CMA Recognizes Outstanding Young Physician Leaders

OTTAWA, Aug. 5, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is pleased to recognize three young physician leaders as the recipients of its 11th annual Award for Young Leaders. The award celebrates the efforts of young physician leaders of tomorrow for their efforts today.

The recipients of the 2014 Award for Young Leaders are Peter J. Gill of Edmonton, Dr. Farhan Asrar of Mississauga and Dr. Samir K. Sinha of Toronto.

Dr. Peter J. Gill (Student Award)

Dr. Peter Gill co-founded and developed PedsCases, a medical education website that provides pediatric resources for undergraduate students. The tool includes more than 25 podcasts that have been downloaded by individuals from 150 countries.

While in medical school at the University of Alberta, he won a Rhodes Scholarship to attend the University of Oxford (2009-13) where he earned a doctor of philosophy in primary health care and a master of science in evidence-based health care. He graduated from the MD/PhD program at the University of Alberta in May 2014 and recently started pediatrics residency training at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. He plans to be a pediatrician and clinician-scientist.

Dr. Gill's focus on improving the quality of care for children has been widely recognized. In 2010 he received a Leaders of Tomorrow Award from the Alberta Science and Technology Leadership Foundation, in 2012 he received the IODE War Memorial Scholarship Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee and in 2014 he received the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Rising Star Research Award.

"I am extremely humbled to be selected for this prestigious award from the CMA recognizing my commitment to child health," said Dr. Gill. "I am passionate about improving the quality of care for children through research, medical education and advocacy."

Dr. Farhan Asrar (Resident Award)

Dr. Farhan Asrar is the founder and editor-in-chief of Community Calling, a national magazine connecting Canada's public health physicians.  He has held several leadership roles including chief resident at McMaster University's public health program; interim chief resident at McMaster family medicine; and council representative on Professional Association of Residents of Ontario.

In 2010 he attended the International Space University (ISU) in Strasbourg and became the Emerging/Deputy Chair of the ISU Department of Space Life Sciences in 2011. Most recently, he has been appointed the International Space University Chair in Health and Space for the 2014 Space Studies Program. In this capacity, he will lead participants from over 14 countries to complete an international project and develop recommendations pertaining to public health and space.

Dr. Asrar founded the Orphan Sponsorship Program and helped several other universities start similar initiatives. He is a mentor and advisor for international medical graduates, residents and students. Dr. Asrar is the recipient of several awards from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons; the Governor General of Canada; the Public Health Physicians of Canada; the College of Family Physicians; the Canadian Association of Internes and Residents (CAIR); and leadership awards from McMaster University, University of Waterloo and University of Toronto.

"It is a great honour to be the recipient of such a prestigious award. I was delighted to hear the news from CMA president Dr. Francescutti, who has been a big inspiration for me," said Dr. Asrar. "I am humbled that my colleagues and mentors nominated me, and also for the CMA to recognize my achievements with this award. My various initiatives, activities and achievements were a result of my values to try my best in making an altruistic positive difference in the lives of others and in the world. None of this would have been possible without my family, especially my mom, and my physician teachers and mentors that have molded me and my career to become someone who is deserving of this award."

Dr. Samir K. Sinha (Early Career Award)

As the expert lead of the Government of Ontario's Seniors Strategy, Dr. Samir Sinha is working to ensure that older Ontarians and Canadians remain healthy and independent for as long as possible and receive more care in the community and at home. At Mount Sinai and the University Health Network Hospitals, where he is director of geriatrics, Dr. Sinha has developed an innovative Acute Care for Elders (ACE) strategy that is positively transforming the care of older adults across the entire continuum of care.

Dr. Sinha teaches at the University of Toronto and at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is also a research affiliate of the Oxford Institute of Ageing, United Kingdom, where he was a Rhodes Scholar (2001–05).

He was awarded an Action Canada Fellowship (2010) and received the University of Toronto's Faculty of Medicine Alumni Dean's Rising Star Award (2013). He has been featured in the CMA's Canada's Doctors Innovating for Patients campaign.

"I am deeply humbled and honored to be receiving this award.  We enter medical school mainly because we want to make a positive difference in the lives around us. I have dedicated my career to improving the care that older Canadians receive," said Dr. Sinha. "The fact that the CMA, as my national medical association, also values and has acknowledged my efforts and contributions to advance the care of older adults is appreciated."

Recipients of the Young Leaders Award have demonstrated exemplary dedication, commitment and leadership in one of the following domains: political, clinical, education, research and/or community service.

"These young leaders are truly dedicated to making a difference and act as positive role models for their peers," said Dr. Louis Hugo Francescutti, CMA President. "I believe the medical profession and patients will be in good hands in the future."

The CMA will present the awards on Aug. 20 at a ceremony at Westin Ottawa as part of its 147^th annual general meeting.

The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is the national voice of Canadian physicians. Founded in 1867, the CMA is a voluntary professional organization representing more than 80,000 of Canada's physicians and comprising 12 provincial and territorial medical associations and 60 national medical organizations. CMA's mission is to serve and unite the physicians of Canada and be the national advocate, in partnership with the people of Canada, for the highest standards of health and health care.

SOURCE: Canadian Medical Association

For further information: Dominique Jolicoeur, Communications Officer, Tel.: [phone] or 800-663-7336 ext. 2038, Cell: 613-809-5669, [email protected]