Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry is proud to announce the 2026 Alumni of Distinction Award recipients. This year’s six honourees exemplify excellence, with meaningful contributions across their professions and communities. Their achievements reflect the strength and impact of the School’s alumni, and serve as an inspiration to our community.

Dr. Gregory Cairncross, MD'74

Alumni of Distinction Medicine 

Dr. Gregory Cairncross is a globally respected physician‑scientist whose work has transformed the understanding and treatment of brain tumours, improving both survival and quality of life for patients worldwide. A graduate of Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, he completed advanced training in internal medicine, neurology and neuro‑oncology at the University of Toronto, Cornell University and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Dr. Cairncross returned to Schulich Medicine to found the brain tumour research program and went on to serve as Chair of Oncology, as well as Chief Executive Officer of the London Regional Cancer Centre. He later held senior leadership roles at the University of Calgary, including Head of Clinical Neurosciences and Director of the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute.

He is best known for discovering the chemosensitivity of oligodendroglioma and co‑identifying the 1p/19q chromosomal codeletion  – findings that helped launch precision medicine in neuro‑oncology and are now embedded in the World Health Organization classification of brain tumours. In addition to his scientific legacy, Dr. Cairncross is deeply admired as a mentor, leader and clinician whose work continues to guide care, research and hope for patients and clinicians around the world.

Dr. Teresa M. Chan, MD'08

Dr. Stephen Blizzard Trailblazer Award

Dr. Teresa Chan is a prominent Canadian emergency physician, medical educator and researcher, serving as the Founding Dean of the School of Medicine and Vice-President, Medical Affairs at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) since July 2023.

After training at OISE/U of T and receiving her Bachelor's of Education, she attended Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, graduating in 2008. It was during her time at OISE and Schulich Medicine that she became intimately aware of how social determinants and systems greatly affect people's lives. Now, as the founding Dean of the TMU School of Medicine she is translating her personal learning into curriculum and structures to train the next generation of physicians. Championing courses like Health Systems Science and weaving social determinants of health into the Principles of Medicine course, Dr. Chan is reshaping medical education for a generation to come.

Known for expertise in a wide range of areas including serious games, educational innovation and digital scholarship, she previously held leadership roles at McMaster University, including Associate Dean, Continuing Professional Development. She has also held national roles including the national Area of Focused Competence (AFC) chair for the Clinician Educator program via the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Presently, she is the chair of the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) standing committee on education.

Dr. Timothy Foley, MClD'90

Alumni of Distinction Dentistry

Dr. Timothy Foley is a respected orthodontist, educator and long-time member of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry community, whose career reflects an enduring commitment to patient care, scholarship and mentorship.

A graduate of Dalhousie University’s Doctor of Dental Surgery program, Dr. Foley completed his Master of Clinical Dentistry in Orthodontics at Schulich Dentistry, where his early research was published in leading orthodontic journals. After teaching at Trinity College Dublin, he returned to Schulich Dentistry as a faculty member, ultimately achieving tenure and supervising nearly 20 graduate theses while contributing extensively to the orthodontic training programs.

In parallel with academic leadership, Dr. Foley has maintained a deep dedication to clinical service. For more than 30 years, he has served as the orthodontist on the Cleft Lip and Palate Team at Thames Valley Children’s Centre, providing longitudinal, life‑changing care to children with craniofacial differences. During two decades in full‑time private practice, he remained closely involved in teaching and supervision at Schulich Dentistry, and he now serves once again as a full‑time Associate Professor in the Graduate Orthodontics program.

Known for his kindness, humility, and unwavering professionalism, Dr. Foley is cherished by students and patients alike  – not only for his expertise, but for the generosity, empathy and humanity he brings to every interaction.

Dr. Amin Madani, MD'11

Young Alumni Medicine

Dr. Amin Madani is a surgeon–scientist whose career reflects a special integration of clinical excellence, innovation and educational leadership. A graduate of Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, he has quickly established himself as a national and international voice in surgical artificial intelligence. As founder and director of the Surgical Artificial Intelligence Research Academy at the University Health Network, Dr. Madani leads work that unites surgical cognition, machine learning and operative data to develop tools that meaningfully enhance intraoperative decision‑making and patient safety. His research has generated influential publications, competitive peer‑reviewed funding, and technologies embedded directly into clinical workflows.

Beyond his scholarly contributions, Dr. Madani is deeply committed to mentorship, cultivating interdisciplinary teams that support trainees and collaborators across medicine, engineering and data science. His leadership is distinguished by humility, generosity and a clear commitment to advancing surgery for future generations.

Paola Marignani, MSc'92, EMBA'13

Excellence in Basic Science Research

Paola Marignani, PhD, is a Full Professor at Dalhousie University, whose research leadership has advanced fundamental understanding of HER2-positive breast cancer and lung cancer. Her work is known for developing innovative mouse models that recapitulate both human breast and lung cancers, helping to uncover key signaling and metabolic vulnerabilities that have informed novel combination treatment strategies, including approaches that progressed toward clinical testing.

Internationally recognized for her contributions, she holds prominent governance positions for international cancer organizations, conference leadership roles and editorial appointments, and is frequently invited to present her discoveries and innovations on the international stage. Bridging the gap between science and commercialization, Marignani serves as a mentor scientist and business strategist for Creative Destruction Lab-Atlantic and Cancer Streams.

Marignani is also a pioneer in applying single‑cell transcriptomics, machine learning and advanced computational approaches to cancer biology, expanding how complex cellular states are analyzed and interpreted. Equally impactful is her commitment to strengthening the research ecosystem through mentorship, infrastructure development and inclusive leadership. Her work bridges discovery and application while prioritizing equity, reflected in patient‑engaged and disparity‑focused research initiatives that connect scientific innovation with real‑world impact.

Dr. Nabil Sultan, MD'04

Community Service 

Dr. Nabil Sultan is a Professor in the Division of Nephrology at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, whose lifelong commitment to community service complements his distinguished academic career. Widely respected for his leadership in medical education and character‑based physician development, he has also dedicated decades to volunteer service focused on youth mentorship, institutional stewardship and social responsibility.

Dr. Sultan has held senior leadership roles within the Muslim Association of Canada, including Chair of the Board, where he helped guide national programming and strengthen governance for a large, diverse community. At the local level, he remains deeply engaged through ongoing mentorship of students and young professionals, advisory service with Western’s Muslim Students’ Association, and facilitation of programs that promote ethical leadership and civic engagement. Known for his discretion, fairness, and generosity, Dr. Sultan is frequently sought out as a trusted advisor during times of challenge. His sustained service has had a lasting impact across generations, exemplifying the values celebrated by the Community Service Award.