[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/cheryl.jpg” caption=”Cheryl Levitt”]South African Women for Women (SAWW) recognized McMaster's Cheryl Levitt on Aug. 8, for her contributions and commitment to improving the lives of others in the field of health.

SAWW, a Canadian-based organization, was established in 1997, and provides a forum to celebrate South African Women's Day. On Aug. 9, 1956, 20,000 women from all over South Africa and representing all socio-economic backgrounds marched for freedom.

SAWW honours women who serve their communities in education, health, the arts, and liberation movements. The awards are an opportunity to applaud the accomplishments of outstanding women, and also to engage their wisdom, and empower individual and societal progress.

Levitt, chair of McMaster's Department of Family Medicine, was born and educated in South Africa. She moved to Canada in 1977, and has been at McMaster since 1996. Levitt continues to practice family medicine and has a special interest in breastfeeding and maternal and child health. She has been involved nationally with the Canadian Institute of Child Health, the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada, and the Task Force on Child Health for the College of Family Physicians of Canada. She has published research into improving care for patients and teaching in family practice, in obstetrics, breastfeeding and caring for newborns.

In 2000 she published an article in The Lancet on medical migration and worked closely with the South African high commissioner to highlight the complex ethical issues associated.

Levitt continues to work on promoting outstanding primary care for Canadians and has published many articles, books, chapters and reports and spoken locally and internationally on family medicine.

“I am forever grateful for the superb medical education I received in South Africa which prepared me to passionately embrace a life in family medicine and medical education,” said Levitt.

The awards were presented at a gala event, with a keynote speech by honoree reverend Mpho Tutu, and special performance of the acclaimed musical 'Umoja  The Spirit of Togetherness', at the Elgin theatre in Toronto.