Program Overview

Established in 1995, the Ludwik & Estelle Jus Memorial Human Rights Prize recognizes exceptional contributions by administrative staff, librarians, faculty members, and students.

Recipients of the Ludwik & Estelle Jus Memorial Human Rights Prize include a wide variety of individuals who have been recognized for their scholarship, personal service to others, or activities in support of the University of Toronto’s commitment to human rights and equity, diversity, and inclusion.

There are two categories of the prize:

• Influential Leader
• Emerging Leader

The Ludwik & Estelle Jus Memorial Human Rights Prize is aligned with the University’s broader Awards of Excellence (AWEX) – U of T’s most distinguished awards program.

2026 Recipients

Influential Leader

 

Dr. Michelle Hladunewich exemplifies influential leadership through her extraordinary humanitarian work, institutional impact, and unwavering commitment to equity and inclusion. As Chief of Medicine at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Professor at the University of Toronto, she has advanced diversity and innovation in patient care and education. Her leadership in programs supporting Black and Indigenous medical students, and the Pregnancy and Kidney Disease Clinic, which transforms care for women with renal disease globally, reflects her dedication to systemic equity.

Michelle’s humanitarian leadership is unparalleled. Since 2014, she has worked to assist the people of Ukraine. In partnership with the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, she has helped organize and lead multidisciplinary missions delivering complex reconstructive surgeries to civilians and soldiers injured in war as a member of the Canada-Ukraine Surgical Aid Program (CUSAP). Her efforts include building international partnerships, securing medical supplies, and creating a “Canada Ward” in Poland and now Ukraine to facilitate pre- and post-operative care. Beyond clinical work, she mentors Ukrainian physicians, organizes observerships at Sunnybrook, and co-leads conferences with the Global Medical Knowledge Alliance (GMKA) on quality, safety, and women in medicine, empowering female leaders in Ukraine. Michelle’s commitment extends beyond medicine. She assists displaced families with border passage, education, and immigration pathways, demonstrating profound compassion and advocacy for human rights.

Recognized globally for her scholarly contributions and humanitarian leadership, Michelle stands as an exemplar of courage, equity, and transformative impact, advancing the University’s mission and improving lives across borders.

Dr. Michelle Hladunewich was nominated by Moira Kapral, Professor, Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

Emerging Leader

 

Adam Cox has been an educator for over twenty years with the York Region District School Board and is currently a Master’s student. He has shown tireless commitment to fostering inclusive practices and bridging the gap between at-risk youth and the justice system through extensive community support. Working in urban schools, Adam developed innovative Personalized Alternative Education programs that use experiential learning to re-engage marginalized youth. These programs directly connect students with community partners for jobs and mentorship, providing them with essential support for their secondary education and lifelong success. He created “Wellness Clinic” workshops that bring community partners, including members of the justice system, into schools to foster dialogue and build trust with youth who may be wary of these institutions. Adam works closely with parole officers and police to ensure students can follow their educational plans while adhering to bail conditions, acting as a crucial buffer between the youth and the justice system.

Beyond the classroom, Adam extends his influence by teaching Additional Qualification Courses to other educators across Ontario, focusing on supporting at-risk youth and promoting experiential learning. He has also held prominent leadership roles on the Board of Directors for The Bridge Hamilton/Halton and the John Howard Society (Peel-Halton-Dufferin), where he works to improve community services for individuals affected by crime.

His personal dedication is evident in the countless evenings and weekends spent helping students and their families with legal proceedings, securing jobs, and accessing vital community services and mental health resources. Through his multifaceted work as an educator and community leader, Adam has continuously and profoundly improved the lives of at-risk youth and their families.

Adam Cox was nominated by Barnabas Emenogu, Sessional Lecturer, Department of Leadership, Higher & Adult Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.

Presentation Details

Recipients of a 2026 Ludwik & Estelle Jus Memorial Human Rights Prize will be invited to attend a luncheon hosted by Kelly Hannah-Moffat, Vice-President, People Strategy, Equity & Culture, and Sandy Welsh, Vice-Provost, Students, to be held in the spring.

Recipients will receive their framed AWEX certificate at the 2026 Pinnacle Awards Luncheon alongside the 2026 recipients of:

• the Chancellor’s Leadership Award,
• the Jill Matus Award for Excellence in Student Services,
• the Joan E. Foley Quality of Student Experience Award, and
• the President’s Excellence Award

Further Details

Complete details on the award are available on the AWEX website.

The complete list of past recipients is also available.

Please contact the Employee Recognition & Engagement Team for additional information about this year’s recipients or the award program.

Learn more about other staff recognition programs at U of T through our Recognition Scaffold.