Dr. Joelle Thorgrimson honoured for contributions to aviation and aerospace

Northern Lights Aero Foundation announces 2019 award winners

TORONTO – The Northern Lights Aero Foundation today announced the 2019 winners of its annual “Elsie” award, honouring Canadian women who have made outstanding contributions to aviation and aerospace.

“Our goal is to bring more recognition to women doing incredible work in aviation and aerospace in Canada,” says Joy Parker Blackwood, president of the Northern Lights Aero Foundation. “This year’s winners are all role models for the next generation of women in these industries.”

Named after aviation pioneer and human rights advocate Elsie Gregory MacGill, the award recognizes eight women across seven categories: business, education, engineering, flight operations, government, pioneer and rising star.

Rising Star: Dr. Joelle Thorgrimson (MD'17) is a pilot, physician, physicist and future flight surgeon. She holds degrees in astrophysics, quantum computing and medicine, and has completed her private pilot’s license. Upon completion of her medical residency, she will be posted in Cold Lake, Alberta, where she will complete her flight surgeon training and work as a medical officer with the goal of pursuing aerospace medicine.