Western University Awards for Excellence
To recognize its most outstanding teachers, researchers, professors and staff members, Western University supports awards and honours designed to celebrate those who display a commitment to excellence. Below is a listing of members of the Faculty of Health Sciences who have received one of these awards or honours.
About the Awards and FHS Recipients
The Hellmuth Prize for Achievement in Research
Established in 1997, the Hellmuth Prize for Achievement in Research recognized faculty members with outstanding international reputations for their contributions in research – one of the defining hallmarks of a university.
This award was discontinued in 2023.
2022 | Joy MacDermid (Physical Therapy) |
2020 | Cheryl Forchuk (Nursing) |
2011 | Heather Laschinger (Nursing) |
The Edward G. Pleva Award for Excellence in Teaching
This award was established at Western in 1980-81 and is awarded based on evidence of outstanding contributions in the area of classroom, laboratory, or clinical instruction. The award is intended for full-time faculty who are either Limited Term or Tenured at the University and its Affiliated University Colleges.
2021-22 | Shauna Burke (Health Studies) |
2018-19 | Dan Belliveau (Health Studies) |
2017-18 | Aleksandra Zecevic (Health Studies) |
2014-15 | Jennifer Irwin (Health Studies) |
2011-12 | Carol McWilliam (Nursing) |
2009-10 | Kathy Obright (Physical Therapy) |
2006-07 | Garry Lapenskie (Kinesiology) |
2002-03 | Marjorie Johnson (Health Studies) |
1997-98 | Don Morrow (Kinesiology) |
1994-95 | Yvette Laforet-Fliesser (Nursing) |
1984-85 | Bob Barney (Kinesiology) Barbara Edwardson (Physical Therapy) |
The Marilyn Robinson Award for Excellence in Teaching
This award was established at Western in 1996-97 and is awarded based on evidence of outstanding contributions in the area of classroom, laboratory, or clinical instruction. The award is intended for full-time faculty who are either Limited Term or Probationary at the University and its Affiliated University Colleges and who usually have seven years or less of full-time university teaching experience.
2023-24 | Maxwell Smith (Health Studies) |
2022-23 | Heather Gillis (Physical Therapy) |
2021-22 | Julie Theurer (Communication Sciences and Disorders) |
2020-21 | Amy Horton (Nursing) |
2019-20 | Kim Jackson (Nursing) |
2018-19 | Tara Mantler (Health Studies) |
2017-18 | Dave Humphreys (Kinesiology) |
2015-16 | Shauna Burke (Health Studies) |
2013-14 | Jackie Sadi (Physical Therapy) |
The Angela Armitt Award for Excellence in Teaching by Part-Time Faculty
The award for excellence in teaching by part-time faculty was established at Western in 1989-90. It is to be awarded based on evidence of continued outstanding contributions to the academic development of students. All part-time members of faculty of the University and its Affiliated University Colleges are eligible for nomination for the award.
2021-22 | Anita Cramp (Health Studies) |
2017-18 | Julie Theurer (Communication Sciences and Disorders) |
2015-16 | Heather Gillis (Physical Therapy) |
The Western Award for Innovations in Technology-Enhanced Teaching
First awared in 2016, the Western Award for Innovation in Technology-Enhanced Teaching is meant to recognize and reward the contributions of faculty members at Western University and its Affiliated University Colleges who have significantly improved the experience and outcomes of their students through the intentional incorporation of technology into their teaching practice.
All continuing members of faculty who are Tenured, Probationary, or Limited Term at Western or the Affiliated University Colleges are eligible for nomination. In addition, part- time* members of faculty are also eligible for nomination.
2019-20 | Susan Scollie (Communication Sciences and Disorders) |
2018-19 | Richard Booth (Nursing) |
2016-17 | Barbara Sinclair (Nursing) |
The Vice-Provost's Award for Excellence in Online Teaching and Learning
First awarded in 2017, Vice-Provost’s (Academic Programs) Award for Excellence in Online Teaching and Learning is designed to recognize and reward the efforts of instructors who have demonstrated outstanding online teaching through exemplary online course design.
All full-time and part-time members of the faculty at Western or the Affiliated University Colleges are eligible for nomination.
2019-20 | Dianne Bryant (Physical Therapy) |
2017-18 | Anne Kinsella, Ann Bossers, Karen Ferguson, Julie Whitehead, Taslim Moosa, Susan Schurr, Ann MacPhail, Karen Jenkins, Mary Beth Bezzina, and Mike Ravenek (Preceptor Education Program) |
University Students' Council Teaching Awards of Excellence
The Award of Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching is co-presented by The University Students' Council, The Bank of Nova Scotia and UWO Alumni Association, to recognize, celebrate and award excellence in undergraduate teaching. Each year four award recipients are selected by the USC Teaching Excellence Awards Committee comprised of the USC VP Education, USC Teaching Awards Commissioner, USC Council members, student-at-large members, and Alumni members.
