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Research ethics board volunteer retiring after 16 years of service


September 21, 2017


Dr. Francis Rolleston, a long-standing volunteer member of the Ottawa Health Science Network Research Ethics Board, is retiring after 16 years of service. As part of the ethics board he helped review clinical research studies before they began to make sure they were of good quality, collected the right information, and protected the interests of participants.

Dr. Rolleston came to volunteer at the research ethics board after a long career as a Government of Canada leader in research ethics. He undertook the work of the board with great enthusiasm, reading all the necessary material and learning from the wide variety of experts who sit on the board.

“He was extremely hardworking and enthusiastic when it came to looking at protocols and giving his opinion,” said Dr. Raphael Saginur, chair of the Ottawa Health Science Network Research Ethics Board and infectious diseases physician and clinician investigator at The Ottawa Hospital and associate professor at the University of Ottawa.

“One thing he was really good at was treating people with respect, both those he agreed with and those he disagreed with,” added Dr. Saginur. “He held views passionately, but he was always willing to listen. He will certainly be missed, and we wish him all the best.”

“Clinical research at The Ottawa Hospital is accomplished thanks in large part to the dedication of members of the Research Ethics Board,” said Nancy Camack, director of clinical research administration. “Dr. Rolleston’s commitment, dedication and long service has been a tremendous asset to The Ottawa Hospital. We are grateful to him for his incredible commitment and wish him well in his retirement.”

The Ottawa Hospital: Inspired by research. Driven by compassion


The Ottawa Hospital is one of Canada’s largest learning and research hospitals with over 1,100 beds, approximately 12,000 staff and an annual budget of over $1.2 billion. Our focus on research and learning helps us develop new and innovative ways to treat patients and improve care. As a multi-campus hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, we deliver specialized care to the Eastern Ontario region, but our techniques and research discoveries are adopted around the world. We engage the community at all levels to support our vision for better patient care. See www.ohri.ca for more information about research at The Ottawa Hospital.

University of Ottawa: —A crossroads of cultures and ideas


The University of Ottawa is home to over 50,000 students, faculty and staff, who live, work and study in both French and English. Our campus is a crossroads of cultures and ideas, where bold minds come together to inspire game-changing ideas. We are one of Canada’s top 10 research universities—our professors and researchers explore new approaches to today’s challenges. One of a handful of Canadian universities ranked among the top 200 in the world, we attract exceptional thinkers and welcome diverse perspectives from across the globe. www.uottawa.ca

Media Contact


Amelia Buchanan
Senior Communication Specialist
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Office: 613-798-5555 x 73687
Cell: 613-297-8315
ambuchanan@ohri.ca