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Awards Program

The Society of Rural Physicians of Canada developed awards specifically to highlight the noteworthy achievements of our members.

  • It is important to provide recognition to persons or organizations that have made a significant contribution to rural medicine in Canada.
  • All awards are presented at the Awards Ceremony which takes place at our Annual Rural and Remote Medicine Course.
  • Nominees must be members of the SRPC with the exception of the Keith Award, the Rural Education Award, and the Rural Health Champion Award.
  • To verify membership status, please contact Jenna.

Deadlines for nominations

January 31st each year for:
  • Student / Resident Leadership Award, Rural Leadership Award, Rural Specialist Merit Award, Rural Heart Award,
  • Rural Mentorship Award, Rural Health Champion Award, and Rural Community Impact Award

March 1st each year for:
  • Rural Service Award, Rural Long Service Award, Fellowship of Rural Remote Medicine of the SRPC, and Lifetime Member Award

Quick links

RURAL SERVICE AWARD (RSA)

The Rural Service Award provides recognition for physicians who live and work in rural Canada and who have served rural communities for 10 or more years.  Physicians must have been members of the SRPC for the last 5 consecutive years to receive the RSA.

To qualify:

  • Be sure your membership and your profile are up to date (# of years rural)

  • Be registered for the upcoming R&R event no later than March 1st.

  • Must be in good academic standing with your provincial licensing body.

  • We will send a notification to members who meet the above criteria.

  • If you have any questions or wish to review eligibility, please contact Jenna.

Congratulations to the 2022 RSA recipients!

Dr. Ryan Falk, Chilliwack, BC
Dr. Andre Jakubow, Sioux Lookout, ON
Dr. Sarah Lespérance, Petitcodiac, NB
Dr. Tracy Morton, Queen Charlotte City, BC
Dr Mark Saul, Chelsea, QC

VIEW LIST OF PAST RSA RECIPIENTS
 HERE

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RURAL LONG SERVICE AWARD (RLSA)

The Rural Long Service Award provides recognition for physicians who live and work in rural Canada and who have served rural communities for 20 or more years.  Physicians must have been members of the SRPC for the last 5 consecutive years and previously received the Rural Service Award.

To qualify:

  • Be sure your membership and your profile are up to date (# of years rural).

  • Be registered for the upcoming R&R event no later than March 1st.

  • Must be in good academic standing with your provincial licensing body.

  • We will send a notification to members who meet the above criteria.

  • If you have any questions or wish to review eligibility, please contact Jenna.


Congratulations to the 2022 RLSA RECIPIENTS!

Dr. Dennis Atoe, Wallaceburg, ON
Dr. Deon Erasmus, Provost, AB
Dr. Gordon Horner, Daajing Giids/Queen Charlotte, BC
Dr. Edward Marquis, Prince George, BC

Dr. John Pawlovich, Abbotsford, BC
Dr. Vesta Warren, Sundre, AB
Dr. Michael Wright, Charlie Lake, BC
Dr. Barbara Zelek, Marathon, ON

VIEW LIST OF PAST RLSA RECIPIENTS 
HERE

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FELLOWSHIP OF RURAL AND REMOTE MEDICINE OF THE SRPC

The Fellowship of Rural and Remote Medicine of the SRPC (FRRMS) is designed to recognize expertise in the practice of rural medicine in Canada.

The Fellowship award is presented to physicians who are previous recipients of the Rural Service Award, working in rural and remote communities and have acquired a minimum of 10 points under the required criteria.  Physicians must have been members of the SRPC for the last 5 consecutive years.  Must be present at the ceremony to receive the FRRMS award.  

Points are accumulated as follows:

Each year serving as a rural preceptor for students and residents generates one point. 
Each SRPC sanctioned event attended generates one point. 
Each full year serving on an SRPC committee generates one point. 
One point will be given for each skill: GP Surgery, GP Anesthesia, GP Obstetrics.
One point will be given to those having published in the CJRM.

