The St. Boniface Hospital Research community acknowledges the passing of Dr. Henry Friesen on April 30, 2025, at the age of 90. This article reflects upon his extraordinary life and the lasting impact he made on science and healthcare across Canada and the globe.
Dr. Friesen’s legacy is deeply rooted in his groundbreaking research in endocrinology, a field dedicated to understanding the intricate world of hormones. His groundbreaking work led to the isolation and purification of human prolactin, offering insights into infertility and reproductive disorders and resulting in a fertility-enhancing drug, enabling many to conceive and give birth.
Beyond his remarkable scientific discoveries, Dr. Friesen played an instrumental role in the creation of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). From 1999 to 2000, Dr. Friesen served as the chair of the Interim Governing Council, the body responsible for recommending the establishment of CIHR.
Following his work in establishing CIHR, Dr. Friesen continued to shape Canadian research as the founding chair of Genome Canada, a role he held from 2000 to 2005. Genome Canada was established as the federal government’s lead corporation dedicated to supporting genomics research across the nation.
He played a significant role with the Manitoba Health Research Council (MHRC), responsible for assembling and chairing its first Scientific Review Committee. This early engagement at the provincial level demonstrates a long-standing commitment to nurturing and advancing health research across different scales.
Dr. Friesen’s distinguished career also encompassed a significant and impactful academic journey. In 1965, he was appointed to McGill University and the Royal Victoria Hospital. He later returned to his home province in 1973, joining the University of Manitoba, where he served as professor and head of the department of physiology and professor of medicine until 1991. His dedication to the University of Manitoba continued long after his formal tenure, as he held the esteemed title of Distinguished Professor Emeritus. Dr. Friesen authored more than 460 publications in the field of endocrinology.
Dr. Friesen received numerous accolades, including being appointed an Officer and later a Companion of the Order of Canada, induction into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, and being named a Distinguished Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. The University of Manitoba awarded him an honorary doctorate and established the Henry G. Friesen Endowed Chair in his honour.
While Dr. Friesen’s primary academic affiliations were with the University of Manitoba and McGill University, his connection to St. Boniface Hospital Research is also noteworthy.
Dr. Friesen previously served as the Chair of the Research Enterprise Committee at St. Boniface Hospital Research, indicating his active involvement in the strategic direction of research at the institution.
“We have lost a true Canadian scientific treasure,” said Dr. Grant Pierce, past Director of Research at St. Boniface Hospital. “His participation as Chair of the Research Review Committee of the Hospital Board brought credibility and sage guidance to the research directions at the Albrechtsen Research Centre. When Dr. Friesen spoke, we all listened. His voice, a strong advocate for the importance of medical and health research, will be sorely missed.”
“For 15 years, I have had the privilege of serving on a Hospital Committee with Dr. Henry Friesen, for which he was the chair,” said Dr. Bram Ramjiawan, Director of Clinical Research, Asper Clinical Research Institute. “Henry will always be respected for his incredible width of knowledge, his clarity and his leadership. His continued support towards having a better hospital, university and wider community will be remembered.”
Dr. Ian M.C. Dixon, also a Principal Investigator at the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, reflected on his time with Dr. Friesen:
“Everyone at St. Boniface Research Centre is saddened that our friend (and also our professor and mentor) has passed away. Dr. Henry Friesen was no ordinary man – extraordinarily kind, completely devoted to the service of others, and without the trappings of ego, despite his eminent achievements within Canadian science. Henry developed the Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology through effective recruiting and hiring of key individuals, didactic course development and student-centric policies. The ties he maintained within the Division of Cardiovascular Sciences and Disease were extraordinarily strong. It can be argued that without his help, the formation of the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences at the St. Boniface campus would not have received the go-ahead from the University Senate. Henry’s integrity, deep commitment in promoting basic and clinical research, scholarly activity, teaching and training left a lasting mark on research activity at the University of Manitoba and Canadian science.”
“His scientific stature was remarkable and enabled him to be an incredibly able role model and mentor. Henry inspired a very large number of trainees and faculty over the years (even those not directly under his supervision), and such was the magnitude of his influence. Many of his trainees have themselves become notable leaders in their fields.”
A significant and enduring connection is the “Henry Friesen Young Scientist Award,” a prestigious recognition within the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences at St. Boniface Hospital Research. This award directly supports and encourages the next generation of researchers in cardiovascular science, embodying Dr. Friesen’s commitment to mentorship and fostering scientific talent.
Dr. Lorrie Kirshenbaum, Director of the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences at St. Boniface Hospital, said:
“It is with profound sadness that our dear friend, mentor and visionary has passed away. He was a champion of the Department of Physiology and a strong advocate of the Division of Cardiovascular Sciences and Disease. His stalwart commitment to promoting research, scholarly activity, teaching and training left an indelible mark on research activity at the University of Manitoba, Canada and the World. His vision was instrumental in the creation of the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences at St. Boniface Hospital, which is acclaimed internationally. Dr. Friesen’s contributions over his long career were many, and he will be remembered as a role model, mentor and colleague to many of us over the years. Dr. Friesen was kind-hearted and inspired countless trainees and faculty over the years, who have become great leaders in their fields. The saying that “Greatness leads to greatness” in Dr. Friesen’s case was so true. I can personally say that I am privileged to have known this brilliant and special man. He was a great friend of the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, and he will be sadly missed.”
The strong professional relationship between Dr. Naranjan Dhalla, a key figure at St. Boniface Hospital Research and the founder of the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, and Dr. Friesen further underscores this connection:
“I have known Dr. Henry Friesen, an extraordinary human being, for more than five decades and had the privilege to become one of his close friends. His conversations were most inspiring, and his advice was greatly helpful in finding solutions to diverse professional problems. He was highly committed to promoting excellence in research, not only in Manitoba but also throughout Canada. He will always be remembered with the highest respect as one of the best medical men of this country.”
Dr. Michael Czubryt, Executive Director of Research at St. Boniface Hospital, said:
“It is rare for individuals to have local, national and international impact in research, in academics, and in administration, and rarer still for one person to impact so deeply in all three areas together. Dr. Henry Friesen was that exceptionally rare individual. Just as we remember and celebrate his tremendous global impact, we also cherish the legacies he left at the local level, building up both the University of Manitoba and St. Boniface Hospital Research. We thank Henry for sharing with us his energy, his dedication, and his brilliance, and we thank his family for sharing Henry with us these many years.”
The passing of Dr. Friesen is a profound loss, and St. Boniface Hospital Research extends condolences to his family. His leadership and contributions have left an enduring legacy on Canadian and global medical research.