Tel: 23401830 Fax: 23401211; E-mail: healthsciences@um.edu.mt; Website: http://www.um.edu.mt/healthsciences
FHS Monthly Newsletter: November 2011
REARCH, PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
EU Project by Dr Vasilis P Valdramidis, Department of Food Studies & Environmental
Health - Breaking News!
On the 21st of November 2011, the Research Executive Agency of the European
Commission informed Dr. Anna McElhatton, Head of the Department of Food
Studies and Environmental Health that the proposal of Dr. Vasilis P.
Valdramidis (recently appointed Senior Lecturer at the Department) under the
scheme of Career Integration Grants - Marie Curie has scored 95 out of 100 in
the category of Engineering. The project is currently under negotiation for signing the final
grant agreement with the European Commission. The budget of this four year project is
allocated for supporting one PhD salary, consumables and apparatus expenses.
A brief description of the project:The project ‘Development of novel Disinfection Technologies for Fresh Produce’ (DiTec)
will respond to a requirement identified by the industry to coordinate and reinforce European
research in sustainable cleaning and disinfection technologies of fresh produce. DiTec will
result in a series of key innovations on disinfection technologies, which will address the
impact of these new technologies on safety and shelf-life improvement of fresh-(cut) salads
and bean sprouts. The overall objective of this project is to develop the new environmental
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friendly disinfection technologies of assisted ultrasound and the in-package cold atmospheric
plasma for the fresh produce industry. The proposed disinfection technologies will be
assessed for their potential to reduce pathogens (i.e., E. coli O157:H7 O104:H4, Listeria
monocytogenes, Salmonella spp), retain quality properties and increase the shelf life of fresh
produce. The effectiveness of these technologies will be optimised based on sound
mathematical modelling approaches. Potential future commercialisation of products processed
by novel technologies requires a toxicological risk assessment which will be implemented
using non-carcinogenic functional cell models. The applied disinfection technologies are
expected to stand as replacements for chlorine therefore the outputs of this project will be
communicated to SMEs and scaling-up approaches for industrial applications will be
discussed during dissemination activities. This project will undertake an active role in
coordinating the demonstration of the research findings which will contribute to set-up
necessary infrastructure for application of disinfection technologies on an industrial scale.
This will be achieved through collaboration with the Maltese and European SMEs.
Well done Vasilis!
Dr Michael Galea, Department of Nursing
Peer-reviewed Publications - Articles published Online First (SpringerLink):
Incremental Validity of Family Variables in view of Childhood Mental Trauma.
Pastoral Psychology.
•
This study tried to establish the incremental validity of family environment among
Maltese university students in view of childhood mental trauma, highlighted mainly
through past maltreatment. Participants completed the Brief Adjective Rating Scale, a
personality measure based on the five-factor model of personality, the Family
Environment Scale, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, which covers all aspects of
abuse and neglect, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale, a cognitive well-being scale.
Multiple regression analysis indicated that the family environment’s relationship
dimension explained 35% of the variance for the subjective well-being component,
over and above the contribution of key variables such as personality. This study
replicates classic research on the important role that family environment plays in
children’s holistic development. The study strongly suggests that the inclusion of
family environment offers a better and more holistic perspective on the reality of
childhood maltreatment and its consequences.
Healing the Healers: A Profile of Strengths and Weaknesses of Catholic Priests in Gozo,
Malta. Pastoral Psychology. 60: 857-868.
•
This exploratory study of Roman Catholic secular priests examined their psychospiritual well-being and vocational challenges. With a 52% response rate, this
population study indicated that most respondents had a balanced ministry life and
healthy spirituality. However, pastoral and vocational satisfactions, together with
mandated celibacy, remain contentious issues. An initial instrument was developed to
discern what contributes to priests’ vocational satisfaction. Psycho-spiritual well-
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being, intrinsic religion, vocational frustrations, and celibacy emerged as four key
domains. Results were scrutinized to determine how they could serve as a platform for
a future and more robust scale. This paper also contains a discussion of the pastoral
implications of this study, and how the church could be more true to its calling.
