Dr. Graham Sher elected president of the AABB

October 17, 2013 (OTTAWA) - Canadian Blood Services’ CEO Dr. Graham Sher has been elected president of the AABB for 2013-2014.

Formerly the American Association of Blood Banks, the AABB is an international non-profit association that represents individuals and institutions involved in the field of transfusion medicine and cellular therapies. Dr. Sher succeeds Dr. Susan Stramer, the executive scientific director of the American Red Cross, and was officially handed the gavel this week at a ceremony in Denver at the organization’s annual meeting.

“In an increasingly globally interconnected health care arena, Graham's serving as AABB's first non-US based president holds special significance,” Dr. Stramer says. “As AABB continues to expand its worldwide presence, Graham offers a broad international perspective that will serve us well.”

Dr. Sher’s been an AABB member since 1996 and is a member of the National Blood Foundation board of trustees. Previously, he served as the vice-president and secretary of the AABB board of directors, chaired the AABB finance committee, the AABB human resources committee and the education and operations council. He was also a member of the AABB bylaws committee.

In announcing Dr. Sher’s presidency, the AABB said he’s “led Canadian Blood Services through an extensive, multiyear transformation journey, focusing on the organization’s service delivery model across Canada and strengthening its key assets including its people, systems and culture.”

Under his leadership, Canadian Blood Services has assumed responsibility for coordinating a national strategy and system for organ and tissue donation and transplantation for Canada, as well as recently launched the national public umbilical cord blood bank.

“This is a reflection of Graham personally and where Canadian Blood Services fits internationally,” says COO Ian Mumford. “It’s an amazing accomplishment.”

- 30 -