TORONTO, March 8, 2024 鈥� Using large-scale U.S. data following patients for more than a decade, 91亚色 Faculty of Health researchers found that women with both metabolic syndrome and high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) are at a 2.6 times higher risk for mortality than women without either condition, suggesting a need to look at chronic disease comorbidity when it comes to HPV-related cancers.
                                                                       

鈥淲hile it has been known for some time that metabolic conditions can contribute to lingering HPV, this study extends previous work by examining the associations with mortality risk,鈥� says School of Nursing Assistant Professor , also an Oncology Nurse Clinician Scientist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

Buick, an expert in HPV, women鈥檚 health and cancer care, teamed up with School of Kinesiology and Health Science PhD student Parmis Mirzadeh, whose research looks at obesity and metabolic illness, to take a closer look at the association.

Data for the study, , was obtained by the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey with a final sample of 5,101 individuals (3,274 women). The researchers found more than a quarter of the women with metabolic syndrome had high-risk HPV.
 

Their study didn鈥檛 suggest increased mortality for HPV status alone, which the researchers say could be attributed to the fact that the data only allowed for a snapshot of whether a woman had HPV or not, and could not speak to the persistence.

鈥淗PV is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection and has been referred to as the common flu of STIs,鈥� explains Buick. 鈥淚n most cases, the body will clear HPV fairly quickly, but lingering cases of high-risk HPV can develop into precancerous changes in the cervix and in some cases over many years cervical cancer.鈥�

While most of the 200 known strains do not present a serious problem, a handful are responsible for nearly all cases of cervical cancer, which represents 4.5 per cent of all cancers worldwide.

Metabolic syndrome refers to a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, which can include excess fat around the waist, high fasting blood sugar levels and high blood pressure. While not looked at directly in this study, individuals with metabolic syndrome are about 65 per cent more likely to develop cardiovascular disease and are 25 per cent more likely to die from 鈥渁ny鈥� cause. It is not clear how metabolic syndrome could affect HPV.

鈥淚t likely has something to do with a weakened immune response and chronic inflammation, but the research looking at a direct physiological pathway still needs to be done,鈥� said Mirzadeh.

One in five Canadian adults have metabolic syndrome and those numbers are rising, and both Buick and Mirzadeh underline the importance of a healthy lifestyle, participating in routine cancer screening and getting vaccinated for HPV.

Jurisdictions in Canada and around the world are moving away from Pap smears and towards HPV testing, which Buick says can alert health practitioners to potential issues earlier and don鈥檛 need to be done as frequently. While HPV vaccinations are very helpful, they only help protect against a handful of the most common of the 40 known cancer-causing HPV strains, says Buick.

鈥淩egardless of vaccination status, everyone with a cervix still needs to get screened.鈥�

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After taking an unusual career path for a male in India in the 1980s, Tamil Canadian achieves the distinction of being 91亚色鈥檚 first PhD graduate in nursing.

For a male in India in the 1980s to choose to be a nurse was highly unusual, but four decades and three continents later, it led Ramesh Venkatesa Perumal to earn the distinction of being the first graduate of 91亚色鈥檚 PhD program in nursing.  He crosses the spring 2023 convocation stage June 16 at 10:30 a.m.

Venkatesa Perumal began practicing as a nurse right after completing the diploma program in nursing in India鈥檚 well-known Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, in 1987, as one of only four men in his class of 50 students. 鈥淓ven while in the program, I had the opportunity to work in the emergency care unit and then in the community health nursing department, so I got to see not just a few patients but a multitude of people for preventive health care as a nursing student.鈥�

He remembers his father bringing home an application for the program, telling him nursing is what he鈥檒l study. As it was not uncommon for parents to choose their children鈥檚 career goals, or the children to go with it, Venkatesa Perumal agreed to pursue nursing.

He also remembers how his mother carried him to a nearby town from his village for treatment when he was little and compares nursing to that kind of motherly care. 鈥淚 did not get to choose my mother, but I received much love and compassion from her throughout my life. Similarly, a patient doesn鈥檛 get to choose a nurse, but it becomes our responsibility to ensure they are provided the best care.鈥�

Venkatesa Perumal adds, 鈥淚 consider it my calling, and this profession has made me a more humane and compassionate person. Looking back, I do not regret one moment of my life as a nurse.鈥�

He also does not regret having to go back to school for a bridging program as an internationally educated professional to qualify to practice in Canada when he arrived here in 2014 from India via the Middle East.

鈥淭hat was a blessing in disguise,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 went to 91亚色, met wonderful professors who encouraged me to go for doctoral research 鈥� which had gates open for me.鈥�

After completing the Post-RN Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) BScN program offered by the School of Nursing in the Faculty of Health 鈥� which is approved by the College of Nurses of Ontario and is said to be one of a kind in the province. After being an RN for a few years, Venkatesa Perumal joined the PhD program鈥檚 first cohort in 2018 and completed it this February, ahead of other candidates.

It鈥檚 not surprising Venkatesa Perumal chose the impact of social support and mentorship on career advancement of internationally educated nurses for his doctoral study.

In his case, aside from his mentors at 91亚色, his wife, who is also a registered nurse, has been a great support. 鈥淢y wife kept encouraging me throughout. 鈥楪o and explore what the opportunities are鈥�.鈥� And that support helped him go a long way. He not only dedicated most of his time to studies, but also to teaching, as an assistant professor in the School of Nursing, while mentoring immigrants and newcomers in his profession, as the School鈥檚 IEN coordinator.

