“The passion and commitment shown by our community of physicians and researchers is a great source of pride to the Max Rady College of Medicine and to UM as a whole,” said Dr. Peter Nickerson, vice-provost (health sciences) and dean of the Max Rady College of Medicine and the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. “This honour not only recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of our University of Manitoba alumni and faculty members but also underscores UM’s dedication to nurturing generations of influential physicians and innovative researchers. Together, we continue to shape the future of medicine, making a lasting impact on health in Canada and beyond.”

On Nov. 18, University of Manitoba alumni, partners, faculty members, learners, and friends of the college will come together to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the Max Rady College of Medicine at a gala at the RBC Convention Centre. The event will raise funds for MD and grad student bursaries and serve as an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of all its members.

Please enjoy these snapshots of the remarkable UM faculty and alumni named laureates of the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame who have helped the Max Rady College of Medicine make its mark at home and around the world.

Biographies of our CMHF laureates:

2022 – Dr. Noralou Roos

Unlocked the potential of big data systems analysis to clarify the social determinants of health helping inform effective policies in support of universal health care

Dr. Noralou Roos, a pioneer in big data analysis for health care, co-founded the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy with her husband Leslie Roos. Over five decades, their initiative tracked the health and health care utilization of one million Manitobans, creating a valuable data resource linking health-care system use with actual needs. Dr. Roos’ innovative approach in gathering and analyzing administrative health-care data has set global standards, enabling post-market pharmaceutical safety assessments, data-informed resource allocation (especially in children’s health care) and more effective poverty alleviation strategies. Her pioneering work has gained international recognition and established large-scale data analysis as a cornerstone of effective population health-care management. Through her EvidenceNetwork.ca project, she shares authoritative health-care information with the public, utilizing media to enhance understanding of health-care issues. Dr. Roos has been transformative in reshaping health-care analysis and policy development.

2020 – Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov

A champion of personalized and dignified end of life care

Harvey Max Chochinov [MD/83, PhD/96], a distinguished professor of psychiatry at the University of Manitoba and senior scientist at the Research Institute of Oncology and Hematology, CancerCare Manitoba, is a leading advocate for personalized and dignified end-of-life care. His pioneering work has improved palliative care for those facing life-limiting conditions, addressing distress, depression and the desire for death, while promoting vulnerability recognition. Dr. Chochinov’s research provides guidelines for psychosocial intervention and enabling individuals to approach their end-of-life with dignity. Throughout his career, he has touched the lives of thousands with the life-affirming principles of Dignity Therapy.

2019 – Dr. Naranjan Dhalla

A champion of Canadian cardiovascular research on the international stage

Naranjan Dhalla, a prominent figure in Canadian cardiovascular research, holds the title of distinguished professor of physiology and pathophysiology at the University of Manitoba’s Max Rady College of Medicine. He is a founding leader of two global cardiovascular science organizations: the International Society of Heart Research (ISHR), emphasizing fundamental cardiovascular research, and the International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences (IACS), committed to promoting cardiovascular health education and community involvement. These organizations have fostered international collaboration, bringing together countries and regions worldwide to advance cardiovascular knowledge and health. Dr. Dhalla’s contributions have earned him 177 honours and awards from organizations globally.

2018 – Philip Berger [MD/74]

A renowned leader in health promotion, illness prevention and care

Philip Berger [MD/74], an associate professor at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Medicine and former chief of the department of family and community medicine at St. Michael’s Hospital (1997-2013), is a prominent leader in health promotion, illness prevention and compassionate health care. He’s been a staunch advocate for various marginalized groups, including refugees, the LGBTQ+ community, individuals with HIV/AIDS, those battling addiction, homelessness and poverty. Dr. Berger has actively promoted initiatives like methadone treatment, needle exchanges, recognition of torture survivors’ needs, academic infirmaries for the homeless and clinical AIDS treatment in Africa, often in the face of indifference or opposition.

2018 – Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg

A trailblazer in genetic identification and treatment for rare disorders

Dr. Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg, a pioneer in rare disorder genetics, discovered her passion for these conditions early on, shaping her career in pediatrics and medical genetics. As an academic clinician, she specialized in applied molecular genetics, uncovering the genetic roots of disorders prevalent in unique populations. Notably, she delved into hypophosphatasia (HPP), a metabolic bone disorder and glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA1), a complex organic acid metabolism disorder affecting Mennonite and Indigenous communities. Dr. Rockman-Greenberg has collaborated closely with these communities, bridging the gap between research facilities at major universities and the people who rely on advanced knowledge and skills for their care.

2017 – Estelle Simons, [MD/69] FRCPC

An icon in the field of allergy and immunology

Professor emerita Dr. Estelle Simons [MD/69], an icon in allergy and immunology, is renowned for her lifelong research on managing allergic diseases like asthma, allergic rhinitis and anaphylaxis. Over the years, she led groundbreaking clinical pharmacology studies, correlating blood concentrations with organ effects to confirm dosing rationale for new medications. Many of these drugs have stood the test of time, remaining globally utilized and proven safe. Dr. Simons also collaborated with immunology experts to uncover allergen sensitization mechanisms and explore novel agents for immune modulation.

2013 – Arnold Naimark, OC, [MD/57]

An outstanding leader and academic builder

Arnold Naimark [MD/57], a remarkable academic leader, joined the University of Manitoba in 1963, swiftly ascending to the role of dean of the faculty of medicine by 1971. As dean, he transformed the university’s medical programs, revitalizing departments like physiology and social/preventive medicine (later community health sciences) and spearheading the creation of the Northern Medical Unit. His innovative leadership extended to national and international medical education and research organizations. In 1981, he became the University of Manitoba’s ninth president and vice-chancellor, addressing broader university matters while continuing to advance medicine and health sciences.

2012 – John Dirks, OC [MD/57]

An exemplary builder in health research and innovation and committed global health advocate

John Dirks [MD/61], a clinician-scientist and global health advocate, has made remarkable contributions to health research and innovation. He excelled in renal physiology and held leadership roles in Canadian medical faculties. His passion for global health developed during his time at the Aga Khan University in Pakistan. However, Dr. Dirks’ most enduring achievement is transforming the Gairdner Foundation and its awards into the renowned Canada Gairdner Awards. These awards celebrate exceptional biomedical research. His visionary leadership revitalized the organization, boosting its global recognition and ensuring the lasting impact of these awards.

2011 – Allan Ronald, OC [MD/61]

An internationally respected expert in infectious disease and a pioneer in HIV/AIDS research and control

After international training, Allan Ronald [MD/61] returned to Winnipeg in 1968 to set in motion the creation of the Manitoba Infectious Disease Program. It soon became internationally recognized and has been acknowledged as Canada’s centre of excellence in the research and training of infectious diseases. As part of his commitment to global infectious disease research and treatment, Dr. Ronald assisted the University of Nairobi in creating one of the premiere initiatives in health collaborations between northern and southern institutions: the University of Manitoba/University of Nairobi WHO Research and Training Program in Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

2010 – James Hogg [MD/62]

A passionate and innovative scientist in the field lung research

James Hogg [MD/62], a dedicated and innovative scientist in lung research, has significantly shaped our understanding of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma. His pioneering work on airway inflammation has transformed how scientists and physicians view COPD. Throughout his extensive career, Dr. Hogg has consistently focused on exploring the mechanisms and anatomical aspects of obstructive lung diseases. His contributions have established him as a leading authority in these fields, profoundly impacting the medical community’s knowledge of COPD and asthma worldwide.

2003 – Charles Hollenberg [MD/55]

A leader of the Canadian academic medical community

After receiving his MD from the University of Manitoba and pursuing post-graduate training in internal medicine, Charles Hollenberg [MD/55] turned to a life of academic medicine and leadership. Dr. Hollenberg’s academic career began at McGill University in the 1960s, where he conducted an active program of research in fat metabolism and actively promoted the growth of scientific medicine at the Montreal General Hospital. The following decade he spent as chair of the department of medicine at the University of Toronto, where he was successful in furthering the mission of the department in all areas, including teaching, administration and research.

