Hosted by Dr. Kelley Main, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies,  the 2025 Faculty of Graduate Studies Awards Reception marked the faculty’s first in-person awards reception celebration since the fall of 2019, as an opportunity to come together and recognize the outstanding achievements of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, staff, and faculty.

Dr. Michael Benarroch, President of the University of Manitoba, presented the Faculty of Graduate Studies Outstanding Support Staff Award, recognizing excellence in administrative service to graduate students. This year’s recipient, Susan Ducharme, Graduate Programs Coordinator in Peace and Conflict Studies, was celebrated for her dedication, responsiveness, and unwavering support of both students and faculty.

The ceremony also included greetings from Dr. Diane Hiebert-Murphy, Provost and Vice-President (Academic), who presented the Outstanding Administrator Award to Dr. Melanie Janzen, Professor in the Faculty of Education. Dr. Janzen was applauded for her exemplary leadership and commitment to graduate student success.

Highlighting the value of mentorship in graduate education, the Excellence in Graduate Student Mentoring Awards were presented across three academic categories.

• In Social Sciences and Humanities, Dr. Robert Hoppa, Associate Dean (Research) and Professor of Anthropology, was recognized for his sustained mentorship and dedication to scholarly growth, presented by Dr. Dawn Sutherland, Associate Dean in the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
• In Natural and Applied Sciences, Dr. Gail Davoren, Professor of Biological Sciences, received the honour for her commitment to fostering critical thinking and research excellence, presented by Dr. Steve Kirkland, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies
• In Health Sciences, the award was presented to Dr. Judith Scanlan, Associate Professor in the College of Nursing, whose mentorship has left a lasting impact on her students’ academic and professional development, presented by Dr. Greg Smith, Vice Provost, Academic Planning and Programs.

The spotlight then turned to emerging research leaders with the presentation of the Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow Awards presented by Dean, Dr. Kelley Main.

• In Health Sciences, Dr. Kathleen Kenny of the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy and Rady Faculty of Health Sciences was acknowledged for her innovative research and mentorship of junior researchers.
• In Natural Sciences and Engineering, Dr. Ruth Rivkin from the Department of Biological Sciences was honoured for her significant contributions, though she was unable to attend in person.

A poignant moment of the afternoon came as Dr. Steve Kirkland presented the newly established James House Memorial Awards for Excellence in Postdoctoral Mentoring, named in memory of Dr. James (Jim) House, a respected scholar and mentor who passed away in 2024.

• The award in Health Sciences was presented to Dr. Keith Fowke, Professor of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, for his dedication to fostering postdoctoral development.
• The award in Natural and Applied Sciences was awarded to Dr. Miyoung Suh, Professor in the Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences. Accepting the award on her behalf was Kristin Hildahl-Shawn, Associate Department Head.

The ceremony concluded with remarks from Dr. Kelley Main, who commended all recipients for their dedication and contributions to the university’s academic community. “This celebration reflects the deep commitment our faculty, staff, researchers, postdoctoral fellows and students have to supporting and advancing graduate education,” said Dr. Main. “Today, we honour their passion, mentorship, and the remarkable impact they have on shaping the future through scholarship and research.”

The 2025 Faculty of Graduate Studies Awards Reception was not just about handing out awards — it was a chance to come together and celebrate the incredible achievements of everyone recognized. It was a meaningful reminder of the University of Manitoba’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and the strong sense of community that supports it all.

To see the awards recipients recognized at this year’s event, please visit 2025-awards-reception.pdf.

Held over a shared lunch and engaging dialogue, the Café featured an interactive, art-based session led by Dr. Bruno de Oliveira Jayme, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba and a celebrated arts educator. Rather than simply discussing pedagogical theory, participants experienced it—through creative exercises that brought vulnerability and connection to the forefront. 

The session began with a quiet challenge: staring into a partner’s eyes before drawing their face—without looking at the paper. What followed was a powerful metaphor in motion: overlapping drawings, cutting out shared shapes, and building a balanced sculpture in community with others. As Dr. Jayme guided participants through this artful process, the activity embodied the core of humanizing education—embracing imperfection, fostering trust, and working together to create something meaningful. 

Dr. Juliana Marini Marson, Assistant Professor in the Department of Environment and Geography, shared practical approaches she uses to build building community with her students, like learning their names and integrating personal stories into her lessons. Though not previously familiar with the formal concept of “humanizing education,” Dr. Marson illustrated how small, authentic practices can significantly impact student engagement and belonging. 

