Hon. Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia: Thank you, Your Honour, and let me add my name to the list of congratulations to you. It’s wonderful to see you in the chair.

Honourable senators, I rise today with a deep sense of respect and gratitude as we recognize the remarkable achievements of Dr. Ian Bowmer, who is joining us today. A highly skilled clinician, medical educator, researcher and trailblazing leader, Ian has carved out a career that has influenced an entire generation of medical practitioners.

As an internist, infectious disease specialist and HIV/AIDS care provider and researcher for 40 years, Dr. Bowmer is recognized as an international authority and global expert in this field. He has held several pivotal positions throughout his career. He was elected president of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in February 2019. Effective March of this year, he accepted the role in an interim position. His resolute and steadfast commitment navigated the Royal College through the turbulent waters of the recent pandemic. Ian has also served as executive director and CEO of the Medical Council of Canada for 11 years, retiring in October 2018. He is the recipient of several honours, including Canada’s One Hundred and Twenty‑Fifth Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal; election to the Royal College of Physicians of London, England; and the Senate One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary Medal for contributions to the community — just to name a few.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr. Bowmer is known for his compassion and dedication to serving underserviced communities. He has been actively involved in outreach programs, volunteering his time and expertise to help improve access to health care and reduce health disparities, making a significant impact on the lives of many.

My own career has been profoundly influenced by his vision and support of enhancing rural and remote medicine. Dr. Bowmer is professor emeritus and the former dean of medicine at the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University. He appointed me to the faculty in 1992, meaning that, yes, he is indeed my former boss and someone who I continue to admire and respect. He laid the foundation for medical training in a longitudinal fashion outside of a tertiary care environment in my province. Ian has a deep passion for the arts and literature, superb culinary skills à la Gordon Ramsay and a truly altruistic and caring persona balanced by a mischievous sense of humour.

My colleagues in this chamber and I applaud you for your many contributions to our home province of Newfoundland and Labrador and to our country and for your global achievements.

Thank you. Meegwetch.