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Welcome to the Winter 2023 term

Vari Hall Winter scene showing the Harry Arthurs Common

Dear York community,

For those of you who may be arriving at York for the first time and those of you who are returning, I wish you all a warm welcome to the start of the 2023 winter term. I hope you had an opportunity to connect with family and friends over the holiday season and feel reinvigorated for an exciting year ahead.

Many of you will have heard me talk about York’s vision as a modern and progressive international teaching and research university committed to driving positive change for our local and global communities. This year is already shaping up to be a critical time in our institution’s history.

On Jan. 1, York welcomed its 14th chancellor, Kathleen Taylor. A York alumna, Kathleen was the first woman to serve on the board for a major bank in Canada and she remains a strong advocate for diverse representation across organizations and boards. I am excited to see her continue to right the future in her new role, where she will be a valued ambassador for students at York and a champion for higher education.

We are also embarking on an important journey that will support the University’s commitment to the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and social justice. The draft Decolonization, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (DEDI) 2022-2027 aims to drive transformational change by embedding DEDI principles, practices and actions at an institutional level. The DEDI Strategy, which was created in consultation with a number of groups, including the President’s Advisory Council on EDI, will strengthen our institution, support more equitable, diverse and inclusive communities, and create a place where everyone feels they belong.

The Markham Campus is progressing well. York will mark the completion of the campus structure with a Topping Off ceremony in the weeks ahead as we move closer to our official opening in spring 2024. We are excited to welcome our first cohort of students for select programs this fall – to be delivered at our state-of-the-art Learning Space in the world-class IBM Canada headquarters until they can be transitioned into the new building.

York continues to respond to the urgent needs of the future through our partnership with the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct. The centre is a significant opportunity for York to expand urgently needed health programs including our proposal for a new School of Medicine.  Designed to increase the number of family doctors and other primary care physicians, our unique population health curriculum combines data analytics and digital-health solutions with a team-based and patient-centred care model that will improve health equity for diverse and underserved communities.

These projects and many others continue to advance our University Academic Plan 2020-2025: Building a Better Future. I am excited to continue our work together as we strengthen our impact on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals towards building an inclusive, resilient and sustainable world.

Let me also take this opportunity to invite you to join me on Feb. 11 for York’s community skating event hosted with the City of Markham. All students, staff, faculty, course instructors, volunteers and partners are invited to attend whether you have skated before or not. More information will be shared with our community over the coming weeks.

I wish you all a happy, healthy and productive 2023.

Rhonda L. Lenton
President and Vice Chancellor

Bienvenue au trimestre d’hiver 2023

Chère communauté de York,

Je souhaite une chaleureuse bienvenue à toutes les personnes qui arrivent peut-être à York pour la première fois et à toutes celles qui sont de retour pour la rentrée du trimestre d’hiver 2023. J’espère que vous avez eu l’occasion de vous retrouver en famille et entre amis pendant la saison des fêtes et que vous avez rechargé vos batteries pour l’année à venir.

Beaucoup d’entre vous ont dû m’entendre parler de la vision de York en tant qu’université internationale d’enseignement et de recherche moderne et progressiste qui vise à promouvoir des changements positifs pour nos communautés locales et mondiales. Cette année s’annonce déjà comme un moment crucial de notre histoire.

Le 1er janvier, l’Université York a accueilli sa 14e chancelière : Kathleen Taylor. Diplômée de York, Kathleen a été la première femme à siéger au conseil d’administration d’une grande banque au Canada et elle défend ardemment la représentation diversifiée dans les organisations et les conseils d’administration. Dans son nouveau rôle, elle sera une ambassadrice précieuse pour la communauté étudiante de York et une championne de l’enseignement supérieur et je m’en réjouis.

Nous nous engageons aussi dans un projet important qui appuiera l’engagement de l’Université envers les valeurs d’équité, de diversité, d’inclusion et de justice sociale. Notre ébauche de stratégie de décolonisation, d’équité, de diversité et d’inclusion (DEDI) 2022-2027 vise à favoriser des changements transformationnels en intégrant les principes, pratiques et actions DEDI au niveau institutionnel. La stratégie DEDI a été créée en consultation avec plusieurs groupes, dont le Conseil consultatif de la présidente sur l’EDI. Elle consolidera l’Université, favorisera des communautés plus équitables, diverses et inclusives, et créera un espace où chaque personne éprouve un sentiment d’appartenance.

Le campus Markham progresse bien. Dans les prochaines semaines, York marquera l’achèvement de la structure du campus par une cérémonie de clôture du chantier, alors que nous nous rapprochons de l’ouverture officielle au printemps 2024. Nous nous réjouissons d’accueillir la toute première cohorte étudiante de certains programmes cet automne. Les cours seront donnés dans notre espace d’apprentissage ultramoderne au sein du siège social prestigieux d’IBM Canada jusqu’à leur transfert dans le nouveau bâtiment.

York continue de répondre aux besoins pressants de demain grâce à son partenariat avec l’espace de soins de santé de Vaughan. Il constitue une occasion exceptionnelle de développer des programmes de santé urgemment attendus, comme notre proposition d’ouvrir une nouvelle école de médecine. Unique en son genre et conçu pour accroître le nombre de médecins de famille et d’autres médecins de soins primaires, notre programme d’études sur la santé de la population associe l’analyse des données et des solutions de santé numérique à un modèle de soins axé sur l’équipe et les malades qui améliorera l’équité en matière de santé pour les communautés diverses et mal desservies.

Ces projets et bien d’autres continuent de faire progresser le Plan académique 2020-2025 de l’Université York : Bâtir un avenir meilleur. J’ai hâte de poursuivre notre collaboration tandis que nous renforçons notre contribution aux objectifs de développement durable des Nations Unies afin de bâtir un monde inclusif, résilient et durable.

J’en profite aussi pour vous inviter à vous joindre à moi le 11 février pour un événement de patinage communautaire de York organisé avec la Ville de Markham. Tous les membres de la communauté étudiante, du personnel, des corps professoral et enseignant, les bénévoles et autres partenaires sont invités à y participer, peu importe leur niveau d’expérience. Plus de détails seront communiqués à notre communauté dans les prochaines semaines.

Je vous souhaite une année 2023 heureuse, productive et en bonne santé.

Rhonda L. Lenton
Présidente et vice-chancelière

Plans for School of Medicine moving forward with collaborative approach

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York University continues to work closely with community, government and health sector partners to seek input that will inform the vision and concept for a new School of Medicine.

As part of this collaboration, the University is gathering input on its conceptual proposal for the School of Medicine and the broader potential for the University at the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct. To date, the University has held three consultation sessions.

  • All University faculty and staff were invited to participate in the first session on March 14 (learn more).
  • A session for community health organizations was held on March 25.
  • A town hall for residents and community members from across the region was held on April 19 (watch the town hall).

During the April 19 virtual town hall, close to 200 residents from York Region, as well as Muskoka, North Toronto, Simcoe and other GTA communities, provided input into how a School of Medicine at York University could help solve current challenges in the health care system.

The University’s conceptual proposal envisions an educational model centred on improving health equity for diverse communities in the proposed catchment area and underserved communities across Canada. The University envisions a school committed to community-based primary care that will keep more people healthy longer and living in their communities. Programming for the school will be developed through the University’s formal collegial governance processes with the overarching goals of having curriculum and research support an integrated and preventive model for health care, which aims to promote care beyond the walls of hospital facilities.

The April 19 town hall participants engaged in discussions with York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton, Vice-President Research & Innovation Amir Asif and Provost & Vice-President Academic Lisa Philipps, and voiced broad support for the proposal, which focuses on the education of medical students in community and primary care settings to deliver comprehensive team-based care to patients.

Town hall participants were asked for feedback on the proposal, and for insight into current and future health care matters, including whether they have access to a local family doctor, how the health care system can improve, and why a medical school is essential.

“York University possesses a significant depth and breadth of health-related academic programming and research, which provides a strong foundation for a modern medical school,” said Lenton. “We are grateful to the nearly 200 community members who joined us for the town hall for providing us with critical insights into how our proposed School of Medicine can rethink, reform and redesign medical education in ways that will improve the health and health care experiences of individuals in the underserved and growing areas of North Toronto, York Region and Simcoe/Muskoka, and drive positive change in the communities we serve.”

The ideas shared will help drive the vision and concept for the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct and the School of Medicine. All University and community members who were not able to attend the town halls are invited to provide their feedback.

Together with input from community health organizations and the York University community, the information collected will be considered in the development of a comprehensive business proposal in consultation with the respective Faculties and collegial governance bodies.

More information and updates on planning can be found on the School of Medicine website.

York University hosts community consultation on VHCP and School of Medicine

three students look at a computer

Members of the University community gathered on Monday afternoon for an in-depth conversation about the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct (VHCP) plan and conceptual proposal for a School of Medicine.

More than 200 University faculty and staff members participated in the community consultation held on Monday, March 14 about the VHCP and the conceptual proposal for a School of Medicine.

Hosted by President & Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton, Provost & Vice-President Academic Lisa Philipps and Vice-President Research & Innovation Amir Asif, the session started with a brief project overview and update on recent activities. This was followed by small group discussions, where participants shared feedback and ideas for the University to consider as it further develops the VHCP plan and York University School of Medicine proposal.

Careful notes were taken so that the general themes and ideas can be shared with the broader University community in the coming weeks.

On March 15, the provincial government announced further investments in medical training in Ontario with multi-year funding. “This new investment reflects good alignment with York’s plans given the tremendous health-care needs in York Region and in Ontario,” said Lenton.

The University’s conceptual proposal for a School of Medicine, as part of plans for the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct, has been developed with these pressing needs in mind. With that, the University will be hosting further consultations in the coming months to inform its full proposal.

“This important consultation work will help us ensure York’s proposal for a School of Medicine addresses the remaining gaps in North Toronto as one of the 13 high priority neighborhoods in the GTA, and York Region, one of the fastest growing areas in Ontario as well as underserved areas in Simcoe and Muskoka,” said Lenton.

Dates for upcoming community consultations will be posted on the School of Medicine website as they become available. In the meantime, community members are invited to provide feedback on the conceptual proposal until April 15.

York University and City of Vaughan begin land-use talks for new School of Medicine

QandASchoolofMedicine FEATURED

The University and the City of Vaughan are eager to start discussions about how York can establish a physical presence within the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct, including a possible new School of Medicine.

At its meeting on Feb. 15, Vaughan City Council voted in favour of city administration beginning discussions with York University for the University to acquire and develop land within the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct (VHCP).

The precinct is a collaboration between York University, the City of Vaughan, Mackenzie Health and ventureLAB to transform an 82-acre parcel of land at Jane Street and Major Mackenzie Drive into a unique centre of excellence for health, preventive medicine and community care. The precinct is a first-of-its-kind innovation that unites health care providers, teachers and learners with researchers, innovators and business leaders, together on one site. The precinct has the added advantage of being located next to the new Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital.

York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton
Rhonda L. Lenton

“The Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct is envisioned to become a hub of health care excellence in the region and the province,” says York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton. “We deeply appreciate the support of the City of Vaughan.

“The University has long been a leader in health education, research and innovation, and we are eager to build on our partnerships to enhance the health care system of Ontario including ensuring that we have the health professionals needed for the future in nursing, social work, psychology, kinesiology, rehabilitation sciences, health leadership and management, and other health-related fields, recognizing that a possible new School of Medicine is an integral part of this vision.”

