On June 27, 2024, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, announced 82 new appointments to the Order of Canada.
Established in 1967, the Order of Canada celebrates outstanding achievements and extraordinary contributions. Over the years, its members have been honoured for inspiring innovation, for shaping who we are, and for enriching Canada's fabric.
UBC faculty are among the new appointees.
Officers of the Order of Canada (O.C.)
Yusuf Altintas, O.C. (Mechanical Engineering)
A professor of mechanical engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Yusuf Altintas continues to push the limits of manufacturing. The founder and director of UBC’s Manufacturing Automation Laboratory, he is a world leader in the fields of metal cutting dynamics and the computer control of machine tools. An exceptional mentor, he has also contributed to cultural and educational organizations worldwide.
Lindsay Machan, O.C. (Radiology)
Lindsay Machan is an early Canadian proponent of interventional radiology. A clinical practitioner at the Vancouver Hospital and an associate professor at the University of British Columbia, he continues to innovate while guiding others on their own paths to growth and success. His company created and licensed the paclitaxel coated stent, which has improved the lives of people with peripheral arterial disease.
MEMBERS OF THE ORDER OF CANADA (C.M.)
John Allan Cairns, C.M., O.B.C. (Dean Emeritus, Faculty of Medicine)
John Cairns has made major international contributions to cardiology, notably demonstrating the benefits of aspirin for patients with unstable angina, helping millions worldwide. As dean of medicine at the University of British Columbia, he led efforts toward its two-fold expansion. He also served with several academic societies and holds many elected fellowships, including with Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, for which he served as president.
Dan Poenaru, C.M. (Adjunct Professor, Surgery)
Dan Poenaru is a McGill University professor and pediatric surgeon. Starting in 2003, he established a pediatric surgical unit and novel training program in a remote area of Kenya, which have subsequently expanded the quality and quantity of treatments within the country and beyond. He also helped found three medical schools in Africa, and has served in leadership roles with the Global Initiative for Children’s Surgery and BethanyKids.
Jack Edward Taunton, C.M. (Professor Emeritus, Family Practice and School of Kinesiology)
Jack Taunton is an early leader in sport and exercise medicine. Professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia and an active fundraiser, he helped found SportMedBC, the Canadian Health and Fitness Institute, the Vancouver Marathon and the Vancouver Sun Run. He has also served as a specialist for elite athletes and the general public, as a national team physician and as chief medical officer for six major Games.
Please let us know if we have missed any current, former or UBC-affiliated faculty members from this listing.