Deborah Cook is a prolific, world-renowned scientist and educator in critical care medicine and research methodology. She has advanced our scientific knowledge in many ways, notably in the prevention and management of the often lethal problems of pneumonia, bleeding and deep venous thrombosis among critically ill patients. Her discoveries have saved many lives and are used around the world. She has also been a pioneer in compassionate end-of-life care. She holds a Canada Research Chair, is a Fellow of the Royal Society, and has received local, provincial, national and international awards for her research, teaching and leadership.