Dr. Andrea Bezjak, a PMH radiation oncologist who specializes in the management of lung cancer, was awarded the Addie McNaughton Chair in Thoracic Radiation Oncology. Dr. Bezjak will focus on improving radiation therapy used in the treatment of lung cancer.

Dr. Gary Rodin, Head of the Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care at PMH, was awarded the Harold and Shirley Lederman Chair in Palliative Care, Psychosocial Oncology.

Dr. Robert Bristow, Scientist, Division of Applied Molecular Oncology (OCI), won a Canadian Cancer Society Research Scientist Award.

Dr. Brenda Gallie, Senior Scientist, Division of Cancer Genomics and Proteomics, was elected a member of the National Cancer Institute of Canada 2004-2005 Board of Directors.

Dr. Patrick Gullane was elected President, American Head and Neck Society. He is the first Canadian to hold the position.

Drs. David Jaffray, Head, Radiation Physics, and Tak Mak, Director, Advanced Medical Discovery Institute, were awarded $12.9 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation awards. The funding will launch new research programs focusing on improved radiation therapy for cancer treatment, and genomic instability and cancer cell survival.

Drs. Cheryl Arrowmsith, Senior Scientist, Division of Cancer Genomics and Proteomics, and Mitsu Ikura, Head, Division of Signaling Biology, won Tier 1 Canada Research Chairs, which are awarded to experienced investigators recognized internationally for their achievements.

Sandra Krieck, a PMH nurse in the ambulance waiting area, received honourable mention at the Nightingale Awards, which recognizes outstanding achievements of nurses in Ontario. Nurses Gerry Prendergast, ambulatory clinics, and Julia Rock, palliative care unit, were also nominated.

Drs. Ernest McCulloch and Jim Till, were honoured by the CIHR and the Stem Cell Network in the creation of the Till, McCulloch and Leblond International Symposium, held in Montreal in November, 2004. Drs. Till and McCulloch were also inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame and received honorary doctor of science degrees from the University of Toronto this year.