Issue 5 April
Congratulations Health Studies Class of 2015!
2015
The Apple The Grad Issue
The Apple - November Issue HSSA's online Newsletter This is our second issue of The Apple for the 2015-16 school year! Included are upcoming events within the School of Health Studies, recap of past events from February, relevant news and events in the field of Health Sciences and some nutritious recipes for you to try out.
WHAT'S YOUR FAV THING ABOUT FALL? TARA: turkey JENNA: fall colours!!! KYLEEN: making huge pots of braised meats and veggies. Homecooked stew just makes me feel so warm inside ABBY: pie and the leaves changing colors MIN: the fact that it's the season before Christmas NINA: sweaters! JENNIFER: pumpkin pie, hands down MARISKA: foods with pumpkins Be updated with HSSA: Follow us on Twitter : www.twitter.com/WesternHSSA Check out our website: www. westernHSSA.com Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HSSA
The purpose of this newsletter is to help keep the student body up to date and informed of what's happening within their faculty, any upcoming events and things to look out for. If you have any comments, suggestions or questions, or perhaps a recipe you'd like to subimit or an article topic you'd like to suggest, feel free to email us at westernhssa@gmail.com!
Global Health Symposium by Rotaract Western The third-annual Global Health Symposium will be held on January 16, 2016. To date, the symposium has captured the interests of numerous students from the Faculty of Health Sciences, as well as other faculties such as the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Social Science and others across campus. This year, the theme of the GHS 2016 Conference focuses on the future of healthcare, and reflects on ‘What does health and/or healthcare mean to you?’ The conference will combine exploration of our healthcare system from both socio-technological and legal perspectives, as well as introduce to students the new wave of eHealth. There will be two keynote speakers from Western: Robert Solomon, and Richard Booth. There will also be a new feature to this year’s event! It will consist of an ignite speaker series, where Western students have the opportunity to present a five-minute abstract to increase engagement in a more fun and active way. We’ve attached a copy of the application for your reference, as well as a link to retrieve it electronically through Rotaract’s website. These applications are due no later than November 18th, 2015. Please see the link http://www.rotaractwestern.com/ applications/ If you have any questions, or would like to clarify our requests, please contact Kendra Dziuba (kdziuba@uwo.ca) or Ellen Xu (exu2@uwo.ca)
FHSSC Formal 2015: Thoracic Park It's that time of the year again, FHSSC is hosting it's annual Faculty Formal Nov 6th at The Wave! This year's theme: Thoracic Park! Get your ticket before it's too late! They're $20 each or $15 when you have a group of 6. What better way to celebrate the end of midterms then to dance the night away with your favourite people! See you then!
Thoughts with profs: Dr. Dan Belliveau By: Tara Chen Name: Daniel Belliveau Courses Taught: HS 3300A/B – Functional Anatomy, Part II; HS 4320A/B – Human Embryology and Development; HS 4351A/B – Disease Mechanisms Hometown: Bathurst NB Previous schools studied in (and what degrees): B.Sc. (Biology) – St. Francis Xavier University; Ph.D. (Anatomy) – University of Western Ontario; Postdoctoral Fellowship – Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University Years @ UWO: 1988-1993; 1998 – present Office hours: 2 – 4 PM Mondays Email address: dbellive@uwo.ca Favourite place on campus: Garden in front of University Hospital – at the Dr. Charles Drake Bust
Interests/Hobbies: Playing baseball (coaching my Son); travelling and cruises Fun fact: I’m a Trekker and enjoy all that is Star Trek Why did you become a professor? Curiosity. I have always been curious about how things worked and there is no greater pursuit of answers than an advanced degree such as a PhD. My curiosity of the human body began in high school when a classmate was seriously injured in an automobile accident and suffered a spinal cord injury. Wanting to understand the fragility of
the body prompted my study of anatomy and neuroscience where my research looked at how cells of the nervous system develop and regenerate. More recently my work focused on another fragile aspect of the human body, our susceptibility to uncontrolled cell growth and cancer, looking at neuroblastoma and other neuro-endocrine cancers. What’s the hardest part about being a professor? What’s the best part? I am passionate about what I do and what I teach. I desperately want to give
more to my courses and students than there is time given my other obligations of research and service. To sometimes have to say “that is good enough” is the most difficult thing about being a professor. It is easy to say what part is best—working with bright people all of the time. Our students, and I would say students across all areas of campus, are among the most creative and insightful individuals I have had the pleasure of working with. Watching you succeed is the best part of my role as a professor.