York’s longstanding commitment to develop a School of Medicine has been reflected in successive University Academic Plans and the University’s Strategic Mandate Agreements with the government of Ontario. The vote at Vaughan City Council affirms the City of Vaughan’s support for a School of Medicine within the precinct. Most recently, the University submitted a conceptual proposal for the school to government.

The conceptual proposal was shaped by key internal and external advisors and is now being circulated for broader community input. It reflects the University’s vision of establishing a new kind of School of Medicine that will produce the primary care physicians needed for the future health care needs of Ontario. The curriculum will be informed by a population health perspective and will integrate virtual care and digital solutions with compassionate and holistic in-person care. Graduates will see themselves as part of an integrated and team-based health system providing seamless care between home, community health agencies and hospitals improving health equity in the Greater Toronto Area and underserved communities across the province and Canada.

The conceptual proposal is available on the York University School of Medicine website. Additionally, Lenton will be inviting all University community members to attend a virtual community consultation in March to hear more about the VHCP and to create an opportunity to discuss the conceptual proposal for the School of Medicine. Broad community input is a priority to identify opportunities for collaboration across the University in developing these two important initiatives, and to better understand what the community wants in health care.

“York University is uniquely positioned to help deliver on the health care needs of Ontarians,” adds Lenton. “Aside from the high-quality programs in the Faculty of Health, York is a leader in related fields offered by other faculties including social work, health leadership, health-related technologies, emergency and disaster management, law, the arts, disease modelling, the environment and liberal arts. Engaging the York community as well as the external communities we serve in a discussion about the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct and the new School of Medicine is an exciting opportunity to explore how York can continue to advance our University Academic Plan and drive positive change. I very much hope you can join the conversation in March.”

York professor to deliver keynote at BE-STEMM conference

Collage showing DNA, medicine and more

On Jan. 31, Jude Kong, an assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics in the Faculty of Science, will deliver the plenary keynote at BE-STEMM 2022, which features established and rising stars in research, medicine and academia. The conference runs from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2.

Jude Kong
Jude Kong

Kong, who is also the director of the Africa-Canada Artificial Intelligence and Data Innovation Consortium (ACADIC), will deliver the Black Excellence Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine & Health (BE-STEMM) conference keynote talk on Monday, Jan. 31 at 10:15 a.m. He will also serve as the host for a networking and mentorship event for Black scientists later that day.

His talk, titled “How to harness the power of mathematical models to inform disease outbreak policies,” will focus on the increasing need for informed policy and decision-making to address the unprecedented nature of the pandemic. Kong will speak to how the pandemic has brought mathematicians and infectious disease modelling to the centre stage of public health.

“Mathematicians and mathematical models are playing a key role in real-time delivery of reliable and comprehensive information to predict the spread of COVID-19 and its impact, and in guiding governmental policies and best practice,” said Kong. “So, how do we design a mathematical model of an infectious disease outbreak? How can models be harnessed to inform public health measures at different stages of an outbreak? In this talk, I will provide answers to these questions.” 

Throughout COVID-19, Kong has been leading an interdisciplinary team of more than 50 researchers from key academic and government institutions in nine African countries that have been leveraging Artificial Intelligence to predict and forecast COVID-19 infections in Africa. In 2020, he won a York Research Leader Award.

He is a member of the Canadian Black Scientists Network, a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Mathematics for Public Health Network, and a member of the Canadian COVID-19 Modelling Rapid Response Task Force. Kong is an expert in artificial intelligence, data science and mathematical modelling.

Hosted by the Canadian Black Scientists Network, BE-STEMM is a four-day virtual event that highlights outstanding research, career and recruitment opportunities. The program is designed to engage with Canadians from across the country and focused on removing barriers to attracting and retaining Black Canadians in STEMM.

