Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - University of Alberta

06/05/2026

Our Spring Convocation 2026 campaign highlights Morgan Jansma, who is graduating with a bachelor of science in medical laboratory science. During his time at the University of Alberta, Morgan exhibited stellar leadership by collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to design and execute a massive hemorrhage protocol simulation for healthcare students. This June, he will bring his advanced clinical and analytical skills to Alberta Precision Laboratories, beginning his career as a medical laboratory technologist in microbiology. We congratulate Morgan on his graduation and look forward to his future contributions to laboratory medicine.

Read his full story at: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/medicine/news/2026/06/morgan-jansma.html

06/04/2026

With the excitement of the University of Alberta’s 2026 Spring Convocation, the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry celebrates alongside the graduating learners, including medical graduate Jessica Bennett. Throughout her time at the Faculty, Jessica demonstrated exceptional leadership, co-hosting the YegMDPod podcast and collaborating with MD Outreach to support rural Alberta healthcare and prospective students. Dedicated to delivering impactful, patient-centred care, she will complete her general surgery residency at Western University. Congratulations, Jessica !

Read her story at: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/medicine/news/2026/06/jessica-bennett.html

06/02/2026

Congratulations to Dr. S. Monty Ghosh (Department of Medicine) on receiving the inaugural Health Services and Policy Research Impact Award!

Presented by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Canadian Association for Health Services and Policy Research, the award recognizes Dr. Ghosh’s research impact and the success of the National Overdose Response Service (NORS), a virtual safe consumption hotline and peer wellness program.

His research focuses on advancing system-level responses to substance use, homelessness and health inequities, with a particular focus on overdose prevention and response.

See more below!

We are thrilled to celebrate the first recipient of the Health Services and Policy Research Impact Award, Dr. Sumantra (Monty) Ghosh, MD! 👏🏼

This award recognizes Dr. Ghosh’s exceptional research impact and the success of the National Overdose Response Service (NORS), a full service virtual safe consumption hotline and peer wellness program.

An internist and addiction specialist in both Edmonton and Calgary, Dr. Ghosh is also an assistant professor at and the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - University of Alberta. His research focuses on advancing system-level responses to substance use, homelessness, and health inequity with a central focus on overdose prevention and response.

The NORS program has become a lifeline to some of Canada’s most vulnerable people. The peer-driven service is operated in partnership with Grenfell Ministries, co-led by CEO Lisa Morris-Miller, and run by individuals with personal experience in substance use who provide confidential 24-hour support and supervision.

The inaugural research impact award celebrates the ability of the NORS project to sustain success since its launch in 2020. It is also an important recognition of the program's contributions to social and economic prosperity through the creation of meaningful employment and leadership opportunities for people with lived experience of substance use.

Presented by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Canadian Association of Health Services and Policy Research, the HSPR Impact Award recognizes research that has made an impact by contributing to the transformation of health systems, improving people’s lives, or generating social or economic benefits. It celebrates research that has moved beyond publication to achieve real-world impact.

“The CIHR CASPR Award for Social Impact is recognition of the extraordinary work being done by NORS and Grenfell Ministries,” says Dr. Ghosh. “Their staff, volunteers, and participants are creating real change on the ground. As a researcher, I was fortunate enough to help tell that story.

“The value of research is not simply to publish findings, but to provide credible evidence that helps governments and policymakers understand what works,” he adds. “Supporting community organizations in demonstrating their impact is essential if we want effective programs to receive the recognition, investment, and sustainability they deserve.”

➡️ Read more: https://www.nors.ca/

Hotchkiss Brain Institute - HBI | Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education | O'Brien Institute for Public Health

06/01/2026

Did you know you can go to medical school in Grande Prairie, AB? Meet Ehab, a first-year MD student in the Northern Alberta Medical Program (NAMP).

The NAMP is a collaboration between the University of Alberta and Northwestern Polytechnic to train future doctors close to home. Together, we’re helping recruit, train and retain physicians in the northern and rural areas that need them most.

The NAMP accepts 30 new students each year. Applications open July 1! Learn more at uab.ca/namp.

05/28/2026

Introducing Science Jam!

Join the Neuroscience & Mental Health Institute - University of Alberta for an evening of fast-paced, TED Talk-style presentations featuring 10 leading researchers and clinicians. Each speaker will have just five minutes to share their latest discoveries, distilling complex research into clear and accessible insights.

