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Recognition of Excellence Award (ROE)

The Recognition of Excellence Awards recognize members who, in the past 12-24 months have made an outstanding contribution in one or more of the following areas: patient care, community service, hospital or health care institutions, College activities, teaching, research, and other elements of the academic discipline of family medicine. Examples of outstanding contributions may include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Significant humanitarian work on a global basis
  • Establishment of a training program
  • Delivery of an educational program unique to the needs of an at-risk population
  • Excellence in clinical practice to disadvantaged communities
  • Leadership in primary care renewal projects, hospitals or program
  • Development of an innovative research project that contributes to the improvement of day-to-day clinical practice


As part of the adjudication process, successful recipients will also be nominated for the Awards of Excellence, bestowed by the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

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

Award Criteria

  • The nominee is an ACFP/CFPC member who has been in good standing for at least one year 
  • The contributions being recognized must have occurred in the past two years (24 months) 
  • 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.

→ Dr. Oluseyi Akinola
→ Dr. Guy Blais
→ Dr. Michelle Dion
→ Dr. Noelle ORiordan
→ Dr. Janet Reynolds
→ Dr. Stephanie Sobotie
→ Dr. Tharine van Deventer

2024 ACFP Award Recipients

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. Oluseyi Akinola

2024 Recognition of Excellence Award
Dr. Akinola, a graduate of the University of Calgary’s Family Medicine Residency and holding a Master’s in Public Health from the University of North Carolina, is deeply involved in medical education. She practices at Sunridge Family Medicine Teaching Clinic and Mosaic Refugee Clinic in Calgary. An executive board member of the Black Physicians of Canada and an advocate for IMGs in Canada, she is passionate about mentorship for marginalized groups. A public speaker, author, and blogger, she has received several awards, including the 2019 Chirag Shah International Resident Award, the 2023 International Women’s Day Award and the Outstanding Achievement Award by the Minister of Trade, Immigration and Multiculturism.
 

The one thing I love about family medicine is: The deep, long-standing relationships created, which are crucial to the delivery of comprehensive care.

Family medicine mentor: I have come across many mentors but would like to acknowledge Dr. David Keegan and Dr. Yvonne Kangong. 

One thing that surprised me about being a family physician is: The depth of advocacy involved in ensuring our patient’s need are met.

If I wasn’t a family physician, I’d be: A Talk Show host.

Dr. Guy Blais

2024 Recognition of Excellence Award

Dr. Blais was born, raised and trained in Edmonton. He completed his MD from the University of Alberta and completed his Family Medicine Residencey at the Edmonton General Hospital. Dr. Blais has practiced Family Medicine in Edmonton for over 40 years, providing comprehensive care to many patients, including 3 four generation families. He has taught medical students and Family Medicine Residents at the U of A since 1983 and has been a clinical professor in the department of Family Medicine since 2010. Dr. Blais is also an author, husband to Elaine and dog owner.

The one thing I love about family medicine is: Family Medicine lets me combine my passions for practicing and teaching. I find fulfillment in caring for patients, making a difference in their mental and physical health, and building trusting, long-term relationships with them and their families. Teaching medical students and residents is equally rewarding, knowing those I’ve trained are contributing to the health of Canadians with knowledge they gained from me.

Family medicine mentor: Dr. Joe O’Brien and Dr. M.J. Miller taught me compassion and how to put patients at ease, while Dr. Doug Armstrong deepened my knowledge of Family Medicine. Dr. Gordon Chaytors showed me how to feel comfortable as a resident and later welcome colleagues without any teacher-student barriers. Dr. Heaton and Higgins introduced me to the evolving field of Family Medicine.

One thing that surprised me about being a family physician is: When I began practicing family medicine, it was new and often looked down upon by specialists as “touchy-feely” medicine for those unable to specialize. I never anticipated a shortage in family medicine or that specialists would come to recognize its critical importance to the medical system.

If I wasn’t a family physician, I’d be: A teacher. I’ve always been passionate about teaching and view it as a positive obligation, much like the Hippocratic Oath suggests. I bring this same enthusiasm to teaching family medicine and would have applied it to teaching high school math as well.

Dr. Michelle Dion

2024 Recognition of Excellence Award

In addition to her work as a family physician in Edmonton, Dr. Michelle Dion is the driving force behind Éduc-Franco Santé, an organization whose mission is to educate vulnerable groups and francophones in minority communities on various health-related topics. With the help of students from the University of Alberta, she has hosted several radio health podcasts and created multiple videos during the covid pandemic that have been broadcast across Canada and are available on Éduc-franco-santé’s YouTube channel. She continues to be active by leading numerous workshops for various associations and community groups across Canada.  

The one thing I love about family medicine is: We have the power to create positive change by using our voice to influence healthcare policy and advocate for better health. We can change lives by helping patients adopt healthier habits and inspire future doctors to become advocates for the less fortunate. Through our actions, we can encourage the next generation to improve the health of our communities.

Family medicine mentor: I’m fortunate to have many mentors who help me grow as a doctor every day. I work with an extraordinary team whose empathy, patience, and leadership inspire me. My dear students, through their enthusiasm and dedication, continually refresh and motivate me to be a positive role model. The trust and support of the community drive me to keep moving forward.

One thing that surprised me about being a family physician is: Being a family doctor means wearing many hats. We can be a trusted family member, advocate, life support, confidant, motivator, and educator for our patients. Versatile in our roles, we can choose to do a bit of everything or focus on a specific area of expertise, with countless opportunities to work and thrive in various settings.

