Four faculty members are among 25 British Columbians who will be appointed to the Order of British Columbia.
The Order of British Columbia recognizes accomplishments by British Columbians who have made a difference in their communities and to the province.
“The Order of British Columbia is the province’s most prestigious accolade,” said Lieutenant-Governor Judith Guichon, Chancellor of the Order. “For 25 years, we have publicly recognized those who have dedicated themselves to bettering the lives of their fellow citizens. These recipients exemplify the positive difference one person can make in a community and are an inspiration to all British Columbians.”
Recipients include:
John A. Cairns former Dean and a professor in the Division of Cardiology, proved through a multi-central clinical trial that aspirin can reduce by more than half the incidence of heart attacks and death among patients with unstable angina. This finding revolutionized treatment of these at-risk patients, shifting the focus toward limiting the growth of clots in coronary arteries. In his role as Dean, Dr. Cairns also led efforts to double the enrolment of the Faculty’s MD undergraduate program.
William Clifford, Clinical Instructor on informatics for the Prince George Site of the UBC Family Practice Residency Program and Chief Medical Information Officer for Northern Health, is a leader in harnessing the power of IT to ensure patients receive co-ordinated, quality care. His creation of the Medical Office Information System in 1990 is ranked as the number-one medical record system in Canada.
James C. Hogg, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and a principal investigator at the UBC James Hogg Research Centre at St. Paul’s Hospital, research leadership has greatly increased the understanding of in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma worldwide. More than 700,000 Canadians have been diagnosed with COPD, an incurable disease that inflames the lungs and greatly affects breathing. His work stresses the importance of finding a diagnostic test before symptoms appear which would lead to the prevention of COPD. Dr. Hogg is also an officer of the Order of Canada and received the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee medal.
Aubrey Tingle, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Pediatrics, is a world-recognized researcher in pediatric immunology and viral infections at BC Children’s Hospital who has transformed health research in B.C. over the last 20 years. His accomplishments include leadership in the creation of the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research which he led as its inaugural CEO for most of its first decade. Dr. Tingle also founded, led and grew the now called Child and Family Research Institute.
To learn more, visit the Order of B.C. online at: www.orderofbc.gov.bc.ca.