This prestigious award recognizes young medical leaders who demonstrate perseverance, collaboration and entrepreneurial spirit.
This fall, 16 second-year medical students from across Canada received the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF) Award, including the University of Ottawa’s very own Zachary Ferraro.
The CMHF partners annually with donors, MD Financial Management and Canada’s medical schools to recognize these young leaders who exemplify qualities of CMHF Laureates: perseverance, collaboration and entrepreneurial spirit.
This year’s winner from the uOttawa Faculty of Medicine is Zach Ferraro. He’s a second-year MD student whose interest in science began at an early age. As the eldest of four children, he has fond memories of exploring and interacting with his community. These experiences sparked his desire to learn about the human condition.
“It is tremendous privilege to have received this award from the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. This accomplishment is a direct reflection of my training environment and the incredible mentorship and support I have received over the years,” said Ferraro.
“I want to share this award with my family, community, and mentors who have graciously guided me along this path. Thank you to the University of Ottawa for the nomination and the donors for their support. I’d like to dedicate this honour to my friend, colleague, and mentor the late Dr. Andree Gruslin.”
Prior to starting the MD program, Zach held a CIHR Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health. In addition, he was a clinical research associate in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at the Ottawa Hospital and a part-time professor in the School of Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa. He continues to work as a research associate, science educator, and health & wellness leader.
Ferraro holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology from McMaster University and an MSc in Human Health and Nutritional Science from the University of Guelph. He obtained his PhD in maternal-fetal physiology in the Adamo lab at the University of Ottawa where he continues to be involved with graduate student mentorship and training.
Over the years, he has volunteered extensively with the Ontario Special Olympics and the Global Youth Volunteer Network, an international humanitarian relief organization. He has served as an ambassador and advocate with the Canadian Obesity Network, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), The Ottawa Hospital and several other regional, national & international health agencies. He is founder and chair of the weight management interest group at uOttawa.
Each recipient received a cash prize of $5,000 and a travel subsidy to attend the 2018 Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in London, Ontario on April 12, 2018, where they will have the opportunity to meet CMHF Laureates, and interact with health leaders from across the country.
