The University of Alberta has awarded the inaugural Canada Research Chair in Spinal Function to Gregory Kawchuk, BSc, DC, MSc, PhD. The appointment, designed to further understanding of how the spine influences health, is the second such award for Dr. Kawchuk; in 2001, he received Canada's first Chiropractic Research Chair - a five-year position at the University of Calgary.
"This is a great honor," commented Dr. Kawchuk, a 1990 graduate of Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. "It is very exciting to be awarded this opportunity, but, even more importantly, this Chair provides me with a personal opportunity to benefit the health of millions of Canadians."
The Canadian federal government established the $900 million research chair program in 2000, designed to make Canada among the top five countries in the world in terms of research and development. Dr. Kawchuk's appointment to the University of Calgary in 2001 was in accordance with guidelines established by the Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Canadian Chiropractic Research Foundation (CCRF), and the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER).
The University of Alberta research chair includes more than $900,000 in funding by the CCA, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and the university itself. The funds will be used to establish the "Common Spinal Disorders Laboratory" - the country's first spinal research facility to feature an interdisciplinary team of chiropractic, physical therapy and medical researchers. Dr. Kawchuk will serve as an assistant professor with the University of Alberta, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine. (He is also an adjunct professor, Faculty of Kinesiology and Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, at the University of Calgary.)
"We are very pleased by the recognition that Dr. Kawchuk has received," said CCA President Dr. Grayden Bridge. "This appointment opens the door to further interdisciplinary studies and collaboration that will significantly advance our knowledge of spinal health."
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