![[University of Waterloo]](/goldbar.gif)
| Friday |
Monday, May 12, 2003
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Editor: Chris Redmond credmond@uwaterloo.ca |
![[Standing in lab]](/images/2003/0428bahadur.gif)
Dr. Vincent DeMarco had a long-standing vision for a wellness centre
that focused on preventive medicine by combining traditional
medicine, nutrition, and fitness. Although he had the medical
knowledge and ability, he lacked the kinesiology expertise that would
be required to complete the centre. When Randy Bahadur (right)
-- a bright, young, motivated UW co-op student -- was hired at an
organization down the hall from him, DeMarco realized he had found
the perfect solution. Bahadur turned out to be the missing link between
the dream and its realization.
Bahadur, now in 4B kinesiology, was hired in the fall of 2000 as a junior co-op student to work in a multidisciplinary wellness centre in Toronto. Through this position, he had the good fortune of meeting DeMarco. By the time his next work term rolled around, he and DeMarco had established a relationship and the two agreed to bring DeMarco's dream to life.
Together with a team of clinicians, they developed The Clinic for Optimal Health and Rejuvenation from the ground up. "The Clinic" assesses patients in three areas: nutrition, fitness and medicine. Bahadur's main focus was to develop the fitness component, relying on both the knowledge acquired from his studies and experience gained through previous work terms. From scratch, he created the entire fitness area of the facility, comprised of both a gym and a reassessment area. He worked with the architect to develop a strategic layout, including the exact planning of the available space, allowing DeMarco time to continue work on other departments of the clinic.
Bahadur also headed up the selection of fitness equipment and sophisticated fitness-testing paraphernalia for use in the centre, which involved researching both purchasing and costing solutions. He managed to stay within set budgetary boundaries for his project. In addition, he hired a full-time kinesiologist to run the facility while he was back on campus for his academic terms. His work didn't conclude upon the clinic's opening; he also created assessment and clinical protocols, as well as fitness programs for patients once the clinic was fully operational.
DeMarco left the responsibility to obtain funding for drugs, as well as diagnostic testing outside the clinic, solely in Bahadur's hands. That involved exploring many avenues, such as canvassing pharmaceutical companies, pharmacists, and testing laboratories.
As an ultimate reward for his diligence, Bahadur managed to gain an open-ended offer of employment working with DeMarco at The Clinic following the completion of his studies this month.
![[Shantz]](/images/2003/0501shantz.gif)
Retired after a career in several UW offices, ending with years as
secretary to president James Downey, Shantz is a member of the
Keystone campaign council. Before her retirement in 2000, she
worked in engineering and
environmental studies before coming to the president's office.
And even before that, Shantz -- whose father was Wyn Rees, the
first principal of Renison College -- worked here one summer
supporting UW's very first fundraising campaign.
She reflects with a smile, "I guess you could say I've come full-circle!"
What do you value about Waterloo? "It's hard not to become involved in the teamwork and positive energy on campus. Regardless of my role, I usually found myself surrounded by dedicated, hard working, and committed staff and faculty. I also enjoyed working in a variety of departments and being able to see the campus from different perspectives."
Why do you donate? "I have a deep personal belief in the university. As a relatively young university, we need to build our endowment funds so we can continue our tradition of innovation and excellence in teaching and research. My husband Howard and I donate to the environmental studies scholarship fund because its programs are relevant and important -- especially in the years to come."
Where are your favourite spots on campus?"I used to spend my lunch hours enjoying our beautiful campus. Spring is my favourite season, when all of the crabapple trees are flowering and the daffodils are blooming. One of the nicest places to meet friends and colleagues is the bridge heading over to the University colleges."
Tomorrow and Wednesday the Federation of Students will hold Clubs Days in the Student Life Centre from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. And Noemia Ellis of retail services sends word that: "The ComputerStore will be having a Back to School Tech Sale in the SLC multipurpose room. The sale will be on for two days only May 14 and 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Customers will enjoy special savings on notebooks, refurbished Palms, $5 computer books, network accessories and software."
Wednesday promises a special presentation in anticipation of the double cohort sponsored by the office of human resources and student services. "Understanding the Millennial Generation" will be presented by UW alumnus Chris McGrath. According to a flyer: "Chris will help us understand the generational characteristics of millennial students, explore their developmental issues, the increasingly complex role of their parents and the family transition to the university community." The session is open to anyone who's interested, but RSVPs are requested. Contact Heather FitzGerald at ext. 6876 or email studentlife@uwaterloo.ca to attend.
Avvey Peters