2025 Leadership Award Winners
clinician educator
Dr. Asif Doja
Dr. Doja is recognized for his exceptional and sustained contributions to medical education, particularly in pediatric neurology. He has demonstrated exemplary leadership in founding and growing a thriving pediatric neurology residency program at the University of Ottawa, significantly shaping medical training both nationally and internationally. His research and advocacy on the hidden curriculum have garnered international recognition, and his leadership as Chair of the University Postgraduate Accreditation Committee—successfully overseeing 68 residency programs through accreditation—underscores his organizational and academic impact. Dr. Doja embodies the principles of educational excellence and mentorship, and the Committee believes his career reflects the highest standards of clinician education.
emerging leader
(large institution)
Dr. Nicholas Chadi
Dr. Chadi has demonstrated exceptional leadership in adolescent medicine, with a focus on gender diversity and substance use. His work at CHU Sainte-Justine and the Université de Montréal has positioned him as a leader in developing innovative, evidence-based care models for vulnerable youth. He co-founded a pediatric gender diversity clinic and established clinical pathways for substance use treatment among adolescents. With over 100 publications, extensive media engagement, and influential work in public policy, Dr. Chadi’s contributions bridge clinical practice, academic research, and health advocacy. The Committee recognizes his visionary approach and cross-sector impact as hallmarks of a truly outstanding emerging academic leader.
clinician practicioner
Dr. Jean-Yves Frappier
Dr. Frappier is a nationally and internationally respected leader in adolescent medicine and child protection. A co-founder of the Adolescent Medicine subspecialty at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, he has also served for over two decades on the executive of the International Association for Adolescent Health. His nearly five decades of work have profoundly shaped clinical care, policy, and advocacy for vulnerable youth, particularly in the areas of child maltreatment and sexual violence prevention. Dr. Frappier has also held significant leadership roles as an educator, department chair, researcher, and past President of the Canadian Paediatric Society. The Committee considers his contributions foundational to the advancement of pediatric care in Canada and beyond.
emerging leader
(medium institution)
Dr. Jennifer Seelisch
Dr. Seelisch exemplifies the qualities of a well-rounded academic leader, with notable achievements in undergraduate medical education, oncology-focused quality improvement, and departmental financial governance. Her roles as Undergraduate Medical Education Lead, Chair of the Financial Management Committee, and champion for oncology service improvements illustrate her capacity to lead across diverse domains. She is recognized by peers for her strategic insight, collaborative approach, and the ability to inspire trust and enthusiasm. Her impact extends beyond her institution, as reflected in her receipt of the 2023 POGO Young Professionals Award. The Committee views her as an emerging leader with significant influence and promise in academic pediatrics.
clinician investigator
Dr. Brian Michael Feldman
Dr. Feldman is widely acknowledged as an international leader in pediatric rheumatology research. His career has been marked by pioneering contributions to clinical trial methodology, novel research approaches, and global research collaboration. His work has transformed how childhood rheumatic diseases are studied and treated. As a mentor and research leader, Dr. Feldman has supported the development of numerous clinician-scientists and advanced both the science and practice of pediatric care. The Committee considers his research legacy and leadership to exemplify the highest level of academic excellence and innovation.
2024 Leadership Award Winners
clinician investigator
Dr. Stuart Eric Turvey
Dr. Turvey is a Pediatric Immunologist, Professor of Pediatrics at the University of British Columbia, and the Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Pediatric Precision Health.
Dr. Turvey is internationally recognized for his groundbreaking research in childhood immune deficiency, allergy, asthma, and autoimmune disorders. His work focuses on developing precision health strategies to improve outcomes for children with complex immune system diseases. He has published over 300 peer-reviewed papers, holds an h-index of 73, and has secured more than $20 million in research funding.
A dedicated mentor and champion for equity, diversity, and inclusion in academic pediatrics, Dr. Turvey has a remarkable track record of supporting the next generation of clinician-scientists. All of the trainees from his laboratory have secured external funding and progressed to successful careers in academia, industry, clinical training, or faculty roles.
clinician educator
Dr. Stacey Bernstein
Dr. Bernstein is a passionate and visionary medical educator whose leadership and contributions have shaped Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) over the past two decades. She currently serves as Assistant Director of Career Advising at Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, following a decade as Clerkship Director for the MD Program and five years as Undergraduate Director for Pediatrics.
Dr. Bernstein is an exemplary teacher, mentor, and role model, deeply engaged across the educational continuum. Her extensive contributions span curriculum innovation, learner assessment, education scholarship, and faculty development. In 2014, she led the development of a large, multi-site urban Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship—an innovative model that has transformed clinical learning experiences for medical students.
Widely recognized for her excellence in teaching, Dr. Bernstein has received accolades at the hospital, university, and national levels. Trainees consistently describe her as an “exceptional role model,” “enthusiastic,” “approachable,” and “a provider of prompt and meaningful feedback.” Her mentorship is marked by generosity, authenticity, and an unwavering commitment to the professional growth of her colleagues and learners. Dr. Bernstein’s impact is felt locally, nationally, and internationally through her dedication to improving the quality of medical education.
clinician practitioner
Dr. Indra Narang
Dr. Narang, as the Director of Sleep Medicine, established a state-of-the-art paediatric clinical sleep program with education, training and research firmly embedded into this program. This program is recognized nationally and internationally as a leading paediatric sleep center of excellence. As an international leader in Sleep Medicine, Dr. Narang has been actively engaged in improving sleep health of all children by promoting high-quality and innovative patient centered care through advocacy, education, strategic research, and evidence-based practice standards. Significantly, Dr. Narang is an excellent role model and mentor and has been instrumental in training the next generation of paediatric sleep physicians.
Dr. Narang is an exceptional clinician, teacher and role model who embodies the values of empathy, compassion and humility in all her work. Under her leadership, Dr. Narang established a state-of-the-art Paediatric Sleep Medicine Program in Canada that is recognized internationally as a leading clinical, training and academic centre of excellence. Since 2007, as the first Director of Sleep Medicine at SickKids, Dr. Narang has re-imagined and transformed the clinical care of children with sleep disorders by leading and promoting high quality patient centered care through advocacy, education, innovative research, and knowledge translation.
emerging leader
(medium institution)
Dr. David Lysecki
Dr. Lysecki is an emerging national leader in pediatric palliative care whose visionary work is reshaping how children and families experience complex, life-limiting illnesses. An Associate Professor in the Division of Hematology & Oncology at McMaster University and McMaster Children’s Hospital, Dr. Lysecki has transformed a critical gap in child health—organized, compassionate palliative care—into a robust, interdisciplinary model of service, education, and research.
In just nine years on faculty, Dr. Lysecki founded the innovative QoLA Care program, delivering five pillars of pediatric palliative care: quality of life support, care planning, respite, end-of-life care, and grief and bereavement services for children and their families. His efforts have brought together clinical, academic, political, and community-based partners to build a sustainable and exemplary model of care that extends well beyond hospital walls.
Dr. Lysecki is also a dedicated educator and mentor. He teaches healthcare leadership to pediatric trainees, notably as a facilitator at the Pediatric Resident Leadership Conference since 2020. His recent workshop at the Hospice Palliative Care Ontario (HPCO) Conference focused on developing palliative programs within Ontario’s evolving healthcare infrastructure, reflecting his commitment to knowledge translation and system-level change.
Through his leadership, compassion, and academic rigor, Dr. Lysecki is advancing pediatric palliative care across Canada—creating meaningful impact for children, families, and the healthcare professionals who serve them.
emerging leader
(large institution)
Dr. Abraham (Abe) Denburg
Dr. Denburg is a pediatric oncologist and clinician-scientist whose leadership in pediatric drug policy and global childhood cancer care is transforming health systems in Canada and around the world. He is a Staff Oncologist and Clinician-Scientist at the Hospital for Sick Children and Associate Professor at the University of Toronto’s Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation.
Dr. Denburg leads an ambitious, equity-focused research program dedicated to improving outcomes for children with cancer through health system strengthening and evidence-informed policy development. His work has had tangible impacts on national drug policy in Canada and on cancer care access in low- and middle-income countries—particularly in Africa—where his research has driven health equity and reduced outcome disparities for children facing cancer.
A national leader in pediatric drug policy, Dr. Denburg serves as Academic Director for the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) and Co-Chair of the Essential Medicines Committee for the International Society of Pediatric Oncology. He has authored more than 80 peer-reviewed publications in leading journals such as The Lancet and BMJ, and has secured over $25 million in research funding as Principal or Co-Principal Investigator.
Dr. Denburg is also a devoted educator and mentor, having supervised more than 40 undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate trainees. His mentees have co-authored 22 publications and benefited from his strong commitment to building capacity in health policy and cancer research.
With a career defined by impact, innovation, and global vision, Dr. Denburg is advancing childhood cancer care and drug policy for the benefit of children and families everywhere.
2023 Leadership Award Winners
clinician investigator
Dr. Prakesh Shah
Dr. Shah is the Pediatrician-in-Chief in the Department of Pediatrics at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.
He received his MBBS in 1987 and MD in 1991 from Gujarat University in Ahmedabad, India. He completed his FRCPC through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 2004 and earned a Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology from the University of Toronto in 2005.
Dr. Shah is recognized as a leader in neonatal-perinatal research. He played a pivotal role in establishing the International Network to Evaluate Outcomes (iNeo) of neonates and led the expansion of the Canadian Neonatal Network (CNN) into the Canadian Preterm Birth Network (CPTBN). He brings both research leadership and methodological expertise to these initiatives.
His research spans patient- and disease-oriented clinical studies, investigations into risk factors for adverse outcomes, health services research, and effective healthcare utilization. Over the course of his career, Dr. Shah has secured more than $89 million in research funding across 95 projects, including $21 million as principal investigator.
He has served on the CIHR College of Reviewers and sits on the editorial boards of seven academic journals. In addition to supervising junior and intermediate faculty, clinical fellows, and graduate students, he has taught courses for Master’s and PhD programs and is a sought-after speaker at national and international conferences.
Dr. Shah’s contributions to education and mentorship have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Mentor of the Year Award from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, as well as teaching and research mentoring awards from the University of Toronto.
clinician practicioner
Dr. Brandy Wicklow
Dr. Wicklow is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Manitoba.
