CSACI Awards

Dr. Bram Rose, Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Medicine of McGill University, was born in Montreal in 1907. He was a Professor in the Department of Medicine at McGill University, and Director of the Division of Immunology and Allergy at the Royal Victoria Hospital. His career was devoted to research, teaching and patient care, as well as the pursuit of academic excellence. Dr. Rose received a B.A. in 1929, the M.D.C.M. in 1933, a M.Sc. in experimental medicine in 1937 and a Ph.D. in 1939, all from McGill University. After completing his studies at McGill University and the subsequent residency training at the Royal Victoria Hospital and Guys Hospital, London, he returned to Montreal to begin a distinguished career in clinical investigation. The early period of his working life was directed at the study of histamine metabolism in the experimental animal and during burn shock in man. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941, as a medical officer and was placed in charge of the acceleration unit in Toronto. He was instrumental in building and equipping the first human ultracentrifuge for studies on acceleration related to flying. This work ultimately led to the development of the first flying suits for the prevention of blackouts in fighter pilots. After World War II, he returned to McGill University where, in the 1960s, he established the Division of Immunochemistry and Allergy. Under his direction, this became an internationally recognized center in basic and clinical immunology. He made pioneering research contributions in the areas of histamine, anti-histamines, anti-inflammatory steroids, isolation and synthesis of antibodies and allergens, eosinophil physiology and the mechanisms of auto-immune disease, and the use of ACTH and cortisone in the treatment of asthma and allergic states. Dr. Rose was the author of approximately 185 scientific articles and co-author of several authoritative textbooks in the field of allergy and immunology, including the first comprehensive textbook of clinical immunology. Dr. Rose was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1961. He was also president of the Canadian Academy of Allergy (precursor to the CSACI), the American Academy of Allergy (precursor to the AAAAI), and the International Association of Allergology. He was elected an honorary member of a number of international organizations, including the Societe Francaise D’Allergie, the Argentine Association of Allergy and Immunology, the Iranian Society of Dermatology, and the British Allergy Society. He was elected a Fellow of the New York Academy of Sciences and, in 1967, he was a recipient of the Canadian Centennial Medal. Dr. Rose was an accomplished musician and a committed athlete. He led a small dance band and was an avid downhill and water skier. His greatest contribution was as one of the pioneering spirits who transformed the field of allergy from myth to a legitimate scholarly discipline. He will be forever recognized as a dedicated and distinguished scientist, a talented teacher, a deeply committed physician, and a sophisticated citizen of the world. After he passed away in 1995 in Montreal, the CSACI established this lectureship in his honour.

The F. Estelle R. Simons Award for Research is presented to a CSACI member in recognition of his or her exemplary research in the field of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. To be considered for this award, the candidate’s research should be viewed as significant and of benefit to the specialty. Dr. Estelle Simons, a Professor Emeritas at the University of Manitoba, was born and raised in Vancouver, BC. She received her MD from the University of Manitoba, and trained in Allergy/Immunology at the University of Washington. She founded the Section of Allergy & Clinical Immunology at the University of Manitoba. She served as Section Head from 1975-2005 and as Training Program Director from 1976-1991. Dr. Simons served as President of the CSACI (1982-84), Chief Examiner in Clinical Immunology for the Royal College (1984-87), Chair of the Royal College Specialty Committee (1988-94), President of the AAAAI (2005-06), and member of the WAO Board of Directors (2000-07). Dr. Simons is well known for her research. She has authored over 570 publications and edited or co-edited eight textbooks, including Middleton’s Allergy: Principles and Practice, 6th edition (2003). She pioneered research on investigation of medications used in the treatment of allergic diseases, including inhaled corticosteroids, antihistamines, long-acting bronchodilators, and leukotriene receptor antagonists. Her publications on epinephrine and anaphylaxis have lead our specialty. She also researched new approaches to immune modulation, and she was the first to publish reactions to mosquito saliva. Dr. Simons has received many honors and awards during the course of her career. These include the Medical Research Council Queen Elizabeth II Scientist Award (1975-81), the Dr. Bruce Chown Professorship in Pediatrics (1990), the Rh Institute Award from the University of Manitoba (1988), the CSACI Research Award (1991), the Manitoba Medical Association Scholastic Award (1999), the Canadian Medical Association’s 28th Medal of Service (1999), and the Canadian Who’s Who in Health Care Award (2001). She also received the Anaphylaxis Canada Achievement Award (2003), a Commemorative Medal for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee (2003), the World Allergy Organization Scientific Achievement Award (2007), the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology Distinguished Service Award (2009), the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology Distinguished Clinician Award (2012), the World Allergy Organization Distinguished Service Award (2013), and the Doctors Manitoba Distinguished Service Award (2015). In 2000, she was elected to the Collegium Internationale Allergologicum, the international allergy/immunology honorary society. In 2013, she was elected as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. In 2015, she was elected to Fellowship in the Royal Society of Canada. In 2017, she will be inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. In 2016, the CSACI decided to re-brand its research award in honor of Dr. Simons’s retirement from practice. As research was always close to her heart, the CSACI felt that this would be a fitting way to recognize her accomplishments and contribution to Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology in Canada.

