The Outstanding Leadership Medal (OLM) is awarded for notably outstanding leadership that has had a pronounced effect upon the technical or administrative programs of NASA. The leadership award may be given for an act of leadership or for sustained contributions based on an individual's effectiveness as a leader, the productivity of the individual's program, or demonstrated ability to develop the administrative or technical talents of other employees.

"The Canadian Space Agency is proud to see a member of the Canadian Astronaut Team receive one of NASA's most prestigious honours, said President and former astronaut, Dr. Marc Garneau. Since his appointment as Director of the Space and Life Sciences Directorate at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Dr. Williams and his team of 1,200 employees have overcome some of the most challenging issues of life in space."

NASA's honour awards are approved by the Administrator and presented to a number of carefully selected individuals and groups of individuals, both Government and non-Government, who have distinguished themselves by making outstanding contributions to the agency`s mission. This is the first time the Outstanding Leadership Medal has been awarded to an employee of a foreign space agency.

Other important distinctions have been recently bestowed on Dr. Williams. Last year, he received the Rotary Stellar Award for Space Achievement in recognition of his significant contributions to the future of the U.S. space program and in 1999 he was awarded the Melbourne W. Boynton Award, established in 1957 in memory of Dr. Boynton, a flight surgeon in the Army Aircorps in World War II who devoted his career and gave his life in the development of flight safety and survival.

Dr. Wiliams is a graduate of McGill University where he obtained a Master of Science in Physiology, a Doctorate of medicine and a Master of Surgery. After he completed his residencies in Family Practice at the Faculty of Medicine of Ottawa University and in Emergency Medicine at the University of Toronto, he obtained a Fellowship in Emergency Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

About the Canadian Space Agency

Established in 1989 and headquartered in Saint-Hubert, Quebec, the Canadian Space Agency coordinates all aspects of the Canadian Space Program. Through its Space Knowledge, Applications and Industry Development business line, the CSA delivers services involving: Earth and the Environment; Space Science; Human Presence in Space; Satellite Communications; Generic Space Technologies; Space Qualification Services and Youth Awareness. The Canadian Space Agency is at the forefront of the development and application of space knowledge for the benefit of Canadians and humanity.

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For more information:
Monique Billette
Senior Media Relations Officer
Canadian Space Agency
Telephone: (450) 926-4370 Monique.Billette@space.gc.ca