On June 24, 2024, UBC Health held its annual Awards Celebration, recognizing outstanding contributions in health education, research, and interprofessional collaboration. This event celebrated the achievements of students, faculty, and community educators who exemplify excellence in their fields.

Dr. Dermot Kelleher, Vice-President Health at UBC, commenced the ceremony with opening remarks, setting a tone of celebration and recognition for the exceptional work done by the award recipients.

Honoring Excellence and Collaboration

UBC Health Awards and Scholarships are presented annually to individuals and teams who have significantly advanced health education and practice through interprofessional collaboration and innovative research. This year, the awards celebrated:

• John McNeill Excellence in Health Research Mentorship Award: Dr. Victoria Bungay from the School of Nursing received this award for her exceptional mentorship and establishment of the Capacity Research Unit, which promotes community-based health research and interventions.
• John F. McCreary Prize for Interprofessional Teamwork: The UBC Centre for Cardiovascular Innovation (CCI-CIC) team, led by David Wood, was honored for its interdisciplinary approach to cardiovascular research and clinical trial administration.
• R. Paul Kerston Community Educator Award: Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this award recognized Eve Sheftel and Karen Firus for their dedication to student mentorship and health education.
• Professor Jessie Gordon MacCarthy Memorial Scholarship: Manpreet Alisha Buttar, a Master of Science in Human Nutrition student, was awarded for her leadership in community and population health.
• John H.V. Gilbert Interprofessional Scholarship: Leslie Guo, a Doctor of Pharmacy program graduate, was recognized for her contributions to interprofessional education and collaborative initiatives.
• ImpactBC Scholarships in Health Care Research and Development: Four students—Sanjit Kaur Bains, Carissa Sum Yin Chan, Pavneet Kalsi, and Karen Lok Yi Wong—were awarded for their research projects focusing on patient-centered care and health professional education.

Read more about the awardees.

“The entire UBC Health team congratulates the 2023 awardees on their achievements. They have each made meaningful contributions towards improving patient care in BC and beyond,” says Christie Newton, the Associate Vice-President of Health.

The celebration ended on a high note with a group photo of all award recipients, marking the culmination of an inspiring evening dedicated to honoring excellence in health education and research.