Expert Advisory Committee on Blood Regulations (EAC-BR)
Membership List (updated on May 30, 2011)

Contact: Director General's Office

Dr. Lindsay E. Nicolle (Chair)

Internal Medicine, Infectious Disease
Health Sciences Centre
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Dr. Joanne Embree

Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Medical Microbiology
Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Department of Medical Microbiology,
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Mr. Les Johnson

Community Representative
St. John Ambulance
Ottawa, Ontario

Dr. Marina Klein

Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine
Department of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, and Department of Clinical Epidemiology, McGill University
Montreal, Quebec

Dr. Mel Krajden

Medical Microbiology, Immunology, Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases
British Columbia Hepatitis Services; British Columbia Centre for Disease Control; Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia

Dr. Bryce Larke

Past Medical Health Officer, Yukon Territory; Public Health Consultant
Edmonton, Alberta

Dr. Jacob Pendergrast

Patient Advocate; Transfusion Medicine, Hematology, Hematopathology
Thalassemia Foundation of Canada
Toronto, Ontario

Dr. Mohammad Qadura

Patient Advocate; Pathology, Molecular Medicine
Canadian Hemophilia Society
Hamilton, Ontario

Dr. Sue Robinson

Hematology
Department of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Center; Nova Scotia Hemophilia Clinic; IWK Health Center
Halifax, Nova Scotia

Dr. Gail Rock

Hematology, Transfusion Medicine
Chairman, Canadian Apheresis Group
Ottawa, Ontario

Dr. Isaac Sobol

Family Medicine, Aboriginal Health, Public Health
Chief Medical Health Officer
Iqaluit, Nunavut

Dr. Janet Storch

Bioethicist, Nursing
School of Nursing, University of Victoria
Victoria, British Columbia

Dr. Alan T. Tinmouth

Hematology, Transfusion Medicine, Internal Medicine, Clinical Epidemiology Adult Regional Hemophilia/Bleeding Disorders Comprehensive Care Clinic, Ottawa Hospital; University of Ottawa Centre for Transfusion Research and Ottawa Health Research Institute; Department of Medicine and Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Ottawa
Ottawa, Ontario

Biographies of the members of the Expert Advisory Committee on Blood Regulations (EAC-BR) (updated on May 30, 2011)

Dr. Lindsay E. Nicolle, BSc, MD, FRCPC (Chair)

Dr. Lindsay Nicolle is a professor of internal medicine and medical microbiology and consultant in adult infectious diseases. She has served in the past as Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Manitoba and Director, Medical Program of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. She received a Doctor of Medicine degree with further specialization in infectious diseases. Her committee participation at the facility level has included roles as member and chair of antimicrobial review committees and pharmacy and therapeutics committees. During a sabbatical at the World Health Organization in 2001, she participated in development of the Global Strategy for Antimicrobial Resistance.

Dr. Nicolle's research interests have been urinary tract infection, hospital acquired infections and infections in the elderly. She has published extensively on these topics. She was the founding editor and editor-in-chief of the Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology for 20 years. Dr. Nicolle has served as Chair of the Health Canada Nosocomial Infections Steering Committee in the past and has participated in other Health Canada committees. She has also contributed in the past as President of the Canadian Infectious Diseases Society, served as member of the board of the Canadian Society for Clinical Investigation, and previous Co-chair and Founder of the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program. She is the past secretary of the Society of Health Care Epidemiology of America. She recently stepped down as a member on the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) Program Planning Committee of the American Society for Microbiology. She was also the chair of the Society of Health Care Epidemiology of America Annual Program Planning Committee.

Dr. Nicolle has served as Chair of Health Canada's Expert Advisory Committee on Blood Regulations since 2004. She brings expertise in infectious diseases to the committee.

Dr. Joanne Embree, MD, MSc, FRCPC

Dr. Joanne Embree is a specialist in pediatric infectious diseases; professor & head of the Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health; and professor & head of the Department of Medical Microbiology at the University of Manitoba. She is the assistant director of the Manitoba Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Immuno-prophylaxis Program. Dr. Embree is a prominent leader in the Canadian pediatric community, recently serving as President of the Canadian Pediatric Society.

Dr. Embree attended Dalhousie University and the University of Manitoba. She completed clinical fellowships in pediatrics and infectious diseases at the University of Manitoba. Along with extensive Canadian experience in infectious diseases, Dr. Embree also completed a research fellowship in pediatric infectious diseases at the University of Manitoba's collaborative research program with the University of Nairobi in Kenya and a postdoctoral fellowship in epidemiology at the University of Washington.

