CAMH’s Dr. Rohan Ganguli awarded prestigious gold medal

For Immediate Release – September 27, 2011 (Toronto) – On September 24, the Canadian Association of Physicians of Indian Heritage (CAPIH) presented its gold medal to CAMH’s Dr. Rohan Ganguli, Executive Vice President of Strategic Transformation Initiatives and Clinical Quality Improvement. Dr. Ganguli is also Professor of Psychiatry with the Faculty of Medicine and holds a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Chronic Disease Management at the University of Toronto.

The award is given annually to physicians of Indian heritage living and working in Canada, in recognition of their excellence in scientific, educational, cultural and charitable work.

Throughout his career Dr. Ganguli's research has focused on the underlying disease mechanisms and treatment of schizophrenia and related psychotic illnesses. For the last decade, his research has been specifically directed at understanding, preventing, and treating the causes of the increased risk of heart disease and diabetes in people living with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. His program in chronic disease management has a particular emphasis on developing and testing the efficacy and effectiveness of behavioural intervention in changing lifestyle in order to reduce cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and premature death in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other psychotic illnesses.

“CAPIH is delighted and proud to honour Dr. Ganguli as the 2011 recipient of our gold medal, in recognition of his excellence in research, his contributions to education, internationally and nationally, and, equally important-- for his community charitable work,” said Dr. Madan Roy, President of CAPIH and Chief, Division of General Pediatrics, Associate Professor, McMaster University, Department of Pediatrics. CAPIH is fortunate to have members of such great calibre who tirelessly promote the cause of CAPIH.

Prior to joining CAMH in 2008, Dr. Ganguli completed his medical training at the Christian Medical College in Vellore, India in 1973. He then completed his residency in Psychiatry at Memorial University in Canada, and at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC) with the University of Pittsburgh. In 1979, Dr. Ganguli joined the faculty of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh and held appointments as Professor of Psychiatry, Pathology, and Health and Community Systems. While in Pittsburgh, he was also Chief of Clinical Services, WPIC, and Vice Chair of the Department of Psychiatry.

Media contact: Michael Torres, Media Relations, CAMH; 416-595-6015

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The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada’s largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital, as well as one of the world’s leading research centres in the area of addiction and mental health. CAMH combines clinical care, research, education, policy development, prevention and health promotion to transform the lives of people affected by mental health and addiction issues.

CAMH is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, and is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Centre.

Founded 2005, CAPIH’s mission is to:

• Encourage its members in the development of health policies consistent with CAPIH's value system of compassion, integrity and commitment and to engage in an advisory role and promote the adoption of such policies by the appropriate governments.

• Provide guidance and mentoring to all International Medical Graduates (IMGs) keen on entering the Canadian healthcare system, and to support, advice, junior doctors in training, that are already in the system.

• To be the umbrella organization for all associations of Physicians of Indian Heritage in representing their interests consistent with CAPIH's vision.

• To provide networking opportunities to facilitate both professional and community growth.

• To facilitate engagement and community activities to provide assistance to the underprivileged and those in need.

For more information about CAPIH, visit www.capih.ca.