Manitoba News Release
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July 15, 2010

APPOINTMENTS MADE TO BOARD OF MANITOBA HEALTH RESEARCH COUNCIL

Three positions on the board of the Manitoba Health Research Council (MHRC) that were vacant or in transition have now been filled, Innovation, Energy and Mines Minister Dave Chomiak announced today.

"The council plays an important role in promoting and assisting basic, clinical and applied research in the health sciences in Manitoba through its grants and awards programs," Chomiak said. "These appointments provide continuity for that work."

The minister thanked Dr. J. Dean Sandham for his service in chairing the council for the past five years. The end of his term as chair coincides with the end of his term as dean of the faculty of medicine at the University of Manitoba.

The board will be chaired by Dr. Brian Postl, the University of Manitoba's replacement for Sandham in both positions. Formerly the president and CEO of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Postl sat on the council for the past three years, serving as the secretary treasurer. He has been head of the departments of pediatrics at St. Boniface General Hospital, the Children's Hospital and the University of Manitoba.  His research interests include Aboriginal child health, health policy and human-resource planning.

Arlene Wilgosh, the new president and CEO of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and former deputy minister of Manitoba Health and Healthy Living, will replace Postl. She started her career as a nurse at the Health Sciences Centre, and has served as the director of patient-care services at Kildonan Personal Care Home, acting vice-president of nursing at Victoria General Hospital and chief executive officer of the Red River Valley Health District in Morris.  She has been with the council for two years.

The vacant position these moves create has been filled by Cathy Nieroda, vice-president of HP Enterprise Services. She has more than 25 years of experience in the information-technology sector and extensive knowledge of relationship management, client service, business development, solution management and overall delivery management.

MHRC promotes and assists basic, clinical and applied research in the health sciences in Manitoba and advises the minister of innovation, energy and mines in matters relating to health research. The council funds research in the health sciences through a number of grants and awards programs and attracts outside investment with core programs funded by $6 million in grants from the province.

Other council board members include:

·         Judith Bartlett, associate professor, Centre for Aboriginal Health, University of Manitoba;

·         F. Lynn Bishop, chair, Health Sciences Centre Foundation, and general manager, Cargo Jet;

·         Henry Friesen, distinguished professor emeritus, University of Manitoba;

·         Albert D. Friesen, president and CEO, Medicare;

·         Robert Gannon, past chair, St. Boniface General Hospital Board;

·         Ray Hoemsen, director, applied research and commercialization, Red River College;

·         Digvir Jayas, vice-president, research, University of Manitoba;

·         Arnold Naimark, director, Centre for the Advancement of Medicine; and

·         Ian Smith, director general, National Research Council Institute for Biodiagnostics.

MHRC funding is focused towards support of new investigators through the new Manitoba Chairs program and operating and establishment grants.  In addition, salary support for trainees is provided through a number of clinical fellowships, co-ordinated post-doctoral fellowships and co-ordinated grants to graduate students for their research.

Partners in funding include CancerCare Manitoba, the Manitoba Institute of Child Health and the St. Boniface Hospital Research Foundation.

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