Message from the President

Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health Scientific Director to step down

(April 7, 2010)

It is with sadness that I announce that Dr. Peter Liu will be resigning as Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (ICRH), effective July 1, 2010, to pursue other opportunities. Dr. Liu has decided that it is time to have someone else take over the helm of the Institute. Dr. Liu joined CIHR over four years ago and quickly earned a reputation across the country for his leadership and commitment to circulatory and respiratory research.

Although his departure is still a few months away, I would like to thank Dr. Liu for his dedication to CIHR and wish him continued success in his future endeavors. Over the past four years Dr Liu, ably supported by ICRH's Institute Advisory Board and his staff, realized a number of significant achievements,. These include contributions to the development of the Canadian Heart Health Strategy and Action Plan, the National Lung Health Framework and most recently the Research Task Force on Sodium Reduction.

During his tenure, Dr. Liu also established many important national and international partnerships to further the study of circulatory and respiratory diseases and to accelerate the implementation of research discoveries. Through his inclusive, consensus-building approach, he has helped to establish pan-Canadian networks of research innovation and knowledge translation. Through his drive and foresight, he has worked tirelessly to support the strategic directions and priorities of CIHR and ICRH.

Over the coming months, Institute staff in Toronto and Ottawa, the Institute's Advisory Board, and senior CIHR management will continue to work together to ensure that the transition to a new Scientific Director proceeds as efficiently and smoothly as possible.

CIHR will soon begin looking for a new Scientific Director for the Institute. I am confident we will once again succeed in recruiting an outstanding individual who will continue to build on the Institute's successes.

Sincerely,

Alain Beaudet, M.D., Ph.D.
President
Canadian Institutes of Health Research