National Task Force to Review the Future of Canada's Academic Health Sciences Centres

    OTTAWA, March 10 /CNW Telbec/ - A National Task Force, Co-Chaired by Mr.
Jeffrey Lozon (President and CEO, St. Michael's Hospital), and Dr. Jean
Rouleau (Dean of Medicine, Université de Montréal) has been established to
study and make recommendations on the future of Canada's Academic Health
Sciences Centres (AHSCs). These centres which represent the formal
partnerships between universities and their faculties of Medicine, Nursing,
Pharmacy, Dentistry and Health Sciences, and their affiliated research and
teaching hospitals are responsible for providing complex patient care,
teaching the next generation of health care providers, conducting innovative
research and applying their findings.
    "While there have been a number of reports on the future of health care
over the past decade, there has been a noticeable lack of strategic focus on
the future roles and responsibilities of Canada's AHSCs", said Mr. Jeff Lozon.
"The Task Force, comprised of an impressive group of members who have a broad
range of perspectives and experiences, will review the situation with regard
to AHCSs and produce a report with recommendations that will enable Canada's
AHSCs to advance patient and population health outcomes and to thrive in a
health system that is experiencing profound change", commented Dr. Jean
Rouleau. The report is expected by the Fall, 2009.
    The National Task Force gratefully acknowledges Health Canada as the
primary funding source for this project.
    The establishment of a National Task Force has received support from over
twenty national health organizations. To oversee the process, a Steering
Committee has been created and is Co-Chaired by Mr. Glenn Brimacombe
(President & CEO, Association of Canadian Academic Healthcare Organizations),
and Dr. Nick Busing (President & CEO of the Association of Faculties of
Medicine of Canada).
    Additional information on the National Task Force is available at the
following web-site www.ahsc-ntf.org.

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