Department of Medicine Prizes & Awards

The Department of Medicine Teacher of the Year Award (established in 1989) is the highest recognition for teaching and educational excellence. This award honours a member of the Department of Medicine who has demonstrated significant commitment and exceptional contributions to teaching throughout their career, and has more than 20 years of teaching experience as a full-time faculty member. The award consists of a commemorative certificate.

Nominations should address the following key criteria:

• Commitment to Teaching Excellence: Evidence of a strong dedication to teaching and a track record of outstanding performance with diverse groups of learners in a variety of settings.
• Subject Mastery: Demonstrate deep understanding and expertise in the subject matter.
• Engagement and Inspiration: Proven ability to stimulate and engage learners through creativity, innovation, enthusiasm, and effective teaching styles.
• Effective Instructional Practices: Use of appropriate teaching resources and methodologies that enhance learning outcomes and cater to diverse learner needs.
• Commitment to Professional Development and Academic Community: Active participation in ongoing professional development focused on teaching and learning, along with collaboration with colleagues to strengthen the department's overall teaching culture.

Nomination Process:

Nominations can be submitted by any member of the Department of Medicine. Nomination package should include:

• A nomination letter with the signature of the nominator(s)
• A joint letter of support from division director (DDD) and physician-in-chief (PIC)
• Nomination letter should summarize the reasons for the nomination and should not be longer than three pages. Letters that are the most helpful address the criteria of the award and present evidence supporting the nominee’s excellence in this criterion.
• A current CV of the nominee
• Self nominations are ineligible

The nominator is responsible for the collection and submission of the award nomination package and informing the nominee of their nominations. 

• Nominator will also inform the DDD and/or PIC of the intent to submit a nomination.

The Mid-Career Teaching Award (inaugurated in 2024) is for mid-career faculty members within the Department of Medicine. The award consists of a commemorative certificate.  

Criteria: This award recognizes a member of the Department of Medicine who is within 11-20 years of appointment to the department and has made contributions of notable merit to the advancement of sound knowledge in medicine through teaching and education.  

Nominations should address the following key criteria: 

• Commitment to Teaching Excellence: Evidence of a strong dedication to teaching and a track record of outstanding performance with diverse groups of learners in a variety of settings. 

• Subject Mastery: Demonstrate deep understanding and expertise in the subject matter.  

• Engagement and Inspiration: Proven ability to stimulate and engage learners through creativity, innovation, enthusiasm, and effective teaching styles. 

• Effective Instructional Practices: Use of appropriate teaching resources and methodologies that enhance learning outcomes and cater to diverse learner needs. 

• Commitment to Professional Development and Academic Community: Active participation in ongoing professional development focused on teaching and learning, along with collaboration with colleagues to strengthen the department's overall teaching culture. 

Nomination Process:

Nominations can be submitted by any member of the Department of Medicine. Nomination package should include: 

• A nomination letter with the signature of the nominator(s) 

• Nomination letter should summarize the reasons for the nomination and should not be longer than three pages. Letters that are the most helpful address the criteria of the award and present evidence supporting the nominee’s excellence in this criterion. 

• A current CV of the nominee  

• Self nominations are ineligible  

The nominator is responsible for the collection and submission of the award nomination package and informing the nominee of their nominations.  

• Nominator will also inform the DDD and/or PIC of the intent to submit the nomination. The purpose of informing DDD and PIC is for their situational awareness and not to screen the nominees. PICs and DDDs have unique insights which may help strengthen the nomination package. 

This award was introduced in 2007 and re-named the Robert Hyland Award for Excellence in Mentorship in 2010. The award consists of a commemorative certificate.

Criteria: This award recognizes a Deptartment of Medicine Late career faculty member (20+ years of appointment to the department) who has shown sustained excellence* (as a mentor) in mentoring other faculty members within the Department of Medicine.