Dr. Embree serves as a core member of Health Canada's Expert Advisory Committee on Blood Regulations. She brings expertise in pediatric infectious diseases, medical microbiology, and epidemiology to the committee.

Mr. Les Johnson, BA

Mr. Les Johnson served for fifteen years as the editor-in-chief and director of programming for Medifacts, the audio continuing medical education program of the College of Family Physicians of Canada. He has a bachelor's degree and a Diploma in Adult Education. Mr. Johnson is also a qualified instructor-trainer in first aid and CPR. He joined St. John Ambulance as a program development officer in 1989. Mr. Johnson has served as the director of training for the Federal District Council of St. John Ambulance. He is responsible for all training in the National Capital Region and is the senior manager of training and product development for the national headquarters of St. John Ambulance, responsible for nation-wide program development. Since 2001, he has served as the director of client services for the national headquarters of St. John Ambulance, with activities involving training, marketing and communication, business development and community services.

Mr. Johnson serves as a community representative and a core member of Health Canada's Expert Advisory Committee on Blood Regulations.

Dr. Marina Klein, MD, MSc, FRCPC

Dr. Marina Klein is an associate professor at the Department of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, and Department of Clinical Epidemiology at McGill University.

Dr. Klein graduated from McGill Medical School and received her residency training in internal medicine at the Royal Victoria Hospital. She completed a research fellowship in infectious diseases at the University of Minnesota. She also received a Master's degree in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from McGill University and was an associate of the Canadian HIV Trials Network. She has received several awards, including the Medical Research Council of Canada / Canadian Institutes of Health Research (MRC/CIHR) New Investigator Award and the Fonds de la recherché en santé du Québec (FRSQ) Chercheur-Boursier Clinicien Award.

Dr. Klein focuses her research on the clinical and epidemiologic aspects of HIV and hepatitis C co-infection. She is a principal investigator for clinical trials in the treatment of co-infection and leads a national prospective cohort study of co-infected persons. Her additional research interests include pharmacoepidemiology of antiretrovirals and HIV infection in women.

Dr. Klein serves as a core member of Health Canada's Expert Advisory Committee on Blood Regulations. She brings expertise in the areas of HIV, hepatitis C, epidemiology, infectious diseases and internal medicine to the committee.

Dr. Mel Krajden, BSc, MD, FRCPC

Dr. Mel Krajden is the director of British Columbia (BC) Hepatitis Services, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC); associate director, Laboratory Services; medical director, Public Health Serology; and program head of virology at Provincial Health Services Authority Laboratory located at the BCCDC. He is also a professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of British Columbia and an adjunct scientist with Canadian Blood Services.

Dr. Krajden's recent clinical research involves integration of hepatitis prevention and care services. The Hepatitis Division integrates diagnostic virology services within a comprehensive framework of consumer and professional education. The division also funds five regional integrated hepatitis prevention and care demonstration projects within each of BC's Health Authorities. His laboratory research involves the application of molecular techniques to: diagnose viruses; assess correlates between infection and clinical disease; use of molecular techniques to monitor antiviral efficacy; and tracking of microbial infections for epidemiological purposes. He also has extensive clinical trials expertise and serves as a laboratory coordinator for a number of national industry-sponsored clinical trials.

Dr. Krajden serves as a core member of Health Canada's Expert Advisory Committee on Blood Regulations and Expert Advisory Committee on Cells, Tissues, and Organs. He brings expertise in medical microbiology, immunology, internal medicine and infectious diseases to both committees.

Dr. Bryce Larke, MD, DClSc

Dr. Bryce Larke graduated from Queen's University Medical School, Kingston, and then completed six years of post graduate work in virology and pediatrics at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, earning the degree of Doctor of Clinical Science (DClSc). He held medical faculty appointments at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio and at McMaster University in Hamilton, where he established the Regional Virology Laboratory before returning to his native province of Alberta in 1975. He was a professor of pediatrics at the University of Alberta and from 1985 to 2001 and also served as Associate Medical Director of Canadian Blood Services, Edmonton. His sabbatical year, 1986 - 1987, was spent at the Institut Pasteur in Paris where he was a visiting scientist in the laboratory of Professor Luc Montagnier who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2008 for his pioneer work with the human immunodeficiency virus. Dr. Larke was also the first director of the provincial AIDS program that was established by Alberta Health in 1988, later becoming provincial medical consultant for HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis.

