Excellence in Community-Based Teaching and Education Awards
Nominations are now closed. Nominations will next open in mid-September 2026.
About
To acknowledge the significant contribution of an increasing number of community-based teachers to the learning of students and trainees (MD, PGME and Rehabilitation Sciences) at the University of Toronto, the Temerty Faculty of Medicine offers five awards to recognize excellence in community-based teaching across health professions education.
Eligibility Criteria
The awards are open to MDs and Rehabilitation Sciences (OSOT, PT, SLP) faculty members who:
- Are clinical teachers of Health Professions learners including MD program students, Postgraduate (PGME) resident trainees or Rehabilitation Science Students within the University of Toronto's Temerty Faculty of Medicine;
- Teach and practice primarily in the community environment, including University of Toronto Community Affiliate Hospitals or community-based office, clinic, private practice, or primary/secondary school setting (not associated with Full Affiliates of the Faculty of Medicine); and
- Are faculty appointed within the Temerty Faculty of Medicine.
Note: Self-nominations will not be accepted. Those who have received an award in any of the three categories are ineligible for 5 years. A nominee may be nominated only in one category.
Award Categories
Excellence in Community-Based Teaching (Community Hospital)
This award recognizes excellence in teaching and education at a community hospital.
Excellence in Community-Based Teaching (Clinic/Office/Practice)
This award recognizes excellence in teaching and education at a community-based physician office/clinic.
Excellence in Community-Based Teaching (Rehabilitation Sciences)
This award recognizes excellence in teaching and education at a community-based office, clinic, private practice, primary/secondary school, or community hospital.
Sustained Excellence in Community-Based Teaching
These awards recognizes sustained (normally 10 years) excellence in community-based teaching and education, and may include mentorship, the integration of scholarship in teaching, interprofessional collaboration, etc.
Two sustained excellence awards will be available annually:
- Sustained Excellence in Medical Education
- Sustained Excellence in Rehabilitation Sciences.
Selection Criteria
The following criteria will be considered in reviewing each nominee:
- Use of innovative or creative teaching methods and demonstrated ability to lead learners to think critically.
- Excellent communication skills, good rapport with learners, and encouraging learners to have interest and enthusiasm for the subject area.
- Strong evidence of mentorship, serving as an effective and positive role model and fostering interdisciplinary skills and connections.
Across all criteria, the nominees are expected to demonstrate a commitment to principles of equity and social accountability.
How to Submit a Nomination
Nominations are currently closed. Nominations will next open in mid-September 2026.
All nominations must be submitted using the online nomination form. Nominations can be completed by anyone within the Temerty Faculty of Medicine with knowledge of the nominee’s work.
When completing the form, you will be asked to provide the following:
Selection Process
- Nomination files will be reviewed by the Community Based Teaching Awards Adjudication Committee.
- Nominees will be notified by April at latest.
- For questions regarding the awards or process, please contact: medicine.awards@utoronto.ca
Previous Award Winners
2025:
Excellence in Community‐Based Teaching (Community Hospital)
Dr. Amna Karabegovic, Department of Family and Community Medicine
Excellence in Community‐Based Teaching (Rehab)
Lisa McQueen, Department of Speech Language Pathology
Excellence in Community‐Based Clinical Teaching Award (Sustained Excellence)
Dr. Sarah McClennan, Department of Medicine
Excellence in Community‐Based Teaching (Office/Clinic)
Dr. Eva Knifed, Department of Family & Community Medicine
2024:
Excellence in Community‐Based Teaching (Community Hospital)
Dr. Daphna Grossman, Department of Family and Community Medicine
Excellence in Community‐Based Teaching (Rehab)
Prof. Janet Campbell, Department of Physical Therapy
Excellence in Community‐Based Clinical Teaching Award (Sustained Excellence)
Dr. Dave Wheler, Department of Family & Community Medicine
Excellence in Community‐Based Teaching (Office/Clinic)
Dr. Kimberly Lazare, Department of Family & Community Medicine
2023:
Excellence in Community‐Based Teaching (Community Hospital)
Dr. Steve Singh, Department of Surgery
Excellence in Community‐Based Teaching (Rehab)
Prof. Stephanie Lurch, Department of Physical Therapy
