Health Research Foundation Board of Directors Named

NOTE TO EDITORS--CXN--Health Research Foundation Board of Directors Named

The Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation's first board of directors has been selected, Health Minister Jamie Muir announced today.

The new appointees will replace an interim board that has been in place since the foundation was first established in January.

Establishing the foundation meets government's commitment to bring health and research experts together to identify ways to develop medical advances and improve health care for Nova Scotians.

The government has committed $5 million annually to the foundation to assist, collaborate with and fund individuals and organizations conducting health research in the province.

Hugh Gillis, former academic vice-president of St. FX University, has been named the chair of the 12-member board. Other members are:

• Vice-chair Brenda Montgomery, acting CEO for the Western Regional Health Board
• Dr. John Gainer, clinical coordinator, Eating Disorders, Cape Breton Healthcare Complex
• Colleen Elliot, past president of the Nova Scotia Division of the Canadian Cancer Society
• Brian D. MacDougall, vice-president of Operations and Support Services at the IWK-Grace Health Centre
• Dr. Cynthia Mathieson, director of research and international liaison officer with Mount Saint Vincent University
• Dr. Thomas Rathwell, professor and director of School and Health Services Administration, Dalhousie University
• Donna Meagher-Stewart, associate professor with Dalhousie University School of Nursing
• Dr. Thomas Larder, director of Canadian Dental Services Plans Inc.
• Jennifer L. Feron, lawyer with Emera Inc.
• Dr. Carol Amaratunga, executive director and principal investigator with the Maritime Centre for Excellence for Women's Health at Dalhousie University
• Harley G. Marchand, executive director of the Arthritis Society, was nominated by the group known as Health Charities Network of Nova Scotia.

"Research opens the door to new and better ways to promote health, prevent illness and provide treatment," said Mr. Muir. "The varied experience of the board members will assist in guiding the foundation and help put Nova Scotia's research community on a level playing field with the rest of the country."

The Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation Act, enacted on Jan. 1, governs the foundation, which will benefit research programs on disease prevention, treatment and other health areas.

More information about the Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation can be found at www.nshrf.ca .