Dr. Larke left the three appointments in Edmonton in October 2001 and moved to Whitehorse where he was the Yukon Chief Medical Health Officer until 2008. Dr. Larke is currently in Edmonton and works as a consultant in public health. He serves on several national and international health-related committees and has published numerous scientific articles related to infectious diseases and immunization.

Dr. Larke is a core member of Health Canada's Expert Advisory Committee on Blood Regulations. He brings expertise in virology, pediatrics, infectious diseases and public health to the committee.

Dr. Jacob Pendergrast, BA, BSc, MD, FRCPC

Dr. Jacob Pendergrast is a lecturer in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. He serves as active staff on primary appointment in the Department of Laboratory Hematology, Division of Transfusion Medicine and on cross-appointment in the Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology and as active staff of the University Health Network, Toronto. Dr. Pendergrast was the chief resident in the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology at the University of Toronto. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Philosophy of Medicine at McGill University. He completed his medical training at Dalhousie University and post-graduate medical training in internal medicine, adult hematology and transfusion medicine at the University of Toronto. His research interests include physician practice patterns and transfusion support of patients with hemoglobinopathies. He has published a number of articles on these topics.

Dr. Pendergrast serves as a core member of Health Canada's Expert Advisory Committee on Blood Regulations. He represents the Thalassemia Foundation of Canada and brings expertise in hematology, transfusion medicine and internal medicine to the committee.

Dr. Mohammad Qadura, BSc, PhD

Dr. Qadura immigrated to Canada from Jordan to study biochemistry. He received a PhD for his study of potential therapies including immune tolerance for the bleeding disorder hemophilia A at Queen's University. He is currently studying medicine at McMaster University. He has presented his scientific findings at conferences and received several national/international awards. His passion toward medicine and improving peoples' lives has led him to serve the community through volunteering at different organizations including the Canadian Hemophilia Society, Health Canada and hospitals in Ontario. He wishes to make a difference by contributing to the community through medicine, research and humanities.

Dr. Qadura serves as a core member of the Health Canada's Expert Advisory Committee on Blood Regulations. He represents the Canadian Hemophilia Society and brings expertise in pathology and molecular medicine to the committee.

Dr. K. Sue Robinson, MD, FRCPC

Dr. Robinson is a professor in the Department of Medicine at Dalhousie University and a clinical hematologist at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre. At present, she is the clinic director of Hereditary Bleeding Disorder Clinic (Nova Scotia Hemophilia Clinic). She also serves as Co-Director of Hematology High-Risk Clinic at IWK Health Centre. She served as Program Director of the Hematology Postgraduate Residency Training Program in past. Her clinical and research interests include bleeding and thrombotic disorders and platelet disorders in addition to malignant hematologic diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. In the past, she has served as a consulting staff member at the IWK Health Centre, Grace Maternity Hospital, Cancer Research and Treatment Foundation, and QEII Health Sciences Centre. She also serves on various committees in capacities such as: Chair of the Hematology Site Group Committee at the Dalhousie University; Co-Chair of Leukemia Cancer Site Team for the Cancer Care Program at the QEII Health Science Centre; and Chair, Product Safety Usage and Supply Association of Hemophilia Clinic Directors of Canada.

Dr. Robinson serves as a core member of Health Canada's Expert Advisory Committee on Blood Regulations. She brings expertise in hematology with special emphasis on coagulation and platelet disorders to the committee.

Dr. Gail Rock, MD, PhD, FRCPC

Dr. Gail Rock, whose training is in hematopathology (blood disorders), is a professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa. She is the author of more than 200 publications and has received patents for plasma-free medium for platelet storage, collection and intermediate purity of factor VIII, stabilization of factor VIII activity in whole blood or plasma. While she served as Medical Director of the Ottawa Centre of the Canadian Red Cross, she redeveloped local and national programs in apheresis and carried out many studies on blood and blood components. She has served as a consultant or advisor to the Department of Agriculture, the Office of the Surgeon General of Canada, Health Canada and was appointed to the National Canadian Blood Safety Council. She is currently the editor-in-chief of the Journal Transfusion and Apheresis Science, past president of the Canadian Hematology Society (CHS), the American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) and the World Apheresis Association (WAA) and current chair of the Canadian Apheresis Group.

