The twice-yearly magazine highlights the latest news and student, faculty and alumni accomplishments from the five colleges of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences: the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Max Rady College of Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy and College of Rehabilitation Sciences.

The Rady researchers profiled in the Summer 2022 issue include Dr. Dana Turcotte, a pharmacy prof who is committed to working with patient partners to manage chronic pain, and Dr. Peter Nickerson, an award-winning kidney transplant trailblazer who was recently named Postl’s successor as dean of health sciences and medicine.   

Rady alumni showcased in this issue include respiratory therapist Karen McElroy, who has found career satisfaction in a unique role in rural Manitoba; Monika Warren, Manitoba’s new chief operating officer for provincial health services and chief nursing officer; and Dr. Laura MacDonald, a UM graduate in dental hygiene, education and applied health sciences who never stops growing as a dedicated educator.

Other features look at three health-care leaders who were recently recognized with UM honorary doctorates; an Indigenous academic who urges doctors to reconnect body, mind, heart and spirit; and a new program that offers systemically excluded UM health sciences students learning opportunities in seven African countries.

Explore the Awards and Honours earned by faculty members and stay current on what’s happening in the Rady Faculty by checking out the Notable News section.

Read the latest issue of RadyUM now.

I am proud to announce that on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences’ Faculty Executive Council (FEC) approved the RFHS Disruption of all Forms of Racism policy, the first anti-racism policy to be passed by any faculty or post-secondary institution in Canada.

As a faculty, we have an opportunity at this important juncture in our history to not only be leaders standing against racism but to be disruptors. Each of us needs to recognize existing racism within our faculty and to take responsibility to eliminate all forms of racism, to promote safe work and learning environments free of racism, and to intervene when witnessing any racism.

The Disruption of all Forms of Racism policy was developed by the Rady Faculty’s Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) anti-racism working group, under the leadership of Vice-Dean (Indigenous) Dr. Marcia Anderson; Director of EDI Jackie Gruber; and Anti-Racism Practice lead Dr. Delia Douglas.

The policy was drafted following extensive consultations with faculty, staff, learners and stakeholders in the university and general communities. Earlier this summer, all stakeholders were encouraged to provide feedback on the draft policy before its final version was approved by FEC last week.

The purpose of the Disruption of all Forms of Racism policy is to:

• Define the multiple forms of racism that are present in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (“RFHS”) and to set out procedures for the reporting of and disruption of racism;
• Affirm the responsibility of the RFHS to implement policies, procedures, education, and training to eliminate expression of racism in its myriad forms;
• Describe the commitments and proactive steps of the RFHS to foster learning and work environments that fully respect peoples’ right to freedom from racism, racial discrimination, harassment, or vilification;
• Set out the requirements for all RFHS Community members, especially those in an instructional, supervisory or managerial position, who have a duty to educate those for whom they are responsible regarding expectations for respectful conduct, including this policy. It is further the duty of such individuals to intervene when observing any form of racism impacting learners, staff or faculty, and to deal appropriately with allegations regarding violations of this policy; and,
• Complement and build upon related policies including the EDI policy and the Max Rady College of Medicine Prevention of Learner Mistreatment policy by defining the multiple forms of racism present within the RFHS and clarifying expectations for anti-racism.

Thank you to all those who contributed to this important anti-racism policy that will educate and transform our Rady Faculty of Health Sciences community, creating one, I hope, that will be free of all forms of racism for learners, faculty and staff.

Today we celebrate Indigenous nurses and nursing students in Manitoba on Indigenous Nurses Day, part of the National Nursing Week.  This year’s theme is “Nurses: A voice to lead – Nursing the world to health.” Currently we have over 80 Indigenous nursing students enrolled in the College of Nursing, a great harbinger for Indigenous health professionals delivering care to Indigenous communities and beyond.

This year’s Nursing Week theme is fitting as health-care professionals have all come together to work collaboratively to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and nurses have been on the front-lines of patient care and safety in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and community.

On this day, we want to acknowledge the long history and many contributions of Indigenous nurses – many of whom are the cornerstone of primary care in Indigenous communities across Manitoba and the North.

