Rady roundup

As 2023 comes to a close, here’s a look back at 10 of the year’s most notable stories from the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences.

Cutting-edge building planned for health education

UM is set to transform health education in Manitoba with plans for a multipurpose building to open in 2025 on the Bannatyne campus. The project, supported by donors and a $40-million commitment from the provincial government, will allow for 30 additional medical school seats and introduce state-of-the-art facilities.

Situated at the corner of McDermot Avenue and Tecumseh Street, the multi-storey building will contain classrooms, simulation labs and a theatre to accommodate the growing number of medical students. The facility will also house the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry’s expansive new dental clinics, Ongomiizwin – Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing and a 90-space child-care centre. Read more >

Three new research chairs fuel discovery

Dr. Genevieve Thompson, professor of nursing, was named the inaugural Research Chair in Person-Directed Living, a position jointly established by Riverview Health Centre and the College of Nursing. Thompson’s focus will be on research to improve quality of life for people in long-term care. Read more >

Dr. Nishita Singh, a stroke neurologist who is assistant professor of internal medicine, was appointed the Heart & Stroke & Research Manitoba Chair in Clinical Stroke Research. The position at the Max Rady College of Medicine is the first chair in clinical stroke research to be established in Manitoba. Read more >

Dr. Jacquie Ripat, professor of occupational therapy, was appointed the first Endowed Chair in Technology for Assisted Living at the College of Rehabilitation Sciences. The chair, funded by donations to the Health Sciences Centre Foundation and UM, will focus on cutting-edge technology that helps people live independently. Read more >

Collecting data to disrupt racism

UM was a partner in announcing that Manitobans are now being asked to voluntarily declare their race, ethnicity or Indigenous identity when they receive care at hospitals. The initiative is led on behalf of Shared Health by Dr. Marcia Anderson, vice-dean Indigenous health, social justice and anti-racism of the Rady Faculty.

Manitoba is the first province in Canada to systematically collect this information from patients when they access care. The purpose of amassing and analyzing the data is to address racial inequities in health care. Read more >  

Dental college celebrates patient’s enduring trust

Catherine Hyska has been a devoted patient at the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry’s clinic for an astounding 57 years. She started visiting the clinic in an era when fillings cost 25 cents and crowns were priced between $5 and $10. Now 93 years old, she attributes her enduring oral well-being to the guidance of the dental students who have cared for her.

Hyska’s loyalty speaks volumes about the dental college’s quality of care, compassionate students and affordability for community members. Read more >

Medical college marks 140 years

Since its founding in 1883, the Max Rady College of Medicine has educated and trained the majority of Manitoba’s physicians and played a crucial role in the delivery of health care across the province.

The college is known for leadership in the areas of social accountability, equity, diversity and inclusion and anti-racism initiatives, Indigenous health and interprofessional collaboration. Its robust research enterprise includes a focus on global public health, infectious diseases and population health. Alumni, partners, faculty members, learners and friends of the college gathered in November for a gala celebration of its proud history.

Read more about the college’s research achievements of the past 140 years

Read more about alumni and faculty members who are Canadian Medical Hall of Fame laureates

College of Nursing welcomes historic summer cohort

In May, the College of Nursing opened a new chapter, welcoming its first summer cohort of 120 students. This enrolment expansion, supported by an investment of $4.3 million from the Province of Manitoba, marked a significant step in addressing the province’s nursing shortage.

The college has revolutionized its bachelor of nursing program, now accommodating three cohorts annually, with year-round delivery of the program across three terms: summer, fall and winter. This approach ensures that students will complete the degree in 28 months. Read more >

First class graduates from new PharmD program

The first students to earn the doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) undergraduate degree at UM were recognized at Spring Convocation, marking a new era for pharmacy education in Manitoba.

The PharmD program, which has replaced UM’s longstanding bachelor of science (pharmacy), is a four-year professional degree program that focuses on clinical practice, experiential learning and pharmaceutical sciences. The program prepares pharmacists for their evolving scope of practice and role in patient care. Read more >

Ininiw scholar develops curriculum framework

With a vision to integrate Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing, Ininiw (Cree) scholar Margaret Hart is developing a curriculum framework for the occupational therapy program in the College of Rehabilitation Sciences.

Hart, who is from Pimicikamak Cree Nation with ties to Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, has extensive experience as an Indigenous educator. In consultation with communities, she is working to decolonize the occupational therapy curriculum and infuse it with First Nation philosophies. Read more >

Pride flag, queer health symposium encourage inclusion

In a ceremony in September, the Pride flag was unveiled in a permanent position above the stage in the Brodie Centre atrium, demonstrating the Rady Faculty’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. Read more >

In October, Caring Queerly, the first Rady Faculty symposium on queer health, was held on the Bannatyne campus. More than 60 people registered for the two-day event, which offered a safe space to discuss queer health inequities and services. Read more >

Rady Kids’ Club provides study break for parents

For students in the health sciences who have children, juggling the demands of university life and parenting can be a challenge. It’s tough to find quality study time.

In a game-changing initiative, the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences Family Centre has introduced the free Rady Kids’ Club. Designed for children aged four to 12, the club runs one Saturday morning per month in the gym on the Bannatyne campus, giving parents some uninterrupted study time. Read more >

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