CPS awards recognize outstanding contributions to child and youth health

OTTAWA—The Canadian Paediatric Society has announced its 2013 award winners, recognizing health professionals who have helped improve child and youth health in Canada:

Alan Ross Award
Dr. Jacques Lacroix – Montreal

Dr. Jacques Lacroix receives the Alan Ross Award, which recognizes lifelong excellence in the fields of paediatric research, education, healthcare and advocacy. Dr. Lacroix is a professor of pediatrics at the University of Montreal and a full-time academic specialist in paediatric critical care medicine at Sainte-Justine Mother and Child University Health Centre. He has been a national and international pioneer in pediatric critical care and research for over two decades.

Michel Weber Education Award
Dr. Robert Hilliard – Toronto

The 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. Robert Hilliard is being recognized for his commitment and passion for teaching at all levels. Dr. Hilliard is a professor of paediatrics at the University of Toronto and a paediatrician at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).

Young Investigator Award
Dr. Jonathan Maguire – Toronto

Dr. Jonathan Maguire receives the Young Investigator Award, which recognizes research accomplishments in child and youth health. Dr. Maguire’s research contributes to evidence-based practice in primary care practice settings with a focus on micronutrient health during the early childhood years (TARGet Kids! project). Dr. Maguire is a paediatrician at St. Michael’s Hospital and the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

Distinguished Community Paediatrician Award
Dr. Joseph Madden – North Bay

This year’s Distinguished Community Paediatrician Award goes to Dr. Joseph Madden. Dr. Madden has spent his career working to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable children and youth in North Bay. He was instrumental in building a sustainable paediatric group and active in promoting the new Children’s Treatment Centre in his community. Dr. Madden provides outreach services to his community and district.

Distinguished Neonatologist Award
Douglas McMillan—Halifax

Dr. Douglas McMillan, this year’s Distinguished Neonatologist, is a professor of paediatrics at Dalhousie University and a staff neonatologist at the IWK Health Centre. He worked over 27 years in Calgary (15 as Division Head) and has worked over 9 years in Halifax (6 as Division Head). Dr. McMillan has been dedicated to advancing neonatology as a specialty, improving the quality of care for newborn babies and families, and educating and training future generations of neonatologists, as well as other healthcare professionals.

Noni MacDonald Award
Dr. Kristy Wittmeier – Winnipeg
Dr. Brandy Wicklow – Winnipeg

The Noni MacDonald Award recognizes an article, published in Paediatrics & Child Health, which has positively affected paediatric medicine. This year’s award goes to Success with lifestyle monotherapy in youth with new-onset type 2 diabetes, by Dr. Kristy Wittmeier and Dr. Brandy Wicklow. The article shows the importance of combining lifestyle changes with increased physical activity as an intervention for type 2 diabetes. Both authors are from the Manitoba Institute of Child Health, John Buhler Research Centre.

Life Membership
Dr. Noni MacDonald—Halifax
Dr. Gary Pekeles – Montreal
Dr. Doug McMillan – Halifax

Life Membership is an honour reserved for members who have made a significant contribution to the CPS.

Dr. Noni MacDonald is the founding editor of Paediatrics & Child Health and remains its editor-in-chief. She is awarded Life Membership for her ongoing work as editor, CPS board member, spokesperson and advocate for the well being of children and youth around the world. Dr. MacDonald is a professor of paediatrics at Dalhousie University with a clinical appointment in paediatric infectious diseases at the IWK Health Centre.

Dr. Gary Pekeles first became active with the CPS 15 years ago as a member of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Health Committee, following which he represented Quebec for 6 years on the Board of Directors. From 2007-2008 he was the CPS President. Dr. Pekeles is a professor of paediatrics at McGill University and director of the Northern and Native Child Health Program, Programme de Santé du Nord at the Montreal Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Doug McMillan has been member of the CPS since 1975. He served as chair of the Fetus and Newborn Committee, President of the Section on Global Health for Children and Youth and as CPS President from 2002-2003. Currently, he’s the nominated president of the 2016 International Paediatric Congress to be hosted by the CPS. After working over 27 years in Calgary, Dr. McMillan is currently a professor of paediatrics at Dalhousie University and a staff neonatologist at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax.

Member Recognition Award
Dr. Debra Andrews – Edmonton
Dr. William Mahoney – Hamilton

Dr. Debra Andrews and Dr. William Mahoney are awarded the CPS Member Recognition Award for their outstanding work co-editing the 2012 revision of Children with School Problems: A Physician’s Manual. Dr. Andrews is also incoming president of the CPS Mental Health Section, and is active in the development of section programming for the 2013 Annual Conference in Edmonton. Dr. Mahoney joined the Editorial Board for Caring for Kids New to Canada and currently co-leads the Developmental Paediatrics Section.

All CPS awards will be presented at the 90th CPS Annual Conference—June 19-22 in Edmonton.

For conference information visit: www.annualconference.cps.ca. Media assistance will be available on-site.

About the Canadian Paediatric Society

The Canadian Paediatric Society is a national advocacy association that promotes the health needs of children and youth. Founded in 1922, the CPS represents more than 3,300 paediatricians, paediatric subspecialists and other child health professionals across Canada.