Nominations should address the following key criteria for *Sustained excellence in effective mentorship (including but not limited to):

• assisting faculty members to develop their professional careers while balancing the competing demands of their personal lives
• guiding them in navigating the university culture
• fostering self-reflection skills
• offering networking and sponsorship opportunities when needed

An effective mentor exemplifies altruism, models professionalism, delivers constructive feedback (when needed), makes time for mentees, and significantly influences the career development of their mentees.

Nomination Process:

Nominations can be submitted by any member of the Department of Medicine. Nomination package should include:

• A single nomination letter with the signature(s) of the nominator(s)*
• Nomination letter should summarize the reasons for the nomination and should not be longer than three pages and emphasize specific examples of the mentor’s impact as experienced or directly observed by the nominator.
• A current CV of the nominee
• List of all the mentees
• Self nominations are ineligible

*Multiple nominators can sign the nomination letter.

The nominator is responsible for the collection and submission of the award nomination package and informing the nominee of their nominations. 

• The nominator will also inform the DDD and/or PIC of their intent to submit a nomination package. Both the DDD and PIC may offer valuable insights that could enhance the strength and quality of the nomination.

Criteria: Starting in 2024, this award recognizes a Department of Medicine mid-career faculty member (11-20 years of appointment within the department) who has shown sustained excellence* (as a mentor) in mentoring other faculty members within the Department of Medicine.  

*Sustained excellence in effective mentorship includes (but not limited to): 

• assisting faculty members to develop their professional careers while balancing the competing demands of their personal lives 

• guiding them in navigating the university culture 

• fostering self-reflection skills  

• offering networking and sponsorship opportunities when needed  

An effective mentor exemplifies altruism, models professionalism, delivers constructive feedback (when needed), makes time for mentees, and significantly influences career development of their mentees. 

Nomination Process:

Nominations can be submitted by any member of the Department of Medicine. Nomination package should include: 

• A nomination letter with the signature(s) of the nominator(s) 

• Nomination letter should summarize the reasons for the nomination and should not be longer than three pages. Letters that are the most helpful address the criteria of the award and present evidence supporting the nominee’s excellence in this criterion. 

• A current CV of the nominee  

• List of all the mentees (past and current including both within and without Dept. of Medicine) 

• Self nominations are ineligible  

The nominator is responsible for the collection and submission of the award nomination package and informing the nominee of their nominations.  

• The nominator will also inform the DDD and/or PIC of their intent to submit a nomination package. Both the DDD and PIC may offer valuable insights that could enhance the strength and quality of the nomination. 

The Department of Medicine overriding mission is to ensure the delivery of excellent clinical care in its associated hospitals, and the preparation of future physician leaders to carry this mission forward throughout Canada and beyond. Within the department, certain faculty members serve as exemplars of this mission, providing leadership in patient care that elevates and enlarges the profession.  

Criteria: The Academy of Master Clinicians honours the Deptartment of Medicine faculty members who:  

• Demonstrate consistent outstanding clinical performance  

• Deliver the highest standard of patient care

• Set an example in high quality patient care and diagnostic acumen 

• Are able to confront challenging cases, while demonstrating humility, respect and civility for patients and colleagues

Nomination Process:

Nominations can be submitted by any member of the Department of Medicine. Nomination package should include: 

• A nomination letter with the signature of the nominator(s) 

• A joint letter of support from Department Division Director (DDD) and Physician-in-Chief (PIC) 

• Nomination letter should summarize the reasons for the nomination and should not be longer than three pages. Letters that are the most helpful address the criteria of the award and present evidence supporting the nominee’s excellence in this criterion. 

• A current CV of the nominee  

• Self nominations are ineligible  

The nominator is responsible for the collection and submission of the award nomination package and informing the nominee of their nominations.  

The Department of Medicine’s top priority is to ensure patients, their families and their experiences in healthcare settings drive our work. The Humanism in Medicine Award was established in 2018 to indicate the department's commitment to the principle of person-centered care. In 2019, the award was renamed the Michael Gordon Award for Humanism in Medicine to recognize Dr. Gordon’s exceptional leadership in bridging physician and family roles in the development of best care practices for patients, and the profound impact he has had on how medicine is practiced. 

