Homecoming | Faculty of Medicine

All alumni are invited to join us for Homecoming 2025, taking place from Friday, October 3, 2025 to October 5, 2025. The Faculty signature events include:

Friday, October 3, 2025| 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Twenty-Two, Westin Ottawa

Welcome Reception & Awards of Distinction Ceremony

Join us for an evening that blends warmth, camaraderie, and celebration. As you step into the venue, you’ll be greeted with hearty refreshments—a chance to reconnect with fellow alumni and share stories that span the years. But that’s not all! This is also the moment when we honour outstanding alumni who have left an indelible mark on our beloved institution. Their achievements deserve applause, and their legacy inspires us all.

Commitment Fee: $15; registration is required - Link coming soon!

Saturday - Individual Class Gatherings

We are working with milestone anniversary class representatives as they plan class gatherings and dinners. If you haven’t already heard from your class representative and would like help in organizing your own class event, please email Kerry at [email protected].

Sunday, October 5, 2025| 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Twenty-Two, Westin Ottawa

Alumni Brunch and Recognition Presentation

Join us for a delightful brunch—a time to savor good food, laughter, and camaraderie. As you raise your glasses, we’ll also celebrate the milestone anniversaries of 10, 25, and quinquennially 40 to 60 years with the presentation of our exclusive Faculty of Medicine recognition pin. And what better way to commemorate these moments than with group photo sessions? These snapshots will be uploaded onto our online photo albums, allowing us to share the good times with friends and family and celebrate the memories of Homecoming 2025 for years to come.

Commitment Fee: $15; registration is required - Link coming soon!

Homecoming 2024 will take place from Friday, September 27 to September 29, 2024. The Faculty signature events include:

Friday, September 27, 2024| 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Twenty-Two, Westin Ottawa

Welcome Reception & Awards of Distinction Ceremony

Join us for an evening that blends warmth, camaraderie, and celebration. As you step into the venue, you’ll be greeted with hearty refreshments—a chance to reconnect with fellow alumni and share stories that span the years. But that’s not all! This is also the moment when we honour outstanding alumni who have left an indelible mark on our beloved institution. Their achievements deserve applause, and their legacy inspires us all.

Admission: Free; registration is required

Saturday - Individual Class Gatherings

We are working with class representatives as they plan class gatherings and dinners. If you haven’t already heard from your class representative and would like help in organizing your own class dinner, please email Kerry at [email protected]

Sunday, September 29, 2024| 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Governor General Ballroom, Westin Ottawa

Alumni Brunch and Recognition Presentation

Join us for a delightful brunch—a time to savor good food, laughter, and camaraderie. As you raise your glasses, we’ll also celebrate the remarkable journeys of those who graduated 40, 50, and 60 years ago. Their enduring commitment to excellence inspires us all. And what better way to commemorate this moment than with group photo sessions? These snapshots will adorn our walls, preserving the memories of Homecoming 2024 for years to come.

Admission: Free; registration is required

We are excited to invite you to celebrate Homecoming 2023 with us from October 13th to 15th, 2023.

Here is what we have planned for the weekend:

Friday - Faculty of Medicine Dean’s Welcome Reception

Join us for the opening Homecoming festivities as we celebrate your careers since graduating and honour the recipients of our annual Alumni Awards of Distinction. Reunite with classmates and colleagues and meet some of today’s Faculty leaders during a private reception at the Westin Hotel. Hearty refreshments will be served.

Date & Time: Friday, October 13, 2023 | 5 p.m.
Location: Governor General lll Ballroom, Westin Ottawa
Admission: Free; registration is required - Click here to register on Eventbrite

Saturday - Individual Class Gatherings

We are working with class representatives as they plan class gatherings and dinners. If you haven’t already heard from your class representative and would like help in organizing your own class dinner, please email Kerry at [email protected]

Sunday - Alumni & Friends Brunch & Recognition Ceremony

Join us to say farewell to your classmates and recognize significant milestones at a relaxed brunch held at the epicenter of Faculty of Medicine activities, the Atrium of Roger Guindon Hall. In celebration of Anatomy Day, we will hear from speaker Dr. Christopher Ramnanan*, followed by a faculty tour that includes our state-of-the-art Anatomy lab.