2001 – Henry Friesen [MD/58]

A transformative influence on health research in Canada

Dr. Henry Friesen [MD/58], a pivotal figure in Canadian health research, began his journey in 1965 at McGill University’s department of medicine. There, his pioneering work on human growth hormones enabled effective hormone replacement therapy for children with deficiencies. He later achieved a breakthrough in endocrine research by isolating and purifying prolactin. Beyond his research, Dr. Friesen demonstrated remarkable administrative leadership, notably as president of the Medical Research Council of Canada. He successfully navigated the council through challenging periods with remarkable competence and diplomacy, and his vision and advocacy played a key role in transforming it into the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. His contributions have left an indelible mark on health research in Canada.

1995 – Bruce Chown, OC [MD/22]

An expert clinician, diagnostician, innovator and teacher

Dr. Bruce Chown [MD/22], a highly skilled clinician, diagnostician, innovator and educator, dedicated his career to researching erythroblastosis fetalis, commonly known as “Rh disease.” This condition occurs when a pregnant mother’s Rh factor differs from her unborn child’s, leading her immune system to harm the baby, potentially causing severe complications in vital organ development and even fetal or postnatal death. Dr. Chown went on to establish a facility in partnership with Connaught Laboratories for producing Rh immune serum. His groundbreaking work significantly reduced the incidence of Rh disease in Canada and globally, protecting countless pregnancies and newborns from this condition.

The Grade 11 student at Nelson McIntyre Collegiate learned how to give an injection as part of a clinical skills in medicine workshop held during the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Discovery Days in Health Sciences on Nov. 9.

“It was really cool,” Hanson said. “It’s something I didn’t think I’d get to learn about in Grade 11.”

Hanson was one of almost 300 high school students and teachers from 73 schools across Winnipeg and the surrounding area who attended the annual event. Another 45 students, who live more than 350 km outside of Winnipeg, were able to attend thanks to travel bursaries.

UM has co-hosted Discovery Days with the London, Ont.-based Canadian Medical Hall of Fame for the past 22 years.

“Discovery Days in Health Sciences provides high school students with a fantastic opportunity to learn from our experts about the numerous career paths in the health sciences and the cutting-edge research happening at the University of Manitoba,” said Dr. Peter Nickerson, UM vice-provost (health sciences), and dean of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. “We hope students leave with an enthusiasm for the health sciences and an eagerness to become the next generation of health-care professionals and scientists.” 

More than 20 faculty-led workshops offered the high school students a chance to explore different fields in the health sciences, which included dental hygiene, nursing and medical microbiology.

Yun Nam, a Grade 12 student at J.H. Bruns Collegiate, practices giving a dental filling.

At the dentistry workshop, Yun Nam learned the steps to give a dental filling. The Grade 12 student at J.H. Bruns Collegiate is thinking about going to dental school because of the manual dexterity needed to be a dentist. 

“I heard it’s really hands-on,” Nam said. “I like using my hands. I have knitting stuff in my bag right now.”

Aaliyah Fernandez, a Grade 12 student at Westpark School in Portage la Prairie, took part in the College of Rehabilitation Sciences’ workshop because she’s interested in physical therapy.

“My teacher talked about how Discovery Days is a great day where people could explore different occupations, so I decided to go,” Fernandez said.

The day began in the Brodie Centre atrium with opening remarks by Deborah Ash, finance officer at the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, and Dr. Sari Hannila, associate professor of human anatomy and cell science at the Max Rady College of Medicine, and deputy director of the Interdisciplinary Health Program at the Rady Faculty.

Dr. Noralou Roos, professor emerita of community health sciences and a Canadian Medical Hall of Fame laureate, presented a talk titled A Message to My Teenage Self. Her advice to the students was to pursue their education, and look for -and build on- opportunities.

