Congratulations to Dr. Brenda Hemmelgarn, Dr. Sanjay Kalra, and Dr. Connie Switzer, recipients of the King Charles III's Coronation medal!
24 March 2025
The King Charles III's Coronation Medal honours Canadians who have made significant contributions to Canada or a particular province, territory, region or community of Canada, or have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada. It celebrates their achievements, dedication, and commitment to the well-being of Canadian society.
Dr. Brenda Hemmelgarn
Professor, Division of Nephrology
Dr. Brenda Hemmelgarn is the dean of the College of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the U of A. With over 35 years of leadership in health care, research, and academia, Dr. Hemmelgarn is a leader in patient-oriented research and improving outcomes for people with kidney disease and chronic conditions. She has led groundbreaking research with $20M+ in funding and 500+ peer-reviewed publications. She holds the Roy & Vi Baay Chair in Kidney Research and co-leads the Interdisciplinary Chronic Disease Collaboration. For information about other recipients, visit the Kidney Foundation.
Dr. Sanjay Kalra
Professor, Division of Neurology
Dr. Sanjay Kalra is a Professor in the Division of Neurology, Adjunct Professor in the Department of Computing Science, Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Henri M. Toupin Chair in Neurological Sciences.
His primary research focuses on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), where he is dedicated to advancing understanding and treatment of this devastating disease. Additionally, Dr. Kalra is highly regarded for his expertise in neuroimaging and biomarkers, where he works on improving diagnostic accuracy and tracking disease progression in neurological disorders. Dr. Kalra's contributions to neurology, both in research and clinical practice, have made him a key figure in advancing the field of neurodegenerative diseases. For information about other recipients in the ALS community, visit ALS Canada.
Dr. Connie Switzer
Clinical Professor, Division of Gastroenterology
Dr. Connie Switzer is a gastroenterologist with a specialty in celiac disease. She was awarded a lifetime honour by Celiac Canada for her longstanding work serving on the Professional Advisory Council. She was active in numerous celiac disease studies led by Celiac Canada including home testing, 2002 and 2008 National Celiac Disease surveys which were the first and largest of its kind. She helped advance patient care and managing the complex gluten-free diet both in her practice and internationally. For information about other Celiac Canada recipients, visit Celiac Canada.
We also congratulate Dr. Justine Turner, gastroenterologist and Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, on receiving this award.