Recipients of the 2024 O’Brien Institute Awards demonstrate leadership, service, and research excellence
Five O’Brien Institute for Public Health members are being recognized for their exceptional contributions to public health research, leadership, and service. These awards highlight their dedication to advancing public health at all stages of their careers, with a focus on creating meaningful change in population health and healthcare.
"As we celebrate the remarkable achievements of the O'Brien Institute for Public Health award winners this year, we acknowledge their unwavering commitment to advancing public health," says Dr. Kirsten Fiest, PhD, O’Brien Institute Scientific Director.
“These individuals exemplify the values we hold dear — from groundbreaking research to transformative leadership and service. Each award represents the collective efforts that contribute to a healthier, more equitable future for all.”
The 2024 O’Brien Institute Award recipients are:
O’Brien Institute Emerging Research Leader Award: Dr. Christopher Ma
Dr. Christopher Ma, MD, is an associate professor in the departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences at the Cumming School of Medicine, and a gastroenterologist with the Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology. He has made groundbreaking contributions to gastroenterology, particularly in the efficiency and application of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in gastrointestinal (GI) diseases.
Since starting his independent research appointment in 2019, Dr. Ma has quickly established himself as a leading figure in clinical trials research. His innovative work spans the development and validation of disease activity indices for various GI conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). His research has redefined how clinical trials assess disease progression and treatment response, ensuring more inclusive and clinically relevant studies that consider historically excluded populations.
Dr. Ma’s leadership extends to the design and execution of large-scale, international investigator-initiated trials, such as PATHFINDER, VERDICT, and VECTORS, which address pressing treatment challenges in Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and immunotherapy-related colitis. His work has garnered over 5,600 citations and contributed to more than 240 peer-reviewed publications in top-tier journals such as Gastroenterology, Gut, and Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology.
In addition to his research, Dr. Ma is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of researchers. He has supervised over 25 trainees and is proud of the success his mentees have achieved, including recognition with prestigious awards. Dr. Ma’s leadership extends to national and international platforms as well, including his role as Vice President of the Canadian IBD Research Consortium, his service on editorial boards, and his advocacy for patients through organizations such as Crohn’s & Colitis Canada.
Dr. Ma’s exemplary contributions to research, mentorship, and clinical practice embody the values of the O’Brien Institute and the Emerging Research Leader Award. His work continues to have a profound impact on the field of gastroenterology, advancing both scientific knowledge and patient care.
O’Brien Institute Mid-Career Research Leader Award: Dr. Sumantra (Monty) Ghosh
Dr. Monty Ghosh, MD, is an assistant professor at the Cumming School of Medicine and a member of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and the Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education.
Dr. Ghosh has demonstrated outstanding leadership in addressing substance use disorders and improving healthcare access for marginalized communities, including those experiencing homelessness, substance use concerns, and incarceration histories.
Dr. Ghosh's work is grounded in compassion and innovation, having led the development of several impactful programs focused on harm reduction and equity. A certified addiction specialist, Dr. Ghosh has created and secured over $12 million in funding for projects that support vulnerable populations. One of his most significant achievements is the creation of the National Overdose Response Service (NORS), a program that has successfully reversed over 100 overdoses and has been instrumental in saving lives across Canada.
In addition to NORS, Dr. Ghosh has contributed to numerous other programs, including a medical respite program for people experiencing homelessness, a home detox initiative, and Alberta's first Rapid Access Addiction Medicine program. His innovative work has garnered recognition and funding from Health Canada, and he continues to be a leading advocate for harm reduction policies and patient-centred care.
Dr. Ghosh's research and leadership have earned him national recognition, and he continues to shape public health policy and practice both in Canada and internationally. His dedication to improving the lives of those most in need makes him a deserving recipient of the O’Brien Institute Mid-Career Research Leader Award.
The O’Brien Institute Societal Impact Award: Dr. Erin Brennand
Dr. Erin Brennand, MD, is the clinical and academic department head of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Cumming School of Medicine, an associate professor in the departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Community Health Sciences, and a member of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute and the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute. She has made extraordinary contributions to advancing female reproductive healthcare in Alberta and beyond.
Dr. Brennand’s career is defined by her relentless advocacy for women’s health, innovative research, and transformative leadership. She is a leading figure in reproductive health, challenging conventional practices and improving healthcare outcomes for women in Alberta, particularly in rural areas. Through her work, Dr. Brennand has built lasting partnerships with family physicians and specialists, ensuring that women in remote regions have access to expert care and advice.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Brennand is a recognized leader in female reproductive health research. She has secured over $5.5 million in competitive funding for her research and published more than 60 impactful articles on a range of issues, from the overuse of hysterectomy to improving outcomes for incontinence surgery and advocating for better access to reproductive healthcare. Her work has led to national collaborations, including consulting for Health Canada and Statistics Canada on key policies regarding women’s health.
