Patients’ Choice Award for Canadian Rheumatologist of the Year | Lupus Canada
Honouring Excellence
in Lupus Care
Lupus Canada is proud to announce the recipient of the inaugural Patients’ Choice Award for Canadian Rheumatologist of the Year.
Celebrate Compassionate Care
Make Your Voice Heard
Thank you for helping us recognize the Rheumatologists who go above and beyond. This campaign is a celebration of their compassion, expertise, and lasting impact.
2025 Recipient: Dr. Deborah Levy
Dr. Levy is a Staff Rheumatologist and Associate Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Toronto, as well as a Team Investigator at the SickKids Research Institute and Clinic Director of the Paediatric Lupus Clinic at SickKids. Her research focuses on long-term outcomes of childhood-onset lupus and includes national collaborations in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE), and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
She has received numerous accolades for her clinical and research excellence, including the Department of Paediatrics Clinical Excellence Award and the 2018 Ontario Rheumatologist of the Year. Dr. Levy is also a passionate advocate for underserved patient communities, currently serving as Vice-President – Paediatric of the Ontario Rheumatology Association and Past-Chair of the Paediatric Committee of the Canadian Rheumatology Association.
“Truly, this represents the hard work and dedication of the entire SickKids Lupus Clinic and not just me — there is no way I could do this on my own!”
— Dr. Deborah Levy
About the Award
Many people living with lupus rely on the expertise, compassion, and dedication of their Rheumatologists. These healthcare professionals play a vital role in helping patients navigate the complexities of lupus, offering both medical guidance and unwavering support.
The Patients’ Choice Award was created to honour a Canadian Rheumatologist who has made a lasting impact on individuals living with lupus. This patient-driven recognition celebrates healthcare professionals who go above and beyond with their compassion, expertise, and commitment to care.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate and vote — your voices made this possible.
Honouring All Nominees & Looking Ahead
Lupus Canada extends heartfelt congratulations to all of the exceptional Rheumatologists who were nominated. Each nomination is a powerful reflection of the impact compassionate care has on those living with lupus.
We are deeply grateful to our community for sharing their stories and helping shine a spotlight on the heroes of lupus care. Thank you for helping us honour the individuals who support, guide, and advocate for Canadians living with lupus every day.
We look forward to continuing this meaningful tradition in the years to come.
Messages of Appreciation from Patients
Dr Carruthers is a professional, approachable, patient, caring, compassionate and knowledgeable specialist. She listens intently and explains what is happening and about any next steps, which is always reassuring. Dr Carruthers cares about her patients and I always feel beyond grateful and blessed to have her as my doctor as she always goes above and beyond and answers ALL my questions 🙂
Dr. Ken Skeith became my rheumatologist in January 2011 and has been the most supportive and important Dr. I have ever had. He is dedicated in helping and advocating for his patients. Over the years my health journey has been a rollercoaster, but Dr. Skeith is unwavering in his advocacy for my health. Thanks to him I have a whole team of Specialists who help me. I’m very thankful to have him as my rheumatologist.
Dr. Olaru commitment to her patients goes beyond simply treating symptoms; she empowers them and gives them hope. Her expertise in rheumatology, coupled with her compassionate approach, makes her an outstanding physician. She is knowledgeable, compassionate, and dedicated rheumatologist. She is a true asset to her profession, and I am deeply grateful for the exceptional care I have received under her guidance.
Dr. Matsos is beyond knowledgeable about this disease, but he presents it in a way that invites patients to revert back to being people and to be partners in their own health care, and the decisions being made about how to live life as well as possible. There is no judgement, there is no frustration, there is simply acceptance that this disease is difficult, and that it’s a journey we will work on together. It is comforting to be met with compassion, with partnership and with so much knowledge while trying to sort out the curveballs this disease presents people with. In the world of being a patient, I appreciate being treated as a person first.
I have was referred to Dr Choi in 2019 by my family doctor. I have exhibited autoimmune symptoms previously (most severe in my pregnancy of my first child) ; Dr Choi has been incredibly patient and supportive as I navigate life with a chronic illness. She is thorough, shares the latest research and helps guide toward the best medication for my condition. Diagnosis is long process, so many unknowns and what can feel like bleak outcomes; a practitioner who takes the time to answer questions and refer for more information has made a huge difference for me.
It is with deep appreciation and admiration that we nominate Dr. Steven Thomson for Rheumatologist of the Year. Since 2019, Dr. Thomson has been an unwavering source of support, guidance, and expert care as he has overseen my diagnosis and ongoing journey with Lupus. Dr. Thomson doesn’t just treat a disease—he treats the person behind it. He has consistently shown that he wants the very best for us, and that sincerity is felt in every appointment, every phone call, and every plan of action. In a world where medical care can sometimes feel impersonal or rushed, Dr. Thomson is a rare and exceptional physician. We feel incredibly fortunate to be under his care and believe he exemplifies everything required for this award.
Dr. Fifi-Mah advocates for every patients entire health journey, not just their chronic conditions. As a fellow professional woman and mother I have never encountered a health care provider who is more knowledgeable, professional or candid than Dr. Fif-Mah. Empathy equipped with a tool box of problem solving skills for her patients, she ensures that your lupus journey can be taken with dignity and options that work best for the individual and not the text book or latest fad. Without a doubt Dr. Fifi-Mah is quite literally changing lives.