Chair's Awards

The following awards are presented to faculty members with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology on behalf of the Department Chair.

Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

This Award, in recognition of Excellence in Undergraduate Medical Education, is presented to a Faculty member, who, in the first 10 years of his/her appointment, has demonstrated a sustained interest in undergraduate education and has made a significant contribution to the Department’s Undergraduate Education Program. The primary appointment of the recipient must be in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Toronto. The recipient is selected based on the Year Three Clinical Clerks' evaluations of their core rotation in Obstetrics and Gynaecology for the previous academic year and input from Chiefs.

Past Award Recipients: Mara Sobel (2020), Karthika Devarajan (2019), Danielle Vicus (2018), Dini Hui (2017), Sabrina Lee (2016), Tatiana Freire-Lizma (2015), Rajiv Shah (2014), Jason Dodge (2013), Mark Yudin (2012), Janet Bodley (2011), Danny Lovatsis (2010), Elyse Lackie (2009), John Kingdom (2008), Lisa Allen (2007), Rory Windrim (2006), Richard Pittini (2005), Adrian Brown (2004), Mike Sved (2002), Fay Weisberg (2001), Filomena Meffe (1999), Elaine Herer (1997).

Excellence in Integrated Undergraduate Teaching 

This Award, introduced in 2012 in recognition of Excellence in Undergraduate Medical Education, is presented to a Faculty member who is based at a community-affiliated hospital and has demonstrated excellence in teaching or has made a significant contribution to the overall Undergraduate program. The primary appointment of the recipient must be in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Toronto. The recipient is selected based on the Year Three Clinical Clerks' evaluations of their core rotation in Obstetrics and Gynaecology for the previous academic year and input from Chiefs.    

Past Award Recipients: Melanie Ornstein (2020), Brian Liu (2019), Kerry Myckan (2018), Kooyean Chun (2017), Haidar Mahmoud (2016), Sabrina Lee (2015), Sybil Judah (2014), Scott Tigert (2013), Dalip Bhangu (2012). 

Excellence in Postgraduate Teaching 

This Award, in recognition of Excellence in Postgraduate Medical  Education, is presented to a Faculty member who, within the first 10 years of their faculty appointment, has demonstrated a sustained interest in postgraduate education, has been recognized by the residents as an excellent teacher, and has made a significant contribution to the Department’s Postgraduate Education Program. The primary appointment of the recipient must be in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Toronto. The recipient is selected based on the Residents' and Fellows' evaluations of his or her teaching effectiveness during the previous academic year and input from Chiefs.  

Past Award Recipients: Carmen McCaffrey (2022), Taymaa May (2021), Crystal Chan (2020), Colleen McDermott (2019), Mara Sobel (2018), Mark Yudin (2017), Deborah Robertson (2016), Wendy Whittle (2015), Abheha Satkunaratnam (2014), Grace Liu (2013), Sari Kives (2012), Jackie Thomas (2011), Nanette Okun (2010), Elyse Levinsky (2009), Richard Pittini (2008), Kellie Murphy (2007), John Kingdom (2006), Gareth Seaward (2005), Rory Windrim (2004), Hani Akoury (2003), Adrian Brown (2002), Heather Shapiro (2001), Greg Ryan (2000), Ellen Greenblatt (1999), Dan Farine (1998), Joan Murphy (1997). 

Excellence in Integrated Postgraduate Teaching

This Award, introduced in 2012 in recognition of Excellence in Postgraduate Medical Education, is presented to a Faculty member who is based at a community-affiliated hospital and has demonstrated excellence in teaching or has made a significant contribution to the overall Postgraduate Program. The primary appointment of the recipient must be in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Toronto. The recipient is selected based on the Residents' and Fellows' evaluations of his or her teaching effectiveness during the previous academic year and input from Chiefs.  

Past Award Recipients: Courtney Joliffe (2022), Karthika Devarajan (2021), Brian Liu (2020), Kerry Myckan (2019), Tomer Feigenburg (2018), Anjali Aggarwal (2017), Melissa Tai (2016), Modupe Tunde-Byass (2015), Mary Melchior (2014), Adrian Brown (2013), Melanie Ornstein (2012). 

Outstanding Research Potential 

The Award is presented to a junior Faculty member who, within 10 years of his or her first faculty appointment, has demonstrated outstanding dedication, ability and research potential in the field of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The primary appointment of the recipient must be in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Toronto. The recipient of this award must be nominated by a faculty member (calls for nominations happen in early fall). When selecting the recipient, the following criteria will be used to evaluate the candidate's research potential: advancement of knowledge; impact of research on clinical practice; novelty, originality, and new concepts in research work; national or international recognition as supported by awards, invitations to organize or address symposia, etc; and demonstrated excellence supported by receipt of peer-reviewed grants and a strong publication record. 

Past Award Recipients: Genevieve Bouchard-Fortier & Eliane Shore (2020), Rohan D’Souza (2019), Crystal Chan (2018), Danielle Vicus (2017), Nir Melamed (2016), Ally Murji (2015), Colleen McDermott & Lilian Gien (2014), Marcus Bernardini (2013), Sarah Ferguson (2012), May Alarab (2011), Ori Nevo (2009), Wendy Whittle (2008), Ian Rogers (2007), Mark Yudin (2005), Andrea Jurisicova (2004), Kellie Murphy (2003), Jon Barrett (2002), Isabella Caniggia (2001), Rory Windrim (2000), Jay Cross (1999).

