Scientist viewing information on computer for the e-Health Research Centre to develop software to tackle emergency department bottlenecks.

The e-Health Research Centre is developing software to tackle emergency department bottlenecks.

Canadian expert joins Australian e-Health Centre

Reference: 08/58

One of the major contributors to the development and implementation of Canada’s electronic health records system, Richard C Alvarez, has been appointed an Honorary Fellow of the Australian e-Health Research Centre in Brisbane.

22 April 2008

A joint venture between CSIRO and the Queensland Government, the Australian
e-Health Research Centre is a leading national research facility for health care innovations in ICT.

The Centre’s CEO, CSIRO’s Gary Morgan, says much of Canada’s success in becoming a world leader in the implementation of health information technologies can be attributed to Mr Alvarez who is currently the President and CEO of Canada Health Infoway.

“Through his vision and efforts, he has helped to position Canada as a world leader by reforming the health care system through innovation and technology,” Mr Morgan says.

"Mr Alvarez is a long-standing friend of the Centre and has previously served on our Research and Investment Advisory Committee.

“His many efforts on its behalf have significantly advanced the Centre's international collaborations – particularly in forging links with Canadian health agencies and research institutions which have mutual areas of interest."

“Through his vision and efforts, he has helped to position Canada as a world leader by reforming the health care system through innovation and technology,”

Mr Morgan says.

The Centre’s e-Health Medical Director, Professor Bruce Barraclough, says the Centre’s achievements to-date have been driven by its multi-disciplinary team of internationally renowned scientists and software engineers.

“Mr Alvarez is helping the Centre to ensure that our world-class people will create the health solutions applicable to new forms of chronic disease management well into the future,” he says.

“The Canadian health system is similar to that of Australia and Australia has a lot to learn from Canada and Richard Alvarez.”

The Centre bestows Honorary Fellowships on individuals who have distinguished themselves through achievements in health information technology and/or activities in support of the Centre’s aims and objectives.

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