An example of an opportunity Roos took was when she ran for student body president at her high school in the late 1950s and won.

“I’ve always been convinced that is why I ended up being offered a fellowship at Stanford University and was admitted there at a time when it was very competitive for women,” Roos told the high school students.

Dr. Sheila Peters gives the keynote lecture.

Dr. Sheila Peters, a member of the UM medicine Class of 1993, gave the keynote lecture. Peters, who is Métis, worked in the Health Sciences Centre’s emergency department for 25 years. She now practices family medicine at Access Centre Downtown and is a primary care advisor at Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin.

Peters shared her inspiring journey and provided the students with words of encouragement.

“Who are you? Who here doesn’t have a hot clue who they are?” Peters asked the audience. “Me. I’m 56 and I’m still figuring it out. It takes time – it’s a constant journey. It’s continually changing with every celebration and every stress and every change in your life. And don’t be afraid to not know who you are but make one step forward slowly and slowly.”

After the students attended two workshops, the day ended with a career panel discussion and Q&A session.

Dr. Johann de Vries served as dean of what is now the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry from 1998 to 2006. Calling UM “a great institution of higher learning,” he accepted the honour via videoconference from his home country of South Africa, where he is now retired.

In an interview, de Vries recalled that he and his family were welcomed to Manitoba with open arms 24 years ago. They have fond memories of Winnipeg and made lifelong friends here.  

“If it wasn’t for the pandemic challenges, we would surely have traveled to Winnipeg to receive the award in person,” he said.

De Vries brought transformation and vision to the dental college, said Dr. Diane Hiebert-Murphy, provost and vice-president (academic) of UM, in her introduction of the honoree.

As dean, de Vries introduced the college’s first strategic plan, which optimized the environment for learning. He implemented a new organizational structure and oversaw the opening of a state-of-the-art simulation clinic, the first of its kind in Canada.

He was involved in establishing the college’s Centre for Community Oral Health, which provides oral health care to underserved populations. He also initiated the International Dentist Degree Program, which trains internationally educated dentists for licensure in Canada.

“We wanted to recognize his accomplishments and contributions,” said Dr. Anastasia Kelekis-Cholakis, current dean of dentistry, about honouring the former dean. “Dr. de Vries had a vision for our college that he was able to communicate well and implement.”

De Vries recalled being impressed by the devotion of the college’s faculty and staff. “They were dedicated to always do what was best for our students, and to make them outstanding graduates.

“With the help and support of our dedicated team, we managed to start several projects to benefit the communities we served. I am proud that most, if not all, of these projects are still functioning and sustainable.”

In 2006, de Vries received the President’s Award of Merit for outstanding service to the profession from the Manitoba Dental Association.

Nationally, he was the first academic member to sit on the Canadian Dental Association governing board and received the Distinguished Service Award from that organization. He served as vice-chair of the dental advisory committee to the federal government.

In a career spanning more than four decades, his many international roles included serving as president of the International Federation of Dental Education Associations. In 2012, he received the American Dental Education Association’s prestigious Gies Award for Outstanding Vision in Dental Education.

De Vries expressed gratitude for the support he received from the UM dental college and university administration.

“They supported me to be able to become a leader in the profession, in Canada and globally,” he said.

At the March 7 Honouring Emeriti event (view the ceremony here), these members of the Max Rady College of Medicine and the College of Nursing were also recognized:

Dr. Allan Becker, Professor Emeritus

Dr. Kent HayGlass, Professor Emeritus

Dr. Robert Lotocki, Professor Emeritus

Dr. Michael Moffatt, Professor Emeritus

Dr. Michael Mowat, Professor Emeritus

Dr. Noralou Roos, Professor Emerita

Dr. Jo-Ann Sawatzky, Professor Emerita

Dr. Richard Warrington, Professor Emeritus

Dr. Michael West, Professor Emeritus

Dr. Teresa Zelinski, Professor Emerita

The event showcased an array of outstanding professors, librarians and administrators whose scholarly and professional work was honored. 