To qualify:

  • Be sure your membership and your profile are up to date (# of years rural, # of years as a rural preceptor).
  • Be registered for the upcoming R&R event no later than March 1st.
  • Must be in good academic standing with your provincial licensing body. 
  • We will send a notification to members who meet the above criteria.
  • If you have any questions or wish to review eligibility, please contact Jenna.

Congratulations to the 2022 FRRMS recipients!

    Dr. Dennis Atoe, Wallaceburg, ON
    Dr. Deon Erasmus, Provost, AB
    Dr. Vesta Warren, Sundre, AB
    Dr. Robert Warren, Sundre, AB
    Dr. Michael Wright, Charlie Lake, BC

    VIEW LIST OF PAST FRRMS RECIPIENTS
     
    HERE

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    Lifetime Member Award

    The Lifetime Member Award recognizes individuals who are longstanding members of the SRPC for more than ten consecutive years and have reached the age of 65. When renewing your membership be sure to fill in the 'date of birth' field so we can track your age.

    To qualify:

    • Be sure your membership and your profile are up to date (DOB).
    • Must be in good academic standing with your provincial licensing body. 
    • Be registered for the upcoming R&R event no later than March 1st.
    • We will send a notification to members who meet the above criteria.
    • If you have any questions or wish to review eligibility, please contact Jenna.

    Congratulations to the 2022 Lifetime Member Award recipients!

    Dr. Deon Erasmus, Provost, AB
    Dr. Trina Larsen Soles, Golden, BC

    VIEW LIST OF PAST LIFETIME MEMBER RECIPIENTS 
    HERE

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    KEITH AWARD

    The Keith Award was the first award established by the SRPC.  It is presented to a Canadian post-graduate program which has excelled in producing rural doctors. It identifies the university with the largest number of graduates practicing in rural Canada for the most recent 10 years after graduation. Family medicine residents are identified through the Canadian Post-MD Education registry and practice location is taken from the Canadian Medical Association database.

    Recipient will automatically be notified. 

    Congratulations to the past recipients

    2022 – Memorial University
    2021
    – Memorial University
    2020 – Université Laval

    2019 – Université Laval

    2018 – Memorial University

    2017– Memorial University

    2016 – Memorial University

    2015 – Université Laval

    2014 – Queens University

    2013 – Memorial University

    2012 – McMaster University

    2011 – University of Sherbrooke

    2010 – Memorial University

    2009 – Queens University
    2008 – Dalhousie University

    2006 – University of British Columbia

    2005 – McMaster University

    2004 – Université Laval

    2003 – Family Medicine North

    2002 – Memorial University

    2001 – Family Medicine North

    2000 – Memorial University

    RURAL EDUCATION AWARD

    The Rural Medical Education Award is presented to a Canadian medical school that encourages students to pursue further training in rural medicine. It is awarded to the medical school program matching the most graduates to rural family medicine residency programs based on CaRMS data for the preceding year.

    Recipient will automatically be notified. 

    Congratulations to the past recipients

    2022 Memorial University & NOSM University
    2021 – Northern Ontario School of Medicine
    2020 – Memorial University

    2019 – Memorial University

    2018 – Northern Ontario School of Medicine
    2017 – Northern Ontario School of Medicine


    2016 – Northern Ontario School of Medicine
    2015 – Northern Ontario School of Medicine
    2014 – Northern Ontario School of Medicine

    2013 – Northern Ontario School of Medicine

    2012 – Northern Ontario School of Medicine


    2011 – Northern Ontario School of Medicine
    2010 – Northern Ontario School of Medicine
    2009 – University of Northern British Columbia

    2008 – Memorial University

    2006 – University of Western Ontario

    Rural Specialist Merit Award

    The Rural Specialist Merit Award is presented to a specialist who lives and works in rural Canada and has demonstrated a long term commitment serving their community.  They are recognized for providing care for rural patients and supporting rural generalists.  The specialist must be a member of the SRPC.

    Guidelines on how to nominate:

    • Nominees must be a member of the SRPC.
    • Format: Microsoft Word (max 250 words) A brief description of how the individual meets the above-noted criteria
    • Send your nomination email to nominations@srpc.ca
    • Your nomination must be received by January 31st.

