By: Al Muktadir Munam, MSc Student, CH&E and Outreach Assistant, Office of Community Engagement
The Office of Community Engagement proudly recognizes the 2025 recipients of its Community Engagement Awards, honouring exceptional leadership, scholarship, and commitment to advancing health equity locally and globally. These awards celebrate individuals who demonstrate meaningful engagement with marginalized communities and contribute to sustainable global health initiatives through education, research, and service.
Dr. Ronald Stewart Student Award
2025 Recipient: Chloe Blackman
Chloe Blackman, a fourth-year medical student at Dalhousie University, has demonstrated outstanding leadership in global health through sustained community engagement and global surgery research. As president of the Halifax Outreach Prevention Education Support (HOPES) clinic, she led its post-pandemic revitalization, mobilizing interprofessional teams to deliver vaccinations and health promotion services to underserved communities while expanding programming addressing food security, dental care, and pharmacy access.
Her global health impact extends internationally through research on out-of-pocket costs for breast cancer care in Nigeria, where she contributed to data analysis, manuscript development, and an ongoing clinical trial aimed at reducing financial barriers to treatment. Her work with Indigenous and street health programs in Nova Scotia reflects a strong commitment to culturally responsive care and addressing social determinants of health.
Dr. TJ Jock Murray Resident Award
2025 Recipient: Dr. LeAnne Revell
Dr. LeAnne Revell, a PGY-5 Psychiatry resident at Dalhousie University, is recognized for her leadership in advancing global mental health education and strengthening international partnerships. As the first resident co-chair of the Dalhousie Special Interest Forum for Global Mental Health and Leadership Development, she has helped foster national collaboration among clinicians and trainees and supported ongoing engagement in global mental health leadership.
Dr. Revell played a key role in developing Dalhousie Psychiatry’s first international elective in global mental health, including partnership building with the University of Ghana Medical School and the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons. Her work promotes cultural psychiatry training and expands opportunities for residents to engage in global mental health initiatives while improving access to care in underserved settings.
Dr. John Savage Memorial Faculty Award
2025 Recipient: Dr. Vincent Agyapong
Dr. Vincent Agyapong, Professor and Head of the Department of Psychiatry at Dalhousie University and Chief of Psychiatry for Nova Scotia Health Central Zone, is honoured for transformative leadership in global mental health. In Nova Scotia, he led the creation of the Transcultural Mental Health Program and the Rapid Access and Stabilization Program, significantly improving timely access to psychiatric care for marginalized populations, including African Nova Scotians, Indigenous Peoples, newcomers, and individuals experiencing homelessness.
Internationally, Dr. Agyapong has advanced mental health capacity building in Ghana through training programs, international fellowships, and initiatives that have increased the number of psychiatrists and expanded subspecialty training opportunities. His leadership in digital mental health programs and global partnerships continues to position Dalhousie as a leader in equitable, accessible mental health care worldwide.
The annual Office of Community Engagement Awards celebrate excellence in global health, equity, and community partnerships; visit our awards page to learn more!