Four Temerty Medicine community members receive Order of Canada honours

Four members of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine community have been appointed to or promoted within the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest civilian honours, as announced on June 26, 2026.

These professionals are among 61 individuals recognized this year for sustained excellence and exceptional contributions across a wide range of fields, including health care, the arts, education and international affairs.

"We are immensely proud to see these outstanding members of our community recognized with the Order of Canada," says Lisa Robinson, dean of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. "Their achievements reflect a deep commitment to health and health care, and we celebrate the lasting impact they have made in Canada and around the world."

The following members of the Temerty Medicine community were appointed to, or promoted within, the Order of Canada:

Lewis Kay: professor of molecular genetics, biochemistry and chemistry at U of T, was promoted to Companion of the Order of Canada for his continued work in advancing biomolecular nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods to large, previously unreachable proteins and applying NMR to increasingly complex biological systems.

Beverley Orser: chair of U of T’s  department of anesthesiology & pain medicine and an anesthesiologist at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in recognition of her research on extra-synaptic GABA-A receptors and the mechanisms by which anesthetics and inflammation impair memory, as well as for her leadership in academic anesthesiology.

Allan Covens (MD ’83): professor and former chair of gynaecologic oncology at U of T and a gynaecologic oncologist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for his efforts elevating the standard of surgical treatment for cervical and other cancers, including the introduction and promotion of conservative and fertility-sparing approaches.

Kona Williams (PGME forensic pathology): was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for her work transforming forensic practice through culturally informed leadership, national advocacy and system reform, advancing equity for Indigenous communities, and improving responses to missing Indigenous people.

The full list of appointees and promotions is available here.