Twenty-five members of the McGill community, including President Deep Saini, have been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal. The medal is conferred on individuals who have made significant contributions to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community, or have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.
McGill recipients (descriptions of their contributions are based on their award citations):
President and Vice-Chancellor Deep Saini:
In recognition of his leadership in strengthening Canadian higher education. Over 42 years as an educator, researcher and administrator at seven leading universities, including presidencies of three universities in Canada and Australia, and through his leadership roles with Universities Canada, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, the Canadian Society of Plant Biologists and other major organizations, he has significantly advanced and internationalized Canada’s higher education and research sectors.
Dr. Gerald Batist, Professor, Oncology and Medicine, Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology; Director, Department of Oncology, Segal Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital.
In recognition of his impact on cancer research and the cancer research community. A leader in the field of personalized cancer treatment, he is recognized for improving patient care by accelerating the translation of research into clinical practice.
Professor Guylaine Beaudry, Trenholme Dean of Libraries
In recognition for her profound contributions to the advancement of academic libraries and digital publishing. Prior to coming to McGill in 2022, she served as University Librarian at Concordia University as well as Vice-Provost, Digital Strategy, and earlier as the Director of the Digital Publishing Centre at Université de Montréal. Read more.
Professor Dominique Bérubé, Faculty of Engineering, Vice-President, Research and Innovation
In recognition of her transformative impact on research evaluation and funding in Canada, and for leading efforts to break down systemic barriers and foster inclusive practices. A strategic leader with intersectoral expertise of the academic, research and innovation ecosystem, she led groundbreaking initiatives integrating equity, diversity and inclusion principles into research funding and evaluation. Read more.
Professor Cindy Blackstock, School of Social Work, Executive Director, First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada and Director, First Nations Children’s Action Research and Education Service
In recognition of her contribution to Indigenous rights, equity and justice. An advocate for Indigenous human rights and equality, she has brought the systemic discrimination experienced by First Nations children in Canada, and Indigenous children world-wide, to mainstream conversation.
Professor Angela Campbell, Interim Deputy Provost, Student Life and Learning and Associate Provost, Equity and Academic Policies
In recognition of her contributions to equity and inclusion in higher education. She has played a lead role in the development of McGill’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategic Plan, Anti-Black Racism Action Plan and the Provost Task Force on Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Education, and co-leads McGill’s Initiative against Islamophobia and Antisemitism.
Professor Delphine Collin-Vézina, School of Social Work, Director of the Centre for Research on Children and Families, Nicolas Steinmetz and Gilles Julien Chair in Community Social Pediatrics
In recognition of her contributions to improving the lives of children and youth. Her research program focuses on understanding the impact of adverse and traumatic life events on children and youth, as well as their experiences with the services designed to support them.
Dr. François de Champlain, Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Emergency Physician and Trauma Team Leader at the McGill University Health Centre
In recognition of his work as an emergency physician and as someone who is transforming prehospital care in Quebec. Founder of the Jacques de Champlain Foundation, he is raising awareness of the Chain of Survival, facilitating access to Automated External Defibrillators and supporting research that saves lives. He is a member of the Steering Committee of the McGill World Restart a Heart Campaign.
Professor Treena Delormier, School of Human Nutrition, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Peoples’ Nutrition and Food Sovereignty, Associate Director of the Centre for Indigenous Peoples’ Nutrition and Environment
In recognition of her work in health promotion interventions that address the social determinants of health underlying the health inequities Indigenous Populations experience, particularly in a historical context of colonialism by addressing the social determinants of health using participatory research approaches.
Amal El Sana Alh’jooj, Associate Professor, School of Social Work
In recognition of her unwavering dedication to empowering marginalized communities, combating systemic discrimination and oppression and fostering unity in Montreal and beyond. She is founding Executive Director of the nonprofit organization PLEDJ (Promoting Leadership for Empowerment, Development, and Justice).
Anne-Marie Fournier, Supervisor at the McGill University Collections Centre
In recognition of her commitment to community involvement, from youth leadership to environmental sustainability. She has held various positions within the Navy League Cadet Program including National Commander for the Navy League of Canada, Commanding Officer of the Quebec division, and Officer at the Salaberry Navy League Cadet Corps. Read more.
