Citizenship Awards for Medical Students
Given to individuals who, in addition to maintaining adequate academic standings, have made a significant contribution towards improving the general welfare of medical students. One award is given to a student at each university with the exception of the University of Toronto, which has two awards.
Associate or Assistant Deans of Undergraduate Medical Education at each University in Ontario are asked to submit the names of the award winners on an annual basis to PARO. Each has their own process for receiving nominations and selecting a winner. Contact the Undergraduate Medical Education Office at your university centre for further information.
Resident Teaching Awards
Given to one resident at each university centre (with the exception of the University of Toronto, which has two awards) who provides outstanding
clinical teaching experiences to junior housestaff and clinical clerks.
Associate or Assistant Deans of Postgraduate Medical Education at each University in Ontario are asked to submit the names of the award winners on an annual basis to PARO. Each has their own process for receiving nominations and selecting a winner. Contact the Postgraduate Medical Education Office at your university centre for further information.
Residency Program Excellence Award
The PARO Residency Program Excellence Award was created to recognize those programs that have consistently provided an exceptionally positive and rewarding experience to their residents, while producing physicians who are expertly trained to deal with the challenges in their upcoming careers.
A resident or group of residents may nominate any accredited training program in the province. The Awards Selection Committee considers the following criteria when reviewing nominations:
- educational excellence
- resident well-being/good work environments
- contract compliance
- attentiveness to resident needs
- innovations in resident education
- consistency
Lois H. Ross Resident Advocate Award for a Non-Clinician
The Lois H. Ross Resident Advocate Award was created in 1997 and is named for the first Executive Director of PARO in recognition of her many years of tireless efforts towards improving the lives of residents in Ontario. This award was developed to include non-clinical staff such as program assistants and administrators to reflect the importance of these people in the day-to-day life of a resident.
Any administrator, program coordinator, teacher or clinician who works with residents is eligible for nomination. The Awards Selection Committee considers the following criteria when reviewing nominations:
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- examples showing how the nominee uniquely goes above and beyond their job description to demonstrate a clear passion for resident issues
- consistent advocacy on behalf of residents and resident issues
- open and responsive to questions and feedback
- attentive to resident needs
- level of approachability
- specific examples of areas where the nominee has made a significant improvement in the education, opportunities or wellness of residents
- demonstrated proactive approach
- creates a positive culture in which the love of medicine can be fostered
Dr. Robert Conn Resident Advocate Award for a Clinician
The Dr. Robert Conn Resident Advocate Award was created in 2020 and is named in honour of PARO’s Chief Executive Officer in recognition of his role as the exemplar MD of resident advocacy. The Dr. Robert Conn Resident Advocate Award is bestowed upon one individual in the province who has consistently advocated on behalf of residents and resident issues, within their role as a clinician or teacher.
Any clinician who works with residents is eligible for nomination. The Awards Selection Committee considers the following criteria when reviewing nominations:
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- examples showing how the nominee goes above and beyond their job description to demonstrate a clear passion for resident issues
- consistent advocacy on behalf of residents and resident issues
- openness and responsiveness to resident questions and feedback
- attentiveness to resident needs
- level of approachability
- specific examples of areas where the nominee has made a significant improvement in the education, opportunities or wellness of residents
- demonstrated proactive approach
- creates a positive culture in which the love of medicine can be fostered.
Excellence in Clinical Teaching Awards
The objective of the PARO Excellence in Clinical Teaching Award is to publicly acknowledge the essential role that good clinical teachers play in the training of new physicians. There are up to seven awards presented yearly: two for University of Toronto (due to its size) and one for each of the other five medical schools across Ontario: University of Ottawa, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, McMaster, Queen’s and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.
Any clinical staff member involved in full or part-time clinical teaching of residents is eligible for nomination. The Awards Selection Committee considers the following criteria when reviewing nominations:
- passion for teaching
- proficiency in delivering clear and relevant information
- quality of clinical and beside teaching
- teaching at a high academic level
- comprehension and appropriate use of the literature
- appropriateness of teaching for level of trainees
- ability to relate to and appreciate patient needs
- being a positive role model
- interest in trainees’ personal development and well-being
- commitment to the evaluation process
- encouragement of a team approach
- innovative techniques
- curriculum development
- connecting teaching with problem solving and research
The call for nominations for the PARO Residency Program Excellence Award, Lois H. Ross Resident Advocate Award and Excellence in Clinical Teaching Awards is issued annually to all PARO members in December with a submission deadline of late January. Further information will be available on the Awards page of the PARO website in the late fall.
If you have questions, email awards@paroteam.ca or call the PARO office at 1-877-979-1183.