Roussin to receive honorary doctorate at BU convocation

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This article was published 20/05/2021 (1947 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon University officials will take time out of their upcoming spring convocation to pay tribute to Manitoba’s most visible health official — Dr. Brent Roussin.

According to a Wednesday news release from BU, Roussin will be conferred with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree during this virtual ceremony, which is scheduled to take place on May 27.

BU president David Docherty stated in the news release that Roussin was selected to receive this title based on the work he has put into leading Manitoba’s pandemic response since COVID-19 cases started occurring in March 2020.

“He has exemplified thoughtfulness, care, understanding, and respect for both science and humanity — values that Brandon University strives to pass on to all our graduates,” Docherty said. “Many of our honorary degrees are presented to recognize a lifetime of work. Dr. Roussin has provided a lifetime’s worth in just the past year and a half, and we (are) very pleased to recognize his indispensable contributions.”

Outside of his role as Manitoba’s chief public health officer, Roussin has both a medical degree and a law degree, and he continues to be a practising physician.

He previously served as medical officer of health for the federal First Nations and Inuit Health Branch and was a medical officer of health for northern Manitoba.

Having been freshly installed into the role of the province’s chief public health officer right before the pandemic began, BU officials believe that Roussin successfully rose to the challenge of leading Manitobans throughout this difficult time, using “unflappable calm” to convey the serious nature of the virus.

“Faced with the unenviable task of balancing public health and social needs with political realities and economic demands, Dr. Roussin used a combination of courage and caution to walk a difficult line, giving his leadership an authority that Manitobans trust,” Wednesday’s news release from BU read.

Earlier this month, the non-profit organization Doctors Manitoba also named Roussin as their “2021 Physician of the Year,” highlighting his “unwavering, clear and consistent messaging to the Manitoba population” throughout the pandemic.

Anyone who wants to watch Roussin receive this honorary doctorate from BU can tune in to the school’s virtual convocation ceremony, which will be posted on brandonu.ca/convocation/.

During this online event, BU will also be handing out an honorary Doctor of Laws degree to Indigenous entertainer Tom Jackson for his decades of philanthropy and charity work.

Plus, the ceremony will feature newly christened BU Chancellor Mary Jane McCallum and Meir Serfaty, the latter of whom is receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award after spending nearly 50 years teaching at the university.

» The Brandon Sun