We are pleased to share that Dr. Ron Schlegel, Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) chair and founder, has recently been selected as a Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) 2022 Fellow.

Dr. Schlegel’s selection as a Fellow of CAHS is recognition of the excellence of his work as a leader in Canadian health sciences.

Dr. Schlegel has made a lifelong commitment to enhancing care for older adults in Canada. As a former professor of Health Studies and Gerontology at the University of Waterloo, he applied his expertise to the development of senior living communities. He pioneered a model of long-term care based on a village concept (Schlegel Villages), with easy access to services and social opportunities suited to continuum-of-care environments. In 2005, motivated by a long-term vision, Dr. Schlegel founded the RIA and later the centre of excellence to explore health-care innovations for Canada’s aging population.

“Dr. Ron Schlegel’s visionary leadership as founder of the RIA led to the creation of the Centre of Excellence in Aging, now home to internationally renowned researchers in aging.” said Tina Mah, executive director of the RIA. “With his continued engagement as board chair, the RIA has remained highly productive and contributed impactful research findings enhancing the lives of older adults, their loved ones, and care partners.”

The CAHS Fellowship is considered one of the highest honours for members of the Canadian health sciences community and carries with it a covenant to serve the Academy and Canadian society. It selects fellows based on demonstrated leadership, creativity, distinctive competencies and commitment to advancing academic health sciences.