Chancellor Anne Mahon and President Dr. Michael Benarroch were on hand to celebrate the honourees at the virtual ceremony. Provost & Vice-President (Academic) Dr. Diane Hiebert-Murphy and Vice-Provost (Academic Affairs) Dr. Tracey Peter presented the Emeritus titles.

Eminent former University President Dr. David Barnard was appointed President Emeritus in recognition of his exceptional leadership and legacy to the university from 2008-2020.

Dr. David Barnard

University President, 2008 -2020

Since beginning his first term in 2008, Dr. David Barnard has served with great distinction as University President over his twelve years in office.

Under his leadership, and in collaboration with members of the UM community, UM experienced considerable growth, increasing both Indigenous and international student populations, achieving continual record enrolment, reaching new heights in research accomplishments, and achieving unprecedented success in philanthropy through the Front and Centre campaign.

In 2011, Dr. Barnard made a formal Statement of Apology and Reconciliation to Residential School Survivors in front of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, the first leader of a post-secondary institution to do so, and he has provided steadfast leadership in listening to and building relationships with Indigenous students, faculty, and communities throughout his time as president.

The University of Manitoba is honoured to confer upon Dr. David Barnard the title of President Emeritus.

Complete List of Emeritus Appointments:

Tuesday, March 1
Dr. David Barnard, President Emeritus (2020) 
Ms. Carolynne Presser, Director Emerita, Libraries (2020) 
Ms. Karen Adams, University Librarian Emerita, Libraries (2021) 
Ms. Donna Breyfogle, Librarian Emerita, Libraries (2020) 
Dr. Shelley Sweeney, Librarian Emerita, Libraries (2021) 
Dr. David Mandzuk, Dean Emeritus, Faculty of Education (2021) 
Dr. Diana Brydon, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Arts (2020) 
Dr. Elizabeth Comack, Distinguished Professor Emerita, Faculty of Arts (2020) 
Dr. Ellen Judd, Distinguished Professor Emerita, Faculty of Arts (2021) 
Dr. Jan Oleszkiewicz, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Price Faculty of Engineering (2021) 
Dr. David Arnason, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Arts (2020) 
Dr. Orest Cap, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Education (2019) 
Dr. Judith Chipperfield, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Arts (2021)
Dr. Dennis Cooley, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Arts (2019) 
Dr. Yatta Kanu, Professor Emerita, Faculty of Education (2020) 
Mr. David McMillan, Professor Emeritus, School of Art (2021) 
Dr. Kurt Markstrom, Professor Emeritus, Desautels Faculty of Music (2021) 
Dr. Ralph Mason, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Education (2020) 
Dr. Thomas Nesmith, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Arts (2021) 
Professor Philip Osborne, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Law (2021) 
Dr. Russell Smandych, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Arts (2021)

Monday, March 7
Dr. Johann de Vries, Dean Emeritus, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (2021) 
Dr. Karin Wittenberg, Dean Emeritus, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (2020) 
Dr. Brian Amiro, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (2021) 
Dr. Allan Becker, Professor Emeritus, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (2019) 
Dr. Stefan Cenkowski, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (2021) 
Dr. Michael Doob, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Science (2021) 
Dr. Don Flaten, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (2021) 
Dr. Joannie Halas, Professor Emerita, Faculty of Kinesiology & Recreation Management (2021) 
Dr. James Hare, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Science (2020) 
Dr. Kent HayGlass, Professor Emeritus, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (2020) 
Dr. Robert Lotocki, Professor Emeritus, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (2020)
Dr. Michael Moffatt, Professor Emeritus, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (2020) 
Dr. Michael Mowat, Professor Emeritus, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (2020) 
Dr. Elizabeth Ready, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management (2020) 
Dr. Noralou Roos, Professor Emerita, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (2020) 
Dr. Jo-Anne Sawatzky, Professor Emeritus, College of Nursing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (2021) 
Dr. Kumar Sharma, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Science (2020) 
Dr. Bogdan Slominski, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (2021) 
Dr. Richard Warrington, Professor Emeritus, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (2021) 
Dr. Michael West, Professor Emeritus, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (2021) 
Dr. Teresa Zelinski, Professor Emerita, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (2021)

