In-person social events cancelled for health professions programs

Dear Members of the Faculty,

With the announcement by the Government of Quebec of new measures to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the University has updated its policies. You can find a copy of the new policy here.

Although this policy still permits the holding of holiday social events, albeit with caution, a more rigorous approach is needed for those involved in healthcare. We expect a substantial increase in hospitalizations due to COVID-19 in the coming days and weeks. To avoid the accidental spread of COVID-19 within healthcare teams, the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, in alignment with our healthcare partners, is cancelling in-person celebrations for health professional programs (Undergraduate and Postgraduate Medical Education, Nursing, Physical and Occupational Therapy, and Speech Language Pathology). The University’s policies continue to apply to all others in the Faculty, although we urge caution and restraint given the expected rise in cases.

While it is difficult to face another holiday period without much-needed social events, our social responsibility requires us to take extra precautions at this very challenging time.

For those who are able to, I encourage you to tune in to the webcast today at noon, where two of our leading experts on infectious disease and public health, Drs. Marcel Behr and Timothy Evans, will provide an update on the state of the pandemic and answer questions about what might lie ahead in 2022. If you miss the event live, it will also be available to watch at a later time via the same link.

I wish you all Happy Holidays and a safe, healthy New Year.

David Eidelman, MDCM
Vice-Principal (Health Affairs)
Dean of the Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences