OMA Awards Program

Eligibility

Early career member of the OMA who has been in practice 15 to 20 years.

Criteria

The Emerging Leader Award is presented to an early career physician who has demonstrated leadership abilities toward shaping the future of medicine. Award recipients act as a positive role model for peers and colleagues with a demonstrated commitment toward:

• Meaningful contributions
• Social responsibility
• Political advocacy
• Partnership/relationship building
• Innovation
• Health policy

Nomination process

Nominations can be made by any member of the OMA during the call for nominations period.

Additional information

One award may be presented annually.

Eligibility

Physician having reached the age of 65 and has been an active member of the Canadian Medical Association for the preceding 10 years.

Criteria

CMA Honorary membership is an honour bestowed on a physician having made outstanding contributions to the CMA on its board of directors, committees, or general council and/or has had significant involvement in Canadian medicine.

Nomination process

Nominations may be made by any member of the OMA.

Additional information

The recommendations from the Awards Committee will be considered by the OMA Board of Directors and subsequently elected by unanimous vote of the board of directors of the CMA.

Eligibility

Ordinarily, the recipient will be a non-physician.

Criteria

Honorary membership is awarded for outstanding service to the OMA, the medical profession, medical science, or the common good at the provincial level.

Nomination process

Nominations may be made by an OMA member, the executives of a branch society, a district, or a section.

Additional information

Honorary members are elected by a two-thirds majority vote of the board of directors of the OMA and are entitled to all the privileges of the association except for the power to vote. There are never more than 25 honorary members at one time.

The OMA Awards Committee will choose the recipients of the 2023 OMA Life Membership.

Eligibility

OMA members who have reached the age of 65 as of December 31 in the year preceding the annual meeting that the awards are to be presented. Under exceptional circumstances, candidates under 65 years of age may be considered.

Criteria

OMA Life Membership is awarded to those members who have made an outstanding contribution to the work of the Association in the interest of the medical profession. In addition to OMA-related involvement, work done to advance medical science and other positive work done at the provincial level can be considered.

Nomination process

Recipients are to be selected by the OMA Awards Committee after a review of all eligible candidates.

Additional information

Life Members are exempt from payment of annual dues.

A maximum of 25 Life Memberships is awarded annually.

Eligibility

The recipient will be a non-physician.

Criteria

The OMA Centennial Award is awarded in recognition of outstanding achievements through lengthy service and/or distinguished acts in serving the health and welfare of the people of Ontario.

Nomination process

Nominations may be made by an OMA member, the executives of a branch society, a district, or a section.

Additional information

OMA Centennial Award recipients are invited at the association‘s expense to attend the annual installation and awards ceremony to receive their award. Recipients receive a complimentary subscription to the Ontario Medical Review. One award may be presented annually.

Eligibility

Any member of the association, with the exclusion of past presidents of the association.

Criteria

The Distinguished Service Award is awarded for exceptional long-standing service to the Ontario Medical Association. This involves membership on major committees, council or the board.

Nomination process

Nominations may be made by any member of the association.

Additional information

One award may be presented annually.

Eligibility

A physician or non-physician.

Criteria

The Advocate for Students and Residents Award is awarded in recognition of outstanding contributions that have significantly benefited the medical students or residents of the province of Ontario.

Nomination process

Nominations may be made by an OMA member, the executives of a branch society, a district or a section, or by the deans of the six medical schools in the province or from OMSA.

Additional information

One award may be presented annually.

Eligibility

Any member of the association.

Criteria

The Presidential Award is awarded in recognition of exceptional and long-standing humanitarian service to the greater community (in Ontario or elsewhere) that brings honour to the medical profession. The award recipient by their actions expresses the highest qualities of service by a physician that we all admire.

Nomination process

Nominations may be made by any member of the association. The president will review the shortlist of candidates prepared by the Awards Committee and will make the selection of the nominee to be included with the committee’s recommendations to the Board for final approval.

Additional information

One award may be presented annually.

Eligibility

Any OMA member who has not yet received Life Membership or CMA Honorary Membership.

Criteria

The Glenn Sawyer Service Award is awarded in recognition of significant service to the OMA, medical profession, or the public at the community level.

Nomination process

Nominations may be made through a branch society by universities, hospitals, and community medical leaders in the area. One nomination from each branch society will be accepted.

Additional information

A maximum of 15 awards may be presented annually. The award is presented locally.

Eligibility

Non-physician members of a community.

Criteria

The Community Service Award is awarded for significant contribution to the health and welfare of the people of a local community as defined by involvement in community health and public welfare, including length of involvement, roles fulfilled in local organizations, and personal achievements.

Nomination process

Nominations may be made by the nominee‘s branch society or district executive.

Additional information

Maximum of 15 awards annually.

Eligibility

Any OMA member who has not received Life Membership or CMA Honorary Membership.

Criteria

The Section Service Award is awarded in recognition of significant service to the section, medical profession, or public within a section.

Nomination process

Nominations may be made through a section by universities, hospitals, and community medical leaders in the area. One nomination from each section will be accepted.

Additional information

A maximum of 15 awards may be presented annually. The award is presented at a section meeting.

Eligibility

One student from each of the six provincial medical schools.

Criteria

The Medical Student Achievement Award is awarded for significant contributions at the political and/or community level that helps advance the life and/or education of all medical students.

Nomination process

Nominations will be accepted directly from medical students. Where necessary, applications may be reviewed by a committee of peers elected student representatives of the OMA Section of Medical Students.

Additional information

The Medical Student Achievement Award recipients are invited at the Association’s expense to attend the OMA’s annual installation and awards ceremony to receive their award.

Eligibility

Residents training in Ontario.

Criteria

The Resident Achievement Award is awarded for outstanding contributions to the advancement of post-graduate training.

Nomination process

Nominations may be made by university professors, teaching faculties, the OMA Section of Interns and Residents and PARO. All nominations will be reviewed by the OMA Section of Interns and Residents and the Section will forward its recommendation(s) to the Awards Committee by December 1.

Additional information

Resident Achievement Award recipients are invited at the association’s expense to attend the OMA’s annual installation and awards ceremony to receive their award. This award may be presented annually to one resident from each of the six provincial medical schools.

Eligibility

All branch societies are eligible.

Criteria

The TC Routley Challenge Shield is awarded to the branch society which most adequately fulfills its purpose of service to its members, community, and profession through programs and activities defined by:

• Contributions by branch societies to the OMA as demonstrated by activity in OMA Committees, Council 
• Contributions by the branch society to science, medical education, culture, hospitals, community service, politics, public welfare, and other civic activities

Nomination process

Branch societies apply through their district executive with a report outlining their activities.

Additional information

Only one shield is awarded annually. Ordinarily, this award would not be presented to a branch society more frequently than every 10 years. The president of the recipient branch society is invited to attend the OMA installation and awards ceremony where the award will be presented.