Sustained Research Excellence 

This Chair's Award is presented to a Faculty member who has demonstrated sustained excellence in research in the field of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and has not received this award in the last 10 years. The primary appointment of the recipient must be in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Toronto. The recipient of this award must be nominated by a faculty member (calls for nominations happen in early fall). When selecting the recipient, the following criteria will be used to evaluate the candidate's research potential: advancement of knowledge; impact of research on clinical practice; novelty, originality, and new concepts in research work; national or international recognition as supported by awards, invitations to organize or address symposia, etc; and demonstrated excellence supported by receipt of peer-reviewed grants and a strong publication record. 

Past Award Recipients: Tim Van Mieghem (2020), Lilian Gien (2019), Sarah Ferguson (2018), Andras Nagy (2017), Howard Berger (2016), Cliff Librach (2015), Barry Rosen (2014), Greg Ryan (2013), Jon Barrett (2012), Kellie Murphy (2011), Andrea Jurisicova (2010), Mathew Sermer (2008),  Isabella Caniggia (2007), Harold Drutz (2006), Ted Brown (2005), Al Covens (2004), Lee Adamson (2003), John Kingdom (2002), Mary Hannah (2001), Robert Casper (1999).

Excellence in Research Facilitation 

This Award is presented to a Faculty member who has demonstrated leadership and sustained commitment to participation in clinical research in the field of Obstetrics & Gynaecology – this includes encouraging patients in their own practice to enroll in clinical research studies ongoing in the Department and/or encouraging their colleagues to do so. The primary appointment of the recipient must be in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Toronto. The recipient of this award must be nominated by a faculty member (calls for nominations happen in early fall). 

Past Award Recipients: Elad Mei-Dan (2020), Julia Kfouri (2019), Ellen Greenblatt (2018), Eliane Shore (2017), Mark Yudin (2016), Ted Brown (2015), Kellie Murphy (2014), Arthur Zaltz (2012), Sari Kives (2011), Marshall Barkin (2010), Wendy Wolfman (2008), Joan Murphy (2007), Ellen Greenblatt (2006), Paul Bernstein (2005), Elaine Herer (2003), Elliott Lyons (2002).

Excellence in Postgraduate Program Development and Innovation 

This Award is presented to a Faculty member who has exhibited excellence in postgraduate program development and/or innovation through outstanding contributions to the education of medical Residents and/or Fellows. These contributions can include, but are not limited to, leadership and organizational skills, course/curriculum development, the development of evaluation tools or new instructional methods/modules, restructuring of teaching/evaluation components or workshops. The primary appointment of the recipient must be in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Toronto. The recipient of this award must be nominated by a faculty member (calls for nominations happen in early fall). 

Past Award Recipients: Deborah Robertson (2020), Claire Jones (2019), Rachel Spitzer (2018), Tatiana Freire-Lizama (2017), Kimberly Liu (2016), Nicolette Caccia (2015), Danielle Vicus (2014), Donna Steele (2013), the Resident Wellness Committee (Donna Steele, Janet Bodley & Michele Farrugia; 2012), Heather Shapiro (2011), Lisa Allen (2010), Abheha Satkunaratnam (2009), Gareth Seaward (2008), John Kingdom (2007).

Excellence in Continuing Medical Education Teaching 

This Award is presented to a Faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in teaching in Continuing Medical Education in the field of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. The primary appointment of the recipient must be in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Toronto. The recipient of this award must be nominated by a faculty member (calls for nominations happen in early fall).  

Past Award Recipients: Rohan D'Souza (2020), Nimrah Abbasi, Johannes Keunen and Tim Van Mieghem (2019), Jackie Thomas (2018), Michael Shier (2017), Suzanne Wong (2016), Johannes Keunen (2015), Rory Windrim (2014), Michele Farrugia (2013), Jason Dodge (2012), Wendy Whittle (2011), Sari Kives (2010), Dan Farine (2007). 

Excellence in Continuing Medical Education Course Coordination 

This Award is presented to a Faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in Continuing Medical Education Course Coordination with respect to a University of Toronto-sponsored Continuing Education course. Criteria according to which the nominee is evaluated include: course design, promotion, organization, achievement of objectives, relevance to the needs of course participants, and others. The primary appointment of the recipient must be in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Toronto. The recipient of this award must be nominated by a faculty member (calls for nominations happen in early fall). 

Past Award Recipients: Rachel Kupets & Joan Murphy (2020), Sari Kives (2019), Taymaa May and Stephanie Lheureux (2018), Lisa Allen and Rachel Spitzer (2017), Grace Liu and Jamie Kroft (2016), Michele Farrugia (2015), Dan Farine (2014), Nicholas Pairaudeau (2013), Deborah Robertson (2012), Jackie Thomas (2011), Harold Drutz and Wendy Wolfman (2010).