Leadership & Management
Introducing the COVID-19 Resource Hub for Faculty
by FHS Faculty Affairs - @FHS_FacAffairs
Originally Published, May 7, 2020
Faculty Affairs aims to support faculty members by promoting wellbeing and suggesting strategies to maintain resilience. We have developed a resource hub with McMaster and external supports to be sampled. For clinical and non-clinical faculty there are links to many of our partners (Program for Faculty Development, Continuing Health Sciences Education, Hamilton Health Sciences, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, etc.). Loss of the usual work environment is challenging as there are many social aspects that are missing when we work from home. In addition, faculty are worried about family, relatives and friends. We hope this will be a helpful site for all. The following is a collection of McMaster and affiliated hospital supports and resources available to our community members. If there are other supports, you would like to see and read, please let us know by contacting Faculty Affairs directly at facultyaffairs@mcmaster.ca.
See our full collection of resources on the Faculty Affairs COVID-19
Resource Hub: http://macfacaffairs.ca
McMaster Supports Faculty Well-Being During COVID-19
COVID-19 has presented the world with a multitude of challenges including social distancing, medical equipment shortage, personal safety and education in a virtual setting. McMaster University understands the challenges we are facing and has many dedicated resources to support the wellbeing, resiliency and mental health of its faculty and staff.
Here’s some of the noteworthy McMaster University wellness resources for faculty and staff to utilize during COVID-19:
Coping with Social Distancing
Resilience Toolkit: McMaster University Human Resources Services toolkit offering practical resources to assist those struggling with the current situation.
Organizational Development Webinars: A variety of wellness webinars offered through McMaster Human Resources available to all staff and faculty during COVID-19.
Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neuroscience: A compilation of resources specific to mental health including parenting and age-specific resources.
Mental Wellness Supports
Sun Life Financial: All eligible McMaster staff and faculty are entitled to expanded mental health benefits which includes maximum mental health benefits up to $3,000. Review your benefits booklet for further details.
Homewood Health: McMaster University’s Employee and Family Assistance Program with 24/7 access to counselling services, resources and online tools for mental health and addiction.
Continuing Professional Development
Program for Faculty Development: McMaster’s PFD website includes a variety of resources for faculty development during times of uncertainty including resources on supportive leadership, working from home, teaching resources, as well as resilience and wellness virtual events.
Continuing Health Sciences Education: A website dedicated to health care professional resources including key articles, literature searches and re-deployment resources.
Teaching Resources
Academic Contingency Plan: Resources for faculty regarding evaluations and assessments, course modifications and course continuity.
McMaster UTS: Technology Services support page with access to resources for working and teaching from home.
McPherson Institute: Provides helpful content related to online teaching essentials, supported tools, alternative assessments, and a variety of virtual training events.
Clinical Faculty
Hamilton Health Sciences: A complete update and resource site for faculty, staff and patients of HHS updated on a daily basis.
St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton: A complete update and resource site for faculty, staff and patients of St. Joe’s.
For the most up to date information from the University, visit the University’s COVID-19 resource page at covid19.mcmaster.ca.
Be sure to watch for the latest updates and information on the Faculty of Health Sciences, via email from our Dean and Vice-President, Dr. Paul O’Byrne.
For more information, visit macfacaffairs.ca or follow @FHS_FacAffairs on Twitter.
About Faculty Affairs
Faculty Affairs is a central resource within the Faculty of Health Sciences that oversees the Faculty’s strategy for furthering the success, wellbeing and academic advancement of faculty members. The Office strives to enhance the faculty experience by promoting and championing an inclusive, culturally safe environment, enhancing faculty wellness and engagement, facilitating professional development, developing leaders, and advancing professionalism across the Faculty.
Faculty Affairs is led by the Vice-Dean, Faculty Affairs, Dr. Mark Walton, who is also a Professor, Pediatric Surgery, is an active staff member with the McMaster Children’s hospital, and was the Assistant Dean, Postgraduate Medical Education for 12 years from 2004 to 2016. Mark chairs the Committee of Specialty Education at the Royal College (RC) of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and has a number of volunteer roles at the RC (member of Council and Executive Committee of Council), and Chairing committees at OPHRDC and CAPER.
Faculty Affairs is supported by Pam Elmhirst, Manager, Faculty Affairs and Whitney Burse, Administrative Assistant. Pam has been with McMaster in Faculty administration since 2009 and is a McMaster alumnus holding both her Honours Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Business Administration from the DeGroote School of Business. Whitney joined McMaster in the Fall of 2019, holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Business, a Graduate Certificate in HR Management, and has extensive administrative and human resources experience in the private sector.