I had always hoped that cancer would be conquered within my lifetime, but I’m no longer sure that will happen. Cancer is a complex disease. In fact, it’s not just one disease; every single cancer is different on a genetic basis. Consequently, a cure for cancer remains elusive. I was pleased to hear that the new Calgary […]
Healthcare
What is the secret to aging well?
I don’t usually pick up my home phone when I see a 1-800 number displayed on Caller ID. I’m suspicious that a telemarketer may pressure me into buying a timeshare property. But I’m glad that I picked up the phone a couple of months ago. When I answered the phone, I was told that my […]
Reflecting on role models for inspiration
Today I visited the Alberta Children’s Hospital, located on the west campus of the University of Calgary. I wore my flight suit, talked with the young patients about my adventures in space, and signed photos for them. I hope it brought them an hour of respite from the treatment programs that they are undergoing. No […]
Staying in touch with Allan Stordy
I had a meeting last week with Mr. Allan Stordy, president and CEO of Arete Human Resources, a national company based in Calgary. I like Allan’s choice of a name for his HR firm; Arete is Greek for excellence. I met Allan a few years ago when I was an executive with the Canadian Institutes of […]
Remembering Dr. Cy Frank
I heard the sad news today about the passing of Dr. Cy Frank. Cy was President and CEO of Alberta Innovates–Health Solutions and a proud alumnus (MD’76) of the University of Calgary. This is a great loss. The news is particularly tragic since Cy was relatively young and full of energy and bright ideas. He […]
Health Innovations from Space
Our guest blogger today is Dr. Ozzy Mermut. Ozzy is the Program Manager of Biophotonics at the Institut National d’Optique (INO) in Quebec City and Associate Professor at Laval University.
Physical activity and neurons
Our guest blogger today is Dr. Phillip Gardiner of the University of Manitoba Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management. Phil is just completing a term as the interim Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis.
Intestinal bacteria in disease
In today’s post, guest blogger and clinician-scientist Philip M. Sherman, MD, FRCPC, Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes, shares his perspectives on role of intestinal bacteria in disease:
The Pursuit of Excellence
This week I attended the gala for the 2012 Canada Gairdner Awards held at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto. In the shadows of towering dinosaur skeletons and in front of an audience of the who’s who of health research, six international and one Canadian researcher were presented with their awards.
Lunch with Yves
Alain Beaudet, president of CIHR, and I had lunch today with Dr. Yves Joanette. Yves is the Scientific Director of one of CIHR’s thirteen Institutes, the Institute of Aging. In addition to serving as Scientific Director, Yves is also a professor at the Faculty of medicine of the Université de Montréal and Lab Director at the Research Center of the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal.