling back some research activities and adjusting to working remotely.

In addition, we are all dealing with the impact and the challenges that COVID-19 has on our personal lives. I wish to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your perseverance, dedication and leadership in facilitating this transition, as well as for the tremendous support of one another during this difficult time.

Our number one priority is the health, safety, and well-being of our entire community and doing our part to help contain the transmission of the virus. While we realize that the future remains uncertain in resuming our normal campus life, the Faculty of Medicine is committed to the continuous support of our learners, staff and faculty members, and to the delivery of our world-class academic programs.

As we continue to adapt to this new way of learning, generating new knowledge and working, it is important not to lose track of our strategic priorities and initiatives that we worked so assiduously to develop over the past two years. With this in mind, and due to the recent unprecedented events, we have decided to pause, reflect and extend the deadline for feedback on the actionable blueprint (see documents in email from March 9) to September 15, 2020, as recommended this week by Faculty Council and Senior Leadership (Vice-Deans and Chairs). During this time, we will continue to focus our efforts and report on key initiatives currently in progress. We look forward to receiving your comments at [email protected].

In closing, please take care of yourselves and your loved ones, while you continue to support each other. On behalf of the Faculty of Medicine, I wish to extend my greatest appreciation to our entire uOttawa community for their continuous support and dedication as well as our heartfelt thank you to our amazing health care professionals who are working tirelessly to combat COVID-19!

Donations from our very generous community continue to arrive daily. If you can join the fight by contributing gloves, masks, protective clothing or any other medical supplies, please email [email protected]. A second shipment of PPE was picked up this week at the Faculty of Medicine for distribution amongst our local health care providers. As well, your kind support can help advance our response to COVID-19; please consider making a donation to our efforts.

We will continue to stay in touch with you and share new information. Please see the headings and links below for detailed information specific to your situation, and continue to follow us on Twitter @uOttawaMed, for further updates.

At any time, you can visit the uOttawa coronavirus website and the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19.
 

Bernard Jasmin, PhD

Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine

University of Ottawa

What’s New?

ROGER GUINDON AND 600/850 PETER MORAND - CARD ACCESS ONLY: 

• Starting 6:00 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, April 24th, the RGN front entrance doors will be locked at all times. This change will assist with allowing only authorized personnel to access our facilities and to ensure the ongoing security of our buildings. RGN's perimeter doors are already locked, as are both Peter Morand buildings.
• Authorized personnel will continue to have access using the card-readers. They must carry their valid access card, their letter of authorization and their university identification at all times. This change will remain in effect until further notice. 
• For any access card-related questions or access, please email [email protected].

INTERNATIONALIZATION AND GLOBAL HEALTH OFFICE (IGHO):

• April is Internationalization and Global Health Month at the Faculty, and we have brought you several webinars on the coronavirus pandemic over the last few weeks.
• Register now for next week’s webinar to be held on Friday, May 1, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Dr. Sarah Funnell, Dr. Doug Gruner and Dr. Jeffrey Turnbull will speak on “Social Accountability During a Pandemic: Helping Refugees, the Homeless and the Indigenous.” Moderated by Dr. Alison Eyre. Presented in English only, with bilingual Q&A.
• Follow @uOttawaIGHOMed on Twitter and consult our website for more information. Stay tuned for further news on upcoming webinars.

Ongoing

MEDTECH:

• Most of our activities have now transitioned to an online environment.
• Register for Introduction to Microsoft Planner to learn how this online resource can help you become more efficient in project and task management, and how it can be used for thesis supervision and writing articles.

OFFICE OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (OCPD):

• OCPD has developed a resource site including links to health organizations and specific educational programs such as webinars.

POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (PGME):

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates made on PGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates expected on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID 19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

Dear faculty, learners and staff,

I hope you were all able to take some time to relax over the holiday weekend. Although this year you may have been separated from family and friends, there is evidence that physical distancing is having the desired effect, and I trust you have been finding your own unique ways to stay connected.

Despite these uncharted waters, I am extremely proud and pleased with the fact that we are maintaining essential activities and operations while remaining focused on our strong commitment to excellence in all of our academic programs. The Faculty has risen brilliantly to the challenge, displaying exemplary collaboration and collegiality. Thank you to you and your respective teams for outstanding leadership and all of your hard work during this pandemic—your dedication and contributions are always greatly appreciated.

Thank you to the individuals in our community who are speaking with the media and sharing accurate, timely and relevant information. Our experts are educating the community in Ottawa and beyond, setting straight any misinformation that may be circulating, and helping medical professionals make well-informed choices in battling this pandemic.

Our learners continue to step forward with their unwavering involvement in initiatives that support our community. This week, the Ottawa chapter of the Student-Senior Isolation Prevention Partnership began pairing MD students with Ottawa seniors to lend a friendly voice and an opportunity to socialize by phone to ease the toll that isolation can take—stay tuned for this heartwarming story. Meanwhile, I encourage all of you to be in touch with someone who would love to hear your voice today.

Donations from our very generous community continue to arrive daily, but the need is ongoing. If you can join the fight by contributing gloves, masks, protective clothing or any other medical supplies, please email [email protected]. As well, your kind support can help advance our response to COVID-19; please consider making a donation to our efforts.

We remain committed to staying in touch with our community, sharing information as it flows in to us. Please see the headings and links below for detailed information specific to your situation, and continue to follow us on Twitter @uOttawaMed,for further updates.

At any time, you can visit the uOttawa coronavirus website and the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19.
 

Bernard Jasmin, PhD

Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine

University of Ottawa

What’s New?

INTERNATIONALIZATION AND GLOBAL HEALTH OFFICE (IGHO):

• Gain a global perspective on the COVID-19 crisis in a series of weekly webinars presented by the International and Global Health Office (IGHO). April is Internationalization and Global Health Month at the Faculty, and these webinars feature conversations about the coronavirus pandemic with some of the field’s foremost practitioners and thinkers.
  • Register now for this week’s webinar to be held on Friday April 17, 11 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., “COVID-19 Global Pandemic and Global Response,” with Dr. Mark Walker, ObGyn clinician, epidemiologist, and interim director of the Internationalization and Global Health Office at the Faculty of Medicine.
  • Coming up:

Wednesday, April 22, 2020, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Professor Ronald Labonté will be interviewed on the topic of Global Health in Times of Pandemic. Register here. Presented in English only, with bilingual Q&A.

Friday, May 1, 2020, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Dr. Doug Gruner and Dr. Jeffrey Turnbull will speak on Social Accountability During a Pandemic: Helping Refugees, the Homeless and the Indigenous. Registration details to come. Presented in English only, with bilingual Q&A.

• Follow @uOttawaIGHOMed on Twitter and consult our website for more information. Stay tuned for further news on upcoming webinars throughout the month of April. IGHO: We build bridges locally and around the world.

MEDTECH:

• Most of our activities have now transitioned to an online environment. When working with a team from a distance, an efficient way to approach the challenge and organize the work is through project management software.
  • Register for Introduction to Microsoft Planner to learn how this online resource can help you become more efficient in project and task management, and how it can be used for thesis supervision and writing articles.

OFFICE OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (OCPD):

• OCPD has developed a resource site including links to health organizations and specific educational programs such as webinars.
  • Today: Ottawa Public Health COVID-19 Update for Physicians – Register here

Thursday, April 16, 2020  |  4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Speaker: Austin Zygmunt

Presented in English only.
Learning Objectives:
1. Outline the current epidemiology and future modelling of COVID19 in Ottawa
2. Describe best practices for in-person visits including screening and infection control
3. Describe testing of health care workers and instructions for return to work

POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (PGME):

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates made today on PGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.
• The most recent updates include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Royal College Exams for spring 2020 Cohort
  • Training verifications
  • Wellness resources
  • Redeployment of residents

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates expected to be posted today on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID 19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

Dear faculty, learners and staff,

As this unprecedented school semester draws to an end, I would like to thank you once again for your resilience and adaptability. Unfortunately, the disruptions to our learning, our teaching, our research and our clinical practice are far from over, but I am proud of the way the Faculty of Medicine community has risen to the challenges.

