Dr. John Last is the recipient of the Sedgwick Memorial Medal for Distinguished Service in Public Health from the American Public Health Association (APHA). The medal is APHA’s most prestigious award, and has been awarded only twice to Canadians since its inception in 1929.
In selecting Dr. Last, an emeritus professor of epidemiology and community medicine at the University of Ottawa, the APHA recognizes his long and preeminent career in public health. Dr. Last is considered a giant in the field of public health. His voluminous writings display a wide and comprehensive view of public health, including the global environment.
Dr. Last was born and educated in medicine in Australia. Before arriving at the University in 1969, he served on the academic staff of the University of Sydney, the University of Vermont, and the University of Edinburgh. He has honorary doctoral degrees from Uppsala University in Sweden and the University of Edinburgh, and is the past president of the American College of Preventive Medicine, and is a foundation fellow of the American College of Epidemiology.
He received the award at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association on October 28, 2008.
