New Faculty of Medicine students get to know their classmates, professors and the Dean

The University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine welcomed new students from all its programs in an orientation ceremony on September 5.

For the first year ever, students from the Faculty’s Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME), Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME), Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Ottawa-Shanghai Joint School of Medicine and Translational and Molecular Medicine programs all attended the same orientation, where they were able to meet peers across many specializations and disciplines.

New students, many of whom came from across Canada and the world, also got to meet their new Dean of Medicine, Dr. Bernard Jasmin who began his term this past July. Dr. Jasmin warmly welcomed the students along with his colleagues Dr. Melissa Forgie, Vice-Dean of UGME, Dr. Manon Denis-LeBlanc, Interim Vice-Dean of Francophone Affairs and Dr. Ruth Slack, Interim Vice-Dean of Research.

Dr. Jasmin spoke passionately about student experience at the uOttawa Faculty of Medicine and how they would live what he called the three “Es”: 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.”

Dr. Forgie commended the unification and 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.

“Diversity only makes us stronger,” added Dr. Denis-LeBlanc. “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. Slack told new students that in the years ahead, they can look forward to exciting projects where they will be involved not only in traditional classroom studies, but also in groundbreaking medical research and clinical trials. “You will not only be reading the books, but also writing the books and contributing to the growing body of knowledge in the field of medical sciences,” she added.

The University of Ottawa recognizes Medicine as one of its key strengths – the Faculty alone brings in 50-60% of total research revenues for the University. Given that Health has been identified as an area for future expansion by the University, it is indeed an exciting time for students in our Faculty.