This past week, some of our MD students took online exams, made possible through the support and innovation of our staff applying web technology such as Questionmark. For MD students, there will be more information to come about your curriculum via virtual town halls in the coming weeks. Please refer to the update under UGME below.

Later this month, our TMM and grad students will complete take-home exams, online exams or final projects to meet the requirements for their courses. At the same time, our PGME residents are working hard to care for patients at the hospitals, many have been redeployed to critical areas of need to assist with the pandemic. Thank you all for the strengths that you’ve shown your fellow colleagues and classmates.

I would like to also share news about a recent partnership with local health authorities on tracking COVID-19 projections in Ottawa. Led by Dr. Doug Manuel, researchers from the University of Ottawa, The Ottawa Hospital and Ottawa Public Health, have created a new interactive website that predicts various scenarios around the number of hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19. These projections are vital in demonstrating how physical distancing can make a huge difference for saving lives.

Additionally, Dr. Lise Bjerre, from our Department of Family Medicine, shared her expertise on COVID-19 projections on Téléjournal Ici Radio-Canada for Ottawa-Gatineau on April 7.

As many of our clinicians, researchers and learners continue to do important work through new and creative means, the Faculty is here to support you. Should you need any help working or studying from home, please visit the Medtech’s resources page. Remember always to care for your personal well-being and to access the wellness resources available via the Faculty and the University.

Finally, I want to congratulate the International and Global Health Office for hosting its inaugural webinar session on “Peer support and resilience in times of COVID-19” yesterday with over 70 attendees. Thanks to the Office of Continuing Professional Development for helping with this event. Stay-tuned for more engaging discussions to come!

Please see the headings and links below for detailed information specific to your situation.

At any time, you can visit the uOttawa coronavirus website and the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19, and follow us on Twitter @uOttawaMed, for further updates.

Have a safe and restful long weekend!

Bernard Jasmin, PhD

Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine

University of Ottawa

What’s New?

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• Important reminder: rogue electives and observerships are strictly forbidden and violate University and regulatory authority guidelines.
• Town hall for UGME students: For U3 and U4 on April 9 at 4:00 p.m. For U1 and U2, session will be booked for next week (date will be confirmed later).
• For additional information about online learning and curriculum, please reference the weekly updates posted every Wednesday on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

INTERNATIONALIZATION AND GLOBAL HEALTH OFFICE:

• April is Internationalization and Global Health Month at the Faculty. Follow @uOttawaIGHOMed on Twitter and consult our website for more information. Stay tuned for further news on upcoming webinars throughout the month of April. IGHO: We build bridges locally and around the world.

OFFICE OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (OCPD):

• The Office is in the process of developing webinars on COVID-19 issues pertaining to public health, practice change and wellness. Please look for daily updates on their event calendar or eblasts from the Office.

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA:

• All non-authorized employees must stay off campus. Following last week’s revision of the list of essential workplaces by the Ontario Government, law enforcement officers have adopted a stricter approach and fines of up to $1,000 may be issued to anyone who doesn’t comply by the directives.
• In follow-up to the communication from the University regarding the presence on the campus of essential personnel only, the vice-president of Research has made it possible to issue exemptions for certain researchers, laboratory technicians, research assistants and students.

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID 19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

Dear faculty, learners and staff,

I hope the weekend was an opportunity for many of you to recharge. Our weeks are no longer normal, and our schedules and routines have been disrupted. Yet I continue to be amazed at the grace with which you all are showing your resolve to work together in this new reality.

Understandably, the pandemic may be impacting our mental health in a variety of ways. Dr. Kathleen Pajer, chair of the Department of Psychiatry, recently shared her insights on COVID’s impacts on our emotional well-being, and steps you can take to improve it. As well, Continuing Professional Development has launched a new webpage gathering helpful links dedicated to all kinds of COVID-related resources – I invite you to explore what is on offer.

If you would like to learn how to help support your colleagues at this time, I encourage you to register for the Peer support and resilience in times of COVID-19 webinar, hosted by the International and Global Health Office, scheduled for Wednesday, April 8.

Messages of support are ringing around the world to keep the spirits of front-line workers high. Here in Ottawa, many of the boxes of supplies donated to front-line medical staff contained drawings from children with messages of thanks to our doctors and nurses, which will be posted in call rooms and lounges. If you know a child who would like to contribute artwork or even have your own to share, please send a picture of the artwork to [email protected].

This month begins online exams for some of our students and I would like to extend my very best wishes on behalf of the Faculty. May your success reflect your resilience, hard work and dedication this term.

Despite many of us working remotely, I feel we are more connected than ever. While I may not send out a message every day, we will continue to share important updates in this ever-changing situation. Remember to also follow us on Twitter @uOttawaMed.

Please see the headings and links below for detailed information specific to your situation.

At any time, you can visit the uOttawa coronavirus website and the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19 for further updates.
 

Bernard Jasmin, PhD

Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine

University of Ottawa

What’s New?

ASSOCIATION OF FACULTIES OF MEDICINE OF CANADA (AFMC):

• We are proud that our Faculty of Medicine researchers feature among the country’s top scientists leading the charge in seeking solutions to the COVID pandemic. The AFMC has offered Canadian med schools the opportunity to share their research successes on two new pages: their medical education stories page and health research stories page, which already highlight some of the Faculty’s successes over the past few months. We shall continue to share our stories on a regular basis including those of our COVID progress.

CITY OF OTTAWA:

• The City of Ottawa is offering provincially funded emergency child-care services for essential and critical service workers at no cost to families. Apply at www.ottawa.ca for three centres anticipated to open on Monday, April 13. The Province has a list of workers eligible for emergency child-care.

MEDTECH:

• Please read an important message from MedTech posted yesterday, including information on Teams and on Zoom use and licenses.

OFFICE OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (OCPD):

• OCPD has developed a resource site including links to health organizations and specific educational programs such as webinars.
• The Office is also in the process of developing webinars on COVID19 issues pertaining to public health, practice change and wellness. Please look for daily updates on their event calendar or eblasts from the Office.

POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (PGME):

• As a thank you to frontline workers for keeping our community safe and healthy, Uber Eats has offered a promotional code for delivered meals valued at $25 to residents at the Faculty of Medicine. Please find details on PGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

RESEARCH OFFICE:

• For researchers and those working in their labs, please review updates added over the weekend to the Research Office’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA:

• The Office of the President at uOttawa issued the message: “How to maintain your mental health during stressful times” last Friday.
• Join a Lunch & Learn: Excelling in stressful situations, Wednesday, April 8, hosted by A Healthy and Active Campus.

Dear faculty, learners and staff,

Today, I would like to continue to recognize everyone for their tremendous efforts in supporting our medical and scientific communities in the fight against COVID-19. In particular, I wish to impart the importance of our own mental health and well-being during this pandemic. The Faculty Wellness Program has now implemented a workplace "buddy system" program as a way of offering additional peer and collegial support. You can continue to access all wellness resources both on the Faculty’s and the University’s web pages.

We are all working harder than ever to care for each other, and I wish to update you on several commendable initiatives:

Led by Dr. Sharon Whiting and Ms. Gillian Lord, the Faculty is contributing to a regional approach for much-needed medical supplies. Yesterday, we offered 252 large boxes of supplies bound for Ottawa-area hospitals, sourced through the efforts of our students, several uOttawa faculties, and local partners. These boxes contained more than 263,000 gloves; 25,000 face masks; 2,119 N95 respirators; and an abundance of shoe covers, protective clothing, hand sanitizers, safety goggles, disinfecting wipes, sterile cotton-tipped applicators, and protective clothing. Today these efforts were recognized on Ottawa Public Health’s COVID-19 live update call with the media.

