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Award Winners

Image of Dr. Richard Lessard Dr. Richard Lessard
R.D. Defries Award

Dr. Richard Lessard is a physician and community health specialist, a member of the Collège des médecins du Québec as well as of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine at l’Université de Montréal and the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at McGill University. In August 1992, he was appointed director of public health for l’Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal. In 1998, he was also a public health consultant at the World Health Organization in Geneva, participating in the development of a health program for the 20 least developed countries. In September 2006, he was commissioned by the Public Health Agency of Canada to work with the World Health Organization in Geneva where he participated in the development of the Global Action Plan Against Cancer.

In the last 10 years, Dr. Lessard has been a member of:

  • Governing Council for the Canadian Population Health Initiative, which he chaired
  • Board of Directors of the Canadian Institute for Health Information
  • Health Canada’s Ministerial Science Advisory Board
  • National Collaborating Centres for Public Health
  • Board of Directors of the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ)

Dr. Lessard is recognized for his commitment to improving the population’s health status and most especially for his work on social determinants and the effects of social inequalities on health. A versatile innovator, he uses a variety of strategies to influence clinicians’ day-to-day practices so that they get closer to the community environments and communicate better with the population.

Image of Réal Lacombe Réal Lacombe
Honorary Life Membership

Réal Lacombe has been the heart and soul of the Healthy Cities and Communities movement in Quebec for 25 years and has contributed in many other ways to public health in Quebec, Canada and internationally. He learned about the Healthy Cities concept while doing his MPH at Berkeley. On his return to Rouyn-Noranda, where he was Director of the Department of Community Health, he established the first formal Healthy City project in North America in 1987.

In 1988, Réal founded the Réseau québécois de Villes et Villages en santé. He inspired the development of the Réseau for many years, and served as Coordinator from 1996-2001. He also contributed to the establishment of the WHO Collaborating Centre for the Development of Healthy Cities and Towns at Laval University, and was co-director of the Centre from 1996-2001.

In Quebec he has, among other roles, served as a consultant to the Rochon Commission (1987), as a member of the Committee on Public Health Priorities (1995-97), and Coordinator of the Community Development Unit at INSPQ (1998-2001). He has also been an active contributor to the Healthy Cities movement in Canada and internationally.

Réal has always been very committed to community engagement and local action, and has returned to Rouyn-Noranda in recent years, serving as Director of Public Health for the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region since 2001, where he continues to support the work of creating a healthier community. In 2007, he was made a Chevalier of the Order of Quebec for his services to health promotion.

Image of Michel O’Neill Michel O’Neill
Certificate of Merit

Dr. Michel O’Neill is Professor in the Faculty of Nursing at Laval University. He is also co-director of the Groupe de recherche et d’intervention en promotion de la santé de l’Université Laval and co-director of the Quebec WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Cities and Towns. He has been involved in community/public health for close to 30 years as community health worker, professor, researcher, consultant and activist.

His long-standing teaching and research interests pertain to the political and policy dimensions of health promotion, with a special interest in the Healthy Cities movement. He has published extensively in the scientific and professional literature and has presented numerous papers in various scientific and professional meetings in Canada and around the world. Michel is co-editor of three books, including Health Promotion in Canada, which is about to be republished in a third edition.

Professor O’Neill was a member of the Board of the International Union of Health Promotion and Health Education from 1995 to 2007 and the inaugural Editor of IUHPE’S electronic journal, the Reviews of Health Promotion and Education Online from 2000 to 2008.

Over the course of his career, he has had a significant impact on hundreds of nursing and graduate students, including many working in the field of public health. He has also had a significant impact on the practice of health promotion and public health in Canada and around the world through his many publications, presentations and organizational contributions. These accomplishments make him fully deserving of a Certificate of Merit.

Image of Theresa W. Gyorkos Theresa W. Gyorkos
CPHA International Award

Dr. Theresa Gyorkos is an internationally recognized expert in the epidemiology of neglected tropical diseases. Her research is focused on applying state-of-the-art methods to identify risk factors and develop control strategies for helminth infections in disadvantaged and vulnerable populations in developing countries (Ethiopia, Guinée, Brazil and Peru) and Canada (e.g., refugees and Inuit). Dr. Gyorkos has contributed in many ways in the advancement of global health.

Dr. Gyorkos authored more than 100 scientific publications on the epidemiology and prevention of helminth infections, malnutrition, and adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes – all conditions that disproportionately affect the poor.

During and after her studies, Dr. Gyorkos communicates results and their implications to national/regional health officials, and to health staff of her study sites (e.g., her recent studies in Peru). In addition, Dr. Gyorkos led the development and writing of WHO guidelines for helminth control in school-aged children.

In Peru, Dr. Gyorkos led the implementation and evaluation of a series of health interventions in Belen, a community of extreme poverty. One original feature of this program was that priorities were identified in multidisciplinary and participatory workshops with stakeholders from academia, NGOs and community organizations.