Organizers Cintia Costa and Renato Bezerra reflected on the intentional design of the Café, which emphasized meaningful classroom experiences over traditional lecture. “We wanted participants to have time and space to reflect on their own teaching practice,” Costa shared. “And we knew that art could offer a unique way to explore identity and trust in the classroom.” 

Participants left the event not only with fresh insights, but also with a curated list of practical strategies and reflective prompts to take back to their own classrooms. The energy in the room was palpable, with one attendee noting, “This was the best Teaching Café yet—everyone was truly engaged.” 

For Dr. Mirella Veras, the experience was especially meaningful. She reflected, “The Teaching Café created a space of openness and care. Cintia Costa set a welcoming tone, and Dr. Bruno Jayme’s art-based activity became a powerful moment of connection—with ourselves, and each other. It reminded me just how vital it is to build community and humanize our roles as educators, especially in the health sciences, where that approach is often most needed.” She added that this kind of pedagogical dialogue is something she hopes to see more of in her field. 

Special thanks to Dr. Bruno Jayme and Dr. Juliana Marson for generously sharing their time, perspectives, and creative energy. Their contributions helped shape an experience that went beyond teaching techniques—one that invited us to reflect on the relationships, values, and shared humanity at the heart of education. 

Teaching Café 2025 reminded us that meaningful learning begins with trust, curiosity, and the willingness to connect. We look forward to continuing this conversation—and to welcoming you to next year’s Teaching Café. 

Systematic reviews

A systematic review involves the identification, evaluation, and integration of findings from multiple research studies on a particular topic. This process allows researchers to gain a deeper understanding of existing knowledge, reveal new insights and guide future research endeavours.

A previous participant had this to say: “Participating in the Systematic Review Workshop series really helped me to understand the process of embarking on a systematic review…

“In each of the sessions, the librarians explained the steps, decision points and options involved in the process of organizing and undertaking a systematic review of literature to make it a manageable undertaking that takes time, organization and teamwork, but need not be feared.”

Register for the Systematic Review 5-part series.

The series will focus on the skills needed for the processes of a systematic, scoping or other large-scale comprehensive review, with a focus on the health sciences, including:

• Documenting
• Searching
• Translating
• Deduplicating
• Screening

Participants will gain a solid understanding of what is needed to complete a systematic review and why they are an essential part of evidence-based practice. Graduate students who register and attend all five sessions will receive credit on their Experience Record.

The series is open to all students and faculty and will be hosted on Zoom.

Additional help

Can’t commit to the entire series? Find resources to take you through the stages of the knowledge synthesis process in our Knowledge Synthesis & Systematic Reviews guide.

Contact Library.Reviews@umanitoba.ca if you have any questions.

As Manitoba’s only medical-doctoral university, UM welcomes the province’s commitments to health care education and at the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. The provincial government has committed $26.6 million for more medical doctor training seats. Investments are critical to ensuring the province can implement a robust and home-grown response to Manitoba’s health workforce needs.

“The University of Manitoba – its students, researchers, and alumni – has a significant impact on the economic and social prosperity of the province,” says Michael Benarroch, President and Vice-Chancellor. “Our university has a plan to address our province’s health care challenges and we look forward to working with the government to achieve this, together.”

The University of Manitoba generates $7.3 billion in total static and dynamic economic activity. Every dollar spent by the provincial government at UM generates a return of $4.10. “The University of Manitoba is the university for Manitoba. The ideas, solutions and talents developed on campus will generate positive returns for our province for years to come, adds Benarroch.

“We know if there are increased investments in research, UM can continue to attract the best and brightest to develop innovations that will make an impact on the global stage.”

UM recognizes that the provincial government is facing a number of fiscal challenges. The post-secondary sector in Canada is also facing an uncertain environment, but for UM to remain the university for Manitoba, it must continue to provide high-quality learning, research opportunities and be accessible to all Manitobans. UM will continue to work with the province and other levels of government for sustainable and predictable investments for operations and infrastructure.

UM is now reviewing budget information received from the Province of Manitoba. Following that, it will move forward with finalizing UM’s 2024-25 budget which goes to the Board of Governors for approval in May and will subsequently be shared with the broader community.

