Saumik Biswas, PhD’20
Can robotics and AI transform the way we detect cancer?
Saumik Biswas, a biomedical scientist and entrepreneur, is working on an answer. He co-founded Tenomix, a medical technology startup focused on improving colorectal cancer staging. At the core of its work is the Lymphonator, a device that integrates ultrasound, robotics and AI to detect lymph nodes in surgically removed tissues. Biswas’ path to entrepreneurship began with award-winning research on non-coding RNAs and diabetic complications, and later evolved through Western’s Medical Innovation Fellowship. Backed by more than $4 million in funding and collaborations with leading institutions like the Mayo Clinic, he is part of a new wave of leaders translating science into impact.
Dr. John Denstedt, MD’82, Resident Alum (Urology)
What if better outcomes didn’t require bigger operations?
Dr. John Denstedt has built a career around this question. A pioneer in minimally invasive techniques for treating urinary stone disease, he helped establish endourology as a cornerstone of modern surgical care. Since joining the School's Division of Urology in 1990, he has combined clinical innovation with academic leadership – and mentored a generation of surgeons. As Chair/Chief of Surgery and Secretary of the American Urological Association, Denstedt has advanced a model of surgical care defined by precision, patient focus and broad international impact.
Dr. Lorraine Elit, MD’84
What does it take to bring cancer care to the places that need it most?
For Dr. Laurie Elit, it takes compassion, persistence and decades of service. A gynecologic oncologist and global health leader, she has provided care in some of the world’s most medically underserved regions, including Papua New Guinea, Haiti, Nepal, and Cameroon, where she now focuses her work. Through surgical missions, mentorship, and public health education, Elit has strengthened care systems and trained future providers. Though retired from full-time practice in Canada, Dr. Elit’s commitment to global women’s health continues to shape lives and leave a lasting legacy.
Dr. Jennifer Gunter, Resident Alum (Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 1995)
What happens when a doctor takes on misinformation – and wins?
Dr. Jennifer Gunter has built a career doing just that. A gynecologist, author and outspoken advocate for evidence-based women’s health, she rose to prominence by challenging pseudoscientific wellness trends and demanding scientific rigour in public discourse. Through her books, TED Talk, and platforms like Jensplaining and The Vajenda, she empowers women with medically sound, stigma-busting information. With over 360,000 followers on Instagram, she’s become a trusted voice on everything from menopause to misinformation. Gunter’s work advances gender equity in medicine and redefines what it means to be a physician in the public sphere.
Dr. Cynthia Hawkins, PhD'96, MD’97
Can decoding a tumour’s genetics unlock new hope for children with brain cancer?
Dr. Cynthia Hawkins is proving that it can. A neuropathologist and global leader in paediatric brain tumour research, she helped identify cancer stem cells early in her career – reshaping the field. Her studies on diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, among the deadliest childhood cancers, uncovered distinct genetics, adding to the World Health Organization classification. She has also advanced Canadian clinical molecular diagnostics from liquid biopsy to pan-cancer RNA sequencing, now used internationally. Through pioneering science, mentorship and collaboration, Hawkins is helping to turn precision medicine from promise to practice.
Dr. Steven Macaluso, MD’07, Resident Alum (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation)
How do you teach hands-on medicine in a hands-off world?
Dr. Steven Macaluso answered this challenge – and changed how musculoskeletal care is taught. A physiatrist and educator, he created MSKMedicine.com, an open-access platform that became indispensable to learners during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to be used worldwide. As postgraduate program director in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, he has led major advances in curriculum design and training. A dedicated mentor and clinician, he also supports Paralympic athletes as Lead Physician for Team Canada’s wheelchair curling team.
Dr. Benjamin Pliska, DDS’05
Can orthodontics help you sleep better?
Dr. Benjamin Pliska is exploring that possibility. A specialist in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics with advanced training in sleep medicine, he is investigating how facial growth and airway structure contribute to obstructive sleep apnea. His research aims to inform evidence-based protocols for orthopedic treatment of sleep-disordered breathing. At the University of British Columbia, where he directs the Graduate Orthodontics Program, Pliska is preparing the next generation of clinicians to think beyond alignment – advancing an interdisciplinary model that connects oral health with whole-person care.
Dr. Erin Walker, DDS’10
How do you build trust in a profession shaped by change?
Dr. Erin Walker is helping lead the way. A practicing dentist with expertise in health law, governance and strategy, she is guiding reforms that strengthen accountability and ethical standards in dental care. At the Royal College of Dental Surgeons, she has chaired key committees and is now helping revise the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professionalism. Grounded in her commitment to equity in health care, Walker brings a multidisciplinary perspective – and a steady voice – to conversations at the intersection of policy, law and clinical practice.
Learn more about the Alumni of Distinction Awards.
