Research Canada Announces Winner of 2018 Leadership in Advocacy Award

TORONTO, November 20, 2018 – Research Canada is pleased to announce the winner of the 2018 Leadership in Advocacy Award, Dr. Marla Shapiro, Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Shapiro is a champion for Canadian health research and health innovation. As a physician, media personality and advocate for health research, health care and health innovation, she understands the critical importance of research to the health and well-being of Canadians and our health system. She has worked tirelessly to promote health research and health innovation through her advocacy work including the books and articles she has written, through her television programs and appearances and the behind-the-scenes work she does on academic and voluntary Boards and Committees. She has taken her own very personal encounters with disease and loss and transformed these into a passionate advocacy mission dedicated to advancing health research and health innovation for the lives, health and well-being of all Canadians.

Dr. Shapiro will be presented with the 2018 Leadership in Advocacy Award at the Health Research Foundation’s Research Awards Gala, in partnership with Prix Galien Canada, at the Sheraton Toronto Centre on November 20, 2018. For more information about the HRF Research Awards Gala, please visit their website.

The Research Canada Leadership in Advocacy Award was created to recognize outstanding champions of health research and health innovation at the local, regional and/or national level – advocates who educate policymakers, the media and the public about the health, social, and economic benefits of health research and health innovation in Canada.

Research Canada will continue to recognize the achievements of more advocates in the coming years with this annual award and thank all of those who submitted nominations for this year.

Quote: Dr. Robert McMaster, Chair, Research Canada

“Dr. Shapiro exemplifies the highest standards of a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to Canada. Our industry is fortunate to have many fine individuals like her as well as organizations working tirelessly to ensure that health research in supported by Canadians and their leaders. It is the life-changing nature of our work that makes this activity so special, and our champions so cherished.”

Quote: Ms. Deborah Gordon-El-Bihbety, President and CEO, Research Canada

“There is a great deal of competition for public attention and support, and it is the work of Dr. Shapiro and our advocacy champions that keeps health research and health innovation high priorities for all governments and for the public.”