CAEP Annual Awards Program

Recognizing Excellence in Emergency Medicine

CAEP’s Annual Awards recognize excellence in specific areas within emergency medicine, including advocacy, education, research, and professional practice.

2024 Annual Award Winners

Nominated by their peers, the final award winners are selected either by a CAEP committee* and/or the CAEP Board of Directors. Applicants from all backgrounds and practices (rural, urban, academic, community), particularly those who identify as a member of an underrepresented group in emergency medicine (including Indigenous, Black, people of colour, women, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ people) are invited to apply.

All nominators and nominees must be CAEP members.

For all awards except for the Emergency Physician of the Year Award, submissions must include a letter from a colleague, outlining the characteristics of the nominee as they relate to the award (multiple letters are accepted).  A CV is also strongly recommended (and required for the Ian Stiell Researcher of the Year Award).
For the Emergency Physician of the Year Award, nominators will be asked to outline nominee qualities directly in the submission form.
*With the exception of the Penny Gray Allen Memorial CJEM Writing Award
**With the exception of the Medical Journalism Award, Emergency Physician of the Year Award and the Penelope Gray-Allan Memorial CJEM Writing Award.
President's Award

The President’s Award recognizes a member who has demonstrated a commitment to CAEP through activities that have directly impacted the association. Activities may include but are not limited to:
  • Board activities
  • Committee work
  • Involvement with working groups
  • Advocacy
  • Research
  • CPD activities
  • International work
Recipient Receives
  • A plaque
  • Complimentary conference registration
  • Head shot on the CAEP website
  • Honourary lifetime membership
  • Return travel and two nights hotel at conference
Eligibility
  • Current CAEP Board Members and Officers are not eligible for the award
  • Recipients can only be recognized with this award once
Additional Submission Requirements
  • Must contain the signatures of three CAEP members (electronic signatures are accepted)

Click here to nominate

Year Recipient
2022 Dr. Constance LeBlanc
2021 Dr. Robert Primavesi
2020 Dr. George Kovacs
2019 Dr. Jill McEwen
2018 Dr. Eric Letovsky
2017 Dr. Wesley Palatnick
2016 Dr. Garth Dickinson
2015 Dr. Chris Evans
2014 Dr. Michael Schull
2013 Dr. Douglas Sinclair
2012 Dr. Ian Stiell
2011 Dr. Grant Innes
2010 Dr. James Ducharme
2009 Dr. Andrew Affleck
2008 Dr. Timothy Allen & Dr. Brian Rowe
2007 Dr. Terry Sosnowski
2006 Dr. Alan Drummond
Special Merit Award

In recognition of outstanding contributions and dedicated service to emergency medicine in Canada.  The recipient is seen as a leader in making Canadian Emergency Medicine what it is today.
Recipient Receives
  • A plaque
  • Complimentary conference registration
  • Return travel and two nights hotel at conference

Click here to nominate

Year Recipient
2022 Dr. Alan Drummond
2021 Dr. Lucas Chartier
Dr. Shelley McLeod
2019 Dr. Rod Lim
2015 Dr. Brian Holroyd
2012 Dr. Dennis Psutka
Dr. Robert Johnston
Emergency Physician of the Year Award

CAEP is pleased have established an award in recognition of excellence in emergency medicine. The Emergency Physician of the Year Award will be given to two individuals per Canadian region* (as outlined in the CAEP bylaws. One each for a physician practicing in an urban/sub-urban community (populations 30,000+) and a small urban/rural community (populations less than 29,999).

Criteria

  • This award is open to any physician practicing emergency medicine in Canada regardless of their CAEP membership status
  • Outstanding contributions in one or more of the following areas in emergency medicine in the last 24 months:
    • Patient care
    • Community service
    • Hospital or health care administration
    • CAEP activities
  • Examples of outstanding contributions include:
    • Championing wellness
    • Conducting charitable or humanitarian work
    • Embodying excellence in clinical practice
    • Providing leadership during a community crisis
    • Developing a new program to address challenges in emergency medicine
    • Developing innovative care programs in specific areas of emergency medicine (e.g., overcrowding, palliative care, addiction, etc.)
Submission Requirements:
  • Nominators will be asked to outline nominee qualities directly in the submission form

*Regions of Practice

  • West:
    • British Columbia
    • Yukon
  • Prairies
    • Alberta
    • Saskatchewan
    • Manitoba
    • Northwest Territories
    • Nunavut
  • Ontario
  • Quebec
  • East
    • New Brunswick
    • Nova Scotia
    • Prince Edward Island
    • Newfoundland & Labrador
Recipient Receives:
  • Free conference registration
  • $500 towards a flight to conference OR a CAEP membership (if the winner is a non member)
  • A plaque

Click here to nominate

2022 Emergency Physicians of the Year
David Bradbury-Squires
Raoul Daoust
Maj. Paul Dhillon
Taft Micks
Alim Pardhan
Aaron Sibley
Kristjan Thompson
Shannon Wiebe
Dr. Paul Hannam Memorial Award for Emerging Leadership in Emergency Medicine

A gifted leader in emergency medicine, Dr. Paul Hannam served as Director at Toronto’s Michael Garron and North York General Hospitals where he mentored and sponsored countless learners and faculty. Paul cared deeply about the people he worked with and their wellbeing. He was respected by all who knew him for his dedication to equity and access to care for our most marginalized and vulnerable patients. He had a quiet leadership style in which he led by example, was always ready to help and mentor colleagues, especially junior colleagues, and approached his work with humility. As Director of the ED at NYGH he articulated an academic vision relevant to a community hospital and became a trusted partner in SREMI.

The award will be presented to the selected candidate at the CAEP Annual Scientific Meeting. A speaking opportunity will be offered either at the Annual Meeting or another venue as deemed appropriate.

The award winner will receive:

  • A plaque; 2 nights’ accommodation at the conference hotel;
  • Round-trip travel to and from the conference according to CAEP’s travel guidelines;
  • Free full conference registration;
  • & Honorarium of $1000.

Selection Criteria:

Nominations should address the qualities of the candidate that reflect Dr. Hannam’s values and character, which should include, but not be limited, to the following:

  • Demonstrated leadership skills (academic leadership qualities or interests an asset);
  • Supports colleagues as an educator and mentor;
  • Dedicated to EDI values especially marginalized patients of the ED;
  • Skilled and dedicated educator;
  • Quiet, humble individual who leads by example.

The award will be open to Canadian Emergency Physicians who are CAEP members in their first ten years of practice who best reflect the values and qualities of Dr. Paul Hannam.

Award winners will also be notified of an opportunity to apply for a grant towards tuition for the NEAL program at University of Toronto or another qualifying leadership training course (as determined by the Selection Committee) within 4 years of their award. Funds will be derived from the Paul Hannam Endowment Fund surplus at Sinai Health Foundation. Applications will be reviewed by the same Committee that reviews applications for the Paul Hannam Award.

Award winners will also be eligible to receive free tuition to the CAEP Leadership course.’

Click here to nominate

Year Recipient
2022 Dr. Allison Petrie McConnell
2022 Dr. Robert Ohle

 

Award for Medical Journalism

The recipient of this award has told an emergency medicine related story that reflects:
  • Fairness and balance (capturing multiple viewpoints, quality and depth of research, accuracy)
  • Timeliness (first on the story, immediacy, relevance to audience)
  • Insight (imparting clear perceptions of a complex situation; creativity in approach; human context or implications)
  • Impact (contribution to society and to public understanding of issue)
  • Quality writing and production (clear, compelling and interesting narrative; conciseness; accessibility; use of visuals and sound)
Recipient Receives
  • A plaque
  • Free conference registration
  • Return travel to conference
  • Two nights hotel accommodation
Eligibility
  • The primary focus the submission must be emergency medicine.
  • The work must have been published or aired within the twelve months preceding the date of the CAEP Conference
  • Entries originally written, broadcast or produced in languages other than French or English are welcome – transcript in either official language must accompany the submission.
  • Reports from any journalistic media including print, TV, and Radio are eligible
  • Open to journalists working for Canadian newspapers, magazines, television stations, radio stations, wire services and networks
  • Open to freelance journalists whose submitted work has been published or broadcast in Canada.
  • Work appearing in specialty or trade publications is not eligible for submission
  • Work must be aimed at the general public
  • Teams or individuals may submit work
  • The organizers reserve the right to disqualify any submission that is incomplete or that constitutes a real or apparent conflict of interest
  • CAEP reserves the right to withhold the award in any year if the judges determine that submissions are not of a sufficiently high standard in meeting the established criteria.
Additional Submission Requirements
  • Self-nomination is ineligible
  • Applications must also include descriptions of advocacy activities and a minimum of two samples of a nominees work

Click here to nominate

Year Recipient
2022 Dr. Heather Patterson
2021 Dr. Catherine Varner
2020 Dr. Bob Bell
2018 Ms. Teresa Boyle, The Toronto Star
2017 Mr. Tom Brodbeck, The Winnipeg Sun
2015 Mr. Andre Picard, The Globe and Mail
2014 Mr. Kevin Rollason, The Winnipeg Free Press
2013 Ms. Pamela Cowan, The Regina Leader-Post
2012 Mr. Andre Picard, The Globe and Mail
2011 Ms. Jodie Sinnema, The Edmonton Journal
Penelope Gray-Allan Memorial CJEM Writing Award

This award recognizes a Humanities in Emergency Medicine article submitted to CJEM. The paper should be no more than 1000 words. All of the submissions are judged by either the CJEM Senior Editorial Board (SEB), or a committee established by the SEB.

Recipient Receives

  • A plaque
  • Free Conference Registration

Eligibility

  • Only open FRCPC or CCFP(EM) residents in Canada

Additional Submission Requirements

Deadline March 31st
Please address any questions to: cjem@caep.ca
Year Recipient
2021 Dr. Ben Huang
2020 Dr. Gerhard Dashi
2019 Dr. Shannon Chun
2018 Dr. Leo Carroll
2017 Dr. Christine East
2016 Dr. Noam Katz
2015 Dr. Niresha Velmurugiah
2014 Dr. Stephanie VandenBerg
2013 Dr. Meira Louis
2012 Dr. Sandra Jennesan
2011 Dr. Michelle Tousignant
Ian Stiell Researcher of the Year Award

​In recognition of the outstanding contribution to emergency medicine research that Dr. Ian Stiell has had over his career, the University of Ottawa Department of Emergency Medicine has established the annual Researcher of the Year award in his name. Dr. Stiell was the inaugural Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine (2002) and for many years fostered excellence in research and education. As a driven and distinguished leader, Dr. Stiell is deeply committed to translating research and academic results into practice-changing benefits for our emergency patients and the emergency medicine health care community. Dr. Stiell is an internationally recognized researcher and mentor in emergency medicine.Candidates for this award are CAEP member physicians who have distinguished themselves through their scholarship, specifically producing important clinical or education research in emergency medicine within the past three years. This distinction will be judged based upon impactful dissemination of research findings and innovations, as well as national or international awards received. Staff Physician and PhD clinical or education researchers whose primary appointment is with a Division or Department of Emergency Medicine and who devotes the majority of his/her time EM research are eligible. Normally we would not expect students, residents, or fellows to be candidates for this award. The Board is under no obligation to award each year.

Recipient Receives

  • A plaque
  • Complimentary conference registration
  • Return travel to conference & two nights hotel
  • Free conference registration
Additional Submission Requirements
  • A detailed letter of nomination explaining why the nominee is deserving of the award in 750 words or less
  • A full CV with achievements of the past three years highlighted and recent publication details that support impactful emergency medicine research findings, innovations and any national or international awards received
  • Must contain the signatures of three CAEP members (electronic signatures are accepted)
Eligibility
  • Candidates who have not won in the previous three years are eligible.

Click here to nominate

Year Recipient
2022 Dr. Corinne Hohl
2021 Dr. Samina Ali
2020 Dr. Teresa Chan
Dr. Christian Vaillancourt
2019 Dr. Paul Atkinson
2018 Dr. Andrew McRae
2017 Dr. Venkatesh Thiruganasambandamoorthy
2016 Dr. Jeff Perry
Honourary Life Membership Award

The Honourary Life Membership Award (Emeritus) is given to an individual who exemplifies what an emergency medicine Physician strives to be. The recipient, who has had a lengthy career, is recognized for their outstanding contributions and dedicated service to emergency medicine in Canada and CAEP. Individuals who receive this award are fixtures within the EM specialty and whose accomplishments are well known.
Recipient Receives
  • A plaque
  • Complimentary conference registration
  • Lifetime membership with CAEP (no annual dues)

Eligibility

  • Be a current member of CAEP with at least 20 years of membership
  • Recipients can only be recognized with this award once
  • Return travel to conference & two nights hotel
  • Free conference registration
Additional Submission Requirements
  • Must contain the signatures of three CAEP members (electronic signatures are accepted)
  • A letter from a colleague (who is a CAEP member), outlining the characteristics of the nominee as they relate to this award (multiple letters are accepted)

Click here to nominate

Year Recipient
2022 Dr. Howard Ovens
2021 Dr. Sam Campbell
2020 Dr. Jonathan Dreyer
Dr. Terry O’Brien
2019 Dr. Art Coakley
2018 Dr. Gene Dagnone
2017 Dr. Les Vertesi
2016 Dr. Justin Maloney
2015 Dr. Michael Bullard
2010 Dr. David Walker
1995 Dr. Ronald Stewart
Dr. Marilyn Li
1994 Dr. Peter Rosen
1990 Nancy Booth
1988 Dr. Jan Tollefson
Alan Drummond Advocacy Award

The Dr. Alan Drummond Advocacy Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exemplary leadership and commitment to the cause of advancing emergency medicine at the regional, national or international level through advocacy efforts.
Recipient Receives
  • A plaque
  • Complimentary conference registration
  • Return travel to conference & two nights hotel
Eligibility 
  • CAEP shall be under no obligation to present the award annually.
  • The award may be awarded to more than one person in a given year.
  • Any possibility that an individual or organization could exploit winning a CAEP award for personal profit or commercial advantage will be taken into consideration.
  • Any CAEP member currently sitting as an elected officer, a member of the Board of Directors or the Public Affairs Committee is not eligible for nomination unless under exceptional circumstances.
  • A nomination may be re-submitted in a subsequent year

Click here to nominate

Year Recipient
2022 Dr. Jillian Roberge
2021 Dr. Dominick Shelton
2020 Dr. Daniel Kollek
2019 aHand2Hold Campaign
2018 Dr. Joe Vipond

Dr. Courtney Howard
2017 Dr. Kathryn Dong
2016 Dr. Kari Sampsel
2015 Dr. Carolyn Snider
2014 BCMA Section of Emergency Medicine
2013 Dr. Christian Vaillancourt & Dr. Norman Epstein
2012 Dr. Adam Lund
2011 Dr. Paul Parks & Dr. Raj Sherman
Marilyn Li Pediatric EM Leadership Award

​This award was established to honour Dr. Marilyn Li. Dr. Li joined the medical staff of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in the Emergency Department (ED) in 1978 and was appointed Assistant Head in 1983. In 1985, Dr. Li became the Head of Emergency Services at CHEO, a position she held for 10 years.
During her time at CHEO, she implemented a Paediatric Fellowship training program in 1988, the first in Canada. Recognizing the importance of academic excellence, she hired a research assistant to support staff research activities, and supported interested staff in pursuing formal research training. This set the foundation for significant practice changing research and to the creation of Pediatric Emergency Research Canada, a consortium of PEM researchers that is recognized internationally for its contributions to PEM research.
Under Dr. Li’s guidance, education in PEM extended beyond CHEO’s fellows to residents in Family Medicine and the Royal College Emergency programs in Ottawa. Subsequently, trainees from Toronto, McMaster and Queen’s Universities also came to CHEO for rotations in PEM.
This award recognizes a physician who, as a leader in Pediatric Emergency Medicine, has promoted excellence in themselves and others as demonstrated by the following qualities:
  • A mentor to colleagues, inspiring and encouraging their growth in clinical work, education and/or scholarly activities
  • A strong collaborator, building the network of physicians and allied health teams within the PEM and EM communities
  • Promoting and fostering, within themselves and others, core values of honesty, open mindedness and respect
Recipient Receives
  • A plaque
  • Complimentary conference registration
  • Return travel to conference & two nights hotel