She earned her MD and Bachelor of Science in Medicine from the University of Manitoba in 2003. She completed her FRCPC in Pediatrics in 2007 at the University of Manitoba and her FRCPC in Pediatric Endocrinology at McGill University in 2008. In 2010, she completed a joint Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at McGill University and the University of Manitoba. She also holds a Master of Science in Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, earned in 2012.
Dr. Wicklow is internationally recognized as a Pediatric Endocrinologist, with expertise in type 2 diabetes mellitus in Indigenous youth and gender-affirming care for children and adolescents.
Her leadership in pediatric Indigenous health has led to the development of a multi-disciplinary type 2 diabetes clinic in collaboration with Dr. Allison Dart. This clinic incorporates Indigenous healing practices, elder participation, and trauma-informed care to address the generational impacts of residential schools. Her work has garnered invitations to present at international conferences and media interviews, highlighting the importance of Indigenous partnerships in healthcare delivery.
Dr. Wicklow has received over $28 million in research funding, including support from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and has published 86 peer-reviewed articles.
In the area of transgender care, she led the development of the Gender Dysphoria Assessment and Action for Youth (GDAAY) Program in Manitoba, which offers comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for children aged 8 to 14 experiencing gender dysphoria. She is recognized as a provincial expert in this field and provides educational sessions for a wide range of audiences.
In addition to her research and clinical leadership, Dr. Wicklow is an outstanding educator. She has been recognized with teaching awards from the Manitoba Medical School Association for her excellence in clinical teaching.
clinician educator
Dr. Antoine Payot
Dr. Payot is a Perinatal and Neonatal Specialist at CHU Sainte-Justine, Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Montreal, and holds a PhD in Bioethics.
He earned his MD from the Université de Genève, Switzerland, in 1997, and completed his core pediatric training there in 2001. Dr. Payot received his Neonatology Fellowship from the Université de Montréal in 2004, followed by a PhD in Biomedical Sciences with a focus on Bioethics in 2008 from the same institution.
Known for emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations in clinical decision-making, Dr. Payot advocates for genuine collaboration with parents and patients. He developed interdisciplinary clinical ethics teaching programs and introduced innovative approaches linking theoretical ethics with real clinical situations, including the use of patient trainers in clinical ethics education.
He serves as Director of the Interdisciplinary Clinical Ethics Unit at CHU Sainte-Justine and also directs the Clinical Ethics Bureau at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal.
His research centers on ethical issues in medicine and has been supported by both peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed funding. Dr. Payot has supervised numerous trainees, including PhD and Master of Science candidates, and has taught across the full spectrum of medical education.
emerging leader
(large institution)
Dr. Peter Gill
Dr. Peter Gill is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Toronto.
He received his MD from the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta in 2014. Prior to that, he completed a DPhil in the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences at the University of Oxford in 2013, alongside an MSc from Oxford’s Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. He also holds a BMSc from the University of Alberta, conferred in 2009.
Dr. Gill is a nationally recognized leader in pediatric research, with a strong focus on patient-oriented work aimed at improving the care and outcomes of children hospitalized in general pediatric settings. He has authored more than 115 peer-reviewed publications and is the principal investigator for over $8 million in research funding.
He is the co-founder and current Vice Chair of the Canadian Pediatric Inpatient Research Network, and he serves as a dedicated mentor and supervisor to more than 50 trainees, including undergraduate students, residents, Master’s and PhD candidates, and postdoctoral fellows. Dr. Gill has presented his work at local, national, and international forums and has received numerous accolades, including the Canadian Paediatric Society’s Young Investigator Award.
emerging leader
(medium instutution)
Dr. Yasser Elsayed
Dr. Yasser Elsayed is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Manitoba.
He received his FRCPC in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 2022. He earned his PhD (Doctorate in Pediatrics) from Al-Azhar University in Egypt in 2006, a Master of Science in Pediatrics from Zagazig University in 1998, and his MBBCh (Doctor of Medicine) in 1994.
Dr. Elsayed is a Neonatologist at the Children’s Hospital – Health Sciences Centre (HSC) in Winnipeg. He serves as Director of the Hemodynamics and Neonatal Echocardiography Fellowship Program and leads the Neonatal Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) group. He developed a Neonatal POCUS elective rotation and founded the first internationally recognized training program in Neonatal POCUS.
He has authored 50 peer-reviewed articles and 23 scientific abstracts in the fields of neonatal echocardiography and POCUS, and has received research grants both as a principal investigator and co-investigator. Dr. Elsayed has supervised 14 research fellows and contributed to the development of local and national clinical guidelines aimed at standardizing the management of neonatal hemodynamics and establishing normative blood pressure values.
He is also the founder of POCUNEO.org, the first internationally recognized website dedicated to virtual education in point-of-care neonatal medicine and physiologic-based practice. The platform has grown to include over 5,000 members across 112 countries.
emerging leader
(SMALL institution)
Dr. Mary Jane Smith
Dr. Smith is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Memorial University. She received her MD from McMaster University in 2006, followed by a Bachelor of Science from the University of New Brunswick in 2007. She completed her Pediatrics Residency at Memorial University and received her Fellowship from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 2010. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety from Harvard University, with anticipated completion in 2024.
Dr. Smith maintains a busy clinical practice focused on children with complex respiratory diseases and serves as Director of the Cystic Fibrosis Program. She is actively involved in multiple committees within child health, contributing her clinical and academic expertise.
A committed academic leader, Dr. Smith has held key educational roles, including past service as Clerkship Discipline Coordinator and current role as Assistant Program Director for the Pediatric Residency Training Program. In this capacity, she has led several impactful initiatives, such as designing a structured, portfolio-based evaluation framework to objectively assess resident performance. She also developed a longitudinal academic development rotation, integrating clinical experiences with self-directed learning modules and personalized projects—an approach that proved particularly effective during the pandemic.
Her research contributions include co-authored publications on pediatric asthma and cystic fibrosis. Dr. Smith is widely recognized as an outstanding educator by both undergraduate and postgraduate learners and has received multiple teaching awards in recognition of her excellence in medical education.
2022 Leadership Award Winners
clinician practicioner
Dr. Ann Yeh
Dr. Yeh is a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Toronto.
She received her medical degree from McMaster University in 1999 and earned her Royal College certification in Pediatrics in 2003. She went on to complete a pediatric neurology fellowship at SUNY Buffalo.
Dr. Yeh is recognized as a clinical leader in the field of pediatric neuro-inflammation. She leads one of the world’s largest programs dedicated to these disorders and has played a central role in establishing standards of care and treatment for both well-known and newly recognized neuro-inflammatory conditions.
She has developed a highly integrated clinical, training, and research program that attracts consultations from across Canada and around the world. Dr. Yeh has published extensively on these topics and has created multiple educational initiatives. She is a highly sought-after speaker at local, national, and international levels.
CLINICIAN EDUCATOR
Dr. Ahmad Moussa
Dr. Moussa is an Associate Professor at the University of Montreal and a Neonatologist at CHU Sainte–Justine Hospital.
He obtained his MD from the University of Montreal in 2004 and completed his FRCPC in Pediatric/Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine through the University of Montreal and the University of British Columbia in 2009. In 2015, he earned a Master’s in Medical Education from the University of Dundee.
Dr. Moussa is a clinician researcher specializing in medical simulation and is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the use of video-laryngoscopy to teach neonatal intubation. He has held leadership roles on numerous national and international committees focused on medical education, neonatal care, and research.
Among his leadership positions, he serves as Director of the Centre for Applied Health Sciences Education at the University of Montreal, where he oversees faculty development and research in health sciences education. Dr. Moussa is actively involved in formal teaching—primarily simulation-based—with postgraduate trainees across various disciplines, as well as with other health professionals. He has supervised numerous graduate students and has been recognized with an Excellence in Teaching Award from his pediatric department.
clinician investigator
Dr. Elie Haddad
Dr. Haddad is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Montreal and Head of the Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology at CHU Sainte-Justine.
He received his MD in 1993 and completed his PhD at Université Paris 6 in 2000. Dr. Haddad is an internationally recognized expert in primary immune deficiency, pediatric cancer immunotherapy, and humanized mice. He currently serves as Chair of the “Immune Diseases and Cancer” Research Axis Committee.
His application highlights an impressive academic record, including 171 peer-reviewed publications and substantial research funding from multiple agencies. A dedicated mentor, Dr. Haddad has supervised numerous students throughout their research careers and is widely recognized for his mentorship. He was awarded the Médaille des Arts et Métiers, Rayonnement Multiculturel, presented by the Carrefour des Communautés du Québec in recognition of his contributions.
emerging leader
(large institution)
Dr. Nomazulu Dlamini
Dr. Dlamini is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Toronto.
She received her MBBS from University College London and Middlesex Medical Schools in the United Kingdom in 1996, followed by her MRCPCH from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in 2000. She went on to complete a Master of Science in 2004 and a PhD in 2017, both from the Institute of Child Health at University College London.
Dr. Dlamini is recognized as a visionary leader who inspires collaboration across institutions and specialties within the stroke community. Her research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of injury repair and neuroplasticity in the developing brain. She plays a key leadership role in the children’s stroke program at the University of Toronto and is deeply committed to research, training, and mentorship.
Her contributions have been recognized with numerous awards and honours.
emerging leader
(medium institution)
Dr. Janice Tijssen
Dr. Tjissen is an Associate Professor at the University of Western Ontario.
She received her FRCPC from the McMaster–Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) program in 2010 and completed a Master of Science at the University of Toronto in 2017.
Dr. Tjissen is a full-time clinical faculty member in the Department of Pediatrics at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, and an Associate Scientist at the Children’s Health Research Institute. She also holds a cross-appointment to the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and was recently recognized with ICES Scientist status.
Her leadership skills and effectiveness have been widely recognized. She has held several key leadership roles, including Director of the Pediatric Critical Care Unit at the Children’s Hospital. Her research focuses on pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Dr. Tjissen is a dedicated mentor to both learners and faculty members, and has twice been honoured with the Faculty Teaching Award in recognition of her contributions to education.
emerging leader
(small institution)
Dr. Andrea Guerin
Dr. Guerin is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Medical Genetics at Queen’s University.
She received her MD from Western University in 2008 and completed her FRCPC in Medical Genetics and Genomics at the University of Toronto in 2014.