Dr. Lucy Gilbert, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Department of Oncology
In recognition of her pioneering work in the early detection and treatment of ovarian and uterine cancers. She is the Robert Kinch Chair in Women’s Health at McGill, a position dedicated to advancing research in women’s health, particularly in poorly served areas like reproduction, infertility, gynecologic oncology and women’s health in aging populations.
Professor Rosalie Jukier, Faculty of Law
In recognition of her deeply rooted commitment to public service. She is a three-time recipient of the John W. Durnford Teaching Excellence Award and has also received the Morty Yalovsky Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Academic Leadership and the McGill University Lifetime Achievement Award for Leadership in Learning. Read more.
Dr. Mark Karanofsky, Department of Family Medicine
In recognition of his commitment to community service as the Director of the Jewish General Hospital’s Goldman Herzl Family Practice Centre and of his contributions to the Jewish General Hospital and at the Donald Berman Jewish Eldercare Centre as a clinician and physician leader. A family physician since 2004, he has cared for over 1,500 patients in hospitals, long-term care facilities and clinics. Read more.
Professor Bruce Lennox, Tomlinson Professor of Chemistry
In recognition of his promotion of sustainability through research and teaching. He has played a critical role in the development of sustainability sciences at McGill, including co-founding the McGill Sustainability Sciences Initiative and serving as academic lead of McGill’s most important capital project devoted to sustainability.
Professor Joanne Liu, School of Population and Global Health
In recognition of her role as pioneer and humanitarian leader, who has dedicated her life to saving lives in global crises. Through her role at Médecins Sans Frontières and her expertise in pediatric emergency medicine, she has been an influential voice for global health and humanitarian justice.
Mary Lattas, Assistant Professor, School of Physical and Occupational Therapy; Assistant Dean, Health Professions Education, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
In recognition of her contributions to rehabilitation and occupational therapy. The Director of Rehabilitation and Multidisciplinary Services, CIUSSS West-Central Montreal, she leads 55 managers with approximately 1,600 employees on more than 20 sites.
Peter Francis McNally, Professor Emeritus, School of Information Studies, and Director of the History of McGill Project
In recognition of his dedication to preserving and promoting history. A respected historian and monarchist, he has enriched the understanding of Montreal, Quebec and Canada through his teaching and commentary. (Received on January 15, 2025)
Francois Miller, Executive Director of the McGill Office of Sustainability
In recognition of his efforts to promote a more sustainable society through research, teaching and university operations. He has led the development and implementation of two institutional sustainability strategies, and as a result of his efforts and those of his office, McGill has been recognized as a “Platinum” level institution in the STARS rating system, a designation only held by 13 universities globally.
Ram Panda
In recognition of his work as a champion of scientific research and education through his leadership and significant personal philanthropy. A pioneer in Quebec’s software industry, he is the former Chair of McGill’s Board of Governors and for more than 50 years has been one of McGill’s greatest supporters, providing guidance, expertise and philanthropic support.
Constance Pathy
In recognition of her contributions as a leading supporter of music and dance in Quebec and across Canada through her leadership roles at many organizations and as a supporter of young artists and as a leading philanthropist. She is the founder of the McGill International String Quartet Academy and a longtime volunteer for McGill’s Schulich School of Music, just two examples of her commitment to championing musical excellence and education for students and young professionals.
Dr. Fahimy Saoud, Department of Family Medicine
In recognition of her commitment to community engagement. She has spent more than a decade as an emergency physician at the Lachine Hospital and in 2023 was appointed Interim Medical Director of Long-Term Care Services at CHSLD Pavillon Camille Lefebvre while also providing primary care in the Montreal North region. Read more.
Lorne Trottier
In recognition of his lifelong passion for supporting technological innovations and advances as an entrepreneur, employer and a leading philanthropist in Quebec. One of McGill’s biggest benefactors, his family foundation has supported astronomy education for youth nationwide and initiatives that promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), as well as projects to mitigate climate change and improve health care.
Nellie Voudouris, Faculty Advisor in the Faculty of Arts
In recognition of her devotion to student success and youth development. During her 30-year career as an advisor to thousands of students in the Faculty of Arts at McGill University, she has supported young people throughout their educational journey and planning for life beyond university. Her devotion to student success is unparalleled.
In total, 30,000 medals are being awarded, with nominations coming from government officials and organizations across the country.