The purpose of these awards is the recognition of individuals whose work or contribution constitutes tangible achievement in the field of medical science. Awards are presented in Toronto in late October.

The Canada Gairdner International Awards are given annually to individuals from a diversity of fields for outstanding discoveries or contributions to medical science.

The Canada Gairdner Global Health Award recognizes those who have made scientific advances in one of four areas: basic science, clinical science or population or environmental health. The advances must have made, or have the potential to make a significant impact on health in the developing world.

The Canada Gairdner Wightman Award is given to a Canadian who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in medicine and medical science.

Recipients of all awards are chosen from candidates who have been nominated by their peers. The selection process starts in November with the Medical Review Panel (MRP), a group of outstanding Canadian scientists in mid-career who review each of the   nominations received annually from around the world and submit their selection by way of a Long and a Short list to the final selection committee, the Medical Advisory Board (MAB).

The MAB is comprised of 11 leading scientists from Canada, and 11 from the USA, the UK, Europe, Australia and Hong Kong. In early January, the MAB meets as a group to review the Long and Short lists. After in-depth study and lengthy discussion on each nominee and a comparison of their work with others in their respective fields, the winners are selected by secret ballot.

The short list for the Canada Gairdner Global Health Award is selected by an Advisory Committee made of of leaders from the field of global health. The final selection is made by the MAB by secret ballot.