Key Takeaways:
- Eight outstanding McMaster community members have been appointed to the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest civilian honors.
- The recipients include faculty members, graduates, and community members who have made significant contributions to various fields, including healthcare, education, and social empowerment.
- The honorees have been recognized for their exceptional achievements, including groundbreaking research, philanthropy, and leadership in their respective fields.
- The McMaster community is proud to have such dedicated and accomplished individuals as part of their community, and their achievements serve as an inspiration to others.
Introduction to the Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is one of the country’s highest civilian honors, and it is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the country in various fields. Recently, eight members of the McMaster community were appointed to the Order of Canada, and they have been recognized for their significant contributions to life in Canada. According to McMaster President Susan Tighe, the recognition of these individuals is a testament to the university’s commitment to excellence and its impact on the community. The recipients include faculty members, graduates, and community members who have made a difference in various fields, including healthcare, education, and social empowerment.
The Schroeder Foundation’s Contributions
One of the recipients, Walter and Maria Schroeder, are devoted philanthropists who have dedicated their lives to helping others. Through their private foundation, they have made significant contributions to healthcare, education, and social empowerment. The Schroeder Foundation has supported research and education at McMaster University for many years, including a $10 million gift in 2020 to fast-track research aimed at finding a cure for allergic diseases. This gift led to the creation of the Schroeder Allergy and Immunology Research Institute, which supports scientific work focused on allergies. The couple has also made a $2-million gift to enhance the student experience in the School of Nursing and the Physician Assistant Education Program. Walter Schroeder, a 1969 MBA graduate, received an honorary degree from McMaster in 2024 and was inducted into the McMaster Alumni Association Alumni Gallery in 1984.
Rosalie Silberman Abella’s Achievements
Another recipient, Rosalie Silberman Abella, is an icon of Canadian values. Born in a displaced persons camp to Holocaust survivors, she became the first Jewish woman on Canada’s Supreme Court. She has set the bar with her landmark constitutional law rulings and has helped advance equality and human rights worldwide. Abella is now a professor at the Harvard Law School and has received an honorary degree from McMaster in 1986. Her achievements serve as an inspiration to many, and her contributions to the field of law have been recognized internationally.
John Cameron Bell’s Groundbreaking Research
John Cameron Bell, a proud McMaster graduate with a BSc (1977) and PhD (1983) in Biology, has made significant contributions to the field of oncolytic virotherapy. He has developed treatments that harness the body’s immune system to fight cancer and has made an indelible mark on science and medicine. As an entrepreneur, principal investigator, national research network lead, and professor at the University of Ottawa, he has built Canada’s foundation in the field while driving research that shapes international progress. Bell has received an honorary degree from McMaster in 2025, recognizing his exceptional contributions to the field.
Patrick George Croskerry’s Expertise
Patrick Croskerry, a proud McMaster graduate with a PhD in Psychology (1975) and an MD from the Faculty of Health Sciences (1982), is a leading expert in emergency medicine. He has enhanced patient care by analyzing factors that contribute to diagnostic errors and has developed curricula and training to strengthen clinical judgment and risk assessment. As the director of Dalhousie University’s Critical Thinking Program, he has shaped future health care practitioners by focusing on safety and precision. Croskerry’s contributions to the field of emergency medicine have been recognized, and his work has improved patient care and outcomes.
Charles A. Hopkins’ Sustainability Efforts
Charles A. Hopkins, a 1968 graduate from the Faculty of Social Sciences, is at the forefront of education for sustainable development. As the inaugural holder of the UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education Towards Sustainability at York University, Hopkins has been instrumental in promoting sustainability as a core education principle. He has inspired generations of learners to help shape a better future and has made significant contributions to the field of sustainability. Hopkins’ work has been recognized internationally, and he is a leading expert in the field of education for sustainable development.
Allison Joan McGeer’s Epidemiological Expertise
Allison McGeer, awarded an honorary degree from McMaster in 2022, is one of Canada’s most trusted epidemiological policy advisors. She coordinated the Toronto hospitals’ SARS response and worked with the WHO during the MERS and Ebola outbreaks. A key figure in the COVID-19 pandemic, she has shaped national and global strategies for preventing infections through science and leadership. McGeer’s contributions to the field of epidemiology have been recognized, and her work has improved public health outcomes and saved lives.
Karl Tomm’s Family Therapy Work
Karl Tomm, a postgraduate in Psychiatry from the Faculty of Health Sciences (1971), has played a pivotal role in shaping the field of family therapy. His groundbreaking frameworks of interpersonal patterns and interventive interviewing have significantly influenced therapy practices for helping families. For decades, he has provided mentorship and compassionate care as a psychiatrist, university professor, and founder of the Calgary Family Therapy Centre. Tomm’s contributions to the field of family therapy have been recognized, and his work has improved the lives of many families and individuals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the eight McMaster community members who have been appointed to the Order of Canada are truly deserving of this honor. Their contributions to various fields, including healthcare, education, and social empowerment, have made a significant impact on the community. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to others, and their work will continue to shape the future of Canada and the world. The McMaster community is proud to have such dedicated and accomplished individuals as part of their community, and their recognition is a testament to the university’s commitment to excellence and its impact on the community.