Recognized for advancing the field of palliative care

Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov, Director, Manitoba Palliative Care Research Unit, has been named the recipient of the 2012 Canadian Medical Association (CMA) Frederic Newton Gisborne Starr Award for his significant contributions to the field of palliative care. It is the highest recognition the CMA can bestow upon one of its members.

The award honours physicians for advancing the fields of science, the fine arts or literature, or those who have served humanity with courage and endured great hardship to promote health or the saving of life, advanced the life of their community or improved medical service in Canada. Dr. Chochinov will become the 46th recipient at the upcoming annual meeting of the CMA in Yellowknife, NWT.

An internationally recognized clinician and scholar in the study of dignity in the terminally ill, Dr. Chochinov's most recent work — Dignity Therapy: Final Words for Final Days — was described by The Journal of the American Medical Association as "inspiring" and "innovative."  Dignity Therapy gives patients a chance to record the meaningful aspects of their lives and leave something behind that can benefit their loved ones in the future.

His research has been funded by local, provincial and national granting agencies, including the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, the only organization fundraising exclusively for CancerCare Manitoba.

"It has been our pleasure to support Dr. Chochinov's work for many years," said Annitta Stenning, Executive Director of CancerCare Manitoba Foundation. "It is wonderful to see his dedication recognized with such a prestigious award."

Dr. Chochinov is the Canada Research Chair in Palliative Care, and a past recipient of the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal as well as the Order of Manitoba. He has also authored over 150 publications and co-edits the Handbook of Psychiatry in Palliative Medicine, published by Oxford University Press, and the Journal Palliative and Support Care, published by Cambridge University Press.

"I am delighted that Dr. Chochinov's seminal contributions over the past twenty years are being recognized by the highest award of the Canadian Medical Association," said Dr. Dhali Dhaliwal, President and CEO, CancerCare Manitoba. "His pioneering research in palliative care is helping to change within Canada and internationally clinical practice in this field."

About CancerCare Manitoba
Our vision is to reduce the impact of cancer on all Manitobans. Through early detection, care, research, education and public outreach, CancerCare Manitoba will contribute to the prevention of cancer and improve the outcomes and quality of life for Manitobans with cancer or blood disorders. For more information visit www.cancercare.mb.ca, follow @CancerCareMB on Twitter and watch CancerCare Manitoba on YouTube.

About the Manitoba Palliative Care Research Unit
The mission of the Manitoba Palliative Care Research Unit (MPRCU) is to improve the quality of life and ease the suffering of people with life-limiting illnesses and their families through research on the many psychosocial challenges accompanying the end of life. Health practitioners, policy makers, patients, their families, and the general public benefit from the knowledge generated from our research. Learn more at www.cancercare.mb.ca/home/cancer_research/palliative_care/

About the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation
The CancerCare Manitoba Foundation is the only organization fundraising exclusively for CancerCare Manitoba. While CancerCare Manitoba works in partnership with Manitoba Health, some programs and services are not eligible for government funding. Since 2000, donors from every walk of life have given more than $70 million to the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation to bridge this gap and help deliver the best research, patient care, and support. For more information visit www.cancercarefdn.mb.ca, follow @CancerCareMBFdn on Twitter and watch the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation on YouTube.

For more information:

David Hultin, Communications and Public Affairs Coordinator
CancerCare Manitoba
david.hultin@cancercare.mb.ca
204-787-4540

or

Holli Moncrieff, Director, Marketing and Communications
CancerCare Manitoba Foundation
holli.moncrieff@cancercare.mb.ca
204-787-1377