Message from Dr. Shoo K. Lee, CIHR-IHDCYH New Scientific Director
Dr. Shoo K. Lee
Scientific Director
CIHR-IHDCYH
January 2012
As the new Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH) I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you. I have been an active member of the IHDCYH research community for many years, with a focus on health policy research and quality improvement. It is an honour to be part of such an active, diverse and inspiring research community.
My predecessor Dr Michael Kramer has done an excellent job in guiding IHDCYH for the last 8 years, increasing the research dollars received by our research community, both in terms of real dollars and as a percentage of overall CIHR funding. The profile of IHDCYH researchers improved substantially during his term, with relative increases in both the quality and quantity of publications in reproductive health and child and youth health, compared with researchers in other countries. In addition to these accomplishments in creating knowledge, CIHR-funded research in reproductive and child health has led to important applications of that knowledge, including changes in clinical care (e.g., single course of antenatal steroids in women with threatened preterm delivery), individual behaviours (use of ski helmets and car booster seats), and the health care system (reduced screening for retinopathy of prematurity among NICU graduates). Finally, IHDCYH researchers have benefited from IHDCYH's and CIHR's international initiatives, including funding collaborations with China, India, Finland, Japan, and WHO, to increase their global influence.
I will be building upon the excellent and dedicated work of Dr Kramer to increase the profile and impact of research throughout IHDCYH's mandate. As part of our priority setting, we will be following up on guidance provided by the Expert Review Team that evaluated IHDYCH as part of CIHR's International Review. These include a continued effort to obtain funding for a national pregnancy/birth cohort study with a focus on both the physical and social environments and their effects on long-term child health and development, and a continued emphasis on reproductive and child health services and policy research. IHDCYH will also maintain its focus on human development, including biological, neurocognitive, behavioural, and social development. As the Scientific Director of IHDCYH, I will be ensuring that we continue building on past strengths while taking advantage of new developments and emerging issues.
Throughout 2012 I will be developing a new Strategic Plan that will guide IHDCYH for the next 5 years. This will involve a nationwide consultation process, and I will be travelling around the country to attend local and regional forums, to give as many of you as possible the opportunity to share your thoughts with me. I will also be inviting you to share your views through a national online survey, details of which will be posted on the IHDCYH website in the next few months. I am looking forward to hearing from and meeting as many of you as possible over the upcoming weeks and months.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best in your endeavours for the coming year. I and my teams in Toronto and Ottawa are always available to answer your questions and listen to your concerns. Most of all, don't forget to share your success stories with us, as we are always looking for opportunities to enhance the profile of maternal and child health throughout Canada and internationally!