"Wellness is the fount from which we drink life."
Physician Wellness and Support
what does the sapling mean to you?
You're In Our Care!
You are a valued part of this Department. You were hired because we believe in you. Your success is our success and we are here to provide you with the support and tools to be the best that you can be. Professional life can be challenging, but you are in our care!
Faculty of Medicine Wellness Message
As the coronavirus crisis accelerates, our faculty stands in the front lines of the fight against this deadly threat. Today, and in the weeks and months ahead, our clinicians will work to save the lives of people infected by the virus, while our researchers will race to discover treatments for the disease. Our alumni will labour tirelessly in hospitals and laboratories across the country. Already, many of our MD students are joining a volunteer initiative to provide services like babysitting, pet care, and grocery shopping for healthcare workers. All members of our staff are using their talents and training to support the effort. Each and every one of us in the Faculty of Medicine has a role to play in combatting this pandemic. I know that together, we will rise to the challenge.
The health and wellness of faculty, learners and staff is our primary concern. To that end, we are taking several steps that affect learners at the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels; medical residents and interns; clinical and research faculty; and staff. In keeping with University directives and the recommendations of public health agencies and governments across Canada, we are striving to continue our vital teaching and research functions, while implementing social distancing measures. All learning has moved online. All staff whose presence on campus is not essential have been directed to work from home. All clinical rotations for MD students have been suspended. All learners on placements abroad are being asked to return home. Research operations are being scaled down; all non-essential lab trainees and staff have been asked to stay home; and special measures are being implemented for laboratory researchers and their teams.
Please see the headings below for detailed information specific to your situation. We invite you to also refer to the wellness resources below, to help take care of your mental health and well-being.
The situation is evolving rapidly. At any time, you can visit the uOttawa coronavirus website and the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19, and follow us on Twitter @uOttawaMed, for further updates.
Bernard Jasmin, PhD
Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine
University of Ottawa
Updates from the Faculty of Medicine:
RESEARCH OFFICE:
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For researchers and those working in their labs, please review the updates made today on the Research Office’s dedicated COVID-19 page.
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The most recent updates include, but are not limited to, the following:
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Which lab members are to stay at home
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Preventative measures in the lab
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How to proceed with research activities
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Teleworking procedures
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Manuscript preparation
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UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UGME):
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For faculty members and learners, please review the updates made yesterday on UGME’s dedicated COVID-19 page.
POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (PGME):
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Post-graduate (PG) deans from across Canada have sent the following message to their respective program directors, who have been asked to make every effort to accommodate candidates in the following manner:
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"In the light of the COVID-19 pandemic there are various rapidly evolving restrictions on travel within Canada and North America. All interviews for the second iteration of CaRMS must be done by remote means (SKYPE, ZOOM, FaceTime, etc.). We thank you for your ongoing collaboration during these exceptional times.”
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For faculty members and learners, please consult the Faculty’s special website dedicated to COVID-19
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Stay tuned for a PGME page dedicated to COVID-19 which will soon provide regular updates.
GRADUATE AND POSTDOCTORAL STUDIES:
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For faculty members and learners, please review the updates made late yesterday on the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Program’s dedicated COVID-19 page.
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The most recent updates include, but are not limited to, the following:
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Which lab members are to stay at home
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Preventative measures in the lab
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How to proceed with research activities
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Advice for thesis preparation
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WELLNESS FOR ALL
One thing we all have in common is that in times like these, our mental health and well-being can suffer. You might feel more anxious and on edge than usual, feeling angry, helpless and/or sad.
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Residents, fellows, graduate and TMM students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty can contact the Faculty Wellness Program by phone at 613-562-5800 x 8507 or by email at wellness@uottawa.ca.
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Residents can also access the PARO support line available 24/7 at 1-866-Help-Doc.
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MD students can contact the Student Affairs Office by email at medsao@uottawa.ca to book an appointment with a counsellor or book an appointment online. All appointments will be provided by telephone in order to keep everyone safe.
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The employee assistance program has been extended to non-eligible staff until April 30. This program includes employee counselling. Please go to www.workhealthlife.com and enter the University of Ottawa as the organization to access and explore the website.
Here are some additional ways you can take care of your mental health and well-being in the face of uncertainty:
For the latest uOttawa updates regarding COVID 19 please visit the uOttawa COVID-19 website, as well as the following links for more information:
Medical Students for Health Care Providers
Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, uOttawa medical students are mobilizing to help health care providers (HCPs) in need. As most of us have had our classes and rotations cancelled, we would love to show our support by donating our time in assisting you with childcare/babysitting, pet care, and grocery runs - whatever we can do to best help you.
If you are interested in accessing these services, sign up here: https://forms.gle/DapLeeK9y6mPK36f8. Please note that this is a student-run initiative that will be occurring off-campus and has no affiliation with the university.
To ensure safety and social distancing, we have listed our screening criteria on the form. We are open to feedback on how to maintain safety and social distancing.
After you submit this form, we will review the list of medical students and connect you with a suitable match. If we are unable to connect you with a medical student for any reason, we will let you know as soon as possible.
As future physicians, we are trained to be leaders in our community and we want to take this opportunity to help our colleagues and show our appreciation.
If you have any questions, please contact student leads:
Heidi Li (MD2021, hli134@uottawa.ca)
Simran Aggarwal (MD2022, sagga043@uottawa.ca)
PPE Video and Badge
Here is the PPE video for TOH for your convenience.
For those who wish a PPE doning and duffing sequence reminder card, please come to the DOM office or your Wellness Champion Office
Civic:
Lara Baja office
D103
Riverside:
Lesli Ransome office
Rm 5-60, 5th floor
