Sociology Prof. Patricia Marchak and Medicine Asst. Prof. Katherine Paton were recently named YWCA Women of Distinction Award winners at the association's annual awards dinner.
Marchak, UBC's former dean of Arts and a newly elected member of the Board of Governors, was the recipient of the award in the category of Education, Training and Development.
One of Canada's foremost sociologists, she is the author of numerous influential books and articles on fisheries, political ideologies, political economy and forestry.
Much of her work has addressed critical issues around responsible use of private capital in resource development.
Paton, an ophthalmologist, was honoured in the category of Health and Wellness.
Paton created and directs UBC's ocular ultrasound diagnostic testing facility, treats children's eye tumours and runs a specialty consultation service in ocular oncology.
She also trains residents and students in eye diseases and ethics, provides public lectures on eye diseases, and sits on the Ethics Committee of Vancouver General Hospital.
Also nominated in the same category were Medicine Prof. Jean Hlady and Sandra Bressler, a clinical professor of Rehabilitation Sciences and director of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy at B.C.'s Children's Hospital.
A record total of 13 women from UBC were nominated for the awards, which were handed out May 27 at the Hyatt Regency.
Nominees included seven faculty, five students and one alumna.