Edmonton, AB (February 14, 2013) – The Health Council of Canada welcomes Dr. Cy Frank as its newest Councillor, appointed by the province of Alberta.

Dr. Cy Frank is currently Professor in the Section of Orthopaedics, Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, Alberta Health Services, Calgary; the McCaig Professor of Joint Injury and Arthritis Research; Executive Director of the provincial Alberta Bone and Joint Health Institute; and VP, Research Strategy, Alberta Health Services. Effective April 1, 2013 he assumes the role of CEO/President of Alberta Innovates-Health Solutions, where he is currently Senior Scientist. Dr. Frank is also one of 350 members elected to the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences based on achievement in the academic health sciences in Canada.

His first duty as Councillor is to join in the quarterly Council meetings, including the one  taking place in Edmonton today. Dr. Frank is joined by Councillor colleagues, the Health Council Chair and executive to discuss Council business and hear from Alberta health system representatives.

“Having Dr. Frank at the table with his far-reaching experience and insight into Alberta’s system will undeniably enhance the Council’s ability to report on health care renewal within Canada,” said Dr. Jack Kitts, Chair of the Health Council of Canada. “As we continue to add new content to our Health Innovation Portal, we look forward to Dr. Frank’s ideas on innovative practices taking place right here in Alberta, across the country and internationally.”

Dr. Cy Frank is the first Councillor appointed by the province of Alberta. The Alberta government announced it would join the Health Council in November 2011, and did so formally in January 2012.

“Alberta joined the Health Council, in part to strengthen partnerships with other provinces and open up opportunities for ministers to collaborate effectively on key health care strategies,” said the Honourable Minister of Health for Alberta, Fred Horne. “And Dr. Frank is an ideal voice for Alberta on the Council, sharing insights from his work and the work of our province as a whole.”

Since 2003, the Health Council of Canada has provided a national picture on the progress of health care renewal, working collaboratively with key agencies in all provinces and territories, including Alberta, to develop its public reports.