The Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) at the University of Prince Edward Island has recently welcomed two new members to its leadership team. Dr. Michael Cockram has been appointed to the position of Chair in Animal Welfare and Ms. Joan Masterson has assumed the role of Assistant Dean, Administration and Finance.

“AVC is very pleased to have recruited Dr. Cockram and Ms. Masterson. Both individuals possess an impressive background in their respective areas of expertise and have much to contribute to the growth of AVC and its various education, research, and service programs,” says Dr. Tim Ogilvie, Dean of AVC.

Dr. Michael Cockram (BVetMed, PhD, MRCVS) comes to AVC from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, where he was a faculty member since 1985 and most recently a Senior Lecturer in Animal Welfare. Over that time, he developed an active animal welfare research program of international repute.

Dr. Cockram has an extensive record of successful grant applications and collaborative research, as well as publications in animal welfare research. His main area of research has been in the field of farm- and food-animal welfare and, in particular, the welfare implications of transportation and pre-slaughter handling. He has used a variety of techniques to assess animal welfare and hopes to apply them to the study of welfare issues in non-farmed animals (including companion animals, horses, and wildlife). In his role as Chair in Animal Welfare, Dr. Cockram will support AVC and its Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre in furthering animal welfare through research, service, and education.

Prior to joining AVC, Ms. Joan Masterson (BBA, CGA) was employed by Acadia University where she held the positions of Manager, Financial Services, Comptroller, and, most recently, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, over the past eight years. As AVC’s Assistant Dean of Administration and Finance, Ms. Masterson will play a key role in the leadership of the College and the attainment of AVC’s goals. She assumes responsibility for AVC’s $30-million annual budget, the College’s infrastructure program, spearheading interprovincial funding agreements, and overall financial management of the College. Ms. Masterson is a graduate of UPEI’s School of Business.

Funded by the four Atlantic provinces, the Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI is committed to excellence and innovation in education, research, and professional services. Since opening in 1984, the College has graduated approximately 1,000 doctors of veterinary medicine, has become known around the world for its research capabilities, and is the Atlantic region’s only full service veterinary referral hospital.

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At a time when Canada’s health care system is under siege from increased wait times and doctor shortages, researchers in the Atlantic provinces want to find out why so many trained professionals who have immigrated from other countries are unable to practise their profession in Canada. Now a research study entitled Internationally Educated Health Professionals (IEHPs) on PEI: Why They Come, Why They Stay, and the Challenges They Face will look at the issue.

One of four parallel studies now under way in the Atlantic provinces, the study is being undertaken by Dr Godfrey Baldacchino, Canada Research Chair in Island Studies at UPEI, in full collaboration with the PEI Association of Newcomers to Canada (PEI-ANC). The study is also supported by the PEI Health Sector Council and the PEI Health Research Institute.

The purpose of this project is to better understand the complex concerns and challenges that internationally educated health professionals have about coming to and staying on Prince Edward Island,” says Dr. Baldacchino, who has carried out a survey of recent settlers to PEI for the province’s Population Secretariat in 2005. “This is being done initially through a web-based, anonymous questionnaire survey, available in either English or French. It will be followed by one-on-one interviews.” Records suggest that there are around 60 IEHPs living on Prince Edward Island right now, and almost half of these may not be working in the health sector, for a variety of reasons.

With financial support from Health Canada via the IEHP Atlantic Connection, the study supports Health Canada’s mandate to deliver on the First Ministers’ 10-Year Plan to reduce wait times and increase the supply of health professionals in the Canadian health care system. For the purpose of this study, an IEHP is defined as anyone (including a Canadian) who has received health profession education and/or training in a country other than Canada and who is now living (but not necessarily practicing in the health sector) on PEI.

The study concerns physicians, registered and licensed practical nurses, nurse practitioners, dentists, dental hygienists and assistants, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, medical laboratory technologists, radiologists and other medical specialists, psychologists and psychiatrists. Associations and bodies representing such health professionals can help support this timely study by encouraging any of their members who have their qualifications from outside Canada to participate — without, however, any obligation to do so. All respondents are guaranteed full anonymity and confidentiality, unless they choose to reveal their identity. The survey will be concluded at the end of September.

“This study is being complemented by a case-by-case approach with another IEHP project directed by the PEI-ANC, which involves delivering two courses: English for the Health Professions and Orientation to the Canadian and PEI Healthcare System,” says Kevin Arsenault, Executive Director of the PEI-ANC. “This approach is especially useful to identify and develop suitable pathways for bridging learning or training gaps for those who have had professional training in the health sector outside Canada. We are helping to develop customized practical solutions to the situations that come to our attention, in collaboration with the professional bodies concerned.” Michelle Hood is the officer-in-charge of the IEHP program at the PEI-ANC.

