Awards & Recognition

2025 RECIPIENTS

UBC PSYCHIATRY AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE CLINICAL TEACHING

Recognizing clinical faculty members who have made outstanding contributions to teaching, mentoring, and serving the students in the MD Undergraduate Program.

• Dr. Unita Chetty (SMP)
• Dr. Patrick McDonald (VFMP-LGH)
• Dr. Michael Shabbits (VFMP-RH)
• Dr. Edwin Tam (VFMP-VGH)
• Dr. Michelle van Den Engh-Cook (IMP)

UBC PSYCHIATRY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN POSTGRADUATE CLINICAL TEACHING

Each year, the Department and the UBC Psychiatry Residents Association honours clinical faculty members who have made outstanding contributions to teaching, mentoring, and supporting our residents who are training at various sites across the province.

UBC PSYCHIATRY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN POSTGRADUATE SUBSPECIALTY CLINICAL TEACHING

The Department and the UBC Psychiatry Residents Association also annually recognizes clinical faculty members who have made outstanding contributions to teaching, mentoring, and supporting our residents who are training in the Child & Adolescent, Forensic, and Geriatric Psychiatry Subspecialty Programs.

• Dr. Dean Elbe, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Dr. Leah Rosetti, Geriatric Psychiatry
• Dr. Nickie Mathew, Forensic Psychiatry

TRICEPS (TRANSLATING RESEARCH INTO CLINICAL EXCELLENCE IN PSYCHIATRIC SETTINGS) AWARD

Awarded annually by the UBC Psychiatry Advisory Committee to a faculty member who has excelled in translating research findings into exemplary clinical care, and has demonstrated a commitment to evidence-based psychiatry practice.

• Dr. Mahesh Menon
• Dr. Jennifer Coelho
• Dr. Nickie Mathew

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FACULTY OF MEDICINE AWARDS

Each year, the UBC Department of Psychiatry Awards Committee nominates deserving Department members for annual Faculty of Medicine awards that recognize excellence in teaching, research, administration, innovation and public service.

2025 RECIPIENTS

AWARD FOR SERVICE TO THE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY

Recognizes significant contributions to local, national or international communities aimed at improved health outcomes of the population.

• Dr. Daniel Vigo

AWARD FOR OVERALL EXCELLENCE – SENIOR FACULTY

Recognizes outstanding contributions in the areas of research, education and service.

• Dr. Lynn Raymond

2026 RECIPIENTS

RESIDENT UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING AWARDS

Recognizing residents who have had significant and positive impact on the learning of students in the MD Undergraduate Program.

• Dr. Chris Siu (Vancouver)
• Dr. Harshal Awasthi (Fraser)
• Dr. Conor Zeer-Wanklyn (Vancouver Island)
• Dr. Colin Ash (Prince George)
• Dr. Sara Kharsa (Interior)

CANMEDS AWARDS

Peer-nominated awards recognizing residents who best exemplify the CanMEDS Competencies of Medical Expert, Communicator, Collaborator, Manager, Health Advocate, Scholar, and Professional.

• 1^st Place: Drs. Adeeb Malas, Chin Vern Tan, Jordan Williams-Yuen, Emmanuel Tse, Jenny Zhang and Phoebe Ng
• 2^nd Place: Dr. Chin Vern Tan
• 3^rd Place: Dr. Sarwar Kaiser
• 4^th place – Residency Call Scheduler: Dr. Sarwar Kaiser
• 5^th place – Language in Psychiatry: Dr. Emmanuel Tse and Alan Lau
• 6^th place – Cultural Psychiatry Group: Dr. Triya Ramburn, Chin Vern Tan and Phoebe Ng

SIGNIFICANT LEADERSHIP AWARD

Recognizing a resident who has demonstrated consistent and outstanding leadership within the residency program and/or in other community activities.

• Dr. Adeeb Malas

GEORGE A. DAVIDSON SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

Recognizing a resident who has demonstrated outstanding research and scholarly activity during residency training.

• Dr. Syune Hakobyan

THE EMILY ELLINGSEN PRIZE FOR SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION

Recognizing a resident who has made outstanding contributions to the residency program that have resulted in improvements in the training, professional development and/or camaraderie amongst residents.

• Dr. Chin Vern Tan

ISLAND MEDICAL PROGRAM EMILY ELLINGSEN RESIDENT AWARD

Peer-nominated award recognizing a resident training in the Island Medical Program who has embodied the legacy of leadership and compassion of the late Dr. Emily Ellingsen

• Dr. Conor Zeer-Wanklyn

DR. WILLIAM E. PIPER MEMORIAL AWARD IN PSYCHOTHERAPY

Recognizing residents who have demonstrated a strong interest in psychotherapy, have exceeded expectations in acquiring psychotherapy skills, and have demonstrated evidence of positive development as a psychotherapist.