Advanced Knowledge Transfer in the Health Sciences

Date: Thursday, November 2, 2023

Successful knowledge transfer and application ensures that students apply knowledge acquired in the classroom to their clinical practice both in their academic years and after graduation when they enter their respective fields. This workshop will provide techniques to support this crucial part of learning, including best practices for improving knowledge transfer and tools for measuring knowledge application for clinical reasoning and clinical decision-making in ways that are efficient, effective, and flexible.  

Register for advanced knowledge transfer

Faculty Attitudes, Motivation, and Strategies for Teaching Writing

Date: Thursday, November 2, 2023

Dr. Kim Mitchell from the College of Nursing and Dr. Christine Stewart from Women’s & Gender Studies will discuss the findings from a recent Canada-wide survey assessing individual and collective self-efficacy for teaching writing. The survey included many University of Manitoba faculty and gives a sense of the struggles and triumphs faculty face when teaching writing to undergraduate students.

This presentation will also discuss strategies for reaching students and inspiring their thinking as they tackle writing at the university level. Time for discussion will be scheduled which will allow attendees to ask questions and share their successful writing instructional moments as we learn together from our collective experience.

Register for the teaching writing presentation

This presentation is a hybrid event. Registrants can choose to attend in person or online.

Enhance participation and collaboration in the classroom with Peerceptiv peer assessment tool Workshop

Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023

In this workshop, participants will learn how to set up and manage Peerceptiv assignments in a UM Learn course. A Peerceptiv assignment allows students to provide anonymous peer assessments of other students’ submitted work, while also allowing students who received feedback to evaluate the inputs that were given. By implementing Peerceptiv, the instructor can enhance engagement, participation and critical thinking among students who work on their assignments.

Register for the Peerceptiv peer assessment tool workshop

Accessible Design for Assessment

Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Assessment is the key to evaluating the success of teaching strategies. If we do not utilize diverse assessment methods that account for the abilities of the learner population in courses, we will not be able to effectively assess the efficacy of teaching strategies being employed. This course will aid Faculty and Instructors in developing diverse assessment tools that remove barriers to the expression of learning, facilitate dynamic and engaging learning environments, and develop accessible spaces for all learners.

Register for Accessible Design for Assessment

Open Educational Resources – What, How, Why (Part 2)

Date: Wednesday, November 8, 2023

The term open educational resources (OER) describes a wide range of materials in teaching and learning that are available for public use with an open license or in the public domain. Examples of OER include full courses, course modules, syllabi, textbooks, lectures, assessments, and datasets.
In this workshop, participants will learn why OER are valuable, how to locate them, how to evaluate them using a rubric, and how to adapt and create them. The workshop does not assume prior experience with these topics.

Register for OER Part 2

Creating Connections in SoTL: Conducting Ethical SoTL Research

Date: Thursday, November 9, 2023

This workshop will focus on conducting ethical SoTL research, including how and when to consult with the research ethics office and planning for and justifying primary or secondary use of data in an ethics submission. Together we will explore ethical considerations in SoTL research and how to address these concerns when planning projects. Going beyond considerations of informed consent and confidentiality, we will examine how SoTL research can be conducted in a way that educates and treats students with respect and acknowledges their contributions.

Register for Conducting Ethical SoTL Research

Better Together

Date: Tuesday, November 14, 2023 and Wednesday, November 15,2023

Better Together is a new approach to building entrepreneurial thinking skills. Over two incredible days, you’ll have the opportunity to learn with other students, faculty, and staff about an entrepreneurial mindset. And expect it to get hands on! Together, we’ll apply our new skills to develop solutions to challenges we face here at UM. All challenges will be linked to one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. There’s more! Meet those who are using entrepreneurial thinking skills to make an impact in our community. And finally, participate in a supportive networking event to celebrate our developing skills 

What’s in it for students?

• Learn, practice and be inspired about how to apply an entrepreneurial mindset
• Develop solutions to challenges at UM
• Receive a $100 giftcard to UMSU businesses (GPA’s, Degrees, IQ’s, etc.)
• Update Experience Record
• Meet new people
• Enjoy free food!

What’s in it for faculty and staff?

• Learn, practice and be inspired about how to apply an entrepreneurial mindset
• Develop solutions to challenges at UM
• Meaningfully connect with students
• Receive a gift valued at approximately $10 from a Manitoba entrepreneur
• Meet new people
• Enjoy free food!

Register for Better Together

Visit www.umanitoba.ca/better-together for more details.

