Winter has certainly set in here in Saskatchewan, with some very cold days and plenty of snow before we had even reached December. I hope as we approach the holiday season you are looking forward to the warmth and comfort of holiday traditions and time with loved ones, as well as some rest and peaceful moments to reflect on the accomplishments of 2022.

For our college, many of the challenges we have navigated in recent years related to the pandemic have eased or at least become more habitual. With current concerns regarding respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the flu and COVID-19 variants, we do need to continue to be careful about our health and exposures.

At the CoM, we have enjoyed a good fall term, and I think I can speak for most learners, teachers, researchers and academic leaders when I say we are appreciating a smoother day-to-day approach to teaching, learning and discovery, with more time on campus and, while still with challenges, overall improved circumstances in clinical learning.

Work in preparation of the fall 2023 Postgraduate Medical Education accreditation review will kick into even higher gear in the New Year. The efforts of 2022 to establish the new Office of the Vice-Dean Indigenous Health and Wellness, and Department of Indigenous Health and Wellness, will more fully take off. Those will be key areas of focus, but as always, they are just the tip of the iceberg when talking about all we deliver for Saskatchewan and beyond as a successful medical school! But for now, we can focus on some well-earned rest and relaxation over the upcoming holidays.

As usual, Jane and I will be doing some travelling to see family. Ahead of Christmas, we will be in Humboldt visiting Jane’s brother and his family and then in Kananaskis with our daughter and her family. We’ll be at home in Saskatoon for Christmas, and then off to the Maritimes for more family time. I am looking forward to plenty of time with my grandchildren!

I wish all at the CoM, as well as your loved ones, a safe holiday enjoyed in good health.