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Pillars of the Pandemic Honoured for Service to Public

June 16/2021

Thirteen individuals, groups and organizations have been named Pillars of the Pandemic by the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health (DLSPH) in partnership with Closing the Gap Healthcare, a health-care provider with clinics throughout Ontario.

Pillars of the Pandemic is a new interdisciplinary series created to honour the contributions that health and health care professionals and volunteers across Ontario have made to public health and health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The honourees will be celebrated in various ways, including being featured in Healthy Debate, a digital publication focusing on health care in Canada.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has required extraordinary leadership and a strong commitment to public health from myriad professionals and volunteers across the province,” said Prof. Adalsteinn (Steini) Brown, Dean of DLSPH. “The individuals chosen by the selection committee as Pillars of the Pandemic have been exceptional in going above and beyond in ensuring the well-being of Ontarians.”

The Pillars of the Pandemic are:

  • Anna Banerji, a pediatric and public health specialist in Indigenous and refugee health, and a clinician and associate professor at DLSPH;
  • Erin Bearss, associate chief of family medicine at Sinai Health, who has led a team that delivered vaccines at long-term care and retirement homes;
  • Lloyd K. Douglas, planning lead for the COVID-19 Regional Response team for Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority, as well as an incident commander;
  • Shiran Isaacksz, vice-president of UHN Connected Care and Altum Health, who led the City of Toronto’s Mobile Sprint Strategy focused on using data to support an equitable rollout for highest-need communities;
  • Carlye Jensen and Jennifer Wilson, chief of the Uxbridge site of Markham-Stouffville Hospital and outgoing president of Uxbridge Health Centre, respectively, who ensured their community remained informed about COVID-19’s effects locally;
  • Jennifer Kwan, Burlington family physician, who is renowned for her social media campaign to educate Ontarians about COVID-19 and vaccinations;
  • Lawrence Loh, chief medical officer of health for Peel Region and a prominent advocate for measures preventing the spread of COVID-19 among vulnerable populations;
  • Kate Mulligan, a U of T professor and member of the Toronto Board of Health, who kept the public informed in real time about the board’s COVID-19 discussions and debates;
  • Cheryl Prescod, executive director of Black Creek Community Health Centre, whose team worked tirelessly to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in northwest Toronto;
  • Angela Robertson, executive director of Parkdale-Queen West Community Health Centre and co-lead of the Toronto region COVID-19 homelessness/shelter working group, a determined advocate for the homeless population;
  • Nathan Stall, a geriatrician for Sinai Health System, long-term care researcher and assistant scientific director of Ontario’s COVID-19 Science Advisory Table;
  • Sharon Straus, physician-in-chief and director of the Knowledge Translation Program for St. Michael’s Hospital and member of the Royal Society of Canada’s COVID-19 Task Force; and
  • Vaccine Hunters Canada, a volunteer organization that has worked tirelessly to connect thousands of Ontarians with opportunities to obtain COVID-19 vaccinations.

A number of those named Pillars of the Pandemic expressed their pleasure in being honoured, but noted that it takes many hands to combat COVID-19 successfully.

“I truly believe this recognition in fact reflects the collective work of so many that came together to save lives and give comfort during an unprecedented crisis,” said Dr. Loh. “I’m grateful for the efforts of our staff and leadership team, our Regional Council, our healthcare and community partners, and the resilient and diverse Peel community.”

Drs. Jensen and Wilson from Uxbridge said, “Guiding our community through the pandemic, together with our colleagues and community leaders, has been an incredible privilege. We are humbled and most grateful to receive this distinguished recognition.”

Noted Dr. Banerji, “In the worst global public health crisis of our lifetime, I am honored to have my voice heard with such knowledgeable, thoughtful colleagues at DLSPH,” and Dr. Kwan added, “Fighting the COVID-19 pandemic is a team effort, and I am grateful to be able to advocate alongside many dedicated and compassionate volunteers to protect Canadian lives.”

Isaacksz pointed out that during the pandemic, “There are many accomplishments to be recognized. I am most hopeful about collaboration that creates a way forward for innovation, especially the advances in integrated care focusing on equity and the care experience.”

Other honourees were pleased that the recognition would shine more light on the communities they serve.

“It is a privilege to be nominated and an honour to be recognized for the collective work that challenge systemic inequality and make ‘good trouble’ to increase access and care for Black, Indigenous, racialized and low-income peoples impacted by COVID-19,” said Robertson.

Dr. Mulligan noted, “The COVID experience shows how important neighbourhood-scale strengths, agility and leadership are for our collective resilience. I’m so thankful that community voices are starting to be heard,” and Dr. Douglas said, “This is a great opportunity to highlight the unique challenges and response to the COVID-19 pandemic in First Nations communities in northwestern Ontario.”