WINTER 2014/15 ONCONNECTING ALUMNIMANITOBA AND FRIENDS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA SOCIAL MEDIACINE IMMEDIATE IN NATURE AND IMMUNE TO DISTANCE, SOCIAL MEDIA SEEMS TAILOR-MADE FOR AN INDUSTRY WHERE THE NEED FOR FAST, ACCURATE INFORMATION MATTERS MOST: HEALTH CARE. WHY BLOGS, TWEETS, GOOGLE AND ‘THE CLOUD’ WILL REDEFINE HOW MEDICINE IS TAUGHT, PRACTICED AND PERFECTED. PATHOLOGIST, ALC IS YOUR ABC SETTING THE BAR PHILANTHROPIST, FRIEND OF ACTIVE LIVING BRITTANY HABING EXCELS ON, REMEMBERING DR. GEORGE YEE INTRODUCING MANITOBA’S NEW HOME AND OFF, THE COURT FOR FITNESS, ACTIVE LIFESTYLE Bisons football alumnus and honorary degree recipient Israel Idonije [LLD/14] reflected on how the Gritty Grotto helped him on his path to the NFL at the November 2012 groundbreaking ceremony for the Active Living Centre. And then, with a smile, he promptly bid it farewell. “That’s where it started for me. Everything was built from that,” said Idonije. “Now … I’m ready to let the Grotto go and let’s get this Centre going!” CONTENTS 18 HACKING HEALTH CARE Tech-loving physicians like Dr. Ali Esmail see social media as the future of medicine 14 24 NEXT GENERATION FITNESS REMEMBERING DR. GEORGE YEE Healthy lifestyles begin here: the U of M’s new Active Living Centre From modest means to the pinnacle of his profession— a look back at the legacy and lessons of his lifetime 3 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 11 CONVERSATION 34 HOMECOMING 2014 Why the potential of our University WITH A VISIONARY HIGHLIGHTS and province is contingent on Canadian icon David Suzuki discusses Scenes from one of the U of M’s most building connections the fate of the environment with successful Homecoming celebrations President David Barnard 8 CAMPUS NEWS to date Details of a historic comprehensive 6 GAME, SET, LIFE 36 THE LAST WORD campaign; the university’s new strategic Volleyballer Brittany Habing balances New Mayor of Winnipeg and U of M plan; words of wisdom from convocation athletics, academics with aplomb grad Brian Bowman on how we can and more help fuel our city’s success WINTER 2014/15 1 VOLUME 75 # WINTER 2014/15 ONMANITOBA 3 WHAT’S PUBLISHER CONTRIBUTORS John Kearsey David Barnard Vice-President (External) Stephanie Besselt O’Leary NEWS EDITOR Brian Bowman [BA(Adv)/96] Jeremy Brooks [BA/98] Jeremy Brooks [BA/98] Thomas Fricke at the ART DIRECTION Jason Halstead [BPE/92] Carisa Romans Marianne Helm faculty of Karen Niedzwiecki Mike Latschislaw DESIGN Ian McCausland engineering? Doowah Design Inc. Myrrhanda Novak Eric Postma winter 2015 issue of Sarah Richards Heather Saxton what’s news in engineering is now available! READ IT ONLINE AT umanitoba.ca/engineeringnews Read stoRies about: - The new Centre for Engineering Professional Practice & Engineering Education Alumni - Finding sustainable solutions in Honduras ALUMNI RELATIONS - A 2014 Canada’s Most Powerful 200-137 Innovation Dr., Winnipeg, Man., Canada R3T 6B6 Women winner Telephone: 204-474-9946 Toll-Free: 1-800-668-4908 Fax: 204-474-7531 E-mail: [email protected] Web: umanitoba.ca/alumni CANADA POST AGREEMENT #40063720 Alumni Relations reserves the right to edit material as appropriate and may not necessarily share the views expressed by the writers. Alumni Relations makes all attempts to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine but cannot be held responsible for any inadvertent misrepresentations. REQUEST FOR RETURN: If undeliverable, please return magazine cover to: Alumni Relations 200-137 Innovation Dr., Winnipeg, Man., Canada R3T 6B6 Printed on recycled paper with vegetable–based inks. Printed in Canada. 2 ONMANITOBA FAC-ENG-OnMB_ad_November2014.indd 1 31/10/2014 3:38:53 PM PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER Opportunities abound for us to connect—with people, with proud to support municipalities’ efforts not only to advance ideas, with the world. These connections make us stronger education, but to enhance our cultural communities, improve our than we could ever be on our own, and create the context for infrastructure, and address the many interconnected components enduring success. of successful cities. At the University of Manitoba, we strive to foster connections. We are proud to be an economic engine whose impact is We see the inextricable links between supporting the aspirations felt province-wide. The University of Manitoba contributes of our people, and fulfilling the potential of our University approximately $1.8 billion annually to the provincial economy and province. and supports more than 20,000 Manitoba jobs. That translates A perfect example is Dr. George Yee [MD/60], who joined to roughly an 85 per cent return on every dollar invested in the University medical community more than 60 years ago. The our University, an economic impact outweighing that of other bursary he received then was a stepping stone to the incredible major industries. contributions he went on to make, including