The CCA, founded in 2005, is a leading not-for-profit organization that supports independent, authoritative and evidence-based expert assessments in support of Canadian public policy development. Its Board of Governors is responsible for operations oversight and setting the strategic direction of the CCA.
“In my life, I’ve received many awards, but this is the most prestigious one among them,” said Kalra, a professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and faculty representative on the U of S Board of Governors.
“It’s a high honour for me, but it’s also a recognition of our university. If you look at the work done by this organization, the people involved are of very high calibre. So for them to look at my output—my involvement with the university and across the country means something.”
Kalra is one of three new appointments to the CCA Board of Governors, including David Dodge, a senior advisor at Bennett Jones LLP, and Bartha Maria Knoppers, professor and Director of the Centre of Genomics and Policy at McGill University.
"We are delighted to welcome three distinguished new members to our Board," said Margaret Bloodworth, chair of the CCA Board. "Drs. Dodge, Kalra, and Knoppers are esteemed leaders in their respective fields. We look forward to drawing on their unique perspectives and expertise as members of the Board."
Kalra has served as national president of numerous medical associations, including Intersociety Council of Laboratory Medicine of Canada, the Canadian Chairs of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and the Canadian Association of Pathology. In addition, Kalra has dedicated time to serving many local, provincial and national organizations, including Saskatoon Folkfest, the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan, the Rotary Club of Saskatoon/Nutana, the Saskatchewan Intercultural Association, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.
In 2015, the City of Saskatoon honoured Kalra by naming a street after him. That same year, he was also the recipient of the Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism in the Lifetime Achievement category and CTV 2015 Saskatoon Citizen of the Year.
"Community always comes first," said Kalra. "This is something I have always believed and something I have always tried to practice in life. I take this as another opportunity to serve the community, whether nationally, provincially or locally.”
For more on the appointment, visit the CCA website.