Three University of Manitoba doctors have been honoured for their pioneering efforts in caring for people with diabetes, heart failure and organ rejection.
Faculty of medicine doctors Heather Dean, Lorrie Kirshenbaum, and Peter Nickerson were inducted into the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) during a ceremony Thursday night in Ottawa.
Fellows are elected by their peers based on their demonstrated leadership, creativity, distinctive competencies and commitment to advancing academic health sciences. Membership is considered one of the highest honours for the Canadian health sciences community. The objective of the CAHS is to provide advice on key issues relevant to the health of Canadians.
"These researchers are certainly deserving of this prestigious honour. Their accomplishments in their specialized fields have in their own way improved the well-being of many Canadians," said Dr. Digvir Jayas, University of Manitoba vice-president (research and international) and Distinguished Professor.
Dean (pediatrics) was the first pediatrician to report type 2 diabetes in children in Canada. She has served as a consultant regarding children with diabetes for many provincial, national and international agencies involving child health, aboriginal health, health services and public policy.
Kirshenbaum (physiology) is best known for his groundbreaking work on viral gene therapy and the regulation of both cell cycle and cell death proteins in the heart.
Nickerson (internal medicine and immunology) is a leader in transplantation science. He and his colleagues have been at the forefront in identifying subclinical inflammation as a cause of organ rejection, particularly relating to the kidneys.
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