Overview: We’ve all been there. You’re in a small team meeting. There’s no official chair, no boss, no one to steer the ship. You’re all technically equals and you’re supposed to collaborate. But instead, you’re staring at a grid of silent faces on Zoom or, worse yet, all you see are those deadly cameras-off circles! Cue the awkward silence. Maybe a few fake coughs. Someone clears their throat. No one makes eye contact. So, what do you do when you need to start the meeting, but everyone’s acting like it’s their first day of kindergarten? Glad you asked. In this post we share seven fun, low-pressure ways to get things rolling—even when there is no boss. (Estimated reading time: ~4 minutes)
The Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) is celebrating the opening of a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine and a linear accelerator—part of a vital animal health care and education project that wouldn’t have been possible without significant support from donors.
Ten years ago, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) hosted a first-of-its-kind national forum: Building Reconciliation: Universities Answering the TRC’s Calls to Action.
Three new health education programs have launched at the University of Saskatchewan (USask). The School of Rehabilitation Science, housed within the College of Medicine, is now accepting applications for Saskatchewan’s first occupational therapy and speech-language pathology programs. The College of Medicine has also welcomed its first cohort into the new Master of Physician Assistant Studies program.
Now in its seventh year, the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) People Around the World (PAW) international congress will bring together community members, researchers, industry partners and students for data-driven discussions about global challenges.
SASKATOON – Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) have published the first Canadian clinical guidelines for Spinal Bulbar Muscular Atrophy (SBMA), a rare hereditary neuromuscular disorder.
SASKATOON - Two new programs have been launched in the School of Rehabilitation Science in the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) College of Medicine. Learners can now apply to be part of the province’s first occupational therapy and speech-language pathology training programs.
SASKATOON – An international research collaboration led by a University of Saskatchewan (USask) water researcher is exploring the intersection of water, environment, social and cultural systems with health for women and mothers in communities around the world.
SASKATOON – A team of University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers have identified a pathway to help the human body defend itself against sepsis – a life-threatening condition caused by the body’s inappropriate response to an infection.
On September 10, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) community came together in an incredible show of support during the university’s annual 24-hour fundraising event.
On September 10, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) community will come together in support of Giving Day, an annual 24-hour fundraising initiative. Among the researchers that could benefit from donor support that day is Dr. Stephen Lee, an associate professor, infectious disease and internal medicine physician, and member of the College of Medicine’s artificial intelligence (AI) education committee, who is exploring how AI could fundamentally change health care.
Here's a look at some of the major new appointments and announcements from the past two months across campus at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
We’ve all heard the saying: “Practice makes perfect” and in a highly controlled environment like “school” this might be so. But in the real world, that’s not always the case. In fact, perfection is often unrealistic—and the pursuit of it can be stressful, even harmful. So why do we continue to promote this in academia?
This post explores the transition from academic training to clinical practice, and offers insights for both learners and instructors on how to better navigate between the classroom and the real world. (Estimated reading time: 6 minutes)
University of Saskatchewan (USask) and Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) researcher Dr. Arinjay Banerjee (PhD) is one of five Canadian researchers elected by the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) for its inaugural Emerging Leaders cohort.
Dr. Vince Bruni-Bossio (PhD) has been appointed as the 12th president and vice-chancellor of the University of Saskatchewan (USask) for a five-year term beginning on January 1, 2026.
The University of Saskatchewan (USask) continues its commitment to truth and reconciliation with a powerful new Orange Shirt Day design by Indigenous artist and educator Chris Chipak.
The University of Saskatchewan (USask) continues its commitment to truth and reconciliation with a powerful new Orange Shirt Day design by Indigenous artist and educator Chris Chipak.
If you've ever faced a tough decision, made a diagnosis, or even just tried to plan your week in a fast-changing world, you're already familiar with uncertainty. This post explores uncertainty, why it can be uncomfortable, and provides a guide for navigating uncertainty. (Estimated reading: 3 minutes, 30 seconds)
Sundus Zia, a third-year medical student at the University of Saskatchewan, is exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can play a role in medical education.
University of Saskatchewan (USask) master’s student Heather Alford knows firsthand how important mealtimes can be for families and their loved ones living with dementia.
As part of National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day, June 21, we thought it would be helpful to provide a summer reading list for those interested in furthering their learning in the areas of Truth and Reconciliation, Indigenization, Decolonization, and Indigenous research methodologies.
Today marks a major milestone for the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and the province, as the Be What the World Needs Campaign—the largest fundraising campaign in Saskatchewan’s history—crosses the finish line. Together, alumni, individual, and corporate donors have helped USask surpass its audacious $500-million goal, reaching a grand total of $570,739,155.
While working as a pharmacy assistant in rural Saskatchewan, Emilia Gillies witnessed firsthand the gaps within the health-care system, particularly when it came to individuals who experienced substance abuse.
