Media Release

For Immediate Release

June 10, 2008

Federal funding helps professor at Saint Mary’s continue health care research

 Informed decisions about health care reform and restructuring in Atlantic Canada depend on quality research. And thanks to continued funding from the Government of Canada, Dr. Peter Twohig of Saint Mary’s University will continue to provide that quality research.

As part of a $113-million funding announcement, John Baird, Minister of the Environment announced that Dr. Twohig’s appointment as a Canada Research Chair will be renewed effective July 1, 2008.

Twohig’s research involves data collection and analysis regarding the roles of health care workers in Atlantic Canada. The research is relevant because it provides the information needed to make informed decisions about ongoing health care reform and restructuring.

Twohig was appointed as Canada Research Chair in Atlantic Canada Studies at Saint Mary’s in 2003. The appointment complements existing strengths at Saint Mary's and strengthens interdisciplinary study and research in Atlantic Canada Studies -- goals integral to the University's Strategic Research Plan.

“The Atlantic Canada Studies program is unique and has an outstanding track record at both the graduate and undergraduate levels,” said Twohig. “At Saint Mary’s University, the Canada Research Chair program has allowed me to pursue research into health care in Atlantic Canada, to collaborate with other scholars at Saint Mary’s, and to mentor graduate and exceptional undergraduate students.”

The Canada Research Chairs Program is designed to attract the best talent from Canada and around the world, helping universities achieve research excellence in natural sciences and engineering, health sciences, and social sciences and humanities.

Baird made the announcement on behalf of Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry and Minister. The $113 million in funding is for 127 Canada Research Chairs (CRC) from 35 universities across the country. The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is also contributing $4.8 million to fund research infrastructure essential to the work being performed by 33 of the chairholders.

“Our government recognizes the key role that the Canada Research Chairs Program plays in building on Canada’s growing reputation as a global leader in research and innovation,” said Baird.

According to Chad Gaffield, President of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and head of the CRC Program’s steering committee, the Canada Research Chairs Program helps to position Canadian universities as world-class research centres.

"With the help of funds from the CRC Program, researchers are finding solutions to today's social, health and economic issues and are training the next generation of innovative scientists and scholars.”

Since 2003, Twohig has hosted an annual conference at Oxford University that brings together scholars interested in health, disease and illness. According to Twohig, the Atlantic Canada Studies program at Saint Mary’s presents an opportunity to conduct first-rate research on the region, contribute to our collective understanding of Canada, and compare that experience with researchers from around the world.

“Through the study of health care and through educating the next generation of researchers, I feel that I am making a contribution to not only the research community but contributing threads to the social fabric of the nation,” he said.

Other Canada Research Chairs at Saint Mary’s University include: Dr. Robert Thacker, Astronomy and Physics; Dr. Catherine Loughlin, Management; Dr. Robert Deupree, Astronomy and Physics; Dr. Arla Day, Psychology; Dr. Jason Clyburne, Chemistry; and Dr. Saturnino Borras, International Development Studies. 

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For more information:

Blake Patterson
Public Affairs Officer
Saint Mary's University, Public Affairs
(902) 420.5514
E-mail: blake.patterson@smu.ca
www.smu.ca