Celebrating excellence in transfusion medicine education: Dr. Oksana Prokopchuk-Gauk awarded Transfusion Camp Impactful Educator Award

Dr. Oksana Prokopchuk-Gauk is the 2024-2025 recipient of the Transfusion Camp Impactful Educator Award. This marks the second annual iteration of the award, which celebrates early-career faculty who demonstrate exceptional commitment to advancing transfusion medicine education in Canada.

About Transfusion Camp

Since its inception in 2016, Transfusion Camp has been a cornerstone in improving transfusion medicine knowledge and best practices among Canadian postgraduate medical residents across the field. This innovative program delivers high-quality, relevant training across multiple specialties, fostering a strong community of practice and a collaborative network that spans nationally and internationally.

To date, Transfusion Camp has trained more than 2,850 trainees, and research has shown its positive impact on knowledge, attitudes, and transfusion practices. The program benefits not only learners but also faculty who contribute to curriculum development and seminar facilitation.

The Transfusion Camp Impactful Educator Award

Established in 2023, the Transfusion Camp Impactful Educator Award recognizes the top-rated early-career seminar facilitator – defined as having 10 years or less of medical experience – based on evaluations from learners. Eligible faculty must receive at least three evaluations. In 2024-2025, 38 early-career faculty participated with 26 meeting the criteria for consideration. 

Dr. Prokopchuk-Gauk's contributions

Dr. Prokopchuk-Gauk stood out among her peers for her outstanding seminar facilitation and dedication to transfusion medicine education. Her work exemplifies the values of Transfusion Camp: knowledge sharing, collaboration, and commitment to best practices. Beyond her role in Transfusion Camp, Dr. Prokopchuk-Gauk holds a leadership role in transfusion medicine within Saskatchewan and is actively involved in developing policies which help enhance blood component and product utilization appropriateness. She recognizes the importance of knowledge translation to implement practice change and enjoys delivering education sessions to clinical staff and trainees about blood stewardship and transfusion safety topics.

Dr. Prokopchuk-Gauk has contributed to professional education resources at Canadian Blood Services including as an author for the Clinical Guide to Transfusion Chapter 15: Irradiated, washed and CMV seronegative blood components, and continues to promote the resources on profedu.ca that are available to support safe and effective transfusion practices across Canada.

Reflecting on her achievement, Dr. Prokopchuk-Gauk shared:

“I’m honoured to receive this award! My participation with Transfusion Camp continues to be a truly rewarding experience. I first became involved as a local seminar facilitator 7 years ago, when I began my role as a staff Transfusion Medicine Physician in Saskatoon. There was a tangible need for transfusion medicine education within our institution, and I couldn’t allow the chance for resident participation in Transfusion Camp (at no cost!) pass us by.” 

She added that the program has strengthened relationships with residents in Anesthesia and Clinical & Diagnostic Pathology at the University of Saskatchewan:

“I have observed that those who have participated in Transfusion Camp are more comfortable approaching our transfusion medicine team with clinical questions to help ensure best patient care. In addition to providing an exceptional learning opportunity to residents, my involvement in Transfusion Camp continues to provide me with valuable continuing medical education. I look forward to once again participating as a Transfusion Camp faculty member and seminar facilitator this year!”

Canadian Blood Services – Driving world-class innovation 

Through discovery, development and applied research, Canadian Blood Services drives world-class innovation in blood transfusion, cellular therapy and transplantation—bringing clarity and insight to an increasingly complex healthcare future. Our dedicated research team and extended network of partners engage in exploratory and applied research to create new knowledge, inform and enhance best practices, contribute to the development of new services and technologies, and build capacity through training and collaboration. Find out more about our research impact.  

The opinions reflected in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Canadian Blood Services nor do they reflect the views of Health Canada or any other funding agency.