Among 30,000 national recipients, 10 Queen’s researchers were awarded the 2025 King Charles III Coronation Medal.
The medal, introduced in 2023 to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III as King of Canada, is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to Canada or the broader globe. This year, the award was given to 30,000 Canadians, according to the Government of Canada, including 10 Queen’s researchers who have made significant contributions to the University and its broader communities.
Four of the 10 researchers sat down with the The Journal to discuss the award, their work, and their future hopes for Queen’s students. The other six faculty recipients of the medal include Dr. Elizabeth Eisenhauer, Will Kymlicka, Eun-Young Lee, Dr. Diane Lougheed, John McGarry, Kerry Rowe, and John Smol.
Dr. Graeme Smith, FRCSC ’97
Smith was nominated by Member of Provincial Parliament for Kingston and the Islands Ted Hsu after his former graduate students and international colleagues organized the application, submitted through Hsu’s office.
As Professor and Head of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Queen’s School of Medicine, Smith has worked in women’s health and pregnancy outcomes through his clinical research in adverse events during pregnancy following his residency at Queen’s from 1992 to 1997.
“It [the medal] means I made a difference,” Smith said. He believes everyone should strive to make a difference by the end of their career—whether through their community, mentoring others, or through research.
In 2011, Smith began the Maternal Health Clinic which screens women who are six months postpartum for risks increasing their chance of developing cardiovascular disease. Following its development, the clinic became the recommended standard of care internationally. The clinic has seen around 1,200 women since its beginning, according to Smith.
Dr. Jamaica Cass, PhD ’13
As a member of the Mohawks at the Bay of Quinte, Cass works primarily in Indigenous health.
Cass was nominated by Member of Parliament Shelby Kramp-Neuman for Hastings—Lennox and Addington. In the Department of Family Medicine, she’s an assistant professor, the director of Indigenous health and program director for the Indigenous health enhanced skills program—all the while working as a family doctor in Tyendinaga.
Cass reflected upon the colonial symbol of the award, noting how the medal is a picture of the head of the British monarchy, King Charles III. Yet, she’s honoured to be a recipient, noting how the medal was awarded to individuals working in reconciliation.
“There are so many people who have put so much time and energy and their spirit into reconciliation work,” Cass said. “I’m just one of them, so it’s really lovely to be thought of.”
Lynda Colgan
As a Professor Emerita in the Faculty of Education, Colgan has centered her career around accessible education in mathematics.
Colgan was nominated by Member of Parliament Mark Gerretsen, who Colgan refers to as a staunch er of her outreach work in Kingston since 2009.
Running city-wide math initiatives like Kingston Counts which later expanded into Science Rendezvous Kingston, Colgan aims to help families across Ontario experience and learn about science without financial barriers.
She reflected on her upbringing as the first in her family to attend university. Before her father ed away, she promised him she would earn a doctorate degree—a promise she fulfilled at the University of Toronto.
“This [award] means I honoured the gifts that my parents set in motion when I was a child and that I kept true to their goals of always giving back to the community,” Colgan said.
Stéfanie von Hlatky
Nominated by Minister of National Defense Bill Blair, von Hlatky, a professor in the Department of Political Studies since 2012, has focused her research and teachings on the intersection between international security and gender. This focus came about after realizing how conversations surrounding international security were primarily filled with men.
She reflected on being an award recipient noting how her research ing the integration of women into the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) hasn’t always been well-received due to its connection with diversity, equity, and inclusion.
According to the Government of Canada, from the 30,000 medals that were awarded, 4,000 of them were awarded to of the CAF.
“[The medal] is a testament of how important it is to persevere with one’s research and work even when it’s a bit more difficult, and there’s organizational resistance to your research with some of the key stakeholders,” von Hlatky said. “Double down and hold firm on where the research is taking you.”
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