Health Care Visionary Dr. Harvey V. Fineberg, President of the Institute of Medicine, is named the 2013 winner of the Henry G. Friesen International Prize in Health Research

TORONTO, April 8, 2013 /CNW/ - The Prize, established by the Friends of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (FCIHR) in collaboration with the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, recognizes exceptional innovation by a visionary health leader of international stature. President Fineberg will receive the Prize and deliver a public lecture on September 18, 2013 in Ottawa.  In 2014, he will undertake one or more Institutional visits in Western Canada.

Under Dr. Fineberg's guidance, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences produces 60 to 70 in depth studies per year, many of which address public health practices, medical care, medical education and health policies that guide many agencies of government and other sectors.  Dr. Aubie Angel, President of FCIHR, notes that "Dr. Fineberg's public discussions are exceptional in their clarity, objectivity and fundamental soundness".

Harvey V. Fineberg is President of the Institute of Medicine. He served as Provost of Harvard University from 1997 to 2001, following thirteen years as Dean of the Harvard School of Public Health. He has devoted most of his academic career to the fields of health policy and medical decision-making. His past research has focused on the process of policy development and implementation, assessment of medical technology, evaluation and use of vaccines, and dissemination of medical innovations.

Dr. Fineberg helped found and served as president of the Society for Medical Decision Making and has been a consultant to the World Health Organization. At the Institute of Medicine, he has chaired and served on a number of panels dealing with health policy issues, ranging from HIV/AIDS to new medical technology. He also served as chairman of the Health Care Technology Study Section of the National Center for Health Services Research, and as president of the Association of Schools of Public Health.

Dr. Fineberg is co-author of the books Clinical Decision Analysis, Innovators in Physician Education, and The Epidemic that Never Was, the latter an analysis of the controversial federal immunization program against swine flu in 1976. He has co-edited several books on such diverse topics as AIDS prevention, vaccine safety, and understanding risk in society. He has also authored numerous articles published in professional journals. Dr. Fineberg is the recipient of several honorary degrees and the Stephen Smith Medal for Distinguished Contributions in Public Health from the New York Academy of Medicine. He earned his bachelor's and doctoral degrees from Harvard University.

The Henry G. Friesen International Prize in Health Research was established in 2005 by FCIHR in recognition of Dr. Henry Friesen's distinguished leadership, vision and innovative contributions to health and health research. The $35,000 Friesen Prize is awarded annually.

SOURCE: Friends of Canadian Institutes of Health Research

please visit: www.fcihr.ca or call Cristina S. Castellvi [phone].