Story excerpt from Michael Smith Health Research BC

Clinical Trials BC, part of Michael Smith Health Research BC, honoured Division of Medical Sciences faculty member and Northern Medical Program professor Dr. Robert Olson with a 2024 Clinical Trials BC Awards for outstanding contributions to the clinical trials community in British Columbia and beyond.  

Through these annual awards, Clinical Trials BC recognizes individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to strengthening BC’s clinical trials ecosystem. Award recipients exemplify excellence in leadership, advocacy for clinical trials and outstanding service and support to advance clinical trials research and improve the health of people across British Columbia.

“We’re thrilled to recognize the exceptional achievements of this year’s recipients,” says Alison Orth, portfolio director, research programs, Health Research BC. “Their dedication and impactful contributions have enriched the research and clinical trials community, inspiring us all to enable transformational change for better health.”

Dr. Robert Olson received the 2024 Leadership & Advocacy Award for his longstanding leadership in the clinical trials and research community. The Leadership & Advocacy Award honours outstanding leaders and advocates for clinical trials at the local, provincial and/or national level. It recognizes leaders who educate, mentor, advocate or spearhead projects, programs and strategies that benefit our clinical trials community.

Olson is the head of the Division of Radiation Oncology in the Department of Surgery at UBC’s Faculty of Medicine, and the executive medical director with BC Cancer – Prince George. 

He has led clinical trials that have transformed practice and continue to push the clinical trials boundary.  Based in Prince George, he is a persistent advocate for clinical trial success in rural and remote communities. He has worked to increase clinical trial infrastructure in northern BC, opening some of the first clinical trials in the north.    

Olson has made significant contributions to the advancement of clinical trials through education activities that address challenges in the area. Through ongoing professional development and education, he inspires and mentors the next generation of clinical research teams and professionals. 

“I am honoured to receive this award and would like to acknowledge that it took a large team of dedicated individuals to receive this recognition,” says Dr. Olson. “Over the last decade, BC Cancer – Prince George has grown from a new regional cancer clinic to a world leader in precision radiation oncology trials, thanks primarily to the collective work of many individuals both in Prince George and supporting of us from BC Cancer’s central clinical trials office.”