OTTAWA, Aug. 1, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is pleased to recognize three young physician leaders as the recipients of its 10th annual Award for Young Leaders. The award celebrates the efforts of young physician leaders of tomorrow for their efforts today.
The recipients of the 2013 Award for Young Leaders are medical student Dr.Rithesh Ram from Calgary, medical resident Dr. Paul Singh Dhillon from Regina and, in the early career category, Dr. Kathryn Andrusky from Edmonton.
Rithesh Ram (student)
Throughout his science, doctoral and medical studies at the University of Calgary, Dr. Rithesh Ram proved his commitment to improving governance and student life. As president of the Calgary Medical Students' Association, he successfully fought an increase in tuition fees and was cited in the Alberta Legislature for his position that medical school needs to remain accessible to students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. He founded the Community Health Sciences student executive, credited with solidifying communication with the department administration. He also was responsible for a major renovation of graduate facilities and improved participation in the graduate students' association. At the national level, he has been active in the Clinician Investigator Trainee Association of Canada, the CMA Political Action Committee and Canadian Doctors for Medicare.
Dr. Ram has won several awards for his thesis, a randomized, triple-blinded clinical trial investigating a novel treatment using dextrose injections for sclerotherapy for treatment of Achilles tendinopathy. Among his many awards for student leadership is the University of Calgary's prestigious Arch Award: Future Alumni.
"There are many amazing leaders among the medical students, residents and physicians in Canada, and to be recognized as a part of this group is truly an honour," said Dr. Ram. "I have been very fortunate for the opportunities that have been given to me, and this award is a reflection of those who put their trust in what I would accomplish on their behalf."
He graduated in May 2013 with a joint MD - PhD degree from the Leaders in Medicine - Epidemiology program. His long-term medical interest is in primary care, medical education, public health and medical leadership.
Dr. Paul Singh Dhillon (resident)
A political science graduate of the University of British Columbia, Dr. Dhillon studied medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and graduated in 2009. The following year he earned a diploma from the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, United Kingdom, and an International Red Cross certificate in health emergencies in large populations at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. In 2011 he completed a certificate in surgical science at the University of Edinburgh and in 2012 he earned a master's degree in disaster medicine at the Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novarra, Italy.
He completed his family medicine residency at the University of Saskatchewan in June 2013. During his residency he became involved with the Professional Association of Internes and Residents of Saskatchewan, serving as president in 2012-13. He has also been active in the American College of Emergency Physicians Humanities Section and was selected as one of the New England Journal of Medicine Scholars in an essay competition celebrating the journal's 200th anniversary. An excerpt from his first novel was awarded the Aindreas McEntee Irish Medical Writing Prize in 2011. Proceeds from his second novel and collaboration with Rotary International raised more than $ 30,000 for a health project in Zimbabwe.
"I think it's incredibly fulfilling and important to take on leadership roles, not only in residency training but in all spheres and stages of life. I have gained the most knowledge and my best friends in the crucibles of challenging situations in which decisions need to be made and true leadership needs to be shown," said Dr. Dhillon. "The other important thing to remember is that being on the leading edge of change is incredibly fulfilling in comparison to being pulled along by the tides of change."
A global citizen, Paul Dhillon speaks four languages and has travelled to more than 90 countries. His career goals are to practise rural and remote medicine in Canada and conflict, disaster and humanitarian medicine outside of Canada.
Dr. Kathryn Andrusky (early career physician)
A medical graduate of the University of Alberta, Dr. Andrusky has done residency work in emergency medicine and family medicine. Since being certified by the College of Family Physicians in 2008, she has practised in the Sherwood Park and Edmonton areas. In 2009 she was appointed clinical lecturer and preceptor for the department of family medicine at the University of Alberta.
A student politician while she was an undergraduate, she became active in the Canadian Federation of Medical Students during her medical school years. She was a national officer on reproductive health and AIDS, and was one of six medical students who founded CFMS membership in the International Federation of Medical Student Associations. She next applied her leadership skills to the Canadian Association of Internes and Residents, where she was a board member from 2005 to 2007. She also was the national chair of the resident section of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians.
In 2006-07 she served as president of the Professional Association of Residents of Alberta (PARA). Her accomplishments including founding a resident-student annual leadership training conference, initiating governance reform and a strategic planning process to evaluate organizational effectiveness, and representing PARA at the Alberta and Canadian medical association annual representative meetings.
"I am honoured to be recognized by fellow physicians who themselves are inspiring role models and visionary leaders," said Dr. Andrusky.
In 2011, at age 32 and in her fourth year of practice, she was elected to the board of directors of the Alberta Medical Association. She serves on the executive committee of the section of general practice, as well as on the government affairs committee.
Recipients of the Young Leaders Award have demonstrated exemplary dedication, commitment and leadership in one of the following domains: political, clinical, education, research and/or community service.
"I continue to be thrilled and impressed by the quality of our young leaders," said Dr. Anna Reid, CMA president. "Given their passion, commitment and creativity, I am certain that we will be hearing about the accomplishments of these young leaders for years to come."
The CMA will present the awards on Aug. 21 at a ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Calgary Hotel as part of its 146th annual general meeting.
SOURCE: Canadian Medical Association
Dominique Jolicoeur, Communications Officer
Tel.: 613-731-8610 or 800-663-7336 ext. 2038
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