The Jerry Dolovich Award is presented to a CSACI member who demonstrates excellence in clinical work, teaching, and research, and serves as a leader and role model in our specialty. Dr. Dolovich exemplified all of these attributes during his career. Dr. Dolovich was born in the small town of Minitonas, Manitoba, Canada. He attended medical school at the University of Manitoba, and went on to train in Montreal and Philadelphia. It was during his training at the Montreal General Hospital that he was introduced to the field of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. He worked in Montreal and Buffalo for a short time and then, in 1968, Dr. Dolovich and his family moved to Hamilton, where he joined the Department of Pediatrics of the newly-formed Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University. Dividing his professional work between clinical allergy and allergy-related research and teaching, Dr. Dolovich’s, main research interests were late allergic responses and the study of nasal polyps. In course of his career, Dr. Dolovich achieved several important distinctions – the “Queen Elizabeth II Scientist Award” (1970), the Annual Research Award of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (1987), the Riva Cohen Award from the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (1989), and the “Distinguished Clinician Award” of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (1997). In 1996, the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology renamed its Annual Research Award as the “Jerry Dolovich Award” for contributions in Allergy and Clinical Immunology in Canada. Since then the criteria for the award has evolved. Dr. Dolovich’s personal and professional characteristics endeared him to many, and facilitated the process of discovery in his science. He was known for his broad interests and curiosity in the world around him, an encyclopedic memory, humility, honesty, and a gracious consideration of other people. As such, he was valued and beloved by his patients, colleagues and students. He knew and never forgot his facts, and he never forgot his patients. Dr. Dolovich died in June, 1997 at the age of 62. He was a friend and mentor to many, and left a great legacy.

The CSACI Distinguished Member Award is presented to an exemplary member of the CSACI for his or her outstanding achievements in Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, dedication to the CSACI, and whose accomplishments serve as an inspiration and example for others to follow.

The John Toogood Teaching Award is presented to a CSACI member in recognition of his or her exemplary teaching in the field of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. To be considered for this award, the candidate should be actively involved in teaching trainees and demonstrate excellence in teaching and mentoring. Dr. Toogood was one of the first members of the board of directors of our Society (at that time named the Canadian Academy of Allergy until 1963) as well as serving as president (1961-1962). His honours from the CSACI include the Annual Research Award (1988) and the Jerry Dolovich Award (1999). He also received the AAAAI Distinguished Clinician Award (1993) and the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal (1977). Dr. Toogood received his MD from the University of Toronto in 1946. He went on to train in Montreal and New York City. He was also a veteran of the Canadian Army. He joined London, ON’s medical community in the 1950s. Dr. Toogood was best known as an internationally respected allergy specialist. His research interests included treatment for Farmer’s Lung and asthma. He was one of the foremost experts on inhaled corticosteroids. As a member of the University of Western Ontario Medical Faculty, Dr. Toogood published articles and lectured to physicians on every continent. He was devoted to his patients and to the Victoria Hospital Allergy Clinic Staff. His credo was service to humanity. Dr. Toogood died in February of 2013. The CSACI decided to name its new teaching award in his honour in 2016.

The CSACI Early Career Award is presented to a CSACI Fellow, who has been working post-fellowship for five years or less, and has shown dedication to our specialty through his or her contribution to the CSACI.

David McCourtie was well recognized for his contribution to teaching in the field of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and was well respected as a physician, teacher and allergist. This lectureship was established by the CSACI in honour of his memory.

The Milton Gold Memorial Lectureship The Milton Gold Memorial Lectureship will be presented to a speaker at the CSACI Annual Scientific Meeting, whose lecture exemplifies the role of advocacy in the field of Allergy & Immunology, an attribute that Dr. Gold was well known for throughout his career.