Policy and program recommendations emerging from the survey results — and those emerging from parallel studies in the rest of Atlantic Canada — should help to inform any initiatives to attract, retain, and improve the work conditions of health professionals in the province and region.

This research exercise has been reviewed and approved by the Research Ethics Board (REB) at the University of Prince Edward Island. Please contact Lynn MacPhee at the REB (tel: 902-566-0637; e-mail:lmacphee@upei.ca) for any questions about this study.

For survey details, including access, please contact Godfrey Baldacchino at UPEI (tel: 902-566-0909; e-mail: gbaldacchino@upei.ca) or Michelle Hood at the PEI-ANC (tel: (902) 628-6009; e-mail: michelleh@peianc.com).

Delegates from around the world will travel to PEI this week to take part in one of the world’s only comprehensive courses dealing with shellfish health. From September 13 to 19, the Mollusc Health and Disease Management Course will be held at the Atlantic Veterinary College, UPEI. The course is coordinated by the Canadian Aquaculture Institute.

“This course is one of very few internationally that deals exclusively with shellfish,” says Dr. Jeff Davidson, Associate Professor of Aquatic Health at AVC, member of the College’s Shellfish Research Group, and an instructor for the course. “It is a comprehensive course covering topics ranging from disease causation and risk factors, to assessing pathology of molluscs.”

Veterinarians and biologists, as well as representatives from government, research institutions, and industry will travel to Prince Edward Island from New Zealand, Chile, Iceland, Thailand, the United States and other parts of Canada to take part in the course which provides continuing education certification for participants.

All courses will be instructed by AVC faculty and a representative from the University of Washington who are known around the world for their expertise in shellfish health and disease management.

The Mollusc Health and Disease Management Course is the first of three major international aquactic species events being held in PEI in September.

A workshop on Bitter Crab Disease from September 20 to 22 will bring together delegates from around the world to further address the potential global impact of Bitter Crab Disease in various crustacean hosts. The workshop is co-hosted by the world renowned Lobster Science Centre at AVC and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

From September 23 to 28, the 8th International Conference and Workshop on Lobster Biology and Management will take place in Charlottetown. This conference is also co-hosted by the Lobster Science Centre at AVC, as well as the Prince Edward Island Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture. More than 200 delegates from approximately 20 countries will gather to further knowledge on lobster research, biology, and management.

Together, the course, workshop and conference provide an unprecedented demonstration of the aquatic species health-related educational, research, and service expertise contained within the AVC’s Shellfish Research Group and Lobster Science Centre.

Funded by the four Atlantic provinces, the Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI is committed to excellence and innovation in education, research, and professional services. Since opening in 1984, the College has graduated approximately 1,000 doctors of veterinary medicine, has become known around the world for its research capabilities, and is the Atlantic region’s only full service veterinary referral hospital.

For further information, please contact:
Charlotte McCardle
902 566 0533

The UPEI Student Union Shinerama campaign to support the fight against cystic fibrosis has exceeded all expectations. After raising $17,000 last year, students set an ambitious objective of $20,000 for 2007. The 200+ students who donated their time and energy to fundraising activities as part of New Student Orientation week have raised almost $27,000. There are more activities being planned until December, when the campaign ends. Their ultimate goal is an unprecedented $30,000.

Shinerama is Canada’s largest post-secondary fundraiser, involving students at approximately 60 university and college campuses across the country. It began in 1964 as a shoe-shining campaign and has since grown to include a wide variety of shining and non-shining activities under the Shinerama banner. UPEI students have been taking part since 1977.

Says Will MacDonald, a third-year engineering student and this year’s Shinerama organizer at UPEI, “It has been incredibly inspiring to see the enthusiastic response of our new students and the generosity of Islanders who supported them. At UPEI we are a complete model for what Shinerama is. The amount we have raised is exceptional and we are well above the national average.”

Shinerama students are now selling necklaces to raise additional funds and they have more activities in the plans, including a campus coffee delivery service in the fall.

UPEI has appointed Tamara Leary as Acting Director of Student Services. She replaces Bob Gibson who retired recently after heading the department for eight years.

“We are delighted to welcome Tamara Leary as Acting Director,” says Vianne Timmons, Vice-President of Academic Development. “Her experience in several key Student Services positions will be invaluable in this role, especially at a time when we are strengthening outreach programs to our students. UPEI is very grateful to outgoing Director Bob Gibson for his significant contributions over the last eight years and we wish him well in his retirement.”

Tamara Leary joined UPEI in 1999 as Program Co-ordinator for Adult Connections in Education. She has held various positions within Student Services related to student support and program development. Most recently, she headed the Student Success program. This week she returns to PEI from Egypt where she assisted in the development of a similar program at Misr International University in Cairo.

A graduate of UPEI (BA’90), she is now in her second year of Doctoral studies at University of Calgary. She is Executive Secretary for the Student Affairs Services Association with the Canadian Association of Colleges and University Student Services and an active member of the Atlantic Association of College and University Students.

