The prize, awarded to 24 new honourees at the National Assembly, is Quebec’s highest distinction for educators.
Joseph Donald Boudreau and Claire M. Brown, both of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, are among the latest appointees to the Ordre de l’excellence en éducation du Québec, the highest distinction awarded by the Quebec government in the field of education.
Professors Boudreau and Brown were among 24 new honourees. The group was feted at a June 10 ceremony at the National Assembly in Quebec City.
Lesley Fellows, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, offered congratulations to both honourees.
“Dr. Boudreau’s impact on generations of McGill medical students and those who teach them cannot be overstated. It is wonderful to see his career-long commitment to humanism and excellence in medical education recognized by this award,” said Fellows.
“Professor Brown’s work on advanced bioimaging and her dedication to sharing her knowledge have opened the world of microscopy to generations of scientists,” said Fellows. “This recognition of her leadership and continued work to drive advances in this key biomedical research technology in Quebec, Canada and beyond, is much deserved.”
Exemplifying humanism in health care
Boudreau is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Health Sciences Education, where he previously served as Interim Director and Associate Dean of Medical Education and Student Affairs.
No longer practising as a pulmonary specialist, he continues to teach and has spent over 30 years educating medical students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.. He has collaborated on medical education projects around the world, including in China, Australia, the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland.
Being named to the Ordre de l’excellence is just the latest of Boudreau’s honours. Earlier this year, he received the Duncan Graham Award for Outstanding Contribution to Medical Education for his lifelong contribution to medical education, and last year he received the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC)-Gold Humanism Award.
Advancing research at the molecular level
Claire Brown is a Professor in the Department of Physiology and is founder and Director of McGill’s Advanced Bioimaging Facility (ABIF). Under her leadership, the ABIF has developed into one of Canada’s leading light microscopy facilities, training hundreds of researchers in fundamental and advanced light microscopy and playing a critical role in advancing life science and health research.
Brown has helped build research and training networks across Canada and North America and serves as the Canadian representative for Global BioImaging, an international network of cutting-edge bioimaging facilities and communities.
In 2020, she was the only Canadian imaging scientist to receive funding from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, leading a project that trained imaging scientists in advanced microscopy technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning for quantitative image analysis and data management.