Dr. Guerin is recognized as an exemplary clinician, educator, and colleague. She has taken on increasing leadership responsibilities within the Undergraduate Medical Education Program, including serving as Clerkship Director. In addition to her contributions to the pediatric undergraduate program, she has served as an academic advisor for the Postgraduate Training Program.
She has also assumed leadership roles at the provincial level and currently serves as Vice President of the Genetics Section of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA). Dr. Guerin is widely recognized as a mentor and a strong role model for women in medicine.
2021 Leadership Award Winners
CLINICIAN PRACTICIONER
Dr. Mary Connolly
Dr. Connolly received her BA MB BChBAO from Trinity College in Dublin in 1981. She received a Diploma in Child Health from the University College in Dublin in 1984 and her MRCPI, FRCPI (Internal Medicine) from the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland in 1985 and 2005 and her MRPC FRCP (EDIN) (Pediatrics) in 1987 and 2005. Her FRCPC (Neurology) from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 1992 and her Boards in EEG/Quantified EEG from the American Medical EEG Association in 1994.
She has been with the BCCH and University of British Columbia as a Clinical Professor since 2009. Dr. Connolly is a Pediatric Neurologist and Epileptologist with the University of British Columbia, Pediatric Neurology Division Head and Clinical Professor of Pediatrics. She is recognized nationally and internationally and has driven innovations in clinical care for children with complex seizure disorders.
Since 2014, she has co-led a group using genomic studies regarding early onset of epilepsy that has improved clinical care and working with another team, she is investigating new technologies in epileptic surgery.
Dr. Connolly has developed and continues to lead an outstanding interdisciplinary and multifaceted program in pediatric neurology. She has done a stellar job of creating professional development and clinic academic leadership opportunities within the program for many of the younger faculty. She established the first clinical outreach program for pediatric neurology in British Columbia which serves all children including those in remote areas. She also established a Pediatric Neurology Telehealth Program for British Columbia.
CLINICIAN EDUCATOR
Dr. Angela Punnett
Dr. Punnett received her medical degree from the University of Toronto in 1996. She then completed her Pediatric Residency and Fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. She joined the Department of Pediatrics with the University of Toronto in 2007 as an Assistant Professor and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2017.
Dr. Punnett has held a number of leadership positions. She is the Director of the Undergraduate Medical Education Program for Pediatrics. She was the Program Director for Pediatric Hematology/Oncology from 2008 to 2012 and is currently the Associate Program Director for Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. She is the integrated OSCE Co-Lead since 2016 and an active member of the Student Assessment and Standards Committee since 2012. She was Chair and a Member of the Executive of the Pediatric Undergraduate Program Directors of Canada from 2013 to 2018.
Dr. Punnett has passionately engaged in all aspects of the educational process. She is described as an exceptional teacher, mentor, and leader. Dr. Punnett has made a huge impact in leading curricular design and development, faculty development, student assessment, course evaluation and advances to student wellness initiatives. Her teaching evaluations are outstanding with students’ comments highlighting her creativity, enthusiasm, passion, accessibility, and innovative approaches. She is felt to be an exemplary Clerkship Course Director who is uniquely responsive to the needs of the learners. She established a clerkship examination database with regular review and renewal of questions to reflect objectives.
CLINICIAN INVESTIGATOR
Dr. Terry Klassen
Dr. Klassen received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Manitoba in 1982. He holds the FRCPC in Pediatrics from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and is a Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatrics. He completed his Masters of Science from McMaster University in 1995. He is Director of Research, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba. He is also a Professor with the Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba.
Dr. Klassen has received many awards and recognitions including but not limited to the Outstanding Contributions to Research Award from the University of Manitoba in 2016 and the Marilyn Li Leadership Award in Pediatrics Emergency Medicine from the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians. He is currently a Canada Research Chair, Tier I in clinical trials and his curriculum vitae outlines his many accomplishments in the area of research. He is recognized internationally for excellence in knowledge synthesis and translation leading to improved pediatric care. His achievement as the Co-Founder of Pediatric Emergency Research Canada (PERC), a research network that focuses on evidence generation through multi-centered clinical trials is truly outstanding. PERC has paved the way for many significant developments in pediatric emergency care and has led to the formation of a network of centers of excellence for knowledge mobilization. This has led to Translating Emergency Medicine Knowledge for Kids (TREKK). TREKK has extended PERC’s reach to include general emergency departments thereby increasing the overall standard of care for Canadian children.
EMERGING ACADEMIC LEADER (SMALL INSTITUTION)
Dr. Frédéric Dallaire
Dr. Dallaire received his Doctor of Medicine from Université Laval in 2006. After he completed his General Pediatric Training, he went on to complete Subspecialty Training in Pediatric Cardiology in 2012. He obtained a Masters of Science in 2001 from Université Laval and a Ph.D. in Epidemiology Immunotoxicology and Environmental Epidemiology from Université Laval in 2006.
Dr. Dallaire is currently the Director of the Mother and Child Research Access, Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Centre Hospitalier Université de Sherbrooke and and Associate Professor at the Université de Sherbrooke. He is an excellent pediatric cardiologist who incorporates all the CanMEDS skills into his clinical practice.
Dr. Dallaire is a skilled researcher with greater than 60 peer-reviewed papers and three book chapters.
Dr. Dallaire has published Coeur d’Enfant – Comprendre la Malformation Cardiaque. This book is an example of how important he feels it is to make every child and family member understand their heart disease. He is a scientific Director of the Canadian Pediatric Cardiology Association since 2018. He is the Founder and Scientific Director of the Canadian Pediatric Cardiology Research Network and is head of research in the Department of Pediatrics at l’Université de Sherbrooke since 2019.
EMERGING ACADEMIC LEADER (MEDIUM INSTITUTION)
Dr. Melanie Irene Morris
Dr. Morris obtained her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Alberta in 2004. She subsequently completed General Surgery Training from the University of Manitoba in 2009. She then went on to complete Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Urology Fellowship Training from the University of Montreal in 2012. She is currently an Associate Professor with the Department of Surgery and the Lead for Indigenous Health at the Children’s Hospital in Manitoba.
Dr. Morris has received numerous awards including but not limited to the Manitoba Honour 150 Award from the Government of Manitoba in 2020 and the Ongomiizwin Award for Respect, also in 2020.
Dr. Morris is an Indigenous Pediatric Surgeon and Urologist at Winnipeg’s Children Hospital. She provides service to pediatric surgical and urology coverage for underserviced areas in Northern Manitoba, North Western Ontario and Nunavut.
In 2019, Dr. Morris was appointed to the Indigenous Lead role within the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health at the University of Manitoba – the first academic leadership role of its kind in Canada. She is now spearheading the transformation of Children’s Hospital to a culturally safe space for Indigenous children and their families.
Dr. Morris began her work in this role as a Co-Lead for the Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba’s departmental retreat, “Towards Indigenous Reconciliation and Healing: How did we get there and where are we going?” held at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. This highly successful event fostered the development of departmental strategic plan for Indigenous reconciliation.
Dr. Morris mentors all Indigenous medical students in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences and is supervising a resident research project on the development and validation of a Pediatric Indigenous Pain Scale.
EMERGING ACADEMIC LEADER (LARGE INSTITUTION)
Dr. Manish Sadarangani
Dr. Sadarangani received a BM BCh from the University of Oxford in 2000 and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Oxford in 2011. He completed postgraduate training at the South London Pediatric Training Program where he was a Senior House Officer and he was the Registrar at the Oxford Deanery from 2004 to 2007.
Dr. Sadarangani is an Associate Professor with Tenure at the University of British Columbia. He has unique expertise in translational vaccinology. He has led many initiatives and procured an impressive amount of research funding relating to the COVID 19 pandemic.
Dr. Sadarangani has 100 journal publications, 124 conference abstracts, 11 book chapters and 1 book editorship. He holds a Clinical Scientist Investigator Award from British Columbia’s Children’s Hospital Research Institute and a Career Development Award from CCHCSP. He is the UBC Sauder Family Chair in Pediatric Infectious Disease. He is the PI for multicenter vaccine clinical trials and has supervised numerous students at all levels. He is the Director of the Vaccine Evaluation Centre.
2020 Leadership Award Winners
Clinician Practitioner
Dr. Hema Patel
This award recognizes excellent in leadership by a clinician whose clinical practice has served as an outstanding environment for the education of trainees and the advancement of practice through knowledge translation and dissemination and leadership within the discipline.
Dr. Patel is a role model for all trainees. She has developed a Management and Leadership Curriculum for post-graduate trainees to enable their own future development as leaders, as well as a Royal College handbook, distributed nationally on time-management. She is frequently an invited guest speaker, in Canada and abroad. Her leadership in education has also been recognized by her students and peers. This is evident by her selection to the prestigious McGill Faculty of Medicine’s Honour Roll for Educational Excellence. She has been the Fellowship director for both the McGill University Complex Care Clinical Fellowship and the Academic General Pediatric Fellowship, directly mentoring dozens of fellows in the last decade. Dr. Patel has received external salary support funding and external operational granting support. Her research emphasis reflects her passion for evidence-based medicine and comprises methodologically-rigorous clinical trials addressing practical challenges in ambulatory pediatrics Her current projects are focused on medication safety in children with complexity and on the impact of coaching as a tool for parental empowerment. Currently she is a co-investigator on two CIHR funded multi-centre national studies. Beyond these roles, Hema has been a long-standing collaborator at the Medical Council of Canada, participating in the Pediatric Test Committee, the Blueprint Committee, and the Test Form Assembly Committee. She has served on the Board of the Montreal Oral School for the Deaf for over 10 years and now is a member of the Medical Advisory Committee of the Children’s Wish Foundation. Hema used her experience as a powerful catalyst to forge the Quebec Coalition for Newborn Hearing Screening. The net result is a provincial commitment to newborn hearing screening that has seen advancement in both the time of diagnosis of hearing loss and intervention (cochlear implants). Dr. Patel has been recognized provincially through the development of a Canadian Pediatric Society (CPS) Position statement on newborn hearing screening and its inclusion on the Society’s report card on the health of Canadian children. She is also a member of the Canadian Infant Hearing Task Force. Not surprisingly, Dr. Patel’s Advocacy efforts have been recognized nationally by both the Garnier Award and the Victor Marchessault Award of the CPS.
