VANCOUVER – Surrey’s family physician and former Minister Responsible for Mental Health, Dr Gulzar Singh Cheema won an Individual Award of Excellence in Health Promotion for his outstanding and continuing work educating the Indo-Canadian population about disease prevention and promotion.
Cheema’s award was part of the four special awards were handed out by the British Columbia Medical Association at its 15th annual awards ceremony to the winners for their outstanding work in improving the health care system for patients and those who work in it. The event was attended by prominent doctors and community role models hailing from different parts of Canada.
Cheema said it can sometimes be challenging to convince a population to change their lifestyle for improved health. But through his volunteer efforts researching, producing and videotaping weekly health segments on tv, his talks at temples and seniors’ centres, and his work with immigrating doctors and young students, his message is having an impact.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr Lloyd Oppel admired volunteer services of Cheema who demonstrated ingenuity, dedication and volunteer leadership for health promotion by focusing on cardiovascular disease, diabetes, drugs and mental health issues.
It is worth to mention here that Cheema is a highly experienced and widely respected physician and educator in British Columbia. He is known in the community as a doctor with great professional discipline, moral values and dependable behaviour habits. His commitment to the community is exemplary. He is a known volunteer, community activist and philanthropist in the South Asian community.
Cheema has already earned many awards and accolades. In addition to numerous local, national and international recognitions for his distinguished service, Cheema is recipient of the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal, Canada. He also got Queen Elizabeth 11’s Golden Jubilee Medal, Canada, Award of Excellence by College of Family Physicians BC Chapter 2012.
