Over the past two decades, B.C. has built a global reputation in the field of communicable disease control and innovative scholarship in public health sciences. Dr. Mel Krajden has been central to building this reputation through his leadership in the B.C. Centre for Disease Control Public Health Laboratory and significant contributions to fields such as Hepatitis, HIV, HPV and most recently, COVID-19.
This year more than ever, Dr. Krajden provided critical scientific leadership. With the emergence of COVID-19, B.C. and Canada needed urgent access to rapid, validated tests for the virus. Under his leadership at BCCDC, and relying heavily on his exceptional expertise, Dr. Krajden and his team were able to rapidly develop an assay for the province to commence testing in January 2020, weeks before other jurisdictions. Access to this test was an essential element in the management and control of the outbreak and the safety of British Columbians.
Dr. Krajden created the world-leading B.C. Hepatitis Testers Cohort, which integrates de-identified data on 2.4 million individuals tested for, or diagnosed with, hepatitis B, C, HIV and TB infections linked to their corresponding healthcare administrative data since 1990, to create longitudinal medical histories. This cohort has produced influential pieces of evidence that shaped clinical and public health guidelines and policy in Canada and globally. He was also instrumental in the development and continued progress of the CIHR funded Canadian Network on Hepatitis C, a well-known multidisciplinary group committed to developing a national strategy for Hepatitis C elimination.
Dr. Krajden was one of the key personnel in the STOP HIV initiative in B.C. This public health endeavor saw the implementation of acute HIV testing, allowing diagnosis during the most infectious period of the disease, resulting in timely interventions, and communication to partners to reduce transmission. This undertaking helped lead to the lowest HIV incidence on a provincial scale in decades.
Dr. Krajden also played a pivotal role in global public policy changes in human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine dosing regimen and the associated reduction of financial access barriers to care. Similarly, his work with respect to assessing the utility of HPV testing vs. traditional Pap smears is expected to contribute to guidelines that will benefit women worldwide.
In his educational capacity, Dr. Krajden has the reputation of a wonderful teacher and valued mentor; training researchers, health professionals and students at all levels. He is widely known for his willingness to provide input and advice despite numerous other commitments, contributing to the success of others. His steadfast dedication further extends into the clinical realm, where he always has patient interests at heart and never hesitates to devote his own time to make a difference in client outcomes.
Over many decades Dr. Krajden has demonstrated exceptional innovation, leadership, and sustained contributions to the province, country, and the world. He is a highly respected visionary, scientist, and educator who has inspired countless researchers and health professionals with his clinical excellence, dedication and generosity of spirit. For all these reasons, I wholeheartedly nominate him for this well- deserved honour.
