Strategic Advisory Board Biographies
- Brent Mitchell, MD,
- is the Head of the Departments of Cardiac Sciences at the University of Calgary and the Calgary Health Region. He is honored to accept the role as the first Director of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta and welcomes the following people to the Libin Institute's Strategic Advisory Board:
- Dr. Jonathon Lytton
- has been appointed as the Research Director of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta. Dr. Jonathan Lytton is also a recognized expert in the molecular biology of Calcium transport proteins, with a particular focus on the physiological roles different Sodium / Calcium exchanger proteins play in cardiovascular and neuronal biology.
- Eldon Smith, O.C., MD,
- Board Chair, is currently President and Director of the Peter Lougheed Medical Research Foundation and a trustee of the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research. He is the former Dean of Medicine at the University of Calgary. He is also a Director of a number of corporations including Canadian Natural Resources Ltd, Vasogen Inc, and Pheromone Sciences Corporation.
- Tracy Wasylak, BN, M.Sc.,
- is the Vice President, South West Community Portfolio for the Calgary Health Region. She oversees the Rockyview Hospital as well as regional clinical programs including Cardiac Sciences, Bone & Joint Health, Surgery, Trauma, Anesthesia, Regional Pain, PADIS and Pharmacy.
- Martin Atkinson, MD,
- is the Associate Dean (Clinical Affairs) in the Faculty of Medicine and Associate Chief Medical Officer (Academic Affairs) in the Calgary Health Region. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Rheumatic Disease Unit at the University of Calgary and has won numerous teaching awards.
- Richard Hawkes, Ph.D,
- is the Associate Dean (Research) in the Faculty of Medicine and Associate to the Vice President (Research & International) at the University of Calgary. He is also a founding member of the Genes & Development Research Group, where he runs an active research laboratory exploring questions of brain structure and development.
- Alvin Libin, O.C., LL.D.
- is the Institute's major initial funder through The Alvin and Mona Libin Foundation. He is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Balmon Investments Ltd., the Chairman of the Alberta Ingenuity Fund and a Director and owner of the Calgary Flames. He formerly chaired the Boards of Trustees at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary and the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research. Dr. Libin is the Chair of the Institute's Community and Partners Advisory Committee.
- George Wyse, MD, Ph.D.,
- is an Emeritus Professor in the Departments of Cardiac Sciences, Medicine and Pharmacology & Therapeutics at the University of Calgary. He is also a past President of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta and the Medical Staff Association of the Foothills Medical Centre. He is a former Associate Dean (Clinical Affairs) of the Faculty of Medicine. He is the Chair of the Institute's International Expert Advisory Committee.
- Janice Stewart, RN BN MSA
- is the Director of Cardiac Sciences for the Calgary Health Region and the Administrative Director of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta. She was recognized by the Canadian Council of Cardiovascular Nurses (CCCN) as a leader in Canadian CV Nursing in October 29004, a peer-nominated award.
- Peter Valentine, FCA,
is the Senior Advisor on Accountability to the President and CEO of the Calgary Health Region and a Senior Advisor to the Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary. In this role Mr. Valentine will be a valued member on the Libin Institute Strategic Advisory Board as a liaison to the University of Calgary and the Calgary Health Region.
Mr. Valentine was Auditor General of Alberta from February 1995 to January 2002, where his achievements included significant expansion of the understanding and importance of accountability in governance and performance measurement. As Auditor General, Mr. Valentine's clients included the Government of Alberta, the Legislative Assembly, Universities, Colleges and Health Regions.
Prior to accepting the post of Auditor General, Mr. Valentine was a senior partner in the accounting firm KPMG, where he retired following a 37-year career which included contributions in the areas of natural resources, general engineering, real estate, professional organizations, municipalities and other government agencies.