The Experiential Learning Gathering – Mapping Experiential Learning at the UM

Date: Thursday, November 16, 2023

Experiential Learning is a strategic priority for the UM. But what exactly does experiential learning look like at our institution? Who are the people involved and what motivates them? What are the places where EL happens and doesn’t happen? What supports and resources have been set up for EL, and which ones are still lacking?

Mapping EL at the UM will help us identify strengths and gaps in our EL environment as we think collectively about the future we want for EL at our institution.

At this upcoming Gathering, participants will engage in a collaborative, hands-on activity to map out the UM’s EL landscape. Join us for a morning of great conversation and creativity. Registration is required. Coffee, tea and light refreshments will be served.

Register for the Experiential Learning Gathering

What’s Working, What’s Not? Examining Classroom Teaching and Learning

Date: Tuesday, November 21, 2023

All instructors identify problems in their courses. Whether it’s students’ struggles to master a key concept or a teaching practice that may not be meeting its purpose, how do we explore “what’s working and what’s not” in our courses?

In this workshop we will explore “juicy” problems that are ripe for investigation, consider possible solutions, and develop a plan to evaluate the impact of intervention strategies. To participate fully, please bring a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.

Register for what’s working

Decolonizing Classrooms: Unpacking and Overcoming Barriers to Decolonizing Processes – Part 2

Date: Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Over the past several years, an important discussion of how we can Indigenize and decolonize the academy has been occurring. This new Decolonizing Classrooms workshop series aims to give participants the context and tools necessary to meaningfully engage with decolonizing processes as they relate to education. 

Unpacking and Overcoming Barriers to Engagement and Decolonizing Processes explores the barriers that exist for instructors and students, which prevent them from enacting decolonizing processes in educational contexts. This workshop also discusses the colonial barriers that prevent students from engaging fully in classrooms. Strategies for overcoming these barriers are considered, and participants are supported as they begin to learn how to utilize these strategies to support decolonizing processes in their classrooms

Register for Part 2

Conducting Fair Appeal Hearings

Date: Monday, November 27, 2023

This workshop is for academic administrators, academic staff and students who are current members of faculty or university level student appeal committees. This would also be of interest to support staff who provide administrative support to committees. This interactive workshop will provide participants with practical information necessary to properly conduct appeal hearings according to University policies and procedures, as well as to ensure that students are treated fairly throughout the appeal process. This workshop will include considerations for the pre-hearing stage (i.e., notice to students), the hearing itself, and post-hearing matters (i.e., decisions).

Register for the Conducting Fair Appeal Hearings workshop

UM Learn Grades & User Progress

Date: Tuesday, November 28, 2023

In this workshop, participants will receive technical guidance through the process of building a gradebook in UM Learn and then utilizing the user progress tool to track students’ progress in the course. Using the gradebook in UM Learn allows instructors to share feedback and assessments with students in a secure and confidential manner.

Register for the UM Learn Grades & User Progress Workshop

Experientially Speaking Session 3: Experiential Learning in The Time of Crisis Workshop

Date: Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Climate disaster, Covid-19, financial crises, the rise of fascism, international conflict, forced migration. These are some of the crises facing our students today. How can experiential learning help students develop the skills, knowledge and experiences required to thrive in today’s rapidly changing world?  How might traditional approaches to experiential learning need to change to adapt to this new reality? 

Register for the Experiential Learning in The Time of Crisis Session

Using classroom polling tools to increase students’ engagement and participation in class Workshop

Date: Wednesday, November 29, 2023

In this workshop, participants will learn how to use classroom polling tools – Mentimeter and iClicker – to engage students in class. This session discusses how to setup and access the polling tools accounts, use them in the classroom to conduct polls and engage students. It also talks about the similarities and differences between the tools and scenarios when these tools are best utilized.

Note: Participants will need to install iClicker Cloud on their own computer in advance of the workshop.

Register for the classroom polling tools workshop

The futuristic kitchen – featuring height-adjustable counters and appliances that can be controlled with a mobile app – can be used to assess ergonomics.

The goal is to support aging in place and safe independent living.

For more innovations in health, read the full story in Teaching Life Magazine

For the month of July, we are exploring the theme of innovation and disruption. 
You can find more stories around these ideas in the “In Focus” section starting July 10, 2023.

Booking a Study Space

Thirty-five spots are ready on the main floor of the NJMHS Library for individual study.  Students can book a specific study space for up to 4 hours each day through our online booking system.  

