Six physicians to be welcomed into Order of Canada tomorrow

Canadian doctors sometimes grumble that they're underappreciated, that they're taken for granted. But Governor General Michaëlle Jean (right) can't be accused of that -- she's welcoming six physicians to the Order of Canada tomorrow morning.

The following doctors have been selected:


Dr Kenneth Thorlakson
Winnipeg, Manitoba

The GG's official citation reads:

"Kenneth Thorlakson has been a pillar of Manitoba’s Icelandic community for many years. A legendary fundraiser, he has been instrumental in ensuring that the cultural and linguistic heritage of his forbearers is preserved, enhanced and passed on to future generations. The Icelandic community newspaper* as well as the University of Manitoba’s extensive collection of Icelandic manuscripts and books and its Department of Icelandic Language and Literature have benefited from his dedication and support. Widely respected as a surgeon and teacher, he has also been a mentor to numerous young physicians over the years."

The Order of Canada is great for "Dr Ken," as he is apparently known in Winnipeg, but can it match Dr Thorlakson's title as a Knight of the Icelandic Order of the Falcon. I think not.


Dr Tom Noseworthy
Calgary, Alberta

With one of the best names in Canadian healthcare, is it any surprise that Dr Noseworthy is being honoured? But seriously, Dr Noseworthy helped found Canadian Doctors for Medicare and currently sits on its board as a representative from western Canada. He's also the director of the Centre for Health and Policy Studies and a professor in Health Policy and Management at the University of Calgary. "I'm elated," Dr Noseworthy told the Calgary Herald yesterday. "It makes so many different things worthwhile."

Here's what the official citation says:

"Head of the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary, Thomas Noseworthy is a leading authority in the field of public health care policy. For over 20 years, he has been a valued advisor to numerous public and governmental bodies, such as the Prime Minister’s National Forum on Health, and Health Canada’s Advisory Council on Health Info-Structure. He has also contributed to developing national strategies aimed at improving infrastructures and at harnessing information technology in the health sector. As one of the founding directors of Canadian Doctors for Medicare and chair of the Western Canada Waiting List Project, he continues to advocate in support of Canada’s universal health care system."

Dr William Fitzgerald
St Anthony, Newfoundland & Labrador

"For more than 30 years, William Fitzgerald has been providing outstanding medical care to the residents of northern Newfoundland, Labrador and the lower north shore of Quebec. As a surgeon at the local hospital, he has made himself available to patients at all hours and has mentored young physicians. He is also highly regarded for his work in southern Labrador, where he established a screening, detection and management program for colorectal cancer, which has saved many lives in generations of families. In addition, he has been an active volunteer in his community where he is admired for his commitment to this region and its residents."

Dr Fitzgerald is the chief of surgery at the Charles S Curtis Memorial Hospital in his hometown of St Anthony, according to the Western Star.


Dr Eric Hoskins
Simcoe, Ontario

Just yesterday I called Dr Hoskins "truly amazing." His involvement with War Child Canada alone would make him a worthy member of the Order of Canada, but he's done plenty of other great stuff in the humanitarian and political spheres. The GG's file on him reads:

"Since the very beginning of his career, Eric Hoskins has been a remarkable force for human rights. A physician, he has travelled to some of the world’s most volatile regions, in Africa and the Middle East. He devotes his energy and expertise to issues such as street children, famine relief, the effects of war on children, and HIV/AIDS. Since 2001, he has been president of War Child Canada, which funds relief and development programs in support of victims of war around the world. He also provides health care and support services to African refugees and immigrants in Toronto. A recipient of the Pearson Peace Medal, he is a popular media commentator who spurs others to humanitarian action."

Dr Jeffrey Turnbull
Ottawa, Ontario

Well known across Ontario for his role as president of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario**, Dr Turnbull has quite an impressive CV:

"An acclaimed physician, Jeffrey Turnbull is also an inspiring humanitarian. Chairman of the Department of Medicine at the Ottawa Hospital and of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa, he is an award-winning teacher and academic innovator. He is also the pioneering force behind medical services for the homeless that include a palliative hospice, a special care unit and a management of alcohol program, also known as a “wet shelter”. Since the establishment of these facilities, many people’s lives have been saved, and countless other individuals have been able to die with dignity. In addition, he is actively involved in projects to improve health care and human rights in Africa."

The CPSO has extended its congratulations and described in further details some of its presidents recent exploits.


Dr Edward A Lyons
Winnipeg, Manitoba

"Professor of radiology, obstetrics, gynecology and anatomy at the University of Manitoba, Ted Lyons is one of the world’s leading specialists in diagnostic ultrasound. Conducting trailblazing research over four decades, he has helped to make ultrasound one of the safest and most widely used non-invasive diagnostic tools in modern medicine. Highly respected for his expertise, he has held leadership positions with numerous national and international associations, such as the Canadian Association of Radiologists and the Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound. Also active within his community, he is the immediate past president of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg and past president of the congregation Shaarey Zedek synagogue."

You can check out Dr Lyons's interminably long list of publications here. Born in Halifax and active in the Winnipeg Jewish community, you can read more about Dr Lyons here.


OTHER ORDER OF CANADA RECIPIENTS
Other notable healthcare figures being honoured tomorrow morning include Mary Dawson, a lawyer and the former associate deputy minister of justice who helped write the Canada Health Act and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (she is responsible for the shrewd, feminist decision to remove all male and female pronouns from the constitution). She is now the Federal Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner. She now serves on the board of The Ottawa Hospital. An Ottawa Citizen profile of Ms Dawson is available on the Department of Justice website.

Margaret Smith, a nurse and the former dean of health sciences at St Lawrence College (PDF), is also set to be invested into the Order of Canada tomorrow.

One person very conspicuously not named to the Order of Canada, yet again, is Dr Henry Morgentaler, who is largely responsible for overturning Canadian laws that prevented access to abortion services. He was left off the list despite a recent revival of a long-running national campaign to recognize him. Heather Mallick wrote an excellent and indignant article for The Globe and Mail in 2003 on this very subject. For more about Dr Morgentaler, you can read our Q&A with him from a few months back, on the 20th anniversary of his legal victory in 1988.


Photo: Governor General of Canada

*Lögberg Heimskringla is the North American Icelandic community newspaper, in case you're interested. The top story at the moment is about a squid being elected president of Iceland, the satirical value of which goes right over my head. I guess you have to be Icelandic, or a squid.

**Correction, April 11: Dr Turnbull is no longer president of the College. Dr Preston Zuiliani is now president.

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