The University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine warmly welcomed its newest students on Tuesday, September 4 at an outdoor orientation session held at Roger Guindon Hall.
“Congratulations to each and every one of you for being here today,” said Dr. Bernard Jasmin, Interim Dean of Medicine. “You are about to begin an incredible journey that will not only change your own life, but the lives of others through research, education and patient care.”
Under clear blue skies, students from Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME), Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME), Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, the Bachelor of Translational and Molecular Medicine program and the Ottawa-Shanghai Joint School of Medicine had the chance to mingle and interact with peers from the Faculty’s many specializations and disciplines.
Dr. Jasmin spoke passionately about student experience at the uOttawa Faculty of Medicine and what he calls the three “e’s”: excitement, excellence and engagement.
“I am confident that at the end of your respective programs, each and every one of you will be exceptionally prepared to either continue with your training or to enter the job market with a competitive edge,” said Dr. Jasmin.
“From here, you will all be armed with knowledge, skills, and a level of professionalism and commitment that will position you to be model citizens.”
Students also had the opportunity to meet the Faculty’s vice-deans Dr. Melissa Forgie (UGME), Dr. Alain Stintzi (Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies) and Dr. Manon Denis-Leblanc (Francophone Affairs); as well as Dr. Jean-Francois Couture, the Director of Translational and Molecular Medicine.
Dr. Forgie commended the interdisciplinary collaboration of research, basic science, clinical, graduate and undergraduate programs at the Faculty–noting it as one of the key factors that make the uOttawa Faculty of Medicine unique and competitive.
“I highly encourage you all to push your learning beyond your own disciplines and specialties to reach out to peers outside of your specific programs,” advised Dr. Stintzi in his welcome speech.
“Diversity only makes us stronger,” said Dr. Denis-LeBlanc, who encouraged Francophones to help Anglophones speak French in their daily interactions. “As a bilingual community, you will all be exposed to francophone patients and colleagues at some point in your career, and understanding their culture will be vital.”
Dr. Couture, who leads the Honours Bachelor in Translational and Molecular Medicine program, added that the close collaboration between scientific research and patient care delivery is a crucial strength of the Faculty of Medicine at uOttawa.
The University of Ottawa recognizes Medicine as one of its key strengths–the Faculty alone brings in 50 to 60% of total research revenues for the University. Given that health and medical sciences has been identified as an area for future expansion by the University, it is indeed an exciting time for students in our Faculty.