Do you have a favourite memory of a student that you taught or something that happened in one of your classes? I remember an occasion where a student proposed to his girlfriend in class! He asked if I can help and we created an elaborate ‘inclass’ activity where she was volunteered to participate. As she was going through the activity, he and his friends entered from all doors of the classroom with balloons and streamers and he got down on one knee and proposed. Thankfully she said yes! Tell us something that students don’t know about you. I am an introvert and a relatively shy person. I find it challenging to strike up conversation in groups of people I do not know. But of course, in my role, I must do this all of the time and embrace that challenge. At St. F.X., a primarily undergraduate university, senior science students where recruited to act at TAs —we were called demonstrators. I performed in that role in my 2nd through 4th years at X. It was one of the best learning experiences I took away from university as I had to face my introversion and improve my interpersonal skills. What was your favourite course when you were a student? Do you have a crazy story from your undergraduate years you’d like to share? In my senior year, I took an advanced physiology course – there were only 2 students and the chair of the department taught it. The labs were very interactive as we worked directly in the professor’s lab. The crazy part of this story is that I developed a very strong liking (dare I say crush!) for my classmate, Claire, but as her boyfriend was
the quarterback of the football team my crush stayed a secret! What’s the biggest change you’ve seen at Western University during your time here? I would have to say growth. This has been partly forced onto the university by provincial government and other external factors but it has had an impact on how we perform our roles. Bigger is not always better but with each of these turns come new opportunities and that is the most important change; how as a school, we respond to these opportunities with new ideas and vision so that our students stay competitive in the ever-changing health care environment. Do you ever check Rate My Profs? Yes I do; not very often and usually only because it has come up in conversation for one reason or other. Student comments, when offered with good intention, are the most important factor that I use to make changes to the organization and delivery of my courses. If you could be a superhero, what would your super powers be? Introducing … Time Dilation Man! Some how, I need to figure out a way to develop the power to slow down time! There are times when I feel my days need to be longer than 24 hours! Any tips for students? Your time at university requires balance. While there are many demands of your time, it is important to ensure that you not only develop your academic gifts but that you foster other important qualities such as volunteerism, sense of community and friendship.
The Grad Column: Megan Yang By: Kyleen Wong Name: Megan Yang School: University of Toronto Program: Masters of Occupational Therapy Favourite Health Sciences Course: Independent Study with Dr. Huot, also RS 4210 Innovations in Rehab. What is OT? I’m sure a lot of people are not exactly clear on what this profession entails. This is the million dollar question haha. Occupational therapy is a rehab or allied health professional who essentially helps people do or get back to doing the activities that are meaningful to them. Occupational therapists work in a variety of settings with a diverse range of people. What were your aspirations during your undergraduate career? To be honest, I didn’t know what I wanted to do until halfway through third year. I kept thinking that fourth year was far away and when it got closer I would know what I wanted to do. That didn’t exactly happen so I actively sought out things that
interested me. I took Dr. Huot’s Enabling Health and Well-Being class which was an introduction to occupational science (which is the field that occupational therapy is supported by). I enjoyed the class and decided to continue learning about Occupational Therapy because it seemed to be a field that interested me. What did you do in your undergraduate years to prepare yourself for grad school? I don’t necessarily think I did anything in particular in my undergraduate years to prepare myself for grad school. I participated in volunteer, leadership, and extra-curricular activities that interested me and I would say that collection of those experiences showed me that Occupational Therapy was a good fit for me. I joined clubs and councils that I loved and didn’t really think about grad school or what was going to come after undergrad. Were there any classes, extracurricular activities, or other experiences that shaped your current career path? Absolutely! Shout-out to
Making Waves which is an incredible club run by students on campus that aims to provide accessible swimming lessons to children with special needs in the London community. Making Waves provided me with communication, advocacy, and leadership skills that I truly believed have shaped my path to becoming an OT. FHSSC and HSSA were also important in sparking an interested in rehab sciences and providing an outlet and opportunity to interact and learn from students with similar interests and goals. Why did you choose OT and why at U of T? Were there other professional programs or schools that you were interested in? OT is the only professional program that I applied to; however, I did apply to other OT programs. I ultimately choose U of T because of fieldwork opportunities (and because I love Toronto).
