OTTAWA
,
Oct. 1
/CNW Telbec/ -
Louis Hugo
Francescutti, MD, PhD, MPH, FRCPC, will become the 41st president of the
Royal College
of Physicians and Surgeons of
Canada
next fall. The University of Alberta professor, emergency room/preventative medicine physician and crusader for public safety was elected at a Council meeting held this week in
Ottawa
.
"I am deeply honoured to have this opportunity," said
Dr. Francescutti
after the election. "As President-Elect, I want to help lead the
Royal College
into the future with firm conviction, resolve and enthusiasm."
Dr. Francescutti
has experienced health care settings countrywide, working as an emergency medical technician in the Canadian Arctic, a blood bank technologist at the
Montreal
General Hospital, and a researcher, clinician and educator in
Edmonton
, Alta. He holds degrees from
Concordia University
, the University of Alberta and
John Hopkins
University in
Baltimore
, MD.
A renowned educator and physician,
Dr. Francescutti
has won numerous teaching and service awards during his career. In 2005, he was named one of Alberta's 100 most influential physicians of the past century by the Alberta Medical Association and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta.
"
Dr. Francescutti
is an inspired, passionate and tireless physician and educator," said
Royal College
President G. William
N. Fitzgerald, CM, MD, FRCSC. "He is an excellent choice to help lead the
Royal College
in addressing the challenges currently facing Canadian medicine."
Dr. Francescutti
is also the founder of the Coalition for Cellphone Free Driving, former director of the Alberta Centre for Injury Control and Research and founder of HEROES, a multimedia head and spinal cord injury prevention project for teenagers. He has lectured internationally and helped develop several award-winning injury control programs.
As President,
Dr. Francescutti
hopes to continue improving membership engagement and helping the
Royal College
play a leading role in reducing injuries - the leading cause of death and disability for Canadians under the age of 45. His two-year presidency officially begins in fall 2010.
"More than ever, patients are looking to us for leadership and direction," he said. "The
Royal College
has never shied away from that responsibility and we will not start now."
About the
Royal College
The
Royal College
of Physicians and Surgeons of
Canada
is a national, not-for-profit organization of more than 42,000 members in 87 countries. The
Royal College
contributes to improving the health of Canadians by setting the highest standards for specialty medicine. Dedicated to lifelong learning, the organization is a trusted partner in advancing sound health and public policy.
To find out more, please visit: royalcollege.ca.
For further information: Theodora Simion, Director, Communications and External Relations, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, (613) 730-8177, ext 185/1-800-668-3740 ext. 185, royalcollege.ca
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