Welcome to the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine—you’ve made an excellent choice! We’re a top 5 medical school in Canada and we’re excited to be part of your journey.
If you’re a returning student, we can’t wait to see you again! And for those of you joining us for the first time, the warmest of welcomes to your new home away from home.
Our Faculty is a tight community of staff, learners and professors. As you balance the challenges and opportunities of your studies and social life, we’re here for you every step of the way.
1. Navigate our campus
Roger Guindon Hall (RGN) is the home of the Faculty of Medicine, sitting proudly on the Alta Vista Campus (view a campus map).
Depending on your program, you’ll be spending time in RGN view a floor plan) or the Peter Morand buildings (600 & 850). Want a peek now? Take our Virtual Tour.
Your safety on campus is of utmost importance. Our Health, Safety and Risk Management Officehas answers to your questions. Download the SecurUO App to be quickly alerted to emergency situations at uOttawa, or reach out to the University’s Protection Serviceswith security or transportation questions.
That big building going up beside RGN? That’s the Advanced Medical Research Centre (AMRC), a state-of-the-art complex that will house laboratories, core research facilities, and the Ottawa Health Innovation Hub, where with startup companies we will ramp up commercialization of new discoveries and accelerate bench-to-bedside translation. Come for a tour—or even to work and study—when it opens next year!
Built on RGN’s old parking lot, AMRC brings some parking challenges. On-campus parking permits for students for the 2025-2026 academic year are sold out. To be prepared, here are some options for your commute:
- As a full-time student, your tuition includes a U-Pass, which gives you unlimited access to public transportation via OC Transpo and STO services.
- Cycling is highly recommended; find bicycle racks throughout campus.
- Check out this map of optional parking lots on Alta Vista Campus, where limited visitor parking is available. A new parking counting system allows you to check real-time parking availability through the HotSpot interactive map before arriving.
- You may wish to park on a different campus and take the shuttle to the Alta Vista Campus. Limited daily paid visitor parking is available:
- On Main Campus: the Brooks and Mann garages (view a map of the Main Campus parking lots)
- On Lees Campus: Section G4 of the parking lot (view a map of the Lees Campus parking lot)
- View the Shuttle schedule and pick-up/drop-off locations.
- City of Ottawa street parking: You may also consider street parking nearby—read signage carefully to avoid fines or restrictions as by-law is active in the area.
- Contact the Parking and Sustainable Transportation Office with questions about uOttawa’s parking lots.
2. Support your wellness
We are dedicated to creating a supportive, inclusive, and respectful environment for all members of our community. Our Faculty Hub for Wellness, Inclusion, and Professionalism is your central resource for wellness support, inclusive practices, and tools to navigate academic and professional challenges. Discover how to book an appointment with our psychotherapy team, book an appointment with the accommodations team and report mistreatment.
You’ll also find wellness supports for your general wellbeing, or if you are in distress or in a crisis. Note these numbers, too: for emergencies on campus, 613-562-5411; and for emergencies off campus, 9-1-1.
The Student Affairs Office supports students in the MD program to promote and maintain their health and wellness, and facilitate their success. Their comprehensive program of services includes financial and career planning, with workshops, mentorship, personal counselling, skills building and more.
Additional services are offered by the Student Health and Wellness Centre, operated by the University of Ottawa, assisting with physical health, mental health, and health promotion.
Don’t neglect your social life—socializing and breaks are essential to your well-being and learning!
- Join like-minded peers in a student group—the Aesculapean Society, the student governance of the uOttawa medical school community, has a full menu of specialty interest groups.
- Like the peer support of a group study session? In addition to the Library, RGN offers plenty of lounges and spaces for studying or hanging—seek out your favourite!
- Grab a bite at Elements (first floor, RGN) one of uOttawa’s many restaurants and cafés.
3. Stay plugged in
We’re constantly recognizing—and celebrating!—a wide range of successes, news and events from across the Faculty.
You’ll receive our internal MedFlash newsletter twice a month. Sent to all learners, professors and staff, it has important news and updates relevant to our entire Faculty community, like changes to policy or procedures; updates from various offices; Faculty-hosted events; departmental successes; and more.
MedPoint, the Faculty of Medicine’s official public newsletter, reaches audiences outside of the Faculty, as well as our entire Faculty community (learners, professors and staff). Sent five times a year, it features our biggest stories and updates, which can also be found on our news web page.
The Faculty hosts many events throughout the year—for learning, socializing and celebrating! Check our Events page often for those relevant to a wide Faculty audience.
Stay tuned in via social media! Find us at uOttawaMed on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagramfor news, events, photos, announcements and more.
4. Share your successes
You can have an impact, even as a learner! Win an award? Appear on a paper? Launched a student initiative? Recognized by an organization? Whatever your achievements, let us know! You might be featured in MedFlash (check out our guidelines, and then email us) or on social media. Or, suggest a MedPoint story idea here.
5. Study smarter
At the Faculty of Medicine, we empower you to get the most out of your studies—and make your mark on the world.
Check out the Health Sciences Library (first floor of RGN), whose librarians can help you with assignments, research questions, and literature searching. It’s part of the uOttawa Library—explore their services, collections and spaces for a change of study scene.
Our mentoring programs can enhance morale, increase motivation and performance, improve collegiality, and impart a greater sense of career direction. Explore opportunities for one-on-one or group mentoring within the mentoring programs developed by the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; MD students may also contact the Student Affairs Office for mentorship opportunities.
Interested in an international, intercultural, or global dimension to your higher education? Our International and Global Health Office (IGHO) offers exciting opportunities for international cooperation and exchange.
Discover state-of-the-art equipment, instrumentation, methodologies and expertise for your research through the Faculty’s Core Facilities and Technical Services.
Studying in the French stream? The Francophone Affairs office works to ensure the quality of your student experience, and are dedicated to the vitality of la Francophonie within the Faculty.
Medtech meets your information management needs through a variety of products and services. Consult their frequently asked questions or explore their Get Help web page.
Discover more academic support and resources on uOttawa’s “Study” website.
6. Enjoy the ride
Enjoy yourself and your studies—you’ll make lasting friendships and cherished memories. A journey like this comes but once in a lifetime!