Founders’ Day celebrations will take place at 2:45 pm today in McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre. This is a change of location due to inclement weather. Dennis Clough, Harry Love, and Marion Morrison will be recognized officially by the University as Founders.

Dennis Clough was UPEI Comptroller and Chief Financial Officer until his retirement in 1997. His career with the University began at St. Dunstan’s in 1967. Marion Morrison served in several leading positions in Residence and Student Services from 1972 to 2003. Harry Love taught mathematics at Prince of Wales College and UPEI from 1960 to 1997, and continues to play an active role today.

The 2007 Founders’ Day festivities have been expanded to include The Honourable Eugene F. Whelan Green Hat Awards ceremony. These awards recognize individuals who have helped to establish and develop the Atlantic Veterinary College. Former Nova Scotia Premier John Buchanan and former PEI Premier Alex Campbell will receive awards this year.

“We look forward to honouring these special people who have long and valuable associations with UPEI and with our Atlantic Veterinary College,” says UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan. "We encourage everyone to join in our Founders’ Day celebrations, to take part in the many exciting Homecoming activities we have planned, and to visit UPEI's great campus at its most handsome time of year."

The ceremony will be followed by a public reception. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Contact: Alf Blanchard at (902) 566-0761.

The global impact of Bitter Crab Disease will be explored by international delegates during a Bitter Crab Disease Workshop being held September 20 to 22 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. The workshop is co-hosted by the Atlantic Veterinary College’s (AVC) Lobster Science Centre and the United State’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

“To our knowledge, no other disease of a wild marine species has the potential to significantly impact widespread economies and ecosystems like Bitter Crab Disease does,” explains Dr. Frank Morado of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration based in Seattle, Washington. “We know that Bitter Crab Disease impacts commercial fisheries by harming product quality and causing significant mortalities due to infection. We know that the parasite that causes this disease is present in about 25 species of crustaceans. But there is still a lot that is unknown which is the reason that we have organized this workshop.”

Bitter Crab Disease is caused by parasitic dinoflagellates of the genus Hematodinium. The disease has exploded across the Northern Hemisphere over the past 20 years, negatively impacting fisheries.

Considered a world-authority on Bitter Crab Disease, Morado will co-chair the workshop with Dr. Rick Cawthorn, a professor of parasitology within AVC’s Department of Pathology and Microbiology, and a research scientist with the AVC Lobster Science Centre.

“The workshop will explore issues ranging from fisheries to parasite ecology, and will facilitate discussion with participants from industry, management, and research in an effort to gain further knowledge on this complex disease,” explains Cawthorn. “In addition it will assist in identifying areas for research collaboration.”

Presenters from countries such as Scotland and Greenland, as well as North American coastal locations Newfoundland & Labrador and Alaska, will share expertise gained through experience with Bitter Crab Disease in their respective geographic areas. More than 50 participants will travel to Prince Edward Island to take part in the workshop.

Further information on the Bitter Crab Disease Workshop can be found at www.lobsterscience.ca/bcdworkshop/. The workshop is the second of three major international aquatic species events being co-hosted by the Atlantic Veterinary College in September. Mollusc Health and Disease Management, one of few comprehensive courses in the world dealing with shellfish exclusively, was recently carried out by the Atlantic Veterinary College’s Shellfish Research Group in conjunction with the Canadian Aquaculture Institute.

The 8th International Conference and Workshop on Lobster Biology and Management will take place in Charlottetown from September 23 to 28 immediately following the Bitter Crab Disease Workshop. This conference is co-hosted by the Lobster Science Centre at AVC and the Prince Edward Island Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture. More than 200 delegates from approximately 20 countries will gather to further knowledge on lobster research, biology, and management.

Funded by the four Atlantic provinces, the Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI is committed to excellence and innovation in education, research, and professional services. Since opening in 1984, the College has graduated approximately 1,000 doctors of veterinary medicine, has become known around the world for its research capabilities, and is the Atlantic region’s only full service veterinary referral hospital.

For further information, please contact:
Charlotte McCardle
External Relations, AVC Dean’s Office
92 566 0533/cmccardle@upei.ca

The world’s experts on lobster health, biology and management will meet in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island this weekend for the 8th International Conference & Workshop on Lobster Biology & Management.

Considered the “Olympics of Lobster”, the conference– which is held every four years– will run from September 23 to 28 at the Delta Prince Edward and bring together more than 200 delegates from over 20 countries to examine lobster habitat, climate change, population dynamics, disease, management strategies and more. The conference is co-chaired by the Atlantic Veterinary College’s Lobster Science Centre and the Prince Edward Island Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

“People often wonder just how much there is to know about a lobster,”says Dr. Jean Lavallée, co-chair of the conference and a lobster scientist with the Atlantic Veterinary College’s world renowned Lobster Science Centre–the only lobster research facility in the world that is part of a veterinary college.