Criteria:

This award aims to recognize a Department of Medicine faculty member who:

• Exemplifies a deep and abiding commitment to humanism* in health care

• Models the fundamental principles of "person-centeredness" with open communication, mutual respect, empathy and understanding between physicians and their patients

*Humanism is understood to be an acknowledgment of other human beings as individuals with autonomy, unique backgrounds, values and perspectives, and a commitment to acknowledging cultural differences and addressing issues of inclusion, equity, and social justice. 

Nomination Process:

Nominations can be submitted by any member of the Department of Medicine. Nomination package should include: 

• A nomination letter with the signature of the nominator(s) 

• A joint letter of support from Department Division Director (DDD) and Physician-in-Chief (PIC) 

• Nomination letter should summarize the reasons for the nomination and should not be longer than three pages. Letters that are the most helpful address the criteria of the award and present evidence supporting the nominee’s excellence in this criterion. 

• A current CV of the nominee  

• Self nominations are ineligible  

The nominator is responsible for the collection and submission of the award nomination package and informing the nominee of their nominations.  

The Department of Medicine started to recognize contributions in the field of healthcare quality, patient safety, and innovation in 2007.  

Criteria: The award recognizes Department of Medicine faculty members appointed for more than 10 years within the department, with outstanding leadership or academic contributions that aim to improve the quality of healthcare.  

Examples might include: 

• efforts to improve the degree to which patients receive proven aspects of care (e.g. increasing guideline concordant care)

• reducing harm to patients from medical care (patient safety) 

• innovations in health services delivery - new models of care that improve outcomes, the patient experience, or healthcare value

Nomination Process:

Nominations can be submitted by any member of the Department of Medicine. Nomination package should include: 

• A nomination letter with the signature(s) of the nominator(s)* 

• Nomination letter should summarize the reasons for the nomination and be maximum 3-pages in length. Letters that are the most helpful address the criteria of the award and present evidence supporting the nominee’s excellence in this criterion. 

• A current CV of the nominee  

• Self nominations are ineligible  

*Multiple nominators can sign a single nomination letter.  

The nominator is responsible for the collection and submission of the award nomination package and informing the nominee of their nominations.  

• The nominator will also inform the DDD and/or PIC of their intent to submit a nomination package. Both the DDD and PIC may offer valuable insights that could enhance the strength and quality of the nomination. 

The William Goldie Prize and Travel Award was established in 1945 by an anonymous donour to honour the late Dr. William Goldie, who held a faculty appointment in the Department of Medicine. The prize consists of a commemorative certificate and a travel grant.

Criteria: The prize is awarded annually to members of the Department of Medicine who:

• are within the first 10 years of appointment to the department
• have made contributions of notable merit to the advancement of sound knowledge* through research, teaching, education or quality & innovation. 

* The concept of "advancing sound knowledge" takes a holistic view, recognizing that the true impact of intellectual contributions may extend beyond academic circles.

Four prizes are awarded each year:

• one for research contributions
• one for teaching contributions
• one for contributions in education scholarship and innovation
• one for quality & innovation contributions

Nomination Process:

Nominations can be submitted by any member of the Department of Medicine. Nomination package should include:

• A nomination letter with the signature of the nominator(s)
• Nomination letter should summarize the reasons for the nomination. Letters that are the most helpful address the criteria of the award and present evidence supporting the nominee’s excellence in this criterion.
• A current CV of the nominee
• Self nominations are ineligible

The nominator is responsible for the collection and submission of the award nomination package and informing the nominee of their nominations. 

• Nominator will also inform the DDD and/or PIC of the intent to submit a nomination. The purpose of informing DDD and PIC is for their situational awareness and not to screen the nominees. PICs and DDDs have unique insights which may help strengthen the nomination package.