An Island oncologist has been recognized with the national award for Excellence in Medicine and Health, presented by the Canadian Cancer Society.

Dr. Dagny Dryer was one of the first physicians to organize cancer treatment in the province.

She told the award ceremony in Fanningbank that when she started in 1981, cancer drugs were being mixed by physicians in the emergency rooms at Island hospitals.

"Initially, all I had was an office in the Shaw building, and a secretary," Dryer told the crowd. "Within a few months, the QEH (Queen Elizabeth Hospital) opened and I was given an office in the basement."

"I personally administered the drugs with the help of any emergency room nurse who happened to be free."

Since then Dryer has continued to develop cancer programs for Islanders.

There is now a full cancer treatment centre and close to 70 people employed to deliver cancer treatment to Islanders.

Health Minister Doug Currie took to Twitter Thursday to congratulate Dryer on her more than 30-year commitment to cancer treatment.