Announcing the Michael Gordon Award for Humanism in Medicine

The Department of Medicine Award for Humanism in Medicine will now be known as the Michael Gordon Award for Humanism in Medicine. This award honours Dr. Michael Gordon, a Professor of Medicine at University of Toronto and a geriatrician at Baycrest Health Sciences.

Renaming this award is a recognition of Dr. Gordon’s exceptional leadership in bridging physician and family roles in the development of best care practice for patients, and the profound impact he has had on how medicine is practiced. Sadly, Dr. Gordon’s health is deteriorating.

“We are humbled, he is humbled by this incredible honour,” his wife, Gilda Berger, wrote in response. “The best legacy he could imagine in a profession for which he has profound love and respect.”

The Department of Medicine’s top priority is to ensure patients and their families, and their experiences, drive our work. The fundamental principles of "person-centeredness" are open communication, mutual respect, and emotional connection between physicians and their patients, which was typified by Dr. Gordon’s work.

This annual award aims to recognize faculty members who exemplify a deep and abiding commitment to humanism in health care. Humanism is understood to be an acknowledgment of other human beings as individuals with autonomy, unique backgrounds, values, and perspectives, and a commitment to address issues of inclusion, equity, and social justice.

Previous winners of the Department of Medicine Award for Humanism in Medicine are Dr. Adrienne Chan in 2018 and Dr. Nora Cullen in 2019. 

The award will be presented to a Department of Medicine faculty member at the Department of Medicine Annual Day event on June 17, 2020 at the Estates of Sunnybrook.