Click here to nominate

Year Recipient
2022 Dr. Rod Lim
2020 Dr. Sarah Reid
2019 Dr. Garth Meckler
2018 Dr. Gary Joubert
2017 Dr. Jason Fischer
2016 Dr. Carrol Pitters
2015 Dr. Terry Klassen
Helen Karounis Memorial Award for Professionalism in EM

Awarded in recognition of a physician, resident or staff, who upholds the highest standards of professionalism in emergency medicine. The recipient demonstrates the following qualities:
  • Is altruistic, has integrity, is honesty, and conducts themselves ethically
  • Shows care and compassion
  • Shows competence and knowledge of one’s limits
  • Shows openness
  • Shows responsibility to the profession and society
  • Is able to work within a team
  • Is an excellent role model
  • Inspires others uphold the highest standards of professionalism
  • Is an excellent, patient, and responsive teacher
  • Demonstrates a thoughtful approach to career-life balance while encouraging others to do so
Recipient Receives
  • A plaque
  • Complimentary conference registration
  • Return travel to conference & two nights hotel

Click here to nominate

Year Recipient
2022 Dr. Bruce MacLeod
2021 Dr. Jennifer Bryan
2020 Dr. Jennifer Leppard
2019 Dr. Jim Christenson
2018 Dr. Samina Ali
2017 Dr. Bjug Borgundvaag
2016 Dr. Don Eby
2015 Dr. Merril Pauls
2014 Dr. Gary Ollson
2013 Dr. Roberta Eby
2012 Dr. Raghu Venugopal
2011 Dr. Norman Bartlett
2010 Dr. Luella Smith
Terry Sosnowski Memorial Teacher of the Year Award

In March of 2015, Canadian emergency medicine lost one of its greatest educators, Dr. Terry Sosnowski. In 1992, Dr. Sosnowski lead a group of dedicated physicians and founded the emergency medicine residency training program at the University of Alberta. He was the first RCPSC-EM Program Director. As an accomplished physician, he believed whole heartedly in the speciality and was influential in teaching the next generation of emergency medicine physicians. This award now bears his name to honour the legacy he left in emergency medicine education not only in Alberta, but across Canada.

Recipient Receives

  • A plaque
  • Complimentary conference registration
  • Return travel to conference & two nights hotel

Eligibility

  • The nominee should be actively involved in teaching residents
  • Must have made an outstanding contribution to teaching or to the development of EM education in Canada
  • Contribution must have been made within the last year
  • Previous recipients are not eligible

Click here to nominate

Year Recipient
2022 Dr. Jennifer Leppard
2021 Dr. Daniel Grushka
2020 Dr. David Ha
2019 Dr. Caroline Tyson
2018 Dr. Jonathan Sherbino
2017 Dr. Aaron Johnston
2016 Dr. Andrew Healey
2015 Dr. Lisa Calder
2014 Dr. Mathieu Gatien
2013 Dr. Ken Milne
2012 Dr. Ian Rigby
2011 Dr. Rob Woods
2010 Dr. Terry Sosnowski
2009 Dr. Amanda Hanson
2008 Dr. Danielle Blouin
2007 Dr. Paul Parks
2006 Dr. Marc Charles Parent
2005 Dr. Jason Frank
2004 Dr. Eddy Lang
2003 Dr. Tim Allen
2002 Dr. Ivan Steiner
2001 Dr. John Ross
Resident Leadership Award - CCFP(EM)

