The Dr. Charles Burns Board Recognition Award was created to honour the visionary leadership of Dr. Burns, who was the first President of the TAC. The award is presented to a physician or other health care professional who has been a past member of the TAC and continuously demonstrates outstanding leadership, endless passion, a spirit of volunteerism and who is considered a visionary and innovator in the field of trauma by their colleagues.

“We are very fortunate to have Paula as part of our leadership team,” said Erik Sande, President of Medavie Health Services. “At Medavie, our core mission is to improve the wellbeing of Canadians. Paula’s energy, clinical expertise and commitment to our communities – especially through the COVID-19 pandemic – have advanced that mission and helped transform the delivery of trauma and emergency services.”

With nearly two decades of experience in emergency health services and the first non-physician selected to be President of TAC, Paula currently leads the day to day operations of EHS Operations, 811 Telecare and strategic long-term planning initiatives.

“I am deeply honoured to receive this award,” said Paula. “The fact that it comes from my peers and colleagues across the country at TAC makes it very special and I will continue to focus on collaboration with them and with the communities we serve to drive innovation.”