Dr. Patel has had to date a remarkable career trajectory involving roles as a clinician, educator, researcher, and advocate. In each, she has consistently demonstrated the robust qualities of leadership that mark her as a dynamic innovator and change agent in the field of child health and a worthy recipient of the PCC clinical practitioner award.
Clinician Educator
Dr. Susan Bannister
This award recognizes excellent in leadership by a clinician who has primarily demonstrated through the advancement of educational innovation and practice that advances the quality of teaching related to children and youth and beyond. The successful candidate will have achieved scholarship in Medical Education as well as notable experience in teaching in a clinical setting.
Dr. Bannister has served as Undergraduate Pediatric Director at the University of Calgary for over 10 years. She leads all pediatric undergraduate education at a local level in the Cumming School of Medicine. She gained national recognition as Chair of the Pediatric Undergraduate Program Directors of Canada (PUPDOC). In this role, she championed and led the complete revitalization of the pediatric curriculum across Canada, and spear-headed the creation of Canuc-paeds, a nationally recognized clerkship curriculum that is used in every Medical School across the country. On an international level, Dr. Bannister sat as Canadian chair of The Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics (COMSEP). She is a cornerstone leader in Continued Medical Education. In 2018 Dr. Bannisters contributions and expertise in the area of pediatric education were honored when she received the highly prestigious Canadian Paediatric Society Michel Weber Education Award, “Recognizes a CPS member whose work in medical and/or inter-professional education has had a significant and positive impact on learners in child and youth health.” Dr. Bannister is an exemplary role model for her learners combing education and clinical practise. She has had many publications and most recently her expertise resulted in invited commentary (Bannister SL, Keegan DA. Staff physicians as learners: Answering the call to improve workplace-based learning. Medical Education [Invited commentary, accepted for publication]).
Dr. Bannister is an exceptional educator who has made substantial contributions to medical education nationally and internationally. Her enthusiasm and commitment are an inspiration to learners and, as a result of outstanding curriculum development, has carved a career path for many of them in pediatrics.
Clinician Investigator
Dr. Jacques L. Michaud
This award recognizes excellent in leadership which is primarily demonstrated through outstanding leadership in the development of environments that foster opportunity for child and youth health research.
Dr. Michaud is a highly distinguished researcher both nationally and internationally in the field of neuro-developmental disorders (NDDs) and medical genetics in general. He is a world-renowned expert on the genetic basis of NDDs and his team has discovered more than 20 genes associated with these disorders. He has also demonstrated that spontaneous mutations are a major cause of intellectual disability (ID). His pioneering work on clinical genomics has led to the establishment of the Quebec Center for Clinical Genomics and the implementation of genomic tests in the clinic for the more rapid and accurate diagnosis of rare diseases.
Dr. Michaud is also studying the function of some NDD genes with the goal of developing rational therapeutic strategies. His pioneering work on de novo mutations led to the identification of SYNGAP1 as the first dominant gene associated with non-syndromic ID. His cutting-edge research and expertise in SYNGAP1 led to an ERA-NET-funded collaboration with European groups, which is centered on the study of SYNGAP1 function in human neurons derived from induced pluripoten stem cells (iPSC). In addition, Dr. Michaud has shown that gain-of-function mutations in the retinoic receptor type beta cause a form of ID associated with severe motor impairment. He has recently generated a mouse model that recapitulates the phenotype of the patients. He is currently leading an international consortium, funded through the highly competitive E-Rare program, to study the mechanisms underlying RARB function in this model. Recent results from his work on SYNGAP1 and RARB also point to promising new avenues to treat the associated disorders.
Dr. Michaud has two philanthropic chairs. He has obtained more than $25M of funding through federal, provincial, and international organizations. Dr. Michaud is the principal investigator of a large multicentric study ($6.1M; funded by Genome Canada and Génome Québec in partnership with the Quebec Ministry of Health; 2020-2023) that will take advantage of the QCCG to evaluate the implementation of rapid whole-genome sequencing (results within 1 week) for the investigation of acutely-ill newborns and infants. Dr. Michaud has an extensive publication list in very high impact journals such as Nature. Dr. Michaud has played a pivotal role in the recruitment of dozens of young scientists and the development of their career. His mentorship skills are clearly highlighted by the success of his lab and the future of his trainees.
Dr. Michaud is a highly respected scientist. His work is constantly oriented towards better knowledge, understanding and eventual management of the patient’s condition role model. Furthermore, he is an exemplary role model for any medical student or trainee who considers an academic career.
2020 COVID Leadership Award Winners
This year, the Pediatric Chairs of Canada (PCC) provided a unique opportunity to honour those who have responded in a heroic way to the COVID-19 pandemic, including individuals and teams that are part of the healthcare workforce. As part of its 2020 Annual Awards Celebration, to be held virtually, PCC will be honoring these leaders from across the country.
These heroes have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to patient safety amidst the COVID-19 crisis. Healthcare workers and facility leadership are the fiber of the Canadian healthcare system, which has never been more evident than now. The pandemic reminds us all how much we depend on their courage and caring at our most vulnerable moments.
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada are honoured to recognize the following winners of the 2020 COVID Leadership Award:
Bonita Lee and the Pediatric Infection Prevention and Control Team / Karen Forbes and the Pediatric Clerkship Bootcamp Team - University of Alberta / Stollery Children's Hospital
Colette Girardin - Université de Sherbrooke / CHUS
Division of Infectious Diseases - Université de Montréal / CHU Sainte-Justine
Division of Infectious Diseases - University of Ottawa / Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Paediatrics - University of Toronto / The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
James (Jim) Kellner - University of Calgary / Alberta Children's Hospital
Jeannette Comeau - Dalhousie University / IWK Health Centre
Kirk Leifso - Queen’s University / Kingston Health Sciences Centre
Laura Sauvé - University of British Columbia / Children's & Women's Health Centre of BC
Natalie Bridger - Memorial University / Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre
Pediatric Incident Command Team - University of Manitoba / Children's Hospital of Winnipeg
Rod Lim - Western University / Children's Hospital - London Health Sciences Centre
Roseline Thibault et les chefs de service du département - Université Laval / CMES du CHU de Québec
Sarah Khan - McMaster University / McMaster Children's Hospital
Team of Drs. Mylene Dandavino, Tanya Di Genova and Robert Sternszus - McGill University / Montreal Children's Hospital
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2019 Leadership Award Winners
Clinician Practitioner
Dr. Robin Walker
This annual award recognizes excellent in leadership by a clinician whose clinical practice has served as an outstanding environment for the education of trainees and the advancement of practice through knowledge translation and dissemination and leadership within the discipline.
Dr. Walker has created a distinguished career as a neonatologist throughout many academic leadership appointments across institutions as an active clinician, researcher and educator. He has held significant appointments as well within Health Canada and the Canadian Institute of Child Health. He is also the former President of the Canadian Paediatric Society which is a testament to his wide impact regarding issues in the field of Pediatrics.
Most extra-ordinary is the legacy he has created as a determined advocate for the health needs of children and youth for over three decades. He is been a staunch leader in Canada’s national public awareness movement to end child poverty and steadfast in advancing the rights of children and youth including his commitment to the right for all children to have a health start in life.
PCC celebrates with Dr. Robin Walker his career highlights and continued advocacy efforts on behalf of the wellbeing of his patients and all children.
Clinician Educator
Dr. Jay Rosenfield
This award recognizes excellent in leadership by a clinician who has primarily demonstrated through the advancement of educational innovation and practice that advances the quality of teaching related to children and youth and beyond. The successful candidate will have achieved scholarship in Medical Education as well as notable experience in teaching in a clinical setting.
Dr. Rosenfield is a Developmental Pediatrician and a distinguished leader whose contributions to medical education spans domains in both undergraduate and postgraduate education not only in Pediatrics but across all specialties. He has been responsible for the implementation of many curricular innovations and created new leadership offices. He also influenced the development of the first prototype of a web-based teaching tool for kindergarten teachers for early identification and intervention for special needs Children.
His collaborative spirit has led to tremendous success in partnership with many national stakeholders including co-authoring the ground-breaking The Future of Medical Education in Canada: a Collective Vision for MD Education Project with Canadian Faculties of Medicine.
PCC celebrates Dr. Jay Rosenfield as a passionate leader, strong advocate for learners and a skilled innovator of systemic change.
Clinician Investigator
Dr. Nada Jabado
This annual award recognizes excellent in leadership which is primarily demonstrated through outstanding leadership in the development of environments that foster opportunity for child and youth health research.
Dr. Jabado’s success and excellence as a scientist is acknowledged and celebrated by your peer community. She has been responsible for revolutionary research findings influencing the World Health Organization to revise its classification of Central Nervous System Tumours. Additionally, her research into the histone binding gene with its targeted and effective interventions is expected to lead to improved outcomes.
Dr. Jabado is an exceptional national and international leader in science primarily in the field of pediatric neuro-oncology but also in cancer in general. She is a highly productive researcher whose career achievement has successfully garnered multi-million-dollar research funding.
PCC celebrates Dr. Nada Jabado as an outstanding investigator and commends her passion and compassion both in her research as well as the care she offers for her patients and their families.
2018 Leadership Award Winners
Clinician Practitioner
Dr. Khalid Aziz
Dr. Aziz is recognized as a founding member of the Acute Care of at-Risk Newborns (ACoRN) Program which has been implemented with astounding results across Canada. His influence as a leader is irrefutable, moreover he has built interdisciplinary and global connections leading to over 200 publications that educate and inform the neonatal and general pediatric community.
His commitment to the development and implementation of a simulation-based quality improvement workshop that has been piloted not only here in Canada but in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, India, Pakistan and Iran offered a very impressive and innovative achievement in global health advocacy. Dr. Aziz is also to be commended on his efforts in implementing a midwifery education program through the Ethiopia-Canada Maternal-Newborn-Child Health Project resulting in a remarkable 50% reduction of in-patient neonatal morality. Congratulations go out to Dr. Aziz on these significant achievements attesting to the outstanding leadership and lasting impact.
Clinician Educator
Dr. Adele Atkinson
Dr. Atkinson’s success as an Associate Professor, and Director of Post-Graduate Medical Education has been recognized by colleagues throughout Canada.
For years her career has shown her to be an outstanding clinician educator. She has been described by residents as someone who “empowers residents to have a voice in the design of their program” and whose “fierce advocacy for and unrelenting commitment to, resident education and wellbeing” is simply “inspirational”.
