2022 INDUCTEE Thomas A. Dignan, MD Patient Care, Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy, Leadership in Organizational Development, Health and Medical Education & Training

Thomas Dignan is posthumously inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

His medal was received by his daughter Heather Dignan who represented him at the Ceremony in Ottawa, ON.

Appointed by the First Nations Information Governance Centre to the Research Ethics Committee for the First Nations Regional Health Survey

The Royal College establishes the Dr. Thomas Dignan Indigenous Health Award

Awarded annually to celebrate Canadian Indigenous physicians or physicians-in-training, Elders or Knowledge Keepers who epitomize a zeal and devotion to Canadian Indigenous rights and the dogged pursuit of justice for Canada’s Indigenous people.

Chair of the Indigenous Health Advisory Committee (AHAC) - Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Ottawa

Acts as primary care physician at the Wabano Health Access Centre

Over the span of four years, Dr. Dignan worked directly with the urban Aboriginal population of Ottawa.

Council Member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Co-Chair of the National Collaboration Centre for Aboriginal Health (NCCAH) - University of British Columbia

Sits on the board of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada (IPAC)

This position involved the organization and facilitation of conferences and educational opportunities as well as networking with native physicians in Ontario and mentoring of aboriginal medical students.

Holds the position of Medical Director at the Thunder Bay District Community Care Access Centre

As a primary care physician at the Anishinawbe Muskiki Native Health Access Centre, Dr. Dignan works directly with the urban aboriginal population of Thunder Bay

Helps formalize and officially establish the Native Physicians Association of Canada.

Now known as the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada (IPAC), this organization was formed to encourage and support First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth wishing to become medical doctors, to support those already in training or practice and to promote the work of its members in their many capacities and disciplines.

Serves as secretary and member of the board of a precursor organization that would later become the Native Physicians Association of Canada (NPAC), now known as the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada (IPAC).

Completes his MD at McMaster University

Thomas Dignan was McMaster's oldest graduate and first ever of First Nations ancestry.

Becomes first President of the Native Nurses' Association of Canada

This association is now known as the Canadian Indigenous Nurses' Association.

Enrolls at the University of Alberta to obtain his Bachelor of Science Nursing degree

Graduates third in his class from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Hamilton, Ontario

He then joins the Adolescent Unit at the Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital and later, the Outpost Nursing Station in Berens River, Manitoba as Nurse-in-Charge.

Enters the US Marine Corps and, during his service, earns his high school equivalency

At the age of 16 and following the death of his father, Thomas Dignan leaves high school to work as an office boy and stockroom clerk to support his mother and two sisters