OTTAWA, Aug. 1, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is pleased to recognize three young physician leaders as the recipients of its 10th annual Award for Young Leaders. The award celebrates the efforts of young physician leaders of tomorrow for their efforts today.

The recipients of the 2013 Award for Young Leaders are medical student Dr.Rithesh Ram from Calgary, medical resident Dr. Paul Singh Dhillon from Regina and, in the early career category, Dr. Kathryn Andrusky from Edmonton.

Rithesh Ram (student)

Throughout his science, doctoral and medical studies at the University of Calgary, Dr. Rithesh Ram proved his commitment to improving governance and student life. As president of the Calgary Medical Students' Association, he successfully fought an increase in tuition fees and was cited in the Alberta Legislature for his position that medical school needs to remain accessible to students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. He founded the Community Health Sciences student executive, credited with solidifying communication with the department administration. He also was responsible for a major renovation of graduate facilities and improved participation in the graduate students' association. At the national level, he has been active in the Clinician Investigator Trainee Association of Canada, the CMA Political Action Committee and Canadian Doctors for Medicare.

Dr. Ram has won several awards for his thesis, a randomized, triple-blinded clinical trial investigating a novel treatment using dextrose injections for sclerotherapy for treatment of Achilles tendinopathy. Among his many awards for student leadership is the University of Calgary's prestigious Arch Award: Future Alumni.

"There are many amazing leaders among the medical students, residents and physicians in Canada, and to be recognized as a part of this group is truly an honour," said Dr. Ram. "I have been very fortunate for the opportunities that have been given to me, and this award is a reflection of those who put their trust in what I would accomplish on their behalf."

He graduated in May 2013 with a joint MD - PhD degree from the Leaders in Medicine - Epidemiology program. His long-term medical interest is in primary care, medical education, public health and medical leadership.

Dr. Paul Singh Dhillon (resident)

A political science graduate of the University of British Columbia, Dr. Dhillon studied medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and graduated in 2009. The following year he earned a diploma from the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, United Kingdom, and an International Red Cross certificate in health emergencies in large populations at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. In 2011 he completed a certificate in surgical science at the University of Edinburgh and in 2012 he earned a master's degree in disaster medicine at the Universit del Piemonte Orientale, Novarra, Italy.

He completed his family medicine residency at the University of Saskatchewan in June 2013. During his residency he became involved with the Professional Association of Internes and Residents of Saskatchewan, serving as president in 2012-13. He has also been active in the American College of Emergency Physicians Humanities Section and was selected as one of the New England Journal of Medicine Scholars in an essay competition celebrating the journal's 200th anniversary. An excerpt from his first novel was awarded the Aindreas McEntee Irish Medical Writing Prize in 2011. Proceeds from his second novel and collaboration with Rotary International raised more than $ 30,000 for a health project in Zimbabwe.

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CMA Recognizes Outstanding Young Physician Leaders