Learning is an active and continuous process. Health educators, professionals, and community partners play an important role in advancing education and the pursuit of research in health. UBC Health celebrates outstanding individuals who inspire learners and are making a difference in training and mentoring the next generation of health professionals and researchers.

Two of those remarkable individuals are Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose and Mandy Young, recipients of the 2020 UBC Health Awards.

John McNeill Excellence in Health Research Mentorship Award

Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose is the recipient of the 2020 John McNeil Excellence in Health Research Mentorship Award, which recognizes outstanding mentorship by faculty members who exemplify a deep commitment to fostering the professional and personal development of faculty colleagues, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows in the early stages of their academic careers. This prestigious award was established by the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in honour of Dean Emeritus John McNeill, whose leadership paved the way for research excellence in the faculty.

Dr. Liu-Ambrose is a professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Co-Director of the Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, both in the Faculty of Medicine. Her research in healthy aging has made significant contributions to improving the health of older adults by shaping practice and advancing knowledge in the areas of brain health and mobility in aging. Dr. Liu-Ambrose has mentored numerous undergraduates, research graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, clinicians in training, research associates, and faculty members—many of whom garnered funding and continued in their careers to become successful and recognized experts in health research and clinical communities at multiple levels. She encourages and inspires colleagues and students to reach their full potential through tailored mentorship that fosters critical thinking, scholarly rigor, outstanding communication skills, and academic integrity.

R. Paul Kerston Community Educator Award

Mandy Young is the recipient of the 2020 R. Paul Kerston Community Educator Award, which recognizes community educators who have expanded student learning beyond traditional professional boundaries and made a difference to student learning at UBC.

As a UBC Health Mentor for eight years, Mandy provides students with a unique opportunity to learn through her lived experience as a caregiver of a child with a rare genetic disorder and autism and instills in them the importance of patient-centred care. She has mentored seven cohorts of students from eight programs, including Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Genetic Counselling, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Pharmacy, and Speech-Language Pathology. Mandy also co-developed an interprofessional workshop about caregiver experiences as well as workshops about health advocacy, attended by more than 400 students in a range of health disciplines. Her passion and work with students have been vital to their growth as members of the health field.

“Congratulations to Dr. Liu-Ambrose and Ms. Young on their achievements,” says Anne Martin-Matthews, Associate Vice-President, Health. “Their contributions to health education and the impact of their mentorship on students and peers at UBC are invaluable and truly inspiring.”

Due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, UBC Health has postponed its annual awards recognition ceremony but will profile the recipients and their work in the coming months. 

Posted on January 15, 2021