LMP members honoured with King Charles III Coronation Medal
The King Charles III Coronation Medal is a commemorative medal created to mark the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, which took place on May 6, 2023. In Canada, the medal is awarded to select members of the Canadian Armed Forces and Public Service, as well as individuals who have made notable contributions, or brought credit, to the country. This year, two members of the LMP community were awarded the medal: faculty member, Dr. Amy Wong and Translational Research Program instructor, Dr. Chris Klinger.
Dr. Amy Wong is an Assistant Professor in LMP and a Scientist in the Program of Developmental & Stem Cell Biology at the Hospital for Sick Children. Dr. Wong's pioneering work in using human stem cells to model lung development and disease, particularly in Cystic Fibrosis (CF), has had a profound impact on the field.
In addition to her research on CF, Dr. Wong's lab focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating human lung development, identifying the basis of pulmonary diseases, and designing new therapies to treat congenital and acquired lung diseases. Her work has been instrumental in advancing our knowledge of lung biology and developing potential treatments for conditions such as COVID-19.
Receiving the King Charles III Coronation Medal signifies the exceptional impact and importance of Dr. Wong’s research and recognizes the significant contributions her work has made in the field of stem cells and lung health.
She commented, “I am deeply honored and grateful to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal and the nomination by the Canadian Lung Association for my research in stem cells and lung health. Receiving this award not only celebrates my individual achievements but also the collective accomplishments of our team. I am thankful for the unwavering support of my colleagues, mentors, and loved ones throughout this journey. This honor at this stage in my independent research career is a significant stamp of approval, acknowledging the importance of my research program and goals. Looking ahead, I aspire to advance our understanding of stem cells and their potential in treating lung diseases. My goal is to drive innovative research that leads to groundbreaking treatments and improves patient outcomes. I am committed to fostering collaboration and pushing the boundaries of medical science to make a lasting, positive impact on lung health and regenerative medicine”.
Dr. Christopher Klinger is a Sessional Lecturer II with the Translational Research Program (TRP) in LMP, co-facilitating the "Methods in Practices and Contexts" course and the "Knowledge Translation (KT) and the Community and Student-led Work and Research Module" (SWARM).
An Assistant Professor (Part-Time) with McMaster University’s Department of Family Medicine, Division of Palliative Care and Chair of the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly’s (NICE) End-of-Life Issues Theme Team, he also serves as the Co-Chair of the Palliative Care Coalition of Canada’s (PCCC) Research and Knowledge Translation Working Group, a network of over 30 national organizations dedicated to improving palliative care. His research interests are in health systems and policy, with a focus on hospice and palliative care.
As a leader in hospice and palliative care research and advocate for evidence-based end-of-life care service provision, he is a King Charles III Coronation Medal recipient.
Dr. Klinger commented, "I am honored and moved to receive this recognition. The hospice and palliative care fields have evolved through research and quality improvement but there remains a need for further growth in support of all people with a serious illness and their families. I am looking forward to the further development of the hospice and palliative care realm in Canada (and abroad) toward evidence-based, holistic, patient-centred care for all."
This story showcases the following pillars of the LMP strategic plan: Impactful Research (pillar 3)
