Dr. Katherine Stringer Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University Encouraging new family physicians to establish practices in rural Newfoundland and Labrador is critical, and something Memorial University’s Faculty of Medicine has been doing for decades – the medical school has even been recognized by the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada for having the most graduates choosing rural family medicine residency programs in…
IN GOOD HANDS
Bell Island’s Susan Boone didn’t know that her daughter, Nicole, was addicted to opioids until the hospital called to tell her that Nicole had overdosed on IV morphine. Thankfully, Nicole survived that overdose, but Susan has quickly learned that supporting someone through addiction is not straightforward, and there can be significant additional barriers for people living in a rural area. “Eastern Health has…
HEALTH: Less is More: Deprescribing for Better Health
In 2016, approximately 1 in 3 NLers over the age of 65 were prescribed 10 or more drug classes, 12% higher than the Canadian average. Pharmacists and researchers at the Medication Therapy Services (MTS) clinic, run by Memorial University’s School of Pharmacy, are tackling this complex issue of overprescribing medications, one pill at a time. “We…
SHARING MUSIC
Music is an integral part of culture in Newfoundland and Labrador, part of its history and heritage. It’s no surprise that fostering that love of music through music education is top of mind for Memorial University’s Dean of Music, Dr. Ian Sutherland. Growing up in Lewisporte in the 1980’s, Dr. Sutherland recalls there were plenty of opportunities for music education. “There were a…
ART AS RECONCILIATION
At the heart of First Light’s new Centre for Performance and Creativity is the idea that art is a universal language. “Art transcends our spoken word, transcends our individual cultures,” says Jenelle Duval, First Light Events Coordinator. “When we are trying to work through shared histories that are hard to revisit, art is a platform that allows us to express history…
VS 2018: POP: Essential Supports for Newcomers
Essential Supports for Newcomers Transitioning to a new home, a new community or a new country is not always easy. In order to support newcomers in this transition, the Association for New Canadians (ANC) has been delivering a range of settlement and integration services throughout NL for nearly 40 years. Recently, the ANC has expanded…
VS 2018: DIVERSITY: Sharing & Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day
Sharing & Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day June 21 – the summer solstice – is many things to many people. It’s also National Indigenous Peoples Day, a day recognizing and celebrating the cultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Indigenous peoples in Canada. “A decade ago, celebrations on Indigenous Peoples Day were…
VS 2018: DIVERSITY: Harmony of Diverse Voices
Harmony of Diverse Voices In music, harmonies gain their beauty from the simultaneous closeness and disparity of different sounds playing together. Lauda (from the Latin laude, or ‘praise’), one of the ensemble choirs of the award-winning Shallaway Youth Choir, is a symbol of the importance of diverse voices. Lauda is a choir grounded in the…
VS 2018: EDUCATION: Open Book, Open Doors
Pictured here with new graduate Josiane Umunyurwa, Linda Richards (right) delivered an inspirational address at the Stella’s Circle 2018 ABE graduation ceremony. Photo Credit: The Telegram Before attending high school equivalency classes, Stella’s Circle participant Linda Richards was withdrawn and increasingly isolated….
Vital Signs NL 