Additionally, the Faculty has joined the Canadian COVID-19 Collaborative Platform (CanCOVID), headed by Chief Science Officer of Canada, Dr. Mona Nemer. This group aims to unite medical, academic and policy efforts across the country to combat COVID-19. I encourage you to read up about this initiative and consider joining the Slack workspace.

Furthermore, I am impressed by the generosity and resourcefulness of our MD students, who have begun another initiative to help frontline health care providers. In order to spare real N95 masks during simulated training sessions, a small team led by Farhan Mahmood (MD 2023) and Catherine Gnyra (MD 2022) are making mock N95 masks for the University of Ottawa Skills and Simulation Centre.

I wish to close today with a piece of good news, and one that is very timely in this era of global public health awareness. The Faculty of Medicine has officially launched our Master of Public Health program in the School of Epidemiology and Public Health, and will be accepting applicants for this fall. 

On behalf of the Faculty, I express my warmest gratitude to you all for showing unwavering solidarity during this ever-changing situation. Please see the headings and links below for detailed information specific to your situation.

At any time, you can visit the uOttawa coronavirus website and the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19, and follow us on Twitter @uOttawaMed, for further updates.
 

Bernard Jasmin, PhD

Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine

University of Ottawa

What’s New?

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• The Student Affairs Office is offering a weekly virtual group support session with Dr. Kay-Anne Haykal and the SAO counsellors for all medical students every Wednesday morning from 11 a.m. to noon.
• It is important to note that students who are participating in volunteer activities are not covered under the uOttawa WSIB since these activities are not part of the UGME program.
• Accreditation Update: Effective immediately, all planned submission dates for CACME documents (interim reports, status reports, etc.) will be postponed until further notice, as will the review by the CACME of any submissions already received. Thank you to the Accreditation team for your hard work!
• Additional weekly updates are posted every Wednesday on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

RESEARCH OFFICE: 

• The Research Office would like to thank its researchers and support staff for their contributions to the fight against COVID-19. For the latest update, visit the Research Office’s dedicated COVID-19 page.
• uOttawa’s Office of the Vice-President of Research has posted frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and research; and information on critical research or time sensitive research.

WELLNESS:

• The Faculty Wellness Program (FWP) is committed to supporting the health of the Faculty of Medicine community. Our services continue to be available including access to clinical counseling, referrals and resources.
• We have now launched workplace "buddy system" to offer strong peer and collegial supports.
• Join the new online “Keep Calm and Zoom On” series. Sessions will be given via Teams. Register at [email protected]
  • Wednesdays from 12:15 to 12:45 – Body Flow facilitated by Diane Cyr.
  • Fridays from 12:15 to 12:45 – Dance Party with Tiny Dancer facilitated by Matthew Armour.
• We are here to support you during these times. Please reach out to us at the Faculty Wellness Program at [email protected] and visit our wellness web page.

INTERNATIONALIZATION AND GLOBAL HEALTH OFFICE:

• Gain a global perspective on the COVID-19 crisis in a series of weekly webinars presented by the International and Global Health Office (IGHO). April is Internationalization and Global Health Month at the faculty, and these webinars feature conversations about the coronavirus pandemic with some of the field’s foremost practitioners and thinkers.
• Register now for the April 8th webinar, “Peer support and resilience in times of COVID-19” with Rachel Thibeault, Occupational Therapist in the field of Global Health and former professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences.
• Follow @uOttawaIGHOMed on Twitter and consult our website for more information. Stay tuned for further news on upcoming webinars throughout the month of April. IGHO: We build bridges locally and around the world.

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA SHUTTLE BUS:

• Shuttle service between main campus and RGN will terminate at the end of day on April 9 (just before Good Friday). 

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA:

• The Office of the President at uOttawa issued the message: “In solidarity with our community” today. Please note in particular the travel limitations between Ontario and Quebec.

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID 19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

Dear faculty, learners and staff,

As we face this global pandemic together, I continue to see incredible gestures of kindness, bravery and sacrifice amongst our community of clinicians, frontline health care providers, researchers, learners and staff. I want to t­hank you all for stepping up to support each other during this difficult time.

For some of you, this means working harder than ever at the hospitals and clinics, and for others it means researching for a vaccine, moving classrooms online, offering help with essential errands, sharing resources and equipment, or donating medical supplies for the fight against COVID-19.

The Faculty of Medicine is also collaborating with its health care partners on a regional approach for acquiring much-needed supplies such as personal protective equipment (PPE), masks, ventilators, and reagents for lab testing. This effort is led by Dr. Sharon Whiting and Ms. Gillian Lord. For those who would like to contribute to this cause, please email [email protected].

Furthermore, our Faculty is gratefully accepting donations to help with the COVID-19 crisis. 100% of your donation will be directed to the Faculty of Medicine COVID-19 Response Fund.

During this difficult time, it is more important than ever to care for our own mental health and well-being. Please access and share the wellness support resources available on the Faculty’s and the University’s web pages.

Finally, I’d like to give my congratulations to last week’s successful online delivery of case-based learning (CBL) modules in the UGME program. Kudos to our professors, students and support staff for making this innovative new approach possible! 

On behalf of the Faculty, I express my warmest gratitude to you all for doing your part and imparting your strengths in this ever-changing situation.

Please see the headings and links below for detailed information specific to your situation.

At any time, you can visit the uOttawa coronavirus website and the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19, and follow us on Twitter @uOttawaMed, for further updates.

Bernard Jasmin, PhD

Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine

University of Ottawa

What’s New?

AFFAIRES FRANCOPHONES :

• Webinar – April 3, 7:00 p.m. EST: “Coronavirus, what you really need to know” (French only). Free workshop offered by Montfort Hospital in partnership with Francophone Affairs. Register. 

DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY: 

• COVID-19 related updates for Residency Programs in pathology.

RESEARCH OFFICE:

• For researchers and those working in their labs, please review updates on the Research Office’s dedicated COVID-19 page.
• uOttawa’s Office of the Vice-President of Research has posted frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and research; and information on critical research or time sensitive research.

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA:

• The Office of the President issued the message “Final stretch before exam period” last Friday.

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA:

• The Office of the President issued this message about changes to spring 2020 convocation ceremonies yesterday.

Learners from the UGME and Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies programs are affected – please refer to these sites for details:

• UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page
• uOttawa's Convocation ceremonies page

Follow us on Twitter @uOttawaMed for further updates.

Please see the headings and links below for detailed information specific to your situation.

Follow us on Twitter @uOttawaMed for further updates.

CITY OF OTTAWA:

• Yesterday, the City of Ottawa declared a state of emergency.

GRADUATE AND POSTDOCTORAL STUDIES:

• The Program sent out details of final grades to its students yesterday. 

MEDPOINT:

• In today’s edition of MedPoint, the Faculty of Medicine shared several stories of people in our faculty who have received funding to participate in Canada’s rapid response to fight the coronavirus.

OFFICE OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT, RESEARCH:

• Today, the Office of the vice-president, research issued a memo to all members of the University of Ottawa research community outlining the procedures that researchers are required to follow with respect to their research staff, students, and Post-Doctoral fellows, during the scaling down of non-critical or time sensitive research during the COVID-19 pandemic, as requested by the vice-President, research on March 19, 2020.

POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (PGME):

• Updates are posted on a regular basis on PGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page. Updates are expected later today.

