Now is the time to think about becoming a member of the Canadian Association for Health Services and Policy Research (CAHSPR) and to plan to attend the CAHSPR annual conference in May 2008.

The Canadian Association for Health Services and Policy Research
CAHSPR is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to improving the quality, relevance and application of health services and policy research. CAHSPR members are health services and policy researchers and students from a wide range of disciplines, as well as "research users" – policy- and decision-makers from government and non-government organizations and industry.

CAHSPR’s Annual Conference
CAHSPR holds an annual scholarly and networking conference. The conference provides an opportunity
to hear from and engage in discussion with leading thinkers on topics of critical and timely interest
to showcase emerging health services and policy research
to encourage networking and linkages between researchers and policy- and decision-makers
The deadline for submission of abstracts to the CAHSPR conference is December 21, 2007.

Student Involvement
Students represent the future of health and healthcare research and leadership and bring new ideas and energy to CAHSPR. We want to encourage you to join the organization and to be part of our conference.

This year’s conference will be held in Gatineau Québec, just across the river from Ottawa, on May 26-28, 2008.

We have created a special Student Component Subcommittee of the Conference Planning Committee with representation from universities across the country. The Committee has proposed a number of special student-focused components for this year’s conference. These include:
special accommodation rates at the University of Ottawa and Université de Québec à Gatineau campuses (please see below)
the CHSRF-sponsored interactive student/decision-maker “Fireside Chat” session
the CIHR-sponsored Poster Contest
opportunities for CIHR Rising Stars to present at the conference (please see below)
a “Lunch With” mentoring program
a job/career board, and
a student Conference Newsletter (please see below)
among other exciting ideas. We are also working hard to secure support for a limited number of travel subsidies for students.

We will be sending out details on the finalized program elements in mid-January but we hope this notice will give you time to plan now to attend.

Special Accommodation Rates:
We have arranged for special accommodation rates at the University of Ottawa student residences ($30 for single rooms and $46 for double rooms per night). We also have access to student suites at the Université du Québec à Gatineau site. If you are interested in reserving accommodation at these special rates please follow up now with:
Paulette Charbonneau at CAHSPR: [log in to unmask].

Conference Newsletter:
We need your help!  There will be an opportunity for students to participate in the production of a student-run conference newsletter at CAHSPR Conference 2008.  The newsletter will report on conference highlights, and will be published on-site at the conference in electronic and print formats, including Web content.  We are looking for volunteers to join our newsletter team.  Students at all levels of study are welcome.  If you'd like to join, or have particular expertise in writing, photography, Web production, or official language translation, please contact:
Catherine Mah ([log in to unmask])
on the Student Component Subcommittee to indicate your interest.  

Through a generous donation from the Canadian Medical Association, we will be able to offer a partial subsidy of travel and registration costs for those who volunteer their time on the newsletter. We look forward to hearing from you!

CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research “Rising Star Award”*
The CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (IHSPR) is dedicated to supporting innovative young researchers and to recognizing the research excellence and knowledge translation initiatives of upcoming health services and policy researchers at an early stage in their career. We are pleased to announce a new IHSPR student award:
Health Services and Policy Research and KT "Rising Star Award".

The Rising Star Award is intended to recognize the research excellence and knowledge translation (KT) initiatives of upcoming Canadian graduate students (M.A, M.Sc. and PhD) and post-doctoral Fellows in the area of health services and policy research.

Through this award IHSPR will recognize, on an annual basis, up to five
(5) Canadian graduate students in all fields and disciplines related to health services and policy research. Each awardee will receive a certificate of excellence and an award of $1,000 (preferably used to present research at a scientific meeting), and will be profiled on the IHSPR website and in an IHSPR newsletter. In addition, Rising Star awardees will be offered the opportunity to present their research article or KT initiative at the Canadian Association for Health Services and Policy Research (CAHSPR) conference in Gatineau, Quebec (May 26 – 28, 2008).

The Rising Star application deadline is December 21, 2007. Please visit http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/34949.html for additional information.

We hope you will consider joining CAHSPR and attending the annual conference on May 26 to 28, 2008. We will be sending out more information in mid-January.

Lillian Bayne        MA, MHSc                        Michael Law PhD
CAHSPR President-Elect                        Co-Chair CAHSPR
Co-Chair CAHSPR                                Student Component Subcommittee
Student Component Subcommittee                [log in to unmask]
[log in to unmask]