If I wasn’t a family physician, I’d be: Working with Médecins Sans Frontières, coordinating emergency care in disaster zones or helping the population where it’s most needed. 

Dr. Noelle O'Riordan

2024 Recognition of Excellence Award

Dr. Noelle O’Riordan earned her medical degree from University College Cork, Ireland, and completed her family medicine training in the South East Training Scheme. Proudly Irish, Dr. “O” moved to Coronation, Alberta, in 2014, where she worked as a rural family physician in Coronation and Castor for six years, providing emergency care, general practice, long-term care, and mentoring medical students. In 2021, she relocated to Calgary, where she continues practicing family medicine. In her free time, she enjoys watching her children’s sports and recently began running half marathons.

The one thing I love about family medicine is: The variety and never knowing what is coming next! This scares me!

Family medicine mentor: Dr. Joe Meeaan- an amazing rural physician.

One thing that surprised me about being a family physician is: How invested I became in patients’ lives, going to bat for them and how attached I get to them. 

If I wasn’t a family physician, I’d be: A French actress married to Kevin Costner or George Clooney- their loss!

Dr. Janet Reynolds

2024 Recognition of Excellence Award

I am a family physician at Crowfoot Village Family Practice, managing a panel of 1,800 patients and overseeing clinic operations as Medical Director with Shauna Thome. I also serve as Medical Director for the Calgary Foothills PCN, working with Executive Director Jake Jennings, and co-chair the Calgary Zone PCN Patient’s Medical Home task group. Since 2021, I have been the Primary Care co-lead for Choosing Wisely Canada. I am passionate about family medicine, primary healthcare, and healthcare stewardship.

The one thing I love about family medicine is: Everything except the paper work!  I absolutely love being part of a patient’s journey, understanding what matters most to them, and whole person care. I also love the opportunities being a family physician has offered me to contribute to health system improvements. 

Family medicine mentor: Dr. Rick Ward, whom I met in my early years of practice, has been a close friend and a major influence on my career, guiding my clinical evolution and introducing me to medical leadership roles. Dr. Peggy Aufricht demonstrated how persistent, methodical ideas can drive change, notably in shifting CVFP to a capitation ARP funding model. Dr. Cathy MacLean has been a remarkable mentor, bridging community and academic family medicine, and inspiring me with her passion for teaching and thoughtful approach.

One thing that surprised me about being a family physician is: How long it has taken for the feeling that I knew a little about a lot, am an expert in nothing, to transform into the understanding and comfort that this is specialty of family medicine. 

If I wasn’t a family physician, I’d be: A personal shopper. 

Dr. Stephanie Sobotie

2024 Recognition of Excellence Award

Dr. Stephanie Efua Sobotie is a dedicated Family Physician with over fourteen years of medical experience. She received a Certificate of Added Competence in Obstetric Surgical Skills in 2019. She serves as a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Calgary and a family practice assessor for the CPSA. Notably, she pioneered a surgical obstetrical care program in rural Ghana and helped re-establish an obstetrical program in Saskatchewan. Her full-scope family practice in Bow Trail Calgary focuses on women’s health as well as mental health. As a wife and mother of three, she enjoys creating low-carb recipes and exploring medical research, driven by her passion for medicine and family.

The one thing I love about family medicine is: That I can impact every facet of my patient’s lives in a positive way. I also love the diversity of the work I do, from mental health counselling to delivering a baby via emergency c- section to advocating for a patient who has opted for palliative care.

Family medicine mentor: Dr. Mabel Ewurabena Aboah and Dr. Mohammed Zakariah 

One thing that surprised me about being a family physician is: I did not anticipate the extent to which the profession can be emotionally consuming. Luckily having good support from my medical team, friends and family keep me grounded, and remind me to prioritize self-care.

If I wasn’t a family physician, I’d be: A chef.

Dr. Tharine Van Deventer

2024 Recognition of Excellence Award

I was born and raised in South Africa, earning my medical degree from Free State University in 2000. After completing my residency and community service in South Africa, I worked as an Emergency Room Physician in the UK starting in 2003. In 2005, I moved to Bonnyville, Alberta, where I practice as a full-scope Family Physician, providing care in various settings including family practice, walk-in clinics, obstetrics, and mental health care. I helped establish a collaborative obstetrical care model in 2008 and the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Care Clinic in 2014. My daughter, born in 2013, is now in Grade 5.

The one thing I love about family medicine is: The scope of practice that it offers, from preventative medicine to emergency room care, to delivering babies and everything in between. It is a privilege to be part of a patient’s life and be trusted with their care from birth to their last breath.

Family medicine mentor: During my Community Service in South Africa, I learned a great deal from an experienced Family Physician whose exceptional knowledge and patient care inspired me. In Canada, I am motivated by preceptors and leaders in the teaching community whose enthusiasm drives us to provide excellent, safe patient care and train the next generation of physicians.

One thing that surprised me about being a family physician is: The amount of paperwork, along with my love of full scope of practice and prenatal care and deliveries. I was not very fond of obstetrics as a student, however since being a rural family physician in Bonnyville, I have come to love this part of my practice.

If I wasn’t a family physician, I’d be: A journalist and actress, although medicine is my calling, and I cannot imagine doing anything else at this point.

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