December 9, 2024 —
It’s been a year of exciting news in the areas of education, research and community service across the five colleges of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. Here’s a look at 10 of our most notable stories of 2024.
Health education enters the RadyVerse
In March, dozens of students and faculty members were transported from the Brodie Centre to health-care environments via virtual reality (VR) headsets.
The event was the launch of RadyVerse, a new initiative that is expanding the use of VR, artificial intelligence and machine-learning options across the Rady Faculty.
The College of Nursing has been using VR since 2022, and other Rady colleges are exploring its potential as an educational tool for practising skills in health-care scenarios. Read more >
Dr. Gerald Niznick and Reesa Niznick at the site of the future building named in their honour.
Dr. Gerald and Reesa Niznick
Philanthropists make momentous gift
Dentistry alum Dr. Gerald Niznick and his wife Reesa made a landmark donation to UM, contributing $5 million to leading-edge dental clinics to be located in a new building on the Bannatyne campus.
In September, in recognition of this extraordinary gift, it was announced that the five-storey building will be called the Dr. Gerald and Reesa Niznick Centre.
Dental clinics will occupy two floors of the new centre, slated to open in 2027. Read more >
Elder Margaret Lavallee holds an eagle feather at the launch of the training program.
Elder Margaret Lavallee
Partners launch training for anti-racist health care
A training program designed to ensure that health-care workers provide culturally safe care to Indigenous patients was launched in November by Ongomiizwin, the Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, in partnership with Manitoba’s health system organizations.
The program’s name in English is We Will Take Good Care of the People.
The training will be offered to Manitoba health-care workers, as well as to faculty members and learners in the Rady Faculty. It consists of 10 online modules, followed by an in-person workshop. Read more >
Dr. Ryan Zarychanski.
Dr. Ryan Zarychanski
Researchers secure major funding for clinical trial
An international, UM-led clinical trial to assess the effects of a steroid drug on pneumonia patients in hospitals was awarded $6.9 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, it was announced in August.
The three-year research project, “Dexamethasone for preventing deterioration in community-acquired pneumonia,” is co-led by Dr. Ryan Zarychanski, scientific director of the George & Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation and professor of internal medicine, and Dr. Sylvain Lother, assistant professor of internal medicine, in the Max Rady College of Medicine.
It’s the largest international clinical trial ever led by UM. Read more >
Fish facility makes a splash
Zebrafish swim in a laboratory tank.
Zebrafish at the new fish facility on the Bannatyne campus.
At the opening in November of a $2.5-million facility on the Bannatyne campus, scientists showed off lab animals with surprising potential for biomedical research: tropical fish.
The new Rady Biomedical Fish Facility is outfitted with cutting-edge equipment for studying two freshwater species: zebrafish and Mexican tetra fish.
These animals have the ability to regenerate body parts when they’re injured. If scientists can discover how they heal themselves, it could hold keys to regenerative medicine for humans. Read more >
Dr. Jason Kindrachuk wearing a white lab coat in a laboratory.
Dr. Jason Kindrachuk
Medical college plans super-secure lab
A world-class laboratory to be constructed on the Bannatyne campus will meet high standards for biosafety, it was announced in May.
The Containment Level 3 facility in the Max Rady College of Medicine will allow researchers to work with potentially deadly pathogens – such as SARS-CoV-2, avian influenza (H5N1), mpox or new disease-causing organisms – in a highly secure space.
The lab, expected to open in 2028, will have biocontainment features such as double doors and sealed floors. Dr. Jason Kindrachuk, Canada Research Chair in molecular pathogenesis of emerging viruses and associate professor of medical microbiology and infectious diseases, will lead the facility. Read more >
Kids’ dental outreach program enters new eraTwo people at the UM dental college care for a child who is in a reclined dental chair.
Over the past 25 years, thousands of inner-city children have received dental care through a partnership between the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry and the Winnipeg School Division.
When the dental college celebrated the 25-year milestone in April, it was announced that the Dr. Alfred E. Deacon Medical Research Foundation and the Cholakis Dental Group will sponsor the children’s dental outreach program going forward.
With this support, it will now be known as the Cholakis Dental Group: Kids Dental Outreach Program. Read more >
Laura Warkentin, Brooke-Lyn Wahoski and Emily Howarth wearing graduation caps and gowns, holding their degree parchments.
Laura Warkentin, Brooke-Lyn Wahoski and Emily Howarth, UM’s first midwifery graduates.
First UM midwifery cohort graduates
The first three grads to complete the bachelor of midwifery program at the College of Nursing received their degrees in June and officially entered the profession.
The midwifery program was launched in 2021. Ten students are expected to graduate in 2025.
The program reduces the need for Manitobans to leave the province to study midwifery and will contribute to the growth of the profession in Manitoba, program leaders said. Read more >
College of Pharmacy introduces micro-certificateA pharmacy student talks to a patient at a pharmacy counter.
Practising pharmacists can earn a new micro-certificate in advanced patient care through the College of Pharmacy.
The 36-hour Essentials in Advanced Patient Care for Pharmacists micro-certificate program, launched in May, is delivered online. It focuses on developing practical skills to address increasingly complex patient needs in diverse practice settings.
Licensed pharmacists can include this continuing education opportunity as part of their accredited learning under requirements by the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba. Read more >
Dr. Ruth Barclay at Riverview Health Centre.
Dr. Ruth Barclay
College of Rehab Sciences announces research chair
Dr. Ruth Barclay, professor of physical therapy, has been named the inaugural Research Chair in Telerehabilitation at Winnipeg’s Riverview Health Centre.
Telerehabilitation refers to the delivery of rehab services from a distance, using technologies such as videoconferencing or telepresence robots.
The College of Rehabilitation Sciences and Riverview Health Centre announced the jointly funded chair in September. Barclay, appointed for a five-year term, will lead a research program with a strong emphasis on new technologies. Read more >
RADY COMMUNICATIONS STAFF