Nationally, Dr. Atkinson contributions to the RCPSC as a member of the Specialty Committee in Paediatrics, the Examination Committee, the Education Committee, the Committee on Specialties to name a few, and are much admired. This in addition to her national role as Lead for Competency by Design which is central to the success of CBD implementation across Canada is truly remarkable. Acknowledging her national impact is an important milestone for Dr. Atkinson, for pediatric education and for the leaders she is developing. PCC is delighted to recognize the tremendous value and exceptional leadership of Dr. Atkinson.
Clinician Investigator
Dr. Kym Boycott
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada was most impressed with the multi-faceted commitment of Dr. Boycott’s career. Her many roles and success in Ottawa as a Clinical Geneticist at CHEO, as a Senior Scientist at CHEO’s Research Institute and as a Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology is commendable and makes her our first female awardee in this category.
In her world-renowned research career as, Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator, Dr. Boycott has amassed an outstanding $30 M of funding from Genome Canada and CIHR. Moreover, her outstanding leadership has resulted in the identification of well over 100 novel rare disease genes as well as the broadening of the phenotype for almost as many conditions. All this in addition to the much deserving accolades for the 140 publications which can be found in very high impact journals.
Most noteworthy is that Dr. Boycott continues to apply her research directly to her patients and that in the training of so many scientists, she has built expert capacity and a wealth of knowledge in the field of genetics. PCC is thrilled to recognize and celebrate Dr. Boycott’s tremendous success.
2017 Leadership Award Winners
Clinician Practitioner
Dr. Jeremy Friedman
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Jeremy Friedman as PCC’s recipient of the 2017 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Practitioner Award.
This award is being presented to Dr. Freidman, of the University of Toronto. Dr Friedman is recognized as one of the pioneers of the concept of an academic pediatric hospitalist in Canada. Work as a full-time hospitalist and complex care faculty has advanced the concept and importance of creative professional activity (CPA) for academic generalists. The complex care program in the Division of Pediatric Medicine at SickKids that he initiated was the first of its kind and has grown to be a national and international leader. He has been a role model for countless others and have reviewed, advised and mentored general pediatric programs across Canada, developing initiatives that foster academic excellence and building capacity and leadership.
Dr. Friedman's original research contributions have been notable, including a clinical dehydration scale which has been used around the world clinically and for research. Through leadership roles with the Canadian Pediatric Society, as Associate Editor for Paediatrics and Child Health, and authorship of five bestselling books for parents including Canada’s Baby Care book, he have shared your remarkable clinical experiences, advances and innovations nationally and internationally.
It is with enthusiasm that Dr. Friedman's colleagues recognize and celebrate his contributions to the international and national paediatric healthcare communities!
Clinician Educator
Dr. Ming-Ka Chan
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Ming-Ka Chan as PCC’s recipient of the 2017 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Educator Award.
This award is being presented to Dr. Chan, of the University of Manitoba. Over the past decade Dr. Chan's career has shown her to be an outstanding clinician educator, including commitment to educational leadership and administration. Notable areas of focus include leadership development, transitions and competency‐based medical education, both undergraduate and postgraduate, within and external to her own Department.
Nationally, her role as a CanMEDS Clinician Educator for the RCPS of Canada, co‐founder of the Canadian Pediatric Resident Leadership Conference, and co-founding a curriculum for the Annual Canadian Pediatric Chief Resident Leadership Conference enhances the leadership skill-sets of pediatric chief residents from across Canada. Exceptional leadership and innovation in ME has been recognized nationally through certificates of merit, roles within the Canadian Association of Medical Education (CAME) and internationally through collaborations fostering competency‐based medical education.
It is with enthusiasm that Dr. Chan's colleagues recognize and celebrate her contributions to the local, national and international paediatric healthcare communities!
Clinician Investigator
Dr. Alexander MacKenzie
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Alexander MacKenzie as PCC’s recipient of the 2017 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Investigator Award.
This award is being presented to Dr. MacKenzie, of the University of Ottawa. Over the past 27 years of Dr. MacKenzie's impressive career as a clinician-investigator at the CHEO Research Institute, his role in pursuing world-class medical genetics research in the mapping and identification of genes causing rare diseases has been notable. This includes recent research on therapeutic interventions, as well as co-leading the national rare disease research consortium Care4Rare. Demonstrating, and promoting, academic excellence through critical leadership roles, his scholarly work has been recognized nationally and internationally.
Dr. MacKenzie's outstanding leadership and vision in guiding the development and sustainability of the CHEO Research Institute is quite distinct. As Scientific Director and CEO for 11 years, his tenure was marked by significant recruitment and development of new investigator research at CHEO. The development of the CHEO Clinical Research Unit has provided mentorship and leadership in national clinical trials. To quote his Department Chair, Dr. Ciarán Duffy, “There is no doubt that Alex MacKenzie has been a clinician investigator of the highest quality, but he has played an absolutely pivotal role in the development, growth and current success of the CHEO Research Institute.”
It is with enthusiasm that Dr. MacKenzie's colleagues recognize and celebrate his contributions to the international and national paediatric healthcare communities!
2016 Leadership Award Winners
Clinician Practitioner
Dr. Heather Dean
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Heather Dean as PCC’s recipient of the 2016 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Practitioner Award.
This award is being presented to Dr. Dean, of the University of Manitoba, in recognition as an outstanding clinician in pediatric endocrinology and metabolism, and as an academic leader and researcher for 32 years. Dr. Dean has made significant and influential contributions as the first pediatric endocrinologist in Manitoba, including the exemplary vision to establish an inter-professional Diabetes Education Resource for Children and Adolescents.
Through exemplary work with the First Nations in Manitoba, Dr. Dean was the first to describe Type 2 diabetes in children at a time when few thought this was possible. Her passion also lead her to establish the internationally recognized Maestro, one of the first transition programs in Canada for adolescent patients with Type 1 and 2 diabetes moving to adult care. An exceptional awardee and Dr. Dean's academic career is a reflection of her tremendous success!
It is with enthusiasm that Dr. Dean's colleagues recognize and celebrate her contributions to the international and national pediatric healthcare communities!
Clinician Educator
Dr. Farhan Bhanji
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Farhan Bhanji as PCC’s recipient of the 2016 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Educator Award.
This award is being presented to Dr. Bhanji, of McGill University, in recognition of his multiple leadership roles in medical education at the local, national and international level. It is said that he always seeks to find the “teaching moment” that rewards learners. Dr. Bhanji is also acknowledged as one of the first physicians to undergo formal post-graduate training in education. Equally impressive is that he has transcended the discipline of paediatrics in his leadership role at the Royal College which is a rare accomplishment.
Dr. Bhanji's outstanding success in simulation education and his role with the American Heart Association as well as the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, is quite remarkable. His efforts are actively shaping how resuscitation after cardiac arrest is both undertaken and taught. Dr. Bhanji's impact on a daily basis serves as a role model to his peers and younger physicians. His has an impressive track record as a dually certified clinician, administrator, researcher and renowned educator.
It is with enthusiasm that Dr. Bhanji's colleagues recognize and celebrate his contributions to the local, national and international pediatric healthcare communities!
Clinician Investigator
Dr. Michael Rieder
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Michael Rieder as PCC’s recipient of the 2016 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Investigator Award.
This award is being presented to Dr. Rieder, of the University of Western Ontario, in recognition of his outstanding achievements in Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology and the many leadership roles he has successfully undertaken. His focus on drug safety and critical findings surrounding adverse drug events in children and adults has assured him a place of distinction amongst his peers. The numerous awards Dr. Rieder has received are a testament to his leadership as an educator, mentor and researcher.
It is notable that Dr. Rieder is the only endowed Chair in Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology in Canada as well as a key member of the Canadian Pharmacogenomics Network for Drug Safety.
It is with enthusiasm that Dr. Rieder's colleagues recognize and celebrate his contributions over the past 25 years to the international and national pediatric healthcare communities!
2015 Leadership Award Winners
Clinician Practitioner
Dr. George-Étienne Rivard
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. George-Étienne Rivard as PCC’s recipient of the 2015 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Practitioner Award.
This award is being presented to Dr. Rivard in recognition of a long-standing successful career that has “inspired generations of residents, clinical fellows and hematologists” including from his current role as Head of the division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at CHU Ste-Justine in Montréal, Québec.
His passion and commitment are strongly demonstrated in his continued mentorship of nurses and other allied professionals. His significant and influential contributions within the field of Hematology have benefited bedside care for patients locally, provincially, nationally and internationally. A remarkable number of publications and global presentations that have helped to establish his impact around the globe in the field of pediatric hemostasis.
Clinician Educator
Dr. Ron Gottesman
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Ron Gottesman as PCC’s recipient of the 2015 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Educator Award.
After twenty-four years as Director of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine at both the Department of Pediatrics at McGill University and Montreal Children's Hospital, PCC would like to recognize Dr. Gottesman's incredible service as an Intensivist and Medical Educator. With professional impact expands beyond daily efforts, his role as a medical educator has had direct impact and influence on more than fifty renowned Canadian intensivists. With his commitment and extraordinary service, “Critical Care Medicine” was designated as a Royal College specialty. Equally impressive is the fact that he is the only Pediatrician named as Chair of the Critical Care Medicine Specialty Committee.
Clinician Investigator
Dr. Constantin Polychronakos
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Constantin Polychronakos as PCC’s recipient of the 2015 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Investigator Award.
Currently a tenured Professor in McGill University's Department of Pediatrics, PCC recognizes Dr. Polychronakos' outstanding achievements as a Pediatric Endocrinologist and his international achievements in gene discovery into the causes of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. After fifteen years as Director of McGill's Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, his supervision of many trainees and the influential patents on innovative gene discoveries will contribute to science beyond expectations. His ability to successfully publish research in high impact journals only bolsters the impact of his expertise with unquantifiable influence for decades to come.
2014 Leadership Award Winners
Clinician Practitioner
Dr. Ronald D. Barr
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Ronald D. Barr as PCC’s recipient of the 2014 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Practitioner Award. The career of Dr. Ronald D Barr is a testament of a lifetime commitment to the care of child and youth health. He has an international reputation for his work in pediatrics and has achieved great influence as a devoted clinician, rigorous researcher, teacher, mentor and administrator. His significant accomplishments are in the establishment of the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO). This group has had a major influence on research and surveillance of survivors of childhood cancer. He also co-chaired the Canadian National Task Force on Adolescent and Young Adults with Cancer funded by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. He has also worked to address the challenge of poor availability of safe, cost-effective chemotherapy in developing countries. He has authored more than 350 papers and his worked has impacted the identification of late effects of cancer treatment and measurement of health status and health-related quality of life.
