The Manitoba Centre for Health Policy mourns the loss of one of its Advisory Board members, Dr. Fraser Mustard. Since its inception in 1991, Dr. Mustard has been a member of MCHP’s board and was instrumental in its formation. At 84, he passed away at his home on November 16, 2011. He will be greatly missed.
It seems fair to say that Dr. Mustard catalyzed the formation of MCHP. In the late 1980s, Dr. Mustard was already a larger–than–life figure. Formerly vice–president and one of the founders of the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University (1972–1982), his widely recognized accomplishments resulted in more than 15 honorary degrees, induction into the Medical Hall of Fame, being made a Companion of the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario. He influenced health policy in Canada through service on many federal and provincial committees, councils, and royal commissions. He had the ear of health ministers across the country, not to mention many of the senior people in the Manitoba government and at the University of Manitoba.
Dr. Mustard played a significant role in the first meeting between Drs. Noralou and Leslie Roos and the provincial Minister of Health at the time, Don Orchard. After a speaking with some of Canada’s provincial health ministers where Dr. Mustard explained research advantages of Manitoba data, Mr. Orchard invited Dr. Mustard to Winnipeg. At the last minute, Drs. Noralou and Leslie Roos were asked to join them, where Dr. Mustard explained how powerful the administrative data was that the Rooses were using. When things wrapped up, the province committed to the first three years of funding for the establishment of MCHP.
Dr. Mustard’s influence spanned medical research and education, multidisciplinary advanced research and early childhood development and has inspired generations of students, scholars, and policy-makers around the world. He was highly regarded for his ability to bring together experts from diverse fields to promote research that guided public policy.