Two advocates of health research and health innovation were presented last night with the Research Canada Leadership Award. Dr. Grant Pierce, Executive Director of Research, St. Boniface Hospital and The BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) received the 2016 Research Canada Leadership Award at a ceremony in Toronto held in conjunction with the Prix Galien Canada 2016 Innovative Drug Product award at the HRF Gala.
The Research Canada Leadership Award was created to recognize outstanding champions of health research and health innovation at the local, regional or national level-advocates who educate policymakers, the media and the public about the health, social, and economic benefits of research and innovation in Canada.
Dr. Ryan Wiley, Research Canada’s Chair and President of Shift Health, noted that the selection of the winners was a challenge given the quality of deserving nominations. “Our industry is fortunate to have many fine individuals and organizations working tirelessly to ensure that health research is supported by Canadians and their leaders,” he said. “It is the life-changing nature of our work that makes this activity so special, and our champions so cherished,” he added.
“There is a great deal of competition for public attention and support, and it is the work of these advocates that keeps health research and health innovation high priorities for all governments and for the public,” said Deborah Gordon-El-Bihbety, President and CEO of Research Canada.
Research Canada will continue to recognize the achievements of more advocates in the coming years with this annual award and thanks all of those who submitted nominations for this year. “While not everyone could be recognized this year, the impact of their contribution is underlined by Canadians’ continued strong support for health research,” noted Ms. Gordon-El-Bihbety.