Healthy Eating in the Colder Months What is the structure of the OT program at U of T? What do you like best about your program? What would you like to change? The structure of the OT program at U of T focuses on academic and classroom learning mainly in Year 1, which means that there is a heavier focus on clinical and placement opportunities in Year 2. I only just started the program in September but I really like the interaction between students and opportunities to guide our own learning through small study groups. Is there any advice you would like to share with current Health Studies undergraduate students? Do what you love, do what interests and inspires you. Don’t stress and worry about the little things. Listen to what those around you are saying. Love Health Sci and Western (you’ll miss it—that nostalgic feeling hasn’t gone away yet). Thank you Megan for sharing your experiences with The Apple! We wish you the best wherever your path takes you.
By: Mariska Batohi Autumn and the beginning of winter are the seasons for holidays, and lots of exams. Healthy eating is probably the last thing on your mind with so many things to balance, but fortunately it is easier than you think! To an extent it is important to eat seasonally. Summer is all about tropical fruits and salads, whereas winter is more focused on root vegetables, soups, and red meat. By no means am I saying that you CANNOT eat certain foods during the different seasons but it is important to be mindful. The array of seasonal foods give us different nutrients and antioxidants. With colder weather comes the flu season which is one good reason to put some effort into your eating. A three day flu is enough to get you behind in classes which nobody wants. Healthy eating is one of the steps to prevention (along with the flu shot). To boost your immunity start adding garlic to your meals, increase vitamin C consumption (kiwi, red bell peppers), continue eating vegetables and fruits, and be sure to introduce healthy bacteria to your gut through probiotics (dairy products, sauerkraut). With less sunlight, it is important to increase vitamin D consumption. The lack of sun in winter has been shown to lead to depression and food cravings. This is because less serotonin is produced. To build up your serotonin eat high quality carbohydrates like pumpkin, squash, and sweet potatoes. Potatoes are sometimes given a bad rap but can be healthy as long as they are not deep fried or processed. The passing of Thanksgiving and Halloween gives us the new focus on Christmas and New Years. These holidays have a bigger focus on heavy, fatty, sweet foods. Indulging is always allowed but be careful. Everyone is allowed a cheat day but when it gets to the point of gaining 10 pounds every Christmas break, this is where it becomes problematic. Yoyo dieting is the worst form of dieting and ladies it WILL lead to stretch marks. So by all means enjoy the delicacies but don’t forget to add in an extra workout to create balance! Healthy eating while being a full time university student can be challenging, especially during midterms. The first tip I would give here is to invest in a blender. This will save a lot of time if you want to whip up a quick soup by blending all your ingredients first and then putting it straight on the stove to cook. Another idea is to explore stir fry. There are so many creative ways you can do this traditional dish and it incorporates vegetables, meat, and rice/noodles. Making a casserole is another time saver as it can give you at least four meals and is a great way of “hiding” your vegetables if you are a picky eater. In essence, as long as you do your best to incorporate a variety of healthy foods in your diet and splurge only every now, it will be enough to tackle flu season and keep your brain energized for midterms.
Coffee Shopping in London By: Abby Dzur Want to get out of those boring libraries? Want to get off campus? Want some cool new study spots to hit up around London? Well look no further! London is home to some of the cutest, privately owned coffee shops that are absolutely perfect for studying. Here are some of my favourites!
produced through sustainable methods. The food they serve comes from local farmers and is absolutely unique and delicious. They have different kinds of lattes, juices, and smoothies that they make fresh in store. The root cellar is my personal favourite and I guarantee you won’t regret trying it out!
The Root Cellar (in picture):
Location: 623 Dundas Street, London, ON
A bit far from campus but worth the hike! The Root Cellar is completely organic restaurant. They believe in food sovereignty, which is the right to eat healthy, ecologically sound food,
Black Walnut Bakery: One of the best coffee shops in London! They serve Organic Free Trade coffee and teas, baked goods, and
amazing soups, salads, and sandwiches. The Black Walnut Bakery provides a very relaxing atmosphere to study in. Location: 134 Wortley Road, London, ON OR 724 Richmond Street, London, ON
Locomotive Espresso: Another great spot to get some work done, Locomotive Espresso is a very quaint shop that has lots to offer. They have different sandwich options, soup of the day, and a toast bar with different jams and butters to choose from. They also have many amazing lattes and coffees to choose from making this a top spot to check out. Location: 408 Pall Mall Street, London, ON The Bag Lady Deli: Last but certainly not least is the Bag Lady Deli! This little restaurant has many descriptions, but I think the best way to portray it is a combination of sitting at your grandmas breakfast table and being in the middle of a vintage thrift shop. The Bag Lady has raving reviews because of their daily homemade breakfast and a unique lunch menu. It’s a great study spot, especially for essay writing or note making in my opinion. The Bag Lady is a homey study spot that I definitely recommend going to! Location: 474 Pall Mall Street, London, ON
Studying Abroad as a Heath Studies Student By: Jennifer H. Lee An exchange year abroad is an experience like no
Western to help cover costs, and receive
other. Spending a year or semester abroad is an
assistance from Western and their host university
amazing opportunity to get to know a new culture
to help complete the application process.
