July
Dr. Michelle Graham, Resident’95 is receiving the CMA May Cohen Award for Women Mentors for her dedication to advancing equity in medicine and outstanding mentorship of others. Within the male-dominated specialty of cardiology, Dr. Michelle Graham is a supporter, advocate and champion of women in the field. In 2023, Dr. Graham became the first female director for the University of Alberta’s division of cardiology. She is also president of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS). Over the past two decades, she has been a dedicated mentor to around 75 people across Canada — both men and women — including medical students, residents, junior faculty members, fellows and others. Dr. Graham is an Associate Editor for the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, and is Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Journal of Cardiology (CJC) Open, where she led a special edition on equity, diversity and inclusion in 2021.
Dr. Marnix E. Heersink, MD’73 is a 2024 inductee to the Alabama Business Hall of Fame. The Alabama Business Hall of Fame will honor seven business leaders who have brought lasting fame to the state through their business contributions during a ceremony in Birmingham Nov. 14 2024.
Dr. Jacob Houpt, MD’22 currently PGY3 at Western in Neuropathology was recently awarded the prestigious Arthur Weil Award for the “Best Paper on Experimental Neuropathology” at the American Association of Neuropathologists (AANP) 100th annual meeting in Lake Tahoe, California. The Weil Award, named in honour of the first president of the AANP, is typically garnered by well-funded investigators with large labs. The list of past winners (dating back to 1959) includes a who’s-who of the specialty. Few Canadians have made the list and even fewer trainees. Jacob’s research and presentation, “Biomechanical Contributions of Tensegrity in the Formation of Polymicrogyria”, deals with an intersection of art and science that offers a shift in perspective in our understanding of brain malformations (such as polymicrogyria).
Dr. Tamra Steinmann, Resident’14 was recently announced as Alexandra Marine and General Hospital's (AMGH) new president of medical staff by the Huron Health System. Steinmann has worked as a family physician in Goderich for the past decade. In her new role, she will serve as a representative for medical staff and physicians.
Dr. Kathleen Surry, PhD’04 has been appointed as the President of the Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists for a two-year term.
Dr. Chris J. Watling, Resident’95, MD, FRCPC, MMEd, PhD has been named the new chief executive officer by The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, effective July 1, 2024. Dr. Watling is a neurologist and was previously the vice dean (acting), Education Scholarship and Strategy, and director, Centre for Education Research and Innovation at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University. Dr. Watling holds degrees from Dalhousie University, Western University, University of Dundee and Maastricht University.
