AHFMR News
AHFMR Trustee appointed to the Order of Canada
(Edmonton, AB) Monday November 21, 2005... The Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) is pleased to announce that board trustee member, Dr. Eldon R. Smith was appointed as an Officer to the Order of Canada during an investiture ceremony on November 18, 2005 in Ottawa. This prestigious appointment recognizes the major contributions Dr. Smith has made to healthcare as a cardiologist and researcher.
The Order of Canada is the country's highest honour for lifetime achievement and service in various fields of human endeavour. Each year, the Governor General of Canada presents this honour on behalf of all Canadians to individuals who have demonstrated excellence, courage, or exceptional dedication to service in ways that bring special credit to Canada.
Dr. Smith received his medical degree at Dalhousie University and is a professor emeritus in the University of Calgary's Faculty of Medicine. He has held a variety of clinical and academic appointments, including Dean of Medicine and head of Cardiology at the University of Calgary, where he was instrumental in building the cardiovascular research and care programs. Dr. Smith has also contributed his time and expertise to many local, national, and international professional organizations and holds a number of corporate appointments. Most recently he served on the Premier's Advisory Council on Health for the Alberta government and recently was appointed to the Alberta Committee for Life Sciences Innovation. Dr. Eldon Smith has been a member of the AHFMR Board of Trustees since February 3, 2000.
Dr. Smith has received a great many academic distinctions and awards including an achievement award from the Canadian Cardiovascular Society and the 125th anniversary of Canada Commemorative Medal for contributions to the citizens of Canada. Dr. Smith is a graduate of Dalhousie University Medical School and completed cardiology and research training at the National Heart Institute, London, U.K., and the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland. He has published more than 250 peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, and invited contributions.
About the Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is Canada's highest civilian honour, with membership awarded to those who exemplify the Order's Latin motto esiderantes meliorem patriam, which means, "They desire a better country." Created in 1967, the Order was established to recognize the contributions made by Canadians who made a major difference to Canada. The Order of Canada is the centrepiece of Canada's Honours System and recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community, and service to the nation or to humanity at large. The Order recognizes people in all sectors of Canadian society. Their contributions are varied, yet they have all enriched the lives of others and made a difference to this country. For more information, visit http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=4620.
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) currently provides funding for over 600 researchers and researchers in training at the Province's three main universities. The foundation supports a community of researchers who generate knowledge that improves the health and quality of life of Albertans and people throughout the world. AHFMR's commitment is to fund health research based on international standards of excellence and carried out by new and established investigators and researchers in training. Total AHFMR funding over 25 years is in excess of $800 million. For more information about AHFMR, visit www.ahfmr.ab.ca.
Contact: Dwayne Brunner, AHFMR Communications, at (780) 423-5727.