Celebrating Alumni Achievement

The achievements of three alumni from the Faculty of Medicine have been celebrated with the inaugural Dean’s Alumni Awards.

The program recognizes one graduate in three categories:

• Rising Star: which recognizes an alumnus/a who has graduated within the past 15 years and has made great contributions to the Faculty, their local healthcare community or academic achievement
• Alumni Volunteer: which recognizes an individual whose volunteerism has enhanced the Faculty of Medicine experience for students, staff, and fellow alumni
• Lifetime Achievement: which recognizes a graduate whose outstanding work has earned them national or international prominence.

“It is a pleasure to honour the achievements and success of our most distinguished alumni,” says Dean Catharine Whiteside, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. “The strength of our Faculty can be seen through the fine work of our graduates, and this initiative allows us to showcase the ways they contribute to our well-established legacy of excellence.”

Nearly 50 alumni were nominated for consideration.

The inaugural winners are:

Rising Star Award – Dr. Samir Sinha

Dr. Samir Sinha completed his postgraduate MD training in Internal Medicine in our Faculty of Medicine in 2008. He is the Director of Geriatrics at Mount Sinai Hospital, and the University Health Network.  Sinha has advised health authorities in Canada, Britain, the United States and China on innovative models of geriatric care. He is also the Expert Lead for Ontario’s Seniors Strategy.

Faculty of Medicine Alumni Volunteer Award – Dr. Don Cowan

Dr. Don Cowan received his M.D. from the Faculty of Medicine in 1956. Throughout his career as a hematologist-oncologist, he has served on more than 60 committees at the Faculty and its affiliated hospitals. Cowan has also participated in a variety of committees with nearly 20 provincial, national and international organizations, and remains active within the U of T Medical Alumni Association.

Lifetime Achievement Award – Dr. Henry Barnett

Dr. Henry Barnett received his M.D. from the Faculty of Medicine in 1944, before becoming a neurologist. His stroke research has included international clinical trials, which established the value of Aspirin in stroke prevention, and investigations that led to the denial of indications for carotid artery bypass surgery. He has also been a recipient of the prestigious Karolinska Stroke Award for Excellence in Stroke Research, as well as five Honourary Doctorates from Universities in North America and Europe.

Graduates with either a degree or certificate from the Faculty of Medicine were eligible for consideration, and could be nominated by any individual, either independently or on behalf of a group or institution.

The awards were presented at the Dean’s Honour Roll Luncheon on November 7th.