| For immediate release | 2007-25 |
OTTAWA (June 28, 2007) - Dr. Alan Bernstein has informed Minister of Health Tony Clement and CIHR's Governing Council that he will be resigning as President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, effective October 31, 2007.
Dr. Bernstein indicated that he had completed what he came to Ottawa to do which was to develop and implement a unique vision and structure for health research that embraces all approaches to health and disease, built on a base of excellence in research. After seven years, CIHR has made significant strides in advancing and transforming Canadian health research. CIHR has become a model for the world as noted in a report tabled in the British Parliament last fall on the organization of health research. Dr. Bernstein stated that based on CIHR's remarkable progress to-date, it was now a good time for him to step aside and allow the Government of Canada to seek new leadership for Canada's flagship health research agency.
"Dr. Bernstein has provided exceptional leadership to both CIHR and the health research community. All Canadians are benefiting from CIHR's important contributions to health research made during Dr. Bernstein's tenure," said Minister Clement. "The Government of Canada remains committed to CIHR and will be moving quickly to find a successor for Dr. Bernstein."
Dr. Bernstein became the inaugural President of CIHR in June 2000 following a stellar career as an internationally-recognized scientist and research leader.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada's agency for health research. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to catalyze its translation into improved health, 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 11,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada.
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David Coulombe
CIHR Media Relations
Tel: 613-941-4563
Email: mediarelations@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
