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A quartet of Calgarians — all with 91°µÍř˝űÇř connections — are among the latest list of prominent Canadian citizens appointed to the Order of Canada.

Named on Monday by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Louise Arbour, Governor General of Canada, the 61 new appointments to the Order of Canada include four Companions, 19 Officers and 38 Members, in addition to five promotions within the Order.

“The Order of Canada recognizes those whose contributions help us see our country and our place in the world with greater clarity and purpose,” said Arbour, who assumed office on June 8.

“These appointees, from diverse backgrounds and fields, reflect the talent and determination that shape Canada’s future. At a time of profound global change, their achievements highlight the strength of Canadians and the values we represent to the world.”

Among a field of accomplished Canadians, such as actor Michael J. Fox and soccer superstar Christine Sinclair, four Calgarians, all with UCalgary connections, were honoured.

They include:

Janice Lynn Pasieka (named a Member)

As a clinical professor in the Departments of Surgery and Oncology at the Cumming School of Medicine, Dr. Janice Pasieka, MD, played a pivotal role in advancing treatments for adrenal, thyroid, parathyroid and neuroendocrine disorders. She also improved co-ordinated care across Western Canada by launching multidisciplinary clinics in Calgary and established Canada’s first endocrine surgery fellowship accredited by the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons. Before retiring in 2024, she trained and mentored surgeons from around the globe.

 

Vicki Adams Willis (named a Member)

Recipient of the UCalgary Alumni Association’s highest honour, the Distinguished Alumni Award for Lifetime Achievement, Vicki Adams Willis, BFA, is a celebrated figure in jazz dance. As co-founder and longtime artistic director of Calgary’s Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, she first taught at the university before moving on to play a central role in shaping Calgary into a vibrant hub for dance.

 

 

 

Chris Cran (named a Member)

A renowned Calgary visual artist, this creator, teacher and mentor is featured in the collections of the National Gallery of Canada, Nickle Galleries, the Art Gallery of Alberta and the Glenbow Museum. Chris Cran’s collaborations across mediums has also led him into performance and theatre, including Calgary’s One Yellow Rabbit theatre company, while his inspired visual work has been showcased at 91°µÍř˝űÇř Nickle Galleries.

 

 

 

Jerry Hsueh-Ching Wang (named a Member)

An internationally recognized biochemist, Jerry Wang has made landmark contributions to cell signalling, enzymology and neuroscience. Joining UCalgary in 1982 as an Alberta Heritage Foundation Scientist, he helped establish the then-Faculty of Medicine’s Cell Regulation Research Group and co-led the development of an MRC group in signal transduction. Across distinguished appointments at the universities of Manitoba and Calgary, his work has shaped research directions and strengthened Canada’s standing in biomedical innovation.

The Order of Canada is a cornerstone of the Canadian Honours System. Since its establishment in 1967, nearly 8,800 individuals from all walks of life have been appointed to or advanced within the Order. While their contributions span many fields, each has made a meaningful impact — enriching lives and helping shape the nation.