Dr. Catherine Cook inducted into Winnipeg’s Citizens Hall of Fame
Dr. Catherine Cook, MD, MSc, CCFP, FCFP and V.P. Emerita (Indigenous), has been named as the 2025 inductee to the Winnipeg Citizens Hall of Fame. She is the 51st inductee with her likeness unveiled at Assiniboine Park.
The award, presented by the Winnipeg Real Estate Board, is given to individuals who bring recognition to Winnipeg or have made outstanding contributions to the quality of life and development of the city.
“I’m honoured to be named to the Winnipeg Citizens Hall of Fame,” says Cook. “It’s humbling to be recognized for doing work that I love and to realize how much it has meant to people.”
Community, collaboration and care
Throughout her 30-year career at the University of Manitoba, Cook championed the importance of health services for Indigenous Manitobans and worked closely with provincial and federal governments, as well as community organizations.
A tireless advocate and advisor for Indigenous peoples’ health, Cook played a pivotal role in shaping health policy and education in Winnipeg and beyond. Her leadership spanned numerous influential roles, including vice-president of population and public health at the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) and provincial lead for Indigenous health at Shared Health Manitoba.
Cook remains a vital force in Canada’s health-care landscape. She serves on the board of Canadian Blood Services and lends her expertise as an advisor to Movember and Arthritis Canada. Her commitment to community health endures through ongoing work with communities in Winnipeg and across rural and northern Manitoba.
“Dr. Cook opened doors and created safe spaces for me and other Indigenous health leaders to learn and flourish in the health profession,” says Melanie MacKinnon, executive director Ongomiizwin, Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing, Health Services, University of Manitoba. “She worked her whole life to help elevate our stories and prioritize equitable and culturally safe health care and education for Indigenous people.”
Championing Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba
Early in her tenure, Cook introduced a series of strategic recommendations to engage the entire university community in fostering a safe, inclusive and culturally enriching environment for Indigenous peoples. Her visionary leadership laid the foundation for sustained institutional commitments to Reconciliation, setting a precedent for universities across Canada.
Cook served as an associate professor in the department of community health sciences in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences and in 2017 was the guiding force behind the creation of Ongomiizwin – the Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing. Ongomiizwin is the largest Indigenous education and health unit in Canada, providing leadership and excellence in research and health services.
In 2020, Cook made history as the University of Manitoba’s inaugural vice-president (Indigenous), swiftly translating her vision into action by establishing a strong framework for authentic Reconciliation within the institution.
“Dr. Cook has dedicated herself to helping people across the globe receive equitable health care by changing fundamental aspects of our system, and by inspiring generations of new physicians. As UM’s first vice-president (Indigenous), she has left her mark on our campus in innumerable ways and every day I am grateful I had the opportunity to have worked alongside her and learn from her before she retired,” says Dr. Michael Benarroch, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manitoba. “History is made by great people, and Catherine is one of those rare individuals who come along and change our society through her ideas, words and actions. I’m thrilled for her and her family that she is being recognized in this way.”
Even with her many accomplishments, Cook remains grounded, describing herself as a fortunate person dedicated to working hard for a better health system. She cannot recall a single day when she didn’t love her work.
The Citizens Hall of Fame Selection Committee consists of 16 members, representing a diverse cross-section of professional organizations, educational institutions, service groups and three REALTOR® Members from the Winnipeg Regional Real Estate Board.
Research at the University of Manitoba is partially supported by funding from the Government of Canada Research Support Fund.