Henry Friesen

Henry George Friesen
Born	(1934-07-31)July 31, 1934 Morden,Manitoba
Alma mater	University of Manitoba
Known for	Discoverer of humanprolactin
Awards	Order of Canada Order of Manitoba
Scientific career
Fields	Endocrinology
Institutions	McGill University University of Manitoba

Henry George FriesenCCOMFRSC(born July 31, 1934) is a Canadianendocrinologist,a distinguished professor emeritus of theUniversity of Manitobaand the discoverer of humanprolactin,ahormonewhich stimulateslactationinmammary glands.

Born inMorden, Manitoba,he obtained a Bachelor of Science in medicine and a medical degree from the University of Manitoba in 1958. From 1965 to 1973 he was atMcGill Universityand from 1973 to 1992 he was a professor and head of the department of physiology and professor of medicine at the University of Manitoba.

Dr. Friesen was a recipient of the 1977Canada Gairdner International Award"In recognition of his contributions to the understanding of the biochemistry, physiology and pathophysiology of lactogenic hormones and, in particular, for the identification of human prolactin."

His research ongrowth hormonesindwarfchildren helped in developing a therapy for the treatment of this problem. In addition his work with prolactin helped to develop the drugbromocriptine,used for the treatment ofinfertility.

From 1991 until 1999 he was president of the Medical Research Council of Canada and helped to transform it into theCanadian Institutes of Health Research.He was president of the National Cancer Institute of Canada and president of the Canadian Society for Clinical Investigation. He is the founding chair ofGenome Canada.

Honours

• He was a recipient of the 1977Canada Gairdner International Award.
• In 1978 he was made a Fellow of theRoyal Society of Canada.
• He was named an Officer of theOrder of Canadain 1987 and promoted Companion in 2001.
• In 2001 he was inducted into theCanadian Medical Hall of Fame.
• In 2001 he was awarded theGairdner Foundation Wightman Award.
• In 2004 he was awarded theOrder of Manitoba.
• In 2006 he was awarded theCanadian Medical Association's F.N.G. Starr Award, described as the "Victoria Crossof Canadian Medicine "," for his exceptional devotion for the betterment of mankind which has made a difference in health care ".^[1]
• He has received Honorary Doctorates from theUniversity of Western Ontario,University of Manitoba,University of British Columbia,McGill University andMcMaster University.

References

• "Eleven Manitobans to receive Order of Manitoba".Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba.Archived fromthe originalon February 28, 2006.RetrievedApril 3,2005.
• "Dr. Henry G. Friesen CC OM".University of Manitoba.Archived fromthe originalon May 14, 2011.RetrievedApril 3,2005.