Lori Chow Memorial Award

recognizing health promotion excellence in Ontario

Honouring Ms. Lori Chow

Lori Chow was a long-time member of HPO who passed away on May 19th, 2007.

As the Director of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention at the Thunder Bay and District Health Unit, Lori was a driving force for HPO for most of its history. She served in many capacities, including Chair and ALPHA representative. She was a strong presence at the provincial level, involved in cancer prevention, heart health promotion and advancing health promotion and public health at the systems-level. Lori was instrumental in the Public Health Capacity Review as a health promotion representative.

Lori was a passionate advocate for health promotion and a brilliant communicator. She enriched the lives of all of us who were fortunate enough to know her.

She is sadly missed.

The Lori Chow Memorial Award offers two nomination categories: the Individual Award and the Project Initiative Award. 

Individual Award

This category acknowledges an individual that has gone above and beyond in their contribution to the work of health promotion.

Do you have a friend of colleague that: 

  • Demonstrates excellence in health promotion?
  • Champions the importance of the social determinants of health?
  • Demonstrates leadership in health promotion at the local, regional or provincial level?
  • Shares their passion for health promotion through mentoring and career development of others?

You can nominate your colleague for this year’s  award by submitting a nomination form.

Submit an individual nomination.

Project/ Initiative Award

The project/initiative award acknowledges outstanding health promotion projects or initiatives. HPO recognizes that many of the impactful health promotion efforts are the result of a collective effort of a team or community table, rather than the work of one individual. This category celebrates collaborative initiatives that positively influence the health of Ontario’s communities.

If you know of, or have been involved in, a health promotion project or initiative, we invite you to complete the nomination form linked below.

Submit a project/initiative nomination.

Current Recipients

Congratulations to our 2022 Lori Chow Recognition Award recipients!

Click here (and use passcode: &6BE2i&$) to view a video recording of the virtual awards ceremony held on Friday, December 10, 2021.

2022 Project Initiative Award – Ottawa Public Health

OPH – Mental Health Team: Faith Leader Mental Health Skills and Capacity Building Training Initiative

2022 Individual Award – Mary Ellen Prange

Past Recipients

2021 – Kerry Schubert-Mackey

2021 – Gordon Thane

2020-Taniya Nagpal

2018 – Ishita Aggarwal, Lori Kleinsmith

2017 – Samiya Abdi, Rebecca Fortin

2013 – Marty Mako

2012 – Ellen Wodchis

2011 – Kevin Churchill, Denise Depape

2010 – Theresa Schumilas

2009 – Shawn Fendley

2008 – Gayle Bursey