Faculty of Medicine celebrates Order of Canada recipients

By Laurie Wang

It’s the highest civilian honour in Canada and throughout the short history of the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Medicine, nine of its faculty have received the prestigious membership.

The Order of Canada and the Faculty of Medicine recently hosted a celebration to commemorate the nine individuals from the faculty who’ve been recognized for a lifetime of outstanding achievement.

The Order of Canada recipients are: Robert B. Church, William A. Cochrane, Gordon H. Dixon, the late T. Douglas Kinsella, D. Gregory Powell, Eldon R. Smith, Mamoru Watanabe and most recently, Robert H.A. Haslam and Thomas W. Noseworthy.

“When I found out the faculty was going to have this event, I thought it was wonderful. It’s very touching, gives a feeling of worth, and brings back wonderful memories of the 11 years I spent working here,” says Haslam, whose investiture was in late February.

More than 100 faculty and staff filled the West Atrium at the Health Sciences Centre. Haslam and Noseworthy spoke at the event, hosted by Dean Tom Feasby. Five of the remaining seven Order of Canada recipients attended the reception and were invited to come forward to be acknowledged. Dixon was unable to attend and Kinsella is deceased.

“We want to celebrate the Faculty of Medicine’s successes. These individuals and their hard work have made us an even more influential medical school,” Feasby says.

“The calibre of talent at the faculty is extraordinary and this kind of recognition upholds our reputation,” says Rose Goldstein, vice-president (research), U of C.

Both Haslam and Noseworthy describe receiving the Order of Canada as “humbling.”

“The faculty has shown itself to be a very caring group that pays attention to individuals. It makes people want to be successful and work even harder,” Noseworthy says. “It’s a privilege to be part of it.” Noseworthy’s investiture was in early April.

“I just got the feeling of ‘gosh, this is a great place to be.’ There’s a feeling of happiness seeing the growth of this faculty,” Haslam says. “It’s just been a really great day.”

The Order of Canada’s motto is desiderantes meliorem patriam—they desire a better country. It is the centrepiece of Canada’s honours system, recognizing citizens who have enriched the lives of others and made a difference in Canada. The Faculty of Medicine recognizes the achievements of these individuals, former faculty members who continue to bring honour to the medical school.