Session promises info on how and why to involve students in research An online information session introducing the WE-Spark Student Volunteer Network is set for noon Friday, Oct. 29. The institute has developed a team of post-secondary students working to support and advance health research across Windsor-Essex. “Our WE-Spark student volunteers bring energy and enthusiasm to research teams,” says network co-ordinator Ryan Palazzolo. “They’re busy, dedicated, and hungry to learn.” The students are matched with projects that align with their interests, and that best suit their talents, skills, and needs. Some specialities include data entry, collection and analytics, outreach and public education, digital communications, literature review, and proposal writing. Volunteers are drawn from St. Clair College, the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry (Windsor Campus), and the University of Windsor. “We’re training the next generation of researchers, while creating and advancing research and innovation right here in our region. It’s a win-win…
‘They’re often overlooked and not heard’: Family caregivers need more support, says nursing expert Global News Caregivers say they need more support while caring for loved ones dealing with mental illness and addictions. Clementa Stan is the only full-time caregiver for her sister. WATCH : Caregivers of family members with addictions and mental health illnesses make significant sacrifices -- their time, their own health and often their finances. But who is looking out for the caregiver? Kendra Slugoski reports. For more than a decade, Stan has been the main support network for her sister after she was diagnosed with a mental health illness when she was a teenager. Her sister is now in her mid-30s. “It’s been quite the journey,” said Stan. “I would use the analogy of a rollercoaster. “Our lives are so closely intertwined with our persons. So, when my sister is in crisis, I’m in crisis.” The siblings were raised by their grandmother in Romania, after their mother wasn’t able to care for her daughters. She had also suffered from a mental illness and passed away…
Research shows effectiveness of homemade masks A Windsor research project says that certain simple two-ply cotton masks can be as, or more effective, than some surgical medical masks. The project was led by Dr. Ken Drouillard of the University of Windsor’s Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER) along with Drs Lisa Porter and Dora Cavallo-Medved of University of Windsor’s Health Sciences and Dr. Catherine Clase of McMaster Department of Medicine. They worked in partnership with The Windsor Essex Sewing Force (WESF), a grass-roots organization made up of volunteer sewists that have produced thousands of evidence-based cloth masks for vulnerable groups in the area. The research was funded by the University of Windsor’s Office of Research and Innovation and WE-SPARK Health Institute. “The COVID-19 pandemic caused shortages for certified personal protective equipment (PPE) everywhere in our community,” says Drouillard. “When our local hospitals put out a call for homemade masks that could be used by visitors…
Panel to discuss engaging community in research WE-Spark Health Institute will host an introductory “Community-Engaged Research Workshop and Panel Discussion,” open to all levels and research backgrounds on Friday, Oct. 22. “Involving community members or knowledge users in a research project supports knowledge dissemination,” says Adriana Grande, the institute’s knowledge translation co-ordinator. “Beyond that, it makes meaningful contributions to our local community and individual research disciplines.” The workshop will begin with a review of the introductory concepts of community-engaged research — a collaborative process between researchers and community members which aims to support meaningful creation and dissemination of knowledge as well as research outcomes. Experts who have worked or led these types of projects will participate in a panel discussion: Clementa Stan, caregiver and community member Edward Cruz, assistant professor, Faculty of Nursing Paula van Wyk, associate professor, Faculty of Human Kinetics…
Local Expert Blog: Be Scared & Do It Anyway! “Be Scared and Do it Anyway!” by Sara Bown I am somewhat ashamed to admit that when the pandemic was first declared I thought, “Here we go again,” and largely thought it was “just another flu”. I can also say that my thoughts have changed! At the time, I was working for a General and Thoracic Surgeon here in Windsor, and when HE stopped coming in and cut the office hours down to once a week and phone follow-ups, I started to pay attention! I have spent most of my 40 years here on earth running away from myself, and when the government said that I had no choice but to stay home with me, myself and I, as long as we were all from the same household, I was petrified. I was about 18 months into a good solid recovery from alcohol addiction and I thought, what I am going to do without seeing people that care about me, going to support meetings and distracting myself with friends. I was terrified of relapsing without my caring support network, and my disease was happy to start…
Expert Blog: Caring for Caregivers Conference - Research in Action Caregivers often go unnoticed, caring behind the scenes. They are key contributors to our healthcare systems function. Supporting them is critical. This is what we learned from a WE-SPARK Health Institute funded grant: Caring for the Caregiver Study. Led by primary investigators Dr. Edward Cruz, a University of Windsor nursing professor, and Dr. Jennifer Voth, a Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare research associate, the study involved a survey of over 75 individuals and 21 interviews with local caregivers. This study originated through Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare’s Mental Health and Addictions Patient and Family Advisory Council, under the direction of director Patrick Kolowicz. The caregivers shared how deeply impacted they are by their experiences, how their health and well-being is so closely related to that of their loved-one’s, and how hard it can be at times navigating the mental health and addictions healthcare system. It demonstrated the critical role caregivers play in supporting…
Medical vs. Cotton Masks Rebecca Rudman has been making masks since the start of the pandemic. The founder of the Windsor Essex Sewing Force knows that there is a lot of confusion about masks and concerns about allergies. With cotton masks now being widely available, there could also be some confusion about the differences between cotton masks and medical 2-ply or N95 masks and how and where they should be used. Some people with allergies can face some troubles with facial masks. “I would suggest talking to your family doctor because without a lot of research on cloth masks it’s hard to get widespread endorsement,” said Rudman Ken Drouillard, a professor at the University of Windsor School of Environmental Studies has explained the differences during a live meeting hosted by the We Spark Health Institute on October 6, 2021 Medical masks are called many names. surgical mask, isolation mask, dental mask, procedural mask, etc. Medical masks are only able to be used as a one-time mask…
Local Expert Blog: 3 Tips for Caregiver Well-being Dr. Anne McLachlan, C.Psych Advocating for and supporting a family member with a severe mental health disorder and/or substance use can be rewarding, challenging, and at times, emotionally and physically draining. At times they may be well, taking their medications, looking after themselves and their home, attending meetings or groups, and at other times, they may be unwell, neglecting themselves, perhaps not eating well, using substances, and avoiding family and friends. Family members can get so focused on providing support that they neglect their own physical and mental health. As well, being constantly exposed to another person’s emotional pain and trying to relieve their suffering can lead to caregiver fatigue. According to the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, signs of caregiver fatigue include: feelings of helplessness and powerlessness in the face of our relative’s suffering; reduced feelings of empathy; sleep problems; irritability; sadness, anxiety or anger;…
Position dedicated to integrating med students in local research Devinder Moudgil is the WE-Spark Health Institute’s first medical student research associate. In her new role as medical student research associate at the WE-Spark Health Institute, Devinder Moudgil will engage the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry – Windsor Campus in integrating its students into the local research ecosystem. “I am excited to join the passionate WE-Spark team members who take immense pride in transforming the health research landscape of the Windsor-Essex region,” says Dr. Moudgil. “My commitment to engaging students in research stems from my own research experiences, and I remain passionate about continuing this journey and inspiring young and emerging students.” A scientist by training, Moudgil has a doctoral degree in oncology from the University of Alberta. She joins WE-Spark from the UWindsor Office of Research and Innovation, where she supported new technology protection and commercialization processes. Moudgil will promote research opportunities…
