Montreal Children's Hospital doctor given Transplant Quebec lifetime achievement award
Transplant Quebec has awarded its grand prize to a medical director at the Montreal Children's Hospital.
The prestigious award recognizes the contribution of a medical professional in the field of organ donation and transplantation for at least 10 years.
Dr. Sam Shemie's influence is seen in intensive care units across the country, and his colleagues say his work has advanced the practice of organ donation around the world.
"We're super honoured to have him in Quebec," said Transplant Quebec CEO Martine Bouchard. "I think it's fantastic that we have somebody who's so respected and well known but also possesses all the expertise and knowledge."
Over his more than two-decades-long career, Shemie has published over 200 articles on organ donation and shared his expertise across the globe.
"He made this a life achievement," said Bouchard. "This is like, what do you call it? A vocation for him."
On Thursday, the medical director received Transplant Quebec's grand prize, which is similar to a lifetime achievement award.
He accepted the honour in front of his colleagues and family at the Children's.
"It's been very gratifying," said Shemie.
Medical professionals say there is a complex intersection between dying, death and organ donation in the ICU. After experiencing this firsthand, Shemie built a program to develop the best practices in organ donations after death.
"We have engaged and, collaborated and partnered with a community of doctors, nurses and, specialists and intensive care and emergency medicine to take ownership over something that's very difficult," said Shemie.
The clinician-researcher says he takes pride in the fact that there are now over 150 organ donation-focused intensive care doctors in Canada, and that they provide a research-driven approach while treating patients and their loved ones with compassion.
"We used to learn from other countries when we started this, and now we are teaching other countries how to do this," said Shemie.
He says hospitals are always dedicated to saving lives, but added that anyone interested in donating their heart or kidney, for example, needs to tell their family or register their consent.
"You are saving a life and relieving suffering of other people when you do that, and that's a wonderful thing in our society," said Shemie.
And while Shemie has a new lifetime achievement trophy to put in his office, he says his work is not done yet.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6975012.1721775341!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Canadian Olympic Committee offers 'heartfelt apology' after New Zealand accuses Canada Soccer of spying
The Canadian Olympic Committee offered a 'heartfelt' apology to New Zealand Football Tuesday after the New Zealand women's club accused the Canadian women's team of spying on them during a training session.
Pennsylvania state police commissioner reveals stunning details about Trump shooting
A local law enforcement commissioner revealed during a House Homeland Security hearing on Tuesday stunning new details about the security failures that led to the near assassination of Donald Trump, raising more questions for the embattled U.S. Secret Service.
Polar bear at Calgary Zoo died by drowning following 'crushing' injury
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has revealed the cause of death for polar bear Baffin last week.
Clip resurfaces of Vance criticizing Harris for being 'childless,' testing Trump's new running mate
Comments Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance made in 2021 questioning U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’ leadership because she did not have biological children have resurfaced, testing the young conservative senator in his early days campaigning as part of the Republicans' presidential ticket.
Sunday was the hottest day ever recorded on Earth, scientists say
Sunday was the hottest day ever recorded, breaking global temperatures dating back to 1940, according to preliminary data from Europe's Copernicus Climate Change Service.
Jasper evacuees forced into B.C. to flee fires told to make U-turn to Alberta for aid
Thousands of wildfire evacuees forced from Jasper National Park into British Columbia along smoke-choked mountain roads Monday night were directed Tuesday to make a wide U-turn and head home if they needed a place to stay.
'Bigger than just the record': Football fan eyes world record for quickest visit to all CFL stadiums
A CFL super fan is two-thirds of the way into his record-breaking attempt to visit all nine stadiums in the Canadian Football League in 15 days.
Laws that could get Canadians in trouble in tourism hotspots
There are some laws in popular tourist destinations around the world that could land Canadian travellers in mild-to-serious trouble if they're not careful. Don't let these local laws land you in hot water during your next vacation abroad.
'Stars are aligning' for Bank of Canada rate cut: economists
The Bank of Canada is expected to deliver a dose of interest rate relief Wednesday when economists and market watchers predict the central bank will cut its overnight lending rate.