New board chair for Canadian Blood Services

OTTAWA, Jan. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadian Blood Services is pleased to announce the appointment of Mel Cappe as chair of the board of directors, effective immediately.

With over 30 years of varied experience in Canadian public service, Mr. Cappe brings extensive expertise in public policy. A professor at the University of Toronto's School of Public Policy and Governance, he was president and CEO of the Institute for Research on Public Policy from 2006 to 2011.

Mr. Cappe's distinguished career includes serving as High Commissioner for Canada to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Prior, in the federal government, he was clerk of the Privy Council, secretary to the Cabinet and head of the Public Service.

Mr Cappe has held a number of other senior positions in federal government departments, including Finance, and Consumer and Corporate Affairs. He was also deputy secretary to the Treasury Board, deputy minister of the environment, deputy minister of human resources development, deputy minister of labour and chairman of the Employment Insurance Commission.

Mr. Cappe has a Master's degree in economics from the University of Western Ontario and pursued his doctoral studies at the University of Toronto. He holds honourary doctorates from the University of Western Ontario and University of Toronto.

Mr. Cappe is an officer of the Order of Canada and a recipient of the Queen's Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals.

"Mel Cappe is an extremely well-respected leader in public policy. We are fortunate to gain his perspective and knowledge. I look forward to working directly with Mel, alongside the other members of the board to continue to manage a safe, secure and cost-effective national blood system," says Canadian Blood Services' CEO Dr. Graham Sher.

"As the steward of Canada's blood supply, Canadian Blood Services touches the lives of so many Canadians every day," says Mr. Cappe. "I am delighted and honoured to have this opportunity to help guide Canadian Blood Services into the future."

Mr. Cappe succeeds Leah Hollins, who made many noteworthy contributions to Canada's transfusion and transplantation system over her 16-year commitment to the organization. "Under Leah Hollins' leadership, the board of directors has overseen a tremendous amount of change, in particular the building of a pan-Canadian system for organ donation and transplantation," Dr. Sher tells us.

"I look forward to maintaining the relationships forged by Leah and others, and to working closely with provincial, territorial, and federal governments and our various advisory committees to ensure that all Canadians have access to safe and secure biological products," said Mr. Cappe.

Canadian Blood Services has also recently welcomed a slate of distinguished Canadians to its board of directors, including David Lehberg, Elizabeth A. Martin, Anne McFarlane and Glenda Yeates, who bring a wide range of experience as leaders in Canadian health care, public policy, and business. Outgoing board members, Dr. Gary Glavin, Henry Pankratz, Elaine Sibson and Robert H. Teskey, are thanked for their years of dedicated services.

About Canadian Blood Services
Canadian Blood Services manages the national supply of blood, blood products and stem cells, and related services for all the provinces and territories (excluding Quebec). We operate an integrated, pan-Canadian service delivery model that includes leading an interprovincial system for organ donation and transplantation. Our national scope, infrastructure and governance make us unique in the Canadian healthcare landscape. Canadian Blood Services is regulated as a biologics manufacturer by Health Canada and primarily funded by the provincial and territorial ministries of health. Canadian Blood Services is a not-for-profit charitable organization.

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