Distinguished Neonatologist Award

Current recipient(s): Dr. Jill Boulton

Dr. Jill Boulton lives in Kelowna B.C., working as a neonatologist at Kelowna General Hospital and serving as the Regional Medical Director for Perinatal Care in the Interior Health Region.

Jill completed her medical degree at the University of Manitoba and her paediatric and neonatal training at the University of Toronto and Western University. She entered administrative positions early in her career and discovered an aptitude that has carried through all her roles across the country, both as a leader and tireless advocate for NICU care and resources.

Jill was Medical Director of the NICU at Mount Sinai, spearheading the projects for expanded RT and RN roles. She then relocated to London, Ontario where she became the city-wide senior medical director for Women’s and Children’s Services. The first step in her move west was her  recruitment as Section Head, Neonatology for the Calgary Zone, which expanded and thrived under her leadership. She also advocated for and spearheaded the development of the outborn NICU at Alberta Children’s Hospital.

Apart from her ongoing dedication to excellent neonatal care, Dr. Boulton’s longest commitment has been to the ACoRN Program. The ACoRN journey began in 1999 with a sketch of the primary survey on a hotel napkin at the CPS annual meeting in Winnipeg. She co-edited the second edition of the ACoRN text and continues to teach ACoRN regionally, provincially, and nationally.

Retirement has yet to take hold.

Current recipient(s): Dr. Anne Synnes

Dr. Synnes is a neonatologist, clinical professor, researcher, and leader in neonatal follow-up. Her passion is improving outcomes for vulnerable children born sick or preterm. She was a steering committee member of the Canadian Neonatal Network from its earliest days, and the founding director of the Canadian Neonatal Follow-Up Network.

Dr. Synnes has been fortunate to work with and learn from many distinguished neonatologists. Her research journey has taken her from documenting the common challenges of children born preterm or into other at-risk groups to understanding brain injury through imaging, and from quality-of-care improvements to knowledge implementation. Most recently her research has been inspired by parents and advocates of children born preterm. She feels honoured to be receiving the CPS Distinguished Neonatologist Award and looks forward to joining colleagues from across Canada to celebrate this achievement.