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Introduced to mark the ascension of King Charles III on May 6, 2023, the recognizes significant contributions, whether in public service, arts, education, science, or other areas that have advanced Canadian society or brought international recognition to the country. The recipients exemplify the spirit of dedication and commitment to both their communities and broader Canadian society. It is the first Canadian commemorative medal to mark a coronation. Medals will be awarded throughout the year and this article will be updated as new recipients are announced.

Nine Queen’s researchers are among the 30,000 recognized with this honour. Recipients are nominated by a set list of partner organizations, such as national non-profits or government representatives, including members of parliament and senators. Awards are presented at ceremonies across the country by the Governor General, Lieutenant Governors, and Territorial Commissioners. The design of the medal itself incorporates symbols of Canada’s provinces, territories, and Indigenous Peoples, emphasizing unity and inclusion. The King Charles III Coronation Medal joins five previous marking significant milestones for the country dating back to 1967 with the Canadian Centennial medal.

Learn more about the Queen’s recipients:

– Nominated by Shelby Kramp-Neuman, Member of Parliament for Hastings-Lennox and Addington. Dr. Cass is an assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine and director of the Indigenous Health Program. A member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Turtle Clan, Dr. Cass practices Indigenous Health as a primary care physician at Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. Through her community-focused practice, she advocates to reduce gaps in services and inequities in care for Indigenous patients, with efforts focused on inequitable access to medication. In 2024, Dr. Cass was awarded Queen’s Principal’s Teaching and Learning Award for Indigenous Education and the Indigenous Physicians’ Association of Canada’s Community Impact Award.

– Nominated by Mark Gerretsen, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands. Dr. Colgan is a professor emerita in the Faculty of Education. Her research spans K-12 and post-secondary elementary mathematics education, focusing on teacher training, parent involvement, and innovative curriculum development. Dr. Colgan’s contributions include authoring mathematics textbooks, creating the children's TV show The Prime Radicals, and leading community outreach initiatives such as Science Rendezvous Kingston. For these initiatives she was awarded the NSERC Science Promotion Award and the Margaret Sinclair Memorial Award for her lifetime achievements in mathematics education.

– Nominated by Universities Canada. Dr. Eisenhauer is a professor emerita and former head of the Department of Oncology. She is a leading figure in cancer clinical trials and drug development, having coordinated over 170 phase I, II, and III trials through the Canadian Clinical Trials Group at Queen’s. Her contributions to oncology research and leadership in the field have been recognized with numerous honours, including an appointment to the Order of Canada, Royal Society of Canada Fellowship, Canada Gairdner Wightman Award, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. From 2006-2017, Dr. Eisenhauer served as the President of the National Cancer Institute of Canada and Chair of the Research Advisory Group of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer.

Stéfanie von Hlatky – Nominated by the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defense. Dr. von Hlatky is a professor in the Department of Political Studies and holds the Canada Research Chair in Gender, Security, and the Armed Forces. She is also a Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation Fellow and the former director of the Centre for International and Defence Policy at Queen’s. Her research on NATO, military culture, and women, peace, and security is rooted in a commitment to build more inclusive security outcomes. Dr. von Hlatky is the founder of Women in International Security-Canada and the Honorary Colonel of the Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment. 

Will Kymlicka – Nominated by Universities Canada. Dr. Kymlicka is a professor in the Department of Philosophy and former Canada Research Chair in Political Philosophy. His research explores democracy, diversity, and social justice in multicultural societies. Dr. Kymlicka is the co-director of the CIFAR program Boundaries, Membership, and Belonging which is exploring how the boundaries of social and political membership are drawn in the contemporary world and whether we can re-draw these boundaries in a way that is more inclusive without losing solidarity and the possibility of collective action. He has earned other prestigious honours such as the SSHRC Gold Medal, Pierre Chauveau Medal, and an appointment to the Order of Canada.

John McGarry – Nominated by Universities Canada. Dr. McGarry is a professor in the Department of Political Studies and former Canada Research Chair in Nationalism and Democracy. His research on power-sharing and conflict resolution has had a significant impact on public policy, influencing governance reforms in Northern Ireland and UN-backed negotiations in Cyprus. From 2008-2009, he worked as the "Senior Advisor on Power-Sharing" to the UN (Standby Team, Mediation Support Unit), the first person appointed to this position. His contributions have been widely recognized, earning him prestigious honours including the Killam Prize, Molson Prize, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, an appointment to the Order of Canada, and the Pearson Peace Medal.

– Nominated by Universities Canada. Dr. Rowe is a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and former Canada Research Chair in Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering. His groundbreaking research on waste containment, landfill design, and geosynthetics has earned him numerous prestigious awards, including the Killam Prize, Gerhard Herzberg Gold Medal, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, Donna Strickland Prize for Societal Impact, and an appointment to the Order of Canada. His impact extends globally through influential publications, editorial leadership, lectures, and advisory roles for governments and international agencies on environmental protection and engineered barrier systems.

– Nominated by Ted Hsu, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kingston and the Islands. Dr. Smith is a professor with a primary appointment in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and director of the Perinatal Research Unit where his clinical research is focused on adverse obstetrical events. His work on women’s cardiovascular health screen postpartum has now become the international standard of care. He also developed the (Mothers’ Health Education, Research, and Screening) to help women who are contemplating pregnancy, are pregnant, or are new mothers, keep up-to-date on the latest medical information and access resources. Dr. Smith is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.

John Smol – Nominated by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. Dr. Smol is a professor in the Department of Biology and former Canada Research Chair in Environmental Change. As a globally recognized expert in paleolimnology, Dr. Smol’s research on Arctic climate change, acid rain, and aquatic ecosystem shifts has had a lasting impact on environmental policy worldwide. He has received multiple honorary doctorates and international scientific accolades, including the Vega Medal, Gerhard Herzberg Gold Medal, Killam Prize, Donna Strickland Prize for Societal Impact, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and an appointment to the Order of Canada. From 2019-2022, he also served as the President of the Academy of Science, Royal Society of Canada.

Learn more about the recipients of the King Charles III Coronation Medal on the .