Bone and Joint Decade loses Canadian Ambassador
TORONTO, March 18 /CNW/ - On March 14th, 2011, Tom Fullan, Ambassador to the Bone and Joint Decade, died at the age of 63 after a two year struggle with his health.
Over the past eight years, Tom has contributed immeasurable time and energy to Bone and Joint Decade Canada and to International Bone and Joint Decade. Within Canada Tom was instrumental in obtaining funding through Health Canada to enable the implementation of a four phase initiative to address wait times for hip and knee replacement surgery. Tom convinced provincial governments, regional health authorities, hospital administrators and orthopaedic surgeons to form a National Knowledge Translation Network that would transform care for these patients. His work was so successful, that in September 2010, in Lund, Sweden, Bone and Joint Decade International appointed him to the Business Advisory Council of the International Coordinating Council.
Over the past year, Tom has used his expertise in government relations to lay the foundation for Federal funding of a National Hip Fracture Initiative. Using a similar National Knowledge Translation Network to that used for Hip and Knee surgery, the Hip Fracture Initiative will improve care for these often frail, elderly patients to improve care and allow them the opportunity to return home.
Tom was President and CEO of Fullan Consulting which has been engaged in global healthcare consulting for over three decades. His partnerships included a number of renowned Fortune 500 corporations. Tom's passion for healthcare was focused primarily in the area of orthopaedics, and he also took great pride in the contributions he made within his appointments to the Bone and Joint Decade; the World Health Organization; the International Society for Simulation in Healthcare; the Global Simulation Network; and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons. A long history of board and committee memberships were so fulfilling to him. Most recently, his guest lecture experiences in Canada, the US, the UK, Australia, China, Philippines, and Brazil were a source of great enthusiasm. His professional memberships, governmental and non-governmental associations, and projects kept him travelling until just recently.
Bone and Joint Decade Canada and the International Bone and Joint Decade acknowledge Tom Fullan's significant contributions to world health. Tom will be truly missed for his warmth, passion and commitment.
For further information:
Please contact Ms. H. Wood Executive Director 1-888-323-6861 for more details.
BJD information and programs are available at: http://www.bjdcanada.org/