Dr. Raphael (Ray) Saginur is retiring from his role as Chair of the Ottawa Health Science Network Research Ethics Board (OHSN-REB) after over 35 years of dedicated service.

Under Dr. Saginur’s leadership, OHSN-REB reviewed countless research protocols and ensured that tens of thousands of patients at TOH had the opportunity to safely participate in impactful studies. Under Dr. Saginur’s leadership, OHSN-REB has also become one of the top three qualified Boards of Record within Clinical Trials Ontario (CTO), and he served on the CTO Board for several years. 

In the early 2000s, he initiated the creation of a grassroots national membership organization, the Canadian Association of Research Ethics Board (CAREB), intended to represent the interests of all Canadian REBs. Dr. Saginur was also instrumental in establishing a central provincial REB for oncology trials, the Ontario Cancer Research Ethics Board (OCREB), operating since 2004. 

Locally, he has provided valuable guidance to many researchers on the implementation of high-caliber innovative research investigations. Dr. Saginur has also been a much-appreciated mentor to REB office staff, review members and vice-chairs.