Governance

The governance of WCHRI is defined in a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Alberta Health Services (AHS), the governors of the University of Alberta (U of A), the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation (SCHF) and the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation (RAHF). Although not formally in the MOU, the WCHRI Trainee Advisory Committee (started in 2018), reports to the Program Advisory Committee on important initiatives and strategies regarding our trainee members.

Oversight Board

The Oversight Board is made up of representatives from the U of A, AHS, SCHF and RAHF. The board ensures that WCHRI meets the highest standard of good governance, including accountability and transparency and delivers quality, innovative research. The board provides strategic direction and is responsible for making sure that legal and regulatory requirements are met, approving the annual budget and monitoring WCHRI’s overall performance. 

Oversight Board Members 

Scientific Advisory Committee

The Scientific Advisory Committee is made up of internationally renowned research leaders. The committee provides an external viewpoint and advises WCHRI on a number of topics relevant to institute structure and strategy — research themes, operations, mentorship, leadership, evaluation, etc. The committee also offers WCHRI a mechanism to build national and international collaborations with other like-minded institutes and networks.

Scientific Advisory Committee Members

Daniel Benjamin, MD, PhD
Kiser-Arena Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics, Duke University
Chair, Pediatric Trials Network
Associate Director, Duke Clinical Research Institute

Daniel Goldowitz, PhD
Professor, Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia
Scientific Director, Kids Brain Health Network

Annette Majnemer, OT, PhD, FCAHS
Vice Dean, Education, Faculty of Medicine
Professor, School of Physical & Occupational Therapy, McGill University
Director, CHILD-BRIGHT Network

Patrick McGrath, OC, PhD, FRSC, FCAHS
Professor, Department of Psychology, Dalhousie University
Former Vice President Research, Innovation and Knowledge Translation for the IWK Health Centre and the Nova Scotia Health Authority

Paula Rochon, MD, MPH, FCAHS
VP Research, Women’s College Hospital (WCH)
Professor, Department of Medicine and Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, University of Toronto
RTO/ERO Chair in Geriatric Medicine

Program Advisory Committee

The Program Advisory Committee is made up of U of A cross-faculty representatives. The committee represents member interests and advises WCHRI's executive director on programs and operations, which includes:

• providing guidance on the development, prioritization and alignment of WCHRI programs and services;
• assisting in the determination of performance indicators and reviewing actual performance against those indicators;
• assisting in the dissemination of key WCHRI outcomes and results; and,
• providing guidance on operational and business issues, especially issues which would compromise the success of WCHRI.

Theme leads are appointed within the Program Advisory Committee by the executive director. Their role is to provide more focused attention towards:

• developing a community of member researchers within each theme area;
• identifying opportunities to better support theme areas through existing programs and operations; and,
• assisting with ongoing strategic planning by developing goals and objectives that will support theme area development.

Program Advisory Committee Members (all U of A staff)

Trainee Advisory Committee

The WCHRI Trainee Advisory Committee (TAC) reflects our diversity within:

• member faculties/departments.
• research theme (child, maternal, women).
• levels/types of training (graduate, postdoctoral, residency).

The TAC is aimed at engaging in-training members in WCHRI educational activities, grant processes and program development. The TAC reports to the Program Advisory Committee and is responsible for:

• representing in-training member interests in WCHRI.
• providing feedback and suggestions to improve WCHRI programs and trainee engagement.
• developing career and skill building workshops via the WCHRI Lunch and Learn program.
• advising on Research Day workshops, topics, and format.
• other topics as determined by the working group and approved by the Program Advisory Committee.

Trainee Advisory Committee Members