By: Office of Community Partnerships and Global Health

The Global Health Awards were recently presented as part of the 11th Annual Thomas and Alice Morgans Fear Conference in early June. These awards were established to recognize the outstanding contribution made to the global health community by our faculty, students and residents. These annual awards are presented to individuals who advance the global health community at Dalhousie through: 

• Demonstrated leadership in global health 
• Work experience with underrepresented communities 
• Engagement in global health research 
• Mentorship in global health 
• Promotion, development and enhancement of global health at Dalhousie 

We are thrilled to recognize and congratulate the recipients of the 2023 Global Health Awards.

Dr. Ron Stewart Award for Student Leadership in Global Health  

This award was established in 2006 and is given to a student of Dalhousie Medical School or in the faculties of Health or Dentistry, who has demonstrated leadership in global health and a commitment to improving the health of marginalized communities during their time at Dalhousie. This award honours Dr. Stewart’s personal, professional and educational support and dedication to global health, and the advancement of social capital worldwide. 

The 2023 recipient is Dr. Emma McDermott 

Emma is part of the Dalhousie Medicine class of 2023, she is passionate about population and planetary health. During her time at Dalhousie Emma has been involved in many initiatives to advance healthcare in the Maritimes from advocacy work to research to curriculum development. Emma worked with the Healthy Populations Institute to create an interprofessional course on “Sustainable Health Systems in a Climate Crisis”. This course was offered to students in medicine, dentistry and health.  Emma is also the co-founder of the Dal Med Green Team, a student group focused on promoting green healthcare initiatives throughout the Maritimes. They have been successful in launching Project Green Healthcare to establish formal green teams in Maritime hospitals. As part of this work, she launched the PaRX (Park Prescriptions) across Atlantic Canada, offering physicians the tools to prescribe patients nature as treatment for mental illness.   

As a leader Emma brings passion, respect and collaboration to everything she does, her focus on environmental and social healthcare is truly inspiring. 

 Dr. Jock Murray Award for Resident Leadership in Global Health  

This award was established in 2010 to recognize excellence within residents at Dalhousie Medical School who demonstrate commitment to global health as they advocate for marginalized populations and explore new ways to engage in clinical service, education and research in under-serviced populations in Canada and abroad.  

The 2023 recipient is Dr. Oliver Neal from the Division of Neurology

Dr. Neal is passionate about health equity and the burden of disease. He has worked with underserved populations locally and globally in his clinical practice and his research. He is passionate about health systems and health equity and sought to improve both during a recent experience with the Mfuwe Epilepsy Foundation in Zambia.  Dr. Neal worked collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team to find patient focused solutions. Dr. Neal’s focus on sustainable and reciprocal partnerships is evident in his work at home and abroad as he works to improve health outcomes for underserved populations.  

Dr. Neal is a leader who has encouraged others to find creative solutions to complex issues. Through his research and advocacy work Dr. Neal has inspired his colleagues to work collaboratively to improve health systems in the Maritimes. 

Dr. John Savage Memorial Award for Faculty Leadership in Global Health  

This award was established in 2003 in memory of Dr. John Savage, a friend and colleague of the Dalhousie Medical School and a tireless champion of the need to promote healthy communities worldwide. The Dr. Savage Memorial Award for Faculty leadership in Global Health recognizes an outstanding humanitarian contribution to global health by a Dalhousie Medical School faculty member.  

The 2023 recipient is Dr. Jon Bailey from the Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine  

Dr. Bailey is recognized as a passionate clinician and teacher in his work with the Canadian Anesthesiology Society International Education Foundation. As leader of the Foundation, he has fully engaged with the role, continuing to strengthen the anesthesia training program in Rwanda and is referred to as an “exceptional clinical teacher and a kind host”.  Dr. Bailey is now the chair of the Anesthesia Global Health Advisory Committee which has been renamed to “Serving and Engaging Communities” to reflect a focus on both local and international needs. 

Dr. Bailey is passionate about patient and physician well-being. His work and research reflect a commitment to both. 

Congratulations to all of our 2023 award recipients. We look forward to 2024, to submit a nomination please visit our Global Health Awards page.