Raquel Zegarra del Carpio-O’Donovan appointed to the Order of Canada

The esteemed neuroradiologist was recognized by Governor General Mary Simon for her mentorship of radiologists worldwide

Dr. Raquel Zegarra del Carpio-O’Donovan, Professor of Radiology, Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University, has been appointed a Member of the Order of Canada (OOC). Dr. del Carpio-O’Donovan was recognized “for her leadership as an esteemed neuroradiologist and for her mentorship of a generation of radiologists around the globe.”

The Order of Canada is one of our country’s highest honours. It recognizes people across all sectors of society who have made extraordinary and sustained contributions to our nation. Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, announced a total of 78 new appointees to the OOC on December 28. Alongside Dr. del Carpio-O’Donovan, four other members of the McGill community were among those appointed to, or promoted within, the Order.

“I greatly value the opportunity to celebrate individuals whose perseverance, ingenuity and community spirit have benefited Canadians throughout the country. As Governor General, I have seen first-hand that our communities are rich in both excellence and diversity, which we need to do our utmost to recognize,” said the Governor General in a statement. “I encourage each of us to become catalysts for the change we want to see in the Canadian Honours System by nominating individuals whose exceptional accomplishments may have gone unrecognized through the years.”

The Governor General will present Dr. del Carpio-O’Donovan and the other honourees with their insignia at an investiture ceremony at a date to be announced.

Dedicated teacher and mentor

A full-time neuroradiologist at the MUHC and an associate investigator in the Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Dr. del Carpio-O’Donovan is a dedicated teacher and mentor. Her distinguished career includes a major role in the development of the Radiology Resident Program at McGill hospitals in her capacity as associate chief of MUHC Radiology and vice chair of the McGill Radiology Department, as well as chief radiologist at the Montreal General Hospital.

Dr. del Carpio-O’Donovan has travelled to at least 30 countries as an international lecturer on behalf of world-renowned radiology organizations, including the Radiological Society of North America. She has also participated in education programs in developing countries representing, among other scientific groups, the American Society of Neuroradiology.

In 2013, Dr. del Carpio-O’Donovan received the Quebec Medical Association’s Teaching Award. In 2016, she was awarded the Canadian Association of Radiologists Gold Medal for achievements throughout her career and in 2017, the Societé de Radiologie du Québec honoured her with its highest distinction, the Prix Albert-Jutras. She is also a recipient of the YWCA of Montreal Women of Distinction Award, and her efforts to help radiologists from emerging countries earned her an award as one of the ten most influential Hispanic persons in Canada. In 2022, she was elected Honorary President by the World Federation of Neuroradiological Societies in recognition of her substantial contributions to Neuroradiology at the international level.

Congratulations, Dr. del Carpio-O’Donovan!

_Source: RI-MUHC