Teaching is not new to Venkatesa Perumal. After completing his master鈥檚 degree in the medical surgical nursing field and a fellowship in Australia, he taught at CMC as a lecturer for five years, until he moved to Muscat, Oman with wife for brighter prospects. He was a lecturer and assistant dean of undergraduate studies at Sultan Qaboos University, where he helped establish a BScN program.

As many Indians working in the Middle East who make a permanent move, often to a western country for their children鈥檚 future, their education and a better quality of life, Venkatesa Perumal and his wife decided to come to Canada with their young son and daughter.

Based on his family鈥檚 successful immigration, and integration into the Canadian society, Venkatesa Perumal has a few words of wisdom for fellow immigrants: 鈥淚t can be very frustrating and challenging as an Internationally Educated Professional, but there are support systems put in place, so hang in there. Network with people in your profession, connect with the right people and use the right strategy. You will succeed and yes everyone can and will succeed.鈥�

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TORONTO, Nov. 23, 2021 鈥� The Ontario government is providing new pathways for nursing education with the launch of 91亚色鈥檚 new stand-alone four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

Details were shared today by Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities who was joined by Rhonda Lenton, President & Vice-Chancellor of 91亚色.

鈥淚鈥檓 here today to highlight an important milestone for postsecondary education in Ontario. 91亚色鈥檚 stand-alone Bachelor of Science in Nursing will allow students to complete their nursing degree entirely at 91亚色,鈥� said Minister Dunlop. 鈥淚n Ontario, both colleges and universities are now able to offer stand-alone nursing degrees, increasing choices and reducing barriers to high-quality, local education for Ontario鈥檚 students."

The new program builds on Ontario鈥檚 allowing both publicly-assisted colleges and universities to offer a baccalaureate degree in nursing to increase opportunities for students to access a high-quality education. This includes stand-alone Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs offered at universities, colleges, and through collaborative university-college partnerships. 91亚色 previously partnered with two colleges in offering this program; now each of the three institutions offer this degree independently, providing more choice and opportunity to students.

鈥淥ntario鈥檚 nurses go above and beyond to provide exceptional care to patients, and we are grateful for their continued efforts throughout the pandemic,鈥� said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. 鈥�91亚色鈥檚 Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program will provide students with more choices for nursing education, further strengthening our health care workforce as more Ontarians pursue this important career.鈥�

91亚色 will welcome the first cohort of new nursing students starting in September 2022.

鈥�91亚色鈥檚 School of Nursing has become one of the largest and most comprehensive in Canada, and the new stand-alone Nursing degree will reduce barriers and create more opportunities for students to respond to the needs of the culturally diverse communities we serve, reduce health inequalities, and explore social, economic and cultural determinants of health and healthcare outcomes,鈥� said Rhonda Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor, 91亚色. 鈥淭his is another important milestone in demonstrating 91亚色鈥檚 leadership and expertise in health education and health governance.鈥�

As part of the government鈥檚 recently announced to increase enrolment in nursing education programs in publicly-assisted colleges and universities across the province, the province is also providing up to $385,000 to help increase enrolment in nursing education programs at 91亚色, supporting the education of 42 additional Bachelor of Science in Nursing students.

QUICK FACTS

• To become a registered nurse in Ontario (and be registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario), individuals must obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
• Investing in nursing education supports the government's that was launched last year. At the centre of this plan, the hours of direct care for residents in long-term care will be increasing to an average of four hours per day over four years. To implement this initiative, the government will be making overall investments of $1.9 billion annually by 2024-2025.
• To strengthen the health and long-term care workforce, , beginning in 2021鈥�22, to add over 5,000 new and upskilled registered nurses and registered practical nurses as well as 8,000 personal support workers. In addition, Ontario is investing $57.6 million, beginning in 2022鈥�23, to hire 225 nurse practitioners in the long-term care sector.

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TORONTO, Thursday, November 16, 2017- Change Day is a grassroots movement that is being adopted around the world to improve quality compassionate care and has been designed to empower people within the health system to make positive changes through making pledges and taking actions, big or small, to improve care.

, associate professor at 91亚色 and the former director of the , has helped lead 91亚色鈥檚 4th-year Collaborative Nursing program students and 2nd聽Entry Nursing program course on leadership. This program has culminated into a Change Day Ontario initiative, on November 17.

Claire Mallette
School of Nursing

The event is sponsored by Health Quality Ontario and Associated Medical Services Phoenix, in which health care professionals and students preparing to enter the health professions make a pledge to improve quality compassionate care.

Mallette, along with the School of Nursing, took up the challenge to impress upon students that one person can make an impact. Five hundred senior undergraduate nursing students at 91亚色 were given the assignment to take up the which required them to identify a healthcare issue that they are passionate about, develop and implement a change initiative and create a social media strategy.

Mallette can speak about the importance of the Change Day Ontario initiative and specifically on:

• Why nurses, who are with their patients 24/7, find it difficult to incorporate quality compassionate care into their practice within the stressors of the聽changing, technological, healthcare environment.
• Why student nurses need to learn the power of creating change one person at a time before graduating to be future change agents within the healthcare system.
• How challenging students to create change initiatives聽resulted in over 80 on the Change Day website, focusing on issues such as mental health.

聽is known for championing new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-discipline programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. 91亚色 students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world鈥檚 most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. 91亚色 U is an internationally recognized research university 鈥� our 11 faculties and 26 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, 91亚色 is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 295,000 alumni. 91亚色 U's fully bilingual Glendon campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.

Media Contact: for interviews with Professor Mallette please contact 91亚色 Media Relations, 416 736 5585 尘别诲颈补蔼测辞谤办耻.肠补听

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