Our track record is built on helping radiologists play a leading role in Canada’s healthcare future.

Investing in Canadian Radiology

Canadian Radiological Foundation (CRF) – Run by Radiologists for the Future of Canadian Radiology

Our Foundation is dedicated exclusively to the future of Canadian radiology. Together, we are investing in Canadian healthcare to drive innovation in imaging, intervention, informatics and artificial intelligence education and research.

Dr. Emil Lee, MD FRCPC FCAR
President of the Canadian Radiological Foundation

Here are just four of our success stories

Research Studies

We are so proud of our Research Grant awardees who selflessly dedicate their time to carry out medical research to benefit radiologic care for patients. These testimonials from past grant recipients capture the value and impact that this award provides.

 

Recipient of the CRF Grant

Dr. David Koff (McMaster University) for Adaptive Personalized Predictive Risk Model for Medical Imaging Radiation Exposure.

7 papers published and presentations given at 8 national/international conferences [Full Details]

 

“Thanks to the CRF’s funding, we developed a working proof-of-concept predictive model for risk assessment. We believe that we have attained an important milestone in better understanding the risk of low dose radiation and in providing better care to our patients. This would not have been possible without the CRF, and on behalf of our team, I want to thank very sincerely the CRF for its generous contribution to our research.”

Research Studies

Recipient of the CRF Grant

Dr. Donatella Tampieri (Kingston Queen’s University) for Neuroradiological, clinical and genetic characterization of new forms of hereditary leukoencephalopathies.

4 papers published and presentations given at 11 national/international conferences  [Full Details]

 

“The funding from the CRF was crucial to develop an innovative research on adult-onset undiagnosed genetic white matter disorders and their overlap with multiple sclerosis. With the CRF’s support, we have collected and investigated the largest cohort of adult patients with white matter disorders of genetic origin in Canada. Importantly, our study contributed to the creation of an international network of experts interested in white matter diseases, led and coordinated by Dr. Roberta La Piana, which meet regularly to discuss atypical cases. Our team is extremely grateful for the CRF’s continuous support to our research since its very beginning.”

Recipient of the CRF Grant

Dr. Paul Babyn (Saskatchewan Health Authority) for A day in the life of MR in Canada – Profiling MR appropriateness and utilization in Canada.

3 papers published and presentations given at 5 national conferences  [Full Details]

 

“The funding from the CRF was instrumental in supporting two trainees and ensuring the success of our research work looking into the appropriateness and variation in usage of clinical MRI across Canada. The CRF has played a vital role in supporting important Canadian based research furthering the impact and value of Radiology throughout Canada. It has provided both trainees and staff valuable opportunities for research and helped to advance their careers. I greatly appreciate the work of the CRF!”

Leadership Workshop for Women in Radiology

Major milestone accomplishment for women radiologists!

The virtual workshop held on October 23, 2021 was a huge success and exceeded registration predictions.  Keynote speakers included Drs. Ania Kielar, Samantha Hill and Mamta Gautum.

Call for the CRF Board Director Nominations

 

The CRF is looking for candidates to fill two positions on its Board of Directors.

Deadline to submit nominations: September 30, 2023

Click Here for Full Nomination Process Details

Meet our Board of Directors

Dr. Emil Lee
President

Dr. Emil Lee is a community radiologist, with a subspecialty in interventional radiology, in the Valley Medical Imaging group in the Fraser Valley of beautiful British Columbia. Dr. Lee is honoured to join the Board of the Canadian Radiological Foundation and hopes to help continue and expand the excellent work of the Foundation. Dr. Lee is the Regional Medical Director/Regional Department Head of Medical Imaging, Fraser Health Authority.

 

Dr. Lee was the President of the Canadian Association of Radiologists from 2017-2019 and Past President of the British Columbia Radiological Society and the Doctors of BC Section of Radiology, having served as President from 2010–2012. Dr. Lee is now on the Representative Assembly of Doctors of BC.

 

Dr. Lee has been a member of and continues to serve on national, provincial, health authority and local committees. Dr. Lee attended the University of British Columbia for medical school and his diagnostic radiology residency. After completing a fellowship in interventional radiology at the University of Iowa, he returned to British Columbia where he has been practicing since.

 

Dr. Lee was made a Fellow of the CAR in 2019.

Dr. Lee’s outside interests include travel, running, scuba diving, skiing and having spirited debates with his wife and two children.

Dr. Andrea Lum
Vice President

Dr. Andrea Lum is Vice Dean, Faculty Affairs, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University effective January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2024 with oversight on faculty affairs, professionalism, wellness and equity. She was the Chair of London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) Medical Advisory Committee (2016-2019) and Chair/City Wide Chief, Department of Medical Imaging, Western University (2008 – 2017 ).

