Message from the Dean
As we reflect on the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry’s achievements for the academic year July 2023 to June 2024, I’m humbled by the dedication of our community. Every single person in the FoMD continues to make a difference in our mission of advancing health through education, research and meaningful relationships with our partners and communities.
This past academic year was particularly memorable thanks to some significant anniversaries and milestones. Marking the 100th anniversary of both the Department of Surgery and the Department of Biochemistry, and the 50th anniversary of the Department of Family Medicine, we had the opportunity to reflect on our rich history. Thanks to the collective efforts of our faculty, staff, students and alumni, I know the future is just as bright as the past we enjoyed celebrating together.
It’s also thanks to our people the Faculty continues to be recognized for excellence. We proudly maintained our position as No. 5 among medical faculties across Canada in the 2023 Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings. Our student success and research advances show not just in this ranking, but in the funding, awards and other recognitions of our members over the past year.
FoMD learners, teachers and alumni across the Faculty were recognized with local and international awards, while early-career and established researchers pushed their invaluable work forward thanks to grants and funding of more than $150M. We’re excited to share here the work of the Prairie HUB for Pandemic Preparedness, a major collaboration among various Prairie universities and industry partners led by our Faculty. With an investment of $100 million from the federal government, the FoMD will usher forward multiple projects to better prepare our health systems for the next pandemic.
Our ability to train the health leaders of tomorrow continues to grow, with increased seats in Edmonton and planning for the Fall 2025 launch of the Northern Alberta Medical Program in Grande Prairie with our partners Northwestern Polytechnic. This new training location, like many ongoing initiatives you’ll read about here, is a reflection of our commitment to social accountability and the health of all, with a particular focus on rural, remote and Indigenous communities.
The achievements highlighted in this report would not be possible without the support of dedicated alumni and our network of partners. I am thankful for these relationships and for everyone who is part of our success.
Brenda Hemmelgarn, Dean, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry