Fall 2024 (Volume 34, Number 3)

Awards, Appointments, and Accolades

Download PDF

Dr. Nigil Haroon – Schroeder Arthritis Institute Collaborative Pilot Grant

Dr. Nigil Haroon is the Head of the Division of Rheumatology, University Health Network and Sinai Health, Senior Scientist at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute and Associate Professor at the Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto.

Dr. Haroon has been awarded the Schroeder Arthritis Institute Collaborative Pilot Grant, alongside Dr. Jason Rockel. The primary objective of this grant is to support innovative and collaborative arthritis-related research. The proposed study will help identify biomarkers that predict the probability of response to IL-17A inhibitors in patients with spondyloarthritis that could guide an informed choice for personalized targeted therapeutic strategies and improved patient care.

Dr. Allan Kagal – GTA Community Rheumatologist Excellence Award

Dr. Kagal was awarded the GTA Community Rheumatologist Excellence Award from the University of Toronto.

As the current Division Director of Rheumatology at Mackenzie Health, Dr. Kagal has recruited talented young rheumatologists to make Mackenzie Health a community hospital with a strong rheumatology presence. He is also the co-founder of the Early Arthritis Program at Mackenzie Health (formerly known as York Central Hospital). He was also the winner of the Kiani Compassionate Care Award, given to hospital staff and physicians who show exemplary compassion to patients.

Throughout his career, he has received accolades for his excellent teaching skills from rheumatology fellows. He is also the founder of the York Region Rheumatology Journal Club, the largest community rheumatology journal club in the GTA. In addition to having a busy practice in Vaughan, Dr. Kagal works closely with the Arthritis Society in Sudbury to help provide rheumatology care in northern Ontario. In his spare time, Dr. Kagal enjoys travelling with his family and training for the upcoming New York Marathon.

Dr. Suzanne Morin – 2024 Jeffrey Shiroky Award

I was deeply honoured to receive the 2024 Jeffrey Shiroky Award at the most recent Conférence Laurentienne de rhumatologie in beautiful l’Estérel, Québec.

I knew Dr. Shiroky early in my career while he was still at McGill, where he honed his expertise and made outstanding contributions in clinical research in rheumatology. Over the years, I have had the great privilege of working closely with stellar rheumatologists; these collaborations have shaped my clinical and research work and led to favorable cross-pollination between medical specialties. Thank you.