President and Vice-Chancellor, Memorial University
Hon. Dr. Andrew Furey, B.Sc.’97, MD’01, and M.Sc.’04
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
AWARDS CEREMONY
Dr. Jennifer Lokash
University Orator
Memorial University
Performance by Memorial University students
Outstanding
Community
Service Award
for volunteer contributions to the community at large
ARTHUR RIDEOUT
B.Med.Sci.’86, MD’88
Dr. Arthur Rideout stands for leaving the world better than he found it, a principle instilled in him by his parents.
As a dedicated reconstructive surgeon, his efforts have transformed the lives of countless children born with cleft lip and palate, hand injuries and burns. Through more than 50 humanitarian missions with several organizations, including Operation Smile and Team Broken Earth — a charity he co-founded — Dr. Rideout has provided life-changing surgeries to many global citizens, particularly in disaster-stricken areas including post-earthquake Haiti.
His leadership has been pivotal in expanding Team Broken Earth from a local initiative into a national, volunteer-driven organization that continues to deliver medical relief and education in some of the world’s most challenging environments.
In addition to his clinical work and leadership roles at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association, Dr. Rideout has played a significant role as an educator at Memorial University’s Faculty of Medicine.
His influence on the next generation of health-care professionals ensures that his values of compassion, perseverance and community service will be carried forward.
His extraordinary service has been recognized with honours such as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, inspiring others to follow his example of dedication to making the world a better place.
Dr. Rideout’s journey from “Come From Away” to community cornerstone exemplifies the profound impact one individual can have when driven by a genuine desire to contribute to the greater good.
Horizon Award for exceptional achievement by a Memorial graduate 35
years of age and younger
MARK BROWNE BA(Hons.)’15, MBA’24
Mark Browne’s commitment to community, democracy and justice is just the kind of outstanding contribution an alumnus under the age of 35 must achieve to be considered for the Horizon Award.
From a young age, he took on positions to contribute to his rural community. At the age of 16, his first summer job was working for his member of Parliament, Judy M. Foote.
At the age of 22, he was elected as a member of the House of Assembly for Placentia West-Bellevue, making him the youngest person in Newfoundland and Labrador history to serve in the House.
As parliamentary secretary to then-premier Dwight Ball and later to the minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry, Innovation and Francophone Affairs, he was given additional responsibilities.
Following his time in public office, Mr. Browne went from being a law-maker to a law student at the University of New Brunswick where he graduated at the top of his class.
Eager to pursue justice as an advocate for others, his excellence in trial advocacy and pro bono work earned him the Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella Award, bestowed upon a graduating law student most likely to make important contributions to the Canadian justice system by positively influencing equity and social justice, nationally or globally.
In addition to his law degree, Mr. Browne holds a bachelor of arts (honours) degree in political science and French and a master of business administration degree from Memorial, alongside a master’s degree in international relations (distinction) earned while living in Paris.
Following law school, he clerked at the Court of Appeal for Ontario, including Ontario’s chief justice. He was called to the bar in June 2024 and is now clerking at the Supreme Court of Canada.
J.D. Eaton Award for volunteer contributions to Memorial University
LEE ERRETT
B.MED.SCI.’75, MD’77
Dr. Lee Errett is as celebrated for his generous donation of time and expertise to the Memorial University community as he is for his astounding global accomplishments.
The cardiac surgeon is renowned for his devotion to providing care to underserved populations.
As an active participant in the Faculty of Medicine Development Council, he provides valuable insight, advice and direction as the faculty moves towards its future development and philanthropic goals.
Dr. Errett has proudly supported the Faculty of Medicine in a variety of ways over the past 15 years, as both a volunteer and donor.
His impact has been felt throughout all levels of the faculty and university, making positive and enduring impacts on Memorial’s students, faculty and campuses.
He was a major contributor to the faculty’s Building a Healthy Tomorrow campaign, donating more than $200,000 in furniture for board rooms and public seating areas.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he personally sourced and shipped approximately $40,000 in masks, gloves, body gowns, surgical masks and goggles, replenishing diminishing supplies in various locations.
During the Faculty of Medicine’s 2022 reunion, Dr. Errett made an unexpected gift of $25,000 to the university in support of the student Thriving Fund and agreed to use the gift for Memorial’s Giving Tuesday initiative.
As an accomplished cardiac surgeon and professor of surgery at the University of Toronto, Dr. Errett has been well-celebrated throughout his career for advancing the Division of Cardiac Surgery at St. Michael’s Hospital.
Much of his career has been devoted to establishing a global surgery program that spans 30 years and 34 countries.
He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2024.
Alumna of the Year Award
JANICE FITZGERALD
B.SC.’90, B.MED. SCI.’94, MD’94, MPH’16
In 2019, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald was appointed chief medical officer of health for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Little did she know what was just around the corner.
Responsible for guiding the provincial public health response during the COVID-19 pandemic, the province boasted one of the best responses in the country leading to low case numbers, hospitalization and death rates, the highest vaccination rates and relatively relaxed public health measures.
While anchoring public health measures in the best available evidence, Dr. Fitzgerald kept the people of the province at the forefront, leading with compassion, empathy and humility.