The space will be open from 12 noon to 8:00 pm, Monday through Friday. There will be no admittance to the space after 7:30 pm each day. Check the Health Sciences Library website for further details. 

Students who have booked a space will enter the library during their scheduled time and check in at the main service desk.  Staff will direct you to your study location.  

Health and Safety

Your safety is our primary concern!

• All students and library staff must wear masks at all times while in the Library.
• There will be no food and drink (other than water) allowed in the library.  
• Cleaning supplies and sanitizer are available and students are responsible for cleaning their study spot.  
• There are no washrooms available in the library.
• Physical collections are not available for browsing.

Library Services

Although we are not offering full service in the NJMHS Library at this time, we are still available to provide assistance with your research needs. Contact us in any one of the following ways:

• Send us an email
• Use Ask Us chat through the library website
• Phone 204-789-3342
• Book a videoconference appointment

A full description of our library services during pandemic can be found in the UM Libraries COVID updates.

“It is increasingly critical to have clinicians directly connected with patients in order to help craft the most appropriate research questions and studies and to ensure that knowledge translated from the research effectively becomes mobilized to the best care for the individual patient and family,” says Dr. Allan Becker [MD/69], the recipient of the 2018 Dr. John M. Bowman Memorial Winnipeg Rh Institute Foundation Award.

“The clinician-scientist is critical in ensuring an effective cycle from health assessment to improved healthcare,” says Becker, a professor of pediatrics and child health in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences and scientist at the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba.

A recognized international leader in pediatric allergy and asthma research, care and education, Becker’s primary research interest is the origins of allergy and asthma in early life. He credits the influence of Dr. Jack Bowman, for whom the Rh award is named, in his approach to his own research and practice.

“Jack Bowman was the consummate clinician-scientist and I feel incredibly fortunate to have benefited from exposure to his approach to patient care and research,” says Becker. “I have had the pleasure and the luxury to work with exemplary clinicians, scientists and clinician-scientists. Those individuals were critical in helping me address the core question that has driven my research over the years: “What is it about our environment that has driven the epidemic of allergy and asthma over the past few decades?”

Becker was presented with the award at the annual Rh Awards Ceremony, Lecture and Reception on April 29, 2019. At the same event, awards were presented to recipients of the 2018 Terry G. Falconer Memorial Rh Institute Foundation Emerging Researcher Awards.

To learn more about this awards program visit http://umanitoba.ca/Rhawards/

The 2018 recipients are:

APPLIED SCIENCES

Qiuyan Yuan.

Qiuyan Yuan (civil engineering) focuses on the sustainable treatment of municipal solid waste through developing innovative resource recovery methods. She has produced valuable enzymes from food waste, water filtration media from crushed glass, biodegradable material from textile waste, and activated carbon from agricultural waste. Her research helps to divert waste from landfill and ease the burden on the environment, and promotes economic benefit for the waste treatment industry by generating revenue through the production of valuable products.

Emma McGeough.

Emma McGeough (animal science) focuses her research on areas related to forage-based livestock production including overwintering strategies for extending the grazing season for beef cattle in Canada. Her studies centres on ruminant nutrition and mitigation of greenhouse gases from livestock, specifically enteric methane, through manipulation of cattle diets. She is also involved in life-cycle assessment and carbon foot printing of beef and dairy production under Canadian conditions.

CREATIVE WORKS

Daniel McCafferty.

Daniel McCafferty (School of Art) is an interdisciplinary graphic designer, whose work uses print, video, publishing, collaboration, data, mapping and code, to explore relationships between communication and systems of power. He is currently researching the role of the press on the process of early colonization. Daniel is a Media Artist in Residence at Video Pool where he is exploring code-based generative video essays.

HEALTH SCIENCES

Meghan Azad.

Meghan Azad (pediatrics and child health; Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba) holds a Canada Research Chair in Developmental Origins of Chronic Disease. Her award-winning research program is focused on the role of infant nutrition and gut microbiota in the development of asthma, allergies and obesity.Her team is also examining perceptions of breastfeeding on social media, and developing methods to improve societal support for breastfeeding through school-based education programs.

INTERDISCIPLINARY

Changmin Jiang.

Changmin Jiang (supply chain management). His major research area is transportation and logistics, an interdisciplinary field between economics/management and industrial engineering. This research involves various issues and aspects in the transportation sectors, particularly the economic and policy analysis. His studies include competition and cooperation between the aviation and the rail sectors, airline strategic alliance, network-regional airlines relationships and airport pricing.

