This past week has been an exciting one at Princess Margaret Hospital, with a number of our researchers and doctors receiving awards and publications.                           

Dr. Tak Mak, director of the Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, and Dr. John Dick, senior scientist at Princess Margaret Hospital, were awarded the first ever Premier’s Summit Awards in Medical Research on April 24, 2007. Of fourteen applicants in its inaugural year, four were selected for their contributions to their field, the research community, and their promise for even more world-leading work in the future.

Read our full story here.

Drs. John Dick and Pam Catton were awarded new funding under the Ontario Research Fund’s Research Infrastructure program. Dr. Catton is the Medical Director of the Breast Cancer Survivorship Program. She will receive $1.2 million of funding for the Electronic Living Laboratory for International Cancer Survivorship Research. Dr. Dick is a senior scientist at PMH and a professor in the department of molecular genetics at the University of Toronto. His award will help further his research into cancer stem cells.

Dr. John Dick, and his research team, also saw his ground-breaking cancer research published in the journal Science. The team has developed a method that converts normal human blood cells into leukemia stem cells. The discovery allows them to replicate, and map, the disease process from the moment it begins. The findings are published in the journal Science.

Read our full story here.

Read the Globe and Mail story: MDs create human cancer in mouse

Dr. David Jaffray, head of radiation physics, has been ranked among the Top 10 radiation oncologists/cancer researchers, for the second consecutive year. The Medical Imaging Industry Top 10 honours professionals and facilities in several categories, with over 600 readers voting to give recognition to their colleagues. "I am somewhat surprised," says Dr. Jaffray. "However, it may reflect the growing role of technology in cancer intervention and the need for clinician-physicist partnerships to define these technologies and to bring them into clinical application."

Read the Medical Imaging story: The Cream of the Crop

Dr. Dori Seccareccia, a palliative care physician at PMH, received a Human Touch Award from Cancer Care Ontario on April 26, 2007. The awards were established this year to recognize and honour health care professionals who demonstrate exceptional and compassionate care for cancer patients. “These patients—they let you in their lives in a very special way,” says Dr. Seccareccia. “You witness a lot of suffering and sorrow. You also witness tremendous joy.”

Read the announcement here.

Read the Toronto Sun story: Cancer Care honours docs

The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation congratulates all our award winners and thanks them for their contributions to making Princess Margaret Hospital Canada’s leading comprehensive cancer research and care centre.