Faculty and staff recognized with Faculty of Medicine awards

School of Population and Public Health (SPPH) faculty and staff were recognized at the Faculty of Medicine awards reception, with an Applegarth Staff Service Award and three Distinguished Achievement Awards.

The Faculty of Medicine Distinguished Achievement Awards are given to individuals whose performance during the last assessment year was particularly meritorious. The reception was held on 5th October and the awards were presented by the Dean, Dr. Dermot Kelleher.

Professor Carolyn Gotay accepted a Distinguished Achievement Award for Service to the University and Community in recognition of significant contributions to local, national, or international communities aimed at improved health outcomes of the population. Dr. Gotay’s long career in cancer prevention and control research includes leadership roles in academia and in the community. Dr. Gotay said being able to contribute to the University and community organizations was one of the most rewarding aspects of her work, and she appreciated being recognized for this.

Associate Professor Eugenia Oviedo-Joekes accepted a Distinguished Achievement Award for Excellence in Clinical or Applied Research in recognition of outstanding clinical or applied research and scholarly contributions.

Dr. Oviedo-Joekes is also a research scientist in the Centre for Health Outcomes and Evaluation Sciences (CHEOS), a Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar, and a CIHR New Investigator. Dr. Oviedo-Joekes said the award was important because it recognized the work that the School and the Faculty of Medicine had been doing for many years, in partnership with Providence Health Care, which had demonstrated that treatment with injectable opioids in supervised settings kept patients safe and provided daily opportunities for comprehensive care.

“This award shows the Faculty of Medicine’s concern for an important minority of the most vulnerable and underserved members of our communities struggling with heroin dependence.”
Associate Professor Eugenia Oviedo-Joekes

Professor Martin Schechter, who received a Distinguished Achievement Award for Overall Excellence – Senior Faculty in recognition of outstanding contributions in the areas of research, education, and service, was not able to attend the reception, but said he was deeply honoured to receive the award. Dr. Schechter is Founding Director of SPPH, where he also holds a Tier I Canada Research Chair in HIV/AIDS and Urban Population Health. He is co-Director of the UBC Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Health, Founding Director of the Canadian HIV Trials Network, and Founding Director of the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS.

“There is no greater recognition than ones you receive from your peers. I am extremely grateful.”
Professor Martin Schechter

The Applegarth Staff Service Award, presented by Dr. Derek Applegarth, recognizes outstanding contributions by UBC staff members to the Faculty of Medicine, and was accepted by Winona Kent. Ms. Kent has worked at SPPH since 2004, and since 2011, exclusively as MHSc, MSc and PhD Graduate Programs Assistant. She is also an author, with her fifth novel published this year. Ms. Kent said over the years, she had seen a lot of changes and challenges but that she had enjoyed every moment in the role as it was never the same from day to day.

“Part of the wonderful thing about this job is that I’m always improving and learning new things, and I’m allowed to be innovative and creative as part of problem-solving.”
MSc, PhD and MHSc Programs Assistant Winona Kent

Ms. Kent said she had had a wonderful manager over the past five years who had encouraged her to work with an independent mind and trusted her to undertake increasing responsibilities. Ms. Kent said she was proud to receive the award, which recognized her years of work at SPPH, and ability to step in and provide support, knowledge and assistance when needed.

Congratulations to all our award winners!

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