SMA Awards
The Saskatchewan Medical Association presents awards annually to recognize achievement and excellence in medical practice.
Is there a physician who has inspired you, raised the standards of health care delivery, made exceptional contributions to the medical profession or demonstrated outstanding leadership? Nominate him or her for an SMA award.
PLEASE NOTE: The deadline for 2024 nominations is Aug. 31, 2024.
SMA Physician of the Year Award
The SMA Physician of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding Saskatchewan doctor who delivers exceptional patient care while contributing to the well-being of the community or advancement of the medical profession.
The award was launched in 2002 to recognize the valuable contribution and service of one exemplary Saskatchewan physician each year.
Criteria for Award
- Nominee must be an SMA member (who has student, resident, ordinary, salaried, part-time or retired membership status).
- Nominee must be living in Saskatchewan at the time of nomination.
- Merit is based on quality, care, and service
- Contributions can be made in the medical profession or volunteer sector.
- Contributions can be made at either a community, district, provincial, national or international level.
Past winners
2024 – Dr. Nasim Alibhai, Regina, Family Physician
2023 – Dr. Nawal Sharma, Regina, General Internist
2022 – Dr. Pieter Maree, Hudson Bay, Family Physician
2021 – Dr. Breanna Davis, Prince Albert, Family Physician
2020 – Dr. Biswa Datta, Regina, Pediatrician
2019 – Dr. Sean Groves, La Ronge, Family Physician
2018 – Dr. Bhanu Prasad, Regina, Nephrologist
2017 – Dr. Volker Rininsland, Moose Jaw, Family Physician
2016 – Dr. Crystal Litwin, Wynyard, Family Physician
2015 – Dr. Jenny Basran, Saskatoon, Geriatrician
2014 – Dr. Gert Pieterse, Porcupine Plain, Family Physician
2013 – Dr. Morris Markentin, Saskatoon, Family Physician
2012 – Dr. Peter Kapusta, Saskatoon, Professor and Family Physician
2011 – Dr. Daniel Kirchgesner, Humboldt, Family Physician
2010 – Dr. Thomas W. Wilson, Saskatoon, Professor and Internist
2009 – Dr. Werner Oberholzer, Radville, Family Physician
2008 – Dr. Krishna Kumar, Regina, Neurosurgeon
2007 – Dr. Christina Vuksic, Regina, Family Physician
2006 – Dr. Ali Rajput, Saskatoon, Neurologist
2005 – Dr. Stewart Holmes, Eston, Family Physician
2004 – Dr. Stephen Bester, Regina, Family Physician
2003 – Dr. Ed Busse, Regina, Cardiac Surgeon
2002 – Dr. Robert Griebel, Saskatoon, Neurosurgeon
SMA Service Award
The SMA Service Award recognizes a physician’s contributions to the SMA on committees, the board or in other activities that support the SMA and its mission.
Criteria for Award
- At the time of nomination, a physician must be an Ordinary, Retired/Inactive, or Honorary member of the SMA.
- Service contributions focused on service to the SMA on committees, the board or in other activities supporting the SMA and its mission.
- Service will be considered whether it is paid or unpaid.

SMA Leadership Awards
The Saskatchewan Medical Association Leadership Awards are awarded annually to a physician, resident, and student who demonstrates a significant leadership contribution to the medical profession benefitting his/her community.
Criteria for Award
- Nominee must be an SMA member.
- Physician nominees must be living in Saskatchewan at time of nomination. Resident nominees must be serving in a residency position in Saskatchewan in any year. Student nominees must be living in Saskatchewan at time of nomination, and registered in the medicine program at the University of Saskatchewan.
- Leadership contributions focused on care, quality, and service.
- Demonstrated success in leadership roles and evidence of contributions focused on enhancing the medical learning, health care or wider communities.
- Contributions can be made in the professional or personal spheres.
- Contributions can be made at either a community, district, provincial, national or international level.
Categories for the SMA Leadership Awards align with those offered by the Canadian Medical Association. The SMA is hopeful that these local awards will inspire submissions at the national level.
