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Award Winning Professor Named President of Major Health Organization

Ottawa, Ontario – June 20, 2005 – A University of Manitoba Professor was named president of one of Canada’s largest organizations of health care professionals, June 20, 2005.

The announcement of Dr. Michael Helewa as president was no surprise to members of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (SOGC) – Dr. Helewa has been an active contributor to the organization over his 25 year medical career. He has served on numerous committees within the 2,800 member organization, where he has significantly contributed to the promotion of women’s health, and refinement of the practices of gynecology and obstetrics in this country.

“It is an honour to welcome a physician like Dr. Helewa to serve as president of our organization,” said SOGC Vice-President Dr. André Lalonde. “He is a man of extensive experience and dedication, who passionately believes in the promotion of women’s health and the principles that guide this organization.”

For Dr. Helewa, the SOGC presidency is another highlight in an already impressive career. In addition to his extensive work within the SOGC, Dr. Helewa has also served as the Deputy Editor of the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Canada, is an active member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and advises Manitoba’s health ministry as a member of the Ministerial Advisory Working Group on Collaborative Practice. He is also a member of the Examining board of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Manitoba, where he trains future generation in the specialty.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Helewa quickly thanked his family, the SOGC, and outgoing president Dr. Gerry Stanimir before identifying two major issues he intends to address as SOGC president: increasing collaboration among health professionals, and addressing Canada’s looming shortage of maternal care specialists.

“Maternity care in Canada is facing a human resource crisis, which in many areas is translating into a quality-of-care problem,” he said. “As we move on into the 21 st century, we are already well into a crisis in delivery of maternity care - who will be delivering Canada’s babies in the coming decades?”

The SOGC is comprised of gynaecologists, obstetricians, family physicians, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals, and is one of Canada’s leading authorities on sexual, reproductive and women’s health issues. The organization also provides educational materials for the public and professional guidelines for health care professionals. Dr. Helewa will serve as president of the SOGC through 2005 and 2006.

About Dr. Michael E. Helewa

Dr. Helewa received his medical degree in 1980 at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, following which he completed his postgraduate training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Manitoba in 1987. In addition to his new role as SOGC president, Dr. Helewa’s current and past contributions to the organization include participation in the SOGC-led Multidisciplinary Collaborative Primary Maternity Care Program, the Scientific Planning Committee for the Annual Meeting, membership on the SOGC Council and Executive, and participation in various other committees.

About the SOGC

Founded in 1944, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada is comprised of over 2,700 professional members, including gynaecologists, obstetricians, family physicians, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals. A leading authority on reproductive health care, the SOGC produces national guidelines for both public and medical education on important women's health issues. The Society's mission is to promote optimal women's health through leadership, collaboration, education, research and advocacy in the practice of obstetrics and gynaecology.

Last Updated April 19, 2007