Myrna Lashley and Dan Poenaru appointed to the Order of Canada 

Myrna Lashley and Dan Poenaru, professors in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, have been appointed to the Order of Canada. 

“I extend my congratulations to the two members of our research community on these prestigious appointments,” said Deep Saini, President, McGill University. “Their commitment to the betterment of others and to society as a whole, speaks to a deeply felt sense of compassion and humanity that is inspiring to us all. McGill is proud to have such talented trailblazers among our faculty.”

The Order of Canada is one of the country’s highest civilian honours. Appointments are made at three levels – Companion, Officer and Member – for sustained achievement. Officers and Members may be elevated within the Order to recognize further achievement based on continued exceptional or extraordinary service to Canada.

Lashley and Poenaru were among the 83 new appointees announced June 27 by Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada.

The official citations for Lashley and Poenaru:

Myrna Lashley (Member of the Order of Canada) is an important advocate against racial profiling. An associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at McGill University, she is internationally recognized as an authority on cultural psychology and mental health. She has played a vital role in shaping policies, practices and interventions that promote equity, inclusivity and cultural sensitivity. Her commitment to racial justice has helped improve the experiences and outcomes for marginalized groups across Canada. 

Dan Poenaru (Member of the Order of Canada) is a McGill University professor and pediatric surgeon. 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.

Other members of the McGill community who have been admitted to or promoted within the Order of Canada, and the citations:

John Terry Copp (MA’62), Member  

Terry Copp has nurtured Canadians’ understanding of our history. Professor emeritus at Wilfrid Laurier University, and the founder and director emeritus of the Laurier Centre for Military and Strategic Disarmament Studies, he fostered a rich community of scholarship and cemented Canada’s role in the Second World War. His ongoing work is a legacy to future generations and their knowledge of our past. 

Lee Edward Errett (medical residency at McGill), Member 

Lee Errett is a global leader in cardiac research and care. He transformed St. Michael’s Hospital into a world-class centre for cardiac surgery, teaching and research. A long-standing professor at the University of Toronto, he is committed to educating the next generation of medical leaders. As founding president of the Bethune Medical Development Association, he volunteers his time and expertise to providing care in underserved areas worldwide. 

 Pierre Legault (M MGMT’02), Member 

Social entrepreneur Pierre Legault has devoted his career to supporting those in need. Trained as a psychoeducator, he is renowned for using the economy to underpin social and sustainable development. He co-founded several social and environmental organizations helping disadvantaged people, including Moisson Montréal, Quebec’s first food bank, and Renaissance, an innovative enterprise serving as a springboard into the job market for those seeking employment. 

Bruce A. Lourie (Professor of Practice at TISED), Member  

Bruce Lourie is passionate about sustainability. This renowned leader and entrepreneur has been behind the establishment of numerous organizations addressing climate change and environmental health. He has been a critical player in key sustainability victories, including the phase-out of Ontario’s coal-fired power plants, considered the largest climate action in North America. As president of the Ivey Foundation, he is committed to a net-zero future for Canada. 

Stephen James Randall (former professor of history at McGill), Member 

Stephen Randall is an academic and expert advisor on international relations. Founder of the University of Calgary’s Latin American Research Centre, and a founding member of the Canadian Council for the Americas Alberta, he has helped develop the field and inspired the creation of interdisciplinary and internationally focused programs. His expertise in myriad issues affecting the United States and Latin America, notably Colombia, has benefited Canada’s foreign policy. 

Vaira Vike-Freiberga (PhD’65, Hon. DSc’02), Officer (honorary) 

Vaira Vike-Freiberga has enriched Canada-Latvia relations and reflected Canadian values abroad. Professor emerita in psychology at l’Université de Montréal, she returned to her native Latvia to become the first woman to serve as its president, helping the country enter into NATO and the European Union, and regain stability during its post-Soviet period. She remains committed to protecting democracy and human rights, and to promoting women leaders worldwide. 

Read the Governor General of Canada’s press release