Posted on May 12: McMaster to confer degrees on 409 health sciences students
McMaster University will confer honorary degrees on the Ruler of Sharjah and a former dean of McMaster University's Faculty of Health Sciences during its health sciences convocation on Friday, May 14.
Four hundred and nine health sciences students, including doctors, nurses, midwives and health specialists, will graduate at the 2:30 p.m. Hamilton Place ceremony.
His Highness Shaikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al-Qassimi, member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Sharjah will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree and speak to the graduates.
His Highness is known as a scholar, humanitarian, and humanist who has enhanced the culture and health of his country and region. He holds an engineering degree and doctorates in history and political geography, and is president of both the University of Sharjah and the American University of Sharjah. In partnership with McMaster, His Highness has developed a College of Health Sciences at the University of Sharjah.
Jack Laidlaw, dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences from 1981 to 1985, will receive an honorary Doctor of Science Degree. A leading scientist in the field of endocrinology, his concern for patients led him to focus on patient-centred care, communications with patients and between health professionals, supportive care for cancer patients and the education of future health care providers. He is now consultant emeritus to Cancer Care Ontario and a consultant to Cancer Care International.
The first 75 graduates of McMaster's Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) program will be included in this year's convocation ceremony. This highly sought-after program leads to multi-disciplinary careers in the health field.
President's Awards for Excellence in Student Leadership will be given to medical student Gregory Athlaide and Bachelor of Health Sciences student, Sean Park.
Athlaide is the first student to serve on the executive of the Hamilton Academy of Medicine. He has been a strong advocate on the executive of the Medical Student Council, chaired the Ontario Medical Association's student section, and represented Ontario with the Canadian Federation of Medical Students.
Park was among the first students enrolled in the new Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) program. He co-founded and became the first chair of the Bachelor of Health Sciences Society, and started MACycle Co-op, a service designed to enhance bicycle transportation for students.
Deborah Cook, professor of critical care medicine, will be receiving a President's Award for Excellence in Educational Leadership. Cook has been one of the most influential leaders in the movement to encourage evidence-based decision-making among clinicians.
Degrees to be conferred Friday are: Doctor of Philosophy (eight), Master of Science (13), Doctor of Medicine (130), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (135), Bachelor of Health Sciences, Midwifery (10), Bachelor of Health Science – Honours (75), Bachelor of Health Sciences (two), Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety (13), Diploma in Child Life Studies (10), Diploma in Environmental Health (10), Diploma in Clinical Behavioural Sciences (one).
