Famous authors, Nobel Prize winners, business leaders, and world-renowned humanitarians, Trent’s alumni have gone on to live extraordinary lives and Dr. James Orbinski ’80 is no exception.

On March 30, Dr. Orbinski added another accolade to his long list of achievements as the winner of one of Canada’s most prestigious medical awards, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada's Teasdale-Corti Humanitarian Award.

“Dr. Orbinski has devoted his career to humanitarian medicine in famine, war and genocide, as well as developing new medicines, creating award-winning research and engaging others through advocacy and policy," said Royal College CEO Andrew Padmos, MD, FRCPC.

Dr. Orbinski is a founder and past president of Médecins Sans Frontières /Doctors Without Borders (MSF). In this role, he accepted the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the organization. Dr. Orbinski was head of mission both in Zaire during the refugee crisis of 1996-97 and in Rwanda during the civil war and genocide in 1994. He was also medical coordinator in Somalia during the 1992-93 famine and civil war. Currently, Dr. Orbinski is the co-founder and chair of the Board of Directors of Dignitas International, a medical humanitarian organization working with communities to dramatically increase access to life-saving treatment and prevention in areas overwhelmed by HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Orbinski graduated from Trent University in 1984 with a degree in Psychology. Trent presented Dr. Orbinski with an honorary degree in 2001.

Speaking of his time at Trent, Dr. Orbinski has said: “Trent has given me skills and a joy in learning that allow me to continuously adapt and shape my participation in the world.”

Learn more about Dr. Orbinski and his time at Trent in Trent Magazine.