Order of Canada recognizes three colleagues
July 24, 2025
The Order of Canada is the foundation of the Canadian Honours System recognizing outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. EKO is thrilled to congratulate three changemakers in the developmental healthcare sector who received appointments to the Order of Canada this year. This is the first time so many in our sector have been so honoured, demonstrating significant representation on a national scale.
We’re proud of these leaders whose work and research enables kids with disabilities and developmental needs and their families to live their best lives.
Dr. Tom Chau, senior scientist at Bloorview Research Institute and professor at the University of Toronto’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Chau was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada, the second-highest civilian honour. This most recent honour joins a distinguished list of awards, including the Governor General’s Innovation Award, the Order of Ontario, the Meritorious Service Cross and Canada Research Chair appointments in pediatric rehabilitation engineering.
Dr. Chau established Holland Bloorview’s Paediatric Rehabilitation Intelligent Systems Multidisciplinary (PRISM) Lab in 2004. It has since evolved into a leading centre for applied engineering innovation and student mentorship. His team’s breakthroughs include the Hummingbird; a wearable device that translates vocal cord vibrations into switch outputs that can interface with communication devices and computers.
This recognition comes from his spearheading of innovative technologies that empower kids with disabilities to communicate and interact with the world around them.
“I’m deeply honoured to be named an Officer of the Order of Canada. This recognition is a reflection of the incredible collaboration I’ve been privileged to be part of — alongside children, families, clinicians, and researchers — in advancing access technologies that help young people with disabilities express themselves and participate fully in life. I hope this honour helps shine a light on the importance of inclusive innovation and the potential of brain-computer interfaces to support communication and autonomy,” he says.
Dr. Peter Rosenbaum, co-founder of the CanChild Centre for Childhood-Onset Disability Research, Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at McMaster University, and a Developmental Pediatrician at McMaster Children’s Hospital
Dr. Rosenbaum’s appointment is proof of his lasting impact on how to best support kids with disabilities and their families.
His groundbreaking 2011 paper written alongside colleague Jan Willem Gorter is titled The F-words in Childhood Disability: I swear this is how we should think! It features six F-words that shape what it means to take a family-focused approach in care: Family, Fitness, Fun, Friends and Future. It has since been translated into over 35 languages and implemented in clinical and community settings across more than 30 countries. For practitioners, policymakers, and parents, the approach presents a compelling alternative to conventional biomedical models.
This recent appointment is one of many awards Dr. Rosenbaum has received for his work in the field of childhood disability. This includes the Canadian Paediatric Society’s Ross Award (2000), an honorary Fellowship in Paediatrics from the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (2022), and a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Childhood Disability (2001–2014). In 2024, he was awarded the Children’s Healthcare Canada Legacy Award in recognition of his national leadership in pediatric health.
"I've been aware since the Order of Canada was created many years ago that it is a highly respected kind of recognition at a national level. And it's not something I ever sought, or it wasn't part of my trajectory to get to that level. Having said that, the fact that people nominated me and that the committee looked at what was said and actually believed it said to me that the work that I/we have been doing has been recognized to be important,” he says.
“We’ve begun to recognize that the things we're interested in are in fact things that are relevant to all of child health. And to get to the punchline, the fact that this kind of interest and this focus has been recognized at the level of the Order of Canada is really important to the field,” he adds.
Dr. Ashleigh Molloy (or Dr. Ash), President at Transformation Education International and an adjunct professor at Niagara University
Dr. Molloy’s appointment emphasizes his global impact as a leader in the field of developmental disabilities. His contributions to international disability education have earned recognition from governments across Asia, Africa, Europe, and North and South America.
He has collaborated with school boards, governments, NGOs and corporations around the globe. His contributions and unique perspectives offer valuable insight and help drive strategic priorities that better serve a community of stakeholders. Additionally, he consults, presents and delivers training at international conferences on varied education topics. He is a respected speaker and author and has taught special education at the elementary, secondary and college levels.
“A respected educator and advocate, Dr. Ashleigh Molloy, who is affectionately known as Dr. Ash, has been actively involved with SMILE Canada – Support Services for over 15 years. During this time, he has served on the advisory council and made meaningful contributions through various forms of direct engagement,” says Dr. Sukaina Dada, CEO of SMILE Canada.
“Dr. Molloy has presented to caregivers, participated in community events, and offered dedicated coaching and mentorship to parents, reflecting his deep commitment to supporting racialized and newcomer families and advancing inclusive practices. His leadership and insight have helped shape programming and strategic direction within the organization, particularly in the areas of disability inclusion,” she adds.
Click here to read the full list of appointees.