Congratulations to Dr. Lesa Dawson for her nomination for the 2026 YWCA Women of Distinction Award in Health & Wellness
Recognized nationally, the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards presented by Scotiabank is our premier fundraising event, honouring extraordinary women leaders and businesses.
Dr. Lesa Dawson is Founder and Director of the Gynecologic Cancer Prevention and Survivorship Program and a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Medicine. She is a nationally recognized physician-scientist in women’s health. As an influential researcher and advocate, her leadership in population-based genetic testing for hereditary cancer risk has shaped national and international dialogue, building evidence to reduce inequities and prevent thousands of cancers. She also broke new ground by leading education, research and knowledge-translation initiatives focused on South Asian women’s health in BC. Her work has improved access and outcomes for women across Canada, advancing inclusive cancer prevention and care. She was recognized as one of Optimyz Magazine’s Top 100 Health and Influencers.
To learn more, visit the YWCA website below.
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