Department awards outstanding achievements

The Department of Medicine’s Annual Awards Banquet was held on Tuesday, May 5. The event celebrated faculty and residents and recognized the achievements and accomplishments within the department.

Awards were presented to winners in several categories, with awards in the areas of clinical, teaching research and administrative, to both residents and faculty. Among these awards were dedicated research awards, presented to winners of the resident and faculty Research Days respectively. Special guests included Dr. Janet Tootoosis, USask Vice-Dean of Indigenous Health; Megan Truscott, USask Director of Research of the Office of the Vice-Dean Research and Clinical Trial Support Unit; Jennifer Molloy, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal University Hospital Foundation; and Cheryl Kloppenburg, the Kloppenburg Award donor.

The Provincial Head Awards were presented by Dr. Haissam Haddad (Provincial Department Head and Professor of Cardiology, Department of Medicine) to recognize the outstanding contributions of department members.

• Administrator of the Year: Dr. Shelley Kirychuk (Director CCRAH, Division Head Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Associate Professor)

• Clinician of the Year: Dr. Anil Bedi (Assistant Professor, Division Head, Gastroenterology and Hepatology)

• Researcher of the Year: Dr. Kerri Schellenberg (Associate Professor Neurology)

• Teacher of the Year: Dr. Gary Hunter (associate Professor, Division Head, Neurology) 

The faculty awards were voted on by Core Internal Medicine (IM) residents to recognize teaching excellence within the department. Awards were presented by Dr. Haissam Haddad (Provincial Department Head and Professor of Cardiology, Department of Medicine).

• Teacher of the Year, Saskatoon: Dr. Linden Kolbenson (Assistant Professor GIM)

• Teacher of the Year, Regina: Dr. Krystyna Wang (GIM) (no photo) 
  • Awarded for excellence in informal and formal teaching.

• Bedside Teacher of the Year, Saskatoon: Dr. Ben Leis (GIM, Cardiology)

• Bedside Teacher of the Year, Regina: Dr. Moyosore Abimboye (GIM) (no photo) 
  • Awarded for outstanding bedside teaching.

• Distinguished Lecturer Award: Dr. Nabeel Samad (GIM) 
  • Awarded for outstanding contribution to Grand Rounds, Academic Half Day or Subspecialty Rounds.

The Department of Medicine’s Faculty Research Day was held on May 2. Awards were presented at the Annual Banquet by Dr. Josh Lawson, the Director of Research for the Department of Medicine.

• First place presentation: Dr. Kerri Schellenberg (Neurology)

• Second place presentation: Dr. Ben Leis (GIM and Cardiology)

• Third place presentation: Third: Dr. Tia Shaw (Geriatrics)

The following awards were voted on by faculty – and residents where noted – and awarded to residents in the Core IM program. The awards were presented by Dr. Jon Dean (Assistant Professor GIM, Core IM Program Director).

• David Cotton Award:  Addison Bertrand
  • Awarded to the junior resident who best displays the qualities of professionalism, accountability, commitment to excellence, duty, integrity and respect for patients and colleagues.

• Ian Holmes Award: Kwame Asiamah
  • Presented to the senior resident who best displays the qualities of professionalism, accountability, commitment to excellence, duty, integrity and respect for patients and colleagues.

• Regina Resident of the Year: Dr. Juliane Markewich (no photo)
  • Presented to the resident who best displays the qualities of professionalism, accountability, commitment to excellence, duty, integrity and respect for patients and colleagues.

• T. W. Wilson Spirit Award, Saskatoon: Dr. Aidan Kwok

• T. W. Wilson Spirit Award, Regina: Drs. Muzzafar Haque (right) and John Hick (left)
  • Awarded by the internal medicine residents to the resident(s) whose outstanding contribution to the program helped to build a rewarding and positive environment, motivating and inspiring his or her colleagues.

• The Alex Trebek Award, Saskatoon: Dr. Talha Salman

• The Alex Trebek Award, Regina: Dr. Muzzafar Haque (no photo)
  • Awarded to the senior resident(s) who best demonstrates excellence in bedside teaching, informal teaching, morning report teaching or any other teaching activities.

• Special thanks to: Christina Sparrow

These resident research awards were based on the results of resident research days conducted in fall 2025 and spring 2026. These awards were presented by Dr. Jon Dean (Assistant Professor GIM, Core IM Program Director).

• PGY2 Fall Research Days First Prize: Dr. Shivani Bhat

• PGY2 Fall Research Days Second Prize: Dr. Arshdeep Marwaha

• PGY2 Fall Research Days Third Prize: Dr. Nick Robichaud (no photo)
• PGY1 Case Presentations First Prize: Dr. Julia Cahill

• PGY1 Case Presentations Second Prize: Dr. Claire DuVal (no photo)
• PGY1 Case Presentations Third Prize: Dr. Maricris Beautista (no photo)
• The Kloppenburg Resident Research Prize in Medicine: Dr. Arshdeep Marwaha
  • Awarded to the PGY3 resident who has displayed consistent excellence in resident research throughout three core years of internal medicine training. Presented by Dr. Jon Dean and Cheryl Kloppenburg.