Topics of the plenaries, panels and presentations cover a wide range of STEMM, including health and disease research, population health and epidemiology, organic and environmental chemistry, biomedical research, cell and molecular biology, new discoveries and innovation in cancer research, ecology, the physical sciences, and earth and environmental science. The conference will end on Feb. 1 with a fireside chat and presentation featuring medical geographer Kirsty Duncan, who is the Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and a Member of Parliament for the riding of Etobicoke North.

Highlights include keynote talks by established and rising star Black Canadian scholars in STEMM; talks and posters from across fields by scientists, clinicians, educators and applied professionals; research presentations by undergraduates and high-school students; and a virtual career fair. BE-STEMM will also feature a Leadership Summit Day focused on best practices and programs for supporting Black Canadians in STEMM.

York University is a platinum sponsor of BE-STEMM 2022 with support coming from the Office of the President, Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation, Office of the Provost and Vice-President Academic, Office of the Vice-President Equity, People & Culture, the Faculties of Science and Health, the Lassonde School of Engineering and the Harriet Tubman Institute.

York University and Oak Valley Health to advance medical education and health research in York and Durham regions

Featured image for Mackenzie Health and York U MOU signing shows a medical worker with a chart

On Friday, Nov. 12, York University and Oak Valley Heath announced a local health partnership aimed at advancing innovative medical education and research collaboration opportunities as well as improving the health and health care of citizens in Markham, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Uxbridge and beyond.

York University President Rhonda Lenton was joined by Jo-anne Marr, president and CEO, Oak Valley Health, and Mayor of Markham Frank Scarpitti, at Friday’s virtual signing event to celebrate this partnership and discuss the shared vision for the future.

“Since establishing its Faculty of Health in 2006, York University has been steadily expanding its leadership in health education and research offered through programs and organized research units that build on our distinct interprofessional and interdisciplinary approach to keeping more people healthier longer in their communities,” said Lenton. “We are pleased to partner with Oak Valley Health to further enhance the future of medical education and the training of the next generation of world-class health professionals as we work together to create healthier and more equitable communities. We also appreciate the ongoing support of Oak Valley Health and local government leaders as we continue to advance our plans for a School of Medicine that will build on our strong foundation and innovative community collaborations to drive positive change both locally and globally.”

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a three-year agreement that sets out strategic areas of engagement and co-operation. These areas include: future medical education partnerships; development of research capacity and opportunities between faculty and health care professionals and other hospital staff; clinical placements and experiential learning opportunities for students; continuing education and development for health care professionals and other hospital staff; health and wellness partnerships including clinics, community health initiatives, public and community education, global health initiatives and special events; information systems integration partnerships including learning management systems and test systems, and other mutually agreed educational or research programs including CIFAL York, to be housed at Markham Campus opening Fall 2023.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with York University and working towards a shared goal – providing meaningful learning opportunities to the future health care professionals and leaders in our region. By working together we will create even more opportunities for clinical placements, continuing education, information systems integration and many more initiatives,” said Marr. “This partnership plays a foundational role in Oak Valley Health’s academic strategy. It is our goal to continue fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment where our people will continue to grow and never stop learning.”

“The City of Markham strived to attract York University’s new Markham Campus to build on our community’s capacity for innovation and research. Now, more than ever, we appreciate the need for collaboration between healthcare providers and relevant partners,” said Scarpitti. “Oak Valley Health has demonstrated its strength in providing on-the-ground healthcare while advancing important clinical trials. Congratulations to both York University and Oak Valley Health on this agreement which further strengthens medical education and research in Ontario.”

Oak Valley Health is one of Ontario’s leading community health systems. Across its two hospitals, Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH) and Uxbridge Hospital (UXB), as well as a Reactivation Care Centre (RCC), Oak Valley Health provides high quality, patient-centred care to more than 474,000 patients each year. It offers diagnostic and emergency services and delivers clinical programs in acute care medicine and surgery, addictions and mental health, and childbirth and children’s services. Oak Valley Health is part of the Eastern York Region North Durham Ontario Health Team (EYRND OHT).