📅 Thursday, June 25
🕖 7 p.m.
📍 Bernard Snell Hall, University of Alberta Hospital
🎟️ Tickets: $20

Tickets are available here: https://bit.ly/4uxqqew

We’re thrilled to invite you to the first-ever Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute (NMHI) Science Jam, an exciting celebration of breakthrough science and innovation! This dynamic event brings cutting-edge research to life through engaging, TED Talk–style presentations from NMHI’s leading...

05/25/2026

We’re honoured to be a part of the historic announcement last week with of alberta amii and celebrating the successful completion of a $30M global AI talent recruitment campaign.

Congratulations to newly appointed CIFAR AI Chair Amber Simpson.

Read the full announcement at: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/news/news-releases-and-statements/announcements/2026/05-may/uofa-amii-announce-30m-recruitment-top-ai-minds.html

05/15/2026

Advancing Heart Health: Join us for CVRI Research Day 2026

The Cardiovascular Research Institute (CVRI) is pleased to invite the research community to our annual Research Day on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Bernard Snell Hall.

This event is a cornerstone of our year, showcasing the breadth of cardiovascular excellence at the University of Alberta. It offers a vital platform for trainees and faculty to share insights, spark collaborations, and discuss the future of heart health.

Keynote Presentation: We are honored to welcome Dr. Jean-Claude Tardif, CM, MD (University of Montreal), for his talk: “Curbing Atherosclerosis with Precision Medicine.” As a Canada Research Chair and member of the Order of Canada, Dr. Tardif brings unparalleled expertise in genomic and clinical trials to our stage.

Featured Faculty Sessions:
Dr. Carla Prado: The Missing Organ in Cardiometabolic Care: Why Muscle Changes Everything
Dr. Arnav Agarwal: Trustworthy Evidence Synthesis and Practice Guidance for Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity

Beyond the presentations, we will be recognizing the next generation of researchers with over $5,000 in trainee awards for outstanding oral and poster presentations.

Please join us to support our trainees and engage with the latest developments in cardiovascular science.

📅 Date: Friday, May 22, 2026
📍 Location: Bernard Snell Hall - WMC

🔗 Register here:

The CVRI hosts an annual Research Day to showcase cardiovascular research progress and accomplishments at the University of Alberta, and partners with groups across campus to support additional relevant events and seminars throughout the year.  

05/13/2026

The Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry is launching Civil Discourse: Shaping Professional Identity, an initiative focused on strengthening a professional culture grounded in respect, accountability and community across education, research and clinical practice.

As part of this work, FoMD will welcome Dr. Rachel Ellaway (University of Calgary) for a special Dean’s Lecture exploring professional accountability, professional resistance and the evolving realities of professional culture in academic medicine.

This lecture will serve as a shared starting point for broader dialogue and engagement across the Faculty.
📅 May 20, 2026
🕛 12 p.m.
📍 Katz 1080 + Zoom option
Faculty, staff and learners are encouraged to attend and help shape this important conversation.

Learn more and register:

The Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry (FoMD) is launching Civil Discourse: Shaping Professional Identity, a Dean-supported initiative to strengthen a professional culture grounded in respect, accountability and community.

05/05/2026

A historic milestone for medical research in Alberta. We are proud to celebrate a $93.5-million gift to the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute, the largest in University of Alberta history.

This investment secures another decade of partnership with the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Alberta Women’s Health Foundation, and Alberta Health Services. For our researchers and clinicians, this commitment means ten more years of closing critical gaps in care and driving innovation that directly impacts the lives of women and children.

Advancing care for every stage of life. We are celebrating the largest gift in University of Alberta history—$93.5 million to support the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute.
Our nurses and researchers are essential to improving patient outcomes. This decade-long commitment from our partners ensures we can continue to lead in perinatal health and pediatric care, resulting in healthier pregnancies and more resilient children across Alberta.

Learn more at uab.ca/thrive

04/30/2026

Through the MD Ambassadors program, U of A medical students volunteer their time to help high school students explore future careers in medicine!

Thanks to St. Andrew's School for hosting our medical students!

Learn more about the MD Ambassador Program: https://bit.ly/4u0EtJ0