Val Rachlis Leadership in Family Medicine Award

The Val Rachlis Leadership in Family Medicine Award recognizes a family medicine resident who has demonstrated outstanding academic, research, and communication leadership, and who is recognized as a future leader in our discipline.

The award may be presented during Family Medicine Forum (FMF). The recipient will receive complimentary four-day registration for FMF. In addition, the recipient may be reimbursed up to $2,000 to help offset the costs of accommodation, meals, and travel to attend FMF.

Eligibility criteria:

Nominees must be members of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) in good standing and family medicine residents in their second year at the time of nomination.

Nominees must show an interest in enhancing their leadership skills within organized medicine.

Nominees are eligible if they have an achievement in one or more the following areas:

  • Leadership activities during residency/leadership qualities (beyond departmental and program activities, such as participation in organized family medicine, the CFPC’s Section of Residents, or Resident Doctors of Canada)
  • Academics related to family medicine (e.g., publications)
  • Research
  • Unique achievements or exceptional activities in medical school or residency
  • Oral presentation skills (articulate and confident when presenting to large groups)

University nominees for the 2026 Family Medicine Resident Scholarship are not eligible to be nominated for the Val Rachlis Leadership in Family Medicine Award.

Please refer to the Guidelines for basic eligibility requirements and additional considerations.

Nomination process:

Please refer to the Nomination Guidelines for requirements.

Nominations must be submitted online by the university.

The deadline for nominations is 4:00 p.m. (ET) June 12, 2026.

Universities may submit multiples nominations.

University staff submissions.

If you are an eligible family medicine resident and would like to be considered, please reach out to your university postgraduate program director for further information.

Selection process:

The joint CFPC and the Foundation for Advancing Family Medicine (FAFM) Honours and Awards Committee uses the peer endorsements from a national review process to compile their recommendations to be approved by the CFPC and the FAFM Boards of Directors.

Applicants will be formally notified of results in August.

Recognition of support:

This award is made possible through the Val Rachlis Endowment Fund managed by the FAFM.