The Lung Association honors Dr. David Cotton with the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lung Association honors Dr. David Cotton with the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr. David Cotton
Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient - April 2012

Saskatoon, April 23, 2012 – "Each year at the Lung Association's annual general meeting, in addition to conducting the business of the Association, it is also an opportunity to recognize our partners, donors, and individuals that make the Lung Association the recognized leader in lung health in Saskatchewan," says Dr. Brian Graham, the Lung Associations President and CEO. "The longevity and success of the Lung Association would not be possible without the hundreds of thousands of Saskatchewan people that have given their time and financial resources throughout the years to help people with lung disease and to support research to find cures and better treatments for lung disease," adds Graham.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest award conferred by the Lung Association's volunteer Board of Directors. It is bestowed on persons that have rendered distinguished service to the field of respiratory health in our province and have demonstrated consistent leadership and service. Those characteristics eminently describe Dr. David Cotton and it is our honor to recognize him and celebrate his contribution to respiratory medicine.

It was in 1976 that Dr. Cotton joined the Pulmonary Division at the Department of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan where he quickly became a leader in the fight against lung disease. From 1984 – 1994, he was the Head of the Pulmonary Division, making it the world-class unit that it is today. From 1994 -1999 Dr. Cotton was Head of the Department of Medicine and in 2006 he was the Acting Head of the Sleep Lab and established the SleepWell Program for home testing for sleep apnea. Dr. Cotton's participation on the Lung Association Board as the Chair of the Medical Advisory Committee spanned nearly a decade (1986 – 1994) and during that time he led the founding of the Saskatchewan Thoracic Society, which is the medical arm of the Lung Association. Dr. Cotton has published over 100 scientific publications and he led the establishment of the Canadian Respiratory Journal when he was President of the Canadian Thoracic Society from 1992 – 1993.

Throughout his prestigious career as a clinician, Dr. Cotton established critical care in Saskatoon, revised the Saskatchewan Home Oxygen Program, attended tuberculosis clinics in the northern part of our province and helped thousands of people with asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis and sleep apnea. "These accomplishments are an overview of some of the contribution that Dr. Cotton has made to respiratory medicine in Saskatchewan, across Canada and around the world," comments Dr. Graham. "We are grateful for the opportunity to recognize Dr. Cotton for his distinguished services and commitment to respiratory medicine and the residents of Saskatchewan."

The Lung Association also presented an Award of Merit to Dr. Gordon Ford and Certificates of Appreciation to Kelly Duncalfe-Baker, Ken Elliott, Simon Hiatt, Ann Parry, Scott McHenry, Chris Milo, Erin Fogarty, Flo Woods, Kyla Christiansen, WBM Office Systems, Saskatchewan Environmental Society, Saskatchewan Research Council, Brooke Kleiboer, Aiden May and Jesse Miller.

The following Lung Association employees were recognized for their service: Bernie Bolley, 20 years, Marion Laroque, 5 years, Lynne Kreklewetz-Bawolin, 5 years, and Jessie-Lee Peters, 5 years.

About The Lung Association

Established in 1911, The Lung Association is Saskatchewan's oldest health charity. You have come to know and trust The Lung Association as the premier source for lung health in our province. All of our quality educational materials, programs, services and treatment guidelines are based on current evidence-based research. You will find The Lung Association active in communities across Saskatchewan conducting lung disease prevention and management programs that include asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, lung cancer and smoking cessation. The Lung Association also provides training for health care professionals, delivers health education in schools, facilitates patient support groups, and lobbies for clean air.

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For more information, please contact:

Brian Graham, President & CEO
(306) 343-9511
brian.graham@sk.lung.ca