Alumni of Distinction Awards

Thank you for your interest in the 2025 Alumni of Distinction Awards program.
Nominations will be open as of December 1, 2024.

The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry is pleased to offer an annual awards program that recognizes alumni who have made outstanding contributions to the School, the community, and/or their profession.

The Alumni of Distinction Awards are presented annually during Homecoming weekend, September 27, 2025 at the  Dean's Alumni Cocktail Reception.  

Nomination Form

DOWNLOAD ALUMNI OF DISTINCTION NOMINATION FORM

Deadline to submit nominations: February 28, 2025.

Award Categories

Young Alumni Award (3)

These awards recognize significant contributions by alumni, whether through professional achievement or community service. The recipient is within 15 years of program completion and sets an inspirational example for future young alumni.

  • Basic Science: Reserved for a graduate from a Basic Science field.
  • Dentistry: Reserved for a graduate of Schulich Dentistry, including its graduate programs.
  • Medicine: Reserved for a graduate of the MD, MPH, MCISc, Residency, and/or Fellowship programs.

Community Service Award

This award pays tribute to an individual who has made outstanding volunteer contributions to their community. They have enriched the lives of others through their generous gifts of time and talent and their involvement with civic, charitable, and social causes.

Dr. Stephen Blizzard Trailblazer Award

This award recognizes those who exemplify excellence in Medicine through their work as trailblazers, by having made significant contributions to advocacy work, humanitarian work, education, and/or advancing uncharted fields that promote Black Excellence and Flourishing both within and beyond medicine. Nominees must be a graduate of the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program or have completed their residency training at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry.

The award acknowledges, in particular, those who have attained high levels of excellence while demonstrating resilience in the face of significant social barriers such as racism, accessibility, and gender, and those who have demonstrated advocacy for racial justice, inclusion, and equity. With their exceptional levels of perseverance and dedication, they have created impactful careers and are inspiring future generations of leaders in Medicine. If during any year, a suitable candidate is not available as deemed by the selection committee, then the award will not be distributed.

Excellence in Basic Science Research Award

This award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions in the field of Basic Science research, setting a standard of excellence to which others can aspire. This award is reserved for a graduate from a Basic Science field.

Alumni of Distinction Award - Dentistry

This award recognizes a graduate of Schulich Dentistry, including its graduate programs, who has made outstanding contributions to Schulich Dentistry, to the art and science of dentistry, to research, and/or to the profession of dentistry.

Alumni of Distinction Award - Medicine

This award recognizes superior achievement in the field of medicine through academic, research and/or clinical endeavors. The recipient is a role model who sets a standard of excellence to which others can aspire. This award is reserved for a graduate of the MD, MPH, MCISc, Residency and/or Fellowship programs.

Nomination Requirements

Eligible candidates

The candidate must:

  • Have graduated with at least one of the following:
    • MD, DDS, ASPIDG, BMSc, MCID, MCISc, PhD, MSc, MPH or completed Fellowship or Residency training at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry (note: this includes graduates from these programs since the inception of the medical school in 1881 and the dental school in 1964).
  • Have made an outstanding contribution to the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, the community, and/or their profession.

Nomination criteria

  • All nominations are reviewed by an Awards Selection Committee.
  • The selection committee reserves the right to move a nomination from one category to another if it is determined more appropriate.
  • Nominations can be reviewed for a total of three (3) consecutive years; after three (3) years a new nomination package is required.
  • Nominations may be submitted by any individual, independently or on behalf of a group or institution. Self-nominations will not be accepted.
  • Nominees can only be nominated in one category per year.
  • Nominees should exemplify professionalism in keeping with the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry’s core values and must be in good standing with their regulatory body as applicable.
  • Posthumous nominations will not be accepted.
  • At the discretion of the Awards Selection Committee, more than one award recipient may be selected for each category.
  • Nominees who are selected for an award will be ineligible for future nominations for a period of 5 years.

Nomination package to include:

  • Completed nomination form
  • Nomination Letter
    • Nominators are asked to write a letter of no more than 500 words to accompany the completed nomination package that outlines:
      1. The reasons for nominating the candidate
      2. A description of the candidate’s accomplishments, successes, and contributions pertaining to the award
  • A minimum of two letters of support from third parties (maximum of three)
  • A current copy of the nominee's curriculum vitae.
  • Optional: Supplementary documents (maximum two) that convey the importance of the nominee’s work. These can include notices and reviews, media coverage, abstracts, etc.

 

Please note any nominations missing the above-mentioned items will be considered incomplete and not put forward for the committee to review.

Questions?

Please contact  Alumni Engagement Team at  alumni@schulich.uwo.ca.