In June, Dr. Ingrid Sketris (College of Pharmacy) will complete a 10 year position as Chair in Health Services Research funded by the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation (CHSRF), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and co-sponsored by the Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation (NSHRF).  Ingrid’s chair is one of 12 created across Canada, but is the only one in Atlantic Canada and the only one in pharmaceutical policy.  Through the Inititative for Medication Management, Policy Analysis, Research and Training (IMPART) which she founded in 1993 and her CHSRF/CIHR Chair, along with ongoing support from NSHRF and the College of Pharmacy, Ingrid established the Drug Use Management Policy and Residency Program that embedded its trainees in decision maker organizations (often government) to work jointly on negotiated projects.  Cheryl Doiron, who was Associate Deputy and then Deputy Minister of Health in Nova Scotia – a former member of Ingrid’s advisory board who now serves with Ingrid on the Health Council of Canada said of Ingrid:  “I never met an academic/researcher who has been more effective at forming excellent relationships at all levels: colleagues, student, administration, government, etc…She has an uncanny ability to facilitate the translation of research and knowledge into workable public policy.”  Ingrid launched her Chair report at Dalhousie on March 31, 2011 following the annual conference on the Canadian Association of Health Services and Policy Research held in Halifax (May 9-12), which she co-chaired.  On Thursday, May 12, 2011 – a motion was read in the House by the Honorable Maureen MacDonald, Minister of Health and Wellness, recognizing the contribution of Health Services Research at Dalhousie and thanking Dr. Ingrid Sketris for her committment and leadership in this area for the past 10 years. 

Congratulations and thank you Ingrid from all of us on your truly outstanding accomplishments!