Congratulations to our outstanding alumni!
Alumni achievement award recipients were announced in October 2021. Nominations are being accepted until April 30, 2022 for the 2022 Alumni Awards. Nominate an outstanding alumnus today!
Young Alumni Award 2021
Marc Lafleur - Supporting healthier communities
Marc Lafleur (BSc ‘14) is an Innovative entrepreneur who has applied his business acumen and education toward developing a startup that has the potential to improve public nutrition. He is the CEO and co-founder of truLOCAL – an online marketplace that connects consumers to local suppliers that provide clean, locally sourced meat products. Marc is a graduate of the Faculty of Health and completed his Bachelor of Science in Health Studies in 2014.
Apart from truLOCAL’s ongoing contribution to supporting healthier communities, truLOCAL has also provided e-commerce solutions to farmers and producers who otherwise would not have had the opportunity to sell their products online. Furthermore, Marc has consistently been involved in community initiatives, including giving back to frontline workers, donating to the local food bank and, most recently, starting a $20,000 grant for Black and POC entrepreneurs.
Marc has also volunteered his time to record a podcast about resilience and finding your own path after graduation. His perseverance and dedication are two consistent attributes that contribute to his success today.
Marc is admired by his colleagues, friends and family for his constant hustle and dedication toward creating initiatives that give back and support his community. In recognition of his impact, Marc Lafleur is the recipient of the 2021 Faculty of Health Young Alumni Award.
Alumni Achievement Award 2021
Dr. Natasha Lane - Serving the global community
Dr. Natasha Lane (BSc ‘09, MSc ‘11) has made outstanding contributions to the field of Geriatrics and is admired by her colleagues for her integrity, leadership and collaborative spirit. Natasha completed her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science (2009) with the Faculty of Science, and her Master of Science in Health Studies and Gerontology (2011) with the Faculty of Health. She has additionally received a PhD in Health Services Research (2016), and a Doctor of Medicine (2020) from the University of Toronto.
In her years since graduation, Natasha has maintained her close ties with the Faculty of Health while serving the global community with her expertise. In 2014, Natasha won the prestigious $150,000 Vanier Scholarship to fund her work studying disability in long-term care residents; this work has been widely cited and won numerous international awards. From 2012 to 2016, she mentored undergraduate medical students on projects to improve infection control in hospitals throughout Kathmandu, Nepal. More recently, Natasha co-authored the first Canadian report on COVID-19’s impact on long-term care residents in Canada. She is currently a physician in Internal Medicine with a research program focused on improving the care of older adults with geriatric depression, delirium and dementia.
In recognition of her contributions to supporting global health and well-being through her research and embodying the academic excellence and community engagement the University of Waterloo stands by, Natasha Lane is the recipient of the 2021 Faculty of Health Alumni Achievement Award.
Talented new alumni recognized at 2021 Convocations
Sara Wyngaarden
Governor General's Academic Gold Medal
Highest standing in a Master’s program
The University of Waterloo Alumni Gold Medal
Awarded for outstanding academic achievement in a master's program
Tina Jiao
Governor General's Academic Silver Medal
Highest standing in an undergraduate degree program
Departmental Award - Kinesiology
Highest academic achievement
Rithvika Ramesh
2021 Faculty of Health Valedictorian
Michael Paris
University Finalist for the Alumni Gold Medal
Nominated for outstanding achievement in a doctoral degree program
