The Canada Gairdner Global Health Award is directed at health issues pertaining to developing countries. It recognizes those who have made major scientific advances in any one of four areas: basic science, clinical science, or population or environmental health. These advances must have made – or have potential to make – a significant impact on health outcomes in the developing world. Nominations for leadership and administration, however outstanding, do not fall within the parameters of this award.

The John P. McGovern Compleat Physician Award, established in 1993, is presented annually by the Houston Academy of Medicine in collaboration with the Harris County Medical Scoiety, to recognize a physician whose career has been founded on the Oslerian ideals of medical excellence, humane and ethical care, commitment to medical humanities and writing, research, and harmony between the academician and medical practitioner.

The major deciding factor will be a research breakthrough in the subject selected for the award, having the potential to have a major impact on healthcare delivery. These could be through the invention of novel surgical equipment or technique, the discovery of a new mode of therapy or new drugs that lead to a decrease in mortality and /or morbidity related to a particular surgical procedure or disease. Theme changes each year