V-P and president of medical student society speak at opening

With bagpipes, balloons and a balmy breeze off Lake Ontario, an enthusiastic crowd of more than 400 Health Sciences donors, alumni, students, faculty and university and city officials celebrated the grand opening today of the university’s stunning new School of Medicine building.

The ceremony was held under a huge awning on the lawns of Summerhill, across from the recently-completed $77-million facility. Richard Reznick, dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, acted as master of ceremonies.

“For the first time in our school’s history we have a true home,” said Dr. Reznick. “This is one of the few purpose-built, pedagogically-oriented medical school buildings in Canada.”

Acknowledging the contributions of many individuals and groups toward making the facility a reality, the dean paid special tribute to his predecessor, David Walker, for whom the atrium – “the crowning centre-piece of our beautiful new building” – is named.

Principal Daniel Woolf recognized the $56-million investment in the medical school building from federal and provincial governments, through the Canada-Ontario Knowledge Infrastructure Program. Combined with generous gifts from benefactors, alumni, students and medical and clinical faculty, he said, “The broad base of support for this initiative demonstrates how enthusiastically anticipated it is in our community.”

Other speakers included Chancellor David Dodge, Board of Trustees chair Bill Young, Kingston mayor Mark Gerretsen, Health Sciences Vice-Dean Lewis Tomalty, alumnus Gordon Francis, Meds ’74, and the president and V-P of the medical student society, Thurarshen Jeyalingam and Renee Pang.

The event concluded with a symbolic presentation of the key to the building from Dean Reznick and Principal Woolf to the student leaders, after which guests were invited to tour the new facilities.