2001 Winner: Outstanding Contribution To The Alberta Science And Technology Community
Distinguished Medical Researcher Promotes Tremendous Growth In Alberta
Dr. William Cochrane’s distinguished medical and medical research careers brought him to Alberta in 1967 to become the founding dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary. He oversaw curriculum design, faculty recruiting and the design and construction of the Health Sciences Centre. After being recruited as provincial deputy minister of Health Services in 1973, he returned to Calgary as president and vice chancellor of the University in 1974.
Medical Research
For 10 years, he was president of Connaught Laboratories, Toronto, before returning to Calgary in 1989. In addition to receiving the Borden Award of the Nutrition Society of Canada for his scientific research into metabolic diseases of children, Dr. Cochrane was made honorary medicine chief of the Stoney Tribe of Alberta for his contributions to the health care of the First Nations people.
A member of numerous medical and research societies in Canada and the United States, he was also president of the Canadian Paediatric Society and the Canadian Society for Clinical Investigation. He has several honorary degrees and received the Queens’ Jubilee Medal in 1977, Order of Canada in 1989 and the Commemorative 125th Medal from the Government of Canada in 1992. In 1999, the Ottawa Life Sciences Council awarded him the National Merit Award for his contribution to biotechnology in Canada.
Fostering Knowledge
Dr. Cochrane sits on the board of several Canadian and multinational companies. He is former co-chair of the Calgary Economic and Development Authority and founder of the International Health Business Opportunity Conference Foundation. He has demonstrated tireless energy to creating and building the infrastructure of knowledge, assets and resources vital to the growth and success of this sector in Alberta. He has successfully achieved this through leadership, demonstration and consultation in both the public and private sectors.
