Life Membership

Current recipient(s): Dr. Minoli Amit

Dr. Amit is a pediatrician at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital in Antigonish, NS. She graduated from Dalhousie University and is certified by the Physician Executives of Canada. Dr. Amit led the Children and Women’s Service for many years until her retirement in 2021. She continues to practice as a locum and has over 40 years of clinical experience in pediatric acute care, as well as office-based and rural outreach clinic consulting work.

Dr. Amit is also an assistant professor with the Department of Pediatrics at Dalhousie University, supervising clinical rotations for learners. As a member and former Board member of Doctors NS, Dr. Amit established and was the founding chair of the Section of Rural and Regional Specialist Physicians, advocating for support, recruitment, and retention needs.

Over the years, she has worked with her team through many challenges and evolutions in care delivery and quality improvements in pediatric and obstetrical services in the community. She has participated in many provincial initiatives and until mid-2020 was the co-chair of the Pediatric Operational Group for NS Health Authority. She has participated with and led several administrative groups, including serving as the Site Medical Lead at St. Martha’s for the NS Health Authority (2015-2019). And has successfully advocated for funding to support consultant pediatricians in all regional hospitals in the province.

Dr. Amit has a keen interest in enhancing the healthcare system, particularly in rural areas. To further this cause, she has served on the Boards of Doctors NS, the Canadian Pediatric Society, and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Currently, she sits on the Board of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of NS. Dr. Minoli has been a lifelong member of the Canadian Pediatric Society and has served on many committees. She was awarded the CPS Certificate of Merit for Nova Scotia in 2018 and she currently co-chairs one of the working groups of the Anti-racism Committee.

Dr. Amit has been actively involved in various organizations and programs in her community, including those for youth, individuals with special needs, the arts, and community improvements.

Current recipient(s): Dr. Mark Awuku

Dr. Awuku is a community pediatrician in Windsor and a professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Western University's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry in Ontario, Canada. He has a passion for medical education and strongly believes that in a healthy learning environment, there is no limit to how much students can learn. He is the current Chair of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Accreditation Committee of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) and an Assistant Editor of the Paediatrics and Child Health journal. He served on the Caring for Kids New to Canada committee, and he was the Chair of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Committee of the Canadian Paediatric Society from 2011-2017. Dr. Awuku was the Acting Associate Dean for the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry (Windsor Campus) from 2010-2011, Past Assistant Dean for Faculty and Governmental Affairs at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, and Chair of Paediatrics at Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital in Windsor for 6 years.

Dr. Awuku has received numerous awards, including the Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce Business Professional of the Year award in 2011. In 2016, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree by the University of Windsor and the 2016 Danielle Grenier Award by the Canadian Paediatric Society. In 2017, he was selected as the Ontario Paediatrician of the Year and received the 2017 Schulich Excellence in Education Distinguished Leader Award from Western University. In 2019, he received the Medical Award of Excellence from the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario and several Teaching Excellence Awards.

Current recipient(s): Dr. Ellen Wood

Dr. Ellen Wood has been a member of the Canadian Pediatric Society (CPS) since her pediatric residency at MUN and the IWK. Under the guidance of her Department Chair, Richard Goldbloom, she learned the significance of actively participating in the CPS, not only for her own professional growth but also for the betterment of Canada’s children.

Dr. Wood maintained her CPS membership during her seven years in general pediatric practice in Charlottetown, her Pediatric Neurology residency at SickKids, a year of Developmental Pediatrics at McMaster, three years of pediatric neurology/developmental pediatrics practice at McMaster, and 25 years back at the IWK.

Although she loves clinical care, Dr. Wood believes that CPS’s advocacy has had a broader impact on children's well-being than any individual effort. She has been actively involved with the CPS through various roles, including JACCAH, the CPS Board, CPS Presidency (2019-20), and currently as Chair of the Leadership Development Committee. She has also worked with the Royal College as a member of the Specialty Committee for Pediatrics, as well as an examiner and Chair of the Pediatric Exam Committee.

As a former Pediatric Program Director at MAC and then the IWK (2000-12), Dr. Wood has had the privilege of working with many young pediatricians, contributing to their growth in the field and encouraging their ongoing participation in the CPS.