Who do you rely on in your world? Who relies on you? Who do you trust? Who knows that you can be trusted? These are the people in your network. Just as it is important to have a personal network of people we trust, it is equally important to have a robust professional network. The relationships we have in the workplace, and the social capital we build with our colleagues and patients, can make the difference between a job in which we survive and a job in which we thrive. Whether these connections with colleagues and patients are several times a day or once a year, in-person or asynchronously through emails, texting, referrals or charting, these connections matter. Regardless of the frequency or the mode, relationships are critical. Read on for more on social capital, its importance for providing high-quality coordinated patient care, and tips for cultivating social capital in professional networks. (Estimated reading time: ~4 minutes)
SASKATOON – Animals are at the core of many peoples’ lives, and the University of Saskatchewan (USask) is hosting experts from around the world to explore the many facets of that human-animal connection.
SASKATOON – The Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) is celebrating its past and future contributions to the veterinary profession during the regional college’s 60th anniversary homecoming on June 6-7.
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” (Charles Dickens) That line might feel dramatic when applied to interprofessional learning activities, but in reviewing thousands of participant event responses to learning experiences over the years, we’ve noticed something fascinating. In the same event, with the same instructions, the same platform, and the same expectations, participants’ comments range from the majority appreciating the opportunity to a few indicating that the experience was more of an obligation than an opportunity. How is this possible? Read on for our take. (Estimated Reading Time: ~4 minutes)
This post reflects on the sometimes-slow, sometimes-silent journey of a collaborative research project—namely, a scoping review that started with promise but encountered the all-too-relatable obstacles of schedules, silence, and shifting focus. If you’ve ever been part of a team project—especially one outside the confines of a classroom deadline—you may already know this: collaborative research doesn’t stall because of a lack of interest, but because life sneaks in and communication sneaks out. This blog is a reflective look at why my scoping review project, once brimming with potential, slowly ground to a halt this spring. Spoiler: we didn’t fail. But we did fizzle… temporarily. And understanding why might help keep future projects from the same fate. (Estimated reading time: 4 minutes)
Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Manitoba have renewed their financial commitment to the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM), continuing a longstanding interprovincial agreement that has been in place for six decades.
SASKATOON – A team of University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers, using innovative genetic screening, have identified a new target to suppress breast cancer growth.
The University of Saskatchewan-USFA Collective Agreement 2023-27 requires that faculty intending to serve on committees devoted to the appointment, promotion, salary review, and tenure processes for other faculty attend an anti-racism and unconscious bias training session.
SASKATOON – A University of Saskatchewan (USask) research team has discovered a bacteria-killing molecule that enhances a pig’s immune system response and could transform how swine producers treat and prevent contagious diseases in their animals.
The honorary title of distinguished professor is an award that celebrates lifetime achievement in research, scholarly, and artistic work. Three University of Saskatchewan (USask) faculty members and two professors emerti were selected to receive the honorary title this year.
The University of Saskatchewan honoured student researchers and graduate mentorship at the annual event, awarding over $8,000 in prizes for outstanding research achievements.
In celebration of National Nursing Week in the month of May, USask profiles the Woodward sisters supporting each other during their studies in the USask Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
Recognized nationwide, May is Asian Heritage Month. This month honours the legacy and contributions of members of the Asian communities that span East Asia, South East Asia, South Asia, Western Asia, and Central Asia.
A cross-campus collaboration between VIDO and WCVM created a new surgical suite that advances critical calf research while giving veterinary students rare surgical training opportunities.
As I made my way to the lecture theatre, a swarm of veterinary students spilled out through the doors, game boards tucked under their arms and dice clutched in their hands.
SASKATOON – Veterinarians at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) are highlighting canine parvovirus prevention on April 22 as part of a national awareness day for preventing the deadly disease among dog populations.
Specific locations within the University of Saskatchewan (USask) Health Sciences Building have been selected to play key roles in the accommodation of new and expanding health science programs and the modernization of essential spaces.
As the World Health Organization prepares to spotlight World Health Day on April 7 by kicking off a year-long campaign on maternal and newborn health, University of Saskatchewan (USask) health researchers are examining the benefits of donor breast milk for HIV-exposed infants.
For the past 11 years, the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Images of Research contest has showcased the stunning research, scholarly and artistic work of USask staff, students, faculty and alumni. From honeybee yards to the hidden universe inside ourselves, this year’s contest captured the essence of USask research in eight winning photographs.
The University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Medicine is proud to celebrate Cameron Bird, Sheila Naytowhow, and Terri Thunder, who were honoured with USask Indigenous Achievement Week (IAW) Awards.
