2025 INDUCTEE Nadine Rena Caron, MD Women in Medicine, Leadership in Organizational Development

Nadine Rena Caron inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

Hamilton (Ontario)

One of five researchers featured in Nature's special issue on Racism in Science in an article entitled: “The first Indigenous female surgeon in Canada is battling for health justice.”

The article captured the interview by starting off ”Nadine Caron was appalled to hear racist views about Indigenous health from a project adviser. So she’s fighting to change perceptions.” Photo Credit: Taehoon Kim, Nature

Dr. Caron appointed the inaugural First Nations Health Authority Chair in Cancer and Wellness at UBC

This marks a significant step toward addressing British Columbia’s Indigenous Cancer strategy. The position was created following research led by Dr. Caron that illustrated how rates of some cancers are higher, and survival rates lower, for First Nations peoples compared with non-First Nations peoples in British Columbia.

Became co-lead of Genome Canada's $10.4 million Silent Genomes grant

This project had multiple goals, including developing governance principles for Indigenous genomic data while creating a unique Indigenous Background Variant Library, which is now being used as a diagnostic tool by medical geneticists and colleagues for Indigenous children with potentially genetically based clinical disorders.

Dr. Caron awarded $1.25 million from Genome British Columbia for the Northern Biobank Initiative (NBI)

The NBI aims to develop a population-based biobank with clinical data and tissue samples from people in Northern British Columbia. It exists largely due to Dr. Caron’s foresight in realizing the immense risk of excluding certain individuals and populations, based on geography and other factors, from clinical and genomic research on cancer.

Dr. Caron co-founded the Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Health (CEIH) at UBC and served as its first co-director

The CEIH was created to be the single coordinating point for Indigenous related health initiatives within UBC, as well as a contact for health organizations external to UBC. Working with Indigenous leadership across BC and Canada, the CEIH team aims to improve wellness, health care and outcomes for Indigenous Peoples, through innovative thinking, research and education.

Appointed senior scientist at the BC Cancer Agency (BCCA), Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre

This highlighted and enabled a focus on Indigenous health within cancer research and genomics. Mentored by Dr. Marco Marra and colleagues, this began the questions of inclusion and diversity within oncogenomic research and the projects that followed. This position enhances Dr. Caron’s ability to ensure that Indigenous voices are included in cancer care, including the advancement of precision cancer medicine her mentors in this space enable.

Began teaching at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health’s Centre for Native American Health

Dr. Caron taught subjects related to research ethics, health policy and public health through an Indigenous lens. She also served as a mentor and coach for the NativeVision Program, a sports and life skills initiative to empower Indigenous youth.

Dr. Caron became the first female First Nations General Surgeon in Canada

After completing surgery residency at UBC went on to complete her Fellowship in Endocrine Surgical Oncology at the University of California, San Francisco (2004)

Obtained her Master's in Public Health at Harvard University

Expanding her education during surgical residency played a significant role in her future career, influencing health policy, research, and practices at both national and global levels. Her Harvard experience provided her with the platform to advocate for health equity and better healthcare access for underserved communities.

Dr. Caron became the first female First Nations student to graduate from UBC’s Faculty of Medicine

and did so at the top of her class