Roos is being recognized for unlocking the potential of big data systems analysis to clarify the social determinants of health, helping inform effective policies in support of universal health care. Roos and her husband, Dr. Leslie Roos, co-founded MCHP at UM, in 1991. The Manitoba Population Research Data Repository at MCHP makes it possible to track the health and health systems use of approximately one million Manitoba individuals and has become a model for research data centres across Canada and around the world.

“The award makes it clear that even in these weird difficult times, very nice things sometimes happen,” said Roos.  “This is a special honour because I am not a physician, and yet I have had a wonderful career teaching and doing research in a medical faculty. Currently, I’m working with health care providers helping them understand the importance of diagnosing and treating poverty in their patients.  Life is good!”

Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Laureates are Canadian citizens whose outstanding leadership and contributions to medicine and the health sciences, in Canada or abroad, have led to extraordinary improvements in human health.

“Dr. Noralou Roos is a pioneer in her field and role model for generations of public health policy researchers,” said Dr. Digvir Jayas, vice-president (research and international) and Distinguished Professor at UM. “The impact of her leadership and contributions to providing an evidence informed decision-making model for policy makers has influenced the care that millions receive around the world.”

Recognizing that administrative data were ideal for researching pharmaceuticals after they come to market, Roos worked with Health Canada and other groups across the country to design and implement a research network to monitor Drug Safety and Effectiveness (with an initial commitment of $32 million from then Minister of Health).

“Dr. Roos is an extremely worthy inductee to the prestigious Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.” said Dr. Brian Postl, dean, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences and vice-provost (health sciences). “As a leader, her influence on health policy, knowledge translation, health equity and drug safety have been transformative. I congratulate her on this well-deserved honour.”

Roos was able to create analytic capabilities for understanding the social determinants of health that existed nowhere else. MCHP’s work inspired the creation of Healthy Child Manitoba, a cross-ministry (Health, Education, Justice and Family Services) effort to target these social determinants of health. Building on her experience with policy makers, she developed a 6-year CIHR-funded initiative linking 80+ academics across Canada, helping them communicate their research via the media, eventually publishing more than 650 OpEds in the major daily broadsheets across Canada.

For 25 years she held a National Health Research Scientist award and was awarded a Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Population Health (2001-2007) in the first round of funding. She completed her undergraduate degree at Stanford University (A.B. with distinction and departmental honours) and her PhD from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her PhD dissertation was published by Harvard University Press. One of her papers was awarded the “best article of the year” by the American Association for Health Services Research. The Institute of Scientific Information (ISI) reported Roos’ work as being cited among the top half of 1 per cent of published scientists globally.

She was a member of the Prime Minister’s National Health Forum, a member of the executive of the Medical Research Council and the Interim Governing Council that ultimately established CIHR. She received the Order of Canada and in 2016 was promoted as an Officer. She was elected to the Academy of Science of the RSC and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. She was named the 2010 Hall Laureate and received the 2011 Inaugural Population and Public Health Research Milestone Award (from CIHR and the Canadian Public Health Association). She received the Biomedical Science Ambassador Award from Partners in Research, and recently, was the recipient of both the 2020 Vanier Medal from the Institute of Public Administration of Canada and the Manitoba 150 Women Trailblazer award.

The 2022 Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Laureates will be celebrated at a ceremony held in association with The University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine on June 17, 2022 in Ottawa, Ontario.

Roos, a professor emerita of community health sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, and co-director of Get Your Benefits!, was honoured with the award given to a person who has shown great leadership in public administration and public service in Canada, or who has made a significant contribution in the field of public administration or public service in Canada. The medal was first presented in 1962 by the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC), a professional organization supporting excellence in the country’s public sector.   

