DFCM Biannual Awards and Honours Roundup
From local and provincial recognition to national and international honours, DFCM faculty and staff continue to make outstanding contributions to research, education, clinical care, leadership, and community engagement. We are proud to celebrate the individuals who have been recognized for their achievements between January and June 2026.
Congratulations to all award recipients on these well-deserved accomplishments.
Staff Awards
Christie Billings
Caroline Turenko Award for Staff Excellence, DFCM
This award recognizes outstanding contributions by DFCM-affiliated administrative staff who have demonstrated sustained excellence over a period of at least three years, highlighting both their expertise and overall achievement.
Erin Licorish (née Plenert)
Caroline Turenko Award for Staff Excellence, DFCM
This award recognizes outstanding contributions by DFCM-affiliated administrative staff who have demonstrated sustained excellence over a period of at least three years, highlighting both their expertise and overall achievement.
Maryam Nafari
New Staff Award of Excellence, DFCM
This award recognizes administrative staff who joined the department or teaching site within the past three years and have demonstrated strong performance and significant potential for future growth.
Sandra Fournier
New Staff Award of Excellence, DFCM
This award recognizes administrative staff who joined the department or teaching site within the past three years and have demonstrated strong performance and significant potential for future growth.
Temerty Faculty of Medicine or University Awards
(https://temertymedicine.utoronto.ca/2026-education-achievement-celebration)
Dr. Abhimanyu Sud
Dave Davis Research Award
Dave Davis Research Award in recognition of an outstanding completed research project in continuing professional development in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine.
Dr. Adam Kaufman
W T Aikins Awards For Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
These awards are named for Dr. W.T. Aikins, the first Dean of the University of Toronto's Faculty of Medicine after it was reorganized in 1887. As the Faculty's most prestigious awards for sustained commitment to and excellence in undergraduate medical teaching, these awards are given serious consideration in the academic promotions process.
Drs. Allan Peterkin, Sarah Kim, Amita Dayal
Colin Woolf Award for Excellence in Program Development and Coordination
Colin Woolf Award for Excellence in Program Development and Coordination recognizes excellence in program/conference development.
Dr. Danielle Manis
Community-Based Teaching Award - Office/Clinic/Practice
These awards acknowledge the significant contribution of an increasing number of community-based teachers to the learning of students and trainees across MD, PGME and Rehabilitation Sciences education at the University of Toronto. The Temerty Faculty of Medicine offers five awards to recognize excellence in community-based teaching across health professions education.
Dr. Gaibrie Stephen
Social Responsibility Award in Postgraduate Medical Education
This award recognizes outstanding contributions of faculty members and medical residents/fellows in the development and/or implementation of socially responsible initiatives, programs or research related to postgraduate medical education.
Dr. Joan Cheng
Sustained Excellence in Teaching in Faculty Development
Recognition of sustained excellence in teaching in faculty development over a significant period of time (minimum 5 years) – ultimately leading to the enhancement of instruction, career development, professionalism, inter-professionalism, and / or health professional leadership.
Dr. Lindsay Herzog
Jana Lazor Emerging Leader in Faculty Development Award
Dr. Jana Lazor was a pioneering force in faculty development and a transformative leader, serving as Director of Faculty Development at the University of Toronto’s Mississauga Academy of Medicine and later in the MD Program from 2010 to 2025. Through her mentorship of both faculty and learners, she inspired and empowered others, fostering the professional growth of hundreds of educators and frontline teachers. Deeply dedicated and accessible, she was generous with her time, consistently present, and unwavering in her commitment to ensuring no one was left behind.
This award recognizes an emerging leader who demonstrates excellence and dedication to faculty development within health professions education at the University of Toronto. The recipient’s approach to faculty development should be marked by innovation, creativity, and compassionate leadership, as well as by the enthusiasm they bring to every teaching and learning encounter. By cultivating psychologically safe and inclusive spaces, they ensure that every voice is heard and valued. Their efforts help others enhance their effectiveness as educators, contributing to a culture of excellence in health professions education.
Dr. Marcus Law
U of T President's Teaching Award
Founded in 2006, the President’s Teaching Award (PTA) is the highest honour for teaching at the University of Toronto. The PTA recognizes sustained and ongoing excellence in three interrelated areas: educational leadership, teaching excellence, educational innovation.
Dr. Peter Selby
Temerty Awards for Excellence in Professional Values
The Temerty Awards for Excellence in Professional Values were launched in 2021 and are awarded annually to recognize faculty members and learners from all sectors of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine who contribute to strengthening our shared professional values through their behaviour, communications, relationships, and academic, clinical, and administrative endeavours.
Dr. Rachelle Ashcroft
Ivy Oandasan Leadership Award for Outstanding Leadership in Advancing Interprofessional Education
This award honours excellence in interprofessional education. It recognizes a leader either community-based, hospital-based or university-based whose unique and innovative contribution has had a significant impact on interprofessional education at the University of Toronto.
Provincial Awards
Dr. Onye Nnorom
Health Equity & Advocacy Leadership Award from the Black Physicians' Association of Ontario (BPAO)
The BPAO awards celebrate individuals whose leadership, service, and achievements have made a meaningful difference in medicine and the communities they serve. Through these awards, the organization highlights its commitment to advancing health equity, supporting Black physicians, and fostering excellence across the profession.
National Awards
Dr. Jennifer Shuldiner
2026 Brian Hutchison Memorial Award from the Canadian Association of Health Services and Policy Research for her abstract “Bright Spots in Interprofessional Primary Care: What’s Working, Why, and How to Scale”
This honour is awarded to the highest scoring abstract for oral presentation in primary care. It was created in recognition of the outstanding achievements made by Dr. Hutchison during his illustrious career.
Congratulations again to all recipients featured. To help us recognize the achievements of our DFCM community, please let us know if you or a colleague has received a Temerty, provincial, or national award. Send award information to dfcm.communications@utoronto.ca and dfcm.awards@utoronto.ca so we can celebrate these accomplishments in future roundups.