UBC Medicine Faculty Members Appointed to the Order of Canada for 2024
UBC faculty of medicine community members Drs. John Allan Cairns, Lindsay Machan, Dan Poenaru and Jack Edward Taunton were recently appointed to the Order of Canada.
Considered one of the country’s highest honours, the Order of Canada recognizes individuals who have enriched the lives of others and made extraordinary contributions to Canadian society.
The latest appointments were announced June 27 by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada. Drs. Cairns, Machan, Poenaru and Tauntonare among five UBC community members being inducted.
“The Order of Canada recognizes individuals who have made positive and lasting impacts on communities here in Canada or who have brought honour to our country abroad,” said Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada. “As we progress towards an Order that is reflective of Canada’s full diversity, I encourage all Canadians to nominate individuals who inspire them, from all walks of life and backgrounds. Congratulations to the new appointees and thank you to the nominators who cast a spotlight on their achievement, purpose and exceptional talent.”
Officers of the Order of Canada (O.C.)
Dr. Lindsay Machan, O.C.
Dr. Machan is a clinical professor in the department of radiology and an early Canadian proponent of interventional radiology. A clinical practitioner at the Vancouver Hospital, he continues to innovate while guiding others on their own paths to growth and success. His company created and licensed the paclitaxel coated stent, which has improved the lives of people with peripheral arterial disease.
Members of the Order of Canada (C.M.)
Dr. John Allan Cairns, C.M., O.B.C.
Dr. Cairns is a dean emeritus at the UBC Faculty of Medicine and emeritus professor in the division of cardiology within the department of medicine. He has made major international contributions to cardiology, notably demonstrating the benefits of aspirin for patients with unstable angina, helping millions worldwide. As dean, he led efforts toward the Faculty of Medicine’s two-fold expansion. He also served with several academic societies and holds many elected fellowships, including with Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, for which he served as president.
Dr. Dan Poenaru, C.M.
Dr. Poenaru is an adjunct professor in the department of surgery. Starting in 2003, he established a pediatric surgical unit and novel training program in a remote area of Kenya, which have subsequently expanded the quality and quantity of treatments within the country and beyond. He also helped found three medical schools in Africa, and has served in leadership roles with the Global Initiative for Children’s Surgery and BethanyKids.
Dr. Jack Edward Taunton, C.M.
Dr. Taunton is a professor emeritusin the department of family practice and an early leader in sport and exercise medicine. He helped found SportMedBC, the Canadian Health and Fitness Institute, the Vancouver Marathon and the Vancouver Sun Run. He has also served as a specialist for elite athletes and the general public, as a national team physician and as chief medical officer for six major Games.
Original source here.