Dr. Barr is known for his unwavering and complete support for the provision of care to children. His leadership in numerous child and youth health initiatives has resulted in improved education and trainee opportunities and significant advancements in clinical practice. The international paediatric healthcare community has benefited from his vision and leadership for many years and we are pleased to recognize and celebrate his contributions.
Clinician Educator
Dr. Saleem Razack
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Saleem Razack as PCC’s recipient of the 2014 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Educator Award. Clinically Dr. Razack has close to 20 years of service as an attending at Montreal Children’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. All would agree that he has exemplified the very best of professionalism and physicianship in what are challenging clinical milieus always providing a tangible and direct role model for trainees and colleagues.
Academically he is presently an Associate Professor and Associate Chair (Education) in the Department of Pediatrics. Since 2009 he has also served as Assistant Dean (Admission, Diversity & Equity) in the Faculty of Medicine with direct overall responsibility for the management of the Faculty selection process for each incoming medical school class.
While Residency Program Director, he translated our emerging awareness and sensitivity to the particular health care needs of vulnerable populations to develop Canada’s first mandatory core rotation and fellowship in social pediatrics that has served as a model for other training programs.
At the undergraduate level of medical education, Dr. Razack has been active within the context of formulating join inter-professionalism training that combines medical, rehabilitation and nursing students on the topic of cultural awareness. He has also engaged in the scholarship of education. He also has significant awards for his work which includes the national award of May Cohen Gender Equity Award in 2012.
Clinician Investigator
Dr. Ronald G. Barr
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Ronald G. Barr as PCC’s recipient of the 2014 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Investigator Award. Dr. Ronald G Barr is truly one of North America’s most accomplished academic developmental-behavioral pediatricians. He career ‘describes a unique arc from clinical pediatrics through basic behavioral and observational investigations incorporating multiple disciplines to a practical and translational community-based prevention for infant abuse and shaken baby syndrome.’
He is a Canada Research Chair, Tier 1. He has over 200 publications and a significant history of successful grants, which have significantly led to the development of Developmental and Behavior Pediatrics as an academic field. He has been elected to the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and was a member of its Royal Society of Canada expert panel report on Early Childhood Development.
He has been a member of more than a dozen editorial boards of academic journal in pediatrics, development and anthropology and has served on provincial, national and international advisory boards.
In addition to his leadership in international research societies, his commitment has been expressed through his roles within his home hospitals and associated research institutes. His Child development Laboratory at BC Children’s Hospital is a preferred site for pursuing future academic goals through staff positions.
He has been described by colleagues as an ‘intellectual giant, a visionary, a pioneer, tireless advocate and a warm and passionate human being who is highly deserving of recognition for his exemplary academic leadership in pediatric clinical investigation’.
2013 Leadership Award Winners
Clinician Practitioner
Dr. Emmet Francoeur
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Emmet Francoeur of McGill University and Montreal Children’s Hospital as PCC’s recipient of the 2013 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Practitioner Award. Dr Francoeur is both a general pediatrician maintaining a busy and respected office practice, and an academic with an interest in Developmental and Behavioural Pediatrics. He worked hard at the national level to get the specialty recognized and was one of the first to qualify once it became a Royal College specialty. He has been a leader in interdisciplinary care and has worked with rehabilitation specialist, neurologists and psychiatrists in both scientific endeavours and development of networks for the care of neurocognitively impaired children. He is a Coinvestigator on a CIHR grant of 1 million dollars around the treatment of ADHD. Dr Francoeur has also been a keen educator of the public, giving many talks and writing on developmental, behavioural and general pediatric issues. He is perhaps best known and has had the most national impact in his longstanding leadership in the Canadian Pediatric Society where he has been President, chair of the nominating committee and a member of their Early Childhood Development Task Force. He has mentored many young people through these activities and he received the Society’s Certificate of merit in 2010. He has since been awarded the Life Membership Award. On top of all this activity he also serves as Vice-Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at McGill and Montreal Children’s Hospital. He is seen as a pediatrician to whom peers will entrust their own children. Through all of this he has been a role model to countless trainees at all levels of education and his mentorship has been sustained over three decades.
Clinician Educator
Dr. Rayfel Schneider
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Rayfel Schneider as PCC’s recipient of the 2013 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Educator Award. Dr. Schneider has had a consistent interest in education since 1989. He spent 9 years as director of undergraduate medical education at Toronto and by all reports had a great impact. He then took on the role of postgraduate medical education director for his specialty area, Rheumatology and helped propel that program into the premier training site for pediatric Rheumatologists in the country. In 2007 he became the Associate Chair, Medical Education for the Department at Sick Kids and has held that position ever since. He has introduced innovative programs and developed and academic group to design and study innovations in education. He is considered to have ben highly influential in raising the status of residency training in Toronto. At the national level he has been involved in promoting the national CaRMS matching process. He has mentored a number of leaders in medical education. He personally seems to have won almost all the available teaching awards at U of T and the programs that he supports are frequently recognized with awards. With his academic group he has recently begun to publish peer-reviewed articles on education, most notably on inter-professional care. His personal qualities including his thoughtfulness are often cited as reasons for his success and influence. All of this adds up to a life-time achievement of sustained support for education.
Clinician Investigator
Dr. Sylvain Chemtob
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Sylvain Chemtob from the Universite de Montreal and L’Hopital Ste Justine as PCC’s recipient of the 2013 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Investigator Award. Dr Chemtob, who is still in the prime of his career, had 189 peer-reviewed publications at the time of submitting his CV. Many of these were in very high impact journals. In addition to running a busy laboratory for basic science studies, he is a pediatrician and neonatologist and still continues to provide clinical service. He is an internationally recognized expert in vascular biology of the premature infant. Many of his discoveries have been translated into practical applications and are having an impact at the bedside. Dr Chemtob has an innate natural curiosity and this leads to his constantly pursuing new questions. He holds 14 patents, has written 20 book chapters and has been a visiting professor in many places around the world. His achievements alone are meritorious for an award as Clinician Investigator. However, what most distinguishes Dr. Chemtob from a crowded field of talented nominees is his mentorship of students. In his brief career he has mentored 67 graduate students who have obtained Masters and PhD degrees. Many of them have gone on to be well recognized experts in their fields. This sustained creation of environments that nurture and supports young people in the fields is in large part what these awards are meant to recognize.
2012 Leadership Award Winners
Clinician Practitioner
Dr. Pierre Déry
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Pierre Déry as PCC’s recipient of the 2012 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Practitioner Award. Pierre is a well-known figure in Canadian Pediatric health care. He remains a clinician and teacher in Quebec city after more than 40 years of advocacy and administrative leadership. He has significant accomplishments in all areas of academic endeavour including research and the building of an environment for research (99 publications and a roll as a founder of the Infectious Disease Research Unit at Laval), he practices in his discipline and is a respected teacher. The terms of reference for this award emphasize leadership (“Excellence in Leadership will be primarily focused on the clinician whose clinical practice has served as an outstanding environment for the education of trainees and the advancement of practice through knowledge translation and dissemination and leadership within the discipline”.) When viewed from the perspective of a lifetime career, leadership practically defines Pierre’s work. He has been a passionate advocate for the care of children in eastern Quebec where he has consistently promoted the development of a full range of child health services. Without Pierre Déry’s continuous and steady leadership, advocacy and persistence, the organization of pediatric care, consolidated as it is at CHUL, would not be the thriving environment that it is today. His steady leadership has made it possible for others to practice in all areas of pediatrics in an integrated service. Pierre has also played an important role at the national level and is well known outside his home province. His many years as Chair of Pediatrics at Laval lead to his interaction with other Pediatric Chairs where he played a leadership role in the establishment of the Pediatric Chairs of Canada from a very loose informal association to its current organization. It is because of this leadership role in building the pediatric environment in Quebec and Canada that the committee enthusiastically recommends Dr Pierre Déry over several other outstanding clinician practitioners in this year’s nominations.
Clinician Educator
Dr. Mona Jabbour
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Mona Jabbour as PCC’s recipient of the 2012 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Educator Award. Dr. Jabbour completed her MD at McMaster and her Pediatric Residency and Emergency Medicine Fellowship in Ottawa in 1995. She then went on to take a Masters degree in Higher Education at OISE and has used the skills developed to promote education in each role she has played. She was Pediatric Residency Program Director for 5 years from 1999 – 2004 and has been Vice-Chair, Education, for the Department of Pediatrics in Ottawa since 2004. She was also Director of Continuing Medical Education for CHEO for 11 years from 1998-2009. She became the Medical Director of the Emergency Department in 2006 and held that post until last year when she became the Vice-Chair of the Department of Pediatrics. She has played and active role in Pediatric Education at the national level including her work with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons. She is currently the Chief Examiner for the Pediatric Examination Board and has been on the examination committee continuously since 2000 as well as serving on numerous additional committees. She has also been active with the Medical Council of Canada. She is active in outreach pediatric education to emergency departments in community hospitals where children are seen by generalists. Her efforts have been recognized by her peers, winning the Resident Advocate Award on two occasions and an Award for Excellence and Innovation in Postgraduate Medical Education from the University of Ottawa. Dr. Jabbour is also active in several research projects to improve education in child health care including being Co-Director of TREKK, the large CUHR - funded KT program to improve Emergency care, and as a Co-Investigator in an MOHLTC-funded study to enhance the Pediatric Curriculum using a Teaching File and the development of an internet-based program for Anxious Youth. She has also published educationally relevant manuscripts in the peer – reviewed literature. On the basis of her consistent local, national and academic interest in pediatric education we feel Mona Jabbour merits the award for 2012.