or language, to meet people from all over the world, to test how your adaptability and how you react to new situations. No person leaves unchanged--many leave with insights into themselves as a person, cherished memories with
If you are interested in studying abroad or doing an exchange, here are some helpful tips on how to get started: 1. Independent research: Narrow down
new friends, and a deepened passion for seeing
the partnering countries/universities that
and understanding the world.
you are interested in attending and that
So why doesn’t everybody go on exchange? Well, there’s no sugar coating it: there is a tonne of red tape, making the entire process take months, there may be financial barriers, and lastly, some majors have very specific degree requirements that cannot be duplicated abroad. As a Health Studies student at Western, it may be challenging to find equivalent courses abroad, but it is certainly not impossible. There are two ways that you can study internationally. One way is through study abroad; students who study abroad may apply to any university in the world, unlike exchange students. Tuition is paid directly to the host university. The second way is called going on exchange, in which you are basically switching places with a student at the partnering university. Western has 137 partnering universities which span 39 countries. Exchanges students pay tuition to Western, are eligible to receive bursaries and scholarships from
accept will accept Health Studies students. Western International provides a great resource for this: Atlas, Western’s International Experience Portal. This is a site that lists the partnering universities, their eligibility criteria, and their available length of study. For those who want to learn more, information can be found here: https://uwo-horizons.symplicity.com/ 2. Begin a dialogue with a Health Studies counsellor: Once you’ve narrowed down your options, it’s best to start talking with a Health Studies counsellor about your desire to go on exchange. They will be able to work with you to figure out how you can pull this off. Each situation will be different. Depending on your goals, it might mean taking required credits either before you leave or after you arrive, or taking an extra semester to graduate.
3. Begin your application through Atlas: You apply to go on exchange online through Atlas. The application will let you know all the requirements and information that you must provide. Each country and university has a different application deadline, so it is best to apply as soon as possible. Most prospective exchange students apply from November to January. This may seem daunting, but you shouldn’t worry, because you are not going through this process alone. There are many resources available to you, and there will be people in Western International, Health Studies, and your host university whose job is to walk you through.
Western International is located on the second floor of the International and Graduate Affairs Building (some may know it as the old Ivey building) and is open from 9am-4pm on weekdays. Simply explain to the receptionist your situation, and they will direct you to the appropriate person depending on your inquiry. If you are just curious and want to learn more faceto-face, there are volunteers available to talk to who have already completed an exchange and can give you a more personal take on the exchange process. Western International can also be contacted by telephone at 519-661-2111 ext. 89309 or by email at iesc@uwo.ca
Five Study Break Ideas By: Jenna Williamson
With midterms well underway or for many of you possibly done, you may have noticed that studying can take a real toll on your body both physically and mentally. Here are five ideas that can help you free your mind and get you into a healthy rhythm of equal studying and rest. 1. If you feel you don’t have the time to make it to the gym, perform small workout activities in the comfort of your own home, whether this is doing sets of abs on your carpet in your living room, or lunging back and forth between your bedroom and the kitchen 2. Take the time to put your thoughts on paper, this could be through journal writing or creative writing, It will help you express the thoughts and feelings you might be experiencing
3. Allow yourself to take time in front of the TV, set a limit so that you do not over do it and feel you wont be able to get back into the studying vibe. 4. Do you have an artsy side to you? Take this time to look up a fun craft idea that can add to your bare dorm room, or to your home. This could be anything from drawing a picture to relieve stress, or turning a mason jar into a cute candleholder. 5. Music is something many people use to relieve stress, take 30 minutes to look for new tunes and add to your playlist of music that helps clear your mind or puts you in an upbeat mood!
We would like to dedicate this edition of The Apple Newsletter to one of our own, Andrea Christidis. Andrea was a first year Health Studies student who was struck by a drunk driver and passed away on Friday, October 9th, 2015. For those who have not yet stoped by our council office, HSB 8, there is a book of memories and condolences where you are welcome to leave a message. Please remember to make smart choices. Don’t drive under the influence. May Andrea rest in peace.