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates made yesterday on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.
• The most recent updates include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Virtual group support sessions
  • Pre-clerkship& Clerkship: updates to teaching materials/methods; cancellations
  • Examination and CaRMS instructions
  • Travel and exposure guidance
  • New emergency fund for students
• We send a huge thank you to our MD students for helping our frontline health professionals with errands at home and the donation of medical supplies & protective equipment. Read all about their efforts in our MedPoint story. 

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA:

• The Office of the President issued this message on teleworking and summer semester on Tuesday, and this message of solidarity and resilience yesterday.
• For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID 19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website. 

uOTTAWA SKILLS AND SIMULATION CENTRE (uOSSC):

• The uOSSC allows health professionals to learn and practice the treatment of COVID-19 patients through simulation scenarios. Over the last week, the uOSSC has run over 200 health professionals through COVID-related simulations.
• They are also working to videotape simulations and load them onto a virtual, open-access platform, to allow continuity of sims education and help health professionals around the world. View their first video, a simulation of the resuscitation of severe Covid-19 pneumonia.

WELLNESS:

• One thing we all have in common is that in times like these, our mental health and well-being can suffer. You might feel more anxious and on edge than usual, feeling angry, helpless and/or sad. Make sure to visit the University and the Faculty’s wellness support pages:
  • uOttawa
  • Faculty of Medicine

Dear faculty, learners and staff,

As we now move into a new week of COVID-fueled challenges, we acknowledge the upheaval of the situation, and its impact on our lives. This weekend, most of the University’s students left their homes in residence to continue to enact social (now known as physical) distancing so important for our safety. Residents and fellows may be expected to redeploy to help address surges in need or other extraordinary circumstances across the network, to services in need such as hospital emergency rooms, ICUs, triage facilities, or to responsive facilities such as vaccination units and assessment clinics. We thank you for coordinating efforts and stepping forward if asked. See our link below for guidance in such decisions.

We also thank our clinicians and researchers for taking the time away from their critical research to make regular appearances in the media, a valuable outlet for answering the community’s pressing questions. Their expertise and guidance provide reassurance that the country’s best are toiling in search of preventative and treatment measures for this great health challenge.

Numerous institutions across the country have been asked by provincial and federal governments to come forward in response to a shortage of critical medical supplies, and many volunteers are keen to help. The Faculty is working with its partners to ensure a coordinated approach in our region for acquiring much-needed equipment such as personal protective equipment, masks, ventilators, reagents for lab testing, and other supplies. Our efforts are led by Dr. Sharon Whiting and Ms. Gillian Lord.

The University has sent a message containing new updates this afternoon, including exceptional academic measures, students in residences and a human resources toolkit.

We continue to offer our warmest gratitude to all in doing your part in this ever-changing situation. Please see the headings and links below for detailed information specific to your situation. We invite you to also refer to the wellness resources – your mental health and well-being are important.

At any time, you can visit the uOttawa coronavirus website and the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19, and follow us on Twitter @uOttawaMed, for further updates.
 

Bernard Jasmin, PhD

Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine

University of Ottawa

What’s New?

GRADUATE AND POSTDOCTORAL STUDIES:

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates made today on the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Program’s dedicated COVID-19 page.
• The most recent updates include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Funding support for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows:
    • The regular level of stipend/scholarship support for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows will continue while working remotely from home.
    • We are working with the University on sustainable solutions to maintain funding support.
    • Work with your supervisor to develop a personalized plan that allows you to conduct research remotely to the fullest extent possible.
  • Instructions for TMM students
  • For trainees: Best Practices for Continued Research Productivity
  • For faculty: Best Practices for Remote Supervision

INTERNATIONALIZATION AND GLOBAL HEALTH OFFICE (IGHO):

• IGHO has been working on virtual events for May that will focus on impact of COVID-19 on global health. The Office continues to work with partners via virtual meetings, including one this morning with the University of Paris for their Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).

MEDICAL SUPPLIES:

• Trudeau issued a call to all universities, colleges, CEGEPS, polytechniques and schools for medical equipment in an “all-hands-on-deck” approach.
  • The dean, along with Faculty Affairs Office and the Research Office, are coordinating efforts with our partner hospitals to collect and/or loan, in support of Ontario’s and Canada’s health care system, medical supplies and equipment such as ventilators, hand sanitizer, masks, gowns, and reagents needed for PCRs, a key tool in COVID testing.
  • MD students are also getting involved in the effort to address the shortage of personal protective equipment.

OFFICE OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

• Courses and faculty development:
  • OCPD has cancelled courses and faculty development from March to June 2020. We are working on rescheduling conferences to the 2020-21 academic year. We are processing refunds for registration fees paid for cancelled conferences but ask that participants be patient as we adjust to changing circumstances. Once we have new dates for conferences, participants will be provided with options to rebook for the new date or a refund.
  • Planning and other committee meetings will be setup using ZOOM and we will in contacting planning committee members regarding upcoming conferences.

OTTAWA PUBLIC HEALTH:

• Community transmission has begun in Ottawa. Public health is urging people to stay in their homes and avoid non-essential excursions. Everyone, including health care workers, must stay home if you have any symptoms. Review the latest COVID-19 updates from Ottawa Public Health.

POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (PGME):

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates made today on PGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.
• The most recent updates include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Guidelines for the redeployment of residents and fellows in response to exceptional health system need
  • Measures by the Ontario government to ensure health care resources are available

RESEARCH FUNDING:

• This morning, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $275 million for coronavirus research and medical countermeasures, part of the Government of Canada’s more than $1 billion COVID-19 Response Fund.

RESEARCH OFFICE:

• For researchers and those working in their labs, please review the updates made today on the Research Office’s dedicated COVID-19 page.
• The most recent updates include the following:
  • Clarifications on what may constitute essential vs non-essential research
  • What your lab can do to help (critically needed donations and volunteer coordination)

STAFF:

• If you have questions about building access, please contact [email protected].

Ongoing:

MEDTECH:

• We will perform a migration of all Faculty of Medicine Research data to a new storage infrastructure on beginning at 8:00 p.m. on March 27 and continuing on March 28. For more information visit Medtech’s web page providing updates on working-at-home technology requirements and support. 

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• Updates are posted regularly on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

WELLNESS:

• One thing we all have in common is that in times like these, our mental health and well-being can suffer. You might feel more anxious and on edge than usual, feeling angry, helpless and/or sad. Make sure to visit the University and the Faculty’s wellness support pages:
  • uOttawa
  • Faculty of Medicine
     

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID 19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

Dear faculty, learners and staff,

This has been a grueling week for all of us. A week of massive transformational changes and adaptations in the way we carry-out our academic mission and clinical services.

Our learners and teachers have not only moved online, but have also dealt with cancellation of clinical rotations, exams, international placements and conferences. Our researchers have radically altered their working conditions, being asked to scale-down their work and that of their trainees, except for critical projects. Our staff has put every ounce of effort into making a massive logistical transition happen in an incredibly short time. Our clinicians and clinician teachers have continued to care for patients and educate students under exceptionally difficult conditions, while bracing themselves for the intensification of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today, I would like to take a special moment to recognize all of our dedicated clinicians who are proactively preparing for a coordinated response to the risk our community is now facing. They stand on the front lines of a significant health threat. They work in our hospitals, family clinics and private practices. They work with our uOttawa Skills and Simulation Centre, which has guided more than 200 health professionals through COVID-19 pandemic simulations. They work at the Ottawa Assessment Centre, screening and testing patients for COVID-19. They work in Ottawa Public Health, under the direction of Dr. Vera Etches, an adjunct professor at our School of Epidemiology and Public Health, and the face of COVID-19 prevention in Ottawa.

Our community should feel comforted given their expertise, commitment, tireless work and compassion.

