posted on Feb. 26: New chairholder explores connections between women’s health, vascular disease

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Anand.Sonia.jpg” caption=”Sonia Anand”]Sonia Anand, an assistant professor of medicine in the Faculty of Health Sciences, has been named to an endowed chair in women's health. The chair is called the Eli Lilly Canada – May Cohen Chair in Women's Health.

In her current research, Anand looks at the causes of cardiovascular disease in various ethnic groups, including aboriginal people, and the evaluation of antithrombotic therapies used in preventing further cardiovascular events (such as heart attacks).

She is the recipient of a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Clinician-Scientist Award (1998-present). Anand is an associate editor of thrombosis research and is on the editorial board of Vascular Medicine, and section editor of Vascular Viewpoint. She has been a co-investigator in many research studies and her articles have been published in many peer-reviewed journals.

The formation of the Eli Lilly Canada – May Cohen Chair in Women's Health was announced in June 2000. The chairholder will conduct epidemiological research and clinical trials that address the determinants and prevalence of women's health problems as they relate to vascular diseases.

Eli Lilly Canada is supporting the chair with a $1 million contribution over five years. Funding has also come from McMaster University, with additional support from the Population Health Research Institute, directed by Salim Yusuf.

As the chairholder, Anand will develop policy recommendations from the research findings and educate both the public and health care professionals on women's health.

“Dr. Anand is an excellent scientist and truly a rising star internationally in the area of cardiovascular medicine and population-based epidemiology,” said John Kelton, dean and vice-president of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

“We are pleased to be able to recognize her important work with this appointment. Her research and methodologic expertise will allow her to create a program of study and facilitate clinical trials that will address issues affecting women's health.”

The chair is named in honour of May Cohen, a former associate dean and professor in McMaster's Faculty of Health Sciences. Cohen has long been recognized for her leadership and contributions in the field of women's health. Among other accomplishments, Cohen served as chair of the Canadian Medical Association gender issues committee and as president of the Federation of Medical Women of Canada. She has received many awards for her work, including the American Association of Medical Colleges Women in Medicine Program's Leadership Development Award.

“As a global leader in the pharmaceutical industry, Lilly has long recognized the uniqueness of women's health,” said Joerg Rustige, vice-president of research and development at Eli Lilly Canada Inc.

“We are dedicated to the preservation of women's health by helping women live longer, healthier, more active lives with innovative health care solutions. We are committed to establishing relationships with world class organizations such as McMaster University's Faculty of Health Sciences and applaud its choice of Dr. Sonia Anand as holder of the Eli Lilly Canada – May Cohen Chair in Women's Health.”