Indigenous nurses working with Ongomiizwin – Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing and partner communities and tribal councils have been dedicated to keeping their clients and communities safe and prepared for any potential COVID-19 outbreak.

Indigenous College of Nursing students, recent graduates, nursing staff (dialysis, retinal screening, foot care, nurse practitioners and nurse leaders) contribute daily to improving the health status of Indigenous Peoples by providing timely and quality health services to the partner communities served by Ongomiizwin.

As the Province’s proclamation of Indigenous Nursing Day states, in part: “Indigenous nurses are navigators, leaders and partners with individuals, colleagues, families and communities in providing guidance in health promotion and illness prevention; and Indigenous nurses are dedicated to providing safe, culturally competent and ethical care to patients and their families.”

We want to recognize Melanie MacKinnon, head of Ongomiizwin, and to recognize the Aboriginal Nursing Cohort Initiative (ANCI) under the leadership of College of Nursing dean Dr. Netha Dyck, and all of their teams who support these programs and the success of Indigenous learners and nurses.

We are very grateful to you for making our learning and work environments a culturally-safe space for Indigenous students and health professionals and for delivering high-quality care on a daily basis to all Manitobans.

Thank you Indigenous nurses and nursing students for all of your vital contributions!

The University of Manitoba is proud to be hosting the 17^th Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF) induction ceremony on April 23 at the Metropolitan Entertainment Centre for the second time in the CMHF’s 21 year history.

Every year, the CMHF, based in London, Ontario, elevates a select few of our country’s most brilliant minds to laureate status. Laureates are “medical heroes” who have pushed the boundaries of discovery and innovation.

More than 430 academic, research and health leaders from across Canada will join co-chairs, Dr. Brian Postl, Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences and Dr. Arnold Naimark, President Emeritus, to celebrate medical innovation and excellence and pay tribute to the 2015 inductees.

This year’s planning committee included broad representation from the University of Manitoba and across the health and research sector and has ensured an event with plenty of Manitoba flavour from food (pickerel, bison, Bothwell cheese, wild mushrooms and more) to entertainment (hoop dancing, honour song and medical student performances) promising a spectacular evening!

The University of Manitoba has a long and proud history with the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame and is honoured that seven of our alumni have been recognized with this prestigious distinction. Our laureates include: Bruce Chown [MD/22], John Dirks [MD/57], Henry Friesen[MD/58], James Hogg [MD/62], Charles H. Hollenberg [MD/55], Arnold Naimark [MD/57] and Allan Ronald [MD/61.]

Dr. Naimark was recognized by the CMHF in 2012 for his work as one of the country’s foremost educational administrators and for his lifetime of leadership in the development of departments, universities, institutions and organizations at the local, provincial and national level.

Dr. Ronald, University of Manitoba Distinguished Professor Emeritus, was inducted in 2011 in honour of his work as an internationally respected expert in infectious disease. A mentor of young physicians, Ronald his limitless enthusiasm and dedications has ensured the advancement of infectious disease as a leading medical discipline and has contributed to the ongoing battle of HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Dr. Friesen has carried out ground breaking research on human growth hormone which made successful replacement therapy in hormone-deficient children possible. Dr. Friesen was chair of the council that recommended the creation of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and is credited with starting a “world-class health research establishment” He was inducted into the CMHF in 2001.

This year’s inductees are:

• Alan Bernstein, world-renowned health leader, researcher and mentor who has made important discoveries in stem cell and cancer research
• Judith G. Hall, pediatrician and geneticist, specializing in the genetic factors that affect children’s growth
• Bernard Langer, innovator, gifted surgeon and respected teacher, considered a global pioneer of hepatobiliary/pancreatic (HPB) surgery
• The late John McCrae, one of the best trained physicians of his generation for his advanced research on tuberculosis, scarlet fever, nephritis and lobar pneumonia
• Julio Montaner, determined and passionate visionary whose work has directly contributed to the increased survival and dignity of people living with HIV in Canada and the world
• Duncan G. Sinclair, internationally recognized leader in health care reform, whose courageous leadership led to a re-defined health system in Ontario.

Learn about our U of M alumni and other Canadian Medical Hall of Fame laureates here.