June 24, 2024 – Celebrating Dr. Nadine Caron: 2025 Canadian Hall of Fame Inductee
Written by Cynthia Lung | June 24, 2025
Dr. Nadine Caron Inducted into Canadian Medical Hall of Fame: A Historic Milestone for Indigenous Health and Equity
On June 19, 2025, Dr. Nadine Rena Caron was officially inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, joining an esteemed group of pioneers whose work has reshaped the landscape of medicine and public health in Canada. The ceremony, held in Hamilton, Ontario, celebrated her lifelong dedication to health equity, Indigenous wellness, and groundbreaking surgical practice.
As the first female First Nations graduate of the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Medicine and Canada’s first Indigenous female general surgeon, Dr. Caron has long been recognized as a trailblazer. Her induction into the Hall of Fame represented not only a personal achievement but also a profound acknowledgement of the systemic change she helped bring to Canadian healthcare.
Watch Dr. Nadine Caron’s Tribute video
Over the years, Dr. Caron has built a remarkable career defined by service, advocacy, and leadership. Based in northern British Columbia, she cared for underserved communities while pushing for structural reforms in the healthcare system. In 2014, she co-founded the Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Health at UBC, providing vital education, research, and policy guidance to improve health outcomes for Indigenous Peoples.
Her role as the inaugural First Nations Health Authority Chair in Cancer and Wellness, appointed in 2020, underscored her commitment to closing health gaps. She led numerous initiatives—such as the Northern Biobank and the Silent Genomes Project—that sought to ensure Indigenous Peoples had equitable access to cutting-edge cancer care and genomic research.
The Hall of Fame recognized not only Dr. Caron’s scientific and medical contributions but also her profound influence on national health policy and reconciliation efforts. She was celebrated alongside five other distinguished laureates, with the Hall’s leadership commending her as a “visionary leader whose work has transformed health care for generations to come.”
Dr. Caron’s story has inspired countless students, practitioners, and community leaders across Canada. Her induction served as a powerful reminder that progress in medicine is not solely measured by innovation, but also by inclusion, compassion, and justice.
As she took her place among Canada’s most respected medical figures, Dr. Nadine Caron reaffirmed her lifelong message: that health equity is not just a goal—it is a responsibility.
At a ceremony held in association with McMaster University’s Faculty of Health Sciences, six outstanding health leaders were inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. Among the laureates was Deborah Cook, professor in the Department of Medicine at McMaster. (From the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame)
The 2025 laureates are:
- Nadine R. Caron, OBC MD MPH FRCSC MCM | An innovative leader in Indigenous health and surgical practice
Northern Medical Program, University of British Columbia, Prince George Regional Hospital - Deborah Cook, OC MD FRCPC FRSC | A pioneering researcher in critical care medicine
Department of Medicine and Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University - Geoffrey T. Fong, OC PhD FRSC FCAHS | A world-leading public health researcher
Department of Psychology and School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, and Ontario Institute for Cancer Research - Steven Narod, MD FRCPC FRSC | A brilliant investigator in cancer genetics
Women’s College Hospital and Women’s College Research Institute - Arthur S. Slutsky, CM MD FRSC FCAHS | A changemaker in critical care and respiratory medicine
Departments of Medicine, Surgery, and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Keenan Research Centre, Unity Health, Division of Respirology, St. Michael’s Hospital - The Late Jennie Trout, MD | A revolutionary advocate for women in medicine
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