“Receiving this award at any time would have obviously been a wonderful thing to happen,” Roos said. “Given COVID, and how weird life has been, it was particularly marvelous news. Because the award focuses on leadership and public service, it gave me a chance to reflect on my career and realize how nice it is to be recognized for something you love to do. It’s quite special.”

Zac Spicer, IPAC’s director of research and outreach, said Roos represents the essence of public service excellence.

“For decades Dr. Roos has worked to advance good governance principles, brought diverse groups of stakeholders together and designed solutions to complex policy problems, all while placing equity and justice at the heart of her mission,” Spicer said. “We are pleased to recognize her many accomplishments and feel confident in saying that her lifetime of work has lifted up and empowered her community. Dr. Roos demonstrates the kind of compassion, drive and creativity needed in public service and has set an example for other public servants to follow.”

Roos helped establish the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy (MCHP) in the department of community health sciences and served as director from 1991 to 2004. The centre pulls together data routinely collected by government agencies and uses the data for research, analysis and policy purposes. MCHP started with a health data repository and has, over the years, added data on education, income assistance, and child and family services. MCHP is now made up of more than 60 researchers, graduate students, data analysts, data managers, research coordinators and research support staff.

“My role in terms of analyzing these data made it clear to me that the relationship between poverty and well-being is incredibly strong and that moved me towards several of the things I’ve subsequently been involved with,” Roos said.

“Dr. Roos has spent a lifetime committed to social justice issues and advocating on behalf of those less enfranchised,” said Dr. Brian Postl, dean, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences and vice-provost (health sciences). “I want to sincerely congratulate Dr. Roos on this prestigious award and thank her for the many contributions she has made in public service to Manitobans and Canadians in areas such as health policy, knowledge translation and drug safety.”

After stepping down as head of MCHP, Roos worked with experts across the country to create the Drug Safety and Effectiveness Network (DSEN). The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) established DSEN in collaboration with Health Canada and other stakeholders to test the safety and effectiveness of drugs at arm’s length from the pharmaceutical industry. Health Canada committed $32 million for the first five years and $10 million per year ongoing.

Roos then led the creation of the Evidence Network, funded by CIHR, which helped academics with having their research published in the media to a broader audience. A network of about 80 academics from across Canada published more than 1,200 commentaries in publications such as Globe and Mail, Toronto Star and Winnipeg Free Press.

Roos is currently co-director of the Get Your Benefits! project, funded by The Winnipeg Foundation. The project focuses on advocating to help people access the benefits for which they are eligible. The project team has distributed 135,000 booklets to help people understand the benefits available. Educating health-care providers to understand the importance of diagnosing and treating poverty is also part of the project.

“Noralou’s leadership as the Founding Director of MCHP—the first such ‘big data’ centre for health policy research in Canada—has had a profound impact on the delivery of evidence-based healthcare and has been modelled by many countries around the world,” said Digvir Jayas, vice-president (research and international) and Distinguished Professor at the University of Manitoba.

Roos is receiving the 2016 Biomedical Science Ambassador Award, which recognizes a Canadian researcher whose outstanding body of work over a period of time has contributed to the fields of biomedical science and/or clinical medicine and their promotion of this research to the Canadian public.

She developed MCHP into a world leader by using administrative data for bridging the gap between research and government policy development.

Roos held a National Health Research Scientist award for 25 years, a tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Population Health and received a Canada Foundation for Innovation award to expand MCHP’s data infrastructure further. Roos was a member of the Prime Minister’s National Health Forum, the Medical Research Council and the Interim Governing Council that established today’s Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

She will be honoured at the PIR National Awards ceremony on May 3 in Ottawa.

“We are very proud that she continues to be recognized for her contributions to the field of health services utilization and leading the way on health policies that improve patient care and outcomes for all,” said Jayas.

