Michael Smith Health Research BC welcomes vice-president, external relations

Michael Smith Health Research BC welcomes Roger Francis as our vice-president, external relations, effective immediately. In this newly created role, Roger with his team will be responsible for developing a consistent and coherent approach to identify and engage with the people, groups and organizations fundamental to our work of strengthening BC’s health research system.

“I am pleased to welcome Roger as a member of the senior leadership team,” says Dr. Bev Holmes, president & CEO of Health Research BC. “His extensive experience in the public and private sectors will contribute measurably to achieving our new strategic directions. In addition, Roger brings a positive leadership style centred on collaboration, which will help the organization build stronger internal and external relationships.”

Roger has led external relations, engagement, and communication files in private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. He brings over 20 years of leadership experience – four with The Conference Board of Canada, over 15 as an advisor to senior leaders, and five in the private sector. He has supported decision makers in government and the health sector on provincial and national issues, created partnerships for advancing health research impact, and championed engagement processes.

A driving interest throughout his career has been co-creation. Whether convening a conference on Indigenous Health Innovation with the First Nations University and Indigenous Peoples’ Health Research Centre, utilizing the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences Impact Model to review funded health research chairs, or authoring a paper on the value of aging-related research, all final outputs were the result of designed inclusion.

“I am honoured to join Michael Smith Health Research BC’s team of dedicated professionals who are supporting BC’s exceptional health research community,” says Roger. “This is an exciting time to join the organization and I look forward to working with my colleagues to build and strengthen relationships with our partners and stakeholders in our work to improve the health of people and communities in British Columbia.”