NATURAL SCIENCES

Chengbo Yang.

Chengbo Yang (animal science) currently conducts research in the area of gut health and nutrient utilization relevant to non-ruminants. His research interests include investigating: molecular and cellular mechanisms of gut chemosensing in gut growth and health, roles of feed ingredients and bioactive compounds on modulation of molecular interactions between pathogens and host, identification of antibiotic alternatives, and biotechnological and nutritional strategies to improve nutrient utilization efficiency for sustainable animal production.

SOCIAL SCIENCES

Johnson Li.

Johnson Li (psychology) is a quantitative researcher who focuses on proposing and developing applied statistical models in social sciences research. He is developing new measurement and statistical models for use by researchers, teachers, and psychologists, which will have implications for theory and practice in psychology and education. His statistical interests include, but are not limited to, educational measurement techniques, structural equation modelling, effect size estimations, probability-based statistics, and reliability and validity assessments.

On my first day of medical school, I gathered with approximately 110 of my fellow classmates, donned a starched and creased white coat, and promised, in front of our friends and family, to “First, do no harm” throughout our careers. We were eager, excited and ready to begin, and dove headfirst into a program that could only be described as overwhelming. I went from being an undergraduate student with a frantic, last-minute cramming study style, to a medical student spending hours every night trying to learn as much as I could, preparing for dozens upon dozens of exams.

The pressure for us to learn and succeed is high, knowing that the material we cover now is directly applicable to patients that we will be seeing in only a few short years. Blowing off important material or exams may mean we don’t learn or understand something important, and that can have direct consequences for our patients. When you can attach a patient’s face to the material you’re learning, everything becomes high stakes.

This sets Academic Integrity into an interesting framework. The high volume, high pressure learning environment demands a lot of med students – and it can make you feel incredibly vulnerable.

In these moments, we remember the promise we made at the very beginning of our degree.

Integrity goes beyond exams and assignments – it is part of the oath that we took when we pledged ourselves to the art of medicine. We swear to respect the work of the physicians who have forged a path for us to follow, we promise to uphold the privacy of our patients, and we recognize that we are members of society who have obligations to be honest, ethical and just.

Integrity is a critical part of the practice of medicine, and the steps we take to become physicians who practice according to that oath begin here, in medical school.

Academic integrity is not just about honesty in completing our degrees, but about how we build the foundation to become physicians. Though we feel overwhelmed at almost every point, we have to remember that we go through this not only for a fancy (and expensive) piece of paper at the end of four years – but because we want to go out and serve patients to the best of our abilities.

Integrity matters not just in our schooling, but throughout our lives – and we will be better doctors for it.

Alyssa Archibald is a medical student at the University of Manitoba.

To be inducted into CMHF, recipients must not only be exemplary scientists, but leaders whose work has led to extraordinary improvements in human health.

This distinction is awarded each year by the CMHF, based in London, Ont., to a select few who have pushed the boundaries of discovery and innovation.

The University of Manitoba is home to 10 such exceptional physicians, including two named just this year: Dr. Philip Berger, [MD/74] and Dr. Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg.

“These portraits are on now on permanent display for two important reasons,” said Dr. Brian Postl, dean, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences & vice-provost (Health Sciences). “First, we wish to honour these members of our community for their professional contributions. But equally, we want those who walk past the portraits every day to be inspired by the achievements of those who came before them and to strive to continue that tradition of excellence in health care.”

We encourage you to visit the new portrait wall, which is located on the main floor of Brodie adjacent to the bookstore.

Biographies of our CMHF laureates:

2018 – Philip Berger [MD/74]

Over a 40-year career, Dr. Philip Berger built a legacy of advocacy and activism fighting for health care for all people, regardless of their circumstances, and sometimes against powerful resistance. His achievements include founding the Toronto HIV Primary Care Physicians Group and leading high-profile campaigns to persuade government officials of the HIV prevention benefits of methadone and needle exchange programs.

He also co-founded and co-chaired Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care, leading the Federal Court of Canada Charter challenge restoring health coverage to about 100,000 refugees. 

2018 – Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg

U of M Distinguished Professor Dr. Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg, a renowned clinician scientist at the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, has advanced the global understanding of rare inherited disorders. Working closely with Manitoba communities she has developed diagnostic tests, screening programs and treatment for disorders that are over-represented in certain populations, notably hypophosphatasia, a bone disorder affecting Mennonite people, and glutaric aciduria type 1, a metabolic disorder affecting Oji-Cree people.

