Welcome to the 2026–2027 academic year at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine!
We’re delighted to welcome learners, faculty, staff, clinicians, researchers and partners who make our community vibrant and impactful.
Our Faculty continues to earn recognition on the world stage. We’re consistently ranked among the top 100 institutions worldwide, and top 5 in Canada, reflecting the excellence of our community and our shared commitment to improving health locally and globally.
Momentum is building across the Faculty and across the Ottawa Academic Health Network, fueling new opportunities to advance discovery and drive meaningful change. The stories below highlight some of the people, partnerships and innovations that are turning bold ideas into action—and making a lasting impact.
A new era built on a strong foundation
Dr. Melissa Forgie was recently appointed dean of the Faculty of Medicine, effective August 1. A physician, researcher and academic leader, Dr. Forgie has served as interim dean since March 2025, overseeing more than 4,000 faculty and staff members and an operating budget of $84.2 million. She is the first woman to be appointed dean in the Faculty's history.
“It is a profound honour to serve as Dean of the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine. I am deeply humbled by this appointment and sincerely grateful for the confidence and support extended by colleagues across the University and the Ottawa Academic Health Network,” said Dr. Forgie.
“It is a profound honour to serve as Dean of the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine.”
Dr. Melissa Forgie
— Appointed dean earlier this month
Strengthening our communities
From community-engaged learning to partnerships that address real-world challenges, we’re committed to making real, positive impact in the communities we serve. Meaningful progress in health depends on collaboration at every level, from local communities to global partnerships.
Recent highlights:
uOttawa roots new vision for primary care in teamwork and local needs
A collaborative new approach to primary care that is rooted in the needs of local neighbourhoods is taking shape at the University of Ottawa.
CoCreate Health Sprint tackles food security on campus
The Faculty of Medicine was one of seven faculties that collaborated on interdisciplinary solutions to inform uOttawa’s food security strategy, with participants gaining new skills and earning credits in the process.
Ottawa Academic Health Network: At the leading edge of more effective health care delivery
The network is designed to foster collaboration in research, elevate Ottawa’s reputation as a hub for health innovation, and strengthen our world-class health education ecosystem—all in support of better health outcomes for Canadians.
Meaningful steps: Getting to know Simon Brascoupé
The new special advisor to the dean on Indigenous health sees stronger relationships with Indigenous communities, more culturally safe health care systems, and more Indigenous physicians, researchers, and health leaders across Canada as the vision for his work with the Faculty of Medicine.
HUBBUB 2026 applies student innovation to Ottawa's challenges through experiential learning
Through the CityStudio Ottawa model of community-campus engagement, students explore some of Ottawa’s most pressing societal challenges—like health care delivery, homelessness, food insecurity and substance use—working alongside community partners, health care professionals and city staff.
Leading transformational education
Preparing the next generation of health researchers and professionals is at the heart of our mission. Led by world-class educators, we’re committed to innovative, socially accountable education that equips learners to lead in a fast-changing health care environment.
Recent highlights:
Dr. Jason Frank earns prestigious international award for his contributions to medical education research
Recently recognized with the National Board of Medical Examiners’ (NBME) 2026 John P. Hubbard Award for his significant contributions in the field of medical education and assessment, Dr. Frank is one of the world’s leading authorities on the conceptualization, development and implementation of competency-based medical education systems. He is the director of the Centre for Innovation in Medical Education (CiMED) at the Faculty.
A Canadian first: New master’s in accessibility in biomedicine unites equity, collaboration, and real-world impact
The new MASc in Accessibility in Biomedicine prepares graduates to redesign systems, spaces and processes so diverse communities—especially historically underserved populations such as persons with disabilities—are welcomed as full partners in research and practice.
Francophone Affairs celebrates 30 years of shared commitment and momentum
This pillar of the Faculty’s identity trains, supports and engages health care leaders to learn, treat patients and teach in French—making receiving care in French a matter of routine, both in Ontario and across Canada.
Faculty’s Indigenous Program marks 20 years of progress & partnership
Since its launch in 2005, the program has worked purposefully to guide and support Indigenous students as they follow their dreams through medical school and into practice. Earlier this year, the University of Ottawa released "Mino Bimaadziwin: Towards Culturally Safe Care," a short documentary looking back on 20 years of the Indigenous Program.
Advancing world-class science and discovery
Research excellence is a cornerstone of our Faculty's international reputation. Our Faculty regularly brings in more than half of the University’s research revenue, which has increased by 50% in the last five years. From fundamental science to clinical innovation, our researchers are generating new knowledge that strengthens health care systems and advances care in the communities we serve. And with the imminent opening of the Advanced Medical Research Centre, we’ll build on that momentum for years to come.
Recent highlights:
Ontario invests $5M in uOttawa’s Advanced Medical Research Centre (AMRC) to expand wet lab infrastructure
With new provincial support, the AMRC is strengthening Ottawa's position as a centre for cutting-edge research, innovation and commercialization.
Research team uncovers how heart attacks can trigger toxic chain reaction linked to depression and anxiety
The recent study found that a tiny molecule may play a big role in the development of neurological disorders that many patients experience after a cardiac event.
World’s first randomized trial finds less-invasive heart bypass surgery speeds recovery
Research led by cardiac surgeon Dr. Marc Ruel and published in The Lancet shows that minimally invasive bypass surgery helps patients recover faster while delivering the same safety and one-year outcomes as conventional surgery.
Today, the Faculty of Medicine is leading the way as health care enters the era of artificial intelligence. Through many interdisciplinary initiatives, we're bringing together expertise in medicine, data science, law and public policy to advance the responsible development and application of AI to strengthen health systems and improve patient care that ensures safety, equity and accountability.
Recent highlights:
Next-Gen Innovation: uOttawa Faculty of Medicine launches hub to accelerate AI-driven health breakthroughs
The new Ottawa Medical Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (OMARI) is empowering responsible medical AI advances to strengthen health care systems and improve patient care.
uOttawa launches HALO initiative to support Canada’s AI healthcare strategy
AI scholars from across campus partner to support the transformation of Canada’s AI health system by connecting academia, hospitals, government, and innovators and providing legal, policy and data asset guidance, and expertise to help improve care.
Trust, innovation, impact: Khaled El Emam promotes privacy in health data sharing
Dr. El Emam has helped shape the fields of privacy-enhancing technologies, synthetic data and medical AI, with applications for researchers, health care organizations and policymakers.
Join us as we continue to advance discovery, transform education, strengthen partnerships and improve health for communities here in Ottawa and around the world.
| Support the Faculty of Medicine today! Support the next generation of leaders in accessibility and biomedical research. Your gift to the Dean Jacques Bradwejn Research Scholarship for Graduate Students in Medicine helps talented students pursue innovative research, advance health equity, and drive meaningful change in health care and research systems. Donate today and help build a more inclusive future. |