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Faculties of Architecture and Engineering

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The Dal float took first place in the Parade of Lights parade. (Nick Pearce Photo)

Congratulations to HÂþ»­ Faculties of Architecture and Engineering upon taking first place with their float in the 15th Anniversary Chronicle Herald Holiday Parade of Lights, presented by EastLink TV and the Downtown Halifax Business Commission. Floats were judged on creativity, use of lights and overall effect.ÌýÌý

Congratulations to Jason Gu (Electrical and Computer Engineering), a 2010 Ambassador Program Honoree of Destination Halifax’s Ambassador Program.ÌýDr. Gu was honoured for bringing to Halifax an event sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. The Halifax AmbassadorÌýProgram is an alliance of individuals and organizations who employ their association and influence in the achievement of economic growth for the Halifax Regional Municipality through the promotion of Halifax as a premier meetings and conventions destination.

Faculty of Medicine

Michael Barry, John Steeves and Pat Darrah accepted the Saint John Board of Trade Chair's Award on behalf of HÂþ»­ Medicine New Brunswick.

Congratulations to the HÂþ»­ Medicine New Brunswick program which was recently honoured for outstanding achievement by the Saint John Board of Trade Chair’s Award.ÌýThe award is given annually to a company or individual that has achieved excellence and has made a contribution to the economic progress of the community.Ìý

Congratulations to Rob Boulay (Family Medicine), who was elected into the role of President of The College of Family Physicians of Canada.Ìý Dr. Boulay is the 57th President of the College, and will serve a one-year term.ÌýAfter graduating from HÂþ»­ Medical School in 1989, he set up a family practice in Miramichi, New Brunswick and has been involved in teaching medical students and residents since 1995.Ìý In 2006, he was named Family Physician of the Year for the Province of New Brunswick.

Rob Brownstone, left, and Jim Fawcett, right, pose on either side of Barbara Turnbull, for whom the award is named. In back is Michael G. Fehlings.

Congratulations to Rob Brownstone (Neurosurgery, Anatomy & Neurobiology) and Jim Fawcett (Pharmacology and Surgery) upon being awarded this year’s prestigious Barbara Turnbull Award for Spinal Cord Research, given to the top-ranked spinal cord research proposal in the Canadian Institutes of Health Research funding competition.ÌýDr. Brownstone ranked first in the September 2009 competition, while Dr. Fawcett ranked first in the March 2010 competition. Recipients of the award will have excelled in research in the area of spinal cord injury protection, repair and functional recovery.

Congratulations to Patrick Croskerry (post-retirement appointment, Emergency Medicine) upon being appointed inaugural Chair of N.S. Department of Health’s Quality and Patient Safety Committee.ÌýThe committee has been set up to facilitate capacity building and expertise.ÌýIt will decide on a provincial research agenda in this area and commission research; facilitate and support improved patient safety; and support District Health Authorities and other service delivery partners in their ongoing effort to improve the safety and quality of care.

Congratulations to Leah Genge (Medicine, Class of 2010) upon being selected as a 21inc Emerging Leader for the Atlantic region.ÌýDr. Genge participated in the 21inc Emerging Leaders Summit, a new and inspiring leadership experience.ÌýThe program accelerates the positive impact of Atlantic Canada's emerging leaders, ages 20Ìýto 35, committed to shaping the region’s future.ÌýDr. Genge is a global health leader and Family Medicine resident at the University of Calgary.Ìý

Congratulations to Janice Graham (Bioethics and Pediatrics) and Margaret Casey (HÂþ»­ Medical Alumni Association), recipients of the 2010 Women of Excellence Awards given by the Halifax-Cornwallis chapter of the Canadian Progress Club.ÌýDr. Graham was recognized in the Research and Education category for her cutting edge research, her volunteer work and her teaching.ÌýÌýDr. Casey was recognized in the Health, Sport and Wellness category for her significant contributions to the North End Community Health Clinic.Ìý

Congratulations to Stan Kutcher (Psychiatry), recipient of the prestigious J.M. Cleghorn Award of Excellence in Leadership in Clinical Research, given by the Canadian Psychiatric Association.Ìý Dr. Kutcher’s contributions have cut across all aspects of clinical research – from the conduct of internationally recognized clinical studies in mental illness, to the creation of nationally acclaimed clinical research programs, to participation in the national funding of mental health research, to the championship of national clinical research policy.

