“We are committed to building on Canada’s leadership role in the area of Isotopes programs by supporting world-leading innovative R&D programs,” says Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council (CNIC) Chair, Jame Scongack.
This year, CNIC is presenting inaugural awards to those who have made a difference in the pursuit of ensuring that Canada remains at the forefront of nuclear medicine that provide treatments that improve qualit of life and strengthen Canada’s economy.
The first recipient of the Public Policy Stewardship award was recently presented to the Hon. Greg Rickford, Ontario Minister of Energy, Mines, Northern Development and Indigenous Affairs by Chair James Scongack at a Bruce Nuclear site luncheon.
Minister Rickford, during his time as federal minister of natural Resources, was integral int he development of Canada’s medical Isotope strategy that ensured Chalk River would remain open to 2018. In the meantime a new, modern approach to working with the private and public sectors was being developed to access new and sustainable supply sources. He was also instrumental in promoting enhanced funding for R&D of medical Isotopes for the sterilization of medical devices and cancer treatments world wide.
Among other recipients was the Advocacy Award winner Susan Marshall, President and CEO of he Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, who has demonstrated her organization’s commitment to Isotope awareness and gamma knife treatment in curing brain tumours.
“This Advocacy Award reflects our belief that health technology innovation is a catalyst for person-centered care, which is a more sustainable health care system and a growing economy,” said Marshall.
The third recipient was Dr. Karin Stephenson with the Academic leadership Award received for her work at McMaster University. “The work we do, and have done for some 65 years, at McMaster University has made us Canada’s pre-eminent nuclear research institution and let sus play a significant role in Canada’s innovation agenda.”
The CNIC is a coalition of science, healthcare and nuclear sector organizations to ensure that Canada remains a world leader in the production of life saving Isotopes by bringing awareness and supporting long-term policies at the domestic and international level. For more information, visit: www.CanadianIsotopes.ca