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Prestigious award will honour the national impact of Forchuk and her research into health and homelessness

Lawson Research Institute scientist Cheryl Forchuk, PhD, will be awarded the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal in honour of her groundbreaking health care research in the region and across the country.

Forchuk, who is also a Distinguished University Professor of Nursing in the Faculty of Health Sciences and in the Department of Psychiatry at Western University, will receive the medal in a special presentation ceremony in London on April 23.

In nominating Forchuk, London North Centre MPP Terence Kernaghan said the medal “recognizes outstanding individuals for their profound and lasting contribution to Ontario and to Canada.”

He said Forchuk has shown “exemplary leadership and ground-breaking work in mental health, homelessness, and the systems and models of care you’ve developed.”

Her important work has helped shape national perspectives and treatments for people experiencing homelessness – in particular, people with experiencing homelessness and mental health and/or homelessness and addiction.

Forchuk’s research studies have also influenced national policy in understanding and redressing veterans’ homelessness, in London and across Canada. She is currently conducting nation-wide research into specific issues experienced by women veterans who are homeless.

Forchuk said she was honoured to be nominated and selected for the medal, and that her work related to improving homelessness and mental health challenges including addiction could not have been possible without the assistance of many others. This assistance includes people with lived experience, multiple community and hospital partners, and her team of research coordinators, research assistants and students. Forchuk recently completed her term as The Beryl and Richard Ivey Research Chair in Aging, Mental Health, Rehabilitation & Recovery, an endowed position supported by the St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation.

The Coronation Medal program was created to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. It recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to a particular province, territory, region or community in Canada, or attained an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to our country.

The award will be presented by London-area MPPs on behalf of the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada and Premier Doug Ford.