Dr. Paul Adams Award awarded to Dr. Jaro Kotalik

Dr. Jaro Kotalik’s half-century commitment to human dignity merits our highest recognition and we are excited to honour him at our Saturday evening conference banquet during which he will receive the Dr. Paul Adams Award.

Since arriving in Thunder Bay in 1974, Dr. Kotalik has seamlessly integrated clinical excellence as a radiation oncologist with visionary leadership, founding the Centre for Health Care Ethics at Lakehead University and serving as its director for twelve years. His profound impact spans local and international spheres—from transforming regional healthcare ethics as the catalyst behind Thunder Bay’s first hospital ethicist to advising Health Canada and the Swiss National Bioethics Committee. Throughout his distinguished career as professor, researcher, and advocate, he has championed life-affirming perspectives in bioethics, most recently as co-editor of the groundbreaking Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada: Key Multidisciplinary Perspectives. Now in his eighth decade, Dr. Kotalik continues to inspire colleagues with his inexhaustible energy and unwavering commitment to ethical healthcare, embodying the values of encounter and presence that form the cornerstone of genuine human flourishing.

Here are some words of appreciation of Dr. Kotalik contributions and example:

Jaro has lifted the spirits of those made vulnerable within the medical legal system, promoted best practices in bioethics that have benefited many lives, and been a joy to peers and colleagues in all of his activities. Moreover, Jaro has built a community in bioethics, law, and medicine, and demonstrated that this connection is layered on friendship and human decency. That is who he is—a friend, the exemplar of decency, and a person who seeks the humanity in all persons whatever their vulnerabilities or successes.

– David W. Shannon C. M., O. Ont., LLM

Barrister-and-Solicitor

 

I want to share in the celebration of Dr Kotalik winning the Dr. Paul Adams Award. 

My awareness of Jaro’s personal engagement with sanctity-of-life issues first came from my two daughters, who were students in University, then subsequently NOSMU medical school. 

Jaro has personified the committed physician and Christian in a manner that mixed humility and tenacity. For me, these were best demonstrated through our common work over the past 3-4 years on challenging federal euthanasia and assisted death legislation and his exceptional published work, MAID in Canada. When his contemporaries would be in Florida or moved on, Dr. Kotalik has committed to a second book, and sustained interest in this critical ethical issue. 

An inspiration, and ‘saint’ in his own way, Dr. Kotalik has been a gift to both Canada’s ethical fabric and to medicine in Northern Ontario and beyond. 

John M. Haggarty MD, FRCPC, CCPE

Professor and Chair. Psychiatry Section

Northern Ontario School of Medicine

Psychiatrist, St Joseph’s Care Group

I sincerely hope that you’ll be able to join us for the CPL Annual Conference in Toronto during which Dr. Jaro Kotalik will receive this award in the presence of so many friends, colleagues, and Canadians rising generation of life-affirming medical practitioners.

To register for the full conference, click here.

There are many conference registration options to suit whatever availability you have that weekend. 

This includes: Full Conference, Friday Only, Saturday Only (including Banquet), Saturday Only (No Banquet), Saturday Evening (Banquet Only), Sunday Only, or the Full Conference Online. 

Please take a moment to register!