News: 2022 Alumni of Distinction Award recipients
The 2022 Alumni of Distinction Award recipients are international leaders, accomplished scholars, community advocates and trailblazers in their fields. They have distinguished themselves as role models and an inspiration to all.
Congratulations to the recipients:
Dr. Franco DeMonte, MD’85, Resident Alumnus
Professional Achievement Award
Dr. Franco DeMonte graduated with his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1985. He went on to complete a residency in neurosurgery with the Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, as well as a clinical fellowship Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. He is a Professor of Neurosurgery and Head and Neck Surgery at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Centre, where he holds the Mary Beth Pawelek Chair in Neurosurgery.
Dr. DeMonte is a world-renowned expert in the management of patients with tumours of the skull base and has unparalleled experience in the challenging field of skull base neurosurgery. He has contributed significantly to advancements in the field throughout his career.
Committed to education, Dr. DeMonte is the founder of the Neurosurgical Oncology Fellowship Training Program at MD Anderson and established a specialized fellowship program in skull base surgery in 2012.
Among his many accolades, Dr. DeMonte was awarded the prestigious University Cancer Foundation Faculty Award in Patient Care for his outstanding accomplishments in patient care. He is the past President of the North American Skull Base Society and the past President of the World Federation of Skull Base Societies.
Dr. Bertha Garcia
Honorary Alumni of Distinction Award – Dentistry
Dr. Bertha Garcia has served as the Acting Vice Dean and Director of Schulich Dentistry since 2019. During her tenure, Dentistry successfully recruited many new faculty members and achieved full accreditation status from the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada.
Dr. Garcia’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic was crucial, supporting academic, clinical and administrative teams in delivering safe patient care and dental education. With her guidance, Dentistry was the first program at Western University to re-open after provincial closures, serving as a model for other faculties at the University, as well as Canadian dental schools.
In 2021, the American College of Dentists awarded Dr. Garcia an Honorary Fellowship for her exceptional contributions as a leader in dental education. A revered educator and strategic leader, Dr. Garcia is a recipient of the prestigious 3M Teaching Fellowship, the Edward G. Pleva Award and the YMCA Women of Excellence Award.
Dr. Gustavo Gusso, MClSc’10
Young Alumni Award
Dr. Gustavo Gusso is a graduate of Schulich Medicine & Dentistry’s Master of Clinical Science in Family Medicine program. He is a key leader in the development of family medicine and practice-based research in Brazil, working to improve the country’s health care system by bringing primary health care to the forefront.
Dr. Gusso received his medical degree from the University of São Paulo (USP) and now holds an academic appointment there. He helped establish a residency program in family medicine at USP in 2005 and has written three books on the foundations of family practice as practised in Latin America.
Dr. Gusso served Brazil’s Ministry of Health as Advisor to the Primary Care Department and as Coordinator of Strategic Actions, helping him launch the widespread development of family medicine. He also served as President of the Brazilian Society of Family and Community Medicine from 2008 to 2012, ensuring the establishment of a large cohort of practitioners.
He is a leader with the World Organization of Family Doctor’s International Classification Committee and an honorary member of the Royal Medical College of the UK.
Dr. Anthony Jevnikar, MSc’78, MD’81
Professional Achievement Award
Dr. Anthony Jevnikar is a Professor in the Department of Medicine at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, Co-Director of the Multi-Organ Transplant Program and Scientific Director of the Matthew Mailing Centre for Translational Transplant Studies – a centre he helped develop and open in 2011.
He completed an Honours Bachelor of Science in Microbiology at Western University, followed by a Master of Science in Immunology. He graduated with his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1981 and went on to pursue a postdoctoral fellowship at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard University.
A role model for clinician-scientists, Dr. Jevnikar is a leader in the field of transplantation and a champion for translational research. He has published more than 200 papers and currently serves as the section editor of digital content for the American Journal of Transplantation. He also previously served as Chair of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Advisory Board.
Dr. Jevnikar has been recognized with numerous national and international awards throughout his career, including the Dean’s Award of Excellence for Lifetime Achievement, the Canadian Society of Transplantation Achievement Award and the Kidney Foundation of Canada Medal for Research Excellence.
Dr. Marilyn MacLoghlin, DDS’70
Alumni of Distinction Award – Dentistry
A member of the Dentistry Class of 1970 – the first graduating class of Western University’s dental school – Dr. Marilyn MacLoughlin helped launch a legacy of exceptional dental education, research and care. The first woman to graduate from the program, Dr. MacLoghlin received the gold medal for academic achievement and accomplished the highest marks in the National Dental Examinations.
