Recipients 2011
OADD Awards & Scholarship Recipients – 2011
Hull-Roeher Award of Merit
Presented in honour of John Hull and G. Alan Roeher to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution, or special achievement in the area(s) of education, humanitarianism, research or service for those with developmental disabilities.
The Hull-Roeher Award of Merit was not awarded in 2011
OADD Award of Excellence
To be presented to an individual who has contributed significantly to better understanding of, or enhanced the quality of life for, those with developmental disabilities.
Dr. Maire Percy
Maire Percy obtained a B.Sc. in physiology and biochemistry, an M.A. in medical biophysics, and a Ph.D. in biochemistry, all from the University of Toronto. (She also holds an ARCT in piano from the Royal Conservatory of Music.) She holds academic cross-appointments in the University of Toronto Departments of Physiology and Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and since 2005 has been Professor Emeritus in the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine. She was recruited to Surrey Place from the U of T in 1989, and until very recently, she directed the Neurogenetics Laboratory at Surrey Place Centre there. Her research has involved the genetic and environmental risk factors of complicated diseases. The focus has been to identify genetic predisposing factors and environmental factors for dementia and Alzheimer�s disease in both the general population and in people with Down syndrome. The latter group suffers from dementia 20-30 years earlier than the former. She also has been involved in the development of new strategies for the treatment and possible prevention of dementia.
At Surrey Place, she trained two doctoral students and several masters students, and has mentored dozens of outstanding high school students, U of T undergraduate research project students, and technical staff, introducing them to the fields of neurogenetics and developmental disabilities and to Surrey Place Centre. Her first PhD student was Dr. Martin Somerville who now is Professor of Medical Genetics and Director of the DNA Diagnostics Lab at the University of Alberta. Her second PhD student, Dr. Sharon Moalem, obtained his medical degree from Mount Sinai Medical School in New York, and currently is resident in clinical genetics at the Hospital for Sick Children. So she has more than cloned herself. Most of her other trainees have pursued careers in medicine, in other professions such as audiology, rehab medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, education, or in high level science.
In addition to functioning as an academic, Maire became involved in the developmental disabilities field as a volunteer in a number of different ways. She was cofounder of the Fragile X Research Foundation of Canada, and with Maria Gitta organized the second OADD Research Special Interest Group meeting which now has taken on a life of its own. At Surrey Place, she also became involved with other OADD activities: developing and co-editing with Ivan Brown the textbook Developmental Disabilities in Ontario (now undergoing its 3rd edition); helping to organize administration of OADD Journal on Developmental Disabilities; and becoming a member of the chief editorial board of the journal, and Chair of the OADD Publication Committee. Her textbook was published in 2007 as an international version by Paul H. Brookes Publishing Company.
Internationally known for her work on risk factors in human disease, she is author of approximately 200 articles in journals and books. she is a sought after reviewer of papers for many different journals and of grants for various agencies. In 2003 she received the Research Excellence Award of the Ontario Association on Developmental Disabilities, and an asteroid has been named in honour of her scientific achievements.
Nancy Stone
Nancy Stone is the mother of three sons and a daughter. Her youngest son, Jim has a developmental disability. This fact launched Nancy on a life-long volunteer career as an advocate for the needs of people with developmental disabilities.
Nancy’s accomplishments include:
-President for 7 years then Past President of the Board of Directors, Surrey Place Centre
-Two terms as President of the OACL (Ontario Association for Community Living) CLO served on various committees during 20 year involvement with the organization
-Former President and board member of Accreditation Ontario through 5 accreditation reviews
-Past Board member at Rygiel Homes, Hamilton serving persons with developmental disabilities and physical disabilities
-Board Member, St. Catharines Association for Community Living
-Member of the Behaviour Standards Committee of MCSS; Chairperson of an international committee on Positive Behaviour Techniques 1990 – 94
-Involved advocate and parent advocate with various groups
Nancy Stone passed away November 10, 2011
Kay Sansom Scholarships
3 Graduate Students received Kay Sansom Scholarships this year from the qualifying applicants. Each will receive $1,000.00 a certificate and free OADD sustaining membership. Typically there is 1 recipient from each of the following applicant categories: College, Undergraduate and Graduate.
In 2011 none of the Kay Sansom Scholarship were awarded