    Congratulations to the past recipients!

    2022 - Dr. Khalid Enver and Dr. Tina Williams, Fergus, ON
    2021 -  Dr. Roy Kirkpatrick, Huntsville, ON
    2020 - Dr. Andrew Kotaska, Yellowknife, NT

    2019 - Dr. Essandoh Dankwa, St Anthony, NL

    Rural Heart Award

    The Rural Heart Award is given annually to an individual who has demonstrated support and passion for rural medicine, while not currently meeting the residence criteria for the Rural Service Awards or the FRRMS.

    The SRPC recognizes that without strong partnerships across the broader health care and educational system we cannot accomplish our goals of training, equipping, and supporting physicians and other health care providers for the citizens of rural Canada. Therefore, we wish to acknowledge our partners whom, while not technically rural, have demonstrated that they have a rural heart. 

    Guidelines on how to nominate:

    • Nominees must be a member of the SRPC.
    • Format: Microsoft Word (max 250 words) A brief description of how the individual meets the above-noted criteria
    • Send your nomination email to nominations@srpc.ca
    • Your nomination must be received by January 31st.

    Congratulations to the past recipients!

    2021- Dr. Margo Wilson, St. John's, NL
    2020 - Dr. Ian Whetter, Winnipeg, MB

    2019 - Dr. Kate Miller, Guelph, ON

    Rural Mentorship Award

    This award is presented to a rural physician that demonstrates outstanding commitment to mentoring and supporting future rural physicians, and/or rural physicians already in practice.  (Generalists and specialists are eligible.)

    Guidelines on how to nominate:

    • Nominees must be a member of the SRPC.
    • Format: Microsoft Word (max 250 words) A brief description of how the individual meets the above-noted criteria
    • Send your nomination email to nominations@srpc.ca
    • Your nomination must be received by January 31st.

    CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PAST RECIPIENTS!

    2022 - Dr. Dennis Dahl, Moose Factory, ON
    2021 - Dr. Barbara Zelek, Marathon, ON
    2020 - Dr. Sean Moore, Keewatin, ON

    Rural Health Champion Award

    This award is a presented to a non-physician who has had a significant impact on rural health care delivery, either through clinical care or system level impact in a community, province, or nationally.

    Guidelines on how to nominate:

    • Nominee is NOT required to be a member, however the nominator must be an active SRPC member.
    • Format: Microsoft Word (max 250 words) A brief description of how the individual meets the above-noted criteria
    • Send your nomination email to nominations@srpc.ca
    • Your nomination must be received by January 31st.

    CONGRATULATION TO THE PAST RECIPIENTS!

    2022 - Mr. Brett Redden, Marathon, ON
    2021 - Ms. Melissa McNeil, La Ronge, SK
    2020 - Ms. Brenda Fowler, Gabriola Island, BC

    Rural Community Impact Award

    This award recognizes a physician that has had a significant impact on their community, through clinical services, teaching, research, volunteer work, or other community involvement continually advocating for the best health care available. It allows the SRPC to recognize those making a difference for members of the community.

    Guidelines on how to nominate:

    • Nominees must be a member of the SRPC.
    • Format: Microsoft Word (max 250 words) A brief description of how the individual meets the above-noted criteria
    • Send your nomination email to nominations@srpc.ca
    • Your nomination must be received by January 31st.

    CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PAST RECIPIENTS!

    2022 -  Dr. Danielle Pichie, New Hazelton, BC
    2021 - Dr. Caroline Shooner, Queen Charlotte, BC
    2020 - Dr. Onuora Odoh, Houston, BC

    RURAL LEADERSHIP AWARD

    The Rural Leadership Award is presented to an individual or an organization that has made an outstanding contribution to rural medicine on a national level in Canada. The recipients are recognized for accomplishments that have impacted rural Canada in a truly significant way.  The individual or organization must be a member of the SRPC.

    Guidelines on how to nominate:

    • Nominees must be a member of the SRPC.
    • Format: Microsoft Word (max 250 words) A brief description of how the individual meets the above-noted criteria
    • Send your nomination email to nominations@srpc.ca
    • Your nomination must be received by January 31st.

    Congratulations to the past recipients!

    2022 Dr. Jill Konkin, Edmonton, AB
    2021
    Dr. C. Ruth Wilson, Yellowknife, NT
    2020
    Dr. Stuart Iglesias, McDougall, ON

    2019 – Dr. Keith MacLellan, Shawville, QC

    2009 – Dr. James Rourke, St John's, NL

    2008 – Dr. John Wootton, Shawville, QC

    2006 – Dr. Carl Whiteside, Vancouver, BC

    Rural Student Leadership and Rural Resident Leadership Awards

    The Rural Student/Resident Leadership Awards are presented to students and residents in good academic standing who have demonstrated a sustained interest in rural medicine through any of the following:

    • Electives in rural or remote areas or in disciplines particularly important to rural practice (e.g. Indigenous health).
    • Involvement with local or national rural or remote health groups (e.g. SRPC).
    • Promotion of rural or remote health initiatives at a local or national level.
    • Involvement in volunteer or community-based projects in rural or remote areas.
    • Published work relating to rural or remote issues.

    The award is open to all student and resident SRPC members across Canada.
    Note: Students are only eligible to win this award once but can re apply for the award in residency.

    Guidelines on how to nominate:

    • Nominees must be a member of the SRPC.
    • Include a letter of support from a preceptor or SRPC physician member describing how the nominee meets the award criteria. The preceptor or SRPC physician member may give the letter of support to the student or resident to submit or send it directly to SRPC.
    • Format: Microsoft Word (max 250 words) A brief description of how the individual meets the above-noted criteria
    • Send your nomination email to nominations@srpc.ca  
    • Deadline for nomination is January 31st each year.
    PRIZE: $250 each for two student winners and $500 each for two resident winners credited towards attending the conference.

    Congratulations to the this years winners!

    Resident Leadership Award:

    Dr. Kimberley Chang, Nanaimo, BC
    Dr. Robert McCarthy, St Bernards-Jacques Fontaine, NL

    Student Leadership Award:

    Mr. Tyrus Gibson, London, ON
    Ms. Sarah Hyett, Hamilton, ON

    Student and resident essay award 

    Each year the SRPC's Nominations and Awards Committee hosts a rural essay contest for medical students and residents. The winning essays will be added to our website and considered for publication in the Canadian Journal of Rural Medicine (CJRM).

    The winners will receive the equivalent of $500 (student) or $1000 (resident) credited towards the cost of attending the SRPC's 30th Annual Rural and Remote Medicine Course, April 20th - 22nd, 2023, in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

    Eligible costs may include registration, travel to and from the conference, accommodations and social events. 

    Tell us a great story, and share your experience. We look forward to reading your submissions.

    STUDENTS : Please send us a self-reflection from your elective in rural medicine.

    RESIDENTS : Please send us a self-reflection from your experience in rural medicine.

    RULES

    • Must be an SRPC Student/Resident member.
    • Non-fiction essay
    • Firm December 31st each year.
    • Length: 500 - 1000 words
    • Format: Microsoft Word
    • Submit your essay to contest@srpc.ca

    Congratulations to the this years winners!

    Student Essay

    Mr. Andrew Lee, Kingston, ON

    Resident Essay

    Dr. Natalya O’Neill, Mount Forest, ON

    About the Nominations & Awards committee

    The committee feels it is vital to recognize persons or organizations that have made a significant contribution for their roles in rural/remote medicine. The committee also develops criteria for new awards that are recommended to the SRPC by its members.

    In 2019 the committee implemented two new awards. The first being the Rural Heart Award (RHA) for and the second is the Rural Specialist Merit Award (RSMA) 

    And in 2020, three additional awards were established to recognize deserving individuals. The added awards are the Rural Mentorship Award, the Rural Health Champion Award and the Rural Community Impact Award. 

    Members that would like to be a part of the Nominations and Awards committee should email the SRPC to indicate interest.