8 Ontario physicians appointed to 2025 Order of Canada

Ottawa

For leading the creation of Canada’s public health agency as its first chief public health officer, and a lifelong commitment to strengthening health systems across the country.

“I am honoured to have my life and career recognized in this way. I have had the good fortune and privilege of working with exceptional colleagues, whether in clinical, academic or public health practice.”

Toronto

For being a founding member of Toronto’s Mozart Society and his cultural contributions to Canada’s Czech community, alongside his work as an allergist and as past-president of the Allergy Society of Ontario.

“To receive the Order of Canada has been the highlight of my career. Canada has been my adopted country since 1968, and I am very grateful. Since 1976, I have been practising allergy and immunology, and I am on the board of the Allergy Society of Ontario. I was chair of the OMA Section of Allergy and Clinical and on the board of various music organizations, including the Mozart Society and Music Toronto.
I have been trying to give back to our society because Canada has been so good to me. I am so honoured.”

Hamilton

For revolutionizing care for children with disabilities through family-centred approaches and the internationally adopted Gross Motor Function Classification System.

“It is an honour for me to have our focus on childhood disability recognized nationally. While the Officer of the Order of Canada is recognition for an individual, the work we do is always a shared enterprise. For me, the people from whom I have learned the most, and to whom this award is dedicated, are the kids with developmental disabilities and their families who have been my teachers for 50 years. Many generous colleagues have also been on this journey with me — you know who you are and I offer heartfelt thanks.”

Hamilton

For transforming neonatology internationally by centering the lives of preterm infants and their families in research and developing our understanding of their long-term outcomes.

“I am deeply honoured to be awarded the Order of Canada, and I would like to thank my collaborators with whom I share this honour. As an immigrant woman from India, I am grateful to my adopted country, Canada, and McMaster University, for the opportunities afforded me to develop my expertise and career. Most importantly, I am pleased that the area of my research, which focuses on the long-term outcome and personal perspectives of individuals — in this case former preemies — is recognized.”

Ottawa

For her national leadership in public health and guiding Canada through the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on equity.

“Receiving the Order of Canada is an incredible honour that fills me with deep gratitude for this country that welcomed me and gave me an opportunity to serve. My career in public health and infectious diseases has focused on advancing health equity and supporting those most marginalized. This recognition reflects the dedication of so many colleagues and communities who share this purpose. I feel inspired to continue to contribute to the health and well-being of communities in Canada and around the world.”

Toronto

For advancing fracture prevention and creating a model of care that’s improved outcomes for patients across Canada.

“I greatly appreciate this honour conferred by Gov. Gen. Mary Simon. I am particularly gratified that work toward the goal of making effective hip fracture prevention available everywhere in Canada has been recognized at this level. Numerous colleagues, other health professionals, scientists, as well as philanthropists, non-profit organizations and government agencies have contributed to the advancement of this project. With multiple colleagues, we have ‘moved the needle’ closer to universal fracture prevention program coverage, but much remains to be done. My sincere thanks to all who have collaborated.”

Toronto

For enhancing trauma care in remote and military communities and bridging civilian and military health systems through his leadership.

"I'm honoured to serve and honoured to be recognized by this appointment to the Order of Canada. I've been very fortunate to work with great people and great organizations during my career, and this award is a reflection of that. We collectively work to provide care to those who are hardest to reach, including soldiers injured while on deployment and Indigenous people injured in remote communities."

Hamilton

For reshaping breast cancer treatment through groundbreaking radiation therapy research that improves outcomes and quality of life.

“I am humbled by this national recognition and grateful to the patients who have entrusted their care in me and have advanced the discovery of more effective cancer treatment. We have been able to apply innovations in radiation therapy to further reduce breast cancer recurrence and side effects of treatment and to use new breast cancer biomarkers to tailor radiation therapy to patients most likely to benefit,” as quoted in a recent article by McMaster University.