Awarded to fellow resident leader who mentors, instructs, encourages, and advocates for residents. This award recognizes and shows appreciation to those individuals whose efforts have made emergency medicine special. The recipient will demonstrate the following qualities:
  • Has made an outstanding contribution to the development of Canadian EM or the betterment of Canadian EM residents
  • Recognized leader
  • Effective teacher
  • Has contagious enthusiasm
  • Is innovative
  • Acts as a role model
Eligibility
  • The nominee must currently be in good standing in an accredited Canadian CFPC-EM, or enrolled in an EM-related fellowship
  • Previous recipients are not eligible

Recipient Receives

  • $500 towards conference expenses

Click here to nominate

Year Recipient
2022 Dr. Elyssia Adamo
2021 Dr. Wilson Lam
2020 Dr. Christine Hanna
2019 Dr. Alicia Cundall
2017 Dr. Christine East
2013 Dr. Laura Stone
2012 Dr. Rachel Sheps
2009 Dr. Jatina Lai
2008 Dr. Elizabeth Shouldice
2007 Dr. Elizabeth Haney
2006 Dr. Brian D. Farrell
2004 Dr. Chantal St-Onge
Resident Leadership Award - FRCPC

Awarded to fellow resident leader who mentors, instructs, encourages, and advocates for residents. This award recognizes and shows appreciation to those individuals whose efforts have made emergency medicine special. The recipient will demonstrate the following qualities:
  • Has made an outstanding contribution to the development of Canadian EM or the betterment of Canadian EM residents
  • Recognized leader
  • Effective teacher
  • Has contagious enthusiasm
  • Is innovative
  • Acts as a role model
Eligibility
  • The nominee must currently be in good standing in an accredited Canadian FRCPC, or Pediatric EM residency program, or enrolled in an EM-related fellowship
  • Previous recipients are not eligible
Recipient Receives
  • $500 towards conference expenses

Click here to nominate

Year Recipient
2022 Dr. Sara Alavian
2021 Dr. Kristin Morch
2020 Dr. Anne Finlayson
2019 Dr. Gerhard Dashi
2018 Dr. Blair Bigham
2017 Dr. Ahmed Taher
2016 Dr. Kyla Caners
2015 Dr. Floyd Besserer
2014 Dr. Laurie Robichaud
2013 Dr. Brent Thoma
2012 Dr. Dennis Lefebvre
2011 Dr. Ni Lam
2010 Dr. Hussein D. Kanji & Dr. Chau Pham
2009 Dr. Isabelle Bertrand
2008 Dr. Ameilie Bourassa
2007 Dr. Aaron Sibley
2006 Dr. Rob Woods
2005 Dr. Rob Hall
2004 Dr. Shona MacLachlan
2003 Dr. Lisa Calder
2002 Dr. James Thompson
2001 Dr. Sunil Sookram
Richard Kohn Memorial Award for Mentorship in EM (AWARD RETIRED)

In October of 2012, Canadian emergency medicine lost one of its greatest and most loved mentors, Dr. Richard Kohn, who succumbed to cancer at the age of 49. Dr. Kohn was an award-winning educator and dedicated academic, serving as the Program Director for the CCFP(EM) program at McGill University and integrally involved at both the undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate levels of medical education. In over 20 years as a clinician educator and mentor at the Sir Mortimer B. Davis – Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, Dr. Kohn influenced the career path of hundreds of trainees through role modeling excellence and compassion.
This is awarded to a physician mentor and role model within emergency medicine who meets the eligibility criteria.
  • Shows exemplary caring and compassion towards their patients
  • Has a strong track record of mentoring students, residents and junior colleagues in the clinical sphere of EM
  • Is a strong advocate of physician-nursing collaboration and multi-disciplinary teamwork in the Emergency Department (ED)
  • Shows unequivocal support and devotion to ones colleagues and to the ED

Click here to nominate

Year Recipient
2022 Dr. Meeta Patel
2021 Dr. Gillian Sheppard
2020 Dr. Marc Francis
2019 Dr. Samina Ali
2018 Dr. Thomas Lee
2017 Dr. Stephen Choi
2016 Dr. Nadim Lalani
2015 Dr. Bill Sevcik
2014 Dr. Mathieu Gatien
2013 Dr. Shirley Lee

Questions?

Julia Beljo
Lead, Membership Engagement & Advocacy
1-800-463-1158 x17
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