We work among them, and some of us are fortunate to work with them.

In Vancouver, we take pride in our many world-renowned physicians. On June 6, at the 2016 Medical Staff Awards, we honoured a number of them for their outstanding special achievements.

Nominated by their peers and carefully chosen by a selection committee, the award winners were celebrated for their dedication and excellence in areas ranging from research and education to clinical practice and administration. We proudly applaud all those awarded for their outstanding service and commitment to our community of care and, most especially, to our patients.

Dr. Blake Gilks – Scientific Achievement Award

Dr. Marshall Dahl with award winner Dr. Blake Gilks and nominator Dr. David Schaeffer

“Dr. Gilks is one of the top three or four gynecological pathologists in the world… and is a much sought-after speaker and collaborator. He has contributed immeasurably to the larger research and health enterprise through his leadership in administration and teaching.” — Dr. Schaeffer

One of the top gynecologist pathologists in the world, Dr. Blake Gilks has shaped the way we understand and treat a variety of cancers. His groundbreaking discoveries, in particular those involving ovarian cancers, have been entered into the World Health Organization’s authoritative guide for classification of gynecological tumors and literally rewritten textbooks on the disease. In addition to co-founding OVCARE, the Genetic Pathology Evaluation Centre and the Canadian Immunohistochemistry Quality Control Program, Dr. Gilks has produced more than 300 published articles, many of them seminal papers cited throughout the globe. His outstanding dedication to his research, and larger research in the field, has contributed greatly to gynecological practice.

Dr. Gilks has previously received the Mel Bernstein Award for Resident Teaching, the Roberta Miller Award for “Outstanding Professional Role Model” and the VCH “In It for Life” Scientist Award. His other honours include the Killam Faculty Research Award from UBC, several service awards from UBC’s Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, as well as the VCH Bringing Clinical Renown to Vancouver Hospital Award.

Dr. Gilks is a Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at UBC and serves as Head of the Division of Anatomical Pathology at VGH.

Dr. Andrew Krahn – Bringing Clinical Renown to Vancouver Hospital

Dr. Graydon Meneilly and Dr. Ken Gin accepting on behalf of Dr. Andrew Krahn

“Since Dr. Krahn arrived, he has injected a vibrant new energy within the UBC Cardiology group…[he] has not only introduced a superb nationally respected inherited rhythm disorders clinic of provincial scope, but is also leading changes to improve the understanding of provincial outcomes of electrophysiology procedures and has been transformitive in leading research reform within the UBC Division of Cardiology.” — Dr. Meneilly

An internationally recognized expert in cardiac arrhythmias, Dr. Andrew Krahn’s clinical work is truly outstanding. Developing the BC Inherited Arrhythmia Program across the province, Dr. Krahn has dedicated countless hours to his research investigating the genetic causes of arrhythmias and loss of consciousness, as well as implantable arrhythmia monitoring. A research leader in sudden death and inherited arrhythmias, Dr. Krahn has more than 240 papers in peer-reviewed journals, seven peer-reviewed grants from provincial and international research agencies as well as a new Principal Applicant grant with a focus on Long-QT Syndrome among his accomplishments. Head of the VGH Pacemaker Clinic, Dr. Krahn also serves as lead physician for the Providence Health Care Heart Rhythm Services Cardiac Program and has helped establish new metrics to better monitor outcomes of arrhythmia therapy. He also was key to the introduction of the Cardiology Academic Practice Plan in 2014.

Dr. Krahn has received 15 teaching awards for his innovative leadership and is affiliated with several professional associations including the Royal College of Physicians of Canada, the Canadian Cardiovascular Society and the Heart Rhythm Society.

At the UBC Faculty of Medicine, he serves as Head of the Division of Cardiology and holds the Sauder Family and Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon Chair in Cardiology, as well as the Paul Brunes Chair in Heart Rhythm Disorders.

Dr. Frank Ryan – Bobby Miller Teaching Award

Dr. Marshall Dahl and Dr. Jeremy Road with award winner, Dr. Frank Ryan

“Frank’s contribution towards excellence in teaching has ranged from the bedside to his stellar work as Director of the Postgraduate program for the Respiratory Medicine Fellowship program. Frank’s clinical skills and bedside acumen reflect those of a superb clinician.” — Drs. FitzGerald and Meneilly

With his excellent clinical expertise and finely tuned diagnostic and procedural skills, it’s clear why Dr. Frank Ryan is Program Director for the UBC Respiratory Fellowship Program. Teaching the latest emerging therapeutic interventions to medical students, Residents and Fellows, Dr. Ryan’s dedication has built on the work of his predecessors, while his clinical skills and commitment to teaching have put UBC’s Respiratory Fellowship Program on the map as one of the top Fellowships in the country. Dr. Ryan’s excellent administrative framework for the program laid the foundation that led to the program’s accreditation and can also be credited with drawing high numbers of applicants from across Canada. Nearing the end of his term at the UBC Respiratory Division, Dr. Ryan will be leaving a legacy of leadership excellence in the field of respiratory medicine and more than a few glowing student evaluations.

Dr. Ryan has received a British Columbia Health Research Foundation Scholar Award, a UBC Departmental Scholar Award and a British Columbia Lung Association/Vancouver General Hospital Clinic Scientist Award. Obstructive sleep apnea is Dr. Ryan’s main focus of research, consulting at the Sleep Disorders Program since 1991.

Dr. Ryan is currently Associate Professor of Medicine at UBC and a consultant in Internal Medicine, Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Disorders Medicine at Vancouver General Hospital, UBC Hospital and at both the GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre and George Pearson Centre.

Dr. Crawford – Clinical Excellence Award

“Since the arrival of Dr. Crawford at Vancouver General Hospital, the Dermatopathology group has become a shining light of clinical excellence within the Division.” — Dr. Schaeffer

When it comes to dermatophology, Dr. Richard Crawford knows a thing or two. Double board-certified in both Anatomic Pathology and Dermatology, with more than a decade of experience serving as a dermatophalogist in Vancouver, he is a clinical leader and a consultant for many dermatophology matters. With highly sought-after clinical expertise, Dr. Crawford’s office is rarely empty. A Clinical Professor with the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at UBC, he advises at least two learners at one time, as well as pathology Residents and dermatology staff both from VGH and neighbouring hospitals. He generously shares his expertise with anyone interested in learning more about his work.

Dr. Crawford has lectured extensively in the field of dermatopathology and is affiliated with the American Society of Dermatopathology, Canadian Dermatology Association, Canadian Dermatology Foundation, American Academy of Dermatology and the Dermatology Society of British Columbia.

A recipient of more than  a dozen scholarships and numerous awards in the field of dermatology, Dr. Crawford most recently received the UBC Faculty of Medicine Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching as well as UBC’s Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Resident Teaching Appreciation Award.

More Medical Staff Award photos

Head to the VCH Flickr album to view more photos from the Medical Staff Awards, including the Years of Service recognition awards.

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Celebrating our physicians’ years of service