It’s been a very busy and productive year and I want to sincerely thank all faculty, staff and students in the Faculty of Health Sciences for your hard work and commitment in 2014.

Quite possibly the greatest achievement of this past year was the integration of the faculties of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy and the Schools of Dental Hygiene and Medical Rehabilitation into the new Faculty of Health Sciences. This is an exciting time in the evolution of the University of Manitoba and we should be proud of our role as a leader in inter-professional health care education, research and practice.

Here are some of the 2014 highlights from across the Faculty of Health Sciences:

This past February, students from the College of Medicine hosted the Rich Man Poor Man dinner to raise awareness about world hunger and food security issues in support of Siloam Mission.

Over 200 healthcare and human services providers learned about the importance of connecting oral health with overall health at Oral-Systemic Health Day in February at U of M. The innovative continuing professional development program, hosted by the Colleges of Medicine and Dentistry, signaled a new era of inter-professional healthcare delivery in this country.

The Master of Physical Therapy Program, College of Rehabilitation Sciences was accredited by Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada (PEAC) in April. Accreditation status was granted to the program until 2020.

In May, we celebrated the Class of 2014 Medicine Convocation – an occasion made all the more auspicious with the graduation of 109 MDs, the largest medical school class on record.

In September, the College of Pharmacy welcomed 54 new students to the program who were presented with their white pharmacist coats by alumni from the Class of 1964 as part of the Homecoming Celebrations.

This fall, Pharmacy hosted a “Return of the Pharm. D.” graduate Seminar Series featuring nine alumni with Pharm D. degrees lecturing on their research and academic activities in anticipation of U of M’s own Pharm. D. program.

In December, the U of M was named the winner of the prestigious 2015 William J. Gies Award for Outstanding Innovation – Academic Dental Institution by the ADEAGies Foundation, an arm of the American Dental Education Association. U of M is receiving the Gies Award for an innovative curriculum project entitled Oral-Systemic Health Education for Non-Dental Healthcare Providers, launched by its International Centre for Oral-Systemic Health (ICOSH).

Just as the year wound down, we participated in the culmination of the Faculty of Health Sciences Habitat for Humanity build. I presented the keys to their new home to Michelle and her family. Thanks to all the faculty, staff and students who volunteered on the FHS Habitat build. Michelle and her three children were extremely appreciative and humbled by the contributions of so many to make their dream of a new home a reality.

To end off the year, the College of Nursing got in the holiday spirit with its annual participation in UMSU’s Adopt-A-Hamper program. Hampers included non-perishable food items, grocery gift cards and gifts for the children and adults. This year, Nursing came together to ensure three students had a wonderful Christmas.

We have much to be proud of as we have contributed to many positive changes on our campuses and in our community that I’m sure will continue into 2015.

Have a safe and peaceful holiday and all the best in the new year!