OPHA Awards

Each year at its Annual Conference, OPHA recognizes outstanding contributions to the practice of public health in Ontario by conferring a prestigious roster of awards to deserving individuals. The awards are typically presented at a feature event at the President’s Luncheon on the first full day of the Conference.

The five awards presented during the conference are:

  1. The Dr. Sheela Basrur Scholarship: This award of $1000 was designed to recognize the work of a current public health practitioner who is returning to a post-secondary institution for further education, or to a student enrolled in a public health focussed field of study at the graduate or undergraduate level, with plans to enter the public health workforce. The nominee must be a Member of OPHA.

    Award for Community Partner Nomination Form [PDF]
    Dr. Sheela Basrur [PDF]

  2. The Life Membership Award: This award is conferred, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, on any OPHA member in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the Association. The membership is for the lifetime of the award recipient. A Life Member does not pay membership fees but is entitled to vote at all meetings and to hold office in the Association.

  3. The Honorary Membership Award: This award is conferred, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, on any person who has made an outstanding contribution to public health in Ontario. The nominee is not currently a member of OPHA. An Honorary Member pays no fees, but is not entitled to vote and is not eligible to hold office in the Association.

  4. The Community Partner Award: This award is conferred, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, to a non-profit community organization that has made an outstanding contribution to the health of the people of Ontario. The OPHA Community Partner Award may not exceed one organization per year. One member from the awarded organization will be given a one-year membership in OPHA.Nominees for this award must meet the following criteria:

    1. Community organization in Ontario that meaningfully engages local residents;
    2. Achieves their goals and objectives in partnership with Public Health;
    3. Demonstrates an understanding of the social determinants of health, and how they impact personal and community health;
    4. Works on issues aligned with OPHA’s mission, values, and advocacy priorities, having made a positive contribution towards the promotion of health communities.

  5. The Award of Excellence: This award is conferred, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to public health in Ontario. It may be for one single activity/event or for a lifetime of achievement in their professional or volunteer work. Nominees can be nominated for this award based on one of the following four criteria:

    • Leadership
    • Innovation
    • Commitment to health equity
    • Capacity building

All awards must be nominated by an OPHA Member in Good Standing. To download a nomination form, please go to the Members' Lounge, then click on Getting Involved.