As a co-leader of the Guiding Interdisciplinary Research on Girls and Women’s Health and Wellbeing (GROWW) Program, Dr. Brennand has fostered the development of future leaders in women’s health through a national health research training platform. Her dedication to mentorship and capacity-building is reflected in the success of the GROWW program, which continues to grow and inspire new generations of scholars and clinicians.
Dr. Brennand is the lead of the Sex, Gender, and Women’s Health Hub at the O’Brien Institute, a collaborative initiative that aims to address critical gender and health disparities across the province. Under her leadership, the Hub is conducting groundbreaking research on socioeconomic disparities in hysterectomy procedures, access to abortion care, and geospatial issues related to emergency contraception.
In her role as Department Head, Dr. Brennand has implemented innovative operational changes to improve patient care, such as shifting minor urogynecologic procedures into ambulatory spaces to reduce surgical waitlists and enhance patient experiences. Her leadership extends beyond clinical settings as she works to develop policies that advance reproductive health care across Alberta, including reforms related to fertility treatment and abortion care.
Dr. Brennand’s achievements exemplify the commitment and impact that The O’Brien Institute’s Societal Impact Award seeks to honour. Her unwavering dedication to improving the health and well-being of women has had a lasting and profound effect on healthcare in Alberta, and her work continues to shape the future of reproductive health policy and care in Canada.
The O’Brien Institute Research Excellence Award: Dr. Stephen Freedman
Dr. Stephen Freedman, MD, is a professor in the departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine and associate dean of clinical trials at the Cumming School of Medicine. He is also a member of the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute. Over his career he has made outstanding and transformative contributions to pediatric emergency medicine, particularly in the areas of acute gastroenteritis and fluid management. Dr. Freedman has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving pediatric care through groundbreaking research and leadership in the field.
Dr. Freedman’s extensive publication record, including more than 250 manuscripts and an H-index of 50, reflects his profound impact on the discipline. His research has challenged long-standing clinical practices and introduced new, evidence-based approaches to treatment. Notably, his work on the use of ondansetron for children with acute gastroenteritis has revolutionized pediatric emergency care, significantly reducing morbidity and becoming the most administered drug in North American emergency departments for this condition.
In addition to his work on gastroenteritis, Dr. Freedman has led pivotal trials that have reshaped the management of dehydration in children, such as his studies on oral rehydration versus intravenous fluids. His findings have led to major changes in clinical guidelines, dramatically reducing the use of intravenous hydration in favor of more effective and less invasive methods.
Dr. Freedman’s leadership extends beyond individual studies, as seen in his role as the head of the APPETITE (Alberta Provincial Pediatric Enteric Infection Team), which has transformed the way vomiting and diarrhea in children are diagnosed and treated. The team’s work earned the AHS President’s Excellence Award for Outstanding Achievement in Innovation and Research Excellence in 2018.
His ongoing leadership in multi-site, international studies, including a trial of hydration in children with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and a large-scale vaccine surveillance network, demonstrates his ability to lead diverse, interdisciplinary teams to address urgent public health issues. Dr. Freedman has also been at the forefront of research during the COVID-19 pandemic, recruiting over 12,000 children across multiple countries and contributing to vital public health initiatives.
Dr. Freedman’s commitment to improving pediatric emergency care is matched by his contributions to academic leadership, particularly in his role as Associate Dean of Clinical Trials for the Cumming School of Medicine. Through his research, mentorship, and leadership, Dr. Freedman has made a lasting impact on pediatric healthcare, both in Canada and globally.
This award recognizes Dr. Freedman’s exceptional research achievements, leadership, and his dedication to improving the health and well-being of children around the world.
The Lynn McIntyre Outstanding Service Award: Dr. Khara Sauro
Dr. Khara Sauro, PhD, an associate professor in the departments of Surgery and Oncology at the Cumming School of Medicine and a member of the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, is the recipient of the 2024 Lynn McIntyre Outstanding Service Award for her exceptional contributions to the O’Brien Institute for Public Health. This award recognizes her significant dedication of time, talent, and leadership to the Institute’s initiatives.
Dr. Sauro’s involvement in the Institute’s activities has been exemplary. She has actively participated in the Interdisciplinary Program in Research (IPR), shared her expertise as a speaker at the Interdisciplinary Student Research Showcase, and lent her expertise to the O’Brien Institute and Department of Community Health Sciences seminar series. Additionally, Khara has demonstrated strong leadership in her co-leadership of the O’Brien Postdoctoral Student Association, fostering a collaborative environment for the Institute's postdoctoral community.
Her ongoing contributions reflect a deep commitment to advancing the mission of the O’Brien Institute and supporting its members across various initiatives.