As a result of these large-scale transformational changes that occurred within the last several days, our Faculty wishes to extend enormous gratitude to our clinicians, educators, researchers, learners and administrative personnel for their spirit of collaboration and for their ability to quickly adapt to new working and learning conditions. It is only through the leadership and dedication of everyone that we will continue to function as a leading medical school renown nationally and internationally for the excellence of our multiple programs.

We remain committed to bringing you regular updates in an ever-changing situation. Please see the headings and links below for detailed information specific to your situation, including new and important information on building security, and a link to information posted by the office of uOttawa’s Vice-President, Research. We invite you to also refer to the wellness resources below, to help take care of your mental health and well-being.

At any time, you can visit the uOttawa coronavirus website and the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19, and follow us on Twitter @uOttawaMed, for further updates.
 

Bernard Jasmin, PhD

Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine

University of Ottawa

Updates from the Faculty of Medicine

RESEARCH OFFICE:

• For researchers and those working in their labs, please review the updates made yesterday on the Research Office’s dedicated COVID-19 page.
• uOttawa’s Office of the Vice-President of Research has posted frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and research; and information on critical research or time sensitive research.

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• Updates are posted on a regular basis on the UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (PGME):

• The PGME leadership and team members extend heartfelt gratitude to our trainees, Program Directors and Program Administrators for their dedicated efforts in managing the outcomes resulting from frequent imposed changes that impact schedules and learning objectives. We appreciate all of the hard work being completed, both behind the scenes in the extra work and administration of these changes, and most importantly, in the stellar health care you are providing to our community during these stressful times.

GRADUATE AND POSTDOCTORAL STUDIES:

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates posted yesterday on the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Program’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

CLINICIANS:

• Reminder that during the COVID-19 pandemic, uOttawa medical students are mobilizing to help health care providers in need, by volunteering to assist with childcare/babysitting, pet care, and grocery runs. Health care providers can sign up for assistance here. For questions, please contact student leads Heidi Li (MD2021, [email protected]) or Simran Aggarwal (MD2022,[email protected]). Please note that this is a student-run initiative that will be occurring off-campus and has no affiliation with the University.
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has issued guidance for workers in the health sector. 

MEDTECH:

• We will perform a migration of all Faculty of Medicine Research data to a new storage infrastructure on beginning at 8:00 p.m. on March 27 and continuing on March 28. For more information visit Medtech’s web page providing updates on working-at-home technology requirements and support.

BUILDING SECURITY: 

• With fewer people onsite, we have to be mindful of increased security risks. In the coming days we plan to suspend the automatic door opening schedule at both 600 and 850 Peter Morand and will move to our holiday procedure. Anyone with an access card programmed for access to these buildings will be able to enter should they need to come onsite to collect any important items while working from home. Protection Services will continue to be a presence in RGN and will as ever be keeping an ear out for any equipment alarms in the laboratories. Our on-call team is prepared to react to all such events. 
• Security at RGN will also tighten in accordance with our holiday procedure. This means that in the coming days the RGN perimeter doors will be locked, with access only being granted to properly programmed access cards. Access to RGN via the main front doors will continue. 
• If you do not have a valid access card and require access to any of these buildings, please contact [email protected] and provide an explanation. Alternate arrangements to accommodate you will have to be made. Delays are to be expected.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS:

• An opportunity to support COVID-19 efforts at the Faculty of Medicine will be released Thursday March 26, in the MedPoint newsletter. 
• If you know of an external organization that is seeking to support COVID-19 research and initiatives, please ask them to email [email protected]

WELLNESS:

• Please report all COVID-19 diagnoses and cases of self-isolation to the Wellness Office.
• Reminder: One thing we all have in common is that in times like these, our mental health and well-being can suffer. You might feel more anxious and on edge than usual, feeling angry, helpless and/or sad. 
  • The University offers a page for students, staff and all uOttawa community members:Coronavirus: How to access mental health support from the comfort of your home
  • Residents can also access the PARO support line available 24/7 at 1-866-Help-Doc.
  • MD students can contact the Student Affairs Office by email at [email protected] to book an appointment with a counsellor or book an appointment online. All appointments will be provided by telephone in order to keep everyone safe.
  • Here are some additional ways you take care of your mental health and well-being in the face of uncertainty.

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID 19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

Dear faculty, learners and staff,

This week, we have all made Herculean efforts to move our working, learning, teaching and research activities away from our physical campus, into an online environment. I would like to thank each and every one of you for your part in this massive endeavor. Your efforts allow the vital work of our Faculty to continue.

This week has been especially difficult for our researchers, most of whom have been asked to scale down, and in many cases completely suspend, their important research projects. Today, the University of Ottawa has issued a similar directive to all researchers university-wide in an email sent by the vice-president, research. We recognize the magnitude of this sacrifice. Rest assured that we do not ask it of you lightly.

I am also sorry to announce that the Town Hall with uOttawa President Jacques Frémont, Provost Jill Scott and Vice President Research Sylvain Charbonneau on April 9th has been cancelled.

We remain committed to bringing you regular updates in an ever-changing situation. Please see the headings and links below for detailed information specific to your situation. We invite you to also refer to the wellness resources below, to help take care of your mental health and well-being.

At any time, you can visit the uOttawa coronavirus website and the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19, and follow us on Twitter @uOttawaMed, for further updates.
 

Bernard Jasmin, PhD

Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine

University of Ottawa

Updates from the Faculty of Medicine

RESEARCH OFFICE:

• For researchers and those working in their labs, please review the updates made today on the Research Office’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• Weekly updates are posted every Wednesday on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (PGME):

• Stay tuned for PGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page which will soon provide regular updates.
• Further to information sent earlier this week from the University of Ottawa, all learners who are currently outside of Canada must return as soon as possible. If you have additional costs involved in returning sooner than planned, the University may be able to provide support, determined on a case by case basis. Please contact Joshua Jespersen at [email protected] at uOttawa’s International Office for assistance, and to advise him of the costs incurred. Please ensure that you keep all receipts.

GRADUATE AND POSTDOCTORAL STUDIES:

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates to be posted this eveningon the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Program’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

MEDTECH:

• Work remotely just as you do from your office! Visit Medtech’s web page providing updates on working-at-home technology requirements and support.

FACULTY AFFAIRS:

• Faculty appointments continue to be reviewed with the faculty appointments committee via teleconference.

OFFICE OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

• All medical conferences in March and April, as well as some conferences in May and June, have been cancelled. A decision whether to cancel all May and June conferences will be made in the coming weeks.
• Faculty Development has cancelled all face-to-face sessions for the rest of the academic year but will work to provide some via webinar. We are also working to provide refunds for cancelled courses. Please visit the Faculty Development website for more information and updates on webinars as they become available.

CLINICIANS:

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, uOttawa medical students are mobilizing to help health care providers in need, by volunteering to assist with childcare/babysitting, pet care, and grocery runs. Health care providers can sign up for assistance here. For questions, please contact student leads Heidi Li (MD2021, [email protected]) or Simran Aggarwal (MD2022, [email protected]). Please note that this is a student-run initiative that will be occurring off-campus and has no affiliation with the University.
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has issued guidance for workers in the health sector. 

WELLNESS:

• Please report all COVID-19 diagnoses and cases of self-isolation to the Wellness Office.
• Reminder: One thing we all have in common is that in times like these, our mental health and well-being can suffer. You might feel more anxious and on edge than usual, feeling angry, helpless and/or sad. 
  • The University offers a page for students, staff and all uOttawa community members: Coronavirus: How to access mental health support from the comfort of your home
  • Residents can also access the PARO support line available 24/7 at 1-866-Help-Doc.
  • MD students can contact the Student Affairs Office by email at [email protected] to book an appointment with a counsellor or book an appointment online. All appointments will be provided by telephone in order to keep everyone safe.
  • Here are some additional ways you take care of your mental health and well-being in the face of uncertainty.

