A Master among us

Congratulations to Dr. Irene Hramiak, St. Joseph’s endocrinologist and Lawson Health Research Institute scientist, who has been awarded a 2020 Mastership from the American College of Physicians (ACP). 

Masters are selected based on their “integrity, positions of honour, eminence in practice or in medical research, or other attainments in science or in the art of medicine.”  They are highly accomplished individuals distinguished by their excellence and the significance of their contributions to the field of medicine, according to the ACP, the largest medical specialty organization and the second-largest physician group in the United States.

Only a small number of highly-distinguished physicians have achieved this recognition, with only two international Masterships awarded in 2020.

“It is clear that Dr. Hramiak embodies all the qualities of a Master, whether you interact with her as a physician, researcher, colleague, trainee or administrator,” says Dr. Stan Van Uum, citywide Chair/Chief, Endocrinology and Metabolism, and an endocrinologist at St. Joseph’s. “Dr. Hramiak is fully deserving of this recognition. We have truly been lucky to have Dr. Hramiak at St. Joseph’s Hospital and with Western University’s Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism.”

A renowned researcher, Dr. Hramiak has been principal investigator on numerous ground-breaking studies that have transformed care for patients with diabetes. This in includes the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (1983-2000) – a major outcome trial in type 1 diabetes mellitus.

A passionate clinician and researcher, Dr. Hramiak, who is also Site Chief, Medicine Services at St. Joseph’s, has garnered various prestigious awards of excellence over the years, including the Charles H. Best Award for distinguished service by the American Diabetes Association, and the Gerald S. Wong Service Award from the Canadian Diabetes Association. The ACP mastership is simply the latest in a laudable career with far-reaching impact.