Rotary Program April 26, 2010

A former member of the Rotary Club of Edmonton, Dr. Gerry Predy will be our speaker.

Dr. Predy received his M.D. from the University of Alberta in 1976 and holds a Fellowship in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons with a specialty in Community Medicine. He has over 25 years experience in Family Medicine and Public Health in both rural and urban settings. In September, 1996 he was appointed Medical Officer of Health for the Capital Health Region in Alberta, and this past year became the Vice-President of Public Health as well. Major responsibilities include managing health protection programs and monitoring and reporting on the health status of the population. Annually, Dr. Predy produces a health status report entitled "How Healthy Are We?" which makes use of population health indicators and the influence of the determinants of health. Chronic disease prevention, injury prevention and healthy physical and social environments are high on his agenda.

As Medical Officer of Health Dr. Predy has a major role in health protection overseeing emergency preparedness, infection control in the community, for example, influenza, antibiotic resistant organisms, tuberculosis and HIV and utilizes a number of strategies for controlling outbreaks.

Dr. Predy also has a limited practice in a local medical clinic thereby keeping up to date on what is circulating in the community. He is interested in running and regularly participates in marathons. He recently was presented with a Leadership Award in Heart Healthy Policy by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.