- © 2007 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors
I am writing to clarify my reasons for stepping down as President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Contrary to what Wayne Kondro wrote in the news article on my leaving,1 I am not “weary of serving as the scapegoat.” On the contrary, I have enjoyed and appreciated the important discussions and debates that the CIHR vision and programs have prompted. Vigorous discussion is necessary for transformative change. The profound changes taking place in the style, speed and cost of health research, and in society more broadly, are prompting similar discussions in every country that wishes to be at the leading edge of health research and its translation into policy, products and clinical practice.
Contrary to what Mr. Kondro wrote, the internal changes in our structure were prompted by suggestions from the prestigious International Review Panel. The panel, in its highly positive review, suggested changes that “represent a natural progression in the growth of this new entity….” It also commented that “the capacity to fund research across all health related disciplines has clearly been enhanced and new strategic initiatives have strengthened multidisciplinary research and training. Together, these changes have all occurred in a remarkably short time frame, evidence of the commitment and success of the management team.”
Finally, I am leaving because, after 71/2 years as CIHR's first president, I have accomplished what I set out to do: establish a new national agency that funds research across all aspects of health and disease and that is strategic, committed to translating new knowledge into improved health of Canadians, focused on outcomes and based on peer-reviewed excellence in research. Furthermore, CIHR's unique structure of cross-Canada institutes is now well in place, with 13 highly talented and committed scientific directors, 13 Institute Advisory Boards and a strong senior management team here in Ottawa. Finally, I have always felt that it is not healthy to be the head of an organization such as CIHR for more than 7–8 years: one tends increasingly to look backward, not forward.
As the International Review Panel noted, a great deal has been accomplished at CIHR over the past 7 years owing to the passion and commitment of all those who are on CIHR's staff or serve as volunteers on Governing Council, Institute Advisory Boards, Peer Review Committees and various ad hoc working groups and standing committees. The breadth and excellence of CIHR-funded research is something that all Canadians, particularly those of us actively involved in health research and health care, should take great pride in. This is a good time for someone else to take the reins of CIHR.
Footnotes
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Competing interests: None declared.
REFERENCE
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