Date: Sunday, October 15, 2023
Time: 10 a.m. to Noon - Brunch and Recognition Ceremony (10:15 a.m.; talk and tour 11 a.m.)
Location: Atrium, Roger Guindon Hall, 451 Smyth Road
Admission: Free, registration is required - Click here to register on Eventbrite

Parking: Lot H (must be reserved on Eventbrite form)

* This is an accredited event. See details below.

Accreditation:
This event is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada for 2.75 hours. This program has been reviewed and approved by the University of Ottawa, Office of Continuing Professional Development. This Group Learning program meets the certification criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and has been certified by the University of Ottawa’s Office of Continuing Professional Development for up to 2.75 Mainpro+ credits.

Title: Across the Metaverse of Modern Anatomy Education

Objectives:

1. Describe the impact of the pandemic on the evolution of modern anatomy teaching

2. Identify practical applications of modern teaching technology in anatomy education

3. Describe how the cadaveric laboratory can be leveraged to best benefit current medical trainees

Description

The pandemic altered the landscape of medical anatomy education, moving what was historically a very practical and hands-on foundational medical science to virtual modes of delivery.

This massive shift resulted in many novel innovative approaches that aimed to best serve the medical student in that era. As we progress to a post-pandemic world, the question arises as to which of these pandemic-era innovations can and should be considered essential in teaching our future students. There is also consideration to what the role of cadaveric-based education could and should play in modern medical programs. We will cut across the universe of evidence-based approaches that need to be considered when evaluating how to best educate students, now and in the future.

Accommodations

A block of rooms has been reserved at:
The Westin Ottawa:
Cost: $253 plus tax
Cancellation up until 72 hours

To register please visit the 2022 Homecoming Registration page.

Faculty of Medicine Dean’s Welcome Reception

Friday, September 30, 2022, 5 p.m.
Location: TwentyTwo, Westin Ottawa
Admission: Free; registration is required

Event details: Join us and reunite with classmates and colleagues. Help us celebrate the opening of Homecoming with a private cocktail reception while taking in a breathtaking 270º panoramic view of Parliament Hill, the Ottawa River and the Gatineau Hills, atop the Westin Ottawa.

Panda game (Ottawa Gee-Gees vs Carleton Ravens)

Saturday, October 1, 2022
9 a.m. Pre-game | 12 p.m. Kick-off
Location: (Pre-Game) Horticulture Building, 1525 Princess Patricia Way, Ottawa | (Game) TD Place, 1015 Bank St., Ottawa
Tickets on sale in late summer.

Alumni and fans are invited to a pre-game event starting at 9 a.m. at the Horticulture Building, located at Lansdowne Park. We will head next door to TD Place Stadium for kick-off at Noon.

uOttawa Faculty of Medicine Gala

Saturday, October 1, 2022 | 6:00 p.m.
Location: Shaw Centre, Canada Hall, 55 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa
Registration to launch in June 2022

Over the last two years, we’ve faced real adversity. There have been big challenges. And in the face of these challenges, we’ve shown incredible resilience and determination.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of our Faculty and community, we have had a lot of success, and a lot to be proud of. Given everything we’ve accomplished, it’s time to celebrate.

Join us for a special event. We’ll celebrate our accomplishments, and we’ll congratulate the recipients of our prestigious annual honours: the Awards of Excellence, Alumni Awards of Distinction & Research Day Awards.

After two long years, we couldn’t be more excited to see you in person.

Alumni & friends farewell brunch

Sunday, October 2, 2022
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Brunch and Recognition Ceremony
Location: Shaw Centre, 55 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa
Admission: Free, registration is required

Please join us to say a farewell to your classmates at a relaxed gourmet brunch and help us recognize some of the significant milestones achieved.

Hotel information:

The Westin Ottawa:
20 single or double occupancy rooms have been secured.
Cost: $235 plus tax
Cancellation up until 72 hours

Faculty of Medicine Awards & Recognition Gala 2021

Achieving Top 50@80 | Expanding Our Global Leadership and the Pursuit of Excellence in Medicine

Join us in celebrating Homecoming with a musical concert and award presentations, followed by an opportunity to reunite with classmates via networking salons.

We will be celebrating the recipients of our prestigious annual honours: Awards of Excellence, Alumni Awards of Distinction & Research Day Awards. We will also be recognizing the accomplishments of some of our outgoing leaders.

This year’s theme centres around our daring goal to stake our claim in the ranks of the top 50 medical faculties globally by 2025, all while pursuing our vision to lead innovation for a healthier world. The award winners this year exemplify the excellence it will take to get us there.

