Canada's top health researchers recognized for their contributions to improving the health of Canadians
| For immediate release -- |
2004-34 |
OTTAWA (November 24, 2004) - The Honourable Ujjal Dosanjh, Minister of Health, and Dr. Alan Bernstein, President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), in collaboration with the Health Charities Coalition of Canada (HCCC) and the Council for Health Research in Canada (CHRC) will recognize tonight the recipients of CIHR's Excellence in Health Research Awards.
These awards are synonymous with exceptional, internationally recognized, cutting-edge research," said Minister Dosanjh. "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, they are making Canada a healthier, more prosperous nation and their work will have a direct impact on Canadians and people around the world."
The following individuals and organizations will be recognized for their outstanding contributions to improving the health of Canadians:
"Health research is vital to strengthening our health care system and improving the health of Canadians," says Dr. Bernstein. "The hard work and dedication of the recipients of tonight's awards has helped to set Canada on the path of achievement - something Canadians can take great pride in."
The recipients will be officially recognized at CIHR's A Celebration of Excellence in Canadian Health Research, scheduled for today, November 24 at 5:30 p.m. at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa. More than 200 members of Canada's health research community will be in attendance. (See attached backgrounders for biographies of award recipients and information on awards)
Additionally, through a partnership with federal research agencies such as CIHR, the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) has established the CIHR Career Awards. These awards recognize and support outstanding researchers by providing institutions with the infrastructure that is essential for researchers to carry out their research projects. Up to $1 million is available, on an annual basis, to support infrastructure components for the recipient and finalists of CIHR's Michael Smith Prize in Health Research Award. CFI will be announcing the Career Awards early in 2005.
"These Awards provide the tools to our country's top researchers to undertake leading-edge research and to pursue further breakthroughs in their field," said Dr. Eliot Phillipson, President and CEO of CFI. "The CFI is proud of our partnership with CIHR."
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research is the Government of Canada's agency for health research. 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 Canadian health care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 9,000 researchers and research teams in every province of Canada. For further information on CIHR, please visit their web site.
The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is an independent, not-for-profit corporation established by the Government of Canada in 1997 to strengthen the capacity for innovation in Canadian universities and research institutions. For further information on the CFI and the Career Awards, please visit the web site.
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.
The Council for Health Research in Canada (CHRC) 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.
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Attachments:
Award Recipients Research Backgrounder
Awards
For Media Assistance Contact:
Janet Weichel McKenzie,
CIHR Communications,
(613) 941-4563 (office),
(613)447-4794 (cell)
Adèle Blanchard,
Office of the Honourable Ujjal Dosanjh,
(613) 957-0200
Douglas Lauriault,
Canada Foundation for Innovation,
(613) 996-3193
