DR. HENRY G. FRIESEN
Message posted on May 5, 2025
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Friends of CIHR
I am extremely sad to inform you that we have learned that Henry Friesen passed away on April 30/25.
We have been received an outpouring of messages to recognize Henry’s many contributions to Canadian Health Research and to the formation of CIHR in particular. Below are some of them –
“Friends of CIHR mourns the death of Dr. Henry Friesen, a towering figure in Canadian biomedicine. His legacy is immortalized by his contributions in endocrine science, for his leadership in health research policy and by the many scholars who carry his name in recognition of their outstanding research”.
Dr. Aubie Angel C.M. MD
Founding President , Friends of CIHR
“Dr. Friesen was widely recognized and respected for his innovation, integrity and significant contributions to science, medicine and cross-disciplinary research. He leaves behind a legacy of groundbreaking scientific discoveries that advanced medical research and had a tremendous impact at the individual, national, and international levels.“
Dr. Andrea Baumann PhD, FAAN, CAHS, CM
Vice President , Friends of CIHR Executive
“Unassuming benign and gentle, Henry was easily underestimated even as he made seminal biologic discoveries or, later on, with the advent of CIHR and Genome Canada essentially recast and rejuvenated the entire Canadian biomedical research landscape. He was one of a kind.”
Dr. Alexander MacKenzie MD, PhD
Secretary , Friends of CIHR Executive
“Henry Friesen was a remarkable scientist who transformed the Canadian health research landscape to the benefit of us all by skillful navigation of our complex federal political system.”
Dr. Reinhart Reithmeier, PhD FCAHS
Treasurer , Friends of CIHR Executive
CIHR postings
cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/54305.html
cihr-irsc.gc.ca/f/54305.html
Friends Funeral Service (Winnipeg)
friendsfs.ca
Dr. Peter N. Lewis Interim President of CIHR
Obituary: Visionary Dr. Henry Friesen re-invented Canada’s premier health research funding agency. He also did groundbreaking work isolating and purifying the hormone prolactin, by @picardonhealth https://t.co/COaJUqqjI0 via @globeandmail @CIHR_IRSC
— André Picard (@picardonhealth) May 9, 2025
Title of Talk – Dr. Brenda Andrews – 2025 Friesen Prize:
“Accelerating Discovery: The Catalytic Impact of Interdisciplinary Environments
on Basic Biomedical Research”
Announcement – Dr. Brenda Andrews – 2025 Friesen Prize
Annonce – la Dre Brenda Andrews – le Prix Friesen 2025
DESCRIPTION – FRIENDS OF CIHR
Friends of CIHR (FCIHR) was created to promote the value of health research and establish community-based partnerships. Since 2000, it has specifically supported the goals and initiatives of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and has expanded its role to represent all health disciplines. The 15-person Board of Directors represents a membership active in universities, hospitals, voluntary organizations, community groups and agencies, as well as some private corporations. In addition, Friends of CIHR promotes research funding with all levels of government. FCIHR organizes annual educational symposia and publishes the proceedings for wide distribution. The Video History of Medicine in Canada is an innovative program conceived by the group. Friends of CIHR is a non-profit, non-governmental, incorporated organization.
Les Amis des Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada (AIRSC) est un organisme créé dans le but de promouvoir la valeur de la recherche en santé et d’établir des partenariats communautaires. Depuis 2000, l’organisme a expressément appuyé les objectifs et les initiatives des Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada (IRSC) et a élargi son rôle afin de représenter toutes les disciplines de la santé. Le conseil d’administration, comprenant 15 membres, représente des adhérents qui œuvrent dans des universités, des hôpitaux, des organismes bénévoles, des groupes et organismes communautaires et des sociétés privées. En plus de promouvoir le financement de la recherche à tous les niveaux de gouvernement, les AIRSC présentent chaque année des colloques pédagogiques et en publient les procès-verbaux. L’Histoire de la médecine au Canada est un programme novateur réalisé en collaboration par le groupe. Les Amis des IRSC est un organisme non gouvernemental sans but lucratif constitué en personne morale.