• Drs. Isaac Rodin and Jessie Brazier

NECIA LAURA MAY ELVIN MEMORIAL PRIZE IN SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH

Awarded to a PhD Student or post-doctoral trainee who has published an outstanding paper that is relevant to schizophrenia.

• Ms. Catie Futhey

DR. BRIAN MORRIS MEMORIAL AWARD (Providence Health)

Recognizing a resident who has displayed exemplary compassion and empathy combined with clinical excellence.

• Dr. Daniel Shearer

MARIA CORRAL AWARD (Providence Health)

Recognizing a resident who has demonstrated excellence in medical student teaching.

• Dr. Will Emery

DR. ROBERT KITCHEN MEMORIAL AWARD (Providence Health)

Recognizing a resident who has demonstrated excellence in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry training at St. Paul’s Hospital.

• Dr. Austin Lam

DR. MEGAN ROBERTS HONORARY SCHOLARSHIP (Royal Columbian Hospital)

Recognizing residents at Royal Columbian Hospital who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, collaboration and mentorship, all qualities which were embodied by Dr. Roberts throughout her life and career.

• Dr. Tom Soroski (junior award)
• Dr. Rowan Laird (junior award)
• Dr. Kaveh Rayani (senior award)

2024 RECIPIENTS

ANNETTE E. HACKING MEMORIAL AWARD IN MEDICINE

Annual award given to a fourth year student with an aptitude for and interest in a career in mental health. Adjudication is based on leadership skills, commitment to community service and demonstrated social conscience.

• Aliza Hirsch

ANDREW NEIL MCTAGGERT MEMORIAL PRIZE IN PSYCHIATRY

Offered annually to a medical student who has demonstrated interest and academic achievement in the study of child and adolescent psychiatry, and is made on the recommendation of the UBC Psychiatry Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

• Rowan Laird

KRISTIN SIVERTZ MEMORIAL PRIZE IN MEDICINE

Annually awarded to a third or fourth year medical student who demonstrates development of the core competencies of an exceptional physician early in their medical training.

• Olivia Scoten

JAY C. CHENG MEMORIAL PRIZE

Annually awarded to a fourth year medical student who has demonstrated academic excellence in Psychiatry.

• Amanda Percival

DENNIS HARRIS MEMORIAL PRIZE IN PSYCHIATRY

Awarded to a third or fourth year medical student who has excelled in Psychiatry.

• Jonah Hartel

The following are “People’s Choice” awards selected by Research Day attendees via electronic vote.

2026 RECIPIENTS

LIGHTNING TALK AWARD, SET A

• Nicholas Ainsworth

LIGHTNING TALK AWARD, SET B

• Tom Soroski

ZELDOWICZ POSTER AWARD IN CLINICAL RESEARCH

• Adam Sunavsky

ZELDOWICZ POSTER AWARD IN BASIC SCIENCE / TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH

• Hengameh Marzbani

The Department of Psychiatry Awards & Recognition Committee was established to proactively identify and recommend deserving faculty members of the Department for nomination for notable meritorious awards and honours within the Faculty of Medicine and the University, and for significant external awards.

By ensuring that outstanding faculty members are duly nominated whilst upholding departmental values of EDI, the Committee will strive to promote a culture of broad, inclusive and diverse recognition.

Committee Members

Dr. Joseph Tham, Clinical Faculty Representative
Dr. Clare Beasley, Academic Faculty Representative
Dr. Ashok Krishnamoorthy, Division Head, Geriatric Psychiatry
Dr. Emlene Murphy, Division Head, Forensic Psychiatry
Dr. Timothy Murphy, Division Head, Neuroscience & Translational Psychiatry
Dr. Roberto Sassi, Division Head, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Dr. Christian Schütz, Division Head, Substance Use & Concurrent Disorders
Dr. Randall White, Division Head, Adult Psychiatry & Mental Health Services
Margaret Koshi, Administrator

Adjudication of Nominations Process

If you are interested in self-nomination or nominating a colleague, please submit your nomination to Margaret Koshi, Director, Administration (margaret.koshi@ubc.ca) prior to the respective deadline. The Committee’s nominations process has three stages:

1. Submit nominations along with a brief rationale and a CV of the nominee
2. Nominees’ CV and other relevant documents will be reviewed by the Committee based on the respective award criteria, relevant contributions, and meritorious achievements of each candidate to ensure the suitability of candidates for specific award
3. Recommendations and feedback will be provided to potential nominees and self-nominees to enhance their chances of success
4. Nominations letters and packages will be prepared and selected candidates will be put forward, per the respective award nominations procedures