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID 19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

Dear faculty, learners and staff,

We continue to band together in solidarity and camaraderie at the Faculty of Medicine to rise to the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic. In light of directives received by uOttawa central, public health agencies, and multiple levels of government across Canada, we are working hard to safeguard the health of our learners, staff and faculty members and ensure the continuity of our business operations. Program managers are endeavoring to ensure academic and clinical programs are delivered effectively and with minimal disruption. The majority of our staff has converted to teleworking; however, essential staff remains on site for cleaning, technological support, and other operational needs. I extend our sincerest gratitude to all in helping the Faculty continue its essential work at this difficult time.

Despite research operations being scaled down, several teams of researchers remain on site to combat COVID-19. We are honoured to have been entrusted with a major role in this national and indeed international challenge.

We remain committed to bringing you regular updates in the form of information and links reflecting the latest in an ever-changing situation. Please see the headings below for detailed information specific to your situation. We invite you to also refer to the wellness resources below, to help take care of your mental health and well-being.

We encourage you to stay current in the affairs that matter to you – and they are changing every day. At any time, you can visit the uOttawa coronavirus website and the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19, and follow us on Twitter @uOttawaMed, for further updates.
 

Bernard Jasmin, PhD

Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine

University of Ottawa

Updates from the Faculty of Medicine

RESEARCH OFFICE:

• For researchers and those working in their labs, please review the updates made today on the Research Office’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates made today on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.
• The most recent updates include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Cancellations and postponements for all years
  • Availability of lectures and teaching materials
  • Delivery of midterm and final exams
  • Travel guidelines

POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (PGME):

• Stay tuned for PGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page which will soon provide regular updates.

GRADUATE AND POSTDOCTORAL STUDIES:

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates made today on the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Program’s dedicated COVID-19 page.

STAFF:

• The employee assistance program has now been extended to all staff. Please see details in the Wellness section below.
• As a reminder, please continue to visit the University’s COVID-19 web page for the latest information and updates.

MEDTECH:

• Work remotely just as you do from your office! Visit Medtech’s website for updates on working-at-home technology requirements and support.

LEARNERS IN RESIDENCE:

uOttawa provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs Jill Scott issued the following notice yesterday evening:

Because we want to protect our students, and the most vulnerable members of the Ottawa community from the risk of COVID-19 infection, we are now requiring all students currently living in uOttawa residences to fully vacate their rooms as soon as possible, and no later than Sunday, March 22 at 4pm.

This does not apply to international students or those with exceptional circumstances.

Read the full uOttawa announcement here.

WELLNESS:

• The Wellness Office has asked all diagnoses and cases of self-isolation be reported to them, and continues to remind faculty and students of online resources.
• Reminder: One thing we all have in common is that in times like these, our mental health and well-being can suffer. You might feel more anxious and on edge than usual, feeling angry, helpless and/or sad.
  • Residents, fellows, graduate and TMM students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty can contact the Faculty Wellness Program by phone at 613-562-5800 x 8507 or by email at [email protected].
  • Residents can also access the PARO support line available 24/7 at 1-866-Help-Doc.
  • MD students can contact the Student Affairs Office by email at [email protected] to book an appointment with a counsellor or book an appointment online. All appointments will be provided by telephone in order to keep everyone safe.
  • All employees and their families now have access to short-term counselling services. The counselling will be provided by the University’s Employee and Family Assistance Provider, Shepell. Request for short-term counselling services can be done by phone at 1-800-387-4765 TTY: 1-877-338-0275. You can also visit the Employee and Family Assistance (EFAP) website for additional resources. The coverage will be in place until April 30, 2020 to assist anyone who may feel emotionally overwhelmed and stressed by the uncertainty and risks associated with COVID-19.
  • Here are some additional ways you take care of your mental health and well-being in the face of uncertainty.

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID 19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website.

Dear faculty, learners and staff,

As the coronavirus crisis accelerates, our faculty stands in the front lines of the fight against this deadly threat. Today, and in the weeks and months ahead, our clinicians will work to save the lives of people infected by the virus, while our researchers will race to discover treatments for the disease. Our alumni will labour tirelessly in hospitals and laboratories across the country. Already, many of our MD students are joining a volunteer initiative to provide services like babysitting, pet care, and grocery shopping for healthcare workers. All members of our staff are using their talents and training to support the effort. Each and every one of us in the Faculty of Medicine has a role to play in combating this pandemic. I know that together, we will rise to the challenge.

The health and wellness of faculty, learners and staff is our primary concern. To that end, we are taking several steps that affect learners at the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels; medical residents and interns; clinical and research faculty; and staff. In keeping with University directives and the recommendations of public health agencies and governments across Canada, we are striving to continue our vital teaching and research functions, while implementing social distancing measures. All learning has moved online. All staff whose presence on campus is not essential have been directed to work from home. All clinical rotations for MD students have been suspended. All learners on placements abroad are being asked to return home. Research operations are being scaled down; all non-essential lab trainees and staff have been asked to stay home; and special measures are being implemented for laboratory researchers and their teams.

Please see the headings below for detailed information specific to your situation. We invite you to also refer to the wellness resources below, to help take care of your mental health and well-being.

The situation is evolving rapidly. At any time, you can visit the uOttawa coronavirus website and the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19, and follow us on Twitter @uOttawaMed, for further updates.
 

Bernard Jasmin, PhD

Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine

University of Ottawa

Updates from the Faculty of Medicine:
 

RESEARCH OFFICE:

• For researchers and those working in their labs, please review the updates made today on the Research Office's dedicated COVID-19 page.
• The most recent updates include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Which lab members are to stay at home
  • Preventative measures in the lab
  • How to proceed with research activities
  • Teleworking procedures
  • Manuscript preparation

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION:

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates made yesterday on UGME's dedicated page to COVID-19.

POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM:

• Postgraduate (PG) deans from across Canada have sent the following message to their respective program directors, who have been asked to make every effort to accommodate candidates in the following manner:
• "In the light of the COVID-19 pandemic there are various rapidly evolving restrictions on travel within Canada and North America. All interviews for the second iteration of CaRMS must be done by remote means (SKYPE, ZOOM, FaceTime, etc.). We thank you for your ongoing collaboration during these exceptional times.”
• For faculty members and learners, please consult the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19.
• Stay tuned for a PGME page dedicated to COVID-19 which will soon provide regular updates.

GRADUATE AND POSTDOCTORAL STUDIES:

• For faculty members and learners, please review the updates made late yesterday on the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Program's dedicated COVID-19 page.  
• The most recent updates include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Which lab members are to stay at home
  • Preventative measures in the lab
  • How to proceed with research activities
  • Advice for thesis preparation

WELLNESS FOR ALL:

One thing we all have in common is that in times like these, our mental health and well-being can suffer. You might feel more anxious and on edge than usual, feeling angry, helpless and/or sad.

• Residents, fellows, graduate and TMM students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty can contact the Faculty Wellness Program by phone at 613-562-5800 x 8507 or by email at [email protected].
• Residents can also access the PARO support line available 24/7 at 1-866-Help-Doc.
• MD students can contact the Student Affairs Office by email at [email protected] to book an appointment with a counsellor or book an appointment online. All appointments will be provided by telephone in order to keep everyone safe.
• The employee assistance program has been extended to non-eligible staff until April 30. This program includes employee counselling. Please visit the WorkHealthLife website and enter the University of Ottawa as the organization to access and explore further.

Here are some additional ways you take care of your mental health and well-being in the face of uncertainty.

For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID 19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website, as well as the following links for more information:

• Academic information
• Travel information
• How to protect yourself
• International students
• Frequently asked questions

Dear Faculty, learners and staff,

Note that uOttawa has today issued the following notice:

Classes on Monday, March 16, 2020 and Tuesday, March 17, 2020 are cancelled.

