Early Career Paediatrician Award

Current recipient(s): Dr. Christopher Novak, Alberta

Dr. Chris Novak is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Calgary whose work in the paediatric hospital medicine section at Alberta Children’s Hospital since 2021 is already changing lives and practice. In a clinical role created especially for him, Dr. Novak has improved the care of hospitalized children by developing pathways for high-flow nasal cannula use for bronchiolitis, guiding safer, more effective procedural sedation for minor procedures, and supporting point-of-care ultrasound alongside other bedside clinical assessment skills.

Dr. Novak is likewise passionate about training the next generation of medical learners. He developed an open-access website for paediatric resources, co-directs the PedsCases podcast, and has worked with the PedsCases team for over 10 years. He is a regular instructor for medical students, residents and allied health professionals, a mentor for resident scholarly projects, and was recently involved in a curriculum renewal project at the Cumming School of Medicine.

Current recipient(s): Dr. Megan Burke, Newfoundland and Labrador

Dr. Megan Burke is a paediatrician, physician leader, and medical educator based in St. John’s, N.L. She is passionate about supporting the health and development of children and youth and brings expertise in mental health, learning and behaviour, allergy, asthma, and gender care to everyday practice. Dr. Burke’s community-focused clinics offer comprehensive services for both acute and ongoing needs. She co-leads the province’s only community-based, paediatric-specific gender clinic, and co-founded Peds Reads, a social media initiative that shares evidence-based paediatric information with families. She also co-developed Parenting Your Anxious Child, a supportive workshop created in collaboration with a mental health counsellor to help parents navigate childhood anxiety.

As a clinical assistant professor at Memorial University, Dr. Burke is also active in medical education and resident mentorship. In her role as Fatigue Risk Management Lead, she implemented wellness initiatives to improve trainee support and safety that are already benefiting residents in her province. Dr. Burke’s special strength are enthusiasm and a unique ability to respond to multiple, pressing needs with practical, actionable plans that lead to concrete, beneficial and practical solutions.

Current recipient(s): Dr. Liam Fardy, Newfoundland and Labrador

Dr. Liam Fardy is a passionate paediatrician, educator, and clinical leader whose work is shaping newborn and community paediatric care in Newfoundland and Labrador. He is division chief of newborn medicine at NL Health Services, and physician lead for the Well Baby Clinic at the Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre in St. John’s.

 Dr. Fardy is the co-founder and clinical director of Proactive Pediatrics, N.L.’s first community clinic where paediatricians work collaboratively with multiple in-house allied health professionals to provide integrated care. The clinic also leads public education initiatives through social media and a workshop series for parents. Proactive Pediatrics has significantly reduced wait times for children in need while offering residents valuable community-based learning opportunities.

As a clinical assistant professor at Memorial University, Dr. Fardy is an active educator and cornerstone of the newborn paediatric education program. He oversees neonatal rotations for clinical clerks and residents, supervises medical student research and quality improvement projects, and supports curriculum development. Fourth-year paediatric residents frequently request to work with him during their junior attending rotations, a testament to his positive and inspiring mentorship.