Both articles are accessible from: http://www.citeulike.org/journal/springerlink-101965. Or
you may contact directly Dr. Galea on michael.galea@um.edu.mt
PAST EVENTS
Academic Oration by FHS Dean - Graduation Ceremony 2011
The Dean, Professor
Angela Xuereb, was
invited by Senate to
deliver the Academic
oration
for
the
graduation ceremony
for
Postgraduate
Degrees
held
on
Monday,
21st
November 2011.
Copy of Professor`s
Xuereb Oration speech
is attached.
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FHS Graduates 2011
Studies
No of Graduates
BSc (Hons.) Medical Laboratory Science
13
BSc (Hons.) Mental Health Nursing
14
BSc (Hons.) Midwifery
9
BSc (Hons.) Nursing
36
BSc (Hons.) Occupational Therapy
7
BSc (Hons.) Physiotherapy
13
BSc (Hons.) Radiography
15
Diploma in Health Science Dental Technology
5
Diploma in Health Science Nursing Studies
44
MSc Nursing
8
MSc Health Services Management
7
MSc Midwifery
4
Postgraduate Certificate in Radiography
3
Postgraduate Diploma in Nutrition &Dietetics
9
187
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Study Visit in USA by Dr Donia Baldacchino, Nursing Department (9 Sep – 6 Oct 2011)
Dr Donia Baldacchino with Professor
Marie Nolan, President of INDEN
and Professor Martha Hill, Dean,
School of Nursing, John Hopkins
University, Baltimore, USA.
Following the presentation of her paper ‘The Bologna Process and PhD studies: The Tuning
Project’ at the International Network of Doctoral Education in Nursing (INDEN) conference
in Malta (9th – 10th May 2011) Dr Donia Baldacchino was invited to visit Johns Hopkins
University, University of Michigan and University of Maryland. The aim was to learn about
different models of PhD programmes in the USA and teach nursing students on the spiritual
dimension in illness and care.
Students visiting Health & Wellness
Participative Exhibition, Neumann
University, Pennsylvania, USA
Donia presented also three sessions at the brown-bag seminars to which PhD students and
teaching staff attended. This visit was extended to Neumann University in Pennsylvania
where she had several meetings with teaching staff and visited the Chester County Health
Department and ChesPenn Health Services which are oriented towards health and wellness.
The students’ input in the ‘Health and Wellness Participative exhibition’ was an excellent
resource of education on prevention of life hazards and the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
This visit provided excellent opportunities for learning about models of PhD education,
networking, sharing of expertise and planning various comparative studies between USA and
Malta.
Besides being a Senior Lecturer at the University of Malta, Donia is also a Visiting Fellow of
the University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, Wales.
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Intensive Orientation Programme in Occupational Therapy (19th – 30th September 2011)
The Department of Occupational Therapy (FHS) held an intensive orientation programme in
occupational therapy for a group of professionals from Jordan over the last two weeks of
September. This initiative was led by Pro-Rector Professor Richard Muscat in collaboration
with the Pompidou Group - Combating Drug Abuse and Drug Trafficking, based in
Strasbourg (France). The purpose of the programme was to illustrate the various facets of the
occupational therapy profession, highlighting the range and scope of practice with emphasis
on mental health facilities, and also substance abuse rehabilitation services in Malta.
The programme comprised two very distinct segments. A range of speakers from the
Department of Occupational Therapy gave presentations and held round-table discussions in
the first week, with the aim of conveying a thorough overview of occupational therapy
services with these client groups and the current situation in Malta in this sector. This was
complemented by contributions from Maltese authorities in the field including Dr Ray Scerri
and Ms Sina Bugeja, representing respectively the Health Division and the agency Sedqa.
The second week of the programme was reserved for site visits and placements. The
participants attended a three-day placement at the occupational therapy facilities at Mount
Carmel Hospital and in the community. This was followed by orientation visits at Dar izZernieq and Santa Maria Community, the two major local substance abuse rehabilitation
facilities. At the end of the programme participants were presented with a University of Malta
certificate of attendance.
NEW RECRUITS
Ms Petra Cilia, Food Studies and Environmental Health Department
Ms Petra Cilia, B.Sc. (Hons.), M.Sc. (Reading) ANutr. graduated with a BSc.
