Congratulations to our Faculty of Health Sciences graduates!

Faculty of Health Sciences

By University of Ottawa

Faculty of Health Sciences, Isabelle Briand-Turpin

Banner of Lucie doing a speech
Convocation for the Faculty of Health Sciences took place June 9. We had the honour of welcoming 871 students into our extended alumni family.

It’s always a pleasure to see lots of students go up on stage to receive their diplomas. After several years of effort and hard work, they’re now part of a dynamic community we wish to see grow from year to year.  

Doctorat - honorifique - image
Lucie Thibault, dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and André Picard, honorary doctorate recipient from the University of Ottawa

2023 honorary doctorate 

An honorary doctorate was awarded to André Picard, Canadian journalist, author of several books and expert on issues affecting Canada’s health-care system. Picard studied at uOttawa, where he received a bachelor’s in administration (BAdm) in 1986. 

Picard briefly worked for Canadian University Press and was hired in 1987 by the Globe and Mail. Early in his time there, he started to cover the AIDS epidemic, often exploring the human side of the issue and promoting much-needed conversations between health professionals, patients and the public. Picard began covering health care for the Globe and Mail in 1990, and his articles on tainted blood in the donation system helped lead to the establishment of a commission of inquiry and, eventually, to changes in regulations and policies and to compensation for victims. 

Picard has received several awards for his work, including from the World Health Organization. He also received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his dedication to improving health care. In 2020, Picard received the Canadian Medical Association’s Owen Adams Award of Honour. As well, he spoke about the COVID-19 pandemic and Canada’s response in a talk for the Alex Trebek Distinguished Lecture Series. We’re very pleased to welcome him as one of us. 

Convocation Spring image

The class of 2023 in brief: 

  • Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences: 290 undergraduates, 10 graduates

  • School of Human Kinetics: 163 undergraduates, 32 graduates

  • School of Nursing (including joint program with Algonquin College): 345 undergraduates, 29 graduates

  • School of Nutrition Sciences*

  • School of Rehabilitation Sciences*

*Students from the School of Nutrition Sciences and the School of Rehabilitation Sciences graduate this fall, and we wish them the best of luck in their final program requirements.

See the list of graduates.

Pinning Ceremony2-image
Pinning ceremony for graduates of the Woodroofe campus Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) (offered jointly with Algonquin College). Photo: Melody Freeland.

Stay connected! 

Faculty alumni organize class reunions as well as many educational, sports and cultural events, while taking part in uOttawa’s Homecoming. To keep up with Faculty news, stay in touch via our social media and check our newsletter. As well, update your contact information