She has worked on some of the most high-profile diseases in recent years, including H1N1, SARS and MRSA. Now, Dr. Virginia Roth oversees the approximately 1,400 doctors at The Ottawa Hospital as the new Chief of Staff – the first female doctor to do so. “As physicians, we care very much about our patients and their specific needs.”

After nine years as Chief of Staff at The Ottawa Hospital, Dr. Jeffrey Turnbull retired on Dec. 31 from hospital life to spend more time helping Ottawa’s most vulnerable populations.

In recognition of his efforts to improve life-saving skills and services, Dr. Justin Maloney received the Governor General’s Meritorious Service Cross in a ceremony at Rideau Hall on Dec. 12.

Dr. Michael Schlossmacher, who received the Grimes Research Career Achievement Award from The Ottawa Hospital on Oct. 28, resolved early in his career to never accept medical dogmas without questioning them and investigating opposing ideas. This approach has led to many surprising and important discoveries.

Becky Hollingsworth took part in a research study that is changing how asthma is diagnosed around the world. Not every research study has this kind of impact, but all are supposed to at least contribute to scientific knowledge. Unfortunately, some don’t, because they aren’t published in a way that allows others to build on the data. Researchers are tackling the problem.

You’ve heard of ‘rehab’ but what about ‘prehab’? More and more, patients are working with physiotherapists before surgery, rather than just afterwards, to improve their fitness and function so they recover faster.