The 2025 POGO Awards Honour Excellence in Childhood Cancer Care
On Friday, November 7, the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) proudly celebrated the recipients of the 2025 POGO Awards. Since their inception in 1999, these awards have recognized the outstanding contributions of individuals across Ontario who are advancing childhood cancer care both within the province and beyond. Through their work in POGO partner hospitals, this year’s honourees embody POGO’s core values of partnership, collaboration, and excellence, and continue to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children, youth, families, and the broader pediatric oncology community.
Congratulations to the 2025 POGO Recognition Awards recipients: Lillian Sung, MD, PhD, FRCPC Champion Award (not pictured)  Sumit Gupta, MD, PhD, FRCPC and  Sue Zupanec, MN, NP Visionary Award (Team – Tie); Alisha Kassam, MD, MPH, FRCPC and  the Southlake AYA Oncology Program Visionary Award (Team – Tie); Rebecca Mackenzie Community Partner Impact Award; Emma King BA, CHYS Early Career Professional; Lindsay Jibb, RN, PhD, CPHON Nursing Leadership Award. They are joined (centre) by POGO CEO Lauren Ettin and POGO Medical Director Donna Johnston.
POGO Champion Award
Lillian Sung, MD, PhD, FRCPC
In tribute to a career of seminal research, visionary leadership, and unwavering dedication that has improved childhood cancer care across Ontario and propelled progress worldwide.
POGO Visionary Award – Team (Tie)
Sumit Gupta, MD, PhD, FRCPC and Sue Zupanec MN NP
In acknowledgement of their trailblazing contributions that have transformed lives and shaped the future of pediatric leukemia treatment in Ontario and beyond.
POGO Visionary Award – Team (Tie)
Alisha Kassam, MD, MPH, FRCPC and the Southlake AYA Oncology Program
For their commitment to equitable, age-appropriate cancer care for adolescents and young adults in Ontario that has inspired system-wide change.
POGO Nursing Leadership Award 
Lindsay Jibb, RN, PhD, CPHON
In recognition of her groundbreaking innovations that have contributed to advancing pediatric oncology nursing in Ontario and beyond.
POGO Early Career Professional Award 
Emma King, BA CHYS
In recognition of her patient-centred approach and dedication to adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer.
POGO Community Partner Impact Award
Rebecca McKenzie
In honour of her impact through fundraising, partnership building, and generous support that has powerfully advanced POGO’s mission and serves as an inspiration to others across the province.
Learn more about the POGO Recognition Awards Program
Congratulations to the 2024 POGO Recognition Awards RecipientsÂ
On Friday, November 8, the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) honoured the recipients of the 2024 POGO Recognition Awards at a Celebratory Dinner. Established in 1999, the awards acknowledge significant contributions of Ontarians to the field of childhood cancer care in Ontario and beyond. Award recipients work in POGO partner hospitals and demonstrate POGO’s core values of partnership, collaboration and excellence.
POGO Champion AwardÂ
Lee Dupuis, RPh, PhD
Pediatric Oncologist, Senior Scientist, Professor, Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children
In recognition of her dedication to improving the lives of childhood cancer patients, exceptional leadership in supportive care, and commitment to those she mentors and all with whom she collaborates, in Ontario and beyond.  Â
POGO Visionary Award
Ian M. Wilson, MD
Pediatrician, Grand River Hospital
In recognition of his integral role in shaping the vision for the POGO Satellite Clinic Program, bringing childhood cancer care closer to home for families in communities across Ontario.
POGO Nursing Leadership Award
Tina Hamalainen, RN, BScN
POGO Interlink Team Leader, The Hospital for Sick Children
In recognition of her commitment to a patient-centred approach to childhood cancer care that improves the lives of young people and their families, and to a culture of learning in support of pediatric oncology teams.
POGO Community Partner Impact
The Slaight Family Foundation
In recognition of their exceptional and longstanding commitment to childhood cancer care, and landmark investment of $1,000,000 in the POGO School and Work Transitions Program.
Learn more about the POGO Recognition Awards Program
