Soraya Blot
Second-year Health Sciences student Soraya Blot’s family survived the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti on Jan. 12. Through a benefit concert, open microphone night and individual donations, the Western community rallies to help raise funds to support the relief effort.

News and Announcements

"Ears to Drivers" Headset Clinic

Ontario’s new legislation requires that drivers use handsfree systems with their cellphones while driving. For many drivers who use a Bluetooth headset, this can mean pain either in or behind the ear, as the standard earpieces may not fit well, rubbing on sore spots or pushing on sunglasses. Audiologists can help! A custom molded headset is now available that allows you more comfortable wear, with nothing behind the ear. This allows you to wear your headset for long periods of time, either in or out of your vehicle.

The National Centre for Audiology is hosting an “Ears to Drivers Clinic” on February 23, 2010, from 4-7:30 pm, in Elborn College. Staff and students will be donating their time and expertise in taking ear impressions. The clinic will allow members of the public and Western staff and students to order a custom earmold and new Bluetooth headset. All proceeds of this event will be donated to the Richard C. Seewald student scholarship in Audiology.
For more information including costs, appointments and headset details, click here.

The School of Occupational Therapy is getting their wheels in motion.

Professors Lisa Klinger and Sandra Hobson of the School of Occupational Therapy have just announced their participation in the 8th Annual Rick Hansen Wheels In Motion event to be held on Sunday, June 13th, 2010. To show their Western and FHS spirit, they have started a Faculty of Health Sciences  team captained Klinger. You can support  their dream of helping to improve the lives of people living with spinal cord injury in two ways:

  1. to join the FHS team – "the FHS Movers and Shakers" click here. 
  2. to donate to either Klinger or Hobson click here.

Curling the social rock of rural communities

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Social support is crucial to the health of rural women in Canada. As rural communities shrink and their sport facilities deteriorate, rural women - already struggling for equal status in many areas of social life - are seeing their opportunities for group activity and social interaction disappear. (Read more)

CSD students raise funds for HaitiCSD students raise funds for Haiti

CSD Students' Council representatives Marissa Bedard and Andrea Martin spearheaded a Haiti Earthquake Relief fundraising campaign in which students, staff and faculty were asked to donate whatever spare change they had in their pockets. Their donations totalled an impressive $1,367.95. This total amount will be presented to the Canadian Red Cross Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund on Friday, 29th January, 2010. Congratulations and a thank you to all for your generousity and compassion.

In the picture from left to right Marissa Bedard 2nd Yr SLP student, J.B. Orange, Director, Andrea Martin, 2nd Yr SLP.

Aboriginal sport expert guiding Olympic centre

Thursday, January 28, 2010

The International Centre for Olympic Studies (ICOS) went to a former varsity athlete, three-time Western graduate and Aboriginal sport expert when selecting a new director. (Read more)

Western students win national health innovation award

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

University of Western Ontario students were named winners of the Health Innovation Award after weighing in on how Canada can improve its health-care system. (Read more)

Secret curling broom research Olympics-bound

Thursday, January 21, 2010

'Sweeep!' This simple word echoes across curling rinks nation-wide. (Read more)

Hunt continues for Canada’s Olympic history

By Paul Mayne
Thursday, January 14, 2010
While Bob Barney has a keen interest in the athletes representing Canada at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, his academic curiosity is for Olympic athletes from a century ago - the members of Canada’s first Olympic team in 1908.

(read more)

PrapavessisCanadian Cancer Society Researcher of the Month

Congratulations to Harry Prapavessis on being named the Canadian Cancer Society's Researcher of the Month.

Click here to read more about his research and the Canadian Cancer Society.

Read the Western News story here.

Feet, joints tied to shoe checks

London Free Press | January 7, 2010

Tom Jenkyn is helping Londoners to put their best foot forward. A researcher in the Faculty of Engineering and School of Kinesiology is looking at how the joints in our feet move when we walk.

(read more)

FHS ready to get in motion

Jim Weese, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Chair of the Middlesex-London in motion® Executive Committee is proud to introduce the FHS and Western partnership with Middlesex-London in motion®.

The in motion® Executive Committee, and a number of working groups, are comprised of members from our city and county, our university, college, and elementary/secondary schools, our Parks and Recreation Departments, the Middlesex-London Health Unit and many private citizens. An impressive number of FHS professors, staff and students are also involved.

in motion® is a nationally-recognized advocacy campaign designed to educate and excite members of our community to make better choices for their health, with particular emphasis on getting our citizens to be more physically active.

Click here for more information about this partnership and in motion.

Click here to visit the Middlesex-London in motion website.

in motion

Want more news? Read previously posted stories on the Faculty of Health Sciences news archive.

Upcoming Events

ARGC/FHS Symposium: “Building Collaborative Research Momentum in Aging,  Rehabilitation & Geriatric Care”

Aging, Rehabilitation and Geriatric Care of the Lawson Health Research Institute and the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Western Ontario will be holding their annual Symposium entitled, “Building Collaborative Research Momentum in Aging, Rehabilitation & Geriatric Care” on Friday, February 5, 2010 – Parkwood Hospital Main Auditorium. 

To register or for further details, contact: Bonita Stevenson at extension 42983 or bonita.stevenson@sjhc.london.on.ca

 

FHS Researcher Profile

IrwinThe first FHS Researcher Profile of 2010 showcases Jennifer Irwin, PhD.

This series explores the research and interests of our FHS faculty members.

Irwin's research focuses on healthy bodyweight promotion among various age groups and she is particularly interested in the impact of motivational interviewing, administered via life coaching skills, on obesity-related behaviours, behaviour changes and outcomes.

Outside of the University gates, Irwin loves hurling rocks and hanging around in a room with one glass wall.

Click here to learn more about FHS' Dr. Jen Irwin and her research.