Jim Ruderman Family Medicine Education Leadership Award
The Jim Ruderman Family Medicine Education Leadership Award is named in honour of Dr. Jim Ruderman, who was Chief of Family Medicine at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, from 1992 to 2014. The award recognizes an outstanding Canadian family physician who embodies those qualities that made its namesake such an outstanding leader—serves as an excellent role model, inspires others to work collaboratively, promotes a work environment that is respectful, collegial, and supportive, delegates effectively, and demonstrates self-awareness and humility. The award recognizes a teacher of family medicine—either community-based or university-based—whose unique and innovative contribution has had a significant local or regional impact. This contribution may encompass any level or aspect of family medicine education, (i.e., continuing professional development, teaching, curriculum development, scholarship, administration, etc.)
The award may be presented during Family Medicine Forum (FMF). The recipient will receive complimentary one-day registration to FMF. In addition, the recipient may receive up to $2,000 to offset the costs of accommodation, meals, and travel to attend FMF.
Eligibility criteria:
Each nominee must be a College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) member who has been in good standing for at least one year.
Nominees must have demonstrated leadership and mentorship skills in family medicine teaching.
Nominees must have demonstrated the qualities that defined and were valued by Dr. Ruderman: wisdom, equanimity, compassion, and mentorship.
Nominees cannot have received this award in the past three years.
Please refer to the Guidelines for basic eligibility and additional considerations.
Nomination process:
CFPC members, Chapters, and the public are invited to submit nominations for those meeting the criteria.
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 details.
Selection process
The joint CFPC and the 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.
Recognition of support:
This award is made possible through the generosity of the FAFM’s donors.