She became a trusted source of information and guidance and provided a collective sense of calm with her mantra of “Hold fast, Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Previous to this life-changing role, Dr. Fitzgerald worked in long-term care in rural and urban areas of the province, as well as family medicine and emergency medicine.
She has been clinical chief of long-term care and regional medical officer of health in the former Eastern Health region and worked in public health policy with the province’s Department of Health and Community Services.
In 2020, Dr. Fitzgerald received the College of Family Physicians of Canada’s Family Physician of the Year award and a YWCA St. John’s Honorary Woman of Distinction Award.
In 2022, she was named to the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador for her contribution to health care. In 2021, she was recognized by Memorial’s doctor of medicine Class of 2025.
THANK YOU
The Alumni Tribute Awards would not be possible without the hard work and commitment of those who serve on its selection committee.
We would also like to thank those who took the time to nominate the award recipients. We are extremely proud to celebrate their success and the success of all our alumni who are making a difference.
ALUMNI TRIBUTE AWARDS SELECTION COMMITTEE
Robert Dowden, Chair (BA’90)
Michelle Baikie (B.Ed.’03)
Aatif Baskanderi (B.Eng.’08, M.Eng.’15)
Brad Hollett (BBA’96, MBA’05)
Richard Mandeville (B.Eng.’05)
Mimi Sheriff (MA’12)
Sharon Smith (BN’79, MN’96)
NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2025 ALUMNI TRIBUTE AWARDS
Nominations are open year-round! Please considering nominating deserving alumni in 2025! Learn more at www.mun.ca/ alumni/honouring-our-alumni/alumnitribute-awards/
PAST ALUMNI OF THE YEAR/LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT RECIPIENTS
1982 Harry Steele, OC, B.Ed.‘53
1983 Dr. Arthur May, OC, B.Sc.(Hons.)’58, M.Sc.’64, Honorary D.Sc.’89
1984 Dr. Gwynne Dyer, OC, BA’63, Honorary D.Litt.’01
1985 Dr. Victor Young, OC, B.Comm.(Hons.)’66, Honorary LLD’96
1986 Dr. Grace Sparkes, OC, BA’65, Honorary LLD’92
1987 Gerald Tilley, B.Comm.’68
1988 Dr. Linda Inkpen, CM, B.Sc.’69, B.Ed.’70, B.Med.Sci.’72, MD’74, Honorary LLD, 09
1989 Hon. Dr. William Rompkey, BA’57, Dip.Ed.’58, MA’62, Honorary LLD’00
1990 Hon. Dr. Clyde Wells, ONL,QC, BA’59, Honorary LLd’96.
1991 Dr. Harold Lundrigan, CM, Dip.Eng.’49
1992 Agnes Richard, BA(Ed.)’58, BA’80, M.Ed.’87
1993 Dr. David Jewer, B.Sc.(Hons.)’75, B.Med.Sci.’79, MD’81
1994 Dr. Rex Anthony, B.Comm.(Hons.)’68, Honorary LLD‘10
1995 Hon. Dr. P. Lloyd Soper, MUC’40, Honorary LLD’88
1996 Dr. Lynn Verge, BA’70, Honorary LLD’98
1997 Dr. Kevin Major, B.Sc.’73, Honorary D.Litt.’11
1998 A. Douglas Moores, QC, B.Comm.’68
1999 Great Big Sea band members
Alan Doyle, CM, BA’92, Bob Hallett, BA’90
Sean McCann, BA’89, Darrell Power, BA’91
2000 Dr. Susan Dyer Knight, CM, ONL, B.Mus.’83, B.Mus.Ed.’83, Honorary LLD‘04
2001 Noel Veitch, BA(Ed.)’59
2002 Eric Jerrett, CM, Dip.Eng’61
2003 Hon. Dr. Alex Hickman, QC, OC, MUC’44, Honorary LLD’13
2004 Dr. Robert Roberts, B.Sc.’61
2005 Dr. James Barnes, BA(Hons.)’66, B.Comm.(Hons.)’66
2006 Hon. Frank Fagan, CM, ONL, BA’79, MBA’82
2007 Dr. Darryl Fry, ONL, Dip. Eng.’59, B.Sc.’59, Honorary LLD’97
2008 Dr. Sister Elizabeth Davis, ONL, RSM, CM, BA’75, B.Ed.’75, Honorary LLD’02
2009 Hon. Dr. Edward Roberts, CM, ONL, , QC, Honorary LLD’03, MA’06
2010 Hon. Dr. Max House, CM, OC, ONL, MUC’47, Honorary LLD’99
2011 Rhonda Zygocki, B.Eng.’80
2012 Dr. Andrew Furey, B.Sc.’97, MD’01, M.Sc.’04
2013 Brendan Paddick, B.Comm.(Co-op.)’86, MBA’94
2014 Jane Rowe B.Comm.(Hons.)(Co-op.)’81
2015 Geoff Eaton, BBA’98
2016 Mark Dobbin, B.Comm.(Co-op.)’81
2017 Catherine Courage, B.Sc.(Hons.)’97
2018 Paul Antle, B.Sc.’85
2019 Barry Perry, B.Comm.(Hons.)(Co-op.)’86
2020 Lisa Browne, BA’91, MB’93
2021 Dr. Liqin Chen, PhD’93
2022 Dr. Lisa Barrett, B.Sc.(Hons.)’98, MD’05, PhD’09
