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Student Leadership - Rising Star Award

The Student Leadership – Rising Star Award supports, promotes, and recognizes students, our future leaders and advocates for family medicine. It is awarded to two medical students (one from the University for Alberta and one from the University of Calgary) who demonstrate an interest in or commitment to a career in family medicine.

Candidates are nominated by their peers or members of the public, or are self-nominated.
Submission Deadline: April 1, 2025
Download Nomination Form

Awards Criteria

  • The nominee is a student enrolled in the undergraduate medical degree program at either the University of Alberta or the University of Calgary and is in clerkship (i.e. third or fourth year)
  • Candidates may be recognized for demonstrating strong leadership skills in advocacy, community service, and/or education
  • Candidates may be recognized for demonstrating an interest in or commitment to a career in family medicine through chosen electives, clerkship, and/or personal experiences
  • Candidates may be recognized for their participation in various family medicine activities during their studies
  • The nominee is NOT a current member of the ACFP Board or the Member Engagement and Recognition Committee 
  • The nominee has NOT received this award previously (to the best of your knowledge) 

Need Support?

Email the ACFP at ACFPAwards@acfp.ca.

→ University of Alberta
→ University of Calgary

2024 ACFP Award Recipient

The ACFP is proud to celebrate all physicians, residents, students, and clinics who demonstrate excellence in family practice. 

 To learn more about this year’s amazing list of recipients as well as previous ACFP Award winners, visit our Award Recipients page through the button below.

Award Recipients

Dr. Leanne Ejack

2024 Student Leadership- Rising Star Award

Dr. Leanne Ejack recently graduated from medical school at the University of Alberta and is now a rural family medicine resident in Lethbridge. She has a diverse background which makes her very suited to generalist medicine. Prior to medical school, she worked in agriculture research and has a deep interest in issues that affect rural communities. She was drawn to the depth and breadth of family medicine and applied to medical school specifically to become a rural family physician. Pursuing family medicine will allow her to live in a rural community and advocate for issues that affect rural populations while having a full-scope medical practice.

The one thing I love about family medicine is: being able to be flexible and adaptable. The scope of family physicians is so broad, and the types of environments that family physicians work in are so variable. Thus, more than many other medical specialties, family medicine allows you to adapt your practice to suit the unique needs of the patient population you are working with.

Family medicine mentor: All the rural family doctors in Ponoka I worked with in my third year of medical school
while completing an integrated community clerkship (ICC) were hugely pivotal in shaping my medical education. Dr. Gregory Sawisky and Dr. Cayla Gilbert were important role models for me, along with other key mentors including Dr. Darren Nichols, Dr. Jack Keegan, Dr. Sue Westheuser, and Dr. Louise Dalphond. 

One thing that surprised me about being a family physician is: How difficult it is to define what a family doctor does (especially a rural family doctor!). Each family medicine practice is as unique as the communities they serve.

If I wasn’t a family physician, I’d be: In my dreams, I would be a professional ultramarathon runner. More realistically, I would either be farming or continuing to work in agriculture research.

Dr. Thomas Kazakoff

2024 Rising Star- Student Leadership Award

I was raised in Lethbridge Alberta and completed my medical training at the University of Calgary. I am currently a Rural Family Medicine Resident with the University of Calgary Lethbridge Stream. I have a passion for providing comprehensive care as a rural generalist and greatly enjoy the variety of practice rural medicine affords. 

The one thing I love about family medicine is: My favorite thing about family medicine is getting to participate in a long term continuity of care with patients. No other field of medicine allows you to see whole families grow and change, welcome new life into the world, and provide comfort in the most troubling of times. Getting to know my patients and their families is truly a blessing and something I would not give up for the world

Family medicine mentor: Dr. Davis Yawney and Dr. Louise Dalphond are two of my strongest family medicine mentors. Dr. Yawney exemplifies the spirit of a rural generalist, providing comprehensive care and going above and beyond for his patients. Dr. Dalphond is a dedicated, hard-working physician who excels in clinical care. Both are ideal family physicians whom I aspire to emulate in my practice.

One thing that surprised me about being a family physician is: I was most surprised by how many team members are essential for a thriving clinic, from nursing and administrative staff to facilities and allied health professionals. I am deeply grateful to all my wonderful colleagues who have supported me throughout my training.

If I wasn’t a family physician, I’d be: At the Cinema! My main hobby is the study of film. I love visiting the Movie Mill in Lethbridge and find a lot of meaning in watching films by myself or with friends and family.

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