Today@Dal

Three Dalhousie individuals will be receiving the Province of Nova Scotia's highest honour next month. Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard, Dr. Stan Kutcher and Dr. Richard Gloobloom will be presented with the Order of Nova Scotia on December 3 at Province House in Halifax.

"Through their work, these Nova Scotians have made invaluable contributions to our communities and our province," said Premier McNeil. "Their accomplishments and bodies of work have made Nova Scotia a better place to live. This honour is truly well-deserved."

Dr. Wanda Elaine Thomas Bernard, East Preston: Dr. Thomas Bernard is a respected educator, scholar and social-work practitioner. As past director of the Maritime School of Social Work at Dalhousie University, Dr. Thomas Bernard addressed issues related to racial and cultural diversity in social work education and in the community. She is a founding member of the Association of Black Social Workers and was also involved with the Black United Front, the National Black Coalition, and numerous projects within the African Nova Scotian community. Her work in the field of social justice has led to her induction into the W.P. Oliver Wall of Fame at the Black Cultural Centre. She has also received the Nova Scotia Human Rights Award, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal, and is a member of the Order of Canada.

*Editor's note: The original version of Dr. Bernard's Order of Nova Scotia bio did not include her proper title of Dr. We have now corrected it and apologize for the oversight.

Dr. Stanley Paul Kutcher, Herring Cove: Dr. Kutcher is a renowned expert in adolescent mental health and an international leader in mental health research, advocacy and health services innovation. He has served as associate dean, international health, and as head, department of psychiatry, Dalhousie University. He has improved mental health care in Nova Scotia through specialty clinical programs, first onset psychosis and mobile crisis care. A founding member of Laing House, he has led the development of school mental health programs, reaching students throughout the province. He established the mental health research program, recruiting top researchers and academics to Nova Scotia and was instrumental in establishing the Brain Repair Centre, and the International/Global  Health Office. He has created TeenMentalHealth.org, an innovative knowledge translation resource meeting the needs of youth, parents, educators and health providers.

Dr. Richard Ballon Goldbloom, Halifax: Dr. Goldbloom is an internationally acclaimed pediatrician. Over the past four decades, his leadership and vision have helped expand and develop the IWK Health Centre into one of the leading hospitals of its kind in Canada. Dr. Goldbloom promoted excellence in research and attracted experts in their fields, leading to many innovations in the treatment of children. He also began the Read To Me! program, which fights low literacy rates in Nova Scotia by providing reading materials to new parents. Dr. Goldbloom is an Officer of the Order of Canada, a recipient of the Queen's Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals, and Chancellor Emeritus of Dalhousie University.

The Order of Nova Scotia was established in June 2001 and is the highest honour bestowed by the province. Recipients have the right to use the initials O.N.S. after their names.