Congratulations to Patrick Lee (Microbiology & Immunology, Pathology), recipient of the Professional of Distinction award at the eighth annual Discovery Awards for Science and Technology, which celebrates the achievements of talented individuals and outstanding companies in Nova Scotia for their national and international work in the fields of science and technology.Ìý Dr. Lee’s discovery of the cancer cell killing potential of a benign human virus called reovirus spurred research on the use of viruses in the treatment of cancer.Ìý

Ivar Mendez is surrounded by school children in Bolivia.

Congratulations to Ivar Mendez (Brain Repair Centre, Neurosurgery), recipient of the prestigious 2010 Canadian Red Cross Humanitarian Award for Nova Scotia.ÌýDr. Mendez has been instrumental in establishing and equipping neurosurgical units in Rwanda, Bolivia, China and Cuba, and has instituted programs for school breakfast, dental care, and computer education in the Bolivian Andes.ÌýHe is pioneering the use of remote-presence robots for medical care in a First Nation community in the Canadian arctic and has also initiated an innovative computer education program for children in Nova Scotia and the Inuit community of Nain in northern Labrador.

Congratulations to Harold Robertson (Professor Emeritus, Pharmacology) upon being inducted into the Royal Society of Canada, Division of Life Sciences, for his discovery that neural stimulation leads to rapid gene expression. This has led to breakthroughs in Parkinson’s disease, psychiatric disorders and addictions. Election to the academies of the Royal Society of Canada is the highest honour a scholar can achieve in the arts, humanities and sciences.ÌýThe induction ceremony was held on November 27.Ìý(Jocelyn Downie was inducted on November 27 as well – featured in October 4, 2010 issue of Kudos).Ìý

Congratulations to Walter Schlech (Microbiology & Immunology) who was named a Master of the American College of Physicians, which is the highest honor awarded by the College.Ìý Masters comprise a small group of highly distinguished physicians, selected from among Fellows of the College, who have achieved recognition in medicine by exhibiting preeminence in practice or medical research, holding positions of high honor, or making significant contributions to medical science or the art of medicine.

Congratulations to Ron Stewart (Professor Emeritus in Medical Education) upon being awarded an honourary Doctor of Laws from Cape Breton University.ÌýDr. Stewart was honoured for his stellar career and outstanding impact on health care in North America and beyond.

Faculty of Science

Congratulations to James Drummond (Physics and Atmospheric Science) a 2010 Ambassador Program Honoree of Destination Halifax’s Ambassador Program. Dr. Drummond was honoured for bringing to Halifax the International Global Atmospheric Chemical Conference.ÌýThe Halifax AmbassadorÌýProgram is an alliance of individuals and organizations who employ their association and influence in the achievement of economic growth for the Halifax Regional Municipality through the promotion of Halifax as a premier meetings and conventions destination.

Congratulations to Raymond Klein (Psychology) a 2010 Ambassador Program Honoree of Destination Halifax’s Ambassador Program.ÌýDr. Klein was honoured for bringing to Halifax an event sponsored by the Canadian Society for Brain Behaviour and Cognitive Science.ÌýThe Halifax AmbassadorÌýProgram is an alliance of individuals and organizations who employ their association and influence in the achievement of economic growth for the Halifax Regional Municipality through the promotion of Halifax as a premier meetings and conventions destination.

Student Services

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Oluronke Taiwo. (Nick Pearce Photo)

Congratulations to Oluronke Taiwo (Black Student Advising Centre), recipient of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Halifax 2010 Community Mentoring Award in recognition for initiating the Professional Mentorship Program at HÂþ»­.ÌýThis program helps students build meaningful, long-lasting, professional relationships with mentors of African heritage.

Kudos from the Acting Vice-President Academic and Provost celebrates external recognition for outstanding achievements of HÂþ»­ faculty, staff, and students.Ìý The Office of the Vice-President Academic and Provost relies on you to provide information regarding awards and recognitions received.Ìý If you have recently received special recognition, or know of a colleague who has, please submit this news to kim.thomson@dal.ca for inclusion in an upcoming publication of Kudos.