Canadian researchers honoured for their research contributions to improving the health of Canadians
| For immediate release - |
2004-13 |
OTTAWA (March 16, 2004) - Dr. Alan Bernstein, President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), announced today the recipients of Canada's top awards for excellence in health research. The following Canadian researchers will be recognized for their contributions to improving the health of Canadians:
"These awards recognize the excellence of Canada's internationally renowned health researchers and the essential role they play in improving the health of Canadians," said Dr. Bernstein. "Canadian health research is in constant evolution and these awards recognize the exceptional creativity, willingness to overcome challenges and ability to embrace new concepts, all in the pursuit of new knowledge, that characterize Canada's finest researchers."
"The University of Ottawa is especially proud of its accomplishments in health research," said Gilles Patry, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ottawa. "Through this collaborative awards event, we are pleased to pay tribute to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, which have transformed the funding for health research in Canada."
The recipients are being officially recognized tonight at CIHR's A Celebration of Excellence in Canadian Health Research, which is being held at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. The event - a partnership with the University of Ottawa, in collaboration with the Health Charities Council of Canada and the Council for Health Research in Canada - is an opportunity to honour exceptional people for their remarkable contributions to health research.
"Canada's Health Charities are pleased to join with CIHR to honour excellence in research," said Dr. Karon Croll, Chair, Health Charities Council of Canada. "These awards show the value of Canada's investments made every year in research, including approximately $300 million invested by health charities."
Dr. David J. Hill, Chair of the Council for Health Research in Canada and Scientific Director at the Lawson Health Research Institute commented, "Each award recipient has demonstrated outstanding creativity in the pursuit of new knowledge. Collectively, the recipients have helped to make Canada a healthier, more innovative and prosperous nation."
As well, through a partnership with CIHR, the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) will provide a Career Award to each Distinguished Investigator recipient. The objective of the CFI Career Awards is to recognize and support outstanding researchers by providing institutions with the infrastructure that is essential to carry out their research program.
"The CFI's Career Awards acknowledge the important role state-of the-art equipment plays in enabling our top researchers to make discoveries right here in Canada and ensures that these exceptional individuals have the tools necessary to continue their world-class research," said Dr. David Strangway, President and CEO of CFI. "We are proud to partner with the CIHR in this initiative, congratulations to all of this year's recipients."
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is Canada's premier agency for health research established by the Government of Canada in 1999. Its objective is to excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened health care system.
The University of Ottawa offers over 30,000 students the opportunity to study in the heart of Canada's political, bioscience and high-tech capital. [ External Site | Help ]
Established in June 2000, the Health Charities Council of Canada (HCCC) represents national health charities of all sizes. Member organizations bring together a wealth of knowledge, expertise, experience and resources, all of which improve the health of Canadians and strengthen Canada's health system.
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The Council for Health Research in Canada is a national, non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to increasing federal funding for health research. The Council's mission is to promote the health of Canadians by ensuring that Canada is a world leader in health research. The Council is funded entirely by its members. It does not accept contributions from government, industry, or any other source. [ External Site | Help ]
The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is an independent corporation created in 1997 by the Government of Canada to fund research infrastructure. The CFI's mandate is to strengthen the ability of Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals, and other non-profit institutions to carry out world-class research and technology development that will benefit Canadians.
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Janet Weichel McKenzie
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
(613) 941-4563 (office) (613) 447-4794 (cell)
Bob LeDrew
University of Ottawa
(613) 562-5800 ext. 3154
Anie Perrault
VP, Communications
Genome Canada
(613) 751-4460/(613) 296-7292 (cell)
www.genomecanada.ca [ External Site | Help ]
Valérie Poulin
Canada Foundation for Innovation
(613) 996-3160 cell: (613) 447-1723
