January 23, 2026 

The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2026 AFMC Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to medical education, research, leadership, equity, and health advocacy across Canada and beyond. 

This year, 22 individuals are being honoured across 19 awards for their exceptional commitment to advancing academic medicine, improving health systems, and strengthening the next generation of learners, educators, scientists and physicians. 

“Congratulations to the 2026 AFMC Awards recipients whose leadership, innovation and dedication are helping shape a stronger and more compassionate future for health and medical education in Canada,” said Constance LeBlanc, President and CEO, AFMC.“ Their work reflects the very best of academic medicine and our shared commitment to excellence, equity, collaboration and social accountability.” 

2026 AFMC Award Recipients Across Our Three Strategic Pillars 

Social Accountability 

• AFMC May Cohen Equity, Diversity and Gender Award
  Umberin Najeeb, University of Toronto

• AFMC Wellness Award
  Melanie Lewis, University of Alberta 

• AFMC Charles Boelen International Social Accountability Award
  Lionel Green-Thompson, University of Cape Town, South Africa 

• AFMC Leadership Award for the Promotion of Health in Francophone Communities – Lifetime Achievement
  Anne Leis, University of Saskatchewan 

• Indigenous Health Advocacy Lifetime Contribution Award
  Valerie Arnault, University of Saskatchewan 

• Indigenous Health Advocacy Emerging Leader Award
  Jamaica Cass, Queen’s University 

• Indigenous Health Advocacy Learner Award
  Zoey Bourgeois, University of Saskatchewan 

Education 

• AFMC President’s Award for Exemplary National Leadership in Academic Medicine
  Jason Frank, University of Ottawa 

• AFMC Learner Changemaker Awards 
  Quinten Clarke — Medical Learner, University of British Columbia 
  Sara Siddiqi — Graduate Student, University of Ottawa 

• AFMC Administration Award
  Beverley Pindar-Donick, McMaster University 

• AFMC Award for Outstanding Contribution to Faculty Development
  Latika Nirula, University of Toronto

• AFMC John Ruedy Award for Innovation in Medical Education
  Khorshid Mohammad, University of Calgary 

• AFMC Mentorship Award
  Rosalia Lia Sanzone, McGill University 

• AFMC John Ruedy Award for Excellence in Graduate Health Professions Education Scholarship 
  Lorenzo Madrazo, University of Ottawa 
  Amanda Lee Roze des Ordons, University of Calgary 
  Molk Chakroun, Université de Sherbrooke 

• AFMC Young Educators Award
  Lea Harper, University of Calgary 

• AFMC Clinical Teacher Award
  Paul Olszynski, University of Saskatchewan 

Research 

• AFMC Clinician–Scientist Award
  Robert Hegele, Western University 

• AFMC Scientist Award
  Mary-Ellen Harper, University of Ottawa 

• Edwin Kroeger Global Emerging Scientist Award
  Molly Shen, McGill University 

Stay tuned as we share more about each of these deserving individuals ahead of the awards ceremony at ICAM 2026.