Two Professors in the Faculty of Medicine — Clyde Hertzman and David Scheifele — have been appointed to the Order of Canada.
 Clyde Hertzman |
 David Scheifele |
Dr. Hertzman, a Professor in the School of Population & Public Health, a Canada Research Chair in Population Health and Human Development, and Director of the Human Early Learning Partnership, has gathered a wide range of scientific evidence to support the idea that what happens to children during their early years is important to lifelong health and well-being. His research has contributed to international, national, provincial, and community initiatives for healthy child development.
In recognition of his work on the effects of the environment on the development of young children, Dr. Hertzman was named Canada’s 2010 “Health Researcher of the Year” – the highest scientific honour from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
Dr. Scheifele, a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, is Director of the Vaccine Evaluation Centre, which conducts disease burden studies, vaccine clinical trials, and studies to fine-tune public immunization programs, including ongoing assessment of vaccine safety. The Centre’s researchers collaborate with vaccine specialists across the country and with provincial and federal health officials to integrate new vaccine products into optimal vaccination programs for children and adults.
Currently, Dr. Scheifele is the data centre supervisor for the Immunization Monitoring Program, Active (IMPACT), an active surveillance program involving 12 pediatric centers across Canada. Funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and operated by the Canadian Pediatric Society and its specialist members in infectious diseases, it relies on nurse monitors at each hospital to report adverse events following immunization, in an effort to assess vaccine safety, particularly the occurrence of uncommon, severe reactions. Monitors also report on selected vaccine preventable diseases, as a measure of vaccine program effectiveness.
Dr. Scheifele also is co-leader of the PHAC/CIHR Influenza Research Network (PCIRN), responsible for clinical trials. PCIRN was established in 2009 to prepare for necessary investigations during an influenza pandemic and was quickly re-tasked to focus on the H1N1 pandemic. The PCIRN network carried out trials of a vaccine that year, with related studies in 2010 and 2011, creating an advanced state of preparedness for studies in a public health emergency.
Established in 1967 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Order of Canada recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.