University of Windsor professor being appointed to Order of Ontario

A University of Windsor professor is one of about two-dozen people being invested into the Order of Ontario this year.

Hoda ElMaraghy, who has worked at the university for more than two decades, is described in a news release as having been the first female dean of a faculty of engineering in Canada.

The news release also says her research into flexible manufacturing has helped manufacturers around the world.

The Order of Ontario is given to individuals who have “demonstrated excellence and achievement in any field benefiting the people of Ontario or anywhere in the world,” according to a news release from the province.

A ceremony will be held at Queen’s Park in Toronto on Jan. 20 for ElMaraghy and the other honourees.

Full list of apointees:

Hugh Allen, London – internationally recognized surgeon and specialist in obstetrics and gynecology.

He pioneered new surgical techniques and approaches to women’s health care and has travelled extensively to share his clinical insights, skills and innovations with doctors in over 30 countries.

Susan Bailey, Thunder Bay – nurse, teacher and pioneer in palliative care.

She helped shape the development of palliative care in Ontario, transforming the way the medical community approaches patients who are nearing the end of life.

Isabel Bassett, East York – former Ontario Cabinet Minister and MPP for St. Paul’s.

She has served the people of Ontario throughout her career, first as high school teacher, and then as  journalist, writer, broadcaster and member of the Ontario Legislature–all of which made her well-suited for the role of Chair and CEO of TVOntario.

Monica Elaine Campbell, Ottawa – pioneer in the development of palliative care services for the Deaf in Ontario.

She has worked tirelessly to break down communication, cultural and institutional barriers that have long limited Deaf people’s access to end-of-life care.

Dennis Chippa, North Bay – highly respected community leader and humanitarian.

He has changed the social fabric of his community. His extensive volunteer efforts have improved the lives of countless low-income families and homeless men and women living in Ontario’s North.

Wendy Craig, Kingston – professor of psychology at Queen’s University and an international expert on the prevention of bullying.

She is co-founder and co-scientific director of PREVNet (Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network) and has consulted on bullying prevention initiatives with some of the world’s most prestigious international organizations.

Gordon Cressy, Toronto – former politician, public servant, humanitarian, mentor and youth advocate.

He has orchestrated numerous fundraising and public awareness campaigns for youth, including Canadian Tire’s JumpStart program and The Learning Partnership’s Take Our Kids to Work Day.

Madeline Edwards, Mississauga – long-time community advocate and founding member of the Congress of Black Women of Mississauga and Area Chapter.

She created a program called “Suffering in Silence” to help women in her community escape abusive relationships.

Hoda ElMaraghy, Windsor – professor and Director of the Intelligent Manufacturing Systems Center at the University of Windsor.

She was the first female Dean of Engineering in Canada and also the first Canadian woman to obtain a PhD in mechanical engineering. Her research on flexible manufacturing has helped manufacturers around the world adapt and respond to market changes.

Robert Fowler, Toronto – critical care physician at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Associate Professor of Medicine and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Toronto.

He was a clinical lead for the World Health Organization during the recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa and also played a vital role in managing the SARS crisis in Toronto in 2003.

Herbert Gaisano, Toronto – professor and researcher at the University of Toronto’s faculty of medicine and one of the world’s leading gastroenterologists.

He has dedicated his work to the fight against diabetes by exploring the complexities of this pervasive illness and advancement of new treatment strategies.

John Gignac, Brantford – a veteran fire captain.

His remarkable efforts after a family tragedy resulted in Ontario’s Hawkins-Gignac Act, which calls for mandatory installation of carbon monoxide detectors in all Ontario homes.

June Girvan, Ottawa – founder of the J’Nikira Dinqinesh Education Centre in Ottawa.

The Centre serves children, youth and immigrant families through unique programs that foster intercultural understanding, racial harmony and social justice.

Beverley Gordon, Toronto – founding CEO of The Safehaven Project for Community Living.

Safehaven provides innovative respite and residential care for hundreds of Ontario children living with severe disabilities.

Richard Gosling, North York – community leader and outspoken youth advocate.

He is the founder and president of the Toronto Children’s Breakfast Club, which serves over 5,000 meals each week to children across the GTA. He has developed support programs for youth in detention centers and is the founder and president of the Second Chance Scholarship Foundation, which provides financial support for post-secondary education to at-risk youth.

Hon. Stephen Goudge, Toronto – former judge in the Court of Appeal for Ontario.

He served as Commissioner for the Public Inquiry into Pediatric Forensic Pathology. This led to a fundamental restructuring of the delivery of forensic pathology services in Ontario.

Anton Kuerti, Toronto – world-renowned concert pianist and composer who has been called one of the greatest pianists of the 20th Century.

He has performed for audiences and recorded with conductors in nearly 50 countries around the world and over 150 locales in Canada.

Rita Letendre, Toronto – painter, muralist and printmaker.

The National Gallery of Canada named her one of the most important abstract painters in the country. Her work has been extensively exhibited in galleries across Canada and around the world, influencing the work of a new generation of artists.

Jackie Maxwell, Niagara-on-the-Lake – Artistic Director of the Shaw Festival for more than a decade.

Her inspired, creative and imaginative leadership has earned the theatre a reputation for consistently outstanding productions that attract more than 250,000 visitors annually from around the world.

Errol Mendes, Ottawa – professor of law at the University of Ottawa, author and influential advocate for the universal application of human rights.

He is internationally recognized as one of Canada’s leading experts on human rights law and constitutional democracy.

Julian Nedzelski, Toronto – highly respected ear, nose and throat specialist and head and neck surgeon at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and a pioneer of cochlear implants in Ontario.

He played a key role in the formation of the Ontario Cochlear Implantation Program, giving the gift of sound to thousands of people who believed they would never hear again.

Mike Parkhill, Georgetown – founder of SayITFirst, an organization that is working with Aboriginal communities and Elders to breathe new life into Canada’s Native languages through the innovative use of technology and digital learning strategies.

René Pitre, Ottawa – business leader and champion of French language culture, community and education in Ontario.

He was appointed by the Ontario government to establish La Cité collégiale, a French language college that today serves over 5,000 full-time provincial, national and international students.

Donna Trella, Mississauga – founder of Reach for the Rainbow, a not-for-profit organization that helps integrate children with disabilities into the mainstream of society through summer camp programs across Ontario.

She has been a driving force in working to change attitudes around accessibility and inclusion in Canada.

Stanley Zlotkin, Toronto – a respected leader in the medical and research community, improves the lives of millions of children who live in economically disadvantaged parts of the world and suffer from serious nutritional deficiencies.

A nutrition specialist and researcher at the Hospital for Sick Children, Zlotkin is an advisor to UNICEF, other United Nations agencies, civil society organizations and the Canadian government.

The following recipients were appointed in 2014 and will be invested with their medals at this year’s ceremony:

Mary Anne Chambers, Thornhill – former Ontario Cabinet Minister and MPP for Scarborough East.

She has served the people of Ontario with a profound dedication. She personally funds scholarships and sponsors an academic mentorship program at the University of Toronto.

Rick Green, Waterdown – performer and writer whose credits include The Frantics, History Bites, Prisoners of Gravity and The Red Green Show.

Agencies/Canadajournal