Over 300 new graduates from the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences beamed with pride as they walked across the stage at the 59th annual UM Fall Convocation Oct. 20 on the Fort Garry campus.
“Now it’s time to celebrate,” said respiratory therapy grad Emily Firth, who won the University Gold Medal, awarded for highest standing in an undergraduate faculty, college or school.
Firth was one of 10 graduates from the bachelor of respiratory therapy program at the College of Rehabilitation Sciences (CoRS). She recently began working at Children’s Hospital, where she helps children and their families during stressful times.
“I’m excited just be there to help make their experience any better than it can be,” she said.
The ceremony included greetings from UM president Dr. Michael Benarroch and Chancellor Dave Angus, who congratulated the Class of 2026 on entering the next chapter of their lives.
“We feel pride as we look out at you and see such an impressive group of leaders, with the seeds of courage in one hand and humility in the other. You are ready for the next challenge,” Angus said.
At the ceremony, Lisa Diamond-Burchuk, senior instructor of occupational therapy, was awarded the Olive Beatrice Stanton Award for excellence in teaching at UM.
The most touching moment of the afternoon came when a posthumous degree was given to William Husarewycz from the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program. He received a lengthy standing ovation as his wife, Krysta, accepted the degree on his behalf.
In addition to the respiratory therapy grads, CoRS had 52 graduates each from its master’s programs in occupational and physical therapy, as well as three from its master of science program.
Occupational therapy (OT) graduate Cierra McNeill recently started working at Siloam Mission’s new transitional care unit, as the unit’s first occupational therapist.
“If community members are in the hospital, and are no longer acute but require some medical monitoring, this could be a good place for them. A lot of this is building relationships with the community members, which I really love. I think that they all have unique stories,” she said.
Kyle Tomchuk, also an OT grad, started working this week at St. Anthony’s General Hospital in The Pas. After completing a fieldwork placement there, Tomchuk, who was born and raised in Thompson, Man., said he was drawn to the community as a meaningful way to give back to northern Manitoba.
“The north helped shape who I am, and my fieldwork showed me how difficult the access to resources and services really are, and honestly, I’d like to change that,” he said.
Physical therapy (PT) grad Tanner Ducharme recently started working at a physiotherapy clinic in Winnipeg’s St. James neighbourhood. He was drawn to the profession because of his own experience with physiotherapists when he played hockey and baseball as a young athlete.
“What got me into it was the personal connection I was able to make with my therapists,” he said. “I want to develop that connection with people. I love hearing people’s stories and seeing what makes them happy.”
Calvin Reimer, also a PT grad, was one of 24 CoRS students honoured at an awards ceremony earlier in the day at Canad Inns Health Sciences Centre.
Reimer, who also has a UM degree in kinesiology, has been working at a physiotherapy clinic in Winnipeg’s Fort Rouge area for the last six weeks.
“It’s already been cool to have some follow-up appointments and see people make improvements and feel better. That’s what makes it all feel worth it,” he said.
Mackenzie Alexiuk and Cass Kolt graduated from the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program and they both have jobs lined up at the Health Sciences Centre in internal medicine.
Alexiuk said that most, or all, of her 27 classmates have secured jobs and some are already working. She said she’s thankful to be entering the physician assistant (PA) profession in Manitoba.
“Manitoba, in my opinion, is one of the best places, if not the best place, to be a PA, or especially a new PA grad,” said Alexiuk, who grew up in Winnipeg. “I feel all the docs here know what PAs are, they want PAs and they’re eager to hire them.”
Alexiuk said it felt surreal to have finished the program after two years of hard work.
“My thoughts are, ‘Wow, the whiplash is over. Wow, I’m really proud of myself and my classmates. And wow, I’m excited to start work soon and support Manitoba’s health-care system,’” Alexiuk said.
Kolt is happy to have completed the challenging program.
“The pace was ferocious. The testing is intense, but at the same time, I made friends that I’ll know probably forever,” said Kolt, who got a matching tattoo with three of his classmates to mark the end of the program.
“So, all those difficult things about PA school – the time, the pace, the sacrifice, the financial sacrifice, too – are worth it just because of the life that comes afterwards.”
On top of the PA program’s demands, Kolt welcomed his first child during year one.
“It was intense. I had a unique experience that way,” he said.
Miracle Okose, one of 125 new bachelor of nursing (BN) grads, recently began working in the urgent care department at Victoria Hospital.
“What drew me to nursing was the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives,” said Okose. “More than anything, nursing has given me a sense of purpose, knowing that I can be there for people during some of their most difficult moments.”
Jessica Mattner started the BN program when her daughter was five years old. She’s thankful for how accommodating the program was for her and her family.
“It was hard to juggle between my spouse’s work, my class times and clinicals and everything, but we made it work. They let me choose places that were close to her daycare for easier pickup and drop-offs, so that was super helpful,” she said.
Mattner did her senior practicum in cardiac surgery and would like to continue in that area. But she’s open to some of the other specialties she explored in the program as well.
“You’re not limited at all in nursing. I did a rotation of mental health. It was so different than all the other units I had been on and I loved it, too.”
The College of Nursing also had 33 graduates from its master’s programs, including 26 new nurse practitioners, and two PhD graduates.
See a social media reel for highlights from the convocation ceremony.
Learn more about the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences:
UM Bisons are at the centre of it all, making a difference here in Manitoba and around the world. Many graduates recognized at Convocation will stay in Manitoba, supplying high-demand skills to the labour market and contributing to UM’s economic impact on our community.
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