Emerita Elizabeth Eisenhauer with Julie Payette
Professor Emerita Elizabeth Eisenhauer, MD'76, the former director of the Canadian Cancer Trials Group, with Governor General Julie Payette after being invested as an Officer of the Order of Canada. (Photo by Sgt. Johanie Maheu, Rideau Hall. 漏 OSGG, 2018)
Kerry Rowe with Julie Payette
Kerry Rowe, a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and former Vice-Principal (Research), is congratulated by Governor General Julie Payette upon being invested as an Officer of the Order of Canada. (Photo by Sgt. Johanie Maheu, Rideau Hall. 漏 OSGG, 2018)
Paul Armstrong with Julie Payette
Governor General Julie Payette congratulates Paul Armstrong, Arts鈥63, MD鈥66, an adjunct professor in the School of Medicine, after he was invested as an Officer of the Order of Canada. (Photo by Sgt. Johanie Maheu, Rideau Hall. 漏 OSGG, 2018)

A National Honour

Queen鈥檚 faculty, staff, students, and alumni are continuously leaving a mark on society. Whether through academics, business, philanthropy, humanitarianism, or public service, Queen鈥檚 has a lot to be proud of in the meaningful contributions its community members make in the world. 

Recently, the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, nationally recognized three of Queen鈥檚 faculty members for their contributions. In September and November of 2018, she invested Dr. Elizabeth Ann Eisenhauer, Dr. R. Kerry Rowe, and Dr. Paul W. Armstrong as Officers of the Order of Canada. 

As one of the country鈥檚 highest civilian honours, the Order of Canada recognizes those who make extraordinary contributions to the nation as exemplified in its motto DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM 鈥淭hey desire a better country鈥. Since its creation in 1967, about 7,000 people have received this honour for enriching the lives of others and in service to the country. 

According to the Office of the Governor General, Queen鈥檚 faculty members are recipients for the following reasons: 

Elizabeth Ann Eisenhauer, O.C. (MD鈥76)

鈥淓lizabeth Eisenhauer is an international leader in clinical cancer research. Professor emerita at Queen鈥檚 University and former director of the Canadian Cancer Trials Group investigational drug program, she has played an influential role in helping shape cancer treatment through key advancements in clinical trials. Notably, she led the design of criteria to evaluate the response of tumours to therapy, and evaluated numerous new drugs now used routinely in cancer treatment. Renowned for her experience and expertise, she has served on numerous international professional and institutional committees, benefiting oncology research worldwide.鈥 

R. Kerry Rowe, O.C. (Former Vice-Principal (Research)) 

鈥淜erry Rowe is a passionate leader in the safeguarding of Canada鈥檚 natural resources. A professor at Queen鈥檚 University and a pioneer in geoenvironmental engineering, he is responsible for many of the designs, techniques and materials now used to manage waste disposal in the developed world. His seminal research on landfills has led to critical advancements in protecting land and water from contamination. Renowned for his dedication to the advancement of this field, he has served at the helm of numerous professional societies and institutional committees.鈥

Paul W. Armstrong, O.C. (Arts鈥63, MD鈥66 鈥 Adjunct School of Medicine)

鈥淧aul Armstrong is a pioneering investigative and clinical cardiologist whose work in acute cardiac care has had global reach. A professor at the University of Alberta, he has conducted transformative research in the treatment of acute heart attacks and was instrumental in implementing this pre-hospital treatment in Alberta鈥檚 ambulances, which is credited with increasing patient survival rates. He is also recognized for his leadership in health care institutions, including as founding president of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and as director of the Canadian VIGOUR Centre, an international enterprise that conducts global-scale clinical trials in cardiovascular medicine.鈥

For more information on other Order of Canada recipients with Queen鈥檚 connections see the Queen's Gazette and the .   

This story originally appeared in the Queen's Gazette