Statement made on 01 March 2011 by Senator Jane Cordy
Hon. Jane Cordy:
Honourable senators, for almost 20 years, the Honourable Senator Sharon Carstairs has been a tireless champion for hospice palliative care in Canada. Since her appointment to this chamber in 1994, Senator Carstairs has been a member of two committees that examined the issues of hospice and palliative care, including serving as Chair of the Special Senate Committee on Aging, of which I had the privilege of also being a member.
She has released two special reports on palliative care, one in 2005, and the most recent one in June 2010 on the state of palliative care in Canada, entitled: Raising the Bar: A Roadmap for the Future of Palliative Care in Canada.
On Thursday, February 17, Senator Sharon Carstairs received the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine Presidential Citation Award. Senator Carstairs received the award at their annual assembly in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine is dedicated to expanding access for patients and families to high-quality palliative care and to advancing the discipline of hospice and palliative medicine through professional education and training, the development of a specialist workforce, support for clinical practice standards and research and public policy.
The Presidential Citation is awarded to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to the field of hospice and palliative medicine.
Through Senator Carstairs' dedication, progress is being made to improve the state of hospice and palliative care in Canada, an issue that affects millions of Canadians each year.
Honourable senators, please join me in congratulating Senator Carstairs for receiving this award and for her tireless work and dedication to such a worthwhile cause. Her work, which has led to drastic and effective change, is evidence that one very determined individual can make a difference.
Thank you, Sharon, and congratulations on receiving this honour.