Philippe Couillard appointed Senior Fellow in Health Law at McGill
McGill University is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Philippe Couillard as Senior Fellow in Health Law, effective since January 1, 2009. The creation of this position, a cross-appointment between the faculties of medicine and law, builds on McGill’s leadership in the field of health law and public policy in Canada and abroad.
In his new role, Dr. Couillard will join the McGill Research Group on Health and Law, the focal point for interdisciplinary teaching and research in health, law and public policy at McGill. Dr. Couillard’s mandate will include coordinating reflection and discussion in these areas, considering both national and international perspectives. He will also participate in teaching, special lectures and research activities related to health and law.
“The appointment of Philippe Couillard strengthens the ties between the faculties of medicine and law at McGill and supports this institution’s efforts to encourage an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and research,” said Prof. Heather Munroe-Blum, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University. “Dr. Couillard’s unique experience on crucial public policy matters will be an invaluable asset to McGill, as well as to the broader community seeking answers to these complex questions.”
“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Couillard into this new role at a time when broad-based discussion and collaboration are of utmost importance in the evolution of health care, research and education in this country,” said Dr. Richard I. Levin, Vice-Principal (Health Affairs) and Dean of Medicine. “Dr. Couillard brings tremendous knowledge to this mandate to help ensure a most thorough and insightful conversation.”
“Dr. Couillard’s arrival will serve as a catalyst in the McGill Research Group on Health and Law’s mandate to stimulate reflection and to act as interlocutor with government, other academic units and the public,” said Prof. Nicholas Kasirer, Dean of Law. “This is essential in creating an open space for exchange on the many public policy options related to health care.”
“It is with great pleasure that I join McGill in the establishment of an open academic forum where all views will be welcome and debated, in keeping with the tradition of excellence of this world-class institution,” Dr. Couillard said.
Dr. Couillard was Quebec's Minister of Health and Social Services from April 2003 to June 2008. Professor in the Université de Sherbrooke’s Faculty of Medicine from 1996 to 2003, he also served as head surgeon and director of the Surgery Department at the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke from 2000 to 2003. He is co-founder of a neurosurgery service in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, where he worked from 1992 to 1996. Prior to that, he was head of the Department of Neurosurgery at St-Luc Hospital in Montreal from 1989 to 1992. Since Oct. 1, 2008, he has been a partner with Persistence Capital Partners in Montreal.
Dr. Couillard was also the Canadian representative on the Board of Directors of the Société de neurochirurgie de langue française from 1999 to 2003, as well as a member of the Council and of the Health and Public Policy Committee of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada from 2000 to 2003. He obtained a doctorate in medicine in 1979, as well as a degree in neurosurgery from the Université de Montréal, a specialist certificate from the Collège des médecins du Québec and a specialist certificate from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 1985.