Announcement: Leadership change for Paediatrics

Dr. Michael Rieder has resigned as Chair/Chief of the Department of Paediatrics and Chief of Staff of the Children’s Hospital at LHSC to return to his research and clinical practices, effective September 30, 2018.

Dr. Rieder’s last active day in the role will be September 30, 2018. However, effective immediately, Dr. John Yoo will assume the role of Interim Chair/Chief of the Department of Paediatrics for a period of six months, or until the University and the Hospital have appointed an Interim Chair/Chief or Co-Chair/Chiefs to work with Dr. Yoo until the conclusion of the selection process for a permanent Chair/Chief. That process will commence at the earliest opportunity.

Dr. Rieder has been elected as President of the Canadian Society of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and in this role has been asked to contribute to a number of important national initiatives, including the development of a paediatric office at Health Canada, implementation of national pharmacare, creation of a national standard for prescribing competency for medical students, and definition of best practice in therapeutics teaching internationally. These are all important issues of national and international significance, and successful completion of these will markedly enhance the reputation and profile of both Children’s Hospital and Schulich Medicine & Dentistry.

As well, Dr. Rieder’s laboratory – while working at a much reduced level – has made considerable progress in development of key drug and food safety assays that are very close to commercialization. Having Dr. Rieder return to the lab will bring these to commercialization with his industrial partners in Canada and the United States, enhancing the status and profile of Children’s Hospital, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and Robarts Research Institute.

We thank Dr. Rieder for his contributions to the Department of Paediatrics and Children’s Hospital at LHSC, and wish him all the best on his return to research and clinical practice.

Dr. Paul Woods
President & CEO, London Health Sciences Centre

Dr. Davy Cheng
Acting Dean, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, Western University