2017 – Estelle Simons, [MD/69] FRCPC

Professor emerita Dr. Estelle Simons is internationally renowned for research on the pharmacologic management of allergic diseases, including anaphylaxis and asthma. Early in the allergy epidemic, she led an interdisciplinary team that conducted landmark investigations to establish the scientific basis for use of new medications that have since become safe and effective treatment for allergic diseases worldwide.

Her research focuses on development of a non-invasive epinephrine (adrenalin) formulation for treatment of anaphylactic episodes. With her colleagues, she is developing a rapidly-dissolving drug tablet that could be placed under a patient’s tongue.

2013 – Arnold Naimark, OC, [MD/57]

A builder, a leader, a pioneer – these are just some of the words used to describe the impact of Dr. Arnold Naimark.

Naimark received his medical degree at the U of M in 1957 and joined the faculty of medicine in 1963 as assistant professor. He rose quickly, soon becoming head of the medical department. In 1981, he was the appointed ninth president and vice-chancellor of the University of Manitoba. Under his transformative leadership, the university became known as one of Canada’s major academic health sciences institutions.

He is recognized for his work as one of the country’s foremost educational administrators and for his lifetime of work in the development of departments, universities, institutions and organizations at the local, provincial and national level.

2012 – John Dirks, OC [MD/57]

In a career now spanning five decades, Dr. Dirks has made huge impacts in every field he has touched, from scientific and academic achievements in nephrology to the promotion and advancement of excellence in medical research in Canada and around the globe.

Dirks was awarded the NFK International Medal by the National Kidney Foundation (USA) and the Roscoe Robinson Award by the International Society of Nephrology for his contribution to nephrology education.

2011 – Allan Ronald, OC [MD/61]

Dr. Allan Ronald, a pioneer of the University of Manitoba’s world-renowned infectious disease research program in Africa, is recognized for his tireless work in HIV/AIDS research. Much of his early work took place in an international setting, but his return to Winnipeg in 1968 set in motion the creation of the Manitoba Infectious Disease Program. It became internationally recognized, and has been acknowledged as Canada’s centre of excellence in the research and training of infectious diseases. As a mentor of young physicians, his limitless enthusiasm and dedication has ensured the advancement of Infectious Disease as a discipline.

In 2002, he retired from a 35-year career at the University of Manitoba but he has continued to foster the HIV/AIDS Care and Prevention Program in Uganda.

2010 – James Hogg [MD/62]  

Dr. James Hogg’s career researching and studying pathology, pulmonary physiology and molecular biology has had a tremendous influence on the world’s understanding of lung disease. Hogg’s research and studies advanced knowledge of how the lung works in health and disease as well as the pathophysiology of asthma and the harmful effects of smoking and pollution.

An outstanding researcher, teacher, lecturer and colleague, many say that Hogg has had a greater influence on the medical community’s knowledge of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma than any other individual worldwide.

2003 – Charles Hollenberg [MD/55]

Dr. Charles Hollenberg’s academic career in the 1960s, where he carried out research in fat metabolism and promoted the growth of scientific medicine at the Montreal General Hospital. From 1970 to 1981 he was the Chairman of the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto, where he successfully furthered their goals in teaching and research.

In 1991, he accepted the position of President and CEO of the Ontario Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation (OCTRF), reinventing it as Cancer Care Ontario and Cancer Care International.

2001 – Henry Friesen [MD/58]

Dr. Henry Friesen’s research on human growth hormone made successful replacement therapy in hormone-deficient children possible. Further endocrine research led to his isolation and purification of the hormone prolactin. In addition to this ground breaking work, Friesen developed the drug Bromocriptine in collaboration with researchers in the pharmaceutical industry, which proved to be effective in the treatment of infertility in women.

1995 – Bruce Chown, OC [MD/22]

Dr. Bruce Chown is renowned for his research on Rh hemolytic disease of the newborn and the development of the Rh immune globulin, which saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of babies around the globe. Chown joined the Children’s Hospital as a pathologist and took on a number of teaching posts, including professor and head of the department of pediatrics at the University of Manitoba. He has been called “a true giant in the overlapping fields of pediatrics, obstetrics, hematology and blood banking” who virtually eradicated the scourge of Rh incompatibility.

Research at the University of Manitoba is partially supported by funding from the Government of Canada Research Support Fund.