The Abram Hoffer Lecture Series biennial award is administered by the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) with support from the International Society for Orthomolecular Medicine (ISOM).

The award serves as a tribute to Dr. Hoffer’s decades-long career as an innovative, pioneering scientist and psychiatrist who developed the first evidence-based nutritional treatments to support recovery for patients with mental illness.

Eligible papers were required to focus on an aspect of orthomolecular treatment in the provision of patient care, according to the submission guidelines. The 2020 Review Panel was comprised of: John Hoffer, MD, PhD (Professor, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University); Steven Carter (Director, International Society for Orthomolecular Medicine); Jonathan Prousky, ND (Professor and Chief Naturopathic Medical Officer, Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine); and Bob Bernhardt, PhD (President and CEO, Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine).

2020 Winner

Congratulations to Jenny Jun, the author of Effects of Magnesium on Immune Response in Treatment-Resistant Depression. Her paper was unanimously considered to be the best of the submissions, judged on its relevance to orthomolecular medicine, the quality of presented evidence, originality, and clarity. Jenny Jun received a $1,500 prize, and her paper was featured at the Abram Hoffer Lecture Series event, held at CCNM on October 26, 2020.

2nd – Vitamin C for Treating Depression in Cancer Patients: A Literature Review by Jordan Kerner, Erica Eckstrand and Monique Aucoin.

3rd – An Unusual Early Presentation of Suspected Blood Disorder with Pancytopenia and Secondary Hypersplenism: A Case Report by Maryanne D’Silva.