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Faculty of Health Sciences

Community of Distinction

The Community of Distinction is the Faculty of Health Sciences’ highest honour, recognizing those who have brought global renown to the university through distinguished scholarship, significant contributions to health care, or outstanding leadership acknowledged by peers.

Nominations for equity-deserving individuals are encouraged. Click the Nomination tab for eligibility requirements and submission details.

Explore past Community of Distinction Inductees

2024 Inductees

Three people stand by a display wall; the center person wears red, the others are in suits.
Three new members have been inducted into the Faculty of Health Sciences Community of Distinction. Pictured in front of the Community of Distinction gallery in the Ewart Angus Centre, from left, are Paul O’Byrne, dean and vice-president of the Faculty of Health Sciences, and inductees Basanti Majumdar and Harry Shannon. Pictured on the wall behind them is Morris Blajchman, who was inducted posthumously.

Community of Distinction honours three visionaries with worldwide renown

Three visionary leaders whose research and contributions have furthered the reputation of McMaster University and its Faculty of Health Sciences have been inducted into the Faculty’s Community of Distinction.

The newest inductees are Morris Blajchman, one of the founding members of the School of Medicine at McMaster University, Basanti Majumdar, who is internationally renowned for her research and teaching about HIV/AIDS, women empowerment, problem-based learning, and self-directed learning methods and Harry Shannon, a world leader in occupational health and safety research, as well as a major contributor to global health research.

The inductees were celebrated at a special ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 4 p.m. in the Ewart Angus Centre of McMaster’s Health Sciences Centre.

Read their citations.

The Community of Distinction is the Faculty of Health Sciences’ highest honour in tribute to those who have brought worldwide renown to the university. The criterion for induction is the distinguished contribution in scholarship or conspicuous contribution in the science or delivery of health care or demonstrated outstanding leadership that is recognized by peers.

Access the 2024 Community of Distinction induction ceremony video.

Overview

Sixty-nine distinguished individuals have been inducted into McMaster’s Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) Community of Distinction. Their portraits and citations are displayed in the Ewart Angus Centre atrium in the Health Sciences Centre. Click on the Community of Distinction Members tab to read their bios. Three new members will join the Community of Distinction in 2024. These prominent members of our FHS community were inducted during a ceremony held Wednesday, November 6, in the Ewart Angus Centre atrium.

2025 nominations to the Faculty of Health Sciences Community of Distinction will open early in 2025. For information on how to nominate a deserving candidate, click on the Nomination tab.

Nomination

Nominations for the 2025 Community of Distinction inductees will open early in 2025. Each year, up to three new members are inducted, and their portraits and a description of their work are installed in a gallery in the Ewart Angus Centre lobby.

The Community of Distinction honours former Faculty of Health Sciences alumni, faculty and staff who have brought distinction and recognition to McMaster University and the Faculty of Health Sciences through outstanding scholarship and innovative research. The Community was founded in 2003 and has since inducted 66 members.

Expandable List

Recognition in the Community of Distinction is open to former full-time and part-time faculty, staff and alumni of the Faculty of Health Sciences. Nominations are accepted for individuals only. Nominations of teams are not accepted.

Selection of inductees for the Faculty of Health Sciences Community of Distinction is done by the Faculty’s Awards and Nominations Committee chaired by Dina Brooks, Executive Vice-Dean and Associate Vice-President, Academic and Lehana Thabane, Professor and Interim Chair, Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University.

  1. Nominations must include a narrative of not more than 750 words. A few graphics or pictures to illustrate the contribution are allowed by attachment. 
  2. Each nomination must be supported by a minimum of two and not more than four reference letters. References should not exceed 400 words. 
  3. Please include a curriculum vitae or resume for the nominee. 
  4. Position and contact information for the nominator and all references must be clearly indicated and must reference the name of the individual being nominated. 
  5. Nominations for equity-deserving individuals are encouraged.
  6. Only nominations for individuals will be accepted.
  7. Nominations must be e-mailed to Chantall Van Raay at vanraay@mcmaster.ca. 
  8. The individuals selected to be honoured will be notified by the Dean and Vice-President and will be invited to attend a special reception in their honour in the fall. 
  9. Nominations of candidates who are not selected for induction the first time they are nominated will be carried forward for a three-year period. 

For further information, please contact:

Chantall Van Raay
Manager, Strategic Communications, Awards and Distinctions
Email: vanraay@mcmaster.ca
Phone: (905) 979-7876

Do you know a former faculty, staff or alumni member who is deserving of being recognized by the Faculty of Health Science at McMaster University or have questions about the nomination process?  

For more information contact Chantall Van Raay at vanraay@mcmaster.ca or by phone at (905) 979-7876