Also in Peru, she and her team provided research training to health workers. In addition, she created and managed a research granting program to build local health research capacity, to promote evidence-based policies/practices, and to support research based on the needs of underserved populations.

Image of Jerry M. Spiegel Jerry M. Spiegel
CPHA International Award

Jerry Spiegel has been in the forefront of promoting public health globally, and particularly equity in access to health-promoting environments and community participation. About a decade ago, he was instrumental in assembling leaders in global health from across Canada and internationally, as well as from CIDA, IDRC, CIHR and Health Canada, to create what became Canada’s Global Health Research Initiative. He has also played a major role in the Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research, and is always willing to share his experience and expertise with students and colleagues individually, in communities, in classes, or in conferences. Jerry led community–university partnership projects in Cuba and Ecuador – both of which are recognized as exemplary in promoting the values of this award – and he is leading important work in South Africa. Dr. Spiegel is widely known as someone who works respectfully with colleagues from the South, and who inspires students to do the same. The Ecuador project focused specifically on building capacity to promote health equity and community participation, leaving a legacy of sustainable community-based public health projects across the country. Jerry has not only had a significant influence in specific communities, but also at national policy levels at home and abroad. He has worked tirelessly to assist colleagues and students in Canada and internationally to embrace the global public health values for which this award is targeted. He also publishes commentaries drawing attention to the need to address equity and community participation in promoting health – and he is very deserving of this recognition.

Image of Nancy Hall Nancy Hall (posthumously)
Ron Draper Health Promotion Award

Nancy Hall was a leader in health promotion practice in Canada and British Columbia where, for thirty years, she demonstrated through her practice a deep conviction to all five of the Ottawa Charter strategies. Her calling to bring diverse groups of people together to imagine, envision and resolve local issues through dialogue and creative, community action were hallmarks of her health promotion practice. As a teacher, mentor, advocate and change agent, Nancy embodied the principles of the Charter.

In 1988, she formed BE Well Consultants, promoting self-care, mutual aid and community action projects throughout BC. As the Director of Health Promotion at North Shore Health (1989-1996), Nancy implemented specific programs in Healthy Communities, Heart Health, First Nations Health, Injury and Violence Prevention and she was also the first Director of Health Promotion at BC Women’s Hospital.

Serving as the Mental Health Advocate in British Columbia (1998-2001), Nancy advocated for and on behalf of individuals and their families in support of healthy public policy for people with severe mental health care needs. Recently, Nancy worked tirelessly with politicians, community groups and faith-based communities to reduce homelessness in Vancouver. Her commitment to process for solving complex problems affecting the health of individuals and communities always involved dialogue with communities, government and the private sector.

Nancy lived fully with terminal cancer, demonstrating the power of mutual aid networks as a supportive approach to care in the most challenging of circumstances. She died peacefully on March 23, 2011.

Pan Canadian Task Force on Public Health Nutrition Practice
Public Health Human Resources Award (Organization)

The Pan Canadian Task Force on Public Health Nutrition Practice has demonstrated outstanding vision and leadership in the advancement of public health knowledge and practice in Canada. More specifically, the Task Force has been instrumental in the development and dissemination of several public health workforce development products and tools, including:

  • a literature review of discipline-specific competencies required for dietitians working in public health in Canada and internationally
  • an environmental scan of the structure/organization of public health nutrition in Canada, including the identification of opportunities and challenges
  • a situational assessment to identify key issues, gaps and recommendations for next steps in the development of public health nutrition competencies
  • a definition of public health nutrition practice
  • discipline-specific competencies
  • Strengthening Public Health Nutrition Practice in Canada – Recommendations for Action

In 2009 the Task Force completed an inclusive, pan Canadian, interdisciplinary consultation, and facilitated dialogue with community and public health dietitians and nutritionists, as well as others who contribute to public health nutrition practice – educators, employers, and health professionals. Through this rigorous, transparent, collaborative process, consensus was reached on issues that will forge the future for Public Health Nutrition practice in Canada. At every step, the Task Force focused on dissemination of information to stakeholders through presentations at conferences and publications in journals and newsletters.

Their vision, leadership and strategic thinking, achievements, and commitment to strengthening the public health workforce are deserving of national recognition and make the Task Force a worthy organizational candidate for this award.

Image of Marie McCully Collier Marie McCully Collier
Public Health Human Resources Award (Individual)

To know Marie McCully Collier is to know a Canadian visionary in public health – a person who begins with the long view, the big picture of what could be, and follows through with action that brings results. Her lasting contribution has been the strengthening of the public health workforce in Nova Scotia and the rest of Canada through her work in many spheres – as a public health nurse, educator and administrator, one of Canada’s most respected facilitators of online learning, mentor, role model, change agent and not least, volunteer. She sets an example of compassion, empathy for others, and the ability to inspire and empower others to achieve a common vision.