 

Dr. Lum has 30 years leadership experience serving the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR), Ontario Association of Radiologists (OAR), Ontario Medical Association (OMA), Canadian Medical Association (CMA), College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), and Ontario Hospital Association (OHA); she is currently is Vice-President of the CRF. She led Physician engagement for Accreditation Canada 2018 survey when LHSC achieved Exemplary recognition. She was the first LHSC physician leader awarded Canadian Certified Physician Executive in 2012, re-certifying in 2017.

 

Dr. Lum’s numerous awards include the Chair’s Award of Inspiration from the LHSC Medical Imaging Department for Exemplary humanitarian efforts, the MAC Award for Excellence in Leadership and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the LHSC Medical Imaging Department.

Dr. David Vickar 
Secretary-Treasurer

Dr. Vickar graduated from the University of Manitoba in medicine and followed with an internship and residency at McGill University. He relocated to Edmonton where he has practiced radiology with a special focus on ultrasound and is an Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Alberta. He takes pride in teaching medical students, residents and particularly Sonographers and was the physician advisor to the Canadian Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers for many years.

 

Dr. Vickar is a past president of the Alberta Society of Radiologists and the Canadian Association of Radiologists.

 

Dr. Vickar has participated in numerous committees, working groups and planning sessions in both his specialty of radiology as well as with the Alberta Medical Association, the Royal College of Physicians of Canada and now with the Canadian Radiological Foundation.  He has also served on boards of numerous local non-profit organizations in his home city of Edmonton.

 

Dr. Vickar is proud to be a Fellow of the American College of Radiology (FACR) as well as a Fellow of the Canadian Association of Radiologists (FCAR).

Dr. Louis-Martin Boucher

Dr. Boucher graduated with an MD-PhD from University of Toronto. He subspecialized in interventional radiology and worked at McGill as an Assistant Professor in the department of Radiology at McGill University, division of Interventional Radiology, and member of the McGill University Health Centre Radiology Associates group.

In 2018, Dr. Boucher became the Program Director of McGill’s Interventional Radiology Residency program. He acts as Chair of the Resident Research Committee and is on the Board of the RADIMED Montreal Radiology group.

Dr. Boucher was awarded “Teacher of the Year” award in 2010 for his excellence and active involvement in course development.

Dr. Jamie Fraser

Dr. Fraser is a Cardiac Radiologist and Professor of Radiology and Medicine at Dalhousie University. He is the former Resident Program Director and the co-Chair of the Cardiothoracic fellowship program at Dalhousie.


Dr. Fraser was the Chair of the Nova Scotia Health Authority Central Zone Quality Committee, part of the editorial board of the journal Radiology, President of the Nova Scotia Association of Radiologists and Canadian Association of Radiologists, and was on the Board of Chancellors of the American College of Radiology. He is the first “legacy” CAR president, following his father, Dr. David Fraser, and continues to serve on numerous CAR working groups.


Dr. Fraser was made a Fellow of the CAR in 2018.

Dr. Kiana Lebel

Dr. Kiana Lebel is a resident radiologist at the Université de Montréal. Before studying medicine, Dr. Lebel completed two years of a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She then enrolled in the medical program at the Université de Sherbrooke at their satellite campus in Chicoutimi. There, she was able to get involved with vulnerable populations, such as First Nations, elderly people in isolation and homeless women.

 

This interest in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) issues led her to publish, as first author, the very first literary review on diversity in Canadian radiology (The Status of Diversity in Canadian Radiology—Where we stand and what can we do about it?). This article was one of the catalysts that led to the creation of the CAR’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group.

 

This article also suggests increasing opportunities to expose medical students to radiology in order to ensure equitable representation in this speciality. It was with this goal in mind that she returned to Montreal as a resident radiologist and became the Medical Student Network (MSN) Coordinator for the 2021–2022 year to work with Canadian students from the 17 faculties of medicine. Among other projects, she developed the first mentorship network in radiology, which involves 60 residents and 60 medical students.

 

Passionate and motivated with regard to medical education and EDI issues, Dr. Kiana Lebel served as President of the CAR RFS in 2022-2023 in order to increase involvement and leadership opportunities for Canadian residents and fellows.

 

In her spare time, Dr. Lebel loves hiking and travelling around the world to discover new cultures. She has visited over 50 countries.

Dr. Narinder Paul

Dr. Paul is Professor and Chair of Medical Imaging at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada. He is also the Department Head of Medical Imaging at the London Health Sciences Centre, and Chief of Medical Imaging at St Joseph’s Health Care, London. He is a Scientist at the Lawson and Robarts Research Institutes. Previously, he was the Section Chief of Cardiothoracic Imaging and the Site Chief for Medical Imaging at Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network. Dr Paul is the current chair of the Canadian Heads of Academic Radiology (CHAR).

