Alan Bernstein

On behalf of the Governing Council of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), I welcome you to Celebrating Excellence, the first annual CIHR Health Research Awards Night.

This evening, CIHR-funded researchers who have been selected by their peers as being among the very best and brightest in Canada will be formally recognized for their outstanding contributions to improving the health of Canadians, our health care system and the knowledge-based economy.

The Michael Smith Prize in Health Research, CIHR Distinguished Investigators, the Dorothy J. Lamont Scientist Award and Peter Lougheed/CIHR New Investigators are synonymous with exceptional, internationally recognized, cutting-edge research. As individuals, each recipient has demonstrated exceptional creativity, a willingness to overcome challenges, and the ability to embrace new concepts all in the pursuit of new knowledge. Collectively, the recipients have made Canada a healthier, more prosperous and innovative nation.

For the first time, the CIHR Distinguished Leadership Award will be presented. Candidates for this new award are not necessarily researchers. They are also supporters of health research who, through the course of their actions, have significantly improved Canada's health research landscape.

Since its creation in June 2000, CIHR has revolutionized the way health research is conducted in Canada and has played a key leadership role within the research community. CIHR's unique "virtual" structure integrates all aspects of health research, breaking down traditional barriers and facilitating new levels of interdisciplinary collaboration. With our partners - the health charities, universities, hospitals and other health service organizations, industry, government and NGOs - CIHR has established a national health research agenda that addresses the key health concerns of Canadians.

Thank you for attending tonight's event and for your support of health research in Canada.

Alan Bernstein
OC, PhD, FRSC
President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)