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Watch as Principal Patrick Deane and former dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and special advisor on �ʹ�����’s response to COVID-19, Dr. David Walker, Meds’71, answer questions during a virtual town hall.

�ʹ�����’s hosted a special online town hall on April 15, featuring Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane and David Walker, Meds’71, Special Advisor to the Principal on Planning and Preparation for COVID-19.

The town hall, moderated by Vice-Principal (Advancement) Karen Bertrand, Artsci’94, reached out to �ʹ�����’s alumni, offering them the opportunity to question the university administration on the ongoing response to the pandemic as well as the direction moving ahead. More than 250 people participated in the live town hall.

Following brief introductory remarks, Vice-Principal Bertrand opened the floor to questions, some sent in advance and others sent through the Zoom platform. Queries ranged from the university’s expectations and plans for the 2020-21 academic year to how �ʹ�����’s is cooperating with postsecondary institutions around the province and across the country. Other questions dealt with the financial implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as whether or not �ʹ�����’s will be able to maintain its traditions and community spirit.

Having chaired Ontario’s Expert Panel on SARS and Infectious Disease Control in 2003, Dr. Walker was asked to compare the two outbreaks.

“This online town hall was a great opportunity to connect with alumni, who are such an important part of the �ʹ�����’s community, during a time of physical distancing,” says Vice-Principal Bertrand. “Principal Deane and Dr. Walker provided a valuable update on the university’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and how �ʹ�����’s is playing an important role at the local, provincial and national levels.”

�ʹ�����’s administration quickly worked to depopulate the campus in response to the spread of the coronavirus and continues to help frontline healthcare workers through donations of personal protection equipment (PPE) and providing living space at the Donald Gordon Centre, Dr. Walker pointed out.

Principal Deane added that he has been particularly impressed by how quickly collaborations have formed with community partners and fellow postsecondary institutions, adding that he will work toward maintaining these connections once we move into the post-pandemic phase.

This story originally appeared in the �ʹ�����’s Gazette.