Former Health Minister Theresa Oswald to receive Honorary Diploma from Assiniboine College

At their graduation ceremony in Winnipeg this November, Assiniboine College will award an Honorary Diploma in Health Leadership to Theresa Oswald, recognizing her outstanding contributions to health care, public service, education and leadership in Manitoba.

A proud Winnipeger who grew up in the city's St. Vital neighbourhood, Oswald has devoted her life to serving Manitobans through leadership, advocacy and a steadfast commitment to improving lives.

Beginning her professional journey as an educator and administrator, she went on to serve as the MLA for Seine River, holding portfolios such as Manitoba's Minister of Healthy Living, Minster of Jobs and the Economy, and Minister of Health; with the latter giving her the distinction of becoming Canada’s longest-serving health minister (2006-2013) since the introduction of Medicare. Today, as CEO of Doctors Manitoba, she continues her work to champion a stronger, more sustainable health-care system.

Assiniboine College President Mark Frison shared that Oswald’s footprint on the healthcare sector extends far beyond her current role.

"Theresa's career is a powerful reminder that leadership is ultimately about serving others," said Mark Frison, President of Assiniboine College. "Whether as an educator, as Manitoba's longest-serving health minister, or as the leader of Doctors Manitoba, she has led with integrity, compassion and a deep commitment to the public good. We hope her example will resonate with our graduates as they begin the next chapter of their own journeys."

For Oswald, receiving the honour from Assiniboine represents a meaningful connection between the values that have guided her throughout her career and her current role shaping the future of healthcare in Manitoba.

"It is a tremendous honour," said Oswald. "Being recognized by an esteemed educational institution in Manitoba truly goes to my personal and professional heart."

Throughout her journey, Oswald has remained a strong advocate for the role education plays in shaping communities and solving complex challenges. As graduates prepare to enter an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world, Oswald believes the skills that matter most remain deeply human. While technological advances continue to transform workplaces and communities, she stresses the importance of maintaining strong foundations in communication, critical thinking and problem-solving.

"We have to keep up with how quickly the world is changing through technology, but at the same time hold dear the values of writing, communicating, reading critically and problem-solving," she said. "Those skills will allow us to use technological tools to our advantage."

She also points to communication and collaboration as essential qualities of tomorrow’s most effective leaders.

"At the centre of almost every challenge you're going to encounter, there's almost nothing that can't be solved through good communication," Oswald said. "Being able to identify problems, ask questions and work together with mutual respect is how you get the job done."

Assiniboine College awards Honorary Diplomas to recognize individuals whose achievements, leadership and service have made a lasting impact on their profession, their communities and society as a whole. Through her decades of service in education, government and health care, Oswald is an example of those qualities, and the college is excited to recognize her alongside the graduating class.

The college will present her Honorary Diploma in Health Leadership at the college’s graduation ceremony at the RBC Convention Centre, November 10 at 2:00 p.m.