Dr. Judith Ritchie is the recipient of the 2010 Excellence through Evidence award

Ottawa – February 17, 2010 – The Canadian Health Services Research Foundation (CHSRF) is pleased to
announce that Dr. Judith Ritchie, Associate Director for Nursing, Research, McGill University Health Centre,
is the recipient of the 2010 Excellence through Evidence award. This award recognizes the critical role of
leadership in successfully implementing evidence-informed innovations in healthcare and provides an
honorarium of $15,000 to be used to inspire similar innovation across Canada.

Throughout her career, Dr. Ritchie has created and promoted the use of evidence to strengthen the quality of
care provided to patients.

Among Dr. Ritchie’s accomplishments: she spearheaded the implementation of best practice guidelines to
reduce falls, manage pain, and protect skin integrity among patients; she was the driver behind the creation of
the Eureka Fellowships, aimed at giving nurses the tools and skills to apply evidence to improve practice; and
she has mentored senior leaders and clinicians in the use of evidence to inform decision-making. Dr. Ritchie
has successfully bridged the worlds of clinical practice, policy, education and research.

“We are honoured to present this award to Dr. Ritchie,” stated CHSRF president Maureen O’Neil,
“Her quiet leadership has helped to strengthen the skills and capacity of the people she works with and the
quality care offered to patients.” The Hon. Arthur T. Porter, Director General and CEO of the McGill University
Health Centre, added: “Judith has earned the respect of everyone, from the bedside to the board, for her ability
to link evidence-based practice to quality and safety outcomes. I am delighted that her profound impact
on patient care is being recognized. Without professionals such as Judith, we cannot be one of the world’s
foremost academic health centres.”

The Excellence through Evidence award will be presented to Dr. Ritchie today in Montreal, at the CEO
Forum. The day-long forum, hosted by CHSRF in collaboration with the Canadian Medical Association and
the Association of Canadian Academic Healthcare Organizations, is an annual event that provides CEOs,
policymakers and experts from across Canada the opportunity to discuss approaches to improving the quality
and delivery of health services.

For more information visit www.chsrf.ca or contact:
Elizabeth Everson
Director, Communications and Public Affairs
Canadian Health Services Research Foundation (CHSRF)
1565 Carling Avenue, Suite 700
Ottawa, Ontario K1Z 8R1 (Canada)
Tel. : +1 613-728-2238, ext 242
Fax.: +1 613-728-3527
Elizabeth [dot] everson [at] chsrf [dot] ca
http://www.chsrf.ca

To arrange an interview with Dr. Ritchie, please contact:
Rebecca Burns
Media Relations Coordinator
Public Affairs and Strategic Planning
McGill University Health Centre
514-843-1560
Rebecca [dot] burns [at] muhc [dot] mcgill [dot] ca