Dean Lucie Thibault with students

Message from the Dean

Looking back on 2025–2026

Lucie Thibault, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences

When I think of everything we accomplished together in the 2025–2026 academic year, I feel a deep sense of pride and gratitude. It was a year of remarkable achievements, renewed leadership, teaching innovation and continued growth, a year that’s a testament to our faculty’s vitality and resilience!

In terms of research, we reached new heights. Our professors received a record $14.6 million in external funding in 2025–2026. This result reflects their excellence and commitment to advancing knowledge in health and wellness. In three years, we’ve also received three new Canada Research Chairs, an achievement of which we all can be proud. And the first Research Day in Health Sciences — bringing together three of our schools, the Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, the School of Human Kinetics and the School of Nursing — attracted over 180 participants, a sign of our dynamic students and the diverse research conducted in our faculty.

Our students, for their part, continue to shine. I marvel at their achievements: regional and national awards, academic distinctions and outstanding community engagement. I would also like to highlight the significant work of our research centres and institutes. The major contributions from the LIFE Research Institute, Music and Health Research Institute, Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health and Centre for Research on Health and Nursing are raising the Faculty’s profile well beyond the campus.

This past year, I was privileged to be surrounded by a committed, dedicated leadership team. I offer my warmest thanks to Professor David K. Wright, vice-dean, student affairs, who assumed his duties in July 2025, and to all the vice-deans, school directors, managers and support staff for the impressive work you do every day. Your commitment drives our shared success. 

Dean Lucie at convocation

In terms of governance and inclusion, updating our bylaws represents fundamental progress. The Allies for Change series continued to boost our culture of equity, diversity and inclusion. Our faculty remains firmly committed to being one where every voice counts and everyone feels valued and respected.

I believe the best is yet to come. While we still must deal with some challenges, our community has the creativity, expertise and determination needed to overcome them. Together, we will continue to promote excellence in teaching, learning and research related to health and wellness because this is where health matters!

With gratitude and enthusiasm,

Lucie T.

Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences

University of Ottawa