UdeM Optometry Professor Named Knight of the Ordre de Montréal

Tuesday, May 13 2025 | 09 h 01 min | News

On May 17, during the City of Montréal’s official anniversary celebrations, three professors from the Université de Montréal will be inducted into the Ordre de Montréal—one of the city’s highest civic honours. Among them is optometry professor Dr. Benoît Tousignant, recognized for his outstanding public health work in eye care.

Dr. Tousignant, a faculty member of both the School of Optometry and the School of Public Health, has made a significant impact through his efforts to serve marginalized populations, including Indigenous peoples, incarcerated individuals, and those experiencing homelessness. He leads Regard collectif, a mobile optometry clinic that delivers eye care services to people living on the streets of Montréal.

In addition to providing urgently needed vision care, the initiative also serves as a training platform for future optometrists and a base for public health research.

His work exemplifies a deep commitment to equitable access to vision care and reflects a broader view of health that continues to shape both clinical practice and optometric education.

Dr. Tousignant is one of three Université de Montréal professors to receive the distinction this year. Joining him are Dr. Daniel Bichet, a renowned nephrologist and researcher, and Dr. Laurent Mottron, a global expert in autism research. All three will be named Knights of the Ordre de Montréal for their contributions to the city and their respective fields.

Source: Université de Montréal

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