New chair, new members for board of directors for Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation 

Toronto, Ontario (November 15, 2010) - Addressing the educational needs of six million Canadians with bone and joint disorders, and stemming the associated $26 billion in societal costs, are driving renewed research and patient education strategies by the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation. Along with expanding core programs, at its annual meeting the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation ratified changes to its voluntary Board of Directors, renewed its commitment to help patients become active participants in their surgical treatment and recovery, and to fund new research for tomorrow's patients. 

"Despite the enormous costs of bone and joint health disorders, we have yet to achieve the level of public awareness that enables solutions," says Dr. James Waddell, the new Chair of the Foundation's Board.  "We have objectives that are both immediate and long term:  delivering support and education programs to today's patients, generating awareness, and developing long-term prevention.  A key focus for our Board is to increase fundraising so that we can accelerate our progress." 

Dr. Waddell is an orthopaedic surgeon at St. Michael's hospital in Toronto, where he has held a number of positions including Surgeon-in-Chief and Medical Director of the Trauma Program.  He served ten years as the Professor and Chairman, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Toronto, is a past-president of the Canadian Orthopaedic Association, and the founding National Action Coordinator of the Bone and Joint Decade.  Dr. Waddell was first elected to the Foundation's Board in 2007, and served as Vice-Chair for two years. 

"We continue to expand access to our patient education resources, including the first peer-support program for orthopaedic patients, Ortho Connect, and our printed booklets that guide patients from family physician referral through surgery and recovery," says Dr. Kevin Orrell, Board Chair for the last three years.  "As well, our research funding stimulates answers to new questions about disease, treatments, and improved outcomes - increasingly important as the cost and burden of disease grows." 

Dr. Orrell, an orthopaedic surgeon in Sydney, Nova Scotia, and Foundation supporter and donor for nearly twenty years, is the first to hold the newly-created position of Past-Chair in recognition of his outstanding commitment and contributions. 

Other executive appointments include four-year Board member Ms. Sandra Vlaar Ingram, public relations professional and Vice-President Communications at Revera Inc., in her first term as Vice-Chair, and five-year Board member Mr. Chris Nelson, Ottawa-based business strategist and consultant, completing his second term as Treasurer. 

Three new members were elected to the Board. 

• Ms. Lori Brown, senior associate with Feltmate Delibato Heagle. Ms. Brown concentrates on Wills and Estates in her practice, and has served as Director of Tax and Estate Planning for a national life insurance company, and as a volunteer advisor to the United Way and Toronto's Sick Kids Hospital.
• Mr. James L. Hall, Vice President New Product Development and Operations at Roche Canada. Mr. Hall achieved a bachelor of engineering science and a master's degree in business administration and has built his career in the health sciences sector, with responsibility for product portfolios including those used to treat bone and joint diseases and disorders.
• Mr. Duncan MacIntyre, founder and current CEO of NIR Science Corporation, ablood and pathogen monitoring device development companyand Hattaras Corporation, an intellectual property licensing company. He has held CEO and seniorlevelmanagement positions with several Canadian and international corporations and was recently appointed to the Mississauga Halton Local Health Integration Network's Board of Directors.
 

Founded in 1965, the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation is Canada's only charity dedicated solely to helping people build, keep and restore their mobility.  Through its professional staff and network of over 500 volunteers, the Foundation raises funds to achieve excellence in bone and joint health, mobility and function for all Canadians.  Through advancing research, education and delivery of care, we strive to keep Canadians moving.  For more information, visit www.orthoconnect.com.

For more information contact:
Angelique Berg
President & CEO
Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation
Tel: 416-410-2341 x 2 or 1-800-461-3639 x 2
Fax:  416-352-5078
Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website:  www.orthoconnect.org