I am thrilled to announce that the NCIC Clinical Trials Group (NCIC CTG) has developed and will lead an international clinical trial of a new class of cancer drug aimed at curing lung cancer in patients who have had surgery and chemotherapy for disease confined to the lung. This research contract with AstraZeneca is the largest in the history of the Faculty of Health Sciences. Our ongoing efforts in the NCIC CTG serve to reinforce our FHS industry engagement strategy, which strives to fortify existing relationships with industry and to promote and develop new ones.

For years, researchers have looked at mental illness and the possible link to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Studies have established links between depression, anxiety and psychotic disorders and a heightened risk of coronary heart disease. In 2013, a study published in Circulation widened the scope to include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, neurotic disorder, personality disorders and substance-use disorders.1

This week we mourn the deaths of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo (left) and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent (right). These two senseless deaths have gripped the country and provoked a national sense of sadness and alarm. In particular, the death of Cpl. Cirillo, gunned down while he was standing guard at the National War Memorial in Ottawa has sparked concern that Canada was under attack from an Islamist extremist organization. Indeed, the tragedy has been labelled a terrorist attack by some.1

I always look forward to homecoming weekend, and the opportunity to meet alumni and hear their stories. At this year’s homecoming, we hosted Faculty of Health Sciences alumni going all the way back to 1954!

It was a special joy this year to be welcoming one of my favourite teachers, Dr. Robert Stone, who has been a friend and mentor for many years. When Bob and his wife Mary came back to Kingston this weekend, Cheryl and I had the chance to spend some time with them, and attend the Tricolour Guard dinner together.

As dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, I have the good fortune of meeting many remarkable people. Dr. Duncan Sinclair is one of those remarkable people who I am proud to know. And so, it is my pleasure to announce that this past week, Duncan was named a 2015 inductee to the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame1. Duncan will be formally inducted at ceremony in Winnipeg on April 23, 2015.

In both Canada and the US, controlling rising health care costs are considered national priorities. The genesis of these rising costs is multi-factorial, and includes important issues such as the aging demographic, increases in the use of costly technologies, the increasingly expensive cost of in-patient hospital care, and the costs of drugs. There is a consensus that many of the expenditures emanating from the ordering of tests may not be warranted.

There is nothing like a millenary milestone in social media to bring about reflection on just what purpose your hundreds of 140-character tweets have served. After reaching 1,000 followers on Twitter a few weeks ago, I got to thinking about how we use social media in the health care field, and why it is so pertinent today.

A recent study published in The Lancet showed that hospitals that have a higher proportion of baccalaureate-trained nurses have a lower mortality rate. The same study showed the nurse to patient ratio, on a surgical ward, was an important factor in hospital-related mortality.1

This week I am thrilled to announce that Dr. Roger Deeley is one of nine professors at Queen’s to be named a Royal Society fellow.1 I would like to congratulate Roger on achieving one of the highest honours that can be bestowed upon an academic in Canada; an honour that is well-deserved.

Thank you to Tony Sanfilippo, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education, for his guest blog, below, welcoming the new Meds 2018 class.

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With the all-too-soon end of summer comes the beginning of a new academic year. This week we welcome members of Meds 2018, the 160th class to enter the study of Medicine at Queen’s since our school opened its doors in 1854.

A few facts about these new members of our learning community:

They were selected from our largest ever applicant pool – 4366 highly qualified students submitted applications last fall.