2018 | Amy Horton (Nursing) |
2013 | Jennifer Irwin (Health Studies) |
2010 | Aleksandra Zecevic (Health Studies) |
2007 | Tim Wilson (Health Studies) |
2005 | Jennifer Irwin (Health Studies) |
2003 | Garry Lapenskie (Health Studies) |
2002 | Marjorie Johnson (Health Studies) |
1998 | Don Morrow (Kinesiology) |
Distinguished University Professor
Established in 2005, the Distinguished University Professor Award recognizes sustained excellence in scholarship over a substantial career at Western. Scholarship is broadly defined to include research, teaching and service to the community. Thus, this award is not a recognition solely of research excellence, which is the purpose of the Hellmuth Prize, nor is it a recognition solely of teaching excellence, which is the purpose of the Pleva Award. The Distinguished University Professorship recognizes sustained excellence as a complete scholar.
2024 | Michelle Mottola (Kinesiology) |
2021 | Debbie Rudman (Occupational Therapy) |
2020 | Joy MacDermid (Physical Therapy) |
2019 | Marilyn Ford-Gilboe (Nursing |
2018 | Helene Berman (Nursing) |
2016 | Kevin Shoemaker (Kinesiology) |
2014 | Cheryl Forchuk (Nursing) |
2008 | Richard Seewald (Communication Sciences and Disorders) |
2006 | Heather Laschinger (Nursing) |
Faculty Scholars
Established in 2005, the Faculty Scholars Award recognizes significant recent scholarly achievements in teaching or research. Nominated by faculty deans and selected by the Faculty Selection committee chaired by the Provost, the recipients have an international presence in their discipline and are considered all-round scholars. Winners hold the title “Faculty Scholar” for two years and receive $7,000 each year for scholarly activities, as well as receiving a citation.
2024 | Abe Oudshoorn (Nursing) and Marie Savundranayagam (Health Studies) |
2023 | Fiona Webster (Nursing) |
2022 | Treena Orchard (Health Studies) Susan Hunter (Physical Therapy) |
2021 | Richard Booth (Nursing) |
2020 | Trish Tucker (Occupational Therapy) Shauna Burke (Health Studies) |
2019 | David Purcell (Communication Sciences and Disorders) |
2018 | Janis Cardy (Communication Sciences and Disorders) |
2017 | Laura Misener (Kinesiology) Dave Walton (Physical Therapy) |
2016 | Lorie Donelle (Nursing) |
2015 | Lisa Archibald (Communication Sciences and Disorders) Anne Kinsella (Occupational Therapy) |
2013 | Lynn Shaw (Occupational Therapy) |
2012 | Matthew Heath (Kinesiology) |
2011 | Susan Scollie (Communication Sciences and Disorders) Trevor Birmingham (Physical Therapy) Debbie Rudman (Occupational Therapy) |
2009 | Marilyn Ford-Gilboe (Nursing) Pamela Houghton (Physical Therapy) |
2008 | Harry Prapavessis (Kinesiology) |
2007 | Kevin Shoemaker (Kinesiology) Cheryl Forchuk (Nursing) Doreen Bartlett (Physical Therapy) |
2006 | Ruth Martin (Communication Sciences and Disorders) Jayne Garland (Physical Therapy) |
2005 | Carol McWilliam (Nursing) |
The Western Research Excellence Awards
Western Research Excellence Awards enable our research community to recognize and celebrate Western faculty members at all career stages for exceptional achievements in research, scholarship and/or creative activity. This award recognizes the responsibility and potential for research to significantly contribute to a more equitable, just and inclusive society; therefore, these awards embed advancement of equity, diversity, inclusion, decolonization and accessibility (EDIDA) in the research ecosystem as a central area of celebration.
2023 | Outstanding Emerging Scholar: Susan Caxaj (Nursing) |
The Western Award of Excellence
First awarded in 2005, the Western Award of Excellence is the highest level of campus-wide recognition for the exceptional performance of Western staff. The award recognizes and rewards staff for their outstanding contributions to the campus community.
Any active full- or part-time Western administrative staff (excludes full-time students and faculty); Staff and faculty at affiliated university colleges are not eligible. Any work team is also eligible.
2019 | Andrea Legato (Health Studies) |
2017 | Jess Bechard (Office of the Dean) |
2010 | Krys Chelchowski (Office of the Dean) |