Dr. Lise Bjerre Appointed Chair in Family Medicine
Ottawa, January 18, 2021 – The Institut du Savoir Montfort (ISM), the Fondation Montfort and the University of Ottawa Department of Family Medicine (DFM) are proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Lise Bjerre to the position of Chair in Family Medicine.
Dr. Bjerre holds a B.Sc. in Biology from Concordia University, an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Epidemiology from McGill University, a Medical Doctorate from McGill University, and a Medical Doctorate from the University of Göttingen, Germany. She also holds certification from the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CCFP). In addition to her clinical career in family medicine, which she has led on two continents, she has extensive research experience as a clinician-researcher with the DMF since 2010, and is also affiliated with the School of Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Ottawa. The accomplished researcher is also an Adjunct (full-status) Scientist at ICES - the agency responsible for Ontario's population health databases, which she uses for several of her studies. Her areas of interest focus on access to primary health care (particularly for vulnerable and underserved populations, including Francophones minorities and rural populations), and on the appropriate use of medications at the population level. She also conducts evidence-based knowledge syntheses to improve clinical practice and to foster patient involvement in managing their own health. In addition, she uses artificial intelligence (AI) in combination with population databases as a means to make better use of existing data resource.
"Dr. Bjerre's impressive background in both family medicine and research, as well as her innovation and flexibility make her the ideal person to take on this ambitious mandate." says Dr. William Hogg, Associate Vice-President Research and Acting Scientific Director of the ISM. "Her experience and expertise will allow her to conduct research that will advance the field of primary care for all, while working towards eliminating health inequalities for francophone Canadians." adds Dr. Clare Liddy, DFM Chair.
"The Fondation Montfort is proud to welcome Dr. Bjerre. Philanthropy and community support will provide Dr. Bjerre with a solid financial foundation for her research," said Mr. Marc Villeneuve, President and CEO of the Fondation Montfort.
"It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that I embark on this new mandate, but also with great humility and a strong sense of responsibility that this role entails. I see the role of the Chair in Family Medicine first and foremost as one of leadership, whose mission is to inspire, support and conduct rigorous research that produces relevant results and contributes to the dissemination of knowledge and the improvement of health for all." says Dr. Bjerre.
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About Institut du Savoir Montfort
Created in 2015, the Institut du Savoir Montfort (ISM) is a non-profit organization (registration number: 81075 5595 RR0001) that aims to improve health and the world's health by combining research and education. The ISM relies on collaboration between researchers, educators and andragogues, which facilitates the continuum creation-transmission of knowledge in the organization of health services and the prevention, screening and treatment of physical and mental co-morbidities.
About the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Ottawa
As leaders in family medicine education and research, the Department of Family Medicine offers excellent teaching and learning opportunities in both official languages at a range of sites in urban and rural settings across the National Capital Region. The DFM at the University of Ottawa includes more than 400 family medicine teachers who train 150 residents and 160 medical students each year.
Ibtissem Zahzam - Communications Officer
Institut du Savoir Montfort
613-746-4621, poste 6079
ibtissemzahzam@montfort.on.ca
Paul Logothetis - Media Relations Officer
Ottawa University
613-823-7221
plogothe@uOttawa.ca