FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, January 22, 2003
AMA recognizes outstanding achievements in health care for 2003
A call for nominations
EDMONTON - The Alberta Medical Association (AMA) is calling for Achievement Awards nominations for individuals who have contributed to the improvement of the quality of health care in Alberta. The deadline for nominations is April 30. Awards will be presented at the AMA annual general meeting, September 12, in Edmonton.
The Medal of Honor is awarded to a non-physician who has raised the standards of health care and contributed to the advancement of medical research, medical education, health care organization and/or health education of the public.
Winners of the 2002 Medal of Honor were:
- Calgary's Dennis L. Anderson. Mr. Anderson was a Member of the Legislative Assembly for more than 14 years, holding three different portfolios during that time. He is the founding chair of the Alberta Alliance for Mental Health, a group with 16 member organizations that work to shape the future of mental health care. He is also involved with the Canadian Mental Health Association in Alberta and a number of other organizations that facilitate changes in mental health care. He is a strong leader and advocate for Albertans facing mental health problems.
- Calgary's Leone (Lou) Winthers. Mrs. Winthers started her career as a registered nurse before becoming a health care planner for the Tom Baker Cancer Centre and Foothills Hospital, a role which she held for 20 years planning, designing and developing acute and continuing health care centres. Mrs. Winthers then turned to her other passion, providing care for terminally ill individuals and their families. She is a founding member of a number of organizations including Hospice Calgary and the Canadian Palliative Care Association and its Alberta counterpart. Her contributions to both health care planning and palliative care in Alberta are exhaustive and outstanding.
The Medal for Distinguished Service is awarded to a physician who has made an outstanding personal contribution to the medical profession and the people of Alberta, who has raised medical standards or contributed to the art and science of health care in our province. Dr. John J. Akabutu was the recipient in 2002.
- Dr. Akabutu was recognized as a medical pioneer and is considered to be one of the world's most pre-eminent hemophilia specialists. He joined the University of Alberta's Department of Pediatrics in 1972 as its first hematologist/oncologist. He founded the Department of Pediatrics at the Cross Cancer Institute in 1973 and, in less than a decade, his innovative approach to treatment led to vast improvements in the survival rate for children with cancer. Dr. Akabutu also founded the Comprehensive Hemophilia Centre at the University of Alberta Hospitals and the Alberta Cord Blood Bank. He has also served on the AMA Board of Directors and numerous other committees, and with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta. A tireless educator, humanitarian and physician, Dr. Akabutu's contributions to the improvement of health care in Alberta are exceptional.
Other physicians who have received the Medal for Distinguished Service include:
- Dr. D. Neil Graham of Red Deer, and Dr. Harald A.J. Schwarz of Edmonton, awarded in 2001.
- Dr. Kabir Jivraj of Calgary, Dr. Allan R. McClelland of Medicine Hat and Dr. Brian D. Willis of Edson, awarded in 2000
- Dr. Robert W. Russell of Cardston, awarded in 1999
For more information about nominations for these prestigious Achievement Awards or to request a nomination form, please contact Pat Shinkewski, Coordinator, Public Affairs, Alberta Medical Association by phone (780) 482-2626 or by email pat.shinkewski@albertadoctors.org, or visit AMA's website http://www.albertadoctors.org/benefits/awards/achievement.html
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For further information, please contact:
Pat Shinkewski
Coordinator, Public Affairs
Alberta Medical Association
12230 106 Ave NW
Edmonton AB T5N 3Z1
Phone: (780) 482-2626