Kellsey Brazeau’s compassion has driven her to go back to her home community of Fort Qu’Appelle, Sask. Brazeau was honoured with an Indigenous Achievement award for community engagement on Thursday, March 13 at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
As the University of Saskatchewan (USask) celebrates Indigenous Achievement Week from March 10-14, 2025, the spotlight shines on Makenna Sheppard, a Year 2 dental therapy student at the Prince Albert campus.
SASKATOON – A national conference to engage in meaningful discussions on the creation, implementation, and impact of Indigenous membership and citizenship verification policies and processes in post-secondary education will be hosted by the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
Calling adjudicators with a PhD (or equivalent degree) to assess research poster presentations exploring basic, translational, clinical, and applied science as well as social and population health.
SASKATOON – A five-year global initiative in community health and One Health—in collaboration with University of Saskatchewan (USask) faculty and students—will help empower poor, marginalized farmers in rural Africa, especially female-headed households, women and girls.
The Dietitians of Canada Nutrition Month campaign is held each March to promote the importance of healthy eating and the role of dietitians in improving the health and well-being of Canadians.
The Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program, offered through the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) College of Medicine, will welcome its first cohort of students this fall.
Shop USask and the Health Sciences are seeking emerging or established local Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, or Inuit) artists for projects involving commissioned artwork and opportunities to sell handcrafted pieces at Saskatoon retail locations.
In September 2021, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) installed 14 orange banners around the Bowl to bring a physical presence of the Calls to Action detailed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
SASKATOON – Researchers are still discovering more about the fundamental building blocks of human cells and a University of Saskatchewan (USask)-led research project is exploring microproteins and their role in defending against viruses.
Overview: Anatomy coloring books have been on the scene for many years, but imagine seeing this as you walk by a classroom in the Dentistry wing of Health Sciences: Students are painting each other’s faces! In a traditional university classroom these learners are actively engaged in painting the muscles of the face on a classmate. You might shake your head and do a double-take but if you have spent time in the Dentistry wing, this is the kind of innovative, hands-on learning experience happening at the College of Dentistry at the University of Saskatchewan where art meets–and enhances–science. Active and experiential learning makes a huge difference in engagement, understanding, contextualization, and the retention of complex concepts for future “hands on” application. Using face painting as an educational tool is one example of how we're challenging traditional approaches and creating engaging, memorable learning experiences. In this post we explore why face painting might just be the future of dentistry-related anatomy education. (Estimated reading time: 5 minutes)
Over $8,000 in student prizes are available for this in-person May 1 event acknowledging exemplary research and learning activity at the University of Saskatchewan. Registration closes March 28.
University of Saskatchewan (USask) fourth-year kinesiology student Sophia Abiara has taken the lead on launching a brand-new association on campus dedicated to providing a space for Black students to meet with Black mentors.
Since its humble beginnings at the Saskatoon airport, the School of Rehabilitation Science at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) has been a cornerstone of high-quality physical therapy education and research for students from across the province.
This February, join the University of Saskatchewan (USask) community in learning, reflecting and celebrating the Black community in Saskatchewan and beyond during Black History Month.
Dr. Colleen Dell (PhD), professor in the Department of Sociology and the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Centennial Enhancement Chair in One Health and Wellness, is the recipient of Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) Achievement Award at the 2024-2025 SHRF Santé Awards.
SASKATOON/OSLO — While the world continues to recover from the last pandemic, a major investment from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) could help the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) prepare the world for the next infectious disease crisis.
The first cohort of University of Saskatchewan (USask) nursing students have graduated from a reinstated accelerated program aimed to help address staffing challenges in the province.
Winter Term has officially begun, and I want to warmly welcome you to the University of Saskatchewan. Whether you are joining us for the first time or are returning to our university, I wish you a wonderful new year ahead.
SASKATOON – The human immune deficiency virus (HIV) first entered public consciousness in the early 1980s, after cases of unfamiliar and deadly illnesses began to overwhelm medical centres across North America.
The University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) College of Nursing is offering a new micro-credential that will equip students with the ability to update their knowledge and skills in the care and treatment of individuals living with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), commonly referred to as clinical depression.
Members from across the University of Saskatchewan (USask) came together to take the time to focus on the university's Indigenous Strategy ohpahotân | oohpaahotaan in the sixth bi-annual symposium on November 8, 2024.
Many clinicians are anticipating the massive wave of impact Artificial Intelligence (AI) will have on the field of medicine. But instead of watching from the shore, Dr. Stephen Lee (MD) is jumping right in.
SASKATOON – From repairing deadly brain bleeds to tackling tumours with precise chemotherapy, micro/nano-robots (MNRs) are a promising, up-and-coming tool that have the power to substantially advance health care.
A recent agreement between the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and Métis–Nation Saskatchewan (MN–S) government aims to enhance research impact for and with Métis citizens.
The recently released co-authored book, How to Live Well with Dementia: Expert Help for People Living with Dementia and their Family, Friends, and Care Partners, builds on insight drawn from research conducted at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