Clinician Investigator
Dr. Victor Han
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Victor Han as PCC’s recipient of the 2012 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Investigator Award. Dr Han came to Canada for pediatric training in 1980 after medical training in Burma and Postgraduate training in the UK. He left to do a research fellowship in North Carolina and returned to London in 1986 as a neonatologist and perinatal researcher the University of Western Ontario where he has been ever since. While continuing to practice as a Neonatologist, Dr. Han has been continuously funded for his research in fetal and placental growth and molecular mechanisms of preeclampsia. He was awarded a Canada Research Chair Perinatal Research in 2001. His CV indicates 140 peer-reviewed publications and many of them have high impact. His role as a mentor and builder is also legendary. He has been director of the Children’s Health Research Institute at U of WO and is currently Associate Dean of Research for the faculty of Medicine and Dentistry where he has selflessly promoted inquiry into child health problems in all trainees. He has served on many national and international committees aimed at promoting child health research. Two quotes from Dr Filler’s nomination letter sums up how many people feel about Dr Han’s contribution: “He is continually helping to establish linkages between basic scientists, clinician scientists and clinicians with the aim to optimize the sharing of ideas, skills and knowledge across different fields of expertise and to foster collaborative interdisciplinary working relationships” and “….has the unique ability to engage his learners while teaching even the most complex molecular mechanisms, while making linkages and highlighting relevance to clinical medicine.” Dr Han has applied his talents at the national level as well as in his home department and has influenced many young researchers across the spectrum of pediatrics, not just in Neonatology. The committee was in complete consensus on awarding this year’s Clinical Investigator Award to Victor Han.
2011 Leadership Award Winners
Clinician Practitioner
Dr. Reeni Soni
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Reeni Soni as PCC’s recipient of the 2011 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Practitioner Award. Referring back to the Terms of reference for this award, the awardee will be“the clinician whose clinical practice has served as an outstanding environment for the education of trainees and the advancement of practice through knowledge translation and dissemination and leadership within the discipline.”The committee feels that Dr. Soni’s practice fits this description very well. Dr. Soni practices pediatric cardiology at the Winnipeg Children’s Hospital. She joined the department in 1998 immediately upon completing her training in the UK. She stepped in to the aftermath of the problems resulting from the release of the inquest report into the deaths of a number of babies after cardiac surgery in 1994. With the publication of the report several of the established cardiologists chose to leave Winnipeg and a very inexperienced section was left behind. By the year 2000, Dr. Soni, with just two years of practice experience, took on the role of section head and leader, at a time when it seemed that no cardiologists would ever relocate to Winnipeg. The absence of a surgery program, and the negative reputation and high level of public scrutiny were all factors that discouraged interest. She has carefully and systematically re-built cardiac care and played a lead role in the development of the Western Regional Children’s Heart Network (with centralization of Pediatric cardiac surgery in Edmonton and a collaborative approach to care and decision-making), to the benefit of the large number of children with cardiac disease in the population served by Manitoba. Her compassion for patients, and her ability to provide high quality education to all levels of students without compromising patient safety, and her ability to work with other staff and to gain their trust and collaboration have all been cited as outstanding qualities in her nomination letter. We note that she has won at least four teaching awards at the University of Manitoba and that she has been directly involved in improving quality of care in the network. In many ways Dr. Soni embraced a trend that has spread – the closing of cardiac surgery in smaller centres and the development of systems of care that support families while ensuring that surgery is performed in centres that have sufficient volume to get the best results. The results are better by all measures, but it takes a special kind of physician to operate in this type of system – one who is truly focused on what is best for patients. Dr. Soni fits this mold.
Clinician Educator
Dr. Robert Thivierge
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Robert Thivierge as PCC’s recipient of the 2011 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Educator Award. Dr. Thivierge is a general pediatrician who initially practiced in the community of Trois Rivieres and then moved to CHU Sainte-Justine in 1984 and has practiced emergency pediatrics for almost three decades while developing a special expertise in Pedagogy. He has focused much of his work on Continuing medical Education and Continuing professional Development. It is notable that he has done significant work and been a supporter of interdisciplinary care. He is described as a charismatic and innovative teacher who has influenced many students to pursue a career in Pediatrics and has mentored some who have gone on to become outstanding leaders. His work in the areas of CME/CPD has been influential not only on Quebec, but across Canada (he worked with the group that developed the Royal college MOCOMP Program), and he has been invited to participate in educational activities in Europe. He has been recognized with numerous awards for these efforts including two by the Quebec Council on CME (2007) (an award for excellence in CME research and an award for excellence in CME Innovation) and one by the Canadian Association for Medical Education-AFMC (2007): for excellence in medical education. His career has moved beyond Pediatrics and he has been a Director and subsequently Vice Dean for Continuing Medical Education at the University of Montreal Faculty of Medicine. During his time in the dean’s office he has also developed a successful research partnership with others interested in the study of innovations in CME and problem-based learning. On the basis of these local, provincial national and international contributions in the area of education the committee selects Dr. Thivierge to be this year’s recipient of the Award for Clinician Educator.
Clinician Investigator
Dr. Peter Rosenbaum
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Peter Rosenbaum as PCC’s recipient of the 2011 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Investigator Award. Dr. Rosenbaum is a Developmental pediatrician whose prolific research career has been in the field of developmental disability. In fact, he has really been a pioneer who has made this area of research attractive to young Canadian researchers and his establishment of Canchild at McMaster has been a home for many of the from across a wide range of disciplines to hone their skills. He has more than 240 peer-reviewed publications, many of which have had huge global impact. His success as a researcher has lead to a Canada Research Chair. His work has lead to a number of validated instruments for assessing children with disabilities that are used widely. He has done groundbreaking studies in the area of the lives of children with disabilities and their families. He has been a tireless advocate for Family-Centred Services for these families and has developed ways of measuring the effectiveness of this type of care. He has also had a major role in disseminating knowledge about disability and the care of children with disability. However, these accomplishments, notwithstanding their importance, would not be sufficient to merit this prestigious award. The main criterion is that the candidate should create “environments that foster opportunity for child health research” and“demonstrate(d) outstanding leadership in an administrative role within the clinical and/or academic community.” Dr. Rosenbaum has been a supervisor or committee member of more than 50 graduate students’ degrees. Even a cursory scan of the list of names reads like a who’s who of child health research in Canada. He has also been in demand as an external examiner for theses from around the world. His establishment and leadership of Canchildhas already been mentioned as creating an environment where research on disabilities flourished. For more than a year he was Acting Chair of the department of pediatrics at McMaster and since 2007 he has been the inaugural director of the McMaster Institute of Child Health as a research administrator. These activities are proof that Dr. Rosenbaum meets the criteria for this award and we are delighted to award it to him.
2010 Leadership Award Winners
Clinician Practitioner
Dr. Daune McGregor
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Daune McGregor as PCC’s recipient of the 2010 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Practitioner Award.
The committee chose Daune McGregor as the award recipient for this year. The terms of reference state that the awardee will be “the clinician whose clinical practice has served as an outstanding environment for the education of trainees and the advancement of practice through knowledge translation and dissemination and leadership within the discipline.” Daune McGregor’s practice has been at the Hospital for Sick Children in the Department of Pediatric Neurology. In addition, she is the Associate Chair (Clinical)
where she has broad impact throughout the various subspecialities. She has won a number of teaching awards including twice winning the coveted Harry Bain award within her own institution and the Teacher of the Year in Child Neurology at HSC on three other occasions. She has clearly spent time and interest on trainees throughout her career and has twice been nominated for the PAIRO Resident Advocate Award. She has been Postgraduate Education Director for three years and is considered a mentor by two generations of students and trainees. Both her clinical teaching and her lectures are said
to be outstanding and highly popular. She has given numerous invited talks around the world. She is also described as “a gifted diagnostician….a skilled therapist and a remarkable communicator with children, their families and all other health professionals.” I think these facts speak directly to her merit in having a clinical practice that has served as an outstanding environment for the education of trainees. Daune McGregor has also had an impact in advancement of practice through knowledge translation and dissemination. First of all she has been directly involved in knowledge creation through a strong record in research and more than 60 peer-reviewed publications. She has also authored 16 book chapters or other monographs for continuing education. She is described as a “superb scholar and life-long learner” whose practice and teaching are always evidence-based and family- and child-centred – a rare combination. She is also an innovator and advocate. She has promoted the links between Neurology and Child Development, and was one of the first to involve herself in the importance of rehabilitation services for children with neurological and developmental issues. Her involvement with and support for the fledgling Division of Developmental Pediatrics at the Bloorview Children’s Rehabilitation Centre as it evolved into an Ontario-wide resource were critical as is her ongoing involvement in the Board of that facility’s Foundation.
Clinician Educator
Dr. David Eisenstat
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. David Eisenstat as PCC’s recipient of the 2010 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Educator Award.
The committee recommends Dr David Eisenstadt for this award. Although Dr. Eisenstadt represents a different type of leader than previous awardees in this category, he clearly has provided some unique leadership in the area of education and training at a relatively early stage in his career, all the while performing as an excellent clinician and developing a very strong research career. His major contribution has been in the area of educating for, and stimulating interest in research among students ranging from the high school level, through undergraduate students, medical students and postgraduate students at the Masters and PhD levels. He took on the role of Director of the Advanced Degrees in Medicine Program in 2007. This program brings together a number of disparate programs at the University of Manitoba and has combined them in an innovative entity that is greater than the sum of its former parts. The MD/PhD program is invigorated, and the BSc Med Program, which has been around for decades but was a small program of 20 students per summer, has been expanded to 50 students who are enthused about research. Many of these students already have a bachelor’s degree, and are taking a second one because of the opportunity to receive additional training in health-related research within a program that offers outstanding value. Another example of his innovative spirit was the establishment of the first ever National Medical Student Research Day. This will become an annual event and seems to be enthusiastically endorsed by national student bodies. David has also taken his enthusiasm for health research to the high schools. He has mentored a number of students who have been successful in science fairs locally and nationally. He encourages other to work with high school students. He also teaches at all levels in the Faculty of Medicine and teaches graduate level courses and supervises 11 graduate students. He won the Mentor of the Year Award from the Health Sciences Graduate Student in 2006. David Eisenstadt is still just in early mid-career and we felt that his educational accomplishments were quite significant for this amount of time. He is a traditional “triple threat” in that he has outstanding achievements in clinical medicine, education and research. Although he has not pursued research in the area of pedagogy, he has already made a unique contribution to health research education in Manitoba and nationally.
Clinician Investigator
Dr. Michael Kramer
The Padiatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Michael Kramer as PCC’s recipient of the 2010 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Investigator Award.
