Dr. Jan Christilaw, among other physicians, appointed to the Order of Canada

When Dr. Jan Christilaw heard that she had been appointed to the Order of Canada, she wasn’t sure she had heard it right. “I got a call from the Governor General’s office,” she said. “When he told me, I had to say, ‘Pardon me?’ I was absolutely thrilled.”The president of B.C. Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, as well as vice-president, provincial women’s and newborn health, Provincial Health Services Authority, Dr. Christilaw was among the 100 Canadians named as a member, officer or companion to the Order of Canada in December.Established in 1967, the Order of Canada, representing the arts, sciences, sports, and philanthropic and business communities, is one of the country’s highest civilian honours, recognizing Canadians who have been high achievers in their fields, or have shown dedication or service to their community and country.Dr. Christilaw, a Vancouver obstetrician-gynecologist, leads the coordination of maternity-care across B.C. Being on the team of doctors, midwives, nurses and researchers working together to make maternity-care better for women in Canada has been the highlight of the physician’s career. And her work reaches farther than just Canada: she’s also involved with organizations striving to improve obstetrical and midwifery-care across the globe. “We are lucky to be in Canada, where we have some of the lowest maternal mortality rates,” she said. “I feel it is my duty to share that with the rest of the world.”Dr. Christilaw was truly moved by her appointment. “Somehow, this award is different than other awards I’ve received,” she said. “I feel like my country is saying thank you. They've looked at what I’ve done and seen the importance and the humanity in it.”Toronto’s Dr. Michael Tymianski, also appointed, knows the feeling. “It was one of the rare occasions where I was speechless,” he said. “To be counted among individuals who are so accomplished is really a tremendous honour, and it makes you want to live up to that.”Dr. Tymianski is head of neurosurgery at Toronto Western Hospital, as well as a researcher (looking into the mechanisms by which brain cells die in a stroke, and how to arrest that process). He is also CEO of NoNo Inc., a private biotherapeutics company currently in two phase-three clinical trials testing drugs Dr. Tymianski has developed for the treatment of disorders such as stroke and traumatic brain injury.Another new member of the order, Edmonton cardiologist Dr. Ruth Collins-Nakai, first introduced ultrasound of the heart for infants and children in the mid-1970s. She also started interventional cardiac catheterization in Western Canada, as well as the Heritage Pediatric Cardiology program at the University of Alberta, which became the interprovincial heart program at the Stollery Children’s Hospital. Dr. Collins-Nakai now works as an adviser or chief medical officer to many biotech companies and is on the boards of several philanthropic organizations, some of which work to improve conditions and opportunities for preschool children.“Needless to say, I am thrilled,” said Dr. Collins-Nakai of her appointment. “I feel that I have been blessed with a good life, as well as a wonderful professional life, so I have always believed I should do everything I can to serve my province and my country.”Other physicians appointed to the Order of Canada:Dr. Charles Tator (Toronto)Dr. Michael Dan (Toronto)Dr. John Foerster (Winnipeg)Dr. Chen Fong (Calgary)Dr. Jean-Lucien Rouleau (Montreal)Dr. Isaac Schiff (Boston, Montreal)

Dr. Jan Christilaw, among other physicians, appointed to the Order of Canada

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