As another academic year closes, I would like to take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come together as a Faculty. We have faced a number of challenges during this period of unusual volatility, resource constraints, and change for the University, the healthcare system, and indeed, the world. I would like to share my deep appreciation for the commitment, creativity, and collaboration that permeates the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) community, and that continues to sustain us as we pursue our mission, together.
Despite the day-to-day pressures, we’ve made meaningful strides this year in taking our new strategic plan, Together for Better Health, from conception and consultation, to action. This isn’t just a slogan—it’s a shared commitment that connects our schools and departments with the communities we serve. It’s a vision that’s becoming reality because of your efforts.
We are setting a positive and deliberate course for our Faculty. Over the past year, we have continued to recruit top faculty in crucial strategic areas, talented people from within and outside our Faculty have continued to step forward to contribute to leadership at all levels, our graduate training and clinical training programs are evolving to better prepare our students to meet urgent societal needs, and our connections to our communities across Quebec and around the world have been strengthened. We are finding smarter, more cost-effective ways to structure our Faculty and to work with our wider network, within and beyond the University. Perhaps most importantly, we are putting in place the assessment tools, communication methods, and timelines to regularly evaluate how we are doing, so we can continue to work with you to adjust and optimize as we navigate this time of change, together.
New modalities of working, teaching, and conducting research are emerging, and we are actively exploring ideas for new revenue streams that will support our work sustainably. These changes are not only necessary—they are exciting. Our mission matters more than ever, there are clear ways forward, and our future is one we are shaping together.
The progress we’ve made in the past year is a direct result of your dedication. Whether in classrooms, clinics, labs, or administrative offices, the creativity and teamwork of our faculty, staff, and trainees, are what bring our strategic goals to life. As we head into the summer months, I would like to express my appreciation to each of you. Our people are our strength! Your work matters and it is making a difference.
I wish you all a restful, safe, and rejuvenating summer. We will tackle the coming academic year with the same energy, creativity, and collaboration that has brought us this far, and continue to work together, for better health.
Warm regards,
Lesley Fellows, MDCM, DPhil
Vice-President (Health Affairs)
Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences