The University of British Columbia Board of Governors welcomes two new appointees to the University board.
Dr. Gerry Karr, founder and medical director of the first Okanagan Valley Renal Dialysis Program at Penticton Regional Hospital, and Jason McLean, president and CEO of the McLean Group, have been appointed by the provincial government for two-year terms that began on February 16, 2012.
“This is a very exciting time for UBC,” said Board Chair, Bill Levine. “We are growing in stature on the world stage, while also engaging in new and exciting ways with communities throughout B.C. The board looks forward to working with these new members to further these efforts.”
UBC’s 21-member Board of Governors encompasses the chancellor, the president, eleven persons appointed by the provincial government, three faculty members elected by faculty, three full-time students elected by students and two persons elected by and from the full-time employees of the University who are not faculty members.
The UBC Board of Governors, under provisions of the University Act, is responsible for the management, administration and control of the property, revenue, business and affairs of the University, including the appointment of senior officials and faculty on the recommendation of the president.
Karr has served as president of the British Columbia Medical Association and of the Canadian Association of Internal Medicine. He retired from clinical practice of internal medicine and nephrology in Penticton in 2003. Karr held appointments in pharmacology and internal medicine at the University of Calgary from 1970-78. He is the recipient of the Canadian Society of Internal Medicine Osler Award and the BC Provincial Renal Agency Wilma Crockett Memorial Award for lifetime contributions to the care of people with chronic kidney disease.
Prior to joining the McLean Group, a Vancouver-based family business active in real estate, film and television, and charter aviation, McLean worked in the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada as special assistant helping lead advance teams to Africa, China, the U.S. and Europe in preparation for trade and diplomatic meetings (2000-02). He is a lawyer by training, and has been director of the Vancouver Board of Trade since 2005 and in 2010-11 served as Chair.