Newsroom

New Board Chair brings entrepreneurial experience to Ottawa Health Research Institute


October 21, 2008

Life science entrepreneur Ken Newport has been elected Chair of the Board of Directors of the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), replacing former Ottawa mayor Jacquelin Holzman, who had served as Board Chair since 2002.

Mr. Newport is a Chartered Accountant who has established a number of successful clinical research and biomedical companies such as CroMedica, Global Biomedical Capital Corporation, Zelos Therapeutics and Prime Trials. He is also active in community organizations such as the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (OCRI). Mr. Newport has served on the OHRI Board for two years and has been Vice-Chair for the last year.

“The OHRI is a major driver of innovation in Ottawa and a leader in translating research into new treatments and better health,” said Mr. Newport. “I’m looking forward to contributing to the Institute and to being part of the exciting work going on here.”

Ms. Holzman will remain on the OHRI Board for another year as Past Chair, while continuing to be involved in numerous other organizations such as The Ottawa Hospital Foundation, the National Capital Commission, Breast Cancer Action and the Kiwanis Club.

“Jacquelin Holzman has been instrumental in propelling the OHRI to become one of the top hospital research institutes in the country,” said Dr. Duncan Stewart, CEO and Scientific Director of OHRI, Vice-President of Research at The Ottawa Hospital and Professor of Medicine at the University of Ottawa. “We’re sorry to see her step down as Chair, but we’re also excited to have the chance to work more closely with Ken Newport. His experience in life sciences and executive management will be a real asset as we embark on a number of major projects this year.”

The OHRI is the research arm of The Ottawa Hospital and is an affiliated institute of the University of Ottawa, closely associated with the University’s Faculties of Medicine and Health Sciences. It includes more than 1,300 scientists, clinical investigators, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and staff conducting research to improve the understanding, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human disease.

Last year, OHRI researchers brought in $92M in research funding, published 488 studies, conducted 633 clinical trials and filed 22 patents. A recent $32M grant called TIMEx (Translation of Innovation into Medical Excellence) will fund an unprecedented infrastructure expansion at the Institute and greatly enhance the ability of its researchers to translate their discoveries into better health.

Media contact
Jennifer Paterson
Director, Communications and Public Relations
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
613-798-5555 x 19691
jpaterson@ohri.ca