“What we know and are learning is incredible. But there is still a vast amount about this animal and how it grows, how it lives its life, and how it’s impacted by its environment that is still uncertain. At the conference we look at everything from how climate change impacts lobster and the food chain, to how we can apply basic veterinary medical principals to lobster that we would apply to other animals, such as cats and dogs.”

Lavallée, who is one of few veterinarians in North America with a graduate degree in lobster health, says the conference is the largest of its kind and is tremendously successful in bringing together lobster researchers, industry representatives, government partners, and fishers for the purpose of increasing overall knowledge of lobster fishery management and examining advances in lobster-related science.

“Having the world’s experts in lobster studies together in the same room plays a critical role in learning from each other to ensure our respective lobster fisheries remain sustainable and healthy,” explains Lavallée.

The economic value of the lobster fishery in Atlantic Canada is estimated at more than $1 billion.

The complete program for the 8th International Conference &Workshop on Lobster Biology & Management can be found at http://www.lobsterscience.ca/conference. The conference is the last of three major international aquatic species events co-hosted by the Atlantic Veterinary College in September. Mollusc Health and Disease Management, one of few comprehensive courses in the world dealing with shellfish exclusively, and a Bitter Crab Disease Workshop were also held over the past two weeks.

Funded by the four Atlantic provinces, the Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI is committed to excellence and innovation in education, research, and professional services. Since opening in 1984, the College has graduated approximately 1,000 doctors of veterinary medicine, has become known around the world for its research capabilities, and is Atlantic Canada’s only full service veterinary referral hospital.

For further information, please contact:
Charlotte McCardle
External Relations, AVC Dean’s Office
902 566 0533
cmccardle@upei.ca

The upcoming UPEI Homecoming celebrations, September 27 to 30, will be a memorable experience for everyone connected with the University, but for rugby supporters it will be extra-special. That’s because the newly renovated grass sports field that will host all future UPEI rugby events, as well as provincial, regional, and national championships, is to be named the MacAdam Field in honour of the late Alban Joseph (AJ) MacAdam of Morell.

The formal naming ceremony takes place at 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 29, just before the UPEI men’s rugby game against Saint Mary’s.

AJ MacAdam’s legendary accomplishments as a sports competitor and leader are a proud part of the history of St. Dunstan’s University (SDU), one of UPEI’s two founding institutions. He was the only four-letter athlete in the history of SDU to receive the “Gold D” for his excellence in rugby, basketball, track and field, and hockey.

"UPEI is proud to name the new MacAdam Field in recognition of AJ MacAdam's contributions as an athlete, coach, and teacher, and in recognition of athletic excellence," says UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan. "It is significant that this will become official on Homecoming Weekend, as we renew our ties with the people who have built UPEI over the decades."

UPEI has upgraded and resurfaced the natural turf field as part of its development plan for excellence in sports programming. Recently completed improvements include fencing, a press box, bleachers, a score clock, drainage, and overseeding.

“We have elevated the field to a premier grass facility,” says Ron Annear, UPEI Athletics Director. “Maturation of the grass will see the field as one of the best rugby facilities in Atlantic Canada. The excellence in our rugby program and the quality of MacAdam Field will be very fitting symbols of AJ's accomplishments.”

When AJ MacAdam was inducted into the UPEI Sport Hall of Fame in 2002, he was described as “a speedy tail up in rugby, a strong defenseman in hockey, and a two-time Atlantic All-Star in this sport. He was a fine basketball player and the best all-round track-and-field athlete at the school.” After his collegiate days as an athlete ended, he joined the University as a teacher. He coached rugby and hockey and was later appointed the SDU Athletics Director.

For more details about all the sports and social events taking place during Homecoming 2007, go to upei.ca/homecoming.

Twenty years ago the UPEI Panthers had their most outstanding year in sport ever. As part of the 2007 Homecoming celebrations this weekend, the University will recognize all teams, athletes, and friends from 1987–1988 for their contributions to an exceptional season.

Numerous Panther athletes were awarded AUAA All-stars, including Janet Nichols, Ria Bahdursingh, Susan Knickle, and Tracy MacEachern for basketball. MacEachern also received an All-Conference nod for field hockey. Richard Pierre-Gilles was a 1^st-Team AUAA All-Star for soccer. Peter Gordon, Steve Ruiz, and Mark Roberts received AUAA All-Stars for men’s basketball. Greg Gravel, Dave Shellington, Kevin Skilliter, Steve Fulton, and Tony Haliduick were AUAA All-Stars for men’s hockey, and Vince Mulligan was named the AUS Coach of the Year. Fulton was also named to the CIAU All-Canadian Team.