University of Toronto's Faculty of Medicine wins international honour for its alumni magazine

The Faculty of Medicine’s alumni magazine, U of T Med, has been named the Robert Sibley Magazine of the Year by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). This is the first time a Canadian alumni magazine has been recognized in the 73-year history of the award, and only the second time a magazine outside of the United States has been honoured. 

“We’re shocked to be honest, but deeply humbled to be recognized by our international peers,” said the magazine’s editor, Heidi Singer.

“We’re fortunate to have the support and confidence of our Faculty’s leadership to tell interesting stories in creative ways,” added Art Director Raj Grainger. 

The magazine, which is issued twice a year to approximately 35,000 graduates, also won the Grand Gold Award in the Special Constituency category. Judges of that category called U of T Med "original and creative” and “outside the norm." In their report, the Sibley judges agreed, saying they found “the magazine cohesive and engaging, with creative story ideas and striking, well-integrated design.”

U of T Medicine Dean Trevor Young said the magazine is an important way in which the Faculty maintains a strong relationship with its alumni. “It’s great to receive this reassurance that we are delivering a high-quality publication to our alumni.”

He also noted that the only other Faculty-level magazines to previously receive this award were from other medical schools. “We’re in good company with Stanford Medicine and Harvard Medicine as recipients of this award.”

The award was based on the 2015 issues of the magazine, which focused on the future of medicine and food. The latest issue of the magazine, which focuses on medical mysteries, was published last week. 
    
CASE is a professional association serving educational institutions and the advancement professionals who work on their behalf in alumni relations, communications, development, marketing and allied areas. It is one of the world's largest nonprofit educational associations in terms of institutional membership, which includes more than 3,670 colleges and universities, primary and secondary independent and international schools, and nonprofit organizations in more than 82 countries around the globe. Headquartered in Washington DC, it has offices in London, Singapore and Mexico City. 

(Below: Raj Grainger and Heidi Singer)