#MacMed50: Five decades of research excellence

October 15, 2019 by Tina Depko, Health Sciences

McMaster University has been recognized as Canada’s most research-intensive university for the past two consecutive years. That recognition, in part, can be attributed to the quality, quantity and impact of the research that’s coming from its Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine.

#MacMed50: 50 years of educational excellence

October 10, 2019 by Tina Depko, Health Sciences

Problem-based learning. Creativity in developing better ways to select medical school candidates. National and international awards for teaching and education research. Innovation in starting Canada’s first midwifery and civilian physician assistant programs. These are just a few of the many ways the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine has earned a reputation in Canada and around the world as a risk-taker, innovator and leader in medical education.

#MacMed50: Fostering the 'ties' in our communities

October 8, 2019

McMaster University's medical school campuses in Hamilton, Niagara and Waterloo are woven into the fabric of their communities. From undergraduate medical students in family medicine clinics to residents in McMaster Children's Hospital, they impact the quality and availability of care in the health-care systems where they learn and work.

John Lavis elected CAHS Fellow

October 2, 2019

CHEPA member Dr. John Lavis, director of the McMaster Health Forum, has been made a fellow in the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS).

Join Team FIRH for the Steeltown Stairclimb on November 9, 2019

October 2, 2019

This year’s Step Up & Breathe Steeltown Stair Climb, which will take place on Saturday, November 9th, 2019.

#MacMed50: McMaster celebrating golden anniversary of medical school

October 2, 2019

From symposiums on the continuing development of problem-based learning and the latest in health research to campus tours and a gala party, the program is set to celebrate the 50th anniversary of McMaster University's Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine. The three days of activities will highlight the five decades since the first medical school class began in the fall of 1969.

No need to cut down red and processed meat consumption

October 1, 2019

Most people can continue to eat red and processed meat as they do now. A major study led by researchers at McMaster and Dalhousie universities has found cutting back has little impact on health.

Target identification in lung disease: How can we hit the bullseye?

October 1, 2019 by Megan Vierhout, BSc, Masters student, McMaster University

Target identification techniques for exploring idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)

Study finds simple cardiac risk score can predict early problems with blood flow in the brain

September 30, 2019

A simple cardiac risk score can indicate who may have carotid artery plaque and silent strokes which often come before a serious clinical stroke. The findings come from one of the largest magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cohort studies in North America, a study designed to understand the risk factors associated with cerebrovascular disease before the person is aware of it.

Gordon Guyatt to be inducted to Hamilton Gallery of Distinction

September 30, 2019

Gordon Guyatt, Distinguished University Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University, is one of six outstanding citizens to be named to the Hamilton Gallery of Distinction this year. The 2019 inductees include leaders in medicine, education, theatre, environmentalism, community improvement, mentorship and civic engagement. Each has made a lasting contribution to Hamilton.

Delegates from China’s National Healthcare Security Administration visit McMaster University

September 30, 2019

HEI’s Feng Xie hosted a delegation of senior policymakers led by Deputy Administrator Madame Tao Li from China’s National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA)

International study finds similar results from total or partial hip replacement

September 26, 2019

To do a total or partial hip replacement for older adults who have a hip fracture has been the question. Now a large clinical study of almost 1,500 patients in 10 countries world-wide has found those who had a total hip arthroplasty have modestly better function after two years, but a higher incidence of serious complications. The study authors suggest the advantages of total hip replacement may not be compelling.

Congratulations to external and internal award winners at MIRC!

September 25, 2019

Several MIRC trainees were recently awarded prestigious and highly competitive external and internal awards for the 2019-2020 academic year. These awards highlight the high caliber of trainees at MIRC, and we would like to acknowledge and congratulate the award winners.

Excellence of MIRC trainees highlighted at FHS Research Plenary 2019 awards ceremony

September 25, 2019

Congratulations to all MIRC trainees who received awards at the annual Faculty of Health Sciences Research Plenary Awards Reception, which took place on May 29, 2018. Awards were given to trainees who presented oral or poster presentations at the multi-day, research plenary, as well as individuals who were recognized for their excellence within the program. We would like to congratulate and acknowledge the following students for their success!

MIRC Spotlight: The Rullo Lab

September 25, 2019

One of MIRC’s newer faculty members, Dr. Anthony Rullo, has expanded the research scope of the centre with his exciting interdisciplinary research program which integrates the fields of chemical biology and immunology in an effort to advance cancer immunotherapy.

It's never lupus … until it is!

September 24, 2019 by Inna Ushcatz, Jill Northrup, Ikra Saeed and Olivia Kohlmaier

Symptoms and diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus, commonly known as lupus

Five take highest honour in Canadian health sciences

September 20, 2019

Five professors of the Faculty of Health Sciences have been elected fellows of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, considered one of the highest honours for members of the country's health sciences community.

FHS IT needs assessment update

September 20, 2019

A information technology (IT) needs assessment for the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) has gotten underway with Kathy Denney as project manager. This assessment is to understand the IT needs within the Faculty, identify how those needs are currently being met by the existing IT organization and service delivery model.

Physician assistant students begin a tradition

September 16, 2019

Kira Slivitzky was a molecular biologist and researcher who found she always enjoyed talking to people rather than mice. Raymond Khanano, with a master's in public health, sought a clinical career with flexibility. Nicole Veloce, with a life sciences degree, was attracted to being part of the health care team.

McMaster researchers find new way to find antibiotics in dirt

September 13, 2019

McMaster researchers find new way to find antibiotics in dirt

September 11, 2019

Researchers at McMaster University have designed a new way to rapidly identify antibiotics hidden in common dirt. Their method, published today in Nature Biotechnology, may help guide drug discovery by allowing researchers to reassess the potential of bacteria that have already been mined for rare or new compounds with antibiotic activity. The goal is to develop the medicines in response to the current global antimicrobial resistance crisis.

Hemophilia three times more prevalent than thought

September 10, 2019

More than 1,125,000 men around the world have the inherited bleeding disorder of hemophilia, and 418,000 of those have a severe version of the mostly undiagnosed disease, says a new study led by McMaster University researchers. This is three times what was previously known. Only 400,000 people globally were estimated to have the disorder which is caused by a defect in the F8 or F9 gene which encodes instructions for making the factor proteins that helps blood clot. For those with hemophilia, lack of treatment leads to chronic and disabling joint disease, while bleeding into organs and brain hemorrhages can lead to disability and death.

Cardiovascular disease leading cause of death world-wide, but cancer rising cause in rich countries: Study

September 3, 2019

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of death among middle-aged adults around the world; however, in high-income countries deaths from cancer have become twice as frequent as those from CVD. The findings come from the first large prospective international study documenting the frequency of common diseases and death rates in high-, middle- and low-income countries using a standardized approach.

Study finds most risks for heart attacks, strokes, deaths around world could be improved

September 3, 2019

More than 70 per cent of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and deaths around the world may be attributed to a small number of common but modifiable risk factors. The findings are the result of large international study, involving more than 155,000 people in 21 countries, led by researchers of the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI) of McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences.