Last week’s Medicine Convocation for the Class of 2016 was an auspicious occasion.

We celebrated the graduation of 106 medical students. I’m happy that 71 (67 per cent) will be staying in Manitoba to continue their postgrad medical education at the University of Manitoba -with 39 of them in Family Medicine residency programs. This is positive for meeting the health care needs of Manitobans across the province.

The university also announced the largest gift in its history. Dr. Ernest and Mrs. Evelyn Rady – through the Rady Family Foundation – have committed an unprecedented $30 million to the U of M’s Front and Centre Campaign to support what will now be known as the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences and its constituent colleges: the newly renamed Max Rady College of Medicine and the Colleges of Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy and Rehabilitation Sciences.

Ernest Rady [BComm/58, LLB/62] and his wife Evelyn Rady [BA/60, BSW/61, MSW/67] have a long history with the university, earning six degrees between them. But the Rady family’s history with the University of Manitoba goes back even further to Ernest’s father Max Rady, for whom the College of Medicine is now named.

I was moved by Dr. Rady’s speech to the graduating class where he spoke about his father, a Russian immigrant who arrived in Canada in 1893 and graduated medical school in 1921, and the positive impact his father had on his life.

“I’ve been fortunate to have many successes in my life and I hope I can give you advice that has always served me well – in business and life. Do what you love to do,” he said to the graduates. “Medicine is an honourable calling. You will all make a difference in someone’s life.”

He also encouraged our graduates to embrace change. I whole heartedly agree. During the past four years our newest MDs worked hard, were remarkably well trained and were introduced -on many fronts- to the changing world of the practice of medicine.

As part of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, they are at the forefront of learning in ways which mirror the new care models in health care delivery: inter-disciplinary team-based health professionals working collaboratively to improve patient outcomes.

Inter-professional education gives our Rady Faculty of Health Sciences students opportunities to learn about, with and from one another.

The world our graduates are entering is changing but we must evolve with it and always remember to work collaboratively and advocate for the patients with the greatest needs.

I hope all of our graduates remember their privileged roles as health care professionals in their community – and the expectation to give back to the community that has supported them. For that there is no greater role model than the Rady family.

I sincerely congratulate all 2016 Rady Faculty of Health Sciences graduates and their families on their achievement and wish them the best of luck as they embark on their careers in the health professions. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Ernest and Evelyn Rady for their magnificent gift in support of health sciences education at the University of Manitoba.

We are honoured and proud to now be known as the Max Rady College of Medicine and the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences and live up to Max Rady’s values: hard work, giving back, caring for patients and making a difference.

What is your message to the Class of 2016?

http://news.umanitoba.ca/30m-for-rady-faculty-of-health-sciences/

Rady Faculty of Health Sciences College Deans and Ernest Rady (L-R):Dr. Neal Davies, Pharmacy;Dr.Anthony Iacopino, Dentistry;Dr. Ernest Rady;Dr. Beverly O’Connell, Nursing; Donna Collins, Rehabilitation Sciences; Dr. Brian Postl, Medicine & Dean, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences.