Dr. Kutcher is an internationally-renowned expert in the area of adolescent mental health and a national and international leader in mental health research, advocacy, training, policy, and health services innovation. Dr. Kutcher will use his considerable expertise to advance the work of the Sun Life Financial Chair, building awareness and knowledge about mental health issues in young people.

Dr. Kutcher most recently served as Associate Dean of International Medical Development & Research with Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine. At Dalhousie, he has been chair of the Department of Psychiatry and has led the development of the Life Sciences Development Association, the Brain Repair Centre, and the International Health Office. Dr. Kutcher also served as Clinical-Academic Director of the Capital District Health Authority’s Mental Health Program. In 2003, he was chosen by Atlantic Progress Magazine as one of the top 20 innovators in Atlantic Canada. He was named as the 2004 National Champion of Mental Health, Research by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health and received the 2005 Mary Seeman award from the Canadian Psychiatry Research Foundation in recognition of his lifetime achievements in mental health work.

Dr. Kutcher was a founding member of the Canadian Association for Mood and Anxiety Treatment, the Advisory Board for the Institute of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Addictions (Canadian Institutes of Health Research), the Science Advisory Committee of NeuroScience Canada, and the Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research. He currently serves as board member for the Canadian Society for International Health; and the Canadian Psychiatric Research Foundation.

His current research interests include translating mental health research into clinical care and health policy, and optimization of mental health care/mental health clinical research in primary care. He has developed a number of innovative health human resources training programs for mental health competencies that have been delivered in many different countries and has participated in the writing of a number of national mental health policies/plans worldwide. He is the author of more than 200 scientific papers and also author/co-author of a number of medical textbooks.

Dr. Kutcher is also a nationally and internationally active speaker, reviewer and consultant in psychiatry working in various countries around the globe and for various international groups including the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization. His work in international medical development and research advances health sector knowledge development across the various medical disciplines and health care delivery systems. 

Through the Sun Life Financial Chair, Dr. Kutcher will provide leadership in the development of an adolescent mental health program that will encompass health promotion, education and research, locally, nationally and internationally.

Source: IWK