Roos has also served as a longtime member of the Population Health Group of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, was named a member of the Order of Canada in 2005 and elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.

In 2011, Roos founded evidencenetwork.ca, a non-partisan Canadian healthcare resource for journalists. The project informs health policy topics for publication in the mainstream media and links journalists with health policy experts to provide access to credible, evidence-based information.

Could the Guaranteed Annual Income, once considered a radical notion, now be an idea whose time has come?

The Dutch city of Utrecht recently announced an experiment to determine whether introducing a basic income produces a more effective society. Joseph Ceci, Alberta’s new Finance Minister, proposed a guaranteed income program last year on the election campaign trail. Both Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi and Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson have touted similar programs. Now, medical officers of health and boards of health members across Ontario are officially calling for provincial and federal governments to bring in a basic income guarantee.

So what exactly is a Guaranteed Annual Income (GAI)?

GAI has actually been supported by generations of economists and welfare theorists, on the left and right. One version works like a refundable tax credit. If an individual has no income from any source at all, they receive a basic entitlement. As earned income increases, the benefit declines, but less than proportionately. As a result, low-income earners receive partial benefits so that they aren’t worse off than they would have been if they had quit their jobs and relied solely on income assistance.

This means that there is always an incentive to work, and people who work are always better off than they would be if they didn’t work.

So why are such a broad group of people – finance ministers, mayors and medical officers of health – pushing such a program? Poverty, substantial evidence now tells us, is one of the best predictors of poor health. And poor health costs everyone.

Research in Hamilton demonstrated that residents of the Ontario city’s wealthy West Mountain neighbourhood lived, on average, to 86.3 years of age, while average age at death for residents of one of the poorest Hamilton neighbourhoods was only 65.5 years – a shocking gap.

Way back in the 1970s, Manitoba tried implementing a GAI in Winnipeg and in the small town of Dauphin.

In Dauphin, everyone was eligible to participate. A family with no income from other sources would receive 60 per cent of the Statistics Canada low-income cutoff, which varied by family size.

Every dollar received from other sources would reduce benefits by 50 cents. Important for an agriculturally dependent town with a lot of self-employment, the GAI offered stability and predictability. Sudden illness, disability or unpredictable economic events would no longer be financially devastating. The project ran for four years, ending in 1979.

So did the GAI produce anything to report? Remarkably, even this four-year program had strong positive results. Dauphin high school students were more likely to remain in school than had been true in the years before the GAI started or after it stopped.

The health of town residents also improved, with fewer hospitalizations (an 8.5-per-cent reduction), specifically for mental illness, accidents and injuries.

So how much would introducing a GAI across Canada cost?

According to several Queen’s University professors, the cost of replacing social assistance (which includes welfare and disability support) and Old Age Security (which includes a top-up for low-income seniors), plus providing every adult with an annual income of $20,000 and children with an income guarantee of $6,000, would be $40-billion. The Fraser Institute calculates the total cost of Canada’s current income support system (payout plus administrative costs) at $185-billion in 2013.

Our own estimates, which build on existing social programs, range from a gross annual cost of $17-billion for a program that (in today’s dollars) is slightly more generous than was offered in Dauphin, to a “Cadillac” version costing $58-billion that would guarantee everyone a minimum income equal to the low-income cutoff and pay at least some benefits to people earning well above the low-income cutoff.

The cost of a GAI depends on how generous it is, how quickly benefits are phased out with additional income and how existing social programs are affected.

Some of these costs, of course, would be partially recovered from the additional taxes paid by recipients, as well as the lower costs faced by so many other social programs that are driven by poverty. Hospital care alone, for example, cost Canada $63.5-billion in 2014.

Bottom line, whether it’s our calculations or those done by other organizations, a GAI is definitely doable. And it is clear that the potential benefits are substantial.

Maybe it’s time for the rest of Canada to at least look to what Alberta is saying and focus on the health, educational and financial benefits that the Guaranteed Annual Income might offer.