PATH co-founder Dr. Gordon Perkin awarded Canada's highest civilian honor

Dr. Gordon Perkin, one of the founders of PATH, has been recognized by the Government of Canada for his work to improve global health. Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, governor general of Canada, appointed Perkin as an Officer in the Order of Canada, honoring him for his “contributions to improving the health of citizens in the developing world,” notably as co-founder of PATH and as former head of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s global health program.

The Order of Canada recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to community, and service to the nation. Over the last 40 years, more than 5,000 people have been appointed to the Order.

Perkin received his MD from the University of Toronto in 1959 and began his career as a family doctor in Canada. In the late 1970s, Perkin and two colleagues founded PATH in Seattle. Perkin served as president of PATH until 1999, when he left to become the director of global health at the Gates Foundation. He has had a distinguished career as a physician and a leader in the global health community, working with the World Health Organization, Ford Foundation, National Academy of Sciences, and Planned Parenthood.

We are pleased that Dr. Perkin’s outstanding contributions to global health continue to be respected and honored around the world. This recognition is richly deserved.

• Article about Dr. Perkin's award on the Humanosphere website.
• Press release about recent appointments to the Order of Canada on the Governor General of Canada website.
• Details of Dr. Perkin's award on the Governor General of Canada website.
• The story of PATH’s history.

Posted January 20, 2010. Updated September 17, 2010.