News & Blog

The University of Guelph hosted the 12th annual Rural Research Symposium on April 1st, bringing together students, faculty, community practitioners, government, and non-governmental organizations to share research on emerging rural themes. The event featured a series of insightful presentations, posters, and networking opportunities, with the goal of fostering collaboration and innovation in rural research.

The support provided to a person who may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being, a mental health crisis, or substance use problem. Just as physical first aid is administered to a person with an injury prior to seeking more intensive medical care, MHFA is the immediate support provided to an individual until appropriate treatment is found or the crisis is resolved. Gain knowledge & learn about local resources. Are you hoping to expand your knowledge and understan

The National Farmer Mental Health Alliance invites you to participate in an in-person testing session for the Be Farm Well app.

Five counties in Ontario, Bruce, Dufferin, Grey, Perth, and Wellington are leading the way towards sustainable transportation. On Tuesday, May 5th, 2026, from 12 - 1 PM via ZOOM, Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health will explore the complex relationships between “Climate Change, Planning for EV’s and Community Health.”

Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health awarded $100,000 to scale cancer screening access for rural and remote communities across Canada.

On Friday, March 27, 2026, Karissa Overholt officially transitioned to Operations Manager with Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH).

We’re excited to share that our Spring 2026 Newsletter is now available to read and download.

Maintaining mental resiliency in rural spaces amid loss is challenging. On Tuesday, April 14th, 2026, from 12 - 1 PM via ZOOM, Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health introduces the complicated relationship between grief and mental wellness among rural families.

On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) presented at the Goderich Legion on “Travel and Technology,” exploring how digital tools are transforming the way we plan, navigate, and experience travel.

On Friday, February 20, 2026, the Huron Perth Chicken Farmers visited the Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) office to present a donation of two thousand seven hundred dollars, in support of the Farmers’ Safety and Well-Being program.

On Thursday, February 19, 2026, Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) attended the Southwestern Ontario Dairy Symposium in Woodstock, ON. Gateway CERH proudly participated as an exhibitor and delivered a brief presentation, discussing the Farmer’s Safety and Well-Being Program.

We’re excited to share that our Winter 2026 Newsletter is now available to read and download.

On Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026, from 12 - 1 PM via ZOOM, Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health is featuring a collaborative conversation on transportation networks and the connection to rural health.

On Friday, February 6, 2026, Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) and the Maitland Valley Family Health Team (MVFHT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), establishing a collaborative partnership aimed at advancing rural health through research, education, communication, and innovation.

Gateway CERH upcoming webinar discusses how Rural residents face unique barriers when it comes to accessing cancer information, screening services, and timely treatment. In recognition of these critical gaps, on Tuesday, February 10th, 2026, from 12 - 1 PM via ZOOM, Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health will dive into “The Importance of Early Detection: Understanding Cancer Screening and Prevention in Ontario.”

Managing Medication in Rural Spaces – What You Need to Know. Management of medications as you age can be challenging.

Gateway CERH invites Peter Smith, Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Rural Creativity, to discuss rural health, water and creativity.

On Friday, January 9, 2026, Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) hosted a volunteer appreciation lunch to recognize the incredible individuals who generously contribute their time, skills, and passion to advancing our mission.

Happy New Year to our wonderful readers and supporters of Gateway CERH! With this change, we often hear about resolutions for a “new year, new me” mindset. It often brings a fresh set of intentions, creating more balance, more self-care, and more moments to pause and reset. Which is the exact energy Gateway CERH has been bringing over the few months with our nourish program. nourish is a wellness program designed to support high school students’ mental, emotional, and physica

Striving to promote the health and well-being of rural youth who are experiencing changes and challenges is Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health’s project, nourish . On Tuesday, January 6 th , 2026, from 12 - 1 PM via ZOOM, Gateway CERH is featuring Amy Sturgeon, Gateway CERH Research Assistant and Project lead on “ nourish : Radiating Wellness in Huron County Youth. ” Amy Sturgeon discusses how rural youth are experiencing stressors ranging from loneliness to acade

My name is Sage Milne, and I am an MSc student working under the supervision of Dr. Leith Deacon at the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development at the University of Guelph. I am also a research assistant at Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) and have worked on various projects such as the Lecture Series and more. I am writing this post as I was hoping for support in promoting the dissemination of a research survey. This survey is concerned with

Left to Right: Laurie Carroll, Alexa Hugill, Nyden Greenfield, Dan Stringer, Michelle Miller, Randy Carroll, & Donna Allen On December 3, 2025, the team at Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) had the pleasure of visiting Goderich Legion Branch 109 to receive a generous donation valued at $5,000. This support is a significant boost to Gateway CERH’s mission to deliver high-quality programs and research that benefit seniors, veterans, and the wider community.

Left to Right: Nyden Greenfield, Alexa Hugill, Zehrs Store Manager Jim Bissett, Karissa Overholt, Ava Fitzgerald, & Dan Stringer On December 1, 2025, the team at Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) had the pleasure of visiting Goderich Zehrs to receive a generous donation of $500 from Store Manager Jim Bissett. This contribution is part of Zehrs’ longstanding support of Gateway CERH and its mission to enhance health, connection, and care across rural communit

Left to Right: Dr. Aaron Daters, Dr. Matt Gray, Dr. Grant Dawson, Dr. Hilary Watson, Dr. Mohmeet Brar, Dr. Jeff McAuley, Dr. Ales Radan, Dr. Mike Dawson, Dr. Tiffaney Kittmer, Dr. Dan Noel, Dr. Tamra Steinmann At a time when rural communities across Ontario are facing unprecedented physician and nursing shortages, Goderich has something truly worth celebrating. On December 4, hospital leaders, local officials, and community members gathered to recognize nine physicians who ha