O’Brien Institute members appointed to Order of Canada for contributions to public health, patient advocacy

Health equity, food insecurity, and improving the quality of life for patients are causes Dr. Judy Birdsell, PhD, and Dr. Lynn McIntyre, MD, have dedicated their careers to addressing.

On Nov. 27, 2020, her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, recognized the two O’Brien Institute for Public Health members for their work with appointments to the Order of Canada.

“Judy Birdsell and Lynn McIntyre epitomize dedication to public health,” says Dr. Tom Stelfox, MD, O’Brien Institute scientific director. “Their leadership serves as a beacon for how we can bring the public, government and scientists together to improve the health and care of Canadians and people around the world.”

Established in 1967 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Order of Canada is one of this country’s highest honours, recognizing outstanding achievement, dedication to community and service to the nation.

Birdsell is one of the founders of IMAGINE Citizens Collaborating for Health. She has always had a deep commitment to patient perspectives in health, as demonstrated by more than thirty years volunteering in leadership positions with several national non-profits. Her passion for this cause was further fueled by a series of events surrounding her sister’s death in 2006.

“I am deeply honored to have been awarded the Order of Canada,” says Birdsell. “It is a huge reminder of all the wise and committed individuals I have worked with over the years who share the desire for a better country,” she says.

Birdsell has been instrumental to having citizens share their health care experiences, and these voices inform how we improve our health care system, says Stelfox.

“This is particularly relevant during the pandemic as many patients in long term care facilities and hospitals struggle to have their voices heard,” he says.

Three decades ago, Dr. Lynn McIntrye, MD, set out to study child hunger in Canada. Quickly, she realized her initial thoughts on this topic were off the mark.

Her subsequent studies, Hungry Mothers of Barely Fed Children and Policy Drivers of Food Insecurity began to set the record straight. Food insecurity is about income, not food, she says.

“My contributions both as a researcher and as a participant on numerous governmental and non-governmental boards and committees has been motivated by the need to address health inequities,” she says.

Now, more than ever, addressing the health inequities experienced by many Canadians is crucial, says Stelfox.

“The timeless importance of Dr. McIntyre’s work to advance health equity is highlighted by the profound inequities we are observing during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he says.

McIntrye is a strategic advisor to the O’Brien Institute and has served as associate scientific director.

In recognition of her service, the O’Brien Institute created the Lynn McIntyre Outstanding Service Award, presented annually to an individual in recognition of significant contributions of time, talent and leadership.

Order of Canada recipients will be invited to accept their insignia at a ceremony to be held at a future date.

Read more about the O’Brien Institute Order of Canada recipients for 2020:

Dr. Judy Birdsell, PhD

Her personal consciousness, having been raised by the events surrounding her sister’s death, Judy Birdsell and her family have experienced many other situations that have reinforced the absolute necessity of citizens (who are sometimes patients) being much more knowledgeable and engaged in their own healthcare journey (and that of their communities). Professionally, she has a background in policy and strategy consulting, mainly in the field of health research policy.

Previous volunteer roles have included President of Canadian Cancer Society; Board Chair, Stem Cell Network; Board Chair, Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative; Member, CIHR Stem Cell Oversight Committee; Board Member, Health Quality Council of Alberta and Board Chair, MCF Housing for Seniors. She has been honored to receive three national awards for her volunteer contributions.

Dr. Lynn McIntyre, MD

Lynn McIntyre is Professor Emerita of Community Health Sciences in the Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She retired from her active faculty position in November 2015.  She continues to be involved in household food insecurity research and in population health advancement.

Dr. McIntyre holds both a medical degree and master's degree in Community Health and Epidemiology from the University of Toronto. She is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada in Public Health and Preventive Medicine, and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.