All faculty members, staff, learners, donors and alumni are welcome to attend the gala. Join us virtually for a memorable and enjoyable experience!

Date: October 2, 2021

Time: 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m

Location: Virtual Admission is free

Register now!

For more information on the uOttawa Homecoming Activities, please visit the alumni website.

University of Ottawa’s alumni association presents the Homecoming 2021 box!

Celebrate Homecoming 2021 with a box full of products from alumni businesses and uOttawa-branded items. The box, assembled by GIFT BETTER CO., contains:

Two bottles of alkaline spring water by FLOW ALKALINE SPRING WATER - David Bajurny (BSc ‘95)

Chocolate covered espresso beans by POPPA BEAN COFFEE ROASTERY – Paul Foster (studied in Social Sciences)

TUC x Le Bicar Kliin Reusable Cleaning Cloth by THE UNSCENTED COMPANY - Anie Rouleau (Bcom '92)

One tea bag (makes 5-10 cups of tea) by MITIGOMIN AGRICULTURE - Kayoki Post-Whiteduck, Algonquin Anishinawbe from Kitigan Zibi, Québec

Face mask refreshing spray (30ml) by THAWRIH - Sarah Abood (BSocSc ’18)

Cloth face mask with Alumni Association logo (colour: burgundy with white logo)

The official bilingual uOttawa Homecoming scarf

A uOttawa poster to share your class pride

Price: You can buy this box valued at over $55 for just $30 (shipping included).

Quantity: Very limited quantities of the boxes are available.

For a good cause: One dollar from the purchase of each box has been donated to the Indigenous Student Bursary.

Register now!

University of Ottawa's Alumni Association presents the Homecoming 2021 Box which includes mask, tea, chocolates...

How to make the best of stress

Join the experts at Initiative 1/5 to find out about the signs of stress and learn a variety of research-based methods to deal with it.

Whether you’re an alum or a member of the University community, this workshop will give you the tools to identify the everyday signs of stress and show you a variety of research-based methods for stress management.

In this workshop, Meena Bradley-Garcia (MEducExt '20) Traleena Rouleau (1 in 5 initiative experts) will explore mindfulness and relaxation, the importance of meeting your basic needs, physical activity, time management, setting priorities, and finding meaning in day-to-day activities.

You’ll also be provided with resources that you can access at the start of the webinar and that will be referred to throughout the presentation.

Date: Friday, October 1st from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in French and from noon to 1 p.m. in English

Price: Free

How to attend: Sign up on Eventbrite to receive a Zoom link on the day before the event to participate in the online workshop of your choice.

Register now!

Discovering a micro-brewer graduate

Visit the Cartwright Springs Brewery and get a behind-the-scenes look at the world of craft beer production.

Alumnus André Rieux (BAdm '93), founder and master brewer at Cartwright Springs Brewery, invites you behind the scenes at his business!

The virtual workshop will cover the brewery’s history, the brewing process, and the various types of beer produced on site, along with a virtual tour of the facilities.

Date: Friday, October 1st, from 5 to 6 p.m. (in French) and from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (in English)

Beers that will be presented: You can buy the Homecoming package with all 6 beers that will be presented.

Price: Free! Cartwright Springs is even offering free delivery in Ottawa if you buy a 12-pack.

How to participate: Sign up on Eventbrite. You’ll rece

Register now!

Panda game 2021

The much-anticipated Panda Game is back and TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW.

Date: October 2, 2021

Here`s what you need to know:

You can purchase your tickets on TD place’s website using the access code: uOAlum
This code is valid until September 27.
Tickets will be sold online only
Each individual can only purchase 8 tickets
Guests will need to provide proof of full vaccination (2 doses + 14 days) to obtain entry and will need to abide by TD place’s COVID-19 Fan safety policies.
Stay tuned for more game day information as well as tips on how to enjoy Panda safely.

You won’t want to miss the fans, the food and the chance to watch the Gee-Gees defend Pedro. Tickets will sell out, don’t wait!

Please enjoy Panda safely being respectful of our Gee-Gees fans, uOttawa community and neighbourhood.

Go Gee-Gees Go!

Woman in crowd holding a GO GEE GEES banner

BougeBouge uOttawa

Participate in the first-ever BougeBouge uOttawa 2021 race! On Sunday, October 3rd, BougeBouge and the Office of Alumni Relations invite you to come back to campus by taking part in a 2.5km, 5km or 10km running competition as part of Homecoming 2021.

