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May 10, 2010
VANCOUVER ISLAND – Dr. Richard Stanwick, the long-serving Chief Medical Health Officer of the Vancouver Island Health Authority, has been elected president of the Canadian Paediatric Society as of 2012. Dr. Stanwick will serve as Vice President effective June 2010 and president-elect in 2011.
The Canadian Paediatric Society is the national body that represents pediatricians across Canada and promotes the advancement of, and excellence in, children’s health care through research, education and advocacy.
”I am very honoured to be elected to this voluntary position,” said Dr. Stanwick. “As I initially trained and worked as a paediatrician, I have always maintained a keen interest in advocating for improved health care status and health care services for our youngest citizens. While it may be a cliché, our children are truly our most precious resource, and their health and wellness at a young age is crucial in building healthier communities, a stronger social fabric as well as developing active and well adults and seniors.”
According to Dr. Stanwick, there are several priorities to improving the health of children including:
- Improving health care services, access to care and lifestyle issues for Aboriginal children.
- Encouraging healthy and active living among children, particularly when more ‘screen-time’ contributes to inactivity and unhealthy role modeling.
- Preventing injuries among children by encouraging and supporting the appropriate use of safety equipment such as helmets, protective gear and appropriate playground equipment, layout and surfaces.
- Ensuring children’s immunizations are given and up to date to prevent the onset and spread of disease.
Dr. Stanwick has been medical health officer for the Vancouver Island Health Authority and its predecessor organizations since 1995. Prior to this he was a practicing paediatrician at St. Boniface Hospital and Children's Hospital Manitoba. In 1985, he became Assistant Provincial Epidemiologist in Manitoba and later served as Medical Health Officer for the City of Winnipeg, prior to moving to Victoria in 1995.
Dr. Stanwick has served as the Chair of the Injury Prevention Committee, has been a member of the Advocacy Committee and serves as an Associate Editor on the editorial board of the Journal of the Canadian Paediatric Society.
Dr. Stanwick’s appointment to the Canadian Paediatric Society in no way affects his Chief Medical Health Officer role in VIHA.
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Media Contact:
Shannon Marshall
VIHA Communications
250-370-8270
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