Canadian Cardiovascular Society

Dr. Charles Kerr Award

The Dr. Charles Kerr Award was created in 2017 in honor of Dr. Charles Kerr who passed away the same year.

This new annual CCSA award seeks not only to honor the memory and actions of Dr. Kerr as a humanitarian but to acknowledge those residents who personify his ideals and embody the same commitment to helping others.

It is given annually to up to three residents that epitomize Charlie’s goals for the cardiovascular community and strive to embody his legacy through encouraging and advocating for those in need of assistance or support.

Nominations for the 2024 Kerr Award will be accepted from April 1 to June 30, 2024.

Congratulations to the 2023 Recipients

Karen Ho, Halifax, NS
Derrick Tam, Toronto, ON
George Slim, Edmonton, AB

Kerr Award in Action

Click here to see past recipients or watch these video testimonials from some of the 2021 award recipients.

Mena Gewarges
Liane Arcinas

About Dr. Charles Kerr

Dr. Charles Kerr (1949-2017), affectionately known as Charlie to family, friends, and colleagues was a leading Canadian cardiologist for more than three decades. Born in Ontario, Charlie completed his medical studies, internal medicine and cardiology residencies at UBC.

After completing his training in London, England and pursuing an Electrophysiology fellowship at Duke University in North Carolina, he returned to Vancouver in 1981 as the first fully trained Electrophysiologist in British Columbia.

Over 15 years as head of the Division of Cardiology at UBC, he participated in numerous university and provincial communities. In addition, at the national level, Charlie was heavily involved with activities of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) serving as president from 2008-2010.

More importantly he was devoted to his family, patients, and colleagues. He worked tirelessly to help improve the life of his patients. Equally as important, Charlie was dedicated to fostering the next generation of cardiovascular specialists and researchers through his generosity and work on the board of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society Academy (CCSA). It is his dedication to the future of Canadian Cardiovascular Sciences that will remain a testament to his legacy.

Eligibility and nomination process

This Dr. Charles Kerr Award is open to residents currently enrolled in a Canadian cardiovascular training program (PGY 4-6 in cardiac surgery, pediatric cardiology or adult cardiology). Nominations must be made by the trainee’s mentor or division head and accompanied by a letter of support from the program director. Up to three (3) awards are planned to be given this year.

Careful consideration will be given to residents that epitomize Charlie’s goals for the cardiovascular community and strive to embody his legacy through encouraging and advocating for those in need of assistance or support. This award is based on humanitarian characteristics and not academic characteristics.

Nominations have to be sent to ccsa@ccs.ca.

A Nomination submission must include the following documents:

  • Nomination letter from the trainee’s mentor or division head;
  • Support letter from resident’s program director outlining the reasons the nominee should be chosen (max one (1) page);
  • Nominee’s Curriculum Vitae.

Selection of awardees will be made by a committee of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society Academy.

What do awardees receive?

  • Up to four nights hotel accommodation in Vancouver, from Wednesday, October 23 to Sunday, October 27, 2024;
  • Complimentary registration to CCC 2024, which includes full access to all education sessions, the largest Canadian cardiovascular exhibition, industry sponsored accredited symposia, the opportunity to meet colleagues from across Canada, and much more;
  • Recognition and a commemorative plaque at the CCS Award Ceremony held during the CCC.

For questions, contact:

Canadian Cardiovascular Society Academy
ccsa@ccs.ca

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