Robert Olson, Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery is the winner of the Hjalmar Johnson New Investigator Award. This award is given out annually to an outstanding investigator who is in their first 8 years in the Department of Surgery.
Dr. Olson obtained his medical training from the University of Calgary, residency training in Radiation Oncology from UBC and a Master of Science in Epidemiology from Harvard University in 2010. Working with the Northern Medical Program (NMP), Dr. Olson is the Director of Faculty Development, as well as the Discipline Specific Site Leader for radiation oncology. However, his primary relationship with the NMP is conducting research. Although he has a diverse area of interest aimed at improving cancer care for patients in BC, his primary areas of interest are: (1) collecting patient reported outcomes, and subsequently improving cancer care based on patients’ feedback, and (2) improving cancer care for rural and northern patients. Dr. Olson has been recognized with many awards including: in 2009, Award in Support of Psychosocial Oncology Excellence from the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada; in 2010, Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology Jean Roy Memorial Award; and in 2010 the Award in Support of Psychosocial Oncology Excellence, Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, 2012.
Dr. Olson received this year’s award at the Chung Research Day dinner on Nov. 2, 2015.