Students, trainees, faculty and staff,

As you know, the Government of Alberta announced stronger public health measures yesterday to help manage rising COVID-19 cases in the province. This did not include any additional regulations on research and learning activities at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM).

Please be mindful, especially while on campus, of the important role we play in reducing the spread of the virus:

• Maintain two metre physical distancing
• Wear a mask
• Frequent hand hygiene
• If you are eating food in a common area please do not sit with others, even if two meters apart

Return to campus

• A reminder to everyone working on a UCalgary campus, including the Foothills campus, about up-to-date Workplace Safety Plans (WSP) in their office area or lab.
• WSP’s are critical to keeping our campus safe. I was informed by the Office of the Provost that there are WSPs in the Return to Campus COVID-19 Sharepoint site (login and password required) that have been initiated but not yet approved. Detailed instruction on how to make changes to a WSP is available in the Return to Campus FAQ.
• If you have questions about campus re-entry please speak to you manager or contact [email protected].

Learning and working

• The university seasonal closure is going to be longer than normal this year. It will begin at the end of the day on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020 and normal operations will resume on Monday, January 4, 2021. For those who are required to work on Dec. 23 and 24, we extend a special thank you for the important work you do. Please connect with your manager or department head to identify time to take two paid days off in lieu.
• CSM faculty and staff entering Alberta Health Services facilities, including the McCaig Tower, please ensure that you have UCalgary ID with you. During the seasonal closure, you will also need to complete a Building Access Form to receive a building access card if you do not already have one. Read more.

UCalgary resources and events

• The consolidated application portal for undergraduate summer studentships is now open. This includes opportunities from Alberta Innovates, the Program for Undergraduate Research Experience, O’Brien Centre Summer Studentships, Alberta Cancer Foundation, NSERC CREATE in Neurotechnologies, Biomedical Engineering, Institute partners and others. The student deadline for submission is 4 p.m. MT on Feb. 5, with the supervisor portion due by 4 p.m. Feb. 12. For more information, please email [email protected] or [email protected]. Read more. (login and password required.)
• Do you want to move an idea into clinical practice? SPARK Calgary, based at the W21C Research and Innovation Centre, supports digital health innovators to ensure that important ideas and discoveries from the university make it into practice. Learn more.
• A new Well Doc Alberta podcast is available — Physician Wellness Through an Ethical Lens During Magnified Stress. Listen now.

Awards and recognition

• Congratulations to Dr. Robert Sheldon, MD, PhD, recipient of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada 2020 Mentor of the Year for Region 1. Read more.
• And to Dr. Gerald Zamponi, PhD, who was elected to the rank of National Academy of Inventors Fellow. 2020 Class of Fellows.

United Way and other fundraisers

• In place of the annual Skate with Santa event, UCalgary Alumni has launched a UCrowdFund Campaign for the Students’ Union Campus Food Bank to raise $5,000 by Dec. 18. Please give what you can. Read more.
• There are just two days remaining in the annual United Way campaign. Participants in the 20 for 2020 initiative from the CSM will be eligible to win one of five gift baskets or other prizes donated by the CSM’s Executive Committee. Winners of the random draw will be announced in January. Read more about the 20 for 2020 initiative.
  

CSM in the news

• Infectious disease expert believes Alberta needs to find ‘sweet spot’ in COVID-19 restrictions. Read more.
• NoNo Inc. announces start of the Global Phase 3 ESCAPE-NEXT Trial. Read more.
• Researcher creates first national registry for pulmonary hypertension. Read more.
• Putting evidence into action — Calgary researcher named one of five leaders of national COVID-19 network. Read more.

I hope you have a healthy and safe week.

Sincerely,

Jon Meddings, MD
Dean, Cumming School of Medicine