2011 CIHR-CMAJ Top Achievements in Health Research Awards

Genome Alberta is pleased to see all researcher recognized for their work but are particularly pleased so see Board Member Dr. Marv Fritzler among those recognized by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Canadian Medical Association Journal

Ottawa, Ontario (January 23, 2012) – The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) have announced the six recipients of the 2011 CIHR-CMAJ: Top Achievements in Health Research Awards. Each researcher who is honoured improved our understanding of health and human diseases, helped tackle health challenges, and improved the health care system.

For the third year, a peer-review panel of Canadian and international experts selected exceptional individuals based on the considerable health impact of their work to benefit Canadians and others worldwide. Among the six outstanding achievements selected, two received special mentions for their highest-ranking successes.

• Dr. Daniel Drucker for his innovative work in improving the lives of patients with type 2 diabetes (Toronto, Ontario) – Special mention
• Dr. Gideon Koren and colleagues for revolutionizing the area of medication safety in pregnancy (Toronto, Ontario) – Special mention
• Dr. Marvin Fritzler for identifying novel autoantigens that resulted in new diagnostic testing and biomarkers for autoimmune diseases (Calgary, Alberta)
  • Virtually all of Dr. Fritzler's discoveries of novel autoantigens have been translated into new diagnostic assays or biomarkers that are in wide use in clinical diagnostic and research laboratories around the world. Dr. Marvin Fritzler's work out of Calgary is particularly important for patients with autoimmune disorders.
• Dr. Terry Klassen and colleagues for improving health outcomes of acutely ill and injured children visiting pediatric emergency departments (across Canada)
• Drs. Anthony Tang and George Wells for helping reduce cardiac mortality rates with resynchronization therapy and implantable defibrillators in heart failure (Ottawa, Ontario)
• Dr. Michael Hill and colleagues for the Calgary Stroke Program (Calgary, Alberta) that has changed the face of stroke care by thoroughly integrating research and clinical care
  • Dr. Hill's team has changed the face of stroke care. The Calgary Stroke Program, through its multidisciplinary clinical research group, has guided practice changes in Canada and beyond. A defining feature of the program is that research and clinical care are thoroughly integrated.
• Dr. Alain Beaudet, President of CIHR, congratulated the researchers. "Today we celebrate the tireless work of outstanding individuals who dedicate their careers to finding innovative solutions to pressing health care problems. Along with their significant advancement of knowledge, they ensured the results had a direct impact to benefit patients. These researchers have humbly improved the lives of millions of people worldwide."

"The calibre of recipients is remarkable and reflects the high quality of research in Canada," said Dr. John Fletcher, new Editor-in-Chief of CMAJ. "Their work, from improving management of type 2 diabetes to revolutionizing medication safety for pregnant women to helping better diagnose and understand autoimmune disorders and more, will have a lasting impact in the practice of medicine and for many people around the world."

"The recipients of this award have demonstrated the key purpose of health research – translating research knowledge into practical health outcomes," said Dr. Ian Graham, Vice President, Knowledge Translation and Public Outreach at CIHR. "The achievements recognized today are a testament to how health research and better healthcare delivery go hand in hand."

Essays from the two highest-ranking achievements are available on the CMAJ website under "Special Reports".
Essays by the winners of the two highest-ranking achievements are available:

• Drucker, Daniel J.
• Koren, Gideon, et al.