As of Wednesday, March 18, 2020 all in-person classes and labs in the current (Winter 2020) term will be moved to distance and online learning formats for the rest of the semester.

For the time being, all staff will continue to perform their usual tasks and roles. However, the health and safety of our employees is paramount, and the University is considering various factors including school closures, social distancing and essential services and weighing their impact on employees. More information will be provided to staff in the days to come.

As previously announced, all University-related travel by uOttawa staff and students is prohibited until further notice. Faculty travel is strongly discouraged.

Read more of the University’s update.

The Faculty of Medicine continues to work closely with our University administration, affiliated hospitals and research institutes to develop practical measures to ensure preparedness and the continued safety of our patients, learners, faculty members, researchers and administrative staff. As of now, public health authorities state the risk to the Ottawa community as remaining low, however the Faculty has taken certain actions, and continues to monitor the situation. Please note that the measures below strictly relate to faculty members, administrative staff and learners from the Faculty of Medicine.

At the moment, many of us are worried about COVID-19. In times like these, our mental health and well-being can suffer. You might feel more on anxious and on edge than usual, feeling angry, helpless and/or sad. Apart from accessing the resources in our previous update from March 5th, here are some ways you take care of your mental health and well-being in the face of uncertainty.

As the situation is evolving, please check this website (Faculty of Medicine - Updates regarding COVID-19) regularly for the latest updates.

SOCIAL DISTANCING

At this time, the Faculty has not issued a work from home directive. In preparation for this possibility however, additional technology and tools are being sourced to enable work from home.

We are recommending that any large-scale faculty and business meetings be held by teleconference or cancelled altogether. Additionally, at this time, all recruitment activities and interviews will be conducted via teleconference.

PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS THROUGH PREVENTION

• Wash your hands frequently
• Avoid touching your face
• Create social distance, avoid close contact such as hand-shaking
• Cancel ALL non-essential work travel, both domestic and international
• Leverage teleconferencing and webinar options rather that attending in person
• Self-isolate immediately if you develop cold or flu symptoms
• If you are medically vulnerable to COVID-19, discuss alternative working arrangements with your team leader or a Human Resources representative
• If you have come in contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 or who has a presumptive case of COVID-19, self-isolate, follow the recommendations of Ottawa Public Health and contact your hospital’s Occupational Health unit

UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION

• International electives (incoming and outgoing) are cancelled effective immediately through June 30, 2020.
• Electives for Canadian medical students outside of University of Ottawa cancelled effective immediately through June 30, 2020.
• Contingency planning for UG curriculum delivery is underway and continually evolving.
• UGME will directly email all UGME students, all UGME faculty, hospital coordinators and operations staff with regular and more detailed UGME related updates. These updates will also be on the UGME website under “COVID-19 information”.
• All classroom and small group teaching will be converted to online.
• Exams will continue but will be converted to online.
• Objective structured clinical examinations will be postponed or modified as required.
   

Pre-clerkship:

• All non-curricular activities will be cancelled (see UGME messaging for details).
• All observerships are cancelled effective through June 30, 2020.
• Attendance policies will be adapted to meet the needs of students placed in isolation and evolving curriculum changes.
• Community weeks and community preceptor programs have been cancelled.
• Community service learning has been cancelled.
   

Clerkship:

• All electives for students from Canadian medical schools apart from uO have been cancelled effective through June 30, 2020.
• U3 core rotations (that do not require air travel) will continue but will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION

• Reinforcement for all trainees to have their N95 mask fit testing completed.
• Occupational Health services at hospitals will be available to residents. Those in the community will be welcomed at TOH.
• The faculty will advocate on behalf of their candidates with the Medical Regulatory Authorities to permit these candidates to practice with a provisional or other temporary license that they would normally have satisfied the certification requirements but for now are unable to do so. 
• Certification Exams
  • RCPSC and CFPC spring exams have been postponed.
• Academic Half Day (AHD)
  • PGME, at this point, is not mandating cancellation of AHD however, individual PDs are to determine whether they will choose to continue these in their regular format or not.
  • It is advisable to change these to a teleconference format as much as possible.
• Accreditation Internal Reviews of training programs
  • These are all to be postponed until further notice.
• PGME PGY1 Academic Symposia
  • These are cancelled.
• Incoming Foreign Medical (visa) Graduates
  • Any foreign PG trainee MUST follow Public Health Agency of Canada / Ottawa Public Health guidelines (i.e., self-isolation for 14 days before starting clinical rotations including the Pre-entry Assessment Program and notify Ottawa Public Health if issues arise). They MUST have N95 mask fit testing completed prior to commencing any hospital clinical experience.
  • They must email their hospitals occupational health office prior to coming to their uOttawa clinical training site.
• Rotations
  • uOttawa residents
    • All rotations not already commenced outside of uOttawa training sites are immediately to be cancelled / postponed until further notice as per our Academic Health Science Partner hospitals (TOH, Montfort, Bruyere, Royal Ottawa and CHEO).
    • If the PG trainee is already away on rotation in Canada but outside of uOttawa training sites
      • Remain on rotation unless directed otherwise by the supervisors at that training site.
      • Email Occupational Health at their respective uOttawa hospitals in preparation for their return and resumption of clinical duties in Ottawa. 
        • If a trainee does not have a “base hospital” e.g. community family medicine or PHPM residents, TOH will be their default hospital Occupational Health office.
    • If already away on rotation outside of Canada
      • Follow Health Canada travel advisories at all times particularly with respect to health notices.
      • Email Occupational Health at their respective uOttawa hospitals in preparation for their return and resumption of clinical duties in Ottawa. 
  • Visiting PG trainees
    • All upcoming visiting trainee rotations (whether elective or required rotation) to be undertaken at uOttawa, are to be postponed until further notice.
    • If the PG trainee is already on rotation at uOttawa, they are permitted to continue training at uOttawa until the end of their expected time here.
• Vacation 
  • PG trainees are  again reminded to consult Health Canada travel advisories prior to initiating or returning from vacation away from Canada.
  • Before returning to clinical duties, residents who have been away from Ottawa for any reason, are required to email their respective hospital Occupational Health office.
• Conferences and other work away from Ottawa
  • These are to be cancelled.

OFFICE OF CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Events scheduled for March and April are currently under review. The feasibility of online learning is being considered.

TMM and GRADUATE AND POSTDOCTORAL STUDIES

• Cancellation of TMM Honours project oral sessions.
• Contingency planning for curriculum delivery is underway, including offering lecture-based courses online and developing a plan for final exams.
• Reviewing how to maintain critical research activities and enabling remote work if deemed necessary.
• All academic events (poster days, symposium, PhD defences, etc.) are currently being reviewed individually and may be either cancelled, postponed or conducted online. More information will follow.

AFFAIRES FRANCOPHONES

• All activities linked to Francophonie Month are cancelled.
• Franco mini-med school will likely be offered by videoconferencing.
• Currently assessing how to offer continuing professional development events by video conferencing.

INTERNATIONALIZATION AND GLOBAL HEALTH

• The Faculty’s Annual Internationalization and Global Health Conference on April 8 will be postponed until the fall. Information will be circulated shortly.
• TSOP Observership program (incoming for 6 weeks May-June) has been cancelled.
• MHIP Lyon Summer school has been cancelled.
• Kuwait Mentoring program Social activity has been cancelled.

