The CDA Awards Recognition Program recognizes individuals across the country who have demonstrated unwavering passion and support for the dental profession in Canada and exhibited consistent commitment to the oral health of Canadians.
This week we bring you the Medal of Honour, the highest award the CDA bestows. It is awarded to a dentist in recognition of a lifetime of outstanding service and professional achievement that has greatly impacted the dental community, profession and society as a whole.
2022-23 Medal of Honour Recipient
Dr. John O'Keefe
Dr. John O'Keefe joined CDA in 1997 as Editor and for many years held the position of Director, Knowledge Networks. In these roles he was responsible for the development of JCDA Oasis as a clinical decision support for the dental office, the publication of the Journal of the Canadian Dental Association and the CDA Essentials magazine. Prior to his retirement he became CDA’s Community Ambassador.
John is a communicator at heart. This, combined with his interest in the importance of knowledge translation and his innate ability to think outside the box, resulted in many progressive changes to CDA’s communications strategies. He took CDA’s various communications vehicles and transformed them to not only meet current needs but the needs of tomorrow. He focused on quick and easy ways for Canadian dentists to receive up to date information – be it clinical, business or news. And through this he nurtured and enhanced a sense of community within the profession. Always forward thinking, he was the CDA staff lead on the CDA Future of the Profession Initiative and CDA’s Canadian Oral Health Roundtable. CDA was very fortunate to have John within its ranks for 25 years. He provided dedication, vision and leadership.
Please click on the video below to watch Dr. O'Keefe's acceptance speech.