Dr Michael Kramer is the suggested recipient of this award for this year. Dr. Kramer is recognized nationally and globally as one of the leading perinatal epidemiologists in the world. His peer-reviewed publications (305 and counting) and the number of citations of his work (more than 30 per article) testify to the prolific nature and impact of his work. But this outstanding record of research would not be sufficient to merit this award. The main criterion is that the candidate should create “environments that foster opportunity for child health research” and “demonstrate(d) outstanding leadership in an administrative role within the clinical and/or academic community.” Dr. Kramer has held a variety of research administration positions. He has been Vice Chair and Chairman of the Research Committee at the McGill-Montreal Children’s Hospital Research Institute. He has worked on committees of FRSQ to promote epidemiological research in Quebec.
He has taught undergraduates and graduate students at McGill and has supervised many PhD students. However, his greatest contribution has been since he accepted the position of Scientific Director of the Institute of Human Development and Child and Youth health (IHDCYH) Health at CIHR in 2003. Under his leadership the IHDCYH has created and promoted environments and a climate that fosters child health research. This has been a period of great growth in child health research. Among other accomplishments, his personal support for and involvement in two national child health initiatives (The Canadian Child and Youth health Coalition and the Maternal, Infant, Child and Youth Health Network) are appropriately cited as evidence that he has provided administrative leadership in fostering environments that allow child health research to flourish in Canada. In our view Dr. Kramer meets the criteria for this award in spades.
2009 Leadership Award Winners
Clinician Practitioner
Dr. Jean Labbé
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Jean Labbé as PCC’s recipient of the 2009 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Practitioner Award.
Jean Labbé was selected for the Clinician Practitioner Award for many reasons. Perhaps the most remarkable consideration was his pioneering work and many contributions in the field of Childhood Abuse and Neglect. Thirty years ago, when he started this work, child abuse and neglect had been largely ignored. His work to develop guidelines and establish committees in Quebec to deal with unexplained death of children were landmark. The concepts and processes he developed are now used throughout the Francophone world. He also worked with medical students, pediatric residents, pediatricians, family physicians, nurses, social workers, teachers, lawyers, police officers, and the general public to increase awareness of child abuse. He is also an outstanding teacher and has been nominated previously for a PCC Leadership Award as Clinician Educator. He co-founded the Quebec branch of TIPS (Teaching Improvement Projects System). For many years, he was the Director of the Continuity Clinic for Pediatric Residents, as well as being in charge of the weekly conference regarding ambulatory pediatrics. He has played an active role in the Canadian Paediatric Society; on the Indian and the Inuit Committee, on the Editorial Board of the journal, and in issues related to child abuse and neglect. His work has been recognized by the Canadian Paediatric Society with an advocacy award, by the “l’Association des medicines de langue française du Canada, and by the Académie des Grand Québecois (as the first recipient for the new health section). He appears to be one of those people who “steps up to the plate” to fill gaps in a service, education and leadership role, including everything from Northern Health to an Enuresis Clinic—always doing an outstanding job. As a clinical practitioner for Québec City, he has served as a consultant for government and public health authorities. He has demonstrated outstanding, innovative, and community leadership by advocating for the underserved and modeling superb clinical skills.
Clinician Educator
Dr. Susan Tallet
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Susan Tallet as PCC’s recipient of the 2009 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Educator Award.
Dr. Susan Tallet was nominated for her international leadership in pediatric education. She has a remarkable breadth of interest in education and has made sustained contributions locally, nationally, and internationally. She has been the Director of the Core Pediatrician training program at the University of Toronto, Associate Chair of Education in Pediatrics and chaired a number of University Postgraduate Education Committees. Nationally, Sue was the Chair of the Canadian Pediatric Program Directors group for many years as well as being Chair of the Canadian Paediatric Society Sub-Committee on Education. She has also made enormous contributions to the Medical Council of Canada and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. In addition, her emphasis on patient safety within the Royal College has been landmark. She has published a remarkable number of articles on education and research in education. Perhaps most remarkable of all is that SickKids has developed a Sick Kids Learning Institute (the first children’s hospital in Canada and perhaps in the world to do so) and Sue is now the Chief of Education of that Learning Institute. The quintessential clinical educator, her tireless efforts on behalf of the children and youth of Canada will be appropriately recognized by the PCC Clinical Educator Award.
Clinician Investigator
Dr. Norman Rosenblum
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Norman Rosenblum as PCC’s recipient of the 2009 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Investigator Award.
Dr. Norman Rosenblum was nominated for the PCC Clinical Investigator Award because he has shown enormous leadership locally, nationally and internationally. He has been the Associate Chair for Research in the Department of Pediatrics for seven years, the SickKids Research Institute’s Clinician Scientist Training Program and currently is in charge of the University of Toronto’s MD PhD program. At the same time, he maintained his own outstanding research lab, selflessly committed himself to the Department, his trainees and the SickKids Research Institute. He initiated new mentorship training positions for trainees, a research training fellowship, and a faculty development program for research within the department. Nationally, he is the Principal Investigator of the CIHR funded Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Program. In addition, he has been part of the North American – wide Pediatric Scientist Development Program (PSDP) , and he has interacted with the program in the Netherlands. For his passion and commitment, his organizational skills, and his innovative leadership, we recommend him as a model for the PCC Clinician Investigator Award.
2008 Leadership Award Winners
Clinician Practitioner
Dr. Paul Thiessen
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Paul Thiessen as PCC’s recipient of the 2008 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Practitioner Award.
Dr. Paul Thiessen, a community based pediatrician in Vancouver, was selected because of his role as advocate, scholar, and educator. He has helped to create an academic environment for medical students and residents. He has been the Medical Director of the level 2 newborn care nursery, and has been Medical Director of the Spinal/Meningomycele program for many years and provided exemplary care. He has excelled as a teacher of both residents and medical students and received many teaching awards. He has been recognized for his work in “Partners in Care”, promoting family centered care initiatives at BC Children’s Hospital. He has championed breast feeding, baby friendly initiatives, and a smoke free hospital. In addition, he has helped implement the recommendation of a Fetus and Newborn Committee of the Canadian Paediatric Society and he has established an intrauterine growth restriction chart for the population of British Columbia. He has been active in the Canadian Paediatric Society, and also involved in the Editorial Board of Pediatric Reviews and Contemporary Pediatrics. He has served as the editor of the bi-annual newborn letter in BC for many years. Within the Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Thiessen has served as division head, responsible for organizing Grand Rounds, and responsible for the scientific program at the CPS meetings. His contributions have been truly remarkable, innovative, and varied and he has demonstrated enormous leadership and administrative abilities.
Clinician Educator
Dr. Wendy MacDonald
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Wendy MacDonald as PCC’s recipient of the 2008 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Educator Award.
Dr. Wendy MacDonald was chosen for the Clinical Educator Award because of her remarkable contributions to the undergraduate program at McGill, and her long standing interest in medical education. Her outstanding contributions include: the McGill University Curriculum Committee, Director of the Pediatric Residency Program, and Director of Medical Education within a Department of Pediatrics. She has served the Royal College on numerous occasions and was Chair of the Test Committee in Pediatrics. She has received the Canadian Association of Medical Education Certificate of Merit. In addition, she has served as Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at McGill. In each of those positions, she has been an innovator and created new successful programs. At McGill the Clinical Clerkship in Pediatrics has been rated the best Clerkship repeatedly, and the Pediatric Undergraduate Teaching Program in Pediatrics at McGill is rated highest in Canada for many years. Finally, she has received the Osler Teaching Award from McGill graduating medical students on two occasions. No faculty member has ever received this honor more than once. For all of these reasons, and in particular her innovation, dedication, and sense of excellence, we nominated her for the Clinical Educator Award.
Clinician Investigator
Dr. Charles Scriver
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Charles Scriver as PCC’s recipient of the 2008 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Researcher Award.
Dr. Charles Scriver was selected for the Clinical Investigator Award because of his truly remarkable contribution to creating an environment of research in Genetics not only at McGill, but across the country. He has served on numerous Boards, holds five honorary degrees, is a Companion of the Order of Canada, and a Grand Officer of the Order of Quebec. He has served as President and Council Member of numerous Pediatric and Genetic organizations. However, the award is really aimed at his remarkable administrative contributions, years of international collaborations on metabolic disease, and his development of a number of awards to be given to younger colleagues. His extraordinary long career of many contributions is appropriately recognized by this award.
2007 Leadership Award Winners
Clinician Practitioner
Dr. Lionel Dibden
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Lionel Dibden as PCC’s inaugural recipient of the 2007 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Practitioner Award.
This award recognizes Dr. Dibden as an exemplary model of a Community Based Pediatrician who has had a significant impact in bringing together the general pediatricians in his community and integrating them within the academic pediatric community. We would also like to recognize Dr. Dibden's achievements in the development of an outstanding program for adolescent medicine and child protection at the University of Alberta. As this year’s award recipient, PCC also recognizes Dr. Dibden as an outstanding teacher, who has had a significant impact on the standard of care in the province of Alberta, in creating an outstanding environment for the education of trainees.
Clinician Educator
Dr. Bosco Paes
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Bosco Paes as PCC’s inaugural recipient of the 2007 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Educator Award.
This award recognizes Dr. Paes's many achievements and distinguished career in graduate training, highlighted by the innovative educational methods that have resulted in improving the quality of teaching related to newborns. PCC would also like to recognize Dr. Paes's exemplary leadership role resulting in the development of an educational program for nurse practitioners and advanced neonatal nursing at McMaster University. Dr. Paes's career has advanced neonatal care at McMaster Children’s Hospital, and has provided many residents and graduate students in a broad variety of disciplines with an outstanding educational experience.
Clinician Investigator
Dr. Aubrey Tingle
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada congratulate Dr. Aubrey Tingle as PCC’s inaugural recipient of the 2007 Pediatric Academic Leadership - Clinician Researcher Award.
PCC is honored to recognize Dr. Aubrey Tingle for his longstanding leadership role and many innovative achievements in developing an environment that has fostered and facilitated many advancements in paediatric health. As a Researcher, Developer of a Children's Hospital Research Institute, as well as the Founder and President of The Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, this award recognizes Dr. Tingle's excellence in leadership and innovation in fostering multiple environments that have advanced child and youth health research in Vancouver, the Province of British Columbia, and across Canada.