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Dr. Julio Montaner, Director of the BC-CfE, Appointed to Order of Canada
BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
Uploaded on Dec 19, 2014 - Dr. Julio Montaner, Director of the BC-CfE, Appointed to Order of Canada
Vancouver, BC [December 26, 2014] -The BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) is proud to announce Dr. Julio Montaner,
director of the BC-CfE, has been recognized by His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, as an
Officer of the Order of Canada. The honour is in recognition of Dr. Montaner's contributions to establishing the global standard
of care for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, and for his leadership in the international HIV/AIDS research community.
Dr. Montaner's work as a physician, scientist, and advocate has forged an unprecedented new path in the course of HIV treatment, care and
prevention, and the sustainability of HIV care, starting in the province of British Columbia and expanding across the world.
"Receiving the Order of Canada is a tremendous and humbling achievement," said Dr. Montaner. "I had a unique opportunity to help a
population that in the beginning few wanted to work with. I attribute my success to the inspiration provided by my patients, as
well as the guidance provided by my parents and the support of my wife and children, and my many outstanding coworkers and
colleagues at the BC-CfE."
"I will continue in my life-long pursuit to eliminate HIV and AIDS in BC, in Canada and the world, so that we can truly achieve an
AIDS-free generation globally," said Dr. Montaner. "Our made-in-Canada Treatment as Prevention strategy is now providing the road
map for the global control of HIV/AIDS. It is my hope we can transfer the lessons learnt in the fight against HIV/AIDS to other
communicable diseases, as part of a targeted disease elimination strategy that can uniquely contribute to the sustainability
of our valued health care system."
"B.C. is a world leader in the treatment and prevention of HIV and AIDS, thanks to the work of the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
under the leadership of Dr. Julio Montaner," said Premier Christy Clark. "Quite simply, his work has saved thousands of lives - if not
millions. At the 1996 International AIDS Conference in Vancouver, Julio first introduced highly active antiretroviral
therapy (HAART) - now considered the global gold standard for treatment of HIV. In 2006, he pioneered Treatment as
Prevention, a strategy being adopted in many places around the world. In B.C., we have invested significantly in
HIV research, treatment, and care, and with Dr. Montaner's guidance, these guidelines could serve in
countering other infectious diseases, such as hepatitis, tuberculosis and could also apply to diseases such as addiction."
In November of this year BC Health Minister Terry Lake recognized Dr. Montaner's work that has been a model for jurisdictions around the
world. Minister Lake says, "Dr. Montaner exemplifies the great leadership in research and clinical work undertaken in British Columbia
and follows in the footsteps of Nobel Prize-winning biochemist Dr. Michael Smith."
Among his other many honours, Dr. Montaner received the Prix Galien Award, the Order of B.C., the Albert Einstein World of Science Award,
the Grand Decoration of Honour for Services to Austria, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for contributions to the field
of HIV/AIDS. In 2014, he was appointed UNAIDS Special Advisor on HIV Therapeutics and will be inducted into the Canadian Medical
Hall of Fame in 2015. Dr. Montaner is also Past President of the International AIDS Society.
About the Order of Canada
Established in 1967 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Order of Canada is the cornerstone of the Canadian Honours System, and recognizes
outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. The Order recognizes people in all sectors of Canadian
society. Their contributions are varied, yet they have all enriched the lives of others and made a difference to this country. For
more information about the Order of Canada or to nominate someone, visit www.gg.ca/honours.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmHmvoOkgdU&feature=youtu.be
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