Four OMA members appointed to 2024 Order of Ontario

Four of our members have been appointed to the Order of Ontario – the province’s highest civilian honour, which recognizes extraordinary contributions to the community – for 2024. 

The Order is awarded annually to Ontarians who have shown the highest level of excellence and achievement in their field and who have left a legacy in our province, in Canada and around the world.

“Congratulations to these outstanding physicians on being appointed to the Order of Ontario,” OMA President Dr. Dominik Nowak said. “Their remarkable contributions have not only advanced health care in our province but have also shaped practices that impact patients worldwide.

“Their dedication to innovation, research and compassionate care reflects the very best of our medical profession, and we thank them for their unwavering commitment to improving lives.”

We congratulate our members, who are among the 29 most recent appointments to the Order of Ontario:

• Dr. Jeremy Freeman – Toronto 
  For his transformative contributions to otolaryngology, introducing novel techniques, treating thousands of cancer patients and mentoring future and current leaders.
• Dr. Vivek Goel – Waterloo
  For his leadership in public health research, championing evidence-based health policymaking and shaping the public health workforce through education and institutional leadership.
• Dr. Howard Ovens – Toronto
  For his innovations in emergency care, advancing treatment for older adults and marginalized populations and influencing practices to improve patient triaging and emergency department overcrowding.
• Dr. Jean Seely – Ottawa
  For her groundbreaking work in breast imaging, improving clinical guidelines for mammography and reducing preventable cancer deaths through landmark research.

The 2024 Order of Ontario appointees will be invested at a ceremony in Toronto in 2025. The province says 903 people have been appointed to the Order of Ontario since it was established in 1986.

Members of the Order are Ontario’s finest citizens, people who have shaped – and continue to shape – the province’s history and place in Canada. Appointments to the Order are made on the recommendation of an independent advisory council, based on the merit of accomplishments of nominees put forward by members of the public.

After being admitted, the lieutenant-governor invests members with the Order’s medal – a distinguishing mark or emblem worn to signify membership or achievement.