 

 

Dr. Paul received his MD degree from Southampton University Medical School (UK) and his Board certification in Internal Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians (UK). He completed his Radiology residency in the Newcastle and Leeds University Hospitals (UK) and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists (UK). Subsequently, he completed Body Imaging and Cardiothoracic Imaging Fellowships at the University of Toronto and Board certification in Radiology (Canada). Dr. Paul has in excess of 150 peer-reviewed publications and 164 refereed abstracts. His research interests include image optimization, ultralow dose cardiothoracic CT and lung perfusion CT.

 

 

Dr. Paul has worked closely with Industry partners for almost two decades. At Toronto General Hospital, he created the Time Resolved Imaging and Image Optimization (TRIIO) Core Laboratory to provide a collaborative environment for industry-academic research partnerships with Industry scientists embedded within the research team. He has expanded this concept in London, through co-creation of the Bionext facility, a unique interactive environment for industry- academic research collaborations that occupies the entire 6th floor of the Robarts Research Institute. Dr Paul has continued to develop strong industry academic partnerships with the creation of five national centres of excellence in London.

 

 

Dr. Paul has also a keen interest in teaching and education, having established the following: • The National Primer in Imaging (UK), a successful three-day course teaching relevant radiology to non-radiologists. • The Annual Peter Munk Cardiac Centre (PMCC) Symposium, a highly successful two-day conference that highlights the advanced and integrative, patient centered care in the PMCC to community partners • The Advanced Imaging and Education Centre (AIEC) at Toronto General Hospital. The vision of the AIEC is to provide advanced training in imaging techniques for residents and fellows, technologists, and MDs. The AIEC offers a five-day intensive course in Cardiac CT and a three-day course in Virtual Colonoscopy for National and International students. In London, Dr Paul has transformed the Annual London Imaging Discovery Day (LIDD) into a research and clinical translation scientific day.

 

 

Dr. Paul currently serves on several regional and provincial panels that focus on the current and emerging needs of diagnostic imaging for the Ontario population and health care system.

Research Studies

The CRF has funded many research studies over the years which have resulted in articles published in peer-reviewed journals and presentations given at national/international conferences.

Leadership Courses in Radiology

In association with the UBC Sauder School of Business and the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR), the CRF is honored to have developed new and unique leadership courses in radiology to help radiologists develop their leadership skills and contribute to the future of radiology in Canada. 

Some of the feedback from participants included

Leadership perspective: OK to fail, it is actually a must to a road map to improvement

Case study scenarios and dialogues were very valuable –something I would like to implement into training.”

Overall great course, worth the time and money. Significantly better than the Joule equivalent.”

Leadership Scholarships

Since 2015, the CRF has awarded leadership scholarships to CAR members to acquire and develop the leadership skills they need to advance their careers and the profession, and to play a meaningful role in shaping the future of healthcare.

Guiding Vision and Mission

Vision

Why we do it

To ensure the sustainable future of patient-focused RADIOLOGY research, education and innovation excellence in Canada and beyond.

Mission

What we are set out to do

To promote the art and science of radiology through research and education. The CRF achieves its mission through the funding of projects which help to shape the future of radiology in Canada. In support of this directive, the CRF has funded the following activities:

Research Awards

In support of studies and research projects in diagnostic radiology or interventional procedures, the CRF and the Canadian Heads of Academic Radiology (CHAR) are pleased to provide the opportunity to apply for research awards accordingly.

Leadership Courses in Radiology

The CRF provides new and unique leadership courses in radiology designed to help radiologists expand their leadership skills and contribute to the future of radiology in Canada.

Leadership Scholarships

The CRF offers leadership scholarships to allow the selected CAR members to acquire and develop leadership skills to become radiology leaders of tomorrow.



Educational Outreach

The CRF sponsors qualified CAR members to attend and lecture at various international radiology conferences.


CAR ASM Scientific Awards

The CRF sponsors the CAR's Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) abstract awards. Many of the recipients have gone on to complete further research and contribute to the profession of radiology.

Reports and Guidelines

The CRF has commissioned various reports and guidelines such as The Lifecycle Guidance for Medical Imaging Equipment in Canada.


Medical Student Awards

In support of the CAR’s Resident and Fellows Section (RFS) and Medical Student Network (MSN), the CRF is offering three Medical Student Awards.


Radiation Safety Award

In support of Canada Safe Imaging (CSI), the CRF offers a Radiation Safety Award.




CARJ Podcasts

In support of the Journal of the CAR, the CRF is sponsoring some podcats.




CRF's association with the CAR and the CHAR

A key approach to our success is to partner with other like-minded organizations that focus on the future of radiology. Many of our education and research programs are designed, selected and prioritized by the Canadian Association of Radiology (CAR) and Canadian Heads of Academic Radiology (CHAR).