Bienvenue à la première personne représentant les patients membre du conseil d’administration

Canada’s Drug Agency is proud to welcome Maureen Smith as the first-ever Patient Member on our Board of Directors. Maureen is a respected leader in the field of patient engagement, and she brings a unique perspective to our table, grounded in lived and living experience.  

For the past 25 years, Maureen has been a passionate patient advocate, working with patient groups, government, medical researchers, health technology assessment bodies, and health care professionals. The organizations that have benefitted from her knowledge and skills include Cochrane’s Consumer Network, the Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders, Rare Disease International, the Drug Information Association, the CIHR Institute of Genetics, Ontario’s Committee to Evaluation Drugs, the Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee, and numerous Canadian and international health research teams to name a few.

Maureen’s commitment to engagement and patient partnered research stems from her diagnosis with a rare disease during childhood, and the impact of clinical trials in her life. In June 2023, Maureen was appointed Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health in recognition of the expertise she has acquired in patient engagement as a person with lived experience.

New Role Expands Patient Involvement in Canada’s Drug Agency

The election of the first Patient Member on our Board of Directors reflects our organizational commitment to building meaningful relationships with patient communities. While Patient Members have been a fixture on many of our committees, the designation of this role is part of our ongoing efforts to further our Partnership principle, broaden patient engagement throughout all areas of Canada’s Drug Agency, and bring patient experience to the organization’s Board-level governance.

Maureen’s election follows an open call for nominations in July 2024 where we sought individuals with experience as a patient or unpaid caregiver, as well as knowledge in the different areas including, for example, Board governance, strategic planning, and health technology assessment.

Our Board of Directors is accountable for the stewardship of the organization, setting its strategic direction and priorities, and upholding the organization’s vision and values, with all members sharing the same obligations and expectations.