University of Saskatchewan researchers recognized by the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences

Debra Morgan, professor and chair of Rural Health Delivery at the Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture (CCHSA) in the College of Medicine, and Susan Whiting, professor in the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, have been elected as fellows to CAHS. Fellows elected to CAHS are recognized by their peers nationally and internationally for their contributions to the promotion of health science. They have demonstrated leadership, creativity, distinctive competencies and a commitment to advance academic health science.

“This is an incredible honour to be recognized by my peers for my work,” said Morgan who researches rural and remote health service delivery. “I think that this is a recognition of the importance of research in all facets of health sciences and it is a privilege to join this remarkable network of highly accomplished Canadian health researchers.”

Morgan has devoted her career to improving outcomes for patients with dementia, and established the telehealth-supported Rural and Remote Memory Clinic which serves the needs of people with dementia, their caregivers and their health care providers.

“To join the CAHS as a fellow is a distinction by which I am both humbled and proud,” said Whiting, whose research has been widely used by public health agencies to set standards and shape policies for dietary intake of vitamin D and calcium. “I am extremely honoured to have been recognized by the C­AHS as a research leader and to join some of the best minds in academic health sciences in Canada.”

For 40 years Whiting has conducted research on dietary influences on bone health, effectiveness and use of nutrient supplements, the calcium and vitamin D status of Canadians, and food security in Canada and Ethiopia. She is a consultant to the Scientific Advisory Board for Osteoporosis Canada and is on the Steering Committee of Canada's Community Health Measures Survey.

Kishor Wasan, dean of the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition and also a CAHS fellow, was elected as secretary to the CAHS board. His two-year term will begin later in September. Wasan, who was appointed dean of the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition in August 2014, has published over 240 peer-reviewed articles and 250 abstracts in the area of lipid-based drug delivery and lipoprotein-drug interactions.

CAHS conducts assessments based on evidence reviews and leading expert opinion to provide conclusions and recommendations on urgent health matters that affect Canadians.  It is one of three academies that comprise the Council of Canadian Academies.

The researchers were recognized at the CAHS Forum and Annual General Meeting September 15-16 in Montreal.

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For more information, contact:

Kate Blau
Communications Specialist
College of Medicine
University of Saskatchewan
306-966-6059
kate.blau@usask.ca

Kieran Kobitz
Communications Specialist
College of Pharmacy and Nutrition
University of Saskatchewan
306-966-2502
kieran.kobitz@usask.ca