Jacques Lacroix
Lifetime Achievement Award
About This Award
The Jacques Lacroix Lifetime Achievement Award is PALISI's highest honor, recognizing individuals whose careers have made exceptional and enduring contributions to pediatric critical care research, education, mentorship, and patient care. Named in honor of Dr. Jacques Lacroix, one of the founding leaders and most influential figures in the pediatric critical care research community, the award celebrates those whose vision, innovation, and dedication have advanced the field and inspired future generations of clinician-scientists.
​
The award was established in 2025, with Dr. Jacques Lacroix serving as its inaugural recipient at the PALISI Fall 2025 Meeting in Montreal, Québec, Canada. Since then, it has been presented to individuals whose lifetime achievements embody the collaborative spirit, scientific excellence, and commitment to mentorship that define PALISI.
Marie STeiner
2026 Jacques Lacroix
Lifetime Achievement Award
PALISI is proud to honor Marie Steiner, MD, MS, as the recipient of the 2026 Jacques Lacroix Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her extraordinary career, pioneering contributions to pediatric critical care hematology, and unwavering commitment to mentorship and scientific advancement.
Dr. Steiner is Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota, where she holds appointments in the Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and Critical Care. Throughout her distinguished career, she has seamlessly integrated expertise in both specialties, transforming the understanding of hemostasis in critically ill children and advancing the care of patients with complex bleeding and clotting disorders.
After earning both her Master of Science in Genetics and Doctor of Medicine from the University of Minnesota, Dr. Steiner completed her pediatric residency followed by fellowships in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Pediatric Critical Care. She joined West Virginia University in 1990, where she established the pediatric bone marrow transplant program, served as Division Chief of Pediatric Critical Care and PICU Director, and founded the Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship Program. Returning to the University of Minnesota in 1997, she has served as PICU Fellowship Director for over a decade, helping shape generations of pediatric intensivists.
A true pioneer in critical care hematology, Dr. Steiner recognized early the essential role of the hemostatic system in critical illness and championed the integration of hematology and critical care long before it became widely recognized. Her research has advanced the understanding of coagulopathy, transfusion practices, extracorporeal circuit management, and bleeding and clotting disorders in critically ill children. She has authored more than 170 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and educational resources, and has served in leadership roles within numerous national and international professional organizations.
Equally significant is Dr. Steiner's enduring legacy as a mentor. She has inspired and guided countless medical students, residents, fellows, and early-career investigators, many of whom have gone on to become leaders in pediatric critical care and hematology. Through her mentorship, she has cultivated the next generation of clinician-scientists dedicated to advancing this specialized field.
The Jacques Lacroix Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals whose careers have left an enduring mark on pediatric critical care research, education, and patient care. Dr. Steiner exemplifies these ideals through her visionary leadership, groundbreaking scholarship, and lifelong dedication to improving outcomes for critically ill children. Her influence extends far beyond her own accomplishments, reflected in the many colleagues and trainees whose careers she has helped shape.
PALISI is honored to recognize Dr. Marie Steiner for her exceptional contributions and lasting legacy in pediatric critical care.
Past Recipients
Jacques Lacroix
CHU Sainte-Justine
2025
Learn More about the Jacques LaCroix Junior Investigator Award