the George and Faye Without government support, such remarkable contributions Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation. Dr. Yee died in November would be nearly impossible. Approximately 78 per cent of 2014, and the University of Manitoba is proud to honour University of Manitoba revenue comes from government grants his legacy. and tuition fees, which are controlled by government policy. Stories like Dr. Yee’s are the inspiration behind Front Our relationship with government is arguably the most significant and Centre, our visionary new fundraising campaign. Our and influential relationship we have with any partner. comprehensive strategy is all about recognizing connections: We are grateful for this symbiosis, but we must be wary of the between physical infrastructure and the quality of life of the challenges it presents. Economic forces, unexpected events, and communities we serve; between opportunities to learn and one’s shifts in the political climate can all cause governments to change ultimate success; between investing in Indigenous achievement priorities, policies, commitments and leadership. And with a and realizing our province’s potential; between research excellence leadership contest underway in Manitoba, and both provincial and and economic growth. federal elections expected in 16 months or less, there are many Our alumni, donors, and university community shaped this unknowns on the horizon. integrated approach, and encouraged the same focus for the next How do we weather this uncertainty? We rely on a robust five-year phase of our strategic plan. Each of these visionary network of allies and partners, on our solid strategic plan, and on strategies is ultimately about ensuring our University has the a compelling fundraising campaign supported by a committed means to create a stable environment for learning, discovery team of volunteers. and engagement. There should be no doubt that universities support successful Partnering with all levels of government is central to the communities, or that universities thrive through community realization of these goals. support; we need each other. We must fortify our efforts by At the civic level, we recently saw the election of Winnipeg’s continuing to build connections. new mayor, Brian Bowman [BA(Adv)/96]; Brandon’s new mayor, Rick Chrest; and both city councils. Our University is DAVID T. BARNARD PRESIDENT AND VICE-CHANCELLOR WINTER 2014/15 3 IF YOU WANT TO DEFY CONVENTION YOU MUST TAKE YOUR IDEAS TO THE EDGE. REBELS DO. Architect Sasa Radulovic always felt compelled to challenge the uninspired. He believes that every space deserves the opportunity to solve a problem, and provoke a reaction. At the University of Manitoba, he learned the principles of architecture and discovered a way to be different, to be bolder. With each project, Sasa and his fellow alumni at 5468796 Architecture push the boundaries and make a statement that is uniquely their own. Design your world. umanitoba.ca IF YOU WANT TO DEFY CONVENTION YOU MUST TAKE YOUR IDEAS TO THE EDGE. REBELS DO. Architect Sasa Radulovic always felt compelled to challenge the uninspired. He believes that every space deserves the opportunity to solve a problem, and provoke a reaction. At the University of Manitoba, he learned the principles of architecture and discovered a way to be different, to be bolder. With each project, Sasa and his fellow alumni at 5468796 Architecture push the boundaries and make a statement that is uniquely their own. Design your world. umanitoba.ca RISING STAR SET FOR SUCCESS BY HEATHER SAXTON Rarely does a university student share a ‘you get me’ Volleyball is in the Habing’s blood. Her mother played moment with the highest-ranking official in the nation. throughout high school and attended nursing at the U of M But Brittany Habing, setter for the Bisons women’s on an athletic scholarship. Her father also played the sport at volleyball team, did just that when she met Governor a post-secondary level for Red River College. “Volleyball kind General David Johnston. of runs in the family,” jokes Habing, whose brother also played During an award ceremony at Rideau Hall for Habing and in high school. her fellow CIS Top 8 Academic All-Canadians, Johnston shared Her love for the game spiked in elementary school gym his own experiences of balancing academics and sports; he class. From there, Habing went on to play for her junior high played four years of hockey during his studies at Harvard. team with her mother as a coach, at which time Habing got “He has been around sport and understands what it takes her first taste of victory: her team won provincials in Grade 8. to be a student athlete,” says Habing. “He was an interesting She credits a good foundation of skills in the sport to her person to talk to. He’s very down to earth, and encouraging.” mother’s coaching and to club coach Rob Hailstone from On and off the court, Habing is at the top of her game.