Enjoy running with your family and friends in a safe way! Consult the sections below to learn about the scenarios and measures that will be in place.

Date: Sunday, October 3, 2021.

Register now!

uOttawa strings: solace and serenade

Enjoy a free concert by the University of Ottawa Orchestra string ensembles!

Under the baton of our dynamic new Professor of Orchestral Studies, Dinuk Wijeratne, the Strings of the uOttawa Orchestra will join together in small groups on stage in Tabaret Hall to offer up a beautiful program of uplifting music. From present-day works by female composers, Canada’s own Jocelyn Morlock and American Jessie Montgomery, to gems from the past by Elgar, Grieg and Mozart, this concert will be livestreamed on YouTube.

PROGRAM

Jessie Montgomery: Starburst

Jocelyn Morlock: Solace

Mozart: Divertimento in B flat K137

Elgar: Serenade for Strings

Grieg: Holberg Suite

Date: Sunday, October 3, 2021, from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Price: Free!

How to participate: Sign up on Eventbrite. You’ll receive a link the day before the event to view the virtual presentation of your choice on YouTube.

Register now!

Musicians playing instruments in an orchestra

Alex Trebek lecture series with Esther Duflo

The book from the author Esther Duflo (2019 Nobel Prize in Economics) - Good economics for hard times is the topic of the conference.

The lecture entitled Good economics for hard times, will focus on how countries can better address pressing socioeconomic challenges, and ensure an inclusive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Date: Tuesday, October 5th, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Price: Free.

Platforms used: The lecture will be held on Zoom and the link to attend will be sent the morning of the event.

Language: This discussion will be led in French, but you can ask your questions in French or English. The presentation will have simultaneous translation.

How to participate: At 11:00 a.m., connect to Zoom using the link we sent you the day before.

Biography

In 2019, Esther Duflo was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics with her husband, Abhijit Banerjee, and Michael Kremer. She is the Abdul Latif Jameel Professor of Poverty Alleviation and Development Economics in the Department of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a co-founder and co-director of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL). In her research, she seeks to understand the economic lives of the poor, with the aim of helping to design and evaluate social policies. She has worked on health, education, financial inclusion, environment, and governance policies.

Professor Esther Duflo’s first degrees were in history and economics from École Normale Supérieure, Paris. She subsequently received a PhD in economics from MIT in 1999.

Professor Duflo has received numerous academic honours and prizes, including the Princess of Asturias Award for Social Sciences (2015), the A.SK Social Sciences Award (2015), the Infosys Prize (2014), the David N. Kershaw Award (2011), a John Bates Clark Medal (2010), and a MacArthur “Genius Grant” Fellowship (2009). With Abhijit Banerjee, she wrote Poor Economics: A Radical Rethinking of the Way to Fight Global Poverty, which won the Financial Times and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award in 2011 and has been translated into more than 17 languages.

Her newest book, co-authored with Abhijit, entitled Good Economics for Hard Times, is on how economics can help us solve the social and political problems of our day.

Professor Duflo is the editor of the American Economic Review, a member of the National Academy of Sciences, and a Corresponding Fellow of the British Academy.

Register now!

uO BookIn — train (your brain) like an Olympian by Jean François Ménard

uOttawa alumni and friends are invited to join their online book club - uO BookIn!

In October, the Alumni Association and University of Ottawa Press invite you to celebrate Homecoming by diving into "Train (Your Brain) Like an Olympian: Gold Medal Techniques to Unleash Your Potential at Work" by Jean François Ménard (MA-Health Sciences '07).

In this session, Beverly Marchand, University of Ottawa alumna (B.A. '16, MA-Arts '18) and PhD candidate, will lead this discussion.

This online uO BookIn book club is meant to be a friendly forum in which you can ask questions and discuss the selected book with the group, whether you’ve read it all, in part — or not yet. All are welcome.

Date: Tuesday, October 5th, 2021, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Price: Free. The University of Ottawa Alumni Association is proud to gift a signed copy of the book to the first 10 alumni who register. The book will be signed by the author, as well as Olympic gold medalist Mikael Kingsbury!

Book format: The book is available in paper, electronic and audiobook format. Buy the book.

Platforms used: The discussion will be held on Zoom and the link to attend will be sent the morning of the event. Join the uOBookIn Facebook group to stay informed and share your impressions using the hashtag #uOBookIn

Language: This discussion will be led in English, but you can ask your questions in French or English.

Do I need to have read the book to join? Of course not! The discussion is open to all.

How to participate: At 7:00 p.m., connect to Zoom using the link we sent you the day before. You can ask your questions on mic or submit them in chat.

Book summary

The global pandemic has completely disrupted how, where, and when we work and added tremendous pressure to individuals and their families. Learn how to refocus and achieve your full potential from one of the world’s top mental performance coaches. In "Train (Your Brain) Like an Olympian", Jean François Ménard provides the skills necessary to:

Remain focused in the face of distractions
Overcome negative self-talk and replace it with a constructive mindset
Recover quickly and learn from setbacks
Be comfortable with the uncomfortable

Elite athletes need to deal with multiple distractions, manage their stress levels, and have robust self-confidence to deliver podium-worthy performances. In our current work-from-home reality, these pressures are also experienced by those of us who are asked to do more with less and work longer hours with fewer distinctions between work and private lives. The pressure to perform at your best and be on the mark is always present, and let’s face it, being consistently great in an environment like this is easier said than done. Whether your performance realm is the playing field, the workplace, the home office, or the classroom, mental strength is no longer simply an asset. It’s an absolute necessity.

Thriving at work and in life doesn’t happen by accident: there are teachable skills that can help you stay positive, stay focused, and unleash your full potential. This book will give you exclusive access to techniques and strategies that help Cirque du Soleil artists, Olympians, and pro athletes become the best in the world.

Register now!

uOttawa GEE GEES mascot sitting under a tree

Virtual escape game – the haunted tunnels of uOttawa

Race to escape! University of Ottawa and Mobile Escapes challenge you to escape from the campus’s haunted tunnels in less than 60 minutes!

University of Ottawa and Mobile Escapes, a business founded by alumni Nicolas Marcil (B.Ed. ’18, BSc ’16) and Eric Marcotte (BEng ’17, BSc Human Kinetics ’15), challenge you to solve—in under 60 minutes!—this virtual escape room especially designed for uOttawa alumni, friends, and the University community. You’ll discover, or rediscover, the campus as you solve puzzles, and learn interesting facts and well-kept secrets about different faculties and departments.

Date: From October 1st to December 31st, 2021

Price: Free

Level of difficulty: Have no fear! If you get stuck on one of the puzzles, you can get clues to help you continue, for a penalty.

How to participate solo: Sign up on Eventbrite. You’ll receive a link to access the virtual escape website when Homecoming 2021 begins.

How to participate as a team:

Each team member must sign up at Eventbrite online to receive the link to register on the Mobile Escapes website when ready to launch the game.
Solutions to the puzzles need to be entered on the Mobile Escapes site by:
- Each player individually, if each member of a team wants to see their name on the leaderboard
- A team representative (using the team name), if you want your team name to appear on the leaderboard

Participants can go through the steps to solve the puzzles together in person or remotely (via Zoom, Facetime, Messenger video or another platform).

Register now!

The link: season 2, episode 2 [Live Premiere]

The Link is uOttawa's first-ever web series highlighting entrepreneurial paths from our alumni around the world.

From San Francisco to Palo Alto

The University of Ottawa's Alumni Association and the Entrepreneurship Hub have partnered for a second season to explore how some of our alumni with different backgrounds have made their ideas and passions come to life.

Join us to watch the live premiering of Episode 2 of Season 2, featuring our host Sharon Wong (BSc, Comp. Sci) and guestAnthony Bagnulo (BASc '10).

In honour of GeeGees Homecoming, we’ll be hosting a live premiere of Episode 1 (en français) and Episode 2 (in English). Grab your ticket and, together, let's take this (virtual) trip from San Francisco to Palo Alto Tuesday October 5th!

Bonus! Our audience will get the chance to ask questions during the Q & A session following the episode premiere!

*Note: the hyperlink to join the event will be shared with registered participants the morning of the event.

About Our Guest : Anthony Bagnulo

Anthony has 10+ years experience in manufacturing, power electronics, and testing as a hands-on leader. He helped launch the first Model S at Tesla's Factory in Fremont, CA and has since been involved in scaling production, leading a team responsible for designing custom automated testing equipment for Tesla's power electronics components globally.

LinkedIn : Anthony Bagnulo

Register now!