CRAJ Spring 2024

Spring 2024 (Volume 34, Number 1)

Awards, Appointments, and Accolades

Dr. May Choi – Named one of Avenue Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40

Dr. May Choi was listed as a 2023 Top 40 Under 40 by Calgary Avenue Magazine. This annual award recognizes the best and brightest community builders, leaders, and artists under the age of 40, who are excelling in their careers, giving back to the community, and raising the profile of Calgary. Dr. Choi was named Top 40 Under 40 because of her dedication to helping patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases and her research achievements. She feels very grateful for this recognition and thanks her mentors, Drs. Marvin Fritzler, Ann Clarke, and Karen Costenbader, and her family for their guidance and support, as well as her late father, Dr. Vincent Choi, for inspiring her to follow in his footsteps.

Dr. Jordi Pardo Pardo – Appointed Interim Chair of the Cochrane Governing Board

Dr. Jordi Pardo Pardo has been appointed as Interim Chair of the Cochrane Governing Board at the last meeting in September 2023. Cochrane is an international non-profit network, which sets the gold standard for synthesizing health research findings to facilitate evidence-based health care. Cochrane Reviews, found in the Cochrane Library (www.cochranelibrary.com) are up to date, follow a rigorous scientific methodology, and are free from commercial conflicts of interest.

Jordi is the contact person for methodological support to the Canadian Rheumatology Association guidelines.

Dr. Alan Rosenberg – Elected Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS)

Dr. Alan Rosenberg, a pediatric rheumatologist at the University of Saskatchewan, has been elected a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS). CAHS Fellows, representing a broad array of healthcare and health research disciplines, identify and evaluate health-related challenges and recommend strategic, actionable solutions. As a CAHS Fellow, Dr. Rosenberg will have the privilege of collaborating with esteemed colleagues to address major societal health concerns. He will contribute to highlighting child health and pediatric rheumatology issues, help conceptualize action plans, and ensure that recommended solutions emanating from CAHS are effectively implemented.

Dr. Murray Urowitz – University Health Network (UHN) Global Impact Award

Dr. Murray Urowitz made immense contributions to our understanding of the complex and life-threatening chronic autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), including how patients are treated and the way the disease is managed, resulting in patients living longer with a better quality of life. He discovered the increased cardiovascular mortality and steroid-related long-term consequences in patients with SLE.

Dr. Urowitz founded Canada's first Lupus Clinic in 1970 at the former Wellesley Hospital, relocating it to Toronto Western Hospital in the mid-1990s, where it still operates. He also led development of the first and largest lupus database in North America. As stated by Dr. Nigil Haroon, "His work has put Toronto and UHN on the map, and his contributions to research and education will continue to serve patients around the world through excellent and appropriate care."

The CRAJ would like to recognize the contributions of its readers to the medical field and their local communities. To have any such awards, appointments, or accolades announced in an upcoming issue, please send recipient names, pertinent details, and a brief account of these honours to CRAJwebmaster@sta.ca. Picture submissions are greatly encouraged.