Calvin L. Gutkin Family Medicine Ambassador Award
The Calvin L. Gutkin Family Medicine Ambassador Award is named in honour of Dr. Cal Gutkin, who served as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) from 1996 to 2012, and whose work was instrumental in advancing family medicine in our country and supporting the development of family medicine on the global stage.
The award recognizes a dynamic leader in Canadian family medicine who is distinguished by their vision, innovation, strong communication skills, and effective relationship building with national and international organizations and working groups that support and positively influence the ever-changing role of the family physician and family medicine in Canada.
The value of this award is up to $6,000 to support travel and expenses for presentations across Canada. The award may be presented during Family Medicine Forum (FMF). The recipient will receive complimentary four-day registration to FMF. In addition, the recipient may be reimbursed up to $2,000 to offset the costs of accommodation, meals, and travel to FMF.
Eligibility criteria:
Nominees must be dynamic speakers and communicators.
Nominees must demonstrate professional commitment and leadership that help strengthen the quality of family medicine in Canada through dedicated initiatives and outreach or partnerships with individuals and/or organizations that share this common goal.
Nominees must exhibit a strong commitment to enhancing the understanding and value of the role that family physicians in Canada fulfill as advocates for the advancement and sustainability of health care in this country.
Nominees must be CFPC members who have been in good standing for at least one year.
Nominees cannot have received this award in the past three years.
Please refer to the Guidelines for basic eligibility and additional considerations.
Nomination process:
Nominations are due to the CFPC National Office by 4:00 p.m. (ET) on April 13, 2026.
Nominations must be submitted online.
Please refer to the Nomination Guidelines for requirements.
Selection process:
CFPC members, Chapters, and the public are invited to submit nominations for those meeting the criteria.
The joint CFPC and Foundation for Advancing Family medicine (FAFM) Honours and Awards Committee uses peer endorsements from a national review process to compile their recommendations to be approved by the CFPC and FAFM Boards of Directors.
Nominees will be formally notified of results in August.
The award will be offered annually. If no suitable member is identified in a specific year, the award will not be presented that year.
Recognition of support:
This award is made possible through the Calvin L. Gutkin Endowment Fund managed by the FAFM.