RESEARCH

• Contingency planning is underway.
• Purchasing is in contact with all of our major suppliers to discuss securing adequate supplies of essential items.
• ACVS is also actively working on contingency planning.
• Please be advised our researchers have begun to experience delays at customs when shipping samples and other packages internationally.
• Investigators should start considering how their lab’s activities might be prioritized and scaled down in response to a partial or more comprehensive shutdown of research facilities should that be required as the situation progresses.
• Researchers may want to reconsider beginning any large-scale projects, especially those involving animals at this time.
• Researchers are strongly recommended to limit in-person social interactions as much as possible including cancelling internal meetings such as journal clubs, work-in-progress meetings and lab/team meetings.
• Until further notice, international travel or visitors should be cancelled or postponed.

Dear learners, faculty, and staff,

Please see update below from uOttawa regarding the evolving situation of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

There are currently no cases in Ottawa, and public health authorities continue to rate the risk for Canadians as low. Ottawa Public Health (OPH), our local public health authority, is providing updates on the virus, including travel notices and how people can prepare themselves in the possible event of isolation.

The Faculty of Medicine continues to work jointly with the University of Ottawa and partner hospitals, paramedics, OPH, and the City to ensure the safety of our learners, faculty and staff, as well as the communities we serve.

Please take note of important information below regarding clinical placements for students, resident physicians and fellows (shared previously on January 31, 2020).

• At this time, all students, including medical, nursing, health professions, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows (graduate studies) are not to provide care to patients with presumptive or confirmed cases of novel Coronavirus.
• At this time, resident physicians and fellows who are not currently N95 respirator fit tested (within last 2 years) cannot provide care to patients with presumptive and confirmed cases of novel Coronavirus.
• At this time, resident physicians and fellows who are currently N95 respirator fit tested (within last 2 years) can provide care to patients with presumptive and confirmed cases of novel Coronavirus if the Most Responsible Physician (MRP) is in agreement.

It is important to remind everyone of the actions we must take to reduce risk, which are exactly the same as those required to prevent transmission of any febrile respiratory illnesses (FRI). Specifically, here are the key precautions we all must take, in addition to direction or guidance provided by your local health care facility or institution:

• Regular hand hygiene.
• You are encouraged to receive your seasonal influenza vaccine if you have not yet done so.
• If applicable, the trainee must hold a current N95 mask fit test and size.

Regarding travel, please see mandatory uOttawa travel registry information below. If you are also in a clinical setting, please ensure you inform yourself of the institution’s current travel policy and reporting.

You can visit OPH’s website for updates on COVID-19, and to sign up for email updates from them.

We understand that some people may feel discomfited by this news. In addition to uOttawa’s services, here is a summary of the Faculty of Medicine’s counselling and wellness supports.

Medical students can contact the Student Affairs Office by phone at 613-562-5800 x 8136 or by email at [email protected] to connect with counsellors and other resources.  

Residents, fellows, graduate and TMM students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty can contact the Faculty Wellness Program by phone at 613-562-5800 x 8507 or by email at [email protected]. Residents can also access the PARO support line available 24/7 at 1-866-Help-Doc.

International students who have questions can contact the University’s International Office ([email protected]) and are also reminded that services, such as counselling, are available should they need any assistance.

Other recommended supports include:

• Your family physician
• The OMA Physician Health Program (1-800-851-6606) (Medical students, residents, fellows and MD faculty members)
• Your Employee and Family Assistance Program
• The Mental Health Crisis lines available 24/7 at 613-722-6914 (in Ottawa) and 1-866-996-0991 (outside Ottawa); Tel-Aide Outaouais 1-800-567-9699

And:

• Students:
  Good2talk (bilingual confidential 24/7 hotline): 1-866-925-5454
  Mental Health and Wellness support
• Employees:
  Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP, 24/7): 1-844-880-9142

In case of an emergency:
Protection Services (24/7): 613-562-5411 (or ext. 5411 on campus)
Emergency services: 911

Message from the University of Ottawa

Dear members of uOttawa community,

The University of Ottawa is closely monitoring developments involving the coronavirus, now referred to as COVID-19. Although the number of countries affected by the coronavirus continues to increase, Canadian public health authorities have assessed the risk associated with COVID-19 as low for Canada.

The University has established a working group to co-ordinate uOttawa’s response across our campuses. We are also refining our academic and business contingency plans, that will be implemented if necessary.

Travel Advisories

As of March 4, the Canadian government provided COVID-19 specific travel advice, which includes health notices, for China, Hong Kong, Iran, Japan, Northern Italy, Singapore, and South Korea.

All University-sponsored travel, as well as activities such as internships, exchanges, letter of permission (LPR), research, coop placements, have been suspended for China and Iran until further notice.

Keep in mind that travel restrictions have and can change rapidly with little notice. Depending on where you go, you may encounter challenges in departing a country, or face difficulties when you try to return.

Members of the uOttawa community planning to travel abroad should closely monitor Global Affairs Canada’s website to get the most recent travel advice and advisories pertaining to their potential destination and adjust their travel plans accordingly. In doubt, students should contact the International Office and employees and faculty members should liaise with the Office of Risk Management.

New travel registry for international travel

The University has established a new uOttawa International Travel Registry for students, employees and faculty members traveling outside Canada for official studies, research or work. Registration is mandatory for students and non-academic staff travelling outside of Canada. Registration is highly recommended for faculty members.

Taking a few moments to register your travel details will allow the University to provide you with access to alerts and travel advice from International SOS and enable us to contact you directly in the event of an emergency.

How to protect yourself

Public health experts agree that self-hygiene is key to mitigating the risk linked to the spread of COVID-19. To reduce the spread of germs, including the flu and COVID-19, Ottawa Public Health recommends that you:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth unless you have just washed your hands with soap.
• Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue or into your arm, not your hand.
• If possible, stay home if you are sick.
• Avoid visiting people in hospitals or long-term care centres if you are sick.
• Get your flu shot if you haven’t already, as the flu virus is still circulating in the community.

We appreciate that members of our university community have questions about the current situation. A FAQ page has been developed to address part of those questions. We will ensure to provide you with new information as they become available.

The Faculty of Medicine is working closely with our hospital partners and the University in regards to the novel coronavirus situation. Please find attached “Coronavirus (nCoV 2019) - Learner Update”, which directs the expected actions of Faculty of Medicine learners regarding the care of patients with presumptive or confirmed cases of coronavirus. They have been jointly developed by the Eastern Ontario Academic Health Sciences Network, of which we are a member.

In our region, Ottawa Public Health is leading on providing information to the public, and is working with provincial and national public health authorities on Canada’s response to this outbreak. Please visit Ottawa Public Health for the latest information.

Message from the University of Ottawa

In response to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of a global health emergency due to spread of the coronavirus, the University has decided to suspend all operations in China until further notice.

As a result, all University-sponsored travel to China and all programming involving China have been suspended until further notice. The Government of Canada has also asked Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel to China due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

The University has been in contact with our students who are currently in China to ensure their well-being. We are also in contact with our students across Asia to ask that they take all possible precautionary measures.

Travel restrictions

The University recognizes that restricting travel may affect students, faculty members and staff. Students should consult their supervisor or those responsible for their program to assess potential alternatives. Faculty and staff members are encouraged to share any travel plans to Asia with their deans or directors, who will work with the International Office to provide updated information about the situation. The University will make every effort to prevent or mitigate any potential impact on academic activities.

Prevention

Symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, a cough and difficulty breathing. Should you experience these symptoms AND you or someone you have been in close contact with has recently travelled internationally to an affected region, avoid contact with others and see your health-care professional or nearest hospital.

Students, faculty members, and staff who work or study in a health-care setting should follow the directions provided by the facility. Hospital environments are well equipped and have proper measures in place.

International students

International students who have questions should contact the University’s International Office ([email protected]) and are also reminded that services, such as counselling, are available should they need any assistance.

Next steps

The University of Ottawa will continue to monitor the latest developments in Canada and around the world and to assess any further steps required to protect the health and safety of our community.

The University appreciates the solidarity and mutual respect shown by its community members during this uncertain time.