Welcome to McMaster UGME, Class of 2027

The Class of 2027 took its first steps into the world of medicine with Introduction to Medicine (iMed).

Held over three weeks in August, with in-person days on the first and second Mondays at the Hamilton campus, the sessions brought together students from all three campuses for an engaging start to their medical journey. Students met their deans and program staff, connected with peers, and enjoyed the chance to win some exciting UGME giveaways. Throughout iMed, the new class participated in informative sessions designed to introduce them to the profession and set the stage for the years ahead.

Welcome to the Class of 2027!

Explore the Faculty of Health Sciences with the New 360° Virtual Tour

The Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) has launched a 360° virtual tour, offering prospective students, visitors, and community members an opportunity to explore the campuses remotely. This interactive tour provides a comprehensive look at key facilities, labs, and learning spaces. Whether exploring the environment before joining the program or simply gaining insight into the FHS community, this tool presents a detailed view of the spaces that shape student life and learning.

For more information and to take the virtual tour, visit: Virtual Campus Tour.

Cirrus Assessment Platform Launches Successfully

The ExamSoft-Cirrus migration team extends a heartfelt thanks to the students, staff members, and faculty members who were first to experience the assessment process using the Cirrus assessment platform. In August, Class of 2025 students in their Psychiatry and Emergency Medicine Core Clerkship rotations used Cirrus for their final exams, and Class of 2027 students in Introduction to Medicine used Cirrus for their first CAE. Students’ use of training resources and practice tests particularly helped to ensure the smooth administration of these tests. 

These initial tests have also helped the migration project team to identify areas where improvements can be implemented for upcoming assessments. The MedPortal page dedicated to the ExamSoft-Cirrus migration is being continually updated with progress reports, and students, faculty members, and staff members can also find links to relevant training materials on this webpage. 

Students, faculty members, and staff members learning to use Cirrus are encouraged to reach out early and often for support if encountering any difficulty. In the short term, it can feel frustrating to learn a new tool and way of working, but the members of the migration project team are available to help transition familiarity using ExamSoft to proficiency in Cirrus. The migration project team looks forward to collaborating on solutions with you!

Leadership Announcements

The UGME program is excited to share the news of several new leadership appointments. 

• Dr. Meera Joseph: Director, MF2 (effective August 1, 2024)
• Dr. Heather Whittingham: Learning Director, Hamilton (effective August 1, 2024)
• Dr. Marianne Talman: Learning Director, Hamilton (effective August 1, 2024)
• Dr. Asha Grosch: Learning Director, Hamilton (effective August 1, 2024)
• Dr. Jessica Huynh: Learning Director, Hamilton (effective August 1, 2024)
• Dr. Sean Robb: Learning Director, NRC (effective August 1, 2024)
• Dr. Carly Geurtjens: Learning Director, WRC (effective December 4, 2023)
• Dr. Michael Wang: Planner, MF2 Renal (effective September 1, 2024)

Please join the UGME program in wishing our new leadership congratulations on their new positions!

MacEssentials Tutor Training: Sign Up for September Session

Physicians interested in becoming a tutor for the UGME program can now register for the upcoming MacEssentials Tutor Training. This essential training includes e-modules and a 1.5-hour virtual workshop, designed to equip tutors with the skills needed to support medical students effectively.

The next session is scheduled for September 18, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. Participation is required for all new tutors and counts toward academic credit.

For more details and to register, please visit MacEssentials Tutor Training. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your tutoring experience!

Faculty Advisors Needed for the Class of 2027

The UGME program is seeking faculty interested in joining the Student Advising Program this September. Several advisor positions remain open for the incoming Class of 2027.

Advisors are paired with two students each year and provide support throughout their medical education journey until graduation. This role offers a rewarding chance to build meaningful connections with students, offering guidance as they navigate medical school and consider career paths. The position is voluntary and includes educational activity hours credit.

For more information, please contact Michelle Hall in Student Affairs or Dr. Heather Whittingham, Director of Student Advising.

Grant Awarded for Study on Medical Education and Family Medicine

A research team led by Dr. Keyna Bracken (PI) and Dr. Lawrence Grierson (Co-PI), along with collaborators Dr. Cathy Risdon (Professor, Family Medicine), Dr. Matthew Sibbald (UGME Associate Dean), Dr. Helen Neighbour (Chair, Clerkship), Dr. Sharon Bal (Chair, Electives), Dr. Sarah Kinzie (Associate Professor, Family Medicine), and Dr. Meredith Vanstone (Director, MD/PhD), has received a grant of over $96,000 from the Academic Family Medicine Associates Research Grant Competition.

The study, running from June 2024 to June 2026, will explore how undergraduate medical education shapes students' understanding of Family Medicine. The project will examine both the implicit and explicit curricula to gain insights into how learners conceptualize this critical field.

Class of 2027 White Coat Ceremony

The Class of 2027 had their white coat fittings during iMed at all three campuses, marking an important milestone as they begin their medical education. These coats will be presented to medical students at the upcoming White Coat Ceremony, a special event that symbolizes learners’ entry into the medical profession.

Dr. Paul O’Byrne, Dean and Vice-President of the Faculty of Health Sciences, invites students and their guests to the ceremony on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at the Hamilton Convention Centre. Students may bring up to four guests. RSVP by October 1, 2024, to FHSevents1@mcmaster.ca, noting any accessibility needs.

Study Explores Telemedicine vs. Face-to-Face Care in Primary Care Settings

A recent systematic review led by Dr. Keyna Bracken, with contributions from UGME Alumni Noah Yang (Class of 2024), and Department of Family Medicine (DFM) researcher Jennifer Salerno, examined the impact of physician-led synchronous telemedicine compared to face-to-face care in primary care settings.

The study, published in SAGE, reviewed 19 studies from over 6,000 identified, analyzing healthcare system usage and key primary care attributes. The findings suggest that telemedicine may result in similar or fewer emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and prescriptions compared to in-person care. However, the authors note limitations in study designs and generalizability, emphasizing the need for careful interpretation of these results.

Click here to read the full article.

Wellness

Join the 5-Day Mindfulness Challenge and Discover Simple Practices

Incorporating mindfulness into a busy routine can be challenging, but the 5-Day Mindfulness Challenge offers an accessible way to get started. From October 7th to October 11th, the Student Affairs Wellness Counsellors are hosting a week-long email challenge to demonstrate how simple it can be to integrate mindfulness into daily life. Each day, participants will receive an email introducing a different mindfulness practice along with a short video guide from a Wellness Counsellor. The daily practices include:

• MONDAY: Mindfulness Basics and Grounding Through the 5 Senses
• TUESDAY: Diaphragmatic Breathing
• WEDNESDAY: Body Awareness
• THURSDAY: Guided Imagery
• FRIDAY: Mindful Munching

Each practice takes about 5 minutes and can be done at a convenient time. Participants are also invited to share their experiences at the end of the week for a chance to win a prize.

Sign up here to join the challenge.

For more information, contact Sheila Ortlieb or Foluke Akinboyo, UGME Wellness Counsellors (Student Affairs).