Pediatric Assembly
The CTS Pediatric Assembly (PA) is comprised of pediatric respirologists and other CTS members with an interest in pediatric medicine and research.
Executive Committee 2025-2026:
Members of the CTS Pediatric Assembly (PA) Executive Committee are elected at the PA’s annual business meeting held in conjunction with the Canadian Respiratory Conference.
Chair: Dr. Jackie Chiang (ON)
Past Chair: Dr. April Price (ON)
Chair-elect: Dr. Mairelena DiBartolo (ON)
Secretary: Dr. Jody Platt (AB)
Community Respirologist: Dr. Tania Samanta (ON)
Early Career Representative: Dr. Nita Chauhan (SK)
Representative to the CTS Board of Directors: Dr. David Zielinski (QC)
Pediatric Assembly Early-Career Outstanding Contributions Award
The CTS Pediatric Assembly Early-Career Outstanding Contributions Award was established in 2022 as an annual award that recognizes the contributions of an early-career individual practicing in the area of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine in Canada. The award recognizes significant contribution in the area of clinical care, education, advocacy, research and/or other scholarly activity. Click here to view the Terms of Reference.
Terms of Reference
Click here to view the Pediatric Assembly’ terms of reference.
Next Pediatric Assembly Annual Meeting: Thursday April 11th, 2024 (in conjunction with the Canadian Respiratory Conference), Toronto, ON.
Pediatric representation in CTS: The Pediatric Assembly is represented across all CTS activity areas. See Pediatric Assembly Representation List here for a detailed listing of PA representatives in CTS committees and assemblies.
Lifetime Achievement Award in Pediatric Respirology
The Lifetime Achievement Award in Pediatric Respirology recognizes an individual for lifetime achievement in the field of pediatric respirology each year. Any respirologist – or physician in a related specialty – can be nominated for this award. Click here to view the terms of reference for the Lifetime Achievement Award in Pediatric Respirology. To submit a nomination, click here.
2023 Lifetime Achievement Award in Pediatric Respiratory Medicine Award
The Pediatric Assembly of the Canadian Thoracic Society is pleased to announce that the 2023 recipient is Dr. Aurore Côté (Montreal, QC). In the photo below, Dr. Côté is presented with her award by Dr. David Zielinski.
2022 Lifetime Achievement Award in Pediatric Respirology
The Pediatric Assembly of the Canadian Thoracic Society is pleased to announce that the 2022 recipient is Dr. Sheldon Spier (Chemainus, BC). In the photo below, Dr. Spier (L) is presented with his award by Pediatric Assembly Chair Dr. Christopher Gerdung.
2021 Lifetime Achievement Award in Pediatric Respirology
The Pediatric Assembly of the Canadian Thoracic Society is pleased to announce that the 2021 recipient is Dr. Mark Montgomery (Calgary, AB)
2020 Lifetime Achievement Award in Pediatric Respirology
The Pediatric Assembly of the Canadian Thoracic Society is pleased to announce that the 2020 recipient is Dr. Carina Majaesic (Edmonton, AB)
2019 Lifetime Achievement Award in Pediatric Respirology
The Pediatric Assembly of the Canadian Thoracic Society is pleased to announce that the 2019 recipient is Dr. Dennis Gurwitz (Toronto, ON).
~ Dennis Gurwitz ~
CTS President John Granton (L) and Pediatric Assembly Chair, Glenda Bendiak (R)
2018 Lifetime Achievement Award in Pediatric Respirology
The Pediatric Assembly of the Canadian Thoracic Society is pleased to announce that the 2018 recipient is Dr. Valerie Kirk (Calgary, AB).

Dr. Valerie Kirk receiving her award from CTS President Catherine Lemiere, April 14, 2018
2017 Lifetime Achievement Award in Pediatric Respirology
The Pediatric Assembly of the Canadian Thoracic Society is pleased to announce that the 2017 recipient is Dr. Larry Lands (Montreal, QC).
2016 Lifetime Achievement Award in Pediatric Respirology
The Pediatric Assembly of the Canadian Thoracic Society is pleased to announce that the 2016 recipient is Dr. Dan Hughes (Halifax, NS).
2015 Lifetime Achievement Award in Pediatric Respirology
The Pediatric Assembly of the Canadian Thoracic Society is pleased to announce that the 2015 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in Pediatric Respirology is Dr. Ian MacLusky (Ottawa, ON). Dr. MacLusky is a leading pediatric respirologist at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO).
2014 Lifetime Achievement Award in Pediatric Respirology
The Pediatric Assembly of the Canadian Thoracic Society is pleased to announce that the 2014 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in Pediatric Respirology is Dr. Michael Seear (Vancouver, B.C.). Dr. Seear is head of the Pediatric Respiratory Medicine Division of the BC Children’s Hospital.
2013 Lifetime Achievement Award in Pediatric Respirology
The Pediatric Assembly of the Canadian Thoracic Society is pleased to announce that the 2013 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in Pediatric Respirology is Dr. Jean-Guy Lapierre. Dr. Lapierre is currently a professor of pulmonary medicine in the pediatric department of the University of Montréal’s faculty of medicine.
(Dr. Jean-Guy Lapierre, 2013 recipient of the Award, with Dr. Patrick Daigneault, Chair of the CTS Pediatric Assembly)
The award was presented at the CTS Pediatric Assembly annual meeting in Quebec City on Thursday April 11th at the Canadian Respiratory Conference. Congratulations to Dr. Lapierre!
Recipients – Lifetime Achievement Award in Pediatric Respirology
2009 – Victor Chernick
2010 – Allan Coates
2011 – Henry Levinson
2012 – Ian Mitchell
2013 – Jean-Guy Lapierre
2014 – Michael Seear
2015 – Ian MacLusky
2016 – Dan Hughes
2017 – Larry Lands
2018 – Valerie Kirk
2019 – Dennis Gurwitz
2020 – Carina Majaesic
2021 – Mark Montgomery
2022 – Sheldon Spier
2023 – Aurore Côté