Thank you for everything, Christine

The O’Brien Institute Core Team offers sincere and heartfelt thanks to Dr. Friedenreich for her dedication to the Institute, and the significant impact she has made during her time as part of the leadership team.

Highlights of Dr. Friedenreich’s work with the Institute include:

Serving as Interim Scientific Director from March to November 2020

While the O’Brien Institute conducted a search for a new Scientific Director to replace inaugural Scientific Director Dr. William Ghali, MD, Dr. Friedenreich stepped up to lead. Her focus during this interim period included updating and evaluating several aspects of the governance of the Institute. A major accomplishment was several changes to the Strategic Advisory Board (SAB). Besides updating and ratifying the terms of reference for the SAB, board members were also updated, expanded and diversified.

During this time Dr. Friedenreich also instigated a review and reorganization of the Institute's research groups, units and centres, which is near completion today.

Co-chairing the University of Calgary COVID-19 Advisory and Analytics group

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Friedenreich, O’Brien Institute interim scientific director at the time, was named co-chair of the UCalgary Advisory and Analytics group. Throughout the pandemic, the group, comprised almost entirely of O’Brien Institute members and affiliates, met with Calgary City councillors and the Calgary Emergency Management Agency to inform the implementation of population-wide interventions to help control the spread of COVID-19.

Ensuring O’Brien Institute members achieve research excellence

Dr. Friedenreich’s continued dedication to the Institute Internal Peer Review Programs has helped many members achieve research excellence. She has a rare talent of delivering excellent feedback in an open and empathetic manner — garnering the trust and appreciation of colleagues. She has also lent her expertise as a review lead for PROPeL, Chalk Talk, and Panel feedback sessions and has cemented a reputation as a capacity and community builder who values service and the success of others.

As a researcher, Dr. Friedenreich is a cancer epidemiologist, studying the role of physical activity in reducing the risk of developing cancer and in improving quality of life and survival after diagnosis. With AHS being her primary appointment, Dr. Friedenreich is Scientific Director of AHS CancerControl’s Department of Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research; and Division Head of Preventive Oncology, in the Cumming School of Medicine’s Department of Oncology. As an academic, she is Adjunct Professor in CSM’s Department of Community Health Sciences, the Department of Oncology, as well as the Faculty of Kinesiology.

Dr. Friedenreich has been affiliated with the O’Brien Institute since its inception as a great supporter and enthusiastic member. Although she is leaving the leadership team, Dr. Friedenreich will continue to be involved with the Institute as a member and valued colleague.

Christine, it’s been an honour and the O’Brien Institute wishes you all the best.