The awards nomination campaign will launch on October 1, at which time the online nomination form and the nomination template will become available.
The Award
The CCHL Distinguished Leadership Award is the College’s premier award to recognize leadership. It honours a College member in good standing in Canada, a passionate and visionary leader who has demonstrated core values of exemplary commitment, dedication and success in building leadership capacity and bettering the lives of others throughout their career path and ongoing journey in the Canadian Healthcare system.
The successful nominee will be:
- A senior leader who demonstrates a philosophy and commitment to lifelong learning and the growth of emerging leaders
- Recognized by their peer community for their passion for health leadership; and
- Has made transformative impact and lasting contributions to their communities, organizations, and/or individuals across the continuum of care.
The winner will receive:
- A lifetime membership in the College
- An etched glass trophy
- Paid travel and accommodations to attend the College’s Honouring Health Leadership event, and a complimentary registration to the CCHL National Conference.
Eligibility
To be considered for this award, the nominees must hold, or have recently held, a senior leadership position within a private sector corporation, a public sector health organization (academic, care delivery institution, association, or regulatory), or provincial and regional health authority. College members in good standing in Canada are eligible. A CHE or FCCHL designation is preferred.
Nominations
Nominations will be accepted exclusively from the College’s past chairs of the Board of Directors; current Board of Directors; College Fellows; lifetime members; Chapter Chairs and past recipients of the CCHL Distinguished Leadership Award, the College Award for Distinguished Service, and the College Honourary Life Membership Award. The recipient will be selected by the Executive Committee of the College’s Board of Directors. The award sponsor will join the selection panel as an ex-officio participant.
Sponsored by:
2024 Recipient: Dr. Bernard Leduc
Throughout Dr. Leduc’s illustrious career, he has showcased his unwavering dedication and transformative impact within the healthcare sector. Under his leadership, Hôpital Montfort consistently earned recognition from CCHL, including prestigious awards like the Award of Excellence in Mental Health and Addictions Quality Improvement. Regularly attending regional and national CCHL conferences, Dr. Leduc actively engaged in mentoring through initiatives like the College’s “Coach’s Corner.”
His legacy as a visionary leader is rooted in a philosophy of continuous improvement and lifelong learning, evident in his establishment of the Institut du Savoir Montfort. In 2013, under his leadership, the hospital became the only French-language university hospital in Ontario. Dr. Leduc’s commitment to nurturing emerging leaders is exemplified through mentorship and creating a culture of transparency and innovation.
Distinguished by his strategic partnerships and results-driven approach, Dr. Leduc’s leadership has positioned Hôpital Montfort as a beacon of excellence in healthcare delivery. His contributions to system transformation, coalition building, and community engagement have left an indelible mark on Eastern Ontario’s healthcare landscape.
Dr. Leduc’s active involvement and generous contributions to the CCHL community underscore his commitment to advancing healthcare leadership. His accolades, including the Ordre des francophones d’Amérique and the Order of Ontario, reflect the profound impact of his career and his dedication to service.
Past Recipients
Please see our most recent recipients listed below. Full details are available in our Celebrating Leading Practices booklets.
2024 – Dr. Bernard Leduc
2023 – John Borody, MBA, FCCHL
2022 – Neil Fraser
2021 – Ron Noble, FCCHL, FACHE
2020 – Graham Dickson
2019 – John King, CHE
2018 – Dianne Doyle, FCCHL
The Distinguished Leadership Award was introduced for the first time during the 2018 National Awards campaign. This new award combines the best aspects of two previous awards – the College Award for Distinguished Service and the College Honourary Life Member Award – to create a recognition that will showcase an outstanding senior leader for their contributions to the health system, and to the College.
Past College Award for Distinguished Services Recipients
2017 – David Weger
2016 – Alice Kennedy FCCHL
2015 – Donna Towers CHE
2014 – Mark Neskar CHE
2013 – Maura Davies FCCHL
2012 – Don Desjardins
2011 – Bonnie Adamson FCCHL
2010 – Elma Heidemann FCCHL
2009 – Major-général Mathieu CHE (ret’d)
2008 – Robert Zed CHE, FACHE
2007 – Ron Noble FCCHL FACHE
2006 – Louise Cherry CHE
2005 – Tony Dagnone FCCHL
2004 – Garth Pierce FCCHSE
2003 – Joseph Mapa FCCHL
2002 – Kenneth Ezeard CHE
2001 – Jean Bartkowiak CHE, AdmA
1999 – Peter Peters
1996 – Miriam Lowi-Young FCCHL, FACHE
1995 – A Bailey
1994 – Lorna Romilly CHE
1992 – Harvey Fox FCCHSE
Past College Honourary Life Member Recipients
2017 – Pat Coish-Snow CHE
2016 – Mark Neskar CHE
2015 – Bonnie Adamson FCCHL
2014 – Elma Heidemann FCCHL
2013 – John King CHE
2012 – Robert Smith FCCHL
2011 – Clifford Nordal FCCHSE, FACHE
2010 – Kenneth Ezeard CHE
2009 – Garth Pierce FCCHSE
2008 – Tony Dagnone FCCHL