Award: Bojana Radan named CMHF Award recipient

Congratulations to Bojana Radan, Medicine Class of 2021, one of this year’s recipients of the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF) Award for Medical Students.

The Award is given annually to medical students from across the country who have an established track record of community leadership, superior communication skills and demonstrated interest in advancing knowledge. The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Award aims to recognize young leaders who exemplify qualities of CMHF Laureates: perseverance, collaboration and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Radan was born in the former Yugoslavia and moved to Canada at the age of four. She was raised in Windsor, Ontario with a strong sense of community connection. She completed her undergraduate degree in molecular genetics and microbiology at the University of Toronto and a master’s degree in global affairs through the Munk School of Global Affairs, also at UofT.

“This award means a great deal to me since it represents the struggle, resilience and determination it takes to make systemic change in medicine for the better,” she said. “Being included among such an amazing group of scholars, innovators and advocates is an incredible honour. Each one of these past and present members is innovating our conception of what it means to access quality healthcare. I am privileged to be amongst this group and hope to represent these values as I progress in my career.”

Radan is passionate about women’s health and environmental health and is engaged in a number of advocacy initiatives at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. She served as one of the Local Officer’s for Sexual and Reproductive Health for the Canadian Federation of Medical Students, coordinating fundraisers, informational talks and workshops. She also helped establish and lead the Women in Medicine interest group at the School, a network of support for women, by women and their allies. In addition, she was a founding member of the EARTH Club, a student group focused on climate change and health.

“I have always been passionate about social change and global inequality and through my life experiences I have realized how health connects us all,” she said. “As a future physician who considers my role as an advocate as important as my expertise in medical knowledge, it is important to acknowledge how the world has changed, and how we as health care providers need to adapt to this change.”

Recipients of the CMHF Award receive a cash prize of $5,000 and a travel subsidy to attend the 2020 Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Vancouver, where they will have the opportunity to meet CMHF Laureates and interact with health leaders from across the country.

“We celebrate the achievements of the giants of health care in Canada to fuel our pride, but also to inspire the next generation of health leaders with world-changing potential,” said CMHF board chair Dr. William Orovan in a news release.