Dr. Rock serves a core member of Health Canada's Expert Advisory Committee on Blood Regulations. She brings expertise in hematopathology, transfusion medicine, coagulation and apheresis to the committee.

Dr. Isaac Sobol, MD, MHSc, FRCPC

Upon obtaining his Doctor of Medicine degree at Queen's University, Dr. Sobol worked as family physician in Ile-a-la-Crosse, a Metis community, and served as family physician and Medical Health Officer for the Nisga'a Valley Health Board. During this time, he also received his Master of Health Sciences degree at the University of British Columbia. While he served as Medical Health Officer for the North West Community Health Services Society in Terrace, British Columbia, he was responsible for developing an Aboriginal health strategy.

Dr. Sobol is the past director of the Division of Aboriginal People's Health in the Department of Family Practice at University of British Columbia (UBC), and the site director for UBC's Aboriginal Health Family Medicine Residency Program. At this time, he serves as the Chief Medical Health Officer for Nunavut, and lives in Iqaluit.

Dr. Sobol represents Nunavut on the Pan Canadian Public Health Network Council. He is the chair of the Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health, and co-chair of the Network's Expert Group on Surveillance and Health Information. He serves on several advisory boards involving Aboriginal health. He has also served as a member of the board of the Canadian Public Health Association, as Chair of the Rural Health Division.

For past ten years, he has also led teams of medical volunteers to provide free medical clinics for the poor in eastern Tibet, on behalf of Rokpa International, and he founded the Canadian branch, Rokpa Canada.

Dr. Sobol serves as a core member of Health Canada's Expert Advisory Committee on Blood Regulations. He brings expertise in the areas of family medicine, Aboriginal health and public health to the committee.

Dr. Janet Storch, RN, BScN, MHSA, PhD, DSc (Hon), CHE

Dr. Janet (Jan) Storch is a professor emeritus at the University of Victoria, where she served as Director of the School of Nursing. She continues an active research program in nursing and health care ethics at the University of Victoria. She is also involved in writing and teaching in bioethics, healthcare ethics, organizational ethics and research ethics. She previously served as the chair of the Human Research Ethics Board at the University of Victoria as well as member of the Vancouver Island Health Authority Research Ethics Board. She holds a Doctorate in Sociology and a Certificate in Bioethics. She was a professor and director of the Masters in Health Administration Program at the University of Alberta and then dean of the School of Nursing at the University of Calgary.

Dr. Storch is the former president of the Canadian Bioethics and the National Council on Ethics in Human Research (NCEHR). She was a scholar in residence at the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) and continues to consult to CNA in matters of clinical and research ethics. She also continues active service on several local clinical ethics committees. She serves on the British Columbia Ministry of Health Committee to develop clinical ethics resources, and serves on national committees, including the Canadian Patient Safety Institute Research & Development (R&D) Committee as well as chairing the Health Canada Research Ethics Board.

Dr. Storch serves as a core member on Health Canada's Expert advisory Committee on Blood Regulations. She brings expertise in bioethics, health ethics and health administration to the committee.

Dr. Alan T. Tinmouth, MD, MSc, FRCPC

Dr. Tinmouth is the director, Adult Regional Hemophilia/Bleeding Disorders Comprehensive Care Clinic, Ottawa Hospital and scientist, University of Ottawa Centre for Transfusion Research and Ottawa Health Research Institute. He is also an assistant professor in the Department of Medicine and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Ottawa, and medical consultant for the Canadian Blood Services. He serves on the Board of Directors, Association of Hemophilia Clinic Directors of Canada.

Dr. Tinmouth graduated from the University of Calgary School of Medicine and completed fellowships in internal medicine, hematology, and transfusion. Dr. Tinmouth's research focuses on determining the optimal clinical use of three blood products (frozen plasma, platelets, and recombinant activated factor VII) to prevent bleeding. He is currently leading studies that evaluate how and why plasma transfusions are given after heart surgery. He is also a co-investigator in Knowledge Translation Canada, a groundbreaking national research network developed to translate health research results into practice to better the health of Canadians.

Dr. Tinmouth serves as a core member of Health Canada's Expert Advisory Committee on Blood Regulations. He brings expertise in hematology, transfusion medicine, internal medicine, and clinical epidemiology to the committee.