Keith Dawson honored with Prime Minister’s Volunteer Award
Dr Keith Dawson received a Community Leader award as part of the second annual Prime Minister’s Volunteer Awards and gave the $5000 funding grant that came with the award to the Canadian Diabetes Association. Dr Dawson is an endocrinologist and professor emeritus, UBC Faculty of Medicine, with an extensive clinical and academic career, contributing to the medical and diabetes community as a mentor, educator, advocate, and volunteer with the Canadian Diabetes Association. Early on in his medical career Dr Dawson recognized the impact diabetes would have on high-risk communities and the public health care system. He volunteered his time and expertise to ensure fellow physicians and other allied health professionals have access to current best practice information irrespective of their location. Dr Dawson has also facilitated innovative ways to access diabetes management information for communities at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes, most predominately in First Nations communities. Dr Dawson was instrumental in engaging key community leaders to contribute to the development of culturally appropriate programs to diabetes prevention, care, and treatment. The award recognizes individual volunteers or groups of volunteers who have taken a leadership role in developing solutions to local challenges.