Dr. Andreas Laupacis Awarded Inaugural CIHR Barer-Flood Prize

The prize recognizes exceptional achievement in health services and policy research in Canada

For immediate release –

2013-29

Toronto, Ontario (October 10, 2013) – The CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (CIHR-IHSPR) is pleased to announce that Dr. Andreas Laupacis, Executive Director of the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute at St. Michael's Hospital, is the recipient of the inaugural CIHR Barer-Flood Prize in Health Services and Policy Research. Federal Health Minister Rona Ambrose and Ontario Health and Long-Term Care Minister Deb Matthews presented the award to Dr. Laupacis at a reception held as part of the F/P/T Health Minister’s Meeting in Toronto. They were joined byDr. Alain Beaudet, President of CIHR, and Dr. Robyn Tamblyn, Scientific Director of CIHR-IHSPR.

“Research and innovation are key to strengthening our healthcare system” said Minister Ambrose. “I congratulate Dr. Laupacis on receiving this honour and commend him for his exceptional contribution to improving healthcare for Canadians as a researcher, mentor and physician.”

“Dr. Laupacis' work has resulted in important changes in the delivery of care for patients. I especially applaud his work in public and citizen engagement, which has given patients tools to be more involved in their own care” said Minister Matthews.

CIHR-IHSPR created the CIHR Barer-Flood Prize in honour of Drs. Morris Barer and Colleen Flood, the Institute’s first two Scientific Directors. The award recognizes the outstanding contribution of a Canadian health services and policy researcher whose career has advanced health care research, policy or care delivery in Canada.

“I wish to extend my sincere congratulations to Dr. Laupacis” said Dr. Beaudet. “Throughout his career, he has shown remarkable commitment to patient-oriented research and outstanding leadership in moving research into clinical practice and engaging patients in the research process.”

“Andreas’ exemplary career in health services and policy research is a testament to what Canadian researchers can achieve by linking the different players within our health system to improve care delivery and outcomes,” added Dr. Tamblyn.

Dr. Laupacis is a Canada Research Chair in Health Policy and Citizen Engagement whose innovations in research methods, clinical epidemiology, health technology assessment and health services research have cemented his role as a leader in the field. He is a professor at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Medicine and a health services and policy research champion who supervises and mentors dozens of students and researchers, in addition to serving on several important health care decision-making and service delivery bodies. Most recently, Dr. Laupacis is heralded for translating research into health care policies and engaging citizens in informed decision-making about their health and health care through the Healthy Debate website. He has also recently taken on the role of chair of Health Quality Ontario, the province's health quality council.

The inaugural CIHR Barer-Flood Prize competition attracted outstanding nominations from across Canada. Dr. Laupacis’ contributions to research, leadership skills and contributions to provincial, national and international health care arenas secured his position as frontrunner with the review committee, comprised of national health system and media leaders. The high regard in which he is held by the Canadian health services community has set a precedent for future award winners.

Learn more about the CIHR Barer-Flood Prize in Health Services and Policy Research.

Learn more about Dr. Andreas Laupacis

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Further information:
David Coulombe
Media Relations
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
613-941-4563

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada's health research investment agency. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to enable its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened health care system for Canadians. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 14,100 health researchers and trainees across Canada.