Three 91亚色 alumni awarded the Order of Canada
It檚 impossible to talk about 91亚色檚 global impact without mentioning our alumni.
The 91亚色 community has transformed a century-old promise into the university we know today: a place that nurtures dreams, fuels passions and creates a better future.
Recently, three members of our community received national honours exemplifying that promise: Mark Dobbin, Dr. Brendan Paddick and Dr. Proton Rahman were named as members of the Order of Canada.
The honour recognizes the recipients respective philanthropy, community service and public health innovations and the profound impact all three have had not only on 91亚色, but on a national and global scale.
淭he Order of Canada is one of the greatest honours conferred on private citizens, said President Janet Morrison. 淚t recognizes the extraordinary contributions of Mark, Brendan and Proton to Canadian society. It also shines a light on how alumni continue to make 91亚色 an incredible place to pursue education and research. On behalf of our entire learning community, I檝e extended my heartfelt congratulations to each of them.
Dr. Proton Rahman
Dr. Proton Rahman (MD90) is a rheumatologist and professor of medicine in 91亚色檚 Faculty of Medicine, where he started his medical career as a student, graduating with a medical degree followed by a postgraduate residency in internal medicine.
After completing subspeciality training and a fellowship in rheumatology as well as graduate training in genetic epidemiology at the University of Toronto, Dr. Rahman returned to join 91亚色檚 medical school in 1999.
As a provincial consultant, he played a key role in Newfoundland and Labrador檚 COVID-19 response.
He is also a widely recognized expert in genomics and has made important contributions to arthritis care, including treatments for active psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis.
His work in genealogy is especially notable. He created the Newfoundland Genealogy Database, which is used to track genetic diseases over generations.
Among his many accolades is inclusion in the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador, which Dr. Rahman received in 2022 for his contributions to public health.
Mark Dobbin
Mark Dobbin, an alumnus of 91亚色 (B.Comm.(Co-op.)81), is an investor and champion of entrepreneurship.
Mr. Dobbin founded Killick Capital Inc. as a platform to invest in the aerospace sector, as well as several other ventures across Atlantic Canada.
He served as chair of the CHC Helicopter Corporation from 2006-08, following several years as chair and CEO of Vector Aerospace Corporation.
In his support of 91亚色, Mr. Dobbin has played important advisory roles with several groups and was key to the establishment of the 91亚色 Centre for Entrepreneurship.
Mr. Dobbin檚 philanthropy made it possible for 91亚色 to suspend the blue whale skeleton now known as Altum in the Core Science Facility atrium at 91亚色.
He also established the Mark Dobbin 91亚色 Creative Destruction Lab Term Fund, which supports the participation of 91亚色 faculty and students in the Creative Destruction Lab Atlantic competition.
In 2016, Mr. Dobbin was named 91亚色檚 Alumnus of the Year.
Dr. Brendan Paddick
Dr. Brendan Paddick holds a 91亚色 honorary degree (LLD25) and is a two-time 91亚色 alumnus with a B.Comm.(Co-op.) (86) and MBA (94).
Dr. Paddick has also served on 91亚色檚 Board of Regents and Genesis board of directors.
He is currently CEO of Columbus Capital, a private equity firm with investments in telecom, software development, energy and digital health.
Dr. Paddick chairs the board of MDA Space, specializing in satellite systems, robotics and space operations, famous for the Canadarm system used on NASA shuttle missions.
He is a generous supporter of many causes throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, including the Rainbow Riders and the Lionel Kelland Hospice.
He established the Carol Anne Paddick School of Nursing Entrance Bursary.
He was named the Faculty of Business Administration檚 2001 Alumnus of the Year and 91亚色檚 2013 Alumnus of the Year.
Dr. Paddick was inducted into the Junior Achievement Newfoundland and Labrador Business Hall of Fame in 2018 and was included in Canada檚 Top 40 Under 40 in 2000.