While pursuing postgraduate training, Dr. MacLoghlin developed an interest in temporomandibular joint dysfunction and associated myalgia. She also studied the management of obstructive sleep apnea. Partnering with a respirologist, she provided adjustable oral appliances for patients with the disorder for many years.
Throughout her career, Dr. MacLoghlin also remained dedicated to her community, volunteering with a number of organizations, including the Girl Guides of Canada and the Peterborough County Board of Education.
Dr. Jonathan Mahn, DDS’07
Young Alumni Award – Dentistry
Dr. Jonathan Mahn graduated with his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 2007. He went on to complete a General Practice Residency at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and the University of Toronto, as well as additional training in the administration of intravenous sedation. He is a Principal Dentist and Chief Clinical Officer of Paris Dental Centre and an Adjunct Clinical Professor in the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry.
Dr. Mahn is actively involved in organized dentistry and currently serves as Chair of the Ontario Dental Association’s Membership Services and Programs Advisory Committee. He is a leader in the dental community and considered the ‘go to’ person for information, support, advocacy and collegiality. Described as a face of positive change in the dental profession, he is dedicated to continuous quality improvement and innovation.
Dr. Mahn is also a champion for dental education and mentorship. He dedicates his time to supporting colleagues, students and new graduates in their professional journeys with respect, compassion and a desire to learn.
Matthew Miller, BMSc’07, PhD’12
Excellence in Basic Science Research Award
Matthew Miller completed his Bachelor of Medical Sciences degree in 2007 and his doctoral degree in 2011 with the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. As a PhD candidate, he was awarded the prestigious Frederick Banting & Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarship from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). He then pursued a fellowship at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Miller is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences at McMaster University and Assistant Dean of the Biochemistry Graduate Program.
He has established himself as an emerging leader in the field of viral immunology. This is reflected in his success as a principal investigator on several federally funded research grants, including grants from CIHR and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Since establishing his laboratory, he has published more than 47 papers, including independent papers in top journals such as Nature Immunology, PNAS and Cell.
Miller’s research excellence has also led to significant editorial appointments, as well as consulting and advisory board memberships with several biotech companies.
Dr. Samir Sinha, MD’02
Community Service Award
Dr. Samir Sinha is the Director of Geriatrics at Sinai Health System and the University Health Network. A Rhodes Scholar, after completing his Doctor of Medicine degree at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry in 2002, he obtained a master’s degree in medical history and doctorate in sociology at the University of Oxford’s Institute of Ageing. He then returned to Canada to pursue postgraduate training in internal medicine at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Sinha is transforming how Canada responds to its aging population. He serves as Ontario’s Provincial Lead for Seniors, helping to develop the province’s senior strategies in 2012 and 2017. In 2021, he was appointed to serve as a member of Canada’s National Seniors Council. He also developed the Acute Care for Elders (ACE) Strategy, the basis for the federally-funded Canadian Foundation for Health Care Improvement and Canadian Frailty Network’s International ACE Collaborative – implemented in health care organizations around the world.
Named as one of Canada’s most important doctors by the Medical Post in 2021, Dr. Sinha is a regular contributor to CBC News, The Globe and Mail and other national media outlets, establishing himself as a trusted expert and advocate for older adults.
Dr. Sinha embodies the virtues of a clinician, leader, researcher, teacher and community trailblazer who always puts the needs of others first. He has inspired countless students, residents and fellows to dedicate their careers to helping improve their own communities.
Anita Woods, PhD’07
Young Alumni Award – Basic Science
Anita Woods is an Assistant Professor with the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry and Chair of Undergraduate Studies. She completed her doctoral degree in the Department in 2007.
An outstanding and award-winning educator, Woods plays a significant role in the School’s Bachelor of Medical Sciences program. She is driving innovation with a focus on active student participation, virtual modules to complement in-class teaching and experiential learning. She is also spearheading efforts to integrate undergraduate programs within Physiology and Pharmacology, as well as update and renew course curriculum.
During the pandemic, Woods exemplary leadership helped faculty and students across the School transition to the virtual learning environment. Her creativity and energy in developing solutions, dedication to supporting colleagues and commitment to positive change was hugely influential.
Described as a true role model and leader in undergraduate education, Woods is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Marilyn Robinson Teaching Award and the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance Teaching Award.
