Spring is an exciting time in the Faculty of Health, filled with momentum, connection and opportunities to make a meaningful impact thanks to the involvement and support of our alumni.
We hosted our first International Women’s Day event, where our dynamic panelists discussed the power of volunteerism. We also acknowledged Health’s outstanding students and alumni at our annual Recognition Reception and celebrated our students during Grad Class Send-off.
As we look to the year ahead, we are planning to continue to expand our outreach to alumni across Canada and build our profile through signature events: the Hallman Lecture and the Fun Run. We hope to see you soon!
In this issue of Health Hub, you will also learn more about Giving Day and how, together, we can create meaningful opportunities for students, fuel bold ideas and strengthen the learning experiences that define Waterloo.
Thank you for your continued generosity and support of the Faculty of Health community. We hope you feel inspired by the stories in this issue and, as always, please reach out if you have ideas, feedback, or would like to learn more about the work we’re doing.
Andrea Carthew
Director of Advancement
Faculty of Health
Alumni feature
Providing cardiac care to children in need
Dr. Nurin Jivani-Tajdin (BSc, Health Studies) is a pediatric cardiologist who co-founded a cardiac surgery initiative for children in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Meet our 2025 Alumni Award recipients
Mike Greenley
Alumni Achievement Award
Mike Greenley (BSc ’90, MSc ’97) is a leader in Canada's space sector, chairing Space Canada’s Board of Directors and sitting as a member of the Business Council of Canada.
Tristin Vogel
Alumni Volunteer Award
Tristin Vogel (MA ’18) is a destination development consultant who designs tourism strategies that reflect local values and create lasting social impact.
Joanna Walters
Alumni Inspiration Award
Joanna Walters (MPH ’21) is an internationally trained physician who co-founded an NGO called Internationally Trained physicians of Ontario (ITPO).
If you know an alum who embodies the Faculty of Health spirit through their contributions to the health and well-being of society, nominate them for an Alumni Award!
Campus collaborations
Building Waterloo's healthiest campus and community
Leaders across sectors explored how a collaborative region can turn evidence into coordinated community action.
Capstones, collaboration and community
Redefining capstone learning by bringing Health students, faculty and community partners together to tackle real-world challenges.
Research in action
Using AI to accelerate drug development
Dr. Helen Chen and PhD candidate Bing Hu demonstrate how machine learning empowers collaboration between computer science, math and medical research.
Rethinking community life for people living with dementia
Dr. Laura Middleton and the Dementia Capable Communities project team help communities rethink how they plan and deliver everyday services.
Swipe right, but safer
A new interactive Safety Map, developed by a team led by Dr. Diana Parry, helps people better understand and navigate safety, risk and support when using dating apps.
Class Notes
Find out what your classmates have been up to and send us your updates!
Upcoming events
Open Heart, Open Mind
Celebrated Olympic medalist and mental health advocate Clara Hughes presents the Hallman Lecture: Open Heart, Open Mind on May 13 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Humanities Theatre, Hagey Hall. Please RSVP for an inspiring reflection on success and depression.
Mark your calendars for these other events and watch our upcoming event page for details on:
- Giving Day — May 21, 2026
- Fun Run — September 19, 2026
- Homecoming — September 19, 2026
Interested in getting back together with your classmates?
Whether it has been 5, 10, 25, 50 or anything in-between, we would love to assist you in planning a reunion. Reach out to Katelyn Gordner to plan a day or weekend of events where you can catch up with your classmates and see how the campus has changed over the years.
Watch your email: Waterloo Giving Day is May 21, 2026.
On May 21, alumni from around the world will come together to connect, celebrate and champion the people, programs and possibilities that define the Waterloo experience. Last year, you showed just how powerful our alumni community can be. Starting May 7, your impact can go twice as far thanks to exciting matching gift opportunities. Watch your email for more details, and get ready to make Giving Day 2026 our biggest celebration of alumni generosity yet!