Marie’s influence has been felt by many diverse groups, ranging from the Public Health Association of Nova Scotia, professional colleagues, public health practitioners and learners at the local, provincial and national levels, including retired public health inspectors. Her reach has extended outward to citizens, communities, and government agencies.

Some of the significant outcomes of Marie’s work include:

  • a strengthened public health workforce in Canada through her roles in education and administration, especially as a long-term facilitator with Skills Online, and Lead Liaison for the LoPHID project;
  • a strong and growing Public Health Association of Nova Scotia (PHANS);
  • PHANS’ recognition, Canada-wide, as a strong voice in the advocacy of public health issues; and,
  • successful implementation of Public Health Core Competencies in Nova Scotia.

Image of Jane Underwood Jane Underwood
Public Health Human Resources Award (Individual)

Jane Underwood has devoted her career to enhancing capacity and promoting public health innovation and research. Jane has influenced public health human resources at the local, regional, provincial, national and intemational levels. As a respected academic researcher and public health consultant, she is an avid supporter of integrating research and practice.

Jane has participated in numerous public health human resources studies and is widely published. Her commitment to public health human resources has been demonstrated through her involvement in various past and present initiatives, most notably:

  • Led the exemplary Ontario ‘teaching health unit’ which has been a role model in Canada;
  • Member, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s Mandatory Programs Indicators Committee;
  • Member, Community Health Framework Advisory Committee;
  • President, Board of Directors for OPHA;
  • Appointed by the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health to the Local Public Health Capacity Review Committee;
  • Principal Investigator, Building Community and Public Health Nursing Capacity study, which will influence future nursing recruitment and deployment strategies;
  • Actively involved in the designation of community health nursing as a specialty in Canada;
  • Launched the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing taskforce on public health nursing education;
  • Participated in various core competencies for public health initiatives; and,
  • Lead consultant to develop Canadian community health nurses discipline competencies.

Jane’s vision, leadership and commitment to strengthening public health human resources are deserving of national recognition, making her a worthy candidate for this award.

Image of Kathleen Ruff Kathleen Ruff
CPHA National Public Health Hero Award

Kathleen Ruff has long been respected in Canada and internationally as a human rights advocate. Most recently, she has demonstrated her commitment to these rights – as well as her extreme expertise on the subject – by speaking out and mobilizing others to support banning of the extraction and utilization of asbestos, a ban made necessary by the mortality rate of approximately 107,000 persons per year as estimated by the World Health Organization.

Her courageous leadership in seeking this ban has been fundamental in mobilizing the citizenry of Canada and in revealing the inaccuracies in the propaganda that the asbestos industry has employed for the better part of the last century to mislead citizens about the seriousness of the threat of asbestos for human health. Ms. Ruff’s presentations, written and spoken, and her actions have been critical in re-establishing the preponderance of science over political expediency. Ms. Ruff has been effective in mobilizing the scientific community to speak up about the dangers of chrysotile asbestos and to call for a ban on its mining and export.

The contributions of Ms. Ruff to enlighten the public will remain examples of how an individual can lead, and for this she more than deserves this award.

Image of Four Directions Community Health Centre Four Directions Community Health Centre, Regina, Saskatchewan
CPHA-Amgen Award for Innovation in Family Health

The Four Directions Community Health Centre (4D) is nestled in the heart of North Central Regina and serves a culturally diverse population, approximately one-third of whom are Aboriginal. This vibrant community is home to many hard-working people but it faces many challenges. It has been identified, on the basis of a number of indicators, as a troubled inner-city neighbourhood. Established in 1996 following community consultations, 4D provides interdisciplinary services aimed at meeting the needs of the Aboriginal people in North Central Regina by consolidating services to improve the health and well-being of families. Two long-standing programs, Sunrise Health and Healthiest Babies Possible, have contributed to building healthy families through two successful weekly services, “Reclaiming our Lives – Creating our Tipis”, and “Focus on Fathers”. The former is a free drop-in mothers’ parenting class that addresses the determinants of health through the 15 traditional values represented by the Tipi poles, elder input, and community cultural opportunities. The latter is a drop-in evening parenting support session for fathers and their children. These two services are asset-based and help parents take control of their lives, increase their self-worth, and build skills that allow them to create healthy homes and families.

Dr. John Hastings CPHA Student Award

  • Daniel Fuller, Université de Montréal

Population and Public Health Student Awards

Masters Level

  • Rebecca North, University of Alberta
  • Mary Vu, University of Waterloo

PhD Level

  • Alain Girard, Université du Québec à Montréal
  • Miranda Elliott, University of British Columbia

NCCPH Knowledge Translation Graduate Student Awards

  • Sherilee Harper, University of Guelph
  • Fleur MacQueen Smith, University of Saskatchewan
  • Meghan Winters, University of British Columbia