(Hons.) in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Malta in 2007. She
read an M.Sc. in Nutrition and Food Science at the Hugh Sinclair Nutrition
Unit, University of Reading, UK in 2008, presenting a Masters thesis entitled ‘Dietary
factors and adult brain tumours: a case-control study’. She obtained registration as a
Nutritionist with the Council of Professions Complementary to Medicine and with the
Association for Nutrition, UK in 2009. She is a certified IRCA Lead Auditor for ISO
9000:2000 and is approved by the Food Safety Commission as a food hygiene course
provider.
On graduating, Petra worked in the catering industry as a nutritionist and food hygiene and
HACCP auditor. In September 2011, she became a full-time academic member of the
University of Malta, joining the Department of Food Studies and Environmental Health in the
Faculty of Health Sciences as an Assistant Lecturer in Public Health Nutrition and Food
Science. Her lecturing commitments include the servicing of the undergraduate
Environmental Health and the postgraduate Nutrition & Dietetics courses. Petra is currently in
the process of preparing a research proposal as she intends to register for a PhD in October
2012.
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FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Forthcoming Research Seminars 2011/2012 – Time table
Date
Presenter
Study
Department
14th Dec 2011
Dr Vicky Sultana
11th Jan 2012
25th Jan 2012
Dr Donia Baldacchino
& Dr Paul Galea
Dr Helen Grech
8th Feb 2012
Dr Michael Galea
PhD
22nd Feb 2012
Mr Alfred Gatt
7th Mar 2012
Mr Tonio Agius
21st Mar 2012
Ms Josephine Attard
PhD
In Progress
PhD
In Progress
PhD
In Progress
28th March 2012
Dr Carmel Caruana
Radiography
18th Apr 2012
Dr Sandra Buttigieg
2nd May 2012
Ms Claire Sillato
Copperstone
PhD
In Progress
16th May 2012
Mr Martin Ward
30th May 2012
Mr John Xerri de Caro
PhD
In Progress
PhD
In Progress
Health Services
Management
Food Studies and
Environmental
Health
Mental Health
Nursing
Physiotherapy
PhD
Nursing
Nursing
Communication
Therapy
Mental Health
Nursing
Podiatry
Physiotherapy
Midwifery
Venue: Faculty Board Room 1.00 p.m. – 2.00 p.m.
We wish to thank Stephanie, Dorothy and Vasilis for their excellent presentations!
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
2011 Christmas Activities at FHS
Christmas Staff Lunch: 16th December 2011 at the Kontiki Restaurant, Radisson.
Christmas Drinks: 21st December 2011 at FHS
CHRISMAS BUFFET LUNCH
Antipasti
An array of mezes, antipasti, tapas, terrines & seasonal salads served with chilled sauces & oils
The Hot Pot
Traditional Maltese fish soup flavoured with marjoram, garlic crostini (V)
Pasta Station
Ricotta ravioli in tomato and basil sauce (V)
Carvery
Roasted loin of local pork with Maltese sausage and spinach farce, fennel jus
Hot Counter
Grilled swordfish braised in tomatoes, olives, capers and fresh herbs
Pan-fried supreme of chicken with sun-dried tomato and Gozo cheese, braised leeks,
rosemary and lemon sauce, Stuffed marrows with peas, sweet peppers and rice (V)
Accompaniments
Baked potatoes with fennel and onions, Caponata (V) and Buttered Carrots (V)
Festive Treats
Pancetta wrapped turkey breast with Lemon and pine nut stuffing, pan jus,
Bread sauce and giblet gravy Turkey, chestnut and vegetable pie
IT’S NOT OVER YET…
A selection of pastries, cakes and flans served with creams, sauces and coulis & Seasonal
fresh fruit
BEVERAGE
Italian ½ btl Corvo Glicene Bianco or ½ btl Corvo Rosso
½ btl Still or Sparkling water
Freshly brewed Coffee
(V) Vegetarian
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Forthcoming FHS Board Meeting
Thursday, 15th December, 2011 at 10.00 a.m.
Youth in Action – Malta Health Students Association (MHSA)
The Malta Health Students Association (MHSA) is currently working on a programme
entitled “Youth in Action”. This programme is the EU`s mobility and non-formal education
programme targeting young people.
Completion of LCDs Installation
The installation of 42” and 55” LCDs in all lecture rooms in Blocks E and C is now complete.
Only lecture room No 2 in Block C remains without an LCD due to the size of the room.
Merry Christmas and the very
best wishes for the New Year!
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