Excellence in Community‐Based Clinical Teaching Award (Sustained Excellence)
Dr. Melissa Tai, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Excellence in Community‐Based Teaching (Office/Clinic)
Dr. Amir Salamat, Department of Family & Community Medicine
2022:
Excellence in Community‐Based Teaching (Community Hospital)
Dr. Pearl Behl, Department of Medicine
Excellence in Community‐Based Teaching (Rehab)
Ms. Jana Leggett, Department of Speech Language Pathology
Excellence in Community‐Based Clinical Teaching Award (Sustained Excellence)
Dr. Nancy Down, Department of Surgery
2021:
Excellence in Community‐Based Teaching (Community Hospital)
Dr. Everton Gooden, Department of Otolaryngology‐Head & Neck Surgery
Excellence in Community‐Based Teaching (Office/Clinic)
Dr. Albert Cannitelli, Department of Paediatrics
Excellence in Community‐Based Clinical Teaching Award (Sustained Excellence)
Dr. Peter Wong, Department of Paediatrics
2020:
Excellence in Community-Based Teaching (Sustained Excellence)
Dr. Everton Nicholas, Department of Medicine, Michael Garron Hospital
Excellence in Community-Based Teaching (Community Hospital)
Dr. Rahim Abdulhussein, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Scarborough Health Network
Excellence in Community-Based Teaching (Office/Clinic)
Dr. Alan Berzen, Department of Pediatrics, SickKids, Community Office/Clinic
2019:
Excellence in Community-Based Teaching (Sustained Excellence)
Dr. Risa Bordman, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Family Medicine Clinic
Excellence in Community-Based Teaching (Community Hospital)
Dr. Brian Yau, Department of Anesthesia, North York General Hospital
Excellence in Community-Based Teaching (Clinic/ Office/Practice)
Dr. Sherri Baine, Department of Pediatrics, North York General
2018:
Excellence in Community-Based Teaching (Sustained Excellence)
Dr. Kyle Wanzel, Department of Surgery and Reconstructive Surgery, St. Joseph's Health Centre
Excellence in Community-Based Teaching (Community Hospital)
Dr. Michael Warren, Department of Medicine, Michael Garron Hospital
Excellence in Community-Based Teaching (Clinic/ Office/Practice)
Dr. Dennis Di Pasquale, Department of Orthopaedics, Trillium Health Partners
2017:
Excellence in Community-Based Teaching (Sustained Excellence)
Dr. Sid Feldman, Department of Family and Community Medicine, North York General Hospital
Excellence in Community-Based Teaching (Community Hospital)
Dr. Yvonne Chan, Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Trillium Health Partners
Excellence in Community-Based Teaching (Clinic/ Office/Practice)
Dr. David Eisen, Family and Community Medicine, North York General Hospital
2016:
Excellence in Community-Based Teaching (Sustained Excellence)
Dr. Jeffrey Weissberger, Department of Family & Community Medicine, Markham Stouffville Hospital
Excellence in Community-Based Teaching (Community Hospital)
Dr. Nina Horvath, Department of Family & Community Medicine, North York General Hospital
Excellence in Community-Based Teaching (Clinic/ Office/Practice)
Dr. Rosa Braga-Mele, Department of Ophthalmology
2015:
Sustained Excellence in Community-Based Teaching
Dr. John Fowler, Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, Toronto East General
Excellence in Community-Based Teaching (Community Hospital)
Dr. John Abrahamson, Department of Medicine, Toronto East General Hospital
Dr. Heather MacNeill, Department of Medicine (Psychiatry), Bridgepoint Health
Excellence in Community-Based Teaching (Office, Clinic or Practice)
Dr. Michael Ward, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Scarborough Hospital
Dr. Eddy Lau, Department of Paediatrics, St. Joseph’s Health Centre
2014:
Sustained Achievement in Community-Based Teaching
Dr. Ronald Levine, Department of Surgery, St. Joseph’s Health Centre
Excellence in Community-Based Teaching (community hospital)
Dr. John Hagen, Department of Surgery, Humber River Hospital
Excellence in Community-Based Teaching (clinic/office/practice)
Dr. Paul Cantarutti, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Southlake Regional Health Centre
Dr. Jane Philpott, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Markham Stouffville Hospital
2013:
Sustained Achievement in Community‐Based Teaching
Dr. Gary Smith, Department of Pediatrics, Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital
Excellence in Community‐Based Teaching (office setting)
Dr. David Kaplan, Department of Family and Community Medicine
Excellence in Community‐Based Teaching (hospital setting)
Dr. Albino Chiodo, Department of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck Surgery, Toronto East General Hospital
Dr. Jeff Powis, Department of Medicine, Toronto East General Hospital
Dr. Peter Stotland, Department of Surgery, North York General Hospital