Dr. Allison McGeer has recently been named a Member of the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest civilian honours. Appointed in the December 2025 list of Order of Canada recipients announced by Governor General Mary Simon, McGeer is among the individuals recognized for making extraordinary and sustained contributions to Canadian society. The Order of Canada honours achievement and service across a wide range of fields, including health care, science and public service.
An infectious disease physician and internationally recognized expert in infection prevention and control, McGeer has spent decades advancing understanding of how infections spread and how health systems can better protect patients, staff and communities. Her work has played a significant role in shaping infection control practices in Canada and beyond, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
McGeer holds appointments at the University of Toronto, University Health Network and Sinai Health System, where she has combined clinical practice, research and leadership in infection prevention. Her contributions have influenced public health policy, hospital preparedness and clinical guidelines at national and international levels.
The Order of Canada appointment adds to a growing list of recent recognitions for McGeer and for the field of infection control more broadly. In 2024, she was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, an honour that celebrated her pioneering role in infection prevention, her commitment to patient safety and her mentorship of the next generation of clinicians